6-25-18 Groton Board of Education Meeting

001Hi, I'm Elanarian. >> Hi, I'm Chris Kennedy. >> Hi, I'm Corey St. Louis. >> You're watching GPS 19. Plant it here. >> [music] >> All right, I would it was I would like to call the Rotten Board of Education meeting to order. It is 6:05. I'm five minutes off my game. Sorry about that, folks. Um, and to start with, um, for our pledge of allegiance, >> would you be willing, Beth, to lead us? Thank you. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. We have some incredible guests with us tonight. >> We Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. Awesome. >> Good. >> Awesome. All right. So, we have some

002wonderful guests uh guests with us tonight. Um and Dr. Grineer, would you like to um start that off? >> Sure. I'm I'm actually going to go to the podium and then invite one of our guests to come up. We have a program each year. Uh Connecticut has participates and Groten participates in in the uh in in the state level of the invention convention and children from uh several of our schools uh compete. Uh this year uh I I know Katherryn Konowelski I think was grades three and and five participated as well as I know SP Butler. Um but of all the the children the scores of children who who participated uh one of ours a third grader uh was selected to participate in the national invention convention uh and her name is Mia Green and

003I'd like Mia to come up if she would please. [applause] So, so Mia, why don't just hand right here and we'll we'll uh let people hear a little bit about it. Uh Mia, I'm going to let her explain this because she's actually a television personality now. Uh and she uh she's not uh remotely shy. Uh and she the first night I met her about uh two months ago, she explained to me what she will explain to you in a moment, which is a a really a useful practical invention. Uh that when she went to Detroit, uh like we have Grammy awards and Tony awards, they have STEMI awards and Mia won a STEMI award for this. So, I'm going to I'm going to introduce Well, if this was if this was two days ago, I

004would introduce a third grader. She's now a very big fourth grader. Uh, so I don't want to take too much of her stature away, but uh how about if you can explain and uh and I think uh we're going to get some help maybe from your your your mom. So, so Mia Green, >> hello. >> Hi. Um, here is my invention right here. And it is not complete yet right this second, but it's almost complete right about now. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, first of all, this is my invention, the Benny chair. And I made this invention for my little brother Benny who is standing right here. [snorts] And he um has some problems. So he has like so he has autism and he is he he's on the spectrum and he also has SPD which

005is sensory processing disorder. And this is why I made the Benny chair because he has a little bit of problems sitting down for long periods of time. Now, Benny, can you please do this? Now, first of all, right here we have the fidget spinners. [laughter] The fidget spinners right here. And they and it actually helps with posture which is like really cool cuz you have to like put your shoulders back and put your hands back as well with your arms. And now also right here I have these basting brushes ends as I like to call them touch points because um Benny like I put these on because Bennett likes to run his fingers through soft things and with like different textures and they're both different sizes. Now for the last of the hand parts is

006right here, which is this um light switch right here. And the these light w switches are like regular light switches, but they don't really do anything for the chair. But the reason why I put these on here is because Benny likes to flip on and off the light switches at home. Now, up on the top again, right here is a cooling cushion. And the reason why I put this on is because Bennett does not like to sit on hard surfaces. And this is like really comfortable and squishy and like it helps him out a little bit. Now, down here for the feet right here is a big rubber band. And this actually um sometimes makes sounds if you like play with it like what Bennett's doing right now. But he's But Bennett, will you like

007to demonstrate? Okay. So, Bennett, sit down right here. He likes to bounce his feet up and down and likes to run in place with it a lot even though it makes a little bit of sound. And now, finally, last but not least, we have the foot pedal right here, which it used to bounce his feet back and forth. >> Wow. Wow. [applause] >> Wow. >> Thank you. [applause] Wow. >> So, so you went to Detroit. Can you just tell us a little bit? It's a big huge uh I think it was the the the Ford Museum if I if I'm sorry >> the the Henry Ford Museum. And so a number of us were sort of jealous that Mia uh and her mom right uh got got to go. So can you tell us just

008a little bit about the Henry Ford Museum and what what it was like and how many kids were there and everything? Um, there were like a whole lot of kids. I think there were about like 800 kids. >> Wow. >> 450s. >> That feels like 800. >> Anyways, and like I produced this invention [snorts] though I did not win any awards if anyone was going to ask me that. No, I did not. But I did get a certificate for participating. We stayed at like a hotel there. We went there for like three nights. Only one day was like the real judging. So, it was like really fun. We uh got a couple of things. We even got like some pins. I even made like two pins myself. >> That sounds like so cool. Yes, >>

009I need it. >> That's why I designed this. This can also be used for the classroom because um it's like really quiet. >> Does Does Benny go Benny, do you go to school? >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yes, he does. Sort of because um I think Y >> yeah, >> Rosemary. >> Okay, >> Benny, I don't like to sit on hard things either. I'm with you. [laughter] >> It's okay. >> Wow. >> I might need this, too. [laughter] >> It's very entertaining, too. >> I need to be entertained. [laughter] In addition to being a wonderful inventor, it seems to me is a wonderful school. >> Yes, >> you're very poised. [applause] >> Okay. >> And a wonderful >> Thank you. [applause] >> She's also a wonderful sister. >> Yes. >> Who cares about her brother. That

010is just very heartwarming. >> You did a great job demonstrating. >> Yes, you did. [laughter] Thank you both so much. >> Thank you. And thank you for the whole family. Thank you for making us graten proud. Thank [applause] you. [laughter] >> Yes, you bet. >> Dr. Ger wants to test it out. >> I I actually spent a little time in this the first time we met, right? >> And I was straight, right? You have to lift your shoulders up proper. People actually think I'm paying attention. [laughter] [applause] >> That's that's good. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Yay. >> Cool. >> Wow. That was >> wonder. Do you want to stay there? >> Uh yes. Uh I do. But actually uh because we're going to move into three other remarkable guests that we

011have. uh we had uh three students participate in a very prestigious theatrical event called the Eugene O'Neal Theater Center Young Playrights Festival and uh and and to explain this a little bit we actually have a couple of speakers u one of them is Miss Quashny uh who is the teacher uh from Westside Middle School and maybe Angelie you you could come up So we can know this playwright that we're talking about and then maybe you and I can. >> So as Dr. Grer said um Ansley was a student in my enrichment playwriting class um it was held for about eight weeks during the second trimester of the school year and we have students from all three grade levels represented in the class. Um the students during that time they create a 10 to 15page one-act

012play and then those plays are submitted to the Eugene O'Neal playwrights competition. Ansley's play was called actions speak louder than words and it tells a unique love story that spans the course of many years. uh the characters are very well-developed and readers really root for the characters and she created this interest even though one of her main characters Luke was a selective mute and he didn't even utter any words until the final scenes of the play. So I thought that really showed remarkable talent. Um out of over 200 submissions her piece was selected as a finalist and as a finalist she was invited to participate in a two-day playwriting workshop at the theater. She and other finalists were able to work with actors and writers to workshop the winning plays while also developing their own

013skills as storytellers. Ansley is a talented young writer with a unique voice. It's been a pleasure to watch her come into her own over the course of the year. And as she moves on to Fitch High School, I can only imagine the heights that her writing is going to take when she's afforded more opportunities to develop. [applause] So what Dr. Brener and I would love to present to you is just a certificate of recognition um for your hard work and congratulations and we are so proud of you and so thank you. [applause] >> Uh Clara, would you uh want please? So in in addition to to Ansley uh we had one other person uh Clara Garish was selected as a guest playwright. And so just to give you a little bit of background uh Miss

014Quinney was right there was actually 208 uh plays uh were were submitted uh in in in Clara's case. She actually submitted a play in in 2017 and that summer last summer uh she was selected as a semi-finalist but didn't actually make it to the festival where they did the the workshops and and all that sort. But she uh has perseverance and wrote another play and this summer uh submitted a play uh which actually was a product of her uh creative writing class. And at the at at at the conference uh she uh what they did was they did a cold read. Uh we I'll introduce you to one of the finalist playrights in a moment, but they did a cold read of five of the 208 plays that that were submitted. Then during the second

015day uh Kyra was observed that as a guest playwright uh observed the the rehearsals and then ultimately on the third day after some more uh playwriting workshop uh they went to Khan College where the actors actually performed uh the five select to plays and you know we we live we live in southeastern Connecticut and some sometimes we take these institutions for granted that uh the Eugen O'Neal Theater is this huge institution. Uh August Wilson used to come here, the noted uh playwright uh felon uh named Lynn Juan Miranda that some of you may know. Uh he he he came to the Eugene O'Neal Theater and and wrote his first play that whose name escapes me? >> In the Heights. Thanks. I knew it had to do with the Heights. You wouldn't know. I grew up

016in Manhattan. uh forgetting the heights. Uh and but anyway, so this institution is is worldrenown and so when we talk about uh young playwrights festival, we're talking about some of the top writers and and actors and directors from around the country. And u in addition to that, uh just one other footnote related to writing uh Clara was selected as the Fitch representative. uh she is our poet laurate and went recently to the mystic art cafe and where there was a workshop for for for poets and got some good feedback on her writing and so she's a really a distinguished writer and and I I know her her college choice is sort of hovering in the in the option category perhaps uh Goodwin College perhaps uh Three Rivers but my sense is that we have a

017young writer on our hands here who's going to continue to produced. So, congratulations on being a guest playwright. And uh we're going to ask uh Chairman Watson uh to present you the certificate acknowledging your contribution. >> Thank you. Congratulations. We are so proud of you. Thank you, [applause] >> Dr. Grier. Yes. Could maybe Clara just tell us the name of her play and Oh, >> sure. >> what it was about a little bit. >> You have to go to the microphone. [laughter] >> I know it's painful. >> Clara Clara begs the spotlight. Just loves to speak in public. Not. So, the name of the play was Glad I Met You, and it was about two different people from two very different backgrounds who don't really get along at first, but um after they get to

018talking for a while, they kind of um find things that they have in common and they bond over that and they realize that even though they're from very different families and like different backgrounds and stuff that they have some things in common and they're not like super different and they become friends. Thank you. [applause] >> As I said, of the 208 plays that were submitted, five were actually submitted to be performed and were in fact performed at at Connecticut College by professional actors. Uh, and of all those plays that were selected, uh, one of the playwrights, uh, who, uh, uh, actually had his play performed, uh, was Jeff Sinsky. So, Jesse, why don't you come on up, please? I [applause] I I'm not sure if this is uh more an example of outstanding writing ability

019or perseverance. uh because uh because Jesse actually in 2016 was a guest playwright uh and went to the festival and saw all the interesting things that that were going on. And so in in 2017, last summer, uh he wrote another play which was not selected. Uh and so he he was unable to participate. But not giving up on his writing career, he wrote another play uh this this past year uh and submitted it again and it in fact was one of the five plays that were selected. So the first day there was a cold read which must be thrilling to have real real actors hear those words that you've written. Uh and then the next the next day there was a bunch of rehearsals where I know there were directors and actors were trying to

020figure out uh h how how best to stage this. And then on the third day of the festival uh the whole troop of our young playwrights uh went to Connecticut College and actually these five one act plays were performed and so uh Jesse got to see his play directed and performed by uh by professional actors. So, I I just I'm I'm gonna ask the same question as Mrs. Vulman. If you could just tell us a little bit about the play, we we'd appreciate it. And then we'll make a little certificate presentation. Uh my play is called uh Places to Go People to Be. It's about a stepfather and a stepson uh working together to overcome the grief of a a past mother and wife while also dealing with uh stresses of having such a separation

021as step family members as well as uh overcoming addiction. Um, it's uh I've been told it's heartwarming. It's very uh nice to hear that and uh I uh very much appreciated the uh opportunities that the uh program allowed me to take advantage of. Um I encourage anyone that has the chance to seize it. >> [applause] >> Hence hence the husky. >> Yeah, I guess I guess I I I should have guessed that, but uh so we had a we had >> you're the Nike symbol on this. >> Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] >> So uh so we have a couple of budding uh three budding playwrights and one one off uh to Three Rivers and one off to University of Connecticut. Okay. Congratulations. Well deserved. [applause] I'D ALSO LIKE TO recognize both Jesse and Clara for their

022work in the Empora. It's just one of the most wonderful, wonderful pieces of art and literacy that is produced at Fitch High School and it won from the National Council of Teachers of English a special award for its excellence as and ranking excellence. So, we're just so proud of both of you and your colleagues and um what you produced. It's definitely on my bucket list and I've already started reading and looking at the art, but it's filled with poetry and stories and artwork. So, I just want to commend all of you. So, thank you very much. [applause] >> You guys make us very much graten proud. And so once again, thank you for coming out and getting your certificate, but actually more thank you for your hard work and just willing to shine. And um

023for those of you who leave our leave our community or stay in our community, um we say um good luck and um uh safe travels um and come back often to let us know how well you're doing. And for you, welcome to Fitch. And I'm sure you're going to flourish as well. So, and also thank you for um is it me? No, Mia. No, >> ma. Excuse me. >> Yeah. No, she's very clear about that >> and I apologize about that, but thank you for coming and good luck on your fourth grade career. [laughter] >> I'm looking forward to hearing more about you. All right, so this is the port. [applause] Yes, please. I just want to encourage anyone who hasn't had an opportunity to go to the Eugene O'Neal Theater this summer. For the

024next couple of weeks, they're doing musicals, new musicals that they run through. They do readings, then they'll do the play, the playwrights conference, and after that is a couple of weeks of cabarets. And it's phenomenal. I mean, I've been going there for many years. And I used to teach in New London. I would volunteer there. And it was the first time I saw Merryill Streep, Robert Redford. They were all students at Yale Repertoire Theater. They a lot of the students come and perform and it's a it's a wonderful place. So, please, you know, to bring a picnic, go sit outside by the water. It's just really pretty. We're very blessed to have that. >> Could I one thing? >> I worked at Connecticut College in the public relations department for some time and there was

025an event. It was endowed by some parents and it's called the writer as witness. You are the writers. You are the witness. You are going to tell other people what our country is all about because you are the people that we will be listening to and reading you. Thank you so much. All right. [applause] All right. So we are moving on to the comments portion of our agenda um where we will hear um comments from citizens where the subject of concern that lie within the jurisdiction of the board of education. Um each presentation should be limited to 5 minutes or less and citizens should if possible submit written comments. Presentation should be related to matters pertinent to graten. Um, board members will only ask questions in order to clarify the speaker's presentation and cannot respond

026during the comments from citizens portion of the board meeting. You are more than welcome to stay, but we get it. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Citizens should make their presentation from the podium and state their names and addresses for the record. And the crowd lightens. [laughter] >> Is there anyone who is here, Miss Joan, that wants to do a present? Um, >> okay. Is there anyone in the audience that is interested? >> If not, we are going to move on to and we don't have student representative report outside of the fact that um Cindy has graduated and that was a great evening on Friday. >> Um and so the superintendent and administrative report I uh I know um that this was sent w with the packet. I I I thought having a little bit of

027update on first of all graduation as Chairman Watson just said was uh spectacular event. It it was u wonderful weather and I I must say and this is true for the both middle school promotion ceremonies they went to. I I've never seen a school district where where the students cheer for each other so enthusiastically. It's just >> absolutely heartwarming. It's one thing when the parents and grandparents cheer, but it's another thing when your classmates just uh I mean l literally ovation after ovation for for students. The level of support is is remarkable. Uh and and that certainly was reflected in graduation. But the uh the report that I have here is uh is actually some of the data that we uh will provide for the alliance folks. Uh and and I thought you it would

028be helpful to know something about post-secondary plans. uh that there were u about 10% of the the students uh who at least at this point are undecided about their future. About uh 16% of the students plan to go to a two-year college primarily Three Rivers about 62% of the students are going on to four-year college. So when you you combine uh when you combine uh 16 and and um and 62 uh sec about 78% of our kids are are going on to a college experience. Uh just one to a vote tech school. That's somewhat unusual. Seven students are going into directly into the military. Um 13 are going directly into the workforce. And a number of students said to me on Friday night uh that they are taking the opportunity to do a gap year

029uh on on purpose to take take a year off, make some money, figure out what they really want to do uh and go off to college. And and colleges actually accept kids and then give them a year. I know the Coastg Guard Academy does for example. Um so we had 226 uh students uh uh graduate and they are uh off on their way and I understand they had a wonderful party at the Mystic Indoor Sports and did uh uh and I think made all of us feel very proud. It was a it was a great night. So that's it for me. >> All right, Susan. I'd like to invite Gail Okra up to talk to us a little bit about the Sandy Hook Promise, which is really just a resource that can be used for

030our safe school climate and culture committees that we have at every building. Um, we have programs like PBIS, which is positive behavior intervention support and responsive classroom. And you've heard Paul Espazito talk about his journey to success. Um, and these are just other resources that can be added to the repertoire of many things that we do to bring kids together and to build on that climate and culture. Thank you so much for inviting me here tonight to be able to speak a little bit about the Sandy Hook Promise programs. I have two children and they are young adults now, but they came right up through from K to 12 in the Grten school system and we all had a wonderful experience. Uh, and now I'm off as an empty neester doing other things. And uh,

031so I wanted to just give you a little um, brief introduction about the Sandy Hook Promise program. The Sandy Hook Promise Sandy Hook Promise was founded by parents whose children were killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. uh they began to organize in about 2013 and 14 and they collaborated with leading violence prevention researchers, educators and psychologists and they created four nocost and research-based violence prevention programs. What I'd like to do really quickly is show you a video and the title of it is who we are and this will just give you a deeper understanding of the intention of the founders of the Sandy Hook Promise program. Dylan was just pure love. He [music] was the glue that held us together. And he had an amazing laugh. Every day from

032[music] school, he would bring home pieces of paper that he made big purple [music] dots on. He was only six years old and in first grade when he was killed. I'll never know what he could have become. >> That morning, Friday, [music] December 14th, literally changed who I am as a person. >> Daniel was an exceptional little soul. [music] He was a light of happiness. people could truly feel and sense his warmth and compassion. He had a lot of love [music] and he gave that all back 10fold. [music] After the shooting, Mark and I along with several other family members launched Sandy Hook Promise [music] to honor our loved ones lives and ensure this never happens to any [music] other family. Sandy Hook Promise is focused on just one goal. Prevent gun violence [music] before

033it happens. >> So, how will we do this? We'll [music] do this in three ways. The first is training people how to know the signs. The second is building an engaged base. And the third is passing sensible policy. We start by [music] teaching 26 million youth and adults our know the signs violence prevention [music] programs by the year 2026. shifting the culture of two generations. We deliver these programs at no cost because we believe [music] that money should not get in the way of saving a life. There are four know the science programs. The first program [music] we teach is called Start with Hello. Start with Hello teaches students [music] how to recognize and minimize social isolation, marginalization, and rejection. [music] And then teaches them how to create a school culture that's more inclusive that

034reaches out to isolated individuals because we know that those [music] behaviors are some of the indicators for someone who could go on to eventually [music] hurt themselves or someone else. >> Second, signs of [music] suicide or SOS. SOS trains youth and adults how to identify, intervene, and get help for people who may be depressed or suicidal. Research shows that [music] seven out of 10 individuals tell somebody or give off signals before they complete suicide. >> Our third program [music] is called Say Something. Say something teaches youth how to recognize warning signs, especially in [music] social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others, and then say something to a trusted [music] adult or submit a tip using our 24/7 anonymous reporting system. >> Fourth, safety [music] assessment and intervention creates multiddisciplinary

035teams to identify, assess, and respond to threats of violence or at risk behavior. Safety assessment [music] and intervention addresses the underlying issue that led the youth to act in an atrisisk manner. >> We deliver these programs through a team [music] of national trainers, but schools can also self-lead by downloading our interactive [music] training videos and materials. And we require schools and community organizations to embed these programs into existing [music] student clubs or create a students against violence everywhere promise club to help sustain the programs. Now, the second part of delivering our goal is to build a [music] base of 6 million Americans educated and engaged in the issue of gun violence prevention. Sandy Hook Promise will achieve this [music] through our above the politics position and focusing our message on the human side of gun

036violence. We're also training 7,000 [music] volunteer promise leaders to raise awareness, recruit more supporters, and help bring our programs to their communities. Finally, we will advocate for [music] meaningful state and federal legislation that supports our know the science programs, provides mental health and wellness resources, and protects [music] at risk individuals from firearm access and ownership. >> So, now you know who we are and what we [music] do and we know it's working. >> To date, we have trained 2 million youth and adults in our know the science programs in [music] all 50 states. We know that our training has stopped multiple school shooting and suicide threats, self harm, and weapons [music] coming into schools. Additionally, they have reduced bullying as well as gotten hundreds of youth mental health and wellness [music] services that they need.

037>> Our PSA, Evan, has been viewed over 145 million [music] times. It's helped change the narrative on gun violence by teaching people that it is preventable [music] when you know the signs. Evans engaged and educated Americans, driven training [music] of schools and community organizations, and helped raise funds so that we can train more youth. And on the policy side, we've leveraged our supporters, partners, and alliances for several pieces of state and federal legislation, including critical [music] work on delivering mental health reform as part of the 21st Century Cures Act and multiple gun violence prevention and [music] ballot initiatives in 16 states. It's too late for us to go back and save our children. But by taking our tragedy and transforming [music] it into something positive that could save the lives of others, that could even

038[music] save the life of your family, that's what keeps us going every day. It honors [music] the children we lost and protects those that survived. And it's our way of kind of keeping them alive so that [music] their death has some meaning because we can prevent it elsewhere. Help us by spreading our [music] message, bringing our no cost, know the signs programs to your community and donating so [music] we can expand our reach, accelerate our momentum, and help protect more children from gun violence. So Katrina Fitzgerald and I became Sandy Hook promise leaders a book dropping the library with said sorry about that. So we became promise leaders Katrina Fitzgerald and I and we've already made presentations to the superintendent to the safety officer to the military leazison meeting at the principal meeting the climate

039and safety summit the district safety committee and the club to the club adviserss up at Fitch High School. two of the programs, and I'll um describe them a little bit more just to give you an idea of uh what they will entail, will be such a valuable a addition to the district's safe school climate initiatives. And they are start with hello, which is designed for children in K through 12 in Midland High School, as I spoke about on the video. It will be led by the students. So where the students will create a students against violence everywhere club and it could be a standalone club or it could be embedded into a club like more than words or student council and it consists of classroom discussions, activities, assemblies and the beauty of these two programs

040are they can be tailored to fit each school. The other program say something is designed for students in middle school and high school. It's also studentled with the students against violence everywhere club and it uses video presentations, assemblies, activities and discussions and then a leazison from each school will be designated. So that person will lead the implementation of the programs at Fitch High School. uh assistant principal Aaron Magcuire has already stepped up to be the high school leaison and so far to date uh her group with in addition to the students have repainted school bathrooms each having a theme. They've recognized uh birthdays with a birthday wall. They've joined a national organization called We Dine Together where it's that is dedicated to never having a student sit alone that doesn't want to in the cafeteria.

041They've created mental health flowcharts for the staff and coaches and this summer they're planning a schedule so that they can roll out both programs. So as we are made aware as Katrina and I are being u made aware of the leazison within each school we'll offer them resources and support. So thank you so much and are there any questions? I have to say that the see something say something is a model that has been used in this district and you know from elementary, middle school and high school and in the in the spring when sometimes behaviors, you know, act up. We do get messages from kids because I do believe that in this district they have a trusted adult either at home or at school and if something is happening on social media or anywhere

042else we always hear about it pretty instantly. So we think that that message across the district has um been heard loud and clear. >> Do we not have an anonymous tip >> tip line? So it feels it feels like that really kind of blends well with the Sandy Hook promise because we already have that tip line. >> So that feels um like it's there there's already pieces that were kind of embedded. >> Absolutely. So >> even with this say hello and the we dine together very much in sync with one another. >> Lee, I would we we are a a nice bunch of school members here. I am so proud that Katrina is a friend of mine. She's been working on this for months. Um, as if we don't have enough things to do [laughter]

043or that I I'm just um proud that she's part of it >> and I'm lucky to have her as a partner. >> You are. She's awesome. >> Yes, you are. So, I just um I I I have I have known um Gail and Katrina for a really long time and I started heard them talk about the Sandy Hook um promise and having it come into the school district and I just felt that it was so important that um in a sense that everyone on the board knows about it, knows about how it's being how it's going to be implemented, that it's not just another curricula that's going to be added to um a teacher's thing. um but that it's actually it's it's something that can be embedded um um into everything that we everything that

044we do um and it's a valued program but also holding true to the fact that we are a policy board and that any any thing that gets added to our district um it really needs to be sanctioned by us. Um, and so I kind of wanted to make sure that Gail could come in and kind of present um, and do it at this portion of the time, but then we would do it um, if you notice later on in our um, new uh, uh, business items, we actually have a motion so where we can um, sanction it or not sanction it. Um, so >> endorse it. Sorry, >> you say sanction, I you say endorsement, I say sanction. You say potato, I say potato. And I think can I just add to that that it's

045not just one more thing for the principal or the teacher to do but if you heard that in middle school and high school it's an you know an added resource that clubs could take on. So anytime it's student led and student driven I think um it really means something to the kids. I think we've also um heard about the fact that there was some painting of the bathrooms being done and like it that didn't make any connection to me but it it's now um doing that. So >> that Renaissance program um >> right Adam that's the same thing. >> Yes it is. It is excuse me it is >> you're going to need to go buy a microphone. Sorry sir >> that service club is it does tremendous things. Uh we have uh Aaron Magcguire

046certainly has a lot of plans uh project outreachbased situations. Uh they've already begun to get the you know get at least talking about uh getting the student that's sitting by themselves you know getting engaging them and it's it's such a great uh piece to see the students be the ones that are leading as you said Susan it's really really powerful. So it it is something that's going to be continuing. Do we have any more questions? >> Thank you. >> Oh, excuse me. One more. >> I have a question. Um, how can people become more active um in this area with you? >> Yes. Well, we Katrina and I are co-leaders and we've started a group where um people within the community can join us to our goal is to put the Sandy Hook Promise program

047in all schools within New London County. And uh we're doing other things too. We're having uh just organizing panel discussions and some fundraisers and we're really hitting the decks running. So, if you'd like to join us, just speak to Katrina or myself. We'd love to have you. >> I am interested. >> Wonderful. Good. >> All right. Anything else? >> Awesome. Question for Dr. Ger that I think maybe would explain this. We received an email for you about um needing to override uh the school safety bill and I didn't quite understand what that was about. So maybe you could explain it and see does it tie into this in any way school safety or >> No. No. >> Well, there there was a there was a bill that was passed recently. Yeah. uh that gave rise

048to some concerns uh among certainly administrators uh that if if there was a classroom disruption uh the student uh would be we would be required to remove the student from the room the other students parents would have to be notified and >> and today the the Senate took up the and the governor thought it was the discriminatory towards disable disabled children and and minority uh children. So he vetoed it and today the Senate took it up. Um and u they did not override the veto. The veto the veto stays. >> Great. >> Yeah, that's what I said >> because that was the case about a teacher that sent a student out of the classroom. >> That's right. for a very long period of time >> potentially could be a very long >> and it was

049up to the teacher to decide whether or not the student could come back now I understand. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Sorry folks my um I'm just trying to find support for my back. >> No. >> All right. >> You can get the Benny chair. >> Yeah. I could fidget along with that. I actually have like four fidgets with me. So, [laughter] Ben, Ben and I, we're close. Um, we're now at the business manager report. So, Ken, >> uh, we have an updated project summary. >> Yep. We should I think we have it in the pack. >> Yep. Uh so uh this is uh again this is a uh option code summary based upon our approved budget from 2018 of 76 million46839. Um as of last Monday we anticipated having unexpended uh funds of

050714 357. Uh this is being driven by salaries. uh in tuition offset by some uh over budget uh expenses in uh employee. And so this will set the board up later in the meeting when uh the board will have to vote for it uh $1.8 million reduction of the budget that was passed on February late in in late February. So right FY19 budget. Uh and and I would say a a good portion of this unexpended balance is uh due to the good fortune of the alliance district and we were >> uh the alliance funds came in at the end of uh last month uh and we were able there were some fun there were some expenses that we were carrying on the board that alliance was able to pick up uh that so that's why

051uh this >> which contributes to the unexpended balance and which will then contribute to helping us bear the $1.8 million cut. >> Correct. >> Any other questions for Ken? >> And no health insurance report. >> Oh, yeah. So, no health insurance report. I expect it uh any day now. Uh but uh the April report that we did last um month was was the last one we had. So, we're still waiting with some degree of of anxiety uh for our May report and then of course our our June report will come in sometime in in late July. So, we don't know what the health insurance expenses are uh at this point. So, is is that why we're um we have this balance just in case or >> Well, the balance when we get to later in

052the meeting, you you'll see that um Ken and I are going to make a proposal to spend this money this week and therefore reduce next year's budget, take buy things from next year's budget with this amount of money uh which will uh allow us to reduce the budget next year's budget by 1.8 million. So So in other words, the example uh uh Sam Kilpatrick has some equipment about $50,000 of equipment in next year's budget. From that 714,000, we're going to recommend that we purchase put in the purchase order tomorrow if the board approves. Uh, and so Sam will get the truck, but he won't have the money in the next year's budget. >> Okay. Are we getting a listing of this? >> Yeah. Yeah, you'll get it with that when we get to the action

053portion. >> Okay. >> All righty. So, we're going to move on to um committee reports. Um, >> building I always >> Is this a joke or what? I had turned the page >> metaphorically. >> Metaphor. Okay. >> Good evening. [laughter] How are you tonight? >> Very well. You? >> I'm Dandy. >> Great. Um, since the last time we met, um, uh, a group of us again met with the architect. I'm, this is on the 2020 report. Um a group of us again met with um with the architects uh Perkins Eastman uh to do our final uh programming uh meeting which uh aligns our EDS specs with with the building uh itself. The uh so that that meeting took place. Uh in addition to that uh we had a permanent school building committee meeting and uh

054Rick Norris and uh Jack Buudkis who also addressed you at our last uh cow meeting I believe cow meeting uh gave the same p presentation to permanent school building committee that they gave to us at that meeting. So and that's about where we are right now. Ju just just a small footnote, the architects, Sam was talking about are the elementary the two elementary schools. And so one of the charges for the two arch for the architect for the two schools right now is to determine if it would be more cost effective to build new buildings or uh or uh renovate. So they're actually they're actually doing cost estimates for both. So they're they're kind of doing the uh it's two very different things as you can imagine trying to shoehorn an elementary school into the

055confines of the two uh middle schools that we have right now. But uh we should I think by next month we should have a decision and I think by mid July uh Sam and I and some others will go up to the state department and make our make our pitch uh for whichever one is uh is less expensive and then uh keep on going. Rita, >> Sam, could you tell us about some of your projects for the summer >> in terms of not not the new schools, but the your ongoing, you know, the maybe driveways or work in the different schools that you're going to your crew is going to be? >> Yeah. Well, the the biggest projects that we have for this summer are the uh the work that we need to do at

056the two middle schools, which are going to be intra district magnet schools next year. So we are doing um uh some projects at Cutler Middle School, a sound booth um for instance. Uh at Cutler for the uh arts and humanities program at uh Westside Middle School will be uh the academy program is going to be moving out of their space. So we need to reconstruct some rooms out in the portables for the academy program and in addition to that prepare the space downstairs for the STEM program. So, those are the two big items. Um, the uh the town has uh taken on the task of removing the oil tank from uh Westside Middle School, which we would have had to have done this summer. Uh but Rick Norris is uh heading that up and and

057that'll take place this summer as well. And then our normal uh everyday projects that we do every summer will be taking place as well. But those those are the big ones. >> Any parking lots? very [laughter] enforced. >> Um, no, there are no there are no parking lot projects at this point other than um a Cub Scout uh pack has asked if they could do uh um fill in some potholes at the Claw Chester parking lot. So, as one of their summer projects. So, >> um with with some assistance from our group, I think we can accomplish that. But uh [laughter] if you were speaking about anything else in particular, no, we're not going to be doing that at this time. >> Thank you. >> Good job. Good job. >> Any other questions for Mr.

058Kilpatrick? >> All right. Would you like to go again just to make up for the fact that I skipped over you? Are >> you good? >> I'm good. Thank you. >> Ignore him. [laughter] >> All right. Thank you, dear. All right. So, I'm now on committee reports on policy. Lee, >> uh we meet every We're not meeting actually in July. >> In July, we're meeting July. >> And today we will be talking about the second reading of two of our policies under old. >> Okay. Awesome. Um and uh curriculum >> we met with the people from Apex. We attended a workshop on the program that's proposed for the summer summer summer school and we also did a webinar with them and we got teacher feedback both in writing and in from from their presence at

059those two programs and then we as at the curriculum meeting we invited Mr. Diskin and several teachers to to come and meet with us and give us feedback and we wholeheartedly approve of the program to be piloted during the summer. This this is will come for your approval but that's from the committee that we are we are in favor of that and Mr. later on if we have any specific questions. That's it. >> Thank you very much. You're welcome. Um, I know that Jay is not here. Katrina, do you I know that you were a member that you're a member of the finance and facilities committee. Do you have uh we it was pretty much we reviewed the um CIP requests for August. Um we talked about the something coming up later >> the the

060purchasing h how we're going to handle the purchasing >> purchasing >> from this year's money or next year's money. So I think one of the things I I came in at the very tail end of when you were talking about the the capital improvement um projects or the CIPs um and Katrina I am so wholeheartedly um support uh your comment of somehow we have to capture history um kind of like the comment that my dear friend to the right um was talking about about the parking lot um is that that's been a project that has um been noted for multiple years um and it's the And it's just um we we we are working with u members um new new town council members and new new RTM members and who don't understand that when they

061approve or don't approve a project um that has come through a capital improvement from the board that the potential of it being multiple years old um is true. So I just needed to say that I um kudos out for you to really um be really strong about that. So I appreciate that. >> Thanks. Um I also believe that you guys talked about um central office salaries was on was on the agenda. >> Yes. um for you guys. But >> central office salaries um that the IB um the cost of students, what it costs for us to educate students and well tuition um based on what the actual and there were take things taken out that were not calculated that are fixed costs. I'm sure you're gonna show the us the forum about that. That'll come

062up and everything, right? >> Um today. >> No, not today. Not today. Eventually. >> Y >> and I think that was about it. Mike, do you remember anything else? >> Yeah, it just said non-union. Non >> Oh, the non that was all part of Okay. >> Essentially 1.5% which was in the budget. Which is in the budget. >> I think that's it. Okay. Thank you. Um Lita learn we had a um meeting last Thursday um at learn the week the month before was at the marine science um magnet high school which was wonderful um a graten student who was a senior who's going to go going to the Coastg Guard Academy presented and she was extremely articulate and another graten student who came to the learn board meeting in June um re also also um

063what she was the speaker for their graduation and it was wonderful. But we they received an award from CABE for their budget. It was the first year they had a really extensive budget which I passed along to Ken because I thought it was so well done and and really explained things. We also um had an executive committee report on um Dr. Holl's the executive director of learn her evaluation and um they had election of officers and I was reelected to the executive board which was nice. So and I'll be continuing on the building committee board for the learning um the the learns learning academy at um on Ocean Avenue which hopefully will have students by December 1st. Unfortunately, they found some asbestous when they moved cabinet, so it'll slow things up. They thought they thought

064November, but now it's December, so we're we're hoping. Anyway, that's my report. Thank you. Um, so I, um, yay. Um, two weeks ago, we had the board of ed um, town council and RTM leazison meeting. Um and there was a few of us that attended um and we had city actually we had represent representatives from each of the boards um or committees and so that was great. Um the the actually the what came out of it was that we will be meeting not this month but starting in August um the first Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 um is and we are holding ourselves to that time frame um and the 1 hour limit that came very clear um and um and I think that what was um what was what was helpful that I heard

065was it wasn't just going to be about this is what the board of ed is doing or not doing. Um but that um we need to be hearing it from um what all committees um are doing across the town. Um and I thought that was really wellreceived and so we got actually got to hear about some ordinances that would come. We know that there's condos that are being developed um and um I already got that. Thanks. um and um the condos that are being developed across from the old Bquanic um fire department and I I think that they said that was a 16 person unit um so uh that could have great impact on schooling um or class sizes [clears throat] as we as we come to think about that. So, um I am looking

066forward to that. Um and I am proposing a um a template for the uh for the meetings. Um and for those of us who attended, you'll see it um hopefully in a couple days. >> Can I ask a question as a newbie? Every once in a while I have a question. You have to bear with me. >> Oh, >> so >> ask away. >> Um so who attends this? This is was all new to me. Is it anyone who from the board who ch wants to go or are there reps or >> so if you can remember sort of um when you first actually came on we kind of divvied up sort of who's going to be like on the curriculum who's going to be on the finance and facilities and so I believe it

067was it's Rosemary Lee and Jay um are members of the leazison committee um anyone it's a public meeting so anyone can go um um but the participants are the ones that have been identified so um Mayor um Grant Cowski um Patrice Patrice um she she appointed I was sorry to say anointed appointed [laughter] um some some folks and same with Mayor uh the mayor Hedrix and um Simma Evans the moderator um so they've all appointed and and we'll get together on a regular basis but once again it's a public meeting so anyone can attend >> and and most a lot of the people that are on liaison are newbies like you Yes. >> Um [snorts] our camera the only oldies. >> We're the oldies. [laughter] >> Yes. And I I think it's going to be

068terrific. >> Yep. And also in um in May um the board of ed and the ASA um met um um in the GA sorry. Um and to go over one um just to wrap up the year um and wrap up the happenings. And so um that was a good meeting. Talked a lot about communication. Um and actually I think already things have been put in place. So um not not all but I thought that that was a good meeting. So I'm moving on to trails. Uh trails committee. What about scholarship? [clears throat] >> All right. >> Do we know do we know how much money was given out? No, actually um I attended graduation but I never received a program. So I was going to ask if there were extras if we could receive programs.

069>> Sometimes they're in our board packets or but I didn't get to receive a program and that's usually where you see all and also I receive the awards. >> Any hope of We could >> absolutely just email it. I would prefer email. No, no offense, but >> I just I like actually people in my neighborhood actually pass it around so everyone is always interested to see where this receiving them. All right. So, I am I moving on to the consent agenda, but it looks like the only thing that's on the consent agenda is um the approval of the meeting minutes for May 29th, 2018. Can I have a motion, please? >> Uh second discussion. So did you get that? So on page one to the fifth page where it says committee reports go down to

070curriculum um and that um Miss Haj and Miss McKenna was invited invited to attend to discuss the proposed courses and actually it was a um proposed program. So just change courses to programs. You got it. >> All right. So all those in favor of the minutes as um as um what's the word? >> Amended. Um please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed abstain. Motion has carried. We are now moving on to old business. Um, Rosemary, would you be willing to read number one? Um, the motion >> number one discussion possible action regarding the approval as a second reading of policy 51.42 in our packet and I make a motion to approve. >> So, we just want to make sure that it's policy 5145. Yeah, you added a couple things. I like that. >> Can

071I have a second, please? >> I have a second from Katrina. Can I do we need any discussion about this? >> Hearing none. All those in favor of the uh the policy um second reading of the policy of 5145-12 search and seizure, please say I. >> Oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Lee, can you read number the motion for number two, please? >> Discussion and possible action regarding the approval of a second reading of policy P 6172 alternative education programs. Motion is to approve as the second reading policy 6172 alternative education Can I have a second? Rosemary seconded. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of approving the policy P6172 alternative education program, please say I. >> Oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Ro new business. >> Rita, would you uh read number

072uh number one? >> Yes. to approve the Sandy Hook Promise program. That is the motion. The second is by Rosemary. Do we have any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in approve of the Sandy Hook Promise program, please say I. >> I. Uh oppose, abstain. One. Motion has carried. Sandy Hook Promise moves on. All right, Katrina. >> Yes. >> Um, I'm going to make you make you go a little crazy. We're just going to move number four up. >> Would you be willing to read that? >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion to approve the AAX learning program for summer school. >> Can I have a second? >> Take your pick. >> All right. Can we have discussion, please? I think I said everything. So the apex learning program is what can you explain

073and explain what is taking place and where does it come from? >> Yeah. Why don't you >> if you could just come to the podium that would be great. We just need you by the microphone. >> While he's coming up, let me just say that Adam and the teachers of the high school made the difference in our letting us grow in our understanding of what made a far better than former programs. We really needed to hear their voices and their experience >> and and we thank you for that opportunity. Uh we we certainly believe that Apex is a great replacement right now for what we presently have uh the virtual learning program and it is a web-based digital learning platform basically. um this one and I you know it's cliche but you have board goals

074right here and I was looking at this as I looked at it and it says provide dynamic rigorous curriculum ensure effectively engaging instruction and embrace excellent learning environment. Apex certainly does a better job than what the BLA program did with these three components alone. What we found from the teacher feedback and the presentation uh once they were able to view the actual student interface and the teacher interface was that we found as a summary highly engagement high engagement rigorous opportunities for different levels of student abilities to learn at different levels. adaptability, being able to, you know, from a range of learning difficulties, abilities, the teacher is able to do that. And certainly the rigor there, being able to go from core core courses, uh, college prep to honors courses and AP certified support. So, the

075opportunity is there. Uh, and certainly, I'm very excited to see uh, the approval of that for the summer school pilot. I believe strongly and very excited about the fact that one it's a better program and two the students are going to be able to really really engage themselves a little better and uh I would say that one of the best things out of the program is that it gives all of us instant data on what to do if a student is not doing that's one of the one of the greatest having said that maybe questions directly I have a couple of questions. Um, how does the cost compare to the VA program >> for the summer school? Um, is it's comparably better than what we normally would pay because we we still the summer program

076we have to kind of come up with funds. Um, as of overall, I don't have those those actual exact figures because we also use it for the the VA during the school year. So, I don't have um but with the opportunity that we have this year uh it is 20 I believe if I had the number correct it was 20 yeah 25 uh something and change for the summer 50 lic >> right thank you um and it's for 50 students opportunity to take as many as as they can and with all that is that comes with the program available we can look at it and see like how we can troubleshoot it. >> Is there like a a teacher talking to the students and just like the DA >> this has this has improved way

077teachers to to talk to students troubleshoot situations maybe about the curriculum itself uh and also on a digital level being able to back and forth with them. Um, but there is the opportunity for a teacher to be assigned to them. Uh, and they have face to face opportunities. Um, sort of checkins where student can't just go through the entire curriculum with the course and not have any conversation with the teacher. So that's built into the licens. So if somebody wanted to take an AP course over the summer, would that be possible? it is with the new generation that they're allowing us to have because they're as of July they're switching over to a much improved opportunities for all students. Um so there is there is opportunities but not in every single level at this point

078in time. So for example um you know in Korean language you can't you can't do that but in others Spanish and so on and the core courses you're able to do that. >> At one time the state had had their own program and then I think learn. Is that correct? >> It's a license. >> It's learn as a cooperative. So will other districts be joining us? Do you know >> to reduce the cost? >> Let me let me explain. There is virtual high school. >> Yeah. And that is so long as we provide a teacher for the last years that teaches 25 students worldwide. >> We get 25 seats 25 children. We also purchase the license. We purchased the license $300 a license, but it's an inert program. That is to say, there's no teacher

079at the other end of the line. There's no consultation. It's essentially an electronic work where the students do the lessons and we've been pretty frustrated with this. And the program that we're using now will adjust because we'll do a pres need to virtually all the material and some students need to learn another% at least the thing that I'm excited about is when we get the feedback which appreciate having us look at the possibilities for intervention we had our intervention teachers look at it possib tutorials and then big kids could take unique's there's a lot of like con academy so there's a they go online there's con academy and then all the students have access to teachers academic teachers that essentially have office hours provide extra compensation teachers for the summer but in August I'm really

080hoping we're going to be able to open this up. If there was a if there was a child who let's say was taking an advanced science class but also wanted to take language class student language class online and as I say in some school districts they call that Starbucks kids don't come to school they go online they study it they watch their videos they send emails to their teacher interact And from from my perspective, those of you who have college children know that students are taking online courses frequently. I think it's really helpful for students to take online because the I know from my former district failure rate is really huge because if you don't have discipline, >> do you have any more questions? Not sure how to ask this question. So student comes to

081summer school. Is there with this new Apex program, is there less possibility of the summer school students speeding through and finishing in like four days and then being done with summer school? >> Well, there's two ways we can go about it. There is that that pretest opportunity where where students I know that this has been in the the Why is the student learning relearning something all over? This is an opportunity where a student can actually take a pre-EST and it will essentially give us the teachers information about how they did in what areas and then focus in on the gaps in their education in that particular subject matter. Uh and I think that's really powerful. Um that allows allows you know us to be able to adjust the instruction. Um so that's one great So

082there is a pretest to it. So at least they're getting something that that they're not just repeating and being bored. So that's a good part of the engagement, but there is opportunities. For example, we we're going to be receiving books that students will have and we they will be reading them. So just from what I know so far and highly excited about it. Uh it is much more higher expectations than the VA and the way it was set up it was really the engagement was at sub subow what we expect. This is a a new level of you know opportunity for students on a digital level. Um and it certainly is challenging enough for them not to cruise so quickly through a subject and One additional piece I may add is that teachers actually if

083the student does not do well on an exam let's say get the 10% actually all all action from a student opportunity to do any work is halted so there is no progression the teacher actually has to intervene with and talk to the student actually have a facetoface conversation in a sense and say these are some things that I'd like for you to review Dr. mentioned earlier the tutorial opportunity program is the opportunity there for our students who may be missing gaps in education. It's a tremendous opportunity uh to to fill those gaps quickly and then the teacher being able to really rapidly rapid fire being able to get that information uh so that they have it and and readily make you know informative decisions about what they need to do next. I just wanted to

084teach because feedback. So this is not something that was just okay to convert there as well. meeting. Every teacher talked about it and they were from all different people, teachers from all But the big thing for the real test. So is that sort of is that the next steps is that you guys are going to do it provided that we go through the approval is is that um if you say yes if we say yes and then in August we're going to come back and we're going to hear the report and then recommendations about whether we halt or we move on. >> Awesome. >> Yeah, that makes sense. Thank you. Any other questions? Hearing none, I'm going to move to um approve the Apex Learning um program pilot for the summer school of 2018. Um

085all those in favor, please say I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. We have moved on with that. All right. So Gretchen, can we would you be willing to New business. Number two, discussion and possible action budget. Motion to approve the adjusted FY19. Can I have a second? Second. >> So Ken and Dr. First section 7837 approved 7649. proposed reductions. First section are miscellaneous. We also are proposing to reduce our health insurance. And then the last section is items We hope to use FY [clears throat] expense covered by FY18. What I was trying to say was these are items that are in the FY19 budget and we won't have obviously money for them. And and so what what Ken and his staff andly all of us got together and we tried to identify things that

086would be legally able to be purchased now. tomorrow. It was $50,000 for truck maintenance equipment. We've had a bid list for years by paper and so forth. Sometimes we buy the bid list, leave the site budgets untouched. This year we're going to buy 100986, but that will come out of their So The high school has $20,000 high school reduced by $20,000, but they'll get $20,000. There are maintenance and custodial supplies that are in next year's budget, but we can purchase them right now. There's practice football of course for practice and we also have in the process right now again we write the purchase order And then we had in next year the severance payments for the teachers are retired. We could pay this. Uh so is the actual money that is owed contractually retired but

087we can pay it this week which would leave which would leave us with a $448,08 reduction in FY19. We'll get the goods and services we won't have money next year. So it's the the challenge and then I'll go back up the health insurance we believe right now we probably have about$2.42. So this will take us down to we're not sure where this is going to end the May lower than a million less and then I was a couple other things as we were expend $20,000 Unfortunately trying to add in one way we can add we should get the letter for the next we really need to order the Chromebook even if we wait till July doesn't So I'm proposing that we expend which we've done for the last years and it's Well, it doesn't fall

088in the FY, I have found out I'm on a budget. So, I better than I am. So I teach at least four years of college and sometimes don't have that many of us are not incredibly important to me. And I'm gonna write this as a newbie over years ago. I was the first time an adult to [clears throat] talk to a board as some members asked if I had enough. So I do have time. Um and before I was even a member, I was asked by how I failed to go to middle school. At that point, I had been in for less than six months, even though I've been living on this. So I said I haven't decision was really important to me for two years. Um and I started at the same time and

089we went to the conference and it was just um even though she was a principal and a teacher before that I know You were as lost as I was. When people start talking acronyms and we have absolutely no idea. By the way, Jane and I and maybe other people are going to work on this. Excuse me. Let me just finish. Let me just finish. There are new things. Apex. That's new. There are new things all the time. So, we are going to be working on that and we will certainly use the acronym, but we're going to update. We're not getting rid of anything. Um, now we go back to policy. put me on policy immediately and I thought she [laughter] what he does for our policy group I cannot even begin to tell you how

090important it is to be I'm begging you to think about letting us have again this year to it was impossible to do that. So just ask >> um I I have been an educator in the college level and um this was like diving into the deep end of the water when I first and um and I too was got the policy and I a great deal to K to that helped me understand how important first of all policy is and how to organize it and what we needed to do to update our policies and they have been incredibly instrumental. Um plus the I learned so much at the workshops um that I I just can't even begin to tell you it has been incredibly I would also like to encourage if I win the lottery

091that I think one of the pluses too is to make connection was surprised because I think it's just great organization. We need to do that. We can't sit downtheast. They have also argued for us to restore our budgets and I can't put a price tag on that and they've given us legal information. They've given us so much help that I can't even begin to um I agree with everything that's been said. Um but I would if we do have the money I really would like to rejoin but I thinks If there's I think to do our due diligence are there other organizations or combinations of organizations that can do the same and if they can't then I think this is our best bet and frankly I don't think there is any other option but like

092I said we need to look at that as to try to make contact with another legal firm that we know of that has that she called. She emailed it was like three weeks ago and has not been able to get any response. So that's indication of how they would respond to us in our policy. I'm a little concerned trying to reach out to I guess the only policies. The other In the beginning when I first went to the conference the last few shot meat K was part of lobby. Having the professional organization education organiz I I always learn, but I was saying to Kim, if you have a board of education members who overodied You start to develop what are not in the Um I wrote a long letter to the board. First of all,

093we voted as a board to not fund the National School Board um association as well as I my issues are first of all the policy review is a large extra charge. So a number of years a number of years ago the broaden board of education asked when they review your polic It's a large fee in addition to the $20,000. >> And every time you um go to a cave conference, the fee that you pay is and above what you just don't go to the conference that it's paid for because you're a member of board. There's probably about a $200 difference, maybe a $100 difference if you're a board member or if you belong to Kade as a school district where you don't because Waterford and quite a few other towns in the area have no

094longer belong to Cave, but they can still board still because it's just another fee. They have an extremely topheavy executive administrative staff and I gone to these conferences for years. These people go all over. They stay at the best hotels. And I have just gotten to the point where I feel that they need to trim their staff to reduce the cost so more boards of educations can afford to be part of pay because so many of them are dropping out because of the expense. Um and the we have a rotten um board of education handbook that has and any time we can add a couple to be amended but it's a very thorough list. Um so I won't support um paying the 20,000 because any negotiation I know wrote about I've gone to the negotiation

095sessions yes they're very informative but maybe it's $18 if you're a paid member 20 or 25 if you um are not paid me. So every single thing you do there's an additional charge. It's not like $20,000 every board member can go to conference. It's not the case. So um we've been fortunate that it has when I was first on the board it was in so now you can go to the conference here and you drive there which is very nice but other other people have to come from other areas. I do feel that they really need to reduce their administrative I just think they're very very topheavy and um I have over the years gotten a lot out of it but lately I feel that like their sessions very but for new board members it's

096wonderful it's wonderful Sorry. >> You know, I think it's like any other conference when I was sent to Harvard. It was well worth it. Was it expensive? Yes. Did I learn a lot? Yes. Did I bring it back to the organization? Yes. And made a difference for kids. So, I think we have to think the same way. worry about science. Let's look at purpose and going and expense for that going over and we've already paid in I believe it was 2015. I think we got our money's worth and we have not paid anymore for any more audits because we keep updating um because of what they did for us. But nothing was done when I came on board and started working through it by item and then also evaluating not only what was in the

097paper to But from 2013 to present and the help of charting all the information required by law we've been able to line by line by comma >> we do have that also compare what I got from our trip Washington. I got so much that all children has been very biased. I found that I like learning about how to educate all children, not just specific target audience. So we so is not necessarily in part of the motion. I think that we're having this um I don't know what we should do whether we need to pull that out um and have a se separate motion um because I just think that that and are and the books are >> but yeah but we can but we can add we can add them to that issue and I

098don't know whether people would want to um do that separately in a separate motion which is what I guess we could do that you [clears throat] know we could we could take your proposals of the cave NAB as one separate motion and then the Chromebooks as another separate motion and then the proposed changes that you have come up that to me feels a little bit more that's just um if I could just speak for one more second and then I'll um I for me the the my concern about adding um Yeah, that um is um that we made a commitment um to sort of trim our to trim our sales um and that that this was one of the things we did. I I I can't speak to any of's arguments in terms of I

099don't know all of their structure um in terms of whether it's topheavy or not. I don't feel like I can make that um argument. But I just for me it's more of the fact that we I don't know how to go about this because we're talking first before we discuss these proposed reductions. Well, um because I have a question about what we're seeing in front of us, >> right? Okay. Um I I think that >> we kind of got thrown into that conversation before we finish this. >> Yep. I I don't disagree. Thank you for um um centering me again. Um I think um let's let me find out from the board. Oh, Lee, do you have another question about K before we I address this? I would like to make a motion. >> Okay.

100>> I would like to make a motion. >> Okay. Can I have a second? Second. [clears throat] >> Do you have um any further discussion? >> No, I think we said that we were going to do the public. >> So, we have We already have a motion on the floor, right? We have a motion on the floor for the adjustment. So, what do we So, this is an addition. So, do I have to go back to the first motion on the floor? They're two separate. That's one too many. Let me just ask Joan. I I agree. Um, so if we have two motion, I now have two open motions on the floor. Do I need to go back to the to satisfy the first one? Yes. No. Okay. I agree that that wasn't my question.

101That's I I get that I'm going to treat them as two separate motions. My my question is just do we need to go back to the first motion >> and finish it. Okay. And it makes kind of sense because that might make our make our that might make our decision about what happens with Kate or May not. Can you tell me what the first motion is? >> So the first motion is to approve the adjustments to the um fiscal year 2019 budget to align with the approved budget as which really is as presented by um the business office and Dr. Dr. Grineer. First of all, I would like what the $7,500 is for salary expenses and this has to do with central office staff that has always been done in an executive session. So I

102don't understand we explained this earlier >> this is for the health [clears throat] teacher. So are we going to have a separate executive session about the central office increase? >> Well, we don't even have a motion on that >> today. >> So then as of July 1st, then the central office staff will not receive an increase in >> finance committee that That's not an executive session. It's always done in session. It is racist. >> Unfortunately, we did it in public. >> But that was just the finance. >> I mean, yeah, that can't aren't at the meeting that are not on the finance committee weren't there. So, we have no idea. The only reason I know that that's what it pertains to that I'm not sure where it is in here, but um it's usually very

103clear, very spelled out. Is it 1% 1.5%? Is it 2%. We always have usually an executive session about it. And I mean we are negotiating with secretaries right now. We have the teachers coming up. We need to know what's going on. I mean I don't even know. I don't even have a conversation about where it say but still there's an increase in someone's salary from 2018 to 2019 or 19 whatever it is. So, if it went to the finance I'm going to take a step out of here. I think that it went to the board. I mean, it went to the finance committee that it needs to go for discussion for the board. And I would see that um so that it happens in we're not having a July full board meeting, a regular board

104meeting for the vote. So, it would happen in August. And if the board wanted to continue on with the 1.5, we would make it retroactive to January 1. >> Okay. So, but Dr. Veneer told us that it's what was >> I actually told you, >> right? >> This was all part of the board budget. We said this all along for the last four months. >> So, so if the board wanted to make that less or more, we would have to then make it retroactive July 1st. >> That's the way it has done. contract to set the tone. I mean, there's all different ways that you handle these things, but you do it in an executive session, not just so we should have said, well, Don't you know do this whatever it is% usually it's in

105June actually office staff that was something that told us we should be Is this not the way it went last year? >> Just I I thought we did the same thing last year. >> So maybe because the same argument last year, if I remember correctly, it needs to be reevalued. next year. So maybe I'll send you also that is in the budget from what I understand and what I remember there was a discussion about that. Could we um how difficult would it be to bring this back to an executive session to have a broader discussion about this um to include contract >> there's negotiations going on which I thought I heard you say that might influence non so that whole kitten whatever you know I don't knowise or whatever but it sounds like I'd like

106to ask questions Perhaps better. >> Yes. Yes. Which was sort of somewhat in the intent of why we wanted to have the discussion about whether the financing facilities um actually felt like we had the monies or what did that look like so that they could make a recommendation to the whole board about whether we would move forward with a 1.5 um salary increase. But to Rita's point, this is her second year that she has talked about that. So, um I don't have any problem um because we could always go back and retroactive if that's what we um do in July >> just so we could actually add that because that's that should be an executive session um is that we could add that invite the first part we can actually invite Mr. Mike in kind

107of have us take a look at the budget in terms of >> Y Um on the reduction there's a 4000 administrator So on the first box, do people have questions about the proposed reductions? [clears throat] >> I'm [snorts] sorry. Thank you. Sorry about that. Question went >> and we're going to take a slight All right. So, um we have the motion on the floor which is to approve the adjustments to the FY19 budget to align it with the approved budget. So, what so what I know through our discussion is the first box of the paper that we were given was where um the 1.849508 monies were going to come from. the large portion of it was going to be coming from the health um health insurance uh reduction. Um there were some savings that Ken

108found. Um and it looks also like some other things um came through as well from on the the maintenance and the finance and facilities um end. And that's where you got the 1.8. So really um so that's that part. That's the first box. The second box that we have is is that as of the 18th of June, we found an unexpended balance of the 714 um 357 which is noted on our our our budget sheet. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. So what what has been what has been given for proposal for us is that the 44808 which is the truck maintenance the bid list maintenance football and severance payments um which equal that 448 that we would cover that um with the um unexpended balance. Do people understand that? >> Yes. >> Awesome.

109And so the other the other part that um is [clears throat] remember in our committee of the whole meeting last week we were talking about the OPED >> that's the next motion. >> Oh is that the next motion? >> Yes. >> Okay. So what we need to what we need to know is that 448 um 08 and the the box >> just the box >> just how do you cut 1.8 million? >> So so the first motion that's on the floor is to make that adjustment and that's how we're going to get to the 1.8. All right. >> Yes. >> Any more discussion? All [clears throat] those in favor of the motion that's on the floor, which is to the adjustment of the fiscal year 19 budget to line with the approved budget, please say

110I. I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Wow. Don't know how I got there. All right. So the next So the next piece is Oh, wait. We have >> a couple >> I have I have I have one more motion on the floor. >> Mhm. >> It's the CAB and the National um school um board. >> Okay. >> She said only Cape >> Cape. So only cable >> and it's coming out of >> my recommendation is it could come out of the Department of Defense supplemental impact. >> That's what So that's what this um that Yes, >> Trina. >> We're back into discussion of that >> with I thought that it was going to go on this it was going to we were going to have a bigger discussion on it. >> No. Okay. Well,

111this is the we're on the discussion right now. I'm back to the motion. >> I'm interested in knowing what is available to if we want to take little pieces from here like you know I mean NSBA that's not going to help us statewide unless they have a chapter in Connecticut. >> Well, the motion is not for that. It's just together. [snorts] >> Okay. >> And Erica evidently was was looking at other things that we could do. She hasn't gotten any information from anybody. >> That was just the law. >> That was just the policy development. >> The policy development. >> No other organization that has lobbying and professional development for board members. >> Okay. So, let me start the [sighs] I like cave. Um, but I like I said before, I think we need to

112do our due diligence to see if there's an NSBA Connecticut chapter that can give us information about legislator legislation legislative action. If there is that is equal to or greater than what >> NSBA >> national school board association >> Connecticut the Connecticut >> it's part of NSB >> division of >> then why do we pay NSBA why are they for the national they're more federal >> okay and if you go to one of their conferences there their workshops are very extensive very well >> big time speakers >> okay so NSBA BA will not help us with local state legislation. >> No, but for federal [clears throat] it does >> for federal. Okay. We Okay. >> Recommendable. >> Susan has asked Erica to look into some of those law firms that help with policy. So there

113we go. There's two of my questions. We cannot get the policy help from other organizations that are easily identified that are available to us. >> Well, they have not responded phone calls and emails [clears throat] and >> gone on the website to try. >> So, any further any further discussion? I >> we actually I know Shipman and Goodman does policy reviews. That's who learn uses. >> They do. >> That's who we reached out to. >> Yeah. Shipman and Goodman. And and I I thought Floyd's >> Yeah, Floyd does. >> Floyd does also. >> So, we have to do the training. I mean, that's a different ballgame. I mean, uh they don't provide training as as K does. >> No, we're talking about policy. >> No, they were talking about policy. >> Right. Right. >> You're

114right. It doesn't the the the if we if we did an all if we did that allocart thing, Sure. It wouldn't give a We could still go, right? >> It would just be at a higher rate. Any other further question? >> No. But did we want to amend the motion to add NSBA and the the Chromebooks? I I don't know if I want to add Chromebooks to that motion. I would much rather have it be its own separate motion. >> Okay. Okay. That's how I feel about that. >> Is there anyone wants to make an amendment for the NSAB? Whatever that national for association. >> Yes, I would amend the motion. >> Can someone else amend it or does it have to go to the original? >> She'll do. >> Well, but I I have

115to ask whether she can do it or whether I need to have Lee do it. >> No, she >> Okay. Sorry, that I was just asking a question. >> Um, can I have a second to that? >> Second. So, Jane has seconded discussion. Do you want to say about why you want to add SAB? >> We just we talked about it. >> Okay. for all they have the same reasons. I >> I'll just weigh in. NSBA read Rita is right gives some re really valuable information about larger federal issues and I I get reports from NSB. It it's not the kind of the hands-on cable stuff, >> but Kate is part of it. >> Yeah. But it's it's and for a relatively modest fee, I I think it's I'd certainly recommend that we join both.

116We are in both. We have been in both for a long time. And I I think it would be wise and then next year when we develop the budget hopefully we'll we'll put both of them right back in. Not not out of the Department of Defense. >> All right. >> Amended motion first. >> Um I'm not sure. I would prefer that we you know we've said we were going to give it up for this year. I prefer if we extra money >> that it go to the kids. We're grown-ups. We can read online >> and find information that we need. >> Point of order. >> That's just a thought. I kind of with you on the >> we said we were going to make this up. >> All right. All right. So, um, we have

117to do the amended motion, which is all those in favor of, um, the amended motion that's on the table, which is to fund um, CABE and the National School Board Association um, using the supplemental defense um, monies. That's the motion. That's the amended motion. All those in favor of that amendment, please say I. I >> oppose. Opposed. Wait, I'm sorry. Who said I? >> I did. >> One. >> Four to four. She did. She did. >> Three. >> Four to three. >> Four. >> And I'm abstaining. >> So four to three. The motion carries. >> It does. >> Thank you. >> And it makes the second motion or the first motion redundant. >> Right. So irrelevant. >> Right. Not relevant. Yeah. Right. >> Gotcha. >> All right. So So I'm going to pay that. So

118>> NSD. Okay. So now we're on to >> So now we're on >> Wait, wait. Sorry. >> No, >> we need to startle you. I I I [laughter] I'm hoping we could get those Chromebooks for the kids. I know the source of the money. I just next week I'm going to write you a note saying we got please God, $250,000 from this from the Department of Defense supplemental impact aid. It's the same source of money we've used for the last five years to b to buy Chromebooks. Uh >> so I would like to make a motion that we pay for the Chromebooks for the freshman class um using the supplemental um >> department. Thank you. Supplemental um uh department of defense monies. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Great. >> Okay. Any discussion?

119Katrina, >> what um has there been a decision made about the Chromebooks that were you what's going to happen to the senior Chromebooks? >> We we we took them all back. Uh we didn't get a good enough answer. It looked like online they're selling for $40 to $60. Uh I was hoping it would be a nominal thing. Um that's the the sort of Well, it happened because we we took the the students Chromebooks. We're still waiting for an actual dollar figure on that, but but we have the Chromebook. But we also got the the the word from uh our purchasing agent for the town and she said once you can establish a a number, which we will do next year, hopefully it'll be more nominal like 15 bucks or something, then we could just sell

120them to the kids and they can just take them and and leave. So we're we're sort of half halfway to where I hope we would be. So, it's lesson learned this year. >> Yes. Yes. And we'll sell them we'll sell them to >> it's good way to >> to the to to the to the vendor. We'll get we'll get cheaper uh Chromebooks [clears throat] out of this. >> We don't So, they can't you can't use those senior Chromebooks for the incoming freshmen. >> They're they only have uh they're only going to be supported for one more year by Google. It it's a it's a new >> sort of like phones, you know. >> I think it's a marketing thing as much as a technology thing. Yeah. >> Uh but they they they they won't be

121available for to be supported for except for one more year. >> Any more discussion? All those in favor of the motion that's on the floor, which is to have um pay for the fresh incoming freshman Chromebooks using the supplemental um Department of Defense monies. Please say I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. >> All right. So, let's go to the last motion, which is to um to approve the disp distribution of the $250,000 to cover the expenses for other postemployment benefits fund. Can I please have a second? >> Second. >> Can we have discussion, please? >> We we have two accounts uh that pay for the health insurance benefits for employees. the the current health account, the one that you you see every month, those are for our active employees. And then there is a

122separate account which we are now getting good uh information from the town thanks to Ken uh kind of pushing this point uh and is the health insurance that is paid for our retired employees. um that that amount uh for this year uh it is not an actuarial theoretical amount. It's the actual dollar. Um so the the the finance director told us that the the the board's account to finish off this year uh is about $250,000 short. Let's actually think it's about 220. So we're we're fudging it a little bit. Uh, but that's the money. You you may remember there was a $660,000. We at first thought it was an actuarial thing. It wasn't. It it it's it's a real uh usually they used to take it out of our our health insurance reserve and something

123happened. It's a little complicated. In fact, very complicated. But right now, Ken and I met with the finance director. they they need $250,000 this year to pay the actual bills for retired employees. Uh and then next year, as you know, we are going to cut that in half. We're going to cut the the the deficit to $660,000. Actually, the 250 will cut part of that. So, we we'll we'll probably be able to wipe out this whole OPED deficit in in one more year. >> Yeah. >> Wow. But but but it's a practical matter now. We we need the $2. We the town needs the $250,000 and uh and we can uh and and we can uh >> have that come out of our unexpended balance. >> That's what that last box on that sheet is.

124>> Yes. >> Does that make sense for for folks? >> Yep. >> You got to vote first. So tell me, >> does this mean that in essence we're giving back 200? >> No, no, no, no, no, no. It's not the same. >> These are we are actually covering the bills. >> So when we when when >> No, that's okay. >> When we get a medical bill for an active employee, the the [clears throat] town pays it. >> You answered my question. Okay. >> When we get a for a retired person, we pay it, >> right? >> And you know some of those people quite well. All right, Katrina, >> I just wanted to clarify something. I You said it's out of the unexpended balance, the 250,000. >> Coming out of that 758, the 448. >>

125Okay. So, it's not it's coming out of the 448, not the 18. >> It's coming out of the 714. >> Okay. And then there's a there's a little bit of 16 349 left over. >> Okay. >> And what I intend to do is uh any unexpended balance that we have as as of Friday, I uh am prepared with the board's permission to direct Ken to allocate that for health insurance expenses. So if we if the if the May and June report comes in higher than expected, we'll we'll use some of that 16. If it comes in lower than expected, we'll have more money. So on July 1st, when you say to me, what's our unexpended balance, instead of saying 1.1 million, I'd like to say maybe it'd be 1.2 million. But that that's what we

126intend to do. We're uh we're going to allocate all that money to health insurance expenses. All right. Any more discussion? All those in favor of the motion that's on the floor, which is to um to approve the distribution of the $250,000 to cover the expenses for other postemployment benefits fund. Please say I >> oppose abstensions. Motion has carried. >> So I I just want to observe we've been working on this budget since September. So thank you very much. is over >> for the moment. >> And now and now we're going to start on FY 20. >> All right. So, um we're going to go to the information um and proposals is to um Katrina, do you have communications or comments? I'm sure many of us went to any graduation. >> I do, but I didn't

127write them down. >> Okay. So, but I um would like to ask for Mike to keep an eye on something and if he gets something from his superintendent [snorts] um organization, there was something and I think today it went through the house where it was vetoing a law that allows the governor to reduce the ECS spending after the budget. has been >> Oh, the midyear. >> Midyear. >> Yeah. >> To override that. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, if you find anything about that, could you like send us an email cuz right away like >> when do you think of it? >> So, the the law is that he can do that and and they were trying to >> veto that override that veto the veto. >> Override his veto >> and the Senate

128is starting to take up things that they did. >> Yeah. >> So, should be in the next couple days. Thank you, Katrina. Gretchen, do you have anything? >> No. >> Jane, >> just comment about um the opening of the art gallery, the Keith Aerman Art Gallery. It really was um all about his inspiration of young artists which continues today. That was a a really special evening. >> It was >> um the Apex was another good experience. Um I was totally >> This is not going anywhere. >> No, it's only on TV. I I was initially turned off by the presentation from the company, very turned off and it really took the involvement of um the teachers um made all the difference in the world and we needed we needed to hear their voices. Um committee

129meetings, this is all new to me. So I feel like this was the month of double booking everywhere in every angle. So you know just really busy with three committee meetings going at once. It's that's interesting. interesting as a catchphrase. Yeah, >> obviously. And um lastly, I did attend a civic organization meeting where two Fitch High School kids were awarded scholarships strictly for their outstanding service to community and school and that was Cindy Fan and Pillar Rose Balon. >> Um very nice meeting Pillar Rose. I had not met her before with her mom. So, um, and lastly, just to recap, the whole month of June, I couldn't get to Fitch High School for graduation because our grandson was graduating same time, different town. >> So, congratulations. >> Thanks, Andre. I I just wanted to thank

130everybody for remembering Keith through the the art gallery. It it was just a moving experience. The art is marvelous. It's just inspired and and the teachers are marvelous. And I would encourage the citizenry to go and see the the children's artwork. And the other thing is I went to the awards ceremony at Fitch High School and again I want to echo what you said and that is that the celebration of of students by students was really just an amazing thing to watch and they presented the first student scholarship. It was the Cindy fan scholarship and it was presented by Dan. >> By Dan. >> How cool is that? >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> That is cool. >> Who who by the way is at the Coastg Guard Academy next week. >> Yes. >> He's

131uh >> Oh, is he at He's at AIM and he's trying to uh >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Rosemary. >> Um I attended the retirement dinner which was just or retirement ceremony um which was just very moving. Um, I also attended the ribbon cutting for the Eastern Point Beach, um, which I'm looking forward to going to and eating. Um, I also attended the liaison um, meeting. Um, I attended a gasp meeting this this uh, month, which um, they're very interested in the BYOB um, legislation that's going to come to the town council tomorrow. And um I attended I'm on the board and attended a board meeting of Sound Community Services um institute and um I also attended the Acriman Art Gallery opening which was very moving and um I did receive um my eighth Paul Harris

132award at Rotary. >> So that's amazing. >> I'm going for a lay of >> Paul Harris. [clears throat] [laughter] Lee. Um, I went to the mentor dinner at Falcon Falcon Cafe. I'm I'm a crier anyway and I'm sick of crying, but that made me cry. It was absolutely wonderful. And of course, the food was terrific. Um, I went to the ribbon cutting at Eastern Point Beach for the second second year. Um, commencement made me cry again. I'm sick to death of of crying. And I also want to thank Kim um because you did a great job with liaison. I think we're going to our all of our RTM town council. We're all going to be working together and I think it's going to be terrific and thank you for Harry for that. >> Got it.

133All right, Vita. Well, I I want to start off by thanking Jerry Dantis, who is a teacher who for 21 years was the advisor for the M4. Um, I'm sad that she's retired. Very, very sad. And I hope someone as wonderful as her can fill her shoes and publish this beautiful that that beautiful magazine of artwork and poems and stories. It's just amazing every year. and um I wish her well in her retirement. I was sad she wasn't at the >> um the retirement ceremony um for the staff, but um I I just can't wait to go home and read this. And again, this is another thing I pass along to all my neighbors because it's just phenomenal every single year. >> So, thanks, Jerry. I went to graduation, which was great. the awards ceremonies.

134Um we're in negotiations with the secretaries, went to Eastern Point Beach and received a wonderful ice cream cone and have already been to eat there, which is nice. And then um the staff retirement ceremony. Um I hope all the teachers and staff have a wonderful summer. Last day was today. >> That's it. >> But who's counting? >> Yeah. So, I um I I've attended most of the things that people had talked about, but I just wanted to read to the board. Um, dear Graten Board of Education, thank you for honoring the retirees of Grten on June 5th. The entire evening just touched my heart. It was so special. Thank you. Thank you for the very special gift of the of the Red Crystal Apple. It couldn't be more appropriate. The music, the speeches, the food,

135and so many wonderful people there made the event wonderful. Thank you. I have loved the 29 years in Grten and will always have a very special spot in my heart for you. sincerely Leanne Olsen. So I just wanted to let you know that she sent that to us because she was a music teacher. >> Great. Well, she was a fourth grade teacher and she was so and then some place where Dr. Grineer was playing the guitar at as her retirement. It was her retirement part and I didn't know that Dr. Grineer played the guitar and everybody there was singing. The one thing the one thing I do want to just say is that um for the total for the 2017 2018 years we had 2,172 volunteers um which um evened out to 14,379 um.95 hours.

136So well said. And before I make the motion to adjurnn, I just I I also went to the mentor meeting and I just want to it's a good segue from the volunteer because I just wanted to to uh to again thank Sharon Shik and Joey Ship right behind her for all the work that they do with the mentors. Motion to adjourn. >> Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I