8-26-19 Groton Board of Education Meeting

001I'm trying. I'm trying. >> Are we ready? Okay. Are we >> I don't know if we will be here momentarily. >> All right. Good evening, folks. Okay, you're there. All right. So, good evening. Um, today is August 26 and it's about 6:03. Um and welcome to the Grten regular uh board of ed meeting. Uh just uh I have not said this in a while, but I think it's important for us um to uh think out loud is that our mission statement is for teaching and learning where our board goals is to um is to provide dynamic rigorous curriculum, ensure effective and engaging instruction, and embrace excellent learning environments. Um with that said, I would like us to stand for the pledge of allegiance. Z, would you be willing to lead us in the pledge of

002allegiance? >> Thank you. >> Aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you, Z. Is this what you want to introduce? >> Sure. So this is the portion of our agenda where we recognize um visitors and delegations and I am going to pass the baton over to Dr. Grineer for him to introduce. >> Great. Uh well he will only be a visitor until uh Wednesday night because on Thursday he'll be a part of our school district. So, it is my great delight uh to introduce the next principal of Fitch High School, uh Mr. Ted Keller. And Ted, if you maybe just come up to the podium. Uh the students were on the

003selection committee. So, Z and and Addie know Mr. Keller a good bit and and of course Susan and I were and and uh Chairman Watson were were part of the selection committee. Uh but for most of you, it's a sort of an initial introduction. So, uh, maybe just tell us a little bit about your background and, uh, we'd, uh, as, as I said in my email, Ted came extremely well recommended by lots of people that we knew quite well. U, so please, uh, >> sure, >> few words, Ted. >> Uh, well, first of all, I I can't say just how happy I am to be here. Uh, this is really a great honor, um, to be offered this position. Uh, and I know that I have tremendous shoes to fill uh, going into this school.

004Um but uh I I've been working in public schools since 2001. Uh first as a a math teacher at Windsor High School. Um and then following that I I became an assistant principal at Bristol Eastern. Um and finally a principal at East Windsor High School. Um where unfortunately I had to tell my faculty today that I was leaving which was was very difficult. Um but uh you know it's you know that sadness is again joined by just a lot of uh uh pleasure coming to this school district and and uh the process of going through the the uh the interviews uh just strengthened my resolve to come here. Uh just listening to all the great work that's going on and be able to join that. Uh I'm really excited to to get started. So um

005you know I'm just trying right now to get through all the paperwork and and getting all that done. So, and uh hopefully I'll be here on Thursday to greet the kids and and and start meeting people. Um we're working on the transition now and uh you know hopefully uh you know I'll be uh uh here as more and more as as the days go on. So um I'd also like to uh for those of you that didn't meet her, my wife Dena uh came here tonight. Uh I can't tell you how much she supports me because obviously that needs to happen. This is a job where you're you're here late nights and and you know going to the games and going to the plays and everything else. you know, I want to become part of

006that. So, uh, you know, she's definitely, uh, been supportive of me doing those things. So, um, again, very excited to be here. Uh, excited to become part of this district. And, uh, thank you. >> Were you guys part of the painting, uh, that went on? You know what I'm talking about. The >> parking senior parking. >> Could you could you explain uh to the board what uh, >> um, so the senior class is doing a fundraiser. Uh we're continuing it from last year where the seniors pay $40 and they have a parking lot and they get to paint it. So the past two days, so Saturday and Sunday, um people have been painting their spots for hours on end. My legs are very sore from sitting down for hours. But yeah, it's coming along. It

007looks really great. So I encourage all of you to go check it out. It looks amazing. After this, I'm probably going to swing by and just go take a look at my parking spot. I can't wait to see it. [laughter] >> No, the students actually painted one for Mr. Keller. >> So, I I showed him show they they sent me a picture of it. >> You have your you have your very own spot. >> There you go. Can't wait to see it. >> Fitch Fitch Falcon F in the middle of this really beautifully painted looks parking lot. So, so that that that came along really well. So, we we will see you uh maybe as soon as Wednesday, but certainly Thursday. And uh we're really looking forward to you joining us today. >> I look

008forward to working with you all. Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. >> Welcome, Ted. >> Are there other um visitors or delegations? All right. Hearing none. This is a part of our agenda. Oh, >> good see. [laughter] >> Sorry, you're moving us through. >> I see. I see. >> You know what? hear something. >> Speaking of the paperwork, >> yes, >> that is um a card for somebody. >> Can I All right. So this is the portion of our um meeting where we hear um comments from citizens and other subjects of concern that lie within the jurisdiction of the board of education. This is the portion of the agenda where the board welcomes comments. Um each presentation should be limited to 5 minutes or less and citizens should if possible submit written comments. Uh

009presentation should be related to matters pertinent to Graten. Board members will only ask questions or in order to clarify the speaker's presentation and cannot respond during the comments from citizens portion of the board meeting and citizens should make their presentations from the podium and state their name and addresses for the record. Is there anyone who would like to make a comment Porsche Bordalon 159 Shenasa Parkway for full disclosure I'm also an RTM member for District 2 and a parent um of two children in the Grten Public School Systems. Uh first I'd like to say welcome to the new principal. That's exciting to see that we um have somebody starting and has such great credentials coming on board. Also, uh a new student uh that's part of uh this um wonderful um meeting. Uh it's great

010to see a familiar face from Westside. So, I'm excited to see that that we have both, you know, areas represented and that's really exciting to see. So, a familiar face. Thank you. Um I want to start off by saying that I'm very also very excited to hear about the lunch being approved for um the schools that um had higher need for title one service um which were uh Claude Chester Westside and Kathern Colnowski. What this means to the community is is is it's unmeasurable for the people who barely qualify uh for free or reduced lunch and are trying to on average pay for two children about $120 a month for uh lunches. And I would have to say that I'm already seeing comments circulating where people are feeling the bit of relief and excitement. Um

011so that's a wonderful um thing to see and I'm glad it finally came on board. With that being said, there's always room for improvement and I would like um to consider and also continue to look towards um broadening opening up that um availability to students in the high school. There is a high number of title one and reduced students at the high school that feed in from these areas and having that available to those students at the high school would only improve the availability for students in this district and make it a sound district. Like they say, if if students don't have to worry about paying for food and can eat, they can learn. Not only that, it also allows the district to not have to eat the negative funds that we are uh left

012with left with at the end of the year for people who really truly can't afford it. Looking at the start of the new year, we know that ESPback scores are probably already out. um maybe not released, but at least I did receive letter stating uh recognition for one of my students um and to come out and honor that. So, scores are out. Um with that being said, I hope that we are starting early on this year, really looking at those scores and looking at how we're going to make sure we're meeting the achievement and closing those achievement gaps and meeting um those students now, not the middle of the year or waiting to the test and starts later. As we know, again, Westside tends to fall between the two middle schools. As excited as we

013are about the 2020 plan and the and the new possib, you know, the new high school coming on board, it's not happened yet, and we still have some time here. So, we still have to make sure that we're supporting the kids at the levels where they're at. And Westside traditionally falls below uh scores on certain grade levels, reading and math in particular. And so I'm hoping knowing those scores that you have in your hands that we are looking to make sure that the proper support is delegated to Westside and other elementary schools in the district where it is needed. Um I'm also hoping that we have established a plan on the water the water levels that are not needing attention but they're still producing lead. Making sure that we are checking them I don't know

014quarterly yearly. What's our plan to watch those action levels so that they do not go above because if there are amounts that are showing up, we should be monitoring them to make sure they don't go beyond a certain point. So, I'd like to know and hope that we are carefully monitoring that. The fieldhouse and grounds, a lot of potholes at the high school, they've been there for many years now. It would be nice to have some of those closed in and really take care of the grounds that we currently have. I know we're so excited about new schools, but I can't stress enough about maintaining the facilities that we have and making them welcome. Weeds and things, Katherryn Kolnowski, the entrance when you drive past there, the whole front garden by the sign, it's a

015mess. It could be cleaned up. It's it's curbside appeal. It's a brand new school. Uh and the potholes uh and the paint and the chipping paint around the buildings and around the grounds. Uh the fieldhouse, people have asked and said, "We're no longer painting it at the end of the year." spraying it and tagging it up, then let's cover it. It looks like a mess. The fieldhouse could use a coat of paint. Um, it's uh not very welcoming. Um, supplies. In years past, I've been here and spoke about the lack of supplies, students having to photocopy uh teachers photocopying uh reading novels at the high school. Uh, we have a new principal up there now. I hope he's aware of the supplies or lack thereof or the need for supplies. Department heads should be fully

016aware. And I just hope that uh no student in our district is photo having to read from a photocopied paper and actually has a novel or digital novel available to them. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else? [cough] Um I would like um if possible to have those different issues. I know we've received communication on a lot of the things um that were discussed, but I you know if if Sam Mr. Gopath could later in the meeting during his report address some of those things that'd be great. Thank you. >> We're on to the student representative reports. I'm not going to say welcome back because we've seen you and actually for the public to know that you guys have actually been throughout most of the summer our um committee the whole meetings and our regular

017board meetings and we really appreciate that. >> All right. Um, first I would like to introduce uh Xavon Kito. Um, Kito. Um, and he is the junior president. Um, and involved in almost all the clubs, a lot of Fitch High School clubs. Um, and he's >> That's a lot of clubs. >> Yes, a lot of them. Um, so I'm very excited that he's joining me as a student representative. and welcome to the board of ed. Um, so Zay is going to start it off. >> Well, first, thank you, Addie. And second, so updates from the last meeting. The junior class of 2021 had a car wash July 28th. Um, freshman orientation was last Thursday and Friday, um, August 22nd and 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. The freshman were able to take tours around

018Fitch, see all the sports that we have, including like believe there's 31 sports we have around at Fitch. Um, they were interested in looking at all of them, the clubs that we have. They did a walk through from 8:00 to 8:30 in the morning on Friday to sign up for um, clubs and sports that were happening. Um, and boys and girls cross country had their first official practice on Thursday, August 22nd, and football had its first official practice August 23rd. Thank you. >> Um, and I already mentioned the parking lots a little bit, but um, on Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th were both painting days for the senior class of 2020. Uh, so they came, they bought their own supplies, uh, they showed up, were assigned their own parking spot and had their

019designs ready, uh, and we all painted. Again, I encourage everyone to go. It's super colorful, which I think is better than all the gray that was at the end of the year. Um, I personally am not finished, but eventually eventually we'll see. [laughter] Um, and as of now, there will only be one more painting day. um on Sunday, September 8th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. So that's when I get to finish. Um and anyone who has not turned in their parking permit request form will not be allowed to paint a spot until they do so. And there will be a second lottery deadline on September 5th for students who didn't turn in the first time and would like to own a parking spot and paint it. All right. Thank you. I couldn't see all

020the parking spots that you guys had done because the silly staff members, they were parked in them. Um, but I did get to see the principles and that was really cool. Um, but I'm looking forward to kind of going up and [clears throat] seeing them >> and and um, Fitch has also inspired the Marine Science School to park paint their parking spaces now. So, I went by and I happened to see those the other day. So, that was that's nice. All right. So, we're on to the student. Uh yeah, you're not the student. I think you're the superintendent. Um and the reports. Well, let me uh let me start with uh school opening. Uh we heard a little bit about the community eligibility provision. Um thanks to Jay, we got some nice feedback. the I

021know at Westside the principal explained that the students uh will have free healthy breakfast and and lunch provided and I know the the news has spread at uh Kevin Konowski and u and Clchester I I actually made a automated phone call today to explain to parents uh this this new uh new system and I think it's going to be re really terrific and it it As I said to the parents, everybody knows that proper nutrition is really key to good learning. And so I think we're going to be in in in terrific shape there. And to the extent that we can expand it, we we certainly will. Um many of you came to the convocation this morning. It was uh uh it was a uh a kind of a focused message from mo most of

022the speakers that we have our work cut out and we are going to do what needs to be done to make this uh the kind of school system that uh it really embodies our hopes and dreams for for the children. uh our our teacher of the year uh Lizzanne Johnson also was honored and ma made a a really a terrific speech about the importance of of books and media media specialist personnel. And I just I just love the fact that she said that uh that reading books is important because it it allows us to have empathy for others. I think nothing could be farther from uh nothing could be more true than than that. Um the I think uh I think that's pretty it pretty much it for the uh for the opening of school

023and and as as you heard Mr. Keller al although he was only hired on Friday he he will begin on on Thursday uh and he'll he'll be here uh all day Thursday and Friday and then the agreement that I have with superintendent his current superintendent is [clears throat] that he'll go back from a day here and a day there and he'll come to us or or it's it's unusual that somebody could get here that soon. um he he'll actually be joining us after 6 days uh which six uh six calendar days. Uh the next thing uh I want to talk about is a little bit about the CIP and uh we we had a we had a finance and facilities committee meeting uh last week and there are a number of things on the uh

024on the CIP which ultimately will formalize. I I I spoke to Jay about this that the report and Sam will talk a little bit about the report from uh regarding air quality at Northeast Academy. Uh there are recommendations there uh regarding the HVAC system, heating and ventilation system. Uh we we we've got some options that we we'll talk about. Um one of the things at the end of this year, the portables are going to be removed from the middle schools. Um, and so the question is, uh, would we requested, uh, to see if moving those portables could be part of the cost of constructing the elementary schools and unfortunately the Arcadus guys checked with the state and the answer was no. Uh, it's it's it's not uh it's not inexpensive to move a portable. It's

025uh, scores of thousands of dollars. But on the other hand, those buildings, how much are they approximately worth? >> They could run $300,000 a piece. >> Yeah. So these are a and on top of that, these are facilities that after next June, [clears throat] next July, we're going to need for storage. And so we're going to include those uh in in our CIP request. and then uh at least initial discussions uh for about the possibility of of retaining uh Miriam Marson school for for potential overflow uh and retaining SB Butler as a site for robotics. uh if if if that comes to fruition, we would need to uh invest the town would need to invest in a roof for SB Butler uh and uh especi the the CIP is is is going to be a

026a fairly broad uh list of items and then we'll see as it goes through uh there will be decisions that are going to need to be made by town. But I think we have a good handle on that. Um, the third thing I want to talk about is is is is actually I'm gonna ask someone come from the vast audience. Uh, Nikki Saloon. Nikki, if you could uh come up. Nikki is uh is the director of our treehouse program uh and has has done a wonderful job. This is this beginning of your third year. >> Yeah. Yeah. So for for the last two years uh the board members many of the board members will will remember u Alicia Strippling and so Nikki uh took over and has been a very able >> director of our

027treehouse program. But I I just asked her to kind of introduce the treehouse and kind of tell us where we are then a little bit about the summer program. So welcome Nikki. Thank you and thank you for giving me a few moments to uh promote our little program. Um just some background. I don't know how far back you guys go, but when I came, Alicia had told me that um Treehouse actually started as EPSAC, which was the Easter point school age child care program. And it was started by a student teacher who was doing a project for a practicum. And my understanding is that it went really well and they continued with the program even through the move to Konaski school where it became known as KAC. And um she took over around that point

028and I think it had about 10 students in it total give or take a few and um she really promoted it and put a lot into it. Changed the name to Treehouse. They opened a site at Mary Morrison and that's about when I came into the picture as the assistant director and since then we've opened a site at Northeast Academy and then last year we just opened a site at SB Butler. So we have four sight schools but we provide services before and after school for all the elementary schools coordinating transportation with the bus company. Um the school secretaries are often involved in that with us and [snorts] we currently [clears throat] have anywhere between 220 to 250 students enrolled in our programs. Um in the summer program which we run a full-time summer camp

029out of Konaski school we have about um this year we just reached 100 students or just over and when I started three years ago my first summer we had 55 students and that's all without advertising. Um, we now have um a member of our staff who has um like a side business in marketing. So, she's created some beautiful flyers and pamphlets for us, which I forgot to bring. Um, [laughter] darn. And >> we'll give them out. We'll give them out. >> They're going to be at all the schools. Um, and I'm I'm trying to get them everywhere. We're starting with the elementary schools, but it's also a great service for people who work in the schools. Um, if their students are enrolled, um, we'll provide care. We start at 6:30 in the morning and we

030go until 6:00 p.m. at night. And um every year that I've been here, we've had significant growth and in our in our enrollment. And I think that is a testament to what we're doing in the programs. I think when this started at EP as EPSAC, it was more like a latch key program. That was kind of what was going on in the late 1990s. Um, since then the whole take on out of school time, as it's called in my professional arenas, has grown to include a lot more enrichmentbased activities and that's kind of where we've grown. We reformatted our summer program to accommodate our large numbers and um that worked really well. But it's started with our school year format and what we do is we're um an enterprise fund. So everything that we make

031pays for everything that we do. And um we started last year on the TLI days. We try to do one fun field trip for each of the sites. They love to go bowling and that usually works because whether it rains or not, we can do it. Uh we did the bowling and then we bring in enrichment from outside sources. Most recently in this past school year and summer, we've had a ukulele instructor come in. We purchased 15 ukuleles. Uh we did a talent show at the end of summer and some of the kids actually played the ukuleles in the talent show. Um we've had fitness classes, art classes, we have um student teachers and firstear teachers that are coming in for a stipend rate and doing like a fun math club or um a science

032club. Some of the staff that we have are paras in the school and a lot of them have very interesting backgrounds. We have a marine biologist on our staff. So, she's come in and done a lot with us as far as exploratory. We're not teachers and we're not tr trying to pretend to be teachers. But, um, my my platform is social emotional learning. That's always been big to me. I spent 25 years working with children and families. And we take that platform and then add all these other pieces in so that what they're learning in school, they can kind of explore without the the schoolness in it. And a lot of times what we're hearing is them making connections and applying what they're learning to what we're doing. Like, oh, I did that in my

033class or we did this. And a lot of times if they're more advanced than what we're doing, the student will then be teaching the rest of us what they're learning in school. So, it's just a nice full circle um continuity of care type program. And this year, we also introduced in our summer camp um counselors and training. It's a goal of mine to kind of get into the middle school somehow, especially with sixth graders really not being ready to be home alone yet. And um our summer camp program goes up to children age 12 or entering 7th grade. A lot of times they're bored um with the little kids. So, we created this counselor and training program and it's for 7th to 9th graders. They got camp CIT t-shirts and they were given duties and

034they had to journal the things that they did. And we're doing this hopefully to kind of create people because we love to hire from the high school. If you know anybody who's looking for an afterchool job, um if you know people, I mean, we're trying to work with these students now to give them an idea if they're interested in education. you know, this is a great way to become part of a school outside of being a student. So, that's kind of where we're at in a nutshell. >> I wanted um the treehouse program is oftentimes something that we like to kind of like hear about and whatever. And so, it was slated for a committee of the whole meeting, which I felt was it would been it's nice just to have you come and so

035it's on the camera and so that families um can hear about it as well. So, I'm really glad that you were willing to do that. >> Thank you. Yeah. anytime. >> Is there any questions? [clears throat] >> I'm looking like I'm gonna cry, but I'm gonna sneeze. Sorry. [laughter] >> I thought I really moved you. >> Yes. >> Well, >> it's that social emotional sn [laughter] I I I I can tell you it it is really one of the bedrock programs in the district providing early morning care all the way until school starts [snorts] and then after school until 600. And when there are snow days, we're on the phone together. It's uh it's really quite an operation and to to think that it's gone from a handful of students to 250 is really quite

036remarkable and >> we we have been pushed over the years as you some of you know uh last year we we started as a sort of on a hope that it would work out well to expand it to SB Butler and uh this year uh and it it worked out pretty well and this year we anticipate even even better but as as Nikki said it's a self-sustaining program. It >> pays for the salaries, pays for the supplies which include computers for children. It it's really quite a >> quite a program. >> It's done really well and I'm happy to be, you know, the director of it. Now, it's, you know, it's um a great service for families. I think that they they really feel um thankful for it. And I think that, you know, getting

037into the middle school will be helpful. Some of the parents have expressed what do we do in sixth grade? So, um, you know, just we'll get there, >> especially once. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Thank you. >> All right. An update on the Fitch High School postgraduation. >> Well, I I talked to two very important people today. One uh young woman named Addie Clark. Uh and so we we talked a little bit that about last year the participation in the post uh post-graduation party w was really extremely low like 20some students >> u about 10% of of the class um and uh so uh Addie then uh me mentioned that uh Mrs. Rogers Claire Rogers was probably going to head head up the the party. So I I knew her.

038So I called her. Um and she has already spoken to Addie and she is very receptive to potentially changing the party to perhaps a postp prom party. As Miss Rogers said to me, she will support whatever the students really want to do. And so we probably need to get the junior class invol uh involved in this as well. >> Um but I think it's it's I think the the the party was a great idea and it and has been running for postgraduation has been running for many years. U but now uh it seems like students are very interested in graduation, going home, having dinner with their families and that sort of thing. So maybe the time has come uh to to maybe to talk about some sort of uh postprom type thing. So, uh, uh,

039Addie and and Claire Rogers and and the students will get together and we'll get back to you. >> Do you know how long it's going to be before you guys get Sorry, Rita. Um, before you guys will have a decision because my sense is is that probably sooner than later, right? >> Yeah. So, what I'm hoping is I can work with uh Claire Rogers and um my class, my class council can work together and hopefully do some sort of survey or poll of the students. I'm thinking like first couple months, but we'll figure it out pretty soon. Um, and so we can just understand what the students want. [snorts] But from my understanding and the students I've talked to, it seems like a change is probably what they want and what the student opinion is.

040So, uh, as soon as possible, I think to get the to get running on that. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Rita. No, I I at graduation there were a couple of um teachers that I spoke to that had seniors graduating and they all commented how much that they would prefer that none of their children were going to the afterparty but would much prefer an after prom party and I know Guilford and Brford and a couple of other towns have already switched over so I I think it's a great idea. >> Great. Thanks. >> That's it for me. >> All right. Thanks. >> Um I I had one question about the CIP. Um, I've had people have um speak to me about possibly retaining Claude Chester and not Butler and not Mary Morrison as a site

041for robotics and um for overflow. And I know there's issues with all our schools, but if um if that is possible, it's just that that that is such a wonderful place for a school, >> right? And also if down the line if we ever had some type of universal prek that would be a wonderful location for it. So it's just a thought. I don't know if we're going to have a CO about this but maybe >> I I can tell you and maybe Sam could could weigh in a little bit as a site for robotics is problematic uh structurally a as a site. You're 100% right. Uh >> the location would be terrific and and maybe as as an overflow school. I I keep looking at all the building that's going up in in this

042town and uh housing uh that's going up and so it it it concerns me and uh we don't have the final we won't have the final number official number until October 1st but uh Mrs. Alice tells me that the population is increased pretty significantly. Great. >> Um I know at the middle school it it has no no surprise with the brand new middle school coming on. Uh but even at the elementary uh this will reverse a trend uh that's been several years. Uh we we we certainly will not have a decreased enrollment this year. So, uh, but I but I I agree with I agree with the location and I we certainly need, uh, I it would be my strong recommendation that we have some school that could serve keep it up and running and

043and so uh, we we we will do whatever we can [clears throat] to to do that and and we'll participate with the town and make a make a good decision. >> Great. Uh, I I think I'll hand off to Susan. >> Yeah. No, I'm just writing I'm just writing down a note. I'm on it. All right. The assistant superintendent. Susan, how are you? >> So, we had a great convocation and so good to see so many board members, so many town counselors, and I think an RTM rep or two um just supporting us. And I think you could hear the buzz that teachers were really excited to get back. Mike and I were able to go to the the one Grten Middle School picnic. So both Westside and Cutler had a picnic at Washington Park

044and you could just feel the energy. People were just so excited. Um and talking even about um an equity workshop that had happened last week. So, we've talked a lot about the 118 teachers who worked on professional development, but I'll have to figure out the number who also did um professional development. We've had them work on curriculum and report cards, but also a lot of PD, too. We um I was able to meet with elementary, middle school, and high school teachers that have done that work in the past couple weeks and they will be um facilitating the PD tomorrow afternoon when they meet in their departments and share the work and get feedback from their colleagues. So that was very exciting. Um we have Mark Brackett from Yale coming to talk about social emotional learning

045and we've purchased books for each of the school emotional literacy in the middle school and um creating emotionally literate classrooms and um we'll be talking to the principles about next steps part of after he does his keynote we will have people meet with the in their building level with their principles um to talk about next steps and and takeaways from that presentation. and where we need to go with that. So I'm looking forward to gathering their feedback. Um tomorrow mark bracket departments the next day Wednesday will be school-based and so the schools have really done a lot of different things. One of the things that was mentioned earlier was the SBACK and SAT data. And while it's embargoed to the public, um, and we should be getting student results back individually for families in another

046week or so. This was pretty early that we received them back this summer, this early. and principles have that as part of their plan to be looking at the data and start those conversations along with all the other things that they do to get ready for the beginning of the school year and committees. Um, a lot of our elementarymentaries have open houses on Wednesday afternoon um to have the kids come in and see their classrooms. So um it's a very busy time but a very exciting time. >> It looks like you're feeling better as well. >> Yes. >> Good. I'm glad. Hello. Hello, Mr. Knight. How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> I'm good. >> Uh, so attachment number one is our object code summary um on our budget of 77,438090. Uh, we

047currently have an projected unexpended of around $63,000. Uh, we're still early in the year, so uh many lines are at budget. Uh we we've made adjustments for things that we know, but at this point we're everything's pretty much at budget. >> Any questions about that? >> I would hope that we'd be at budget. [laughter] >> Norwich, is it? Well, that's why I'm so very thankful that we are who we are and that we have such an phenomenal administration staff that support our students. So, go on. >> All right. Uh the health insurance report, we didn't get this until Friday. Uh so that's why uh it wasn't in your packet, but uh you all should have it uh here. Um it came in uh for so this is for through the uh month of June so

048it's for the entire year uh as expected uh it came in higher than budget uh 121% for the month uh but year to date it's 94.2%. Uh when we were going through our budgeting process we were estimating around 95% so we hit that pretty closely. Um we originally had estimated our uh net uh our health insurance reserve net of corridor was going to be somewhere in the 3.3 to 3.4 million. Uh I think based upon this uh it'll be more like 3.5 to 3.6 million. Uh which is a good thing because uh uh we're anticipating bringing it down uh throughout this year. Uh so the higher it is when we start the the better off we'll be at the end. A quick question, Ken. Um, for June, the 121.4% over the budget, was it similar

049to last June's? >> It's a very good question. Yes. Uh, last year, uh, May and June were they were very similar to how it came out this year. When the the health insurance, uh, utilization, it's it's it has a curve to it, and over the, uh, end of the year and through the summer, it's it's higher. uh that's when the uh uh teachers or participants have have time to to take care of some of these things. Plus, they also know that towards the end of the year that um um uh you know, their uh it'll roll over to a new year and so their HSA months will uh will refund uh come July. So, um you know, it's a process and and it's been very consistent over the past couple years. >> Okay. >> Thank

050you. All right, Mr. Kopatrick. >> Good evening. >> So, I've got three things to report on. The first of which is Graten 2020 projects. Um, you may have already heard that uh regarding the elementary schools, the sewer uh realignment at Cutler Middle School has been completed. Um the uh the grass has been receeded and uh so hopefully that'll be restored uh as we get a few rainstorms here in the next couple of weeks and ready for use and the fuel tank at Westside Middle School has been removed. So those early projects at the middle schools uh continue. So, uh, the staff is going to continue, uh, to meet with architects to, uh, work out the details of, uh, things like, uh, uh, the details of flooring, um, door hardware, all those sorts of things. So,

051we'll be meeting with them over the next course of the next month or so. Uh in addition to that, the Graten Middle School uh project uh continues to uh uh grow um [laughter] >> literally and figuratively. >> If you came to convocation this morning, you probably saw some photographs that Mark took uh when we climbed the when we climbed the four the four stories to the top of the building. And uh a spectacular view from the fourth floor. No question about that. when the leaves uh begin to fall off the trees, I think it's going to be even uh more spectacular. Um but uh regarding the uh middle school, the uh next thing that's going to be taking place is the topping off ceremony, which is the uh final beam that gets laid into place.

052Uh I had an email this afternoon. Mark and I um were looking for the beam. We were told that the beam is here at the annex for um board of ed members, staff, and students to sign before it goes. But uh Mark Me neither. I didn't find it either, but it's here somewhere apparently, but we'll find it and we'll let you know where it is when one. So, m maybe it's late arriving. Did you see it? >> No. >> Oh, >> I was going to ask you a question if you could um if you're finished with middle school. Are you finished with the middle school? My question is, can you um just give me and maybe the public uh like just a refresher about the timeline for the elementary school, >> you know, like exactly

053like when will is we're waiting till the students are no longer at Cutler and Westside or are we starting before? >> Okay. >> I know we did the sewers and everything, but I meant the other part. No, the actual construction of the uh new elementary schools will start um next spring uh March uh April and that time they depend upon the weather of course um and they'll u they'll set up screening and fencing and so on and so forth so they can start the project uh in a safe way. Um the uh some of some of the uh portable buildings may need to be moved at that time to allow for some extra parking or uh because for instance at Westside Middle School, the new school is actually going to go in the parking lot,

054>> right? >> Uh so we'll have to make some arrangements uh for parking. >> Um and so that project, those two projects will start in the spring of of next year. Um both staffs uh at Cutler and Westside are aware that uh they have like twothirds of the year to go before we start this project and kind of create a little havoc within within within the buildings. Um the um so uh the thing I was going to say about the topping off ceremony, it is uh August 30th uh at 12:00 p.m. >> I think we all got >> this. Did you all get that >> this Friday? >> Yeah, it it it's a it's a nice ceremony. This is sort of a first there's a topping off and then there's a ribbon cutting. So this

055is a this is an important uh important ceremony. Okay, second item on my list there are water testing results and um here to report that all the test results that we've done uh to this point have been posted on our website and you can find it by going to the buildings and grounds section of our uh ledger uh schools.org. >> [laughter] >> I say that all the time. >> I'm sorry. >> The other ledger. >> I could be run out of town for that. [laughter] >> Graten gratenchools.org. >> gratinschools.org. >> Thank you, Susan. >> Just reminding me where you are. >> Um, could you speak to the uh question and I think that this is sort of what Rita was asking as well. Um could you speak to the the question that um Miss Borderline

056uh gave around um what is the the testing that was done? What is the what what's the cycle that you're going to be on for even the ones that um have no the non-actionable items? Is that correct? >> Our last bit of testing we did were for the areas that we found um lead in the water and those were [clears throat] done this past uh spring. So those things were just taken care of um this past spring. >> Okay. So what would be the cycle for testing? >> Uh that hasn't uh been determined yet. We'll be I'll be working with Dr. Grineer uh to determine exactly when. >> And my thought is we're going to go back to the state water official and get a recommendation. >> All right. Fair enough. And then that might

057be a great thing to sort of add on to the website is that once we know that you know whatever that is so that that's common knowledge. >> We'll post that too on on the same site. That'd be great. >> And uh the third item that I wanted to report on is the Northeast Academy indoor air quality situation. Uh Fuss and O'Neal um engineering firm has completed their study. They've given me a final report. They've made lots of recommendations. Some of the recommendations were for us to do some um some maintenance on some items uh that we can do inhouse. uh but um a lot of the recommendations are um beyond what we would do in house and I'll be sharing uh in more detail uh all of those recommendations at the next facilities committee

058meeting. Um but the one thing um that we did do um immediately well actually we did one item that's on there on their recommendations. We actually started it before I got the uh report and uh we're we're actually um [clears throat] I wouldn't say controlling but we're um making adjustments to the humidity levels in classrooms uh through our our regular HVAC system presently. though, uh, we made some adjustments and added some, uh, thermostats and humidistats in classrooms, uh, in certain sections that had, uh, more, uh, serious concerns in other areas. So, we've been able to, uh, uh, keep that, um, in check to a certain degree. So, that's been going well up to this point. And the second thing is when the report came in um one of the recommendations was to uh clean the

059duct work at the school. The buildings were built uh with duct work in the buildings uh which do not have access. So Fussen O'Neal was not able to actually see what was in the duct work. So they couldn't determine whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. So, we hired uh dependable duct work to come in and um they were here for about a week at Northeast Academy and cleaned the duct work uh a couple of weeks ago. So, that's that's been completed. So, that's one item that was a recommendation that we've already checked off the list. >> Thank you. Any questions? All right, moving on um to committee reports um policy. I see that we are that we have some policies for first readings. >> We do indeed. Um and much of

060that um you know Susan will talk to it what we was done with um um Erica and Dennis work very very hard on the electronic devices. So we're going to be talking about that. We did have a month off. Uh but we meet on Tuesday next week. So we're still busy busy busy. Um and we'll have a first uh three four first readings. Yes. >> Thank you guys for working as hard as you do that you're really very diligent to getting these policies to us for us to look at. Um uh next is curriculum meeting September. >> You'll be having a meeting in September. >> September. Correct. >> Y okay. And that um that's great. Thank you. Yep. Finance and facilities. Uh we met last Monday uh August 19th. Um we reviewed the CIP uh

061proposals for FY21. Um we also touched on the advertising guidelines and fee structure for sports banners. Um but I think that's probably going to also have to go to a committee of the whole. >> Yeah. Next one >> at the next one. Um we discussed some budget function transfers which we'll also >> tonight. >> Oh, okay. That we will discuss further tonight. Um we discussed the um agreement with the town over uh the robotics uh program site and storage facility. Um we went over the school year tuition rates which we will vote on tonight. Uh we reviewed the DoD supplemental impact aid account and we received um uh Sam's uh NEA air quality study. Any questions for Jay? So, our others um I can speak to the negotiations is that we have that we are

062sort of getting kind of far behind on getting dates together for because our next contract is admins. >> Um >> so we had technically we had our first or the lawyers actually had the first [clears throat] you know let me let me reach out. I I don't I don't know the next date. >> Okay, that would be good. >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I just looked over to Rita, but Rita, would you like to talk about I apologize about that. >> Uh last Friday, I had an executive committee meeting and the director, Mrs. um Kate Ericson, discussed her entry plan, um what she'd like to do at Learn and also the goals for learn. Then we had a building committee meeting for the Ocean Avenue Learning Center and it already needs to be expanded. So

063the the second floor um I think we'd like to move [clears throat] the older children, the 18 to 20 year old population up there. And so it'll probably be, you know, it's more renovation. So it'll be an ongoing committee. >> We thought it was ending, but it's not. [laughter] >> So but that's that's a good thing. They have a long waiting list for students that would like to come and it's very successful and I think the highlight one of the highlights is that the pair of professionals that started last January when the academy opened are all still there. So that is a a real positive because often times you know parents sort of come and go but I think because it's such a a beautiful place um the students are happy the teachers are happy

064the peers are happy so that's good >> thank you Rita any questions for Rita um the next is the board of ed town council and the RTM leazison and the next meeting is what September 4th and Jay you have agreed that you would um plead the charge for me. Okay, great. So, and so we did not have one in August because of the timing of that meeting. Most of us were actually not available. Um, and the next is the board of ed, AGSA, MG, GA leazison, and that probably would happen in October. >> I think there's a date, but I'm not sure. >> Yeah, I think you're right. I just don't have the date in front of me. Um, and then the last two, Gretchen, are yours, which is the trail and the graten scholarship.

065>> Trails. I need to reach out and track them down again. They sometimes, >> no pun intended. >> No. [laughter] Um, and the Graten scholarship has not met yet, I don't believe. So, those are upcoming. So, I think um um the presentation that we received at the convocation was really cool about the Grten scholarships um and was really kind of talking about she wanted to make sure that the teachers were aware of that because lots of teachers are not actually reaching out um uh uh about that foundation. >> I don't think >> Oh, that's the foundation, right? That's the foundation foundation for students. >> Yep. Yep. Sorry. I apologize. >> No problem. >> Um >> it was very interesting to learn about. >> Yeah, it was. Yeah, I was excited to hear that. >> All

066right, so we're going to move on to the action items. Um, so this next one is the consent agenda. And so all matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. So I will uh I will take a motion um for the approval of the consent agenda which would include the regular meeting minutes and approval of gifts. >> So move. >> I have a uh second. >> I have a first and a second. Second. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of the uh of the motion on the floor which is uh the uh the action items which includes the meeting minutes of July 22nd, 2019 and approval of gifts. Please say I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried.

067We would like the board would like to say thank you um to United Way who um which has made a donation of 200 headphones and earbuds for use with the standardized testing to the Grten Public Schools and also to Union Baptist Church who's made a donation of $825 to be used for the 2019 2020 um school year for the breakfast bag program at Claude Chester School. All righty, we're moving. I I was just going to ask about that because now won't Claude Chester be receiving breakfast and lunch? >> They will. >> That's actually for um on the weekends and for like when we have vacations so that the principal has organized that so that she makes sure that her children have um nutritious meals even when they're not in school. >> That's wonderful. I'm so

068glad you you told us about You know, Sue, thank you for um cuz I had the exact same um question and so this is um that actually probably >> um that's a >> that's really heartwarming. >> Yeah. >> As was their drive for coats, their coat drive. >> Y >> um and they got every child got a new coat and she's looking forward to doing that again this year >> for the children. >> That's really awesome. >> And that was also with the community. >> Elks, right? else to help support that. >> All right. So, um I'm going to move on to new business. Jay, would you be willing to read number the motion for number one and I know that probably um I don't know if you and Mike have the information, but if

069you wanted to also begin the discussion once we get the motion um first and seconded, that would be great. >> So, I move we approve the 2019 2020 tuition rates. >> Can I have a second for that? >> Second. Seconds, Rosemary and discussion. >> Well, I I'll jump in if you want. Uh and then Ken and Jay can [clears throat] jump in. Uh what we did uh for the proposed tuition rates is we uh we increased the rates by the rate that the budget was increased, 1.24%. Uh but but Ken looked at the list and realized some things were missing from last year's list. So the first thing on the item you see here is prek. We we never had prek there before. Coincidentally, we had someone ask and so we realized it wasn't there

070and uh so we we've included that. It's a half-day program. So uh that's why it's half the elementary. And then there are two other programs uh in the special ed the the fourth one down. We just never had a tuition rate for the ABA program both at the elementary and secondary levels and the multi-disabilities program uh at the elementary and secondary levels. So we did a little analysis literally looked at the teachers the supplies the equipment and uh and divided by the average number of children in the programs and came up with those. So this is a little bit more uh complete less a little more thorough in terms of uh looking at the programs that we offer but I must say it rare occasionally somebody will leave us and and they'll say can can

071I continue so at least we have a number uh but it's it is it is not a number that it is not a tuition amount that is typically paid and and of course it would go to the town this would be revenue venue uh to the town of Graten, which would be fine, and we we we'd be happy to take in the revenue on behalf uh and turn it over to the town, but um it is rare. >> Any other questions about that? >> Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion on the floor, which is to accept um to approve the 2019 20 um 2020 tuition rates, please say I. I. Oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. >> Jay, I'm just going to keep you since this is a finance and facility thing. >>

072Um, so let's see. >> So, number two, >> the motion to approve is a first reading of policy P514. >> Can you go to number two? >> Uh, obviously there's a new agenda than the one I received today. >> Oh, I'm so sorry. Okay. Um, >> what is your number two? >> Yeah, the one that arrived by email, uh, is policy 5141.31. So, I don't know when that was, >> I think Gretchen. >> Yeah, Gretchian gave me. So, I don't know when. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't get that amendment. >> I think there literally uh Yeah, sorry. There was there was a modification. >> Okay. So, uh, I move to approve the budget function transfer for the fiscal year 20 F high school site budget. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> No,

073there's some Yeah, there are some uh financial information from Ken. Uh >> and this is what got was this discussed in your financial facilities? >> You want to orient the board a little? >> Sure. Let me orient you to this uh to this uh schedule. Um this is a a schedule of uh the approved site budget and then a proposed uh reallocation of the site budget. Uh uh column A is this is the approved uh site budget uh that's in our in our books right here. Uh total 2749 950 uh broken down by by function. Column B is a proposed reallocation of that same 274950. Uh column A was built back in October, November of last year. Uh in June of this year, uh Joe Ararice had taken a look uh and uh knowing that

074some costs uh uh weren't needed uh for this year, wanted to reallocate the the costs. And so that's that's what this uh proposed uh uh column B is. uh to take you through some of the some of the bigger changes. Uh world languages and mathematics uh both have large reductions. Those are in textbooks uh for both in both those cases. Uh we we were able to purchase uh textbooks at the end of last year that will cover that. Uh so that's why those aren't needed uh in this year's site budget. uh uh function number 1117 which is IB both uh DP and my training uh there was more funds allocated to that for that training um especially for the my training at the school at the high school uh in that that's not covered by

075the expect grant the expect grant covers the uh the middle school not the not the high school uh unclassified this these are these supplies that um uh when you order them you don't necessarily know what function they're going to go to. Like you order copy paper, you don't know how much of it's going to go to art or language arts. Uh and so we buy that uh in bulk. And so we're looking to increase that uh by 10,000. Uh so in total for regular instructions, which is fun the function codes that begin with one or five, we're looking for a reduction of 16,150. Uh then for support services for pupils which is uh function codes of Bingham 21 uh we're looking to increase that by 11,900 uh that's to uh pay for tests pupil tests

076uh primarily uh PSATs and SATs for 10th graders. Um, and then general support services, which is uh the school admin, looking to increase that by 4,250 uh to pay for some of the costs of uh uh next year's uh uh n how do you nask >> naskque visit that we're going to have uh next year. Um so that that that was the reason for the al reallocation of the site budget. Jay, do you have anything to add in terms of the discussion that your committee had? >> So, I just want to um confirm what we discussed was that this is we're not seeing, for example, a decrease in what was actually spent for world languages or mathematics, but rather that these were prepaid with funds from the previous year. >> Correct. So, we were because

077a question came up, Katrina and I were concerned that this meant that we just weren't spending the money, but it had been sort of pre-spent. So, this is a way of reallocating. Any other questions? All right. Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion that's on the floor to approve the budget function transfer for the um fiscal year um 20 uh Fitch High School site budget. Um, all those in favor, please say I >> I >> oppose. [clears throat] >> I'm abstaining >> and one abstension. Gretchen, >> would you be willing to read the motion for number three to approve as the first reading of policy P5141.31 physical examinations students? Can I have a second? Second. That's from Lee. So discussion. So, this was just a minor um change that if a student um

078has trouble getting um the physical exam from their own physician that we as a school will support them and help them make arrangements to um go to one of our schoolbased health centers to help support that. >> So, we no longer Dr. Blaeld no longer conducts the physicals for the high school. I don't know that he is still conducting physicals. I know he is our um outreach, our support medical advisor, but >> we really do have school-based health to support and they have their many children will go and get their annual physicals with their own doctors or in the military um go to >> but he used to do them when they couldn't but maybe he doesn't. >> Well, we have school-based health now at the high school, the two middle schools. >> Yeah. Claude

079Chester and Katherryn Kolowski. And I think we're going to be getting a another one at Mary Morrison. >> We are and we're just waiting for the money to be put in the It has been funded. We've been asked not to um make too much of a public announcement, but but it's official. No, I mean, we can say it, but but the staff is not there yet. So I don't want to say we have a schoolbased health center at Mary Morrison although uh we are in the process as Sam is in the process of uh making sure that we allocate space for a clinician and for a nurse practitioner. Yeah it's going to be a now we will have five and it's a huge benefit for the children. >> Actually we have six. >> Gretchen could

080you just repeat the list? I missed one >> where the health clinics are. Yes. >> Oh, uh, the high school, >> high school, middle school, >> both both middle schools. >> Claude Chester, Katherine Kolowski. >> Okay, that's what >> and now Mary Marson or soon Mary Marson. >> That's fabulous. >> Any other questions? Hearing none. All those in favor um of the first reading of the policy P5141-31 physical examination/ students, please say I. I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Rosemary, would you be willing to read the motion um for number four, please? Our discussion and possible action regarding a first reading of policy P4118.5, acceptable computer network use and regulations. R4118.5 acceptable computer network use form. And it's attachment number five. Thank you. Can I have a second motion? >> Yeah, I should read

081the motion. >> Oh, I thought you were read the motion. Sorry. >> I I said motion. >> I think you have >> Yeah, you have to read the motion right below that. Do you see? >> All right. To approve as a first reading of policy >> on top of that. I appreciate that. >> P 4118.5 acceptable computer use and regulation R 4118.5 acceptable computer network use form. Can I have a second on that motion? >> Second. That's from Lee. All right. And discussion. So Dennis Kclaw, who is our director of um technology, met with the policy committee. He's actually been working all summer working with Erica, working with me looking at um any new um law that has come forth and we've basically streamlined and updated a lot of the languages and also cross referenced

082it with law. So, um, where you see the red are just really language changes more than anything, um, to kind of make it more current. [clears throat and cough] So, it really has to do with, um, the computers, the network, the internet, um, and what is acceptable use considered for whether it's in the employees or the students. So, we've tried to we used to have several different um policies and we tried to really incorporate them into the one. Look how different the language is from 2013 to now. >> And one of the things that we were talking about was you could you could probably do this every single year >> and it will be because we got to what was it? It's what are we up to now? the fifth f I can't remember >>

083the Yeah, we're up to the fifth now and we didn't even have that in here >> when we were talking about it. So, >> Rita, I was just curious why um you no longer have the teachers fill this sign this I mean it doesn't it seems like it's all crossed off because Right. Um well I I think that they um they we review this with new teachers when they come in and so that and HR also reviews it for them and it's just the expectation. >> I don't know. It's nice to have something in writing though that's signed then you know that they really understand it. >> Yeah. It it it is important if you know there there I know there was an issue at NFA a couple of years ago >> where >> what's

084that >> a student teacher um you know even our student teacher should be signing something like this >> I will check with HR but I believe that we had two different versions and HR uses one so I will double check >> that would be great you know and I think that >> it's just a first reading so >> right and I also think that that clar clarification could come in a board in the board notes just to say yes the HR um has the that sign and it'll be part of the board packet or something like that. That would be great. That'd be super. Thank you, Gretchen. >> All right. Like say they're on their lunch break and they're on their phone which they're using the wireless >> in their you know browsing Amazon. Is

085that >> it gets all in the next >> that's a incidental. Well, this policy refers to our computer system, but let's say they're on their lunch break and they're using a computer to read the newspaper or something. Uh, the policy does call for incidental use so long as it doesn't disrupt their work. >> And you're ahead of yourself because that's actually the next policy. But that's a very good that's a very good question. >> That's a clear clarvoid. >> Yes, that's >> or maybe I read them earlier and forgot. You are you are right on you are right on it. So um Lee, may I have you read the motion for number five? >> Yes. A motion to approve as a first reading for policy P4118.4 appropriate technology use and regulations which is R4118.4 appropriate

086technology use. So, this must have been very well written because you see very few changes, >> right? I I need I I need a couple things. I I want to put a second on the floor for this one. And I I I will intro I have I forgot I was so excited about this conversation that Gretchen moved us to that I forgot us to vote. Um, so, um, what we can do >> what we can do is maybe we can do both of them at the same um, I'll pose the vote at the same time, but I just or do you guys want us to stop the conversation once I get a second for this one? Number five. Um, and then I'll stop it and I'll go back to number to number four. I It's

087whatever you >> What would be easier for you? >> Get your second and then go back and vote. >> And you know what? I figured you'd say >> I will do that. So, can I have a second for the current uh motion that's on the floor? I got Rosemary. All right. So, thank you board for your patience with my my silliness sometimes. >> So, 4118.5 and Susan is going to get a little clarification on the signing, right? But that's the that's the policy for first reading that's in front of you. Um but Joan, my my very dear friend who keeps me in line just like you do um is that we did do a vote on the number three the physical examinations. We did. >> Yes. Okay. But thank you um for always keeping me

088in line. It's a hard job. I'm glad you're up for it. Um, so I am going to go back to the motion to approve as a first reading of policy P4118.5, which is acceptable computer network use and regulations R4118.5 acceptable computer network use form. >> All those in favor I >> I. >> All those opposed abstain. Motion has carried. We are now >> 418.4. We're at the 4188.4. So, and that has been read. We have a second. Can I have discussion? >> So, I wanted to be able to say that this was written in 2013. It was done by a whole committee with Karen Brier Brier at the helm >> and it was so well written that we we went through it with a fine tooth comb and you can see there's very few >>

089um things that have changed in it. So, but I just really wanted to go through all of the technology to make sure we were updated in all those areas. When 21st century becomes old language, it's a little scary. [laughter] So, we tried to to look for language that would represent more since we're, you know, a quarter way through kind of or a fifth. Um, and I'm just going through it. Um, one of the things even the the change in terminology for cellular network and um >> mobile phones um >> got rid of MySpace >> MySpace to Instagram and um >> so like I said very very few um changes >> were made this was really well done. >> Nice job. Thank you. >> Thanks. Even though it's a few years old. >> Yeah, >> it's

090still. >> So, um, is there any more discussion? >> No. >> All right. All those I'm then going to hearing none, I'm going to move us to the vote to approve it as a first reading of policy P 4118 um.4 appropriate technology use and regulation R 4118.4 appropriate technology use. All those in favor, please say I. I >> oppose. Abstain. The motion has carried. Rita, would you please read number six, please? >> Motion to approve as a first reading of policy P6141.3271 voice assistance devices. Can I have a second, please? Second. All right. So this is actually um something that Dennis found as he was going through some of the cave work and um there is a concern about these voice activated devices um in the classroom and like the Alexa and the Google and

091who's listening on the other side Siri. So um at this point we're just not even going to be having those in the schools. It's unauthorized. Believe it to be unauthorized. We feel like it could infringe on privacy. >> So, um, at this point, this is the stance that we're taking and that's based on some of the work with the Cape lawyers. >> It could be a Furpa violation, >> right? >> Uh, you know, we don't know who's listening to the information about >> students and others. And so, some of us have taken Siri our phones. >> [laughter] >> Well, there's a way to there's a way to turn Siri off unless you actually uh manipulate the point a little bit, but yeah, this this is quite an interesting phenomenon and and you're right, Dennis, who

092is uh so up on uh and thorough >> and the privacy he's really he has to authorize and make sure that any new software product or any software that we're using follows this privacy act that this law that we have in the state of Connecticut. And if they don't, we really can't purchase it. >> These listening devices clearly don't. >> Yeah. >> No. >> So, Gretchen. >> Okay. Sitting here, I have my phone and I have my computer. Both are I'm not currently using, but they could. How do we turn that off? >> So, this So, is it about the policy that's on the floor right now? >> It's only about listening devices. >> This policy. >> Can our phones listen? >> I'll show you later. [laughter] >> Any other discussion about the policy, Rita?

093I I just had a a question about um for hearing impaired students. >> Do they have voice activated devices? >> Not to my knowledge. I mean, they do have hearing aids and those kind of things that assist them, but I don't believe that this would impact them at all. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure. >> Right. That was a good question. And if TPT could override this, >> if there was an, you know, if there was a need, like you say, uh, we'd be able to make an exception in that case. >> Good. That's a really good point. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, it is a very good question. >> Z, do you have a do you have a part of the discussion >> about the privacy? I forget what she specifically called

094it, but so last year for Spanish, does it also include like foreign languages that we um have at Fish? Because my teacher used this specific website to um record our voices so she can take it home and do it for finals. Does it also include that or is that >> it may or it may not, but I know that um teachers actually have to get permission and so they have to let the technology department know if they're going to use something whether it's free or paid for and then we there is a a process in the state of even Google having to get you know give permission so that they will follow the law in the sense of you know making sure that your privacy is protect protected. >> Okay. >> So, anytime students work

095or their voice or pictures, you know, we really have to make sure that they're secured and that these companies aren't using them >> elsewhere. >> All right. Thank you. >> Good question. >> That was a great question. >> Good question. >> Excellent question. >> All right. Any other discussion on this first reading? >> No. >> All right. Hearing none. Um to the the reading. The motion is to approve as a first reading of policy P 6141-3271 voice assistant devices. All those in favor of the first reading, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> Abstain. The motion has carried. So, we're now at the part of the agenda where we talk about information um or or in proposals. Um, and so Gretchen, um, do you have any communications or comments or letters that you've received?

096>> We had several teachers this afternoon contact me and say the convocation was wonderful that keeping it short allows them to get to their schools and their following afternoon, their, you know, the rest [music] of the day and get to that sooner and get more done. So, they were very happy. I had one teacher say they were really loved the way we started the schedule this year. So, that's pretty much the conversations I've had this week is just they're very happy that things were short so they could get to the down to their work and they like the start of the year schedule. >> Great. >> Mostly so that they could get their AP they don't lose two or three days of school leading up to the AP tests. I don't >> right >> quite

097get it, but there you have it. >> Thank you, Christian Jay. Um really no letters or communications. Um I attended all the meetings that that the rest of us attend as well as um participating in the um committee for the selection of the new um high school principal. Um and just a clarification, I was not um laughing at the chair's delivery of that last vote, but rather that we're now out to the fourth decimal point of our policies. I I was actually thinking and actually that's why I thought you were laughing was not just my delivery but also that the fact that [laughter] out but you can >> it's that that fine of a line [clears throat and cough] >> Andrea I have a lot of things >> awesome let me make sure everybody can

098hear me because when I listen when I watch this on television I can never hear me so I'm going to make sure the first thing is I met with an RTM member regarding how we process curriculum and it was a wonderful thing to have all Susan, this is to your credit, to have all of the the um the the flowchart and the curriculum handbook and all that sort of thing. It really clarified how we thoroughly vet curriculum. Uh I too participated in the selection of the high school principal. It was a wonderful process and I loved that the students were able to be part of that. I went to the NYP equity summit at Avery Point that Kathy Wilson and Leslie Forbes and Amy Murphy had facilitated and brought together. It was a wonderful experience.

099I thought that I was probably the the most uh unencumbered person there until they really made me look at myself and I astounded myself with what I found out about how I think about things. It was a wonderful experience and I'm recommending it for all staff. >> I went to the my picnic today. It was at Washington Park. Again, to kudos to Amy and Kathy and and Leslie, it was it was a wonderful blending of the spirit of the new school. You could really feel the the the the be the coming together of the two schools and what what a wonderful merging this is going to be. And then uh of course today I went at the count to the convocation and I want to once more give just wonderful congratulations to Linda Branch and

100her crew. I know every school is going to look like the high school looked today. So um Sam to your credit and especially to to uh Linda Branch and her crew >> and I wanted to say [clears throat] what an inspiration it was at particularly your your talk and know I'm not going to be able to say that. How do you say that cathedral again? >> Oh, shalt. >> Okay, you can say that that cathedral. And I wanted to just repeat a wonderful story that Dr. Graner gave. I looked it up on on the internet afterwards just to make sure that I I I got the fullness of it and and it was wonderful. There was a man walking through that cathedral and he came across a man who was cutting stone and he said,

101"What are you doing?" And the man said, "I'm cutting stone." And then he came across a man who was laying stone. And he said, "What are you doing?" And the man said, "I'm laying stone." And then he came to a woman who was sweeping the floor. And he said, "What are you doing?" And she said, "I'm building a cathedral for the glory of God." And that's what I want to see you us do with this new middle school. I want to see us build a middle school for the the ev the um the raising up of children. So that's what that's about. >> The glory of rearing children. How fabulous is that? >> Then I'm going to to um tomorrow's professional workshop professional development day and I'm looking forward to that. I understand that's going

102to be fabulous. And in my own personal life, I went to the Coast Guard Academy convocation and I saw the cadetses come together as one just as we did today, Washington Park. And the final thing I have is this weekend I went to my all school all I'm sorry, all class reunion at my high school in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. The fir I brought the u the um this is my high school that I went to and the the classes that were represented began in 1935. One man was 103 years old. >> Holy m >> we were together. We were together. We sang the alma mater and not one of us had to look at the words. >> Oh my goodness. >> Holy man. That's fabulous. >> Adra. Thank you. Rosemary. >> Um, let's see. I

103was able to go to, um, a workshop about defeating unconscious bias, which was very valuable. Um, I've al um at Yale. >> Um, I'll let you know. Um I was also uh I attended the sound community services board and fundraising meeting and um went through Narcan training and certification through GASP. So, um I'm I have my own Narcan thing and um Community Speaks Out and Gas put on a um paraphernalia update and I was very interested in going because of the vaping issues and the the way that vaping paraphernalia can be hidden in plain sight. You know, it was very educational. Plus, I also got invited to go to the president of um St. Joe University of St. Joseph to her summer um reception in um at her summer home and got to meet Coach

104Calhoun. >> A >> which was wonderful. So, and he's looks younger than the last time I saw him. >> Wow. >> So, >> thank you, Rosemary. >> And was his assistant Glenn Miller there? >> That what >> was his assistant Glenn Miller there? >> No, he wasn't. >> Oh, because he's a product of Fitch High School. >> Oh. Oh, Fitch High School. >> Oh. Oh, I didn't know the way through. Oh, yes. [laughter] >> Lee, um, I went, first of all, I went to the equity that was last Wednesday and Thursday that that Andrea went to. It was incredible. I had no idea what I was going to learn. I learned a lot. We both learned a tremendous amount. And many of the teachers and all the principles were there from Westside and Cut Cutler.

105>> And there was one parah who I you know this was open to anyone who had anything to do with graten and the parah was brilliant wasn't she? >> she was just it was just I hope we all get a chance to do this. It was that good. In addition, Thursday, not last Thursday, but Thursday before, there was not a hearing but a meeting of the public building, the the permanent public building, and it was about putting solar panels on all of our new schools. >> Let's hope so. >> And there were 30 to [cough] 40 people there. >> They've never had that many people at a meeting. There were people that I'd obviously never met before. It was just wonderful. And it sounds like they that group may find a way to make this

106happen. >> Wouldn't we be thrilled? >> Yes. >> Thank you, Rita. >> Um that's wonderful. I'm I'm so much in favor of solar panels. Um um the convocation was very inspiring today, especially um Lzanne Johnson, our teacher of the year. And >> it was just she had on her superpower cape on and when the other librarians in the district all had on their capes and they stood up. I mean it was just you know and and everybody enjoyed the convocation every every you know Kim's Kim's little talk and Dr. Grineers I think it was all uplifting and I think it'll be a great year. >> So thank you. >> Yeah I I look forward to those so very much. So, um, the one thing I really did do, um, go ahead, Gretchen. >> Oh, I

107wanted to remind everybody how lovely the boys choir that sang. >> Oh, the choir was they were just outstanding and >> so adorable. >> Yeah. Um so the I was able to attend and Lee you were there as well um last Thursday to start the kick kickoff of the kiddo um the one book one region um uh the second step players um that I believe that they're out of Norwich but they um they're a troop that goes go through and they perform um skits um primarily on on sort of mental health awareness and also just um some very uplifting um but also some really sort of powerful sort of messages. So, um I did do that and for those of us who have not read the graphic novel kiddo, um I really encourage you to

108do it. It is um it's a graphic novel, so it's a quick read. Um but it's it is amazing. Um specifically if you read about the author's experience and so um and Andrea, I think you and I were had just been talking about that. Um Jay, I just want to say thank you very much. I know that you um responded just about saying about the good news about um the that west side and how well that um went and I'm really glad that you went to that. Um and it's really exciting to hear about the excitement of this district because we're um we're rocking it. Um, but I I also just want to make sure that um the public knows that um that the the fact that two of our board members went to an

109equity um workshop that's sponsored by um uh our district, but that we are ourselves are going through a strategic plan um and that we have had lots of conversations about understanding social economic status and how do you do um alignment of of our schools. Um, so I just wanted to let let people know that we ourselves are taking the business of moving the district um, forward uh, seriously. Um, so I just wanted to make sure that we have a shout out of our hard work around that. >> Just small point, I don't know if [clears throat] everyone knows that those are Isabelle Stevenson's colleagues that that's the same group that's Connecticut center for school change. >> Oh, great. >> And uh, and they are very interested in doing some more work with us. >> Great.

110>> So >> because we rock. Yeah, I I just wanted to um I didn't physically attend that Westside, but I just um I was remiss in not mentioning that communication. It just a a caregiver uh >> you Yeah. Okay. Um >> but passing that along. >> Yeah. Just that they were so impressed with the >> the the free breakfast, free lunch, but also >> this is a child who was very anxious about going to and then once they saw the offerings there >> Yeah. >> completely turned that child around. >> Great. Yep. Great. Y so it's Lee just quickly um the Hey kiddo um the author is going to be there I can't remember the date but yet it's either September or October at Connecticut College free and open to the public >> yes >>

111y bring your book and get it signed >> buy it there >> I think the public library would be have a little problem about having my that book signed [laughter] >> um but I'm I'm moving us on do you have another >> Yeah I just wanted to follow up on what Lee said about the the power that was at at um the the um the the um equity experience and that was that I encouraged her to to call Lori Leine regarding that program that we have about following up and becoming a a yes back entering into a balaria problem. Yes. So, I'm I'm hoping that she hears this again because she's she and I know that all of our paras are >> are should be looking into that. >> Super. >> All right. So, um

112it's fall and so we have a lot of meetings um uh that are starting and they are here. I it looks like it's a pretty complete list um along with the the known meeting dates so far. Um, but my sense is negotiations will probably be in there at least once. That's my guess. Um, and we'll make sure that that gets noted on the board notes. Um, any other suggested agenda items? >> I don't have that. But, but, um, September 16th, should it say special curriculum or should it really say what exactly what we're doing? I mean, it's a board function. >> Yeah. So, special is the special curriculum. >> Sounds vague to me, >> right? >> So, we having it on the 16th. >> You know what? We have we have sorry we have a

113little problem. >> Oh >> that that's the the retreat. >> The what >> September 16th that's that first night we're going to do five date >> right. I I >> but's point is that it's not very um it's vague. >> Even Even the CO I mean I really think it should spell out exactly what we're doing. >> No we Yeah. No, we'll fix this. We we canled the CO right and and I think we're going to have to cancel the special curriculum. >> Right. That's toita's point. >> Oh, yeah. >> Because the 16th is the board retreat. I I apologize. >> Right. >> So, we'll we'll we'll fix this. >> We'll work around that. >> Do we know where that's going to be? >> Central room 11. >> Yeah. >> But with food >> maybe

114for it be, you know, a working dinner >> or any food. >> All right. Any other special agenda topics? >> Motion. >> Yes. I have a motion to adjurnn on the on the It's been second. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. The end of the meeting.