001Hi, my name is Joshua Waldrip. >> Hi, my name is Emily Powder. >> Hi, my name is Joseph Lyens. >> Now you can see. >> Keep watching GPS 19. You don't want to miss us. [Music] [Applause] [Music] All righty, folks. I just read what it said. >> Okay, Mark, are you ready? >> I can't even. >> All right. Good evening. Um, tonight is um July 22nd and it's about 6:07 and I am calling I'm calling the Rotten Board of Ed education meeting to uh the beginning. Um, and we will start uh with a pledge of allegiance and the flag is behind us and um Beth if you would be willing to lead us that would be fabulous. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
002stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you everyone. >> I'm not crunching on you, but I know they're crunch down there. >> No, go ahead. Come on. Come on over. >> They have room. >> All right. Um I believe it's my understanding that we do not have um visitors or delegates tonight. So I am going to move us to the comments from citizens portion of the agenda. Um and this is the portion of the agenda where the board welcomes comments from citizens. Each presentation should be limited to 5 minutes or less and citizens should if possible submit written comments. Presentations should be related to matters pertinent to Graten. Board members will only ask questions in this time period in order to clarify the speaker's presentation and cannot respond
003during the comments from citizens portion of the board meeting. Citizens should make their presentation from the podium and state their names and addresses for the record. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to chat? Seeing and hearing none, we are going to move on to number three, which is a student representative report. And how dedicated you are that you're actually even here during the summer. Yes. >> Gosh, we like you. >> Um, there are no notes as of right now, but I will be coming back soon. >> Awesome. Yes. >> And would you be willing do you know who will be your comrade um for the fall? >> Um Zay will be coming and he'll be coming um during the next cow meeting I think in August and then he'll start coming regularly.
004So you'll see him very soon. >> Okay. And his name is >> um Xavier >> Keito. Keito, thank you. >> Okay, awesome. And he's a junior, is that correct? >> Yes. Awesome. >> He's the junior president of his class. So, >> Yep. >> Great. Well, we look forward to meeting him and once again, thank you so much for coming. So good to see you. >> Yep. >> So, we're now on to Superintendent Administrative Reports. >> Hi. I'm just going to uh remind the board. This is something that actually we talked about during the finance committee meeting. Uh in during uh during the budget process for FY19, uh it's it's that middle paragraph there on the CIP. Uh we we put in put in in anticipation of having to fix the lead um problem in in
005our water. Uh we requested $50,000 for a study. And I'm I actually I'm going to ask Mr. Kilpatrick. Uh if you see at the very bottom there, it says the town council didn't approve the 50,000 uh but the RTM did. Uh but in in the interim uh Sam has done a number of actions so I'll let him explain but the bottom line is going to be we no longer need uh the $50,000 and so I'll I'll make a recommendation at the end of Sam's comments. >> Good evening. Um uh since uh we requested that money, I've been working with a different person at the uh state uh department of health uh who has given us some other ideas about how to uh remediate the problem of lead in the water in those uh three areas
006that we had them. Uh Claude Chester School, uh Fitch High School, uh the Fieldhouse and concession stand. And uh basically um what uh what we did were uh change some fittings uh some fixtures and some piping in those areas different different things at different areas but uh and uh retested uh as was directed by uh the state health department and found that uh we uh were below the action level. So uh we are within the parameters set by the state. So, as a result of that, there's been a couple of retestings since then and always the the level of the water in the areas where we thought we had a problem was below the actionable level. So, uh my recommendation is going to be uh to inform with your permission. I intended to inform the
007town manager that the board uh no longer intends to do this study that the the lead and the water issue has been addressed and uh and that that money uh can be released in in essence. >> How do um Jay do you have since it has come through the finance and facilities do you have any other comments about that? >> Not really. I mean, I think that's the responsible thing to do if we don't need it at this point um to send it back. >> And there was a $150,000 follow on thinking fearing frankly uh that it was a much more extensive problem. And so we actually never put in for that 150. So, this actually will uh inform the town that the 50,000 is no longer needed and the 150,000 that was on our
008radar although a couple years out is off. And so the the matter CM has been working with the health department and the the water official from the health department has been very satisfied. Jay, >> I would say that um I think uh uh we um should recognize that Sam was able to accomplish all this within our operation budget without drawing on this 50,000 and we've now uh determined that you know all the waters within levels and I think that uh he should be commended for that. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Well, it was not only done within budget uh with the operation budget, but it was done by our own personnel. So, we didn't even have to contract out to get it done. So, um Paul Tadeshi uh and his crew did
009an excellent job in uh uh completing that work. >> That's wonderful. >> So, maybe um Jay, to your point and also to Sam's point is that maybe one of the things that we can ask Dr. for Grineer to do that when he does contact the town that he actually states that not only are we going to be giving not giving back because I don't think it's ever that we don't need the 50, but that we were able to do it um inhouse um without in within our operate within the actual operational budget >> to let people know that we actually do function within our operational budget >> which is not a surprise to us but might be to others. All right. So, any other questions about that? Okay. >> I'm actually u interested to hear
010Susan's report because as I as I said in in board notes, uh the activity in the central office has multiplied by about threefold. Uh it it's pretty active during the school year. It it has become really ex rooms full of teachers writing reports and curriculum and uh it's it's been really really extremely what's today 22nd. So actually uh President Horler has been part of this uh team uh the the last the last three or four weeks have been not only for teachers but for for students as well been so I'll let I'll let Susan fill in the details. >> Okay. So, I guess I would like to start with the summer curriculum writing. So, I have a little chart for you to see. Um, a backup chart has all the names listed of our teachers
011who've helped out. And there have been, I would say, probably five to 10 teachers on every single working group that we've had that you'll see here. Um, and they've come back and they will come back in August to to look at the work. Um, and they just are to be commended. I mean, ELA, they all had a launching date of the 8th and ELA accomplished this amazing task of redoing pacing guides and looking at assessments and talking about universal assessments and then um doing report card standards in two days. And then some of them over overlapped with the um with the mathematics which was good because they could talk about the work that they had done. And same thing within two days. It's like amazing. And we're going to come back together because they're going
012to launch this in department meetings on a August 27th. So we're going to have uh Mark Brackett in the morning to talk about social emotional learning in the ruler and then they're going to be able to talk to their staff um principles and staff will talk about how this can impact their schools. And then um we're looking forward to the afternoon having um departments meet, grade levels meet to really launch all this summer work so everybody's in on board and not just handing them and delivering what a few mighty soldiers have put together, but giving us feedback on it and really scrutinizing looking at it. So we're going to come up with protocols and a way to do this. So you have that two-way communication with all your colleagues, even the ones who weren't able
013to join us in the summertime. So I thought that this list would help you to know I've been saying we're doing all five cores, ELA, which is reading, writing, grammar conventions. They even got it on the report card. I said to Dr. Aman, and a way to assess it with phonics, um mathematics K12, so ELA K12. Um, and in many cases the ELA and middle school and high school work or in all disciplines work together as a team 6th through 12. So they really could see the continuum. Now I think the important work is to bring fifth grade teachers with middle school or upper grade teachers with middle school teachers to complete that continuum K12. Um so the cores ELA, math, science, social studies and world language really is our fifth course core considering that
014we're really becoming an international balaria district and um I have to say another thing that um was so impressive is that we really had professional development woven together with curriculum writing. So we had some expertise. Um Steve Armstrong from the state of Connecticut came to talk to us about social studies. Spent two mornings with us. It was a wonderful conversation about the state document and how it can be used and and they really from scratch were able to work K3 at least and re look at four and five. So it was just you know tremendous work. Um and at um and we had from CRE helping us out for the um science and um our principles took the lead and worked with me with the different grade levels so that they were involved in this
015too because you know it is their job to monitor and evaluate teaching and learning. So it's so important that they get the same kind of PD and the same information for curriculum writing and and are part of the process. So I was really happy about that. Plus I could have used their help and I did. So um I was very grateful. Um and with the world language this was the first time we we partnered up with Stonington. They were having a conference on proficiency standards with Greg Duncan who is a renowned world language um teacher presenter and um they had a couple days where they worked together and we had a facilitator who's done this work before and they went off to do their PD came back and everybody was so impressed with what Bratton
016brought to the table and then continued to do. So we really have both our level one and two in both um Spanish and French completed with materials for the teachers already you know in hand and we're going to be moving on to three and four with the idea that the seal of biiteracy for all students would be made available and one day that could happen. So that's kind of the expectation. So, we're very very excited about this work and just a big shout out to the teachers, a big shout out to Dennis because he's been the one who's been instrumental in um helping me to understand the Google world and to help the teachers locate all of this information. So, they're working simultaneously in the Google closet, I call it. I said it's as messy
017as mine, but and then it becomes the face page for that dashboard. So, I'll come back to you with some teachers in the fall to showcase this so you can see all of the different aspects of it. Um, and then there will be some updated board of ed documents in these that have just been had some either minor adjustments or in the case of social studies have had some major work in the elementary. Um, the other thing that happened of course you knew about the the camp. We had over 350 campers for the STEM and um the writing camp the last year for the writing camp unless we figure out a different way. Um but some children took a whole day and Ernie was able to use that as a feeding site and they had
018snacks for breakfast and lunch and and an actual lunch. So um so some kids stayed for the whole day did both some came for one part of the day or another part. And I a big shout out for both Val and Val Nelson and Carol Marcio and the teachers because this talk about creativ creative teachers created the STEM program from you know their work in the classroom and um their creativity and kids loved it. Everything from creating um a helmet that would protect an egg which could be your brain dropped you know to avoid concussions. So kids were actually creating these devices. Um it just one thing after the other. It was wonderful. So it was reported in the newspaper. So you got a sense. Um and then summer learning opportunities are all of our
019school libraries except for the high school are open to children and families um including our campers that are at Northeast Academy um through the rec camp and at Mary Morrison. And Claude Chester has two sites. Not only are teachers at Clchester for these morning read readalongs and giving out books and you know having an activity, but they are at the Hes Community Center which is in Brford Manor as well to make it more convenient for our families. So um and that can all be found on rottenchools.org. I'm going to pass this over to you. um and families can find out when those dates are um and find out how they can and it also includes community partners and what they're doing. Just a a quick update on transition K. We met as a team and
020Miss Kurler helped me out with that too. She's been helping all along with many kindergarten teachers, prek teachers, preschool teachers. It's been the task force for a couple years. So we sent out this notification for the children that we've identified. There were 22 students that based on the data um we wanted to come back for an additional assessment called the brigance. And there were al also 17 students identified who did not come in for screening who have some of the requirements of still four years old won't turn five till fall or later and um who we really just wanted to meet and get the bants done and a kind of mini version of the screening so that instead of waiting till August you know for all of those kids we have a better understanding and
021then we can prioritize and let families know about this wonderful opportunity that we have for children um who are young and just not ready for kindergarten have had limited preschool and it's going to be a combined curriculum. So once we hire the teacher, posting close, we hire the teacher and we bring curriculum writers to the table. We're looking at the early learning developmental standards for part of the year and then marrying that with the um Connecticut core standards for kindergarten, just introducing those so that they'll be really ready when they start kindergarten. That's our goal. Um and then just a couple other things. Um, >> so, so Susan, you've got a couple I've got a couple of questions. So, >> before we before you go any further, so it doesn't get confusing for me. The
022first question I had was about the science of the social studies. About how many teachers came to this? You know that you know the curriculum writing, you had the facilitators listed, but but about how many teachers would come and do the curriculum writing? So for social studies, um [Applause] I would say about seven. Seven for elementary and for middle school and high school, seven. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> Okay. And like I said, they worked like in a couple days to, you know, pull this all together. They're going to go back and look at it the week before school starts so that they'll be have the protocol for sharing this information and getting feedback from teachers. And um, you know, they'll look at assessments that they've written in addition to the pacing guide and looking
023at the landscape and the materials that will be used. So, um, but I do keep a running list and in most cases, you know, about seven, I think we had more in math in ELA. We probably had a dozen in each of those for K through five. Amy McKenna, um, you know, so our department chairs, Amy McKenna for ELA, she worked with about four or five teachers and they did this work in a couple days. And um I know that Jason England also worked with about three or four high school people and about four middle school people in science. Um >> yeah I was just curious because you know when you just see facilitators it's nice to know that you know there were a lot of teachers involved also. >> Absolutely. >> And then my
024next question is is this the first time the elementary schools and the middle schools and high school libraries have been open? I don't ever remember that before. >> Well, I would say that we've been working this in through our enrichment funding >> um that the board provides for um the elementary and middle schools. And so that's just been something that I've been um kind of spearheading with the librarian, library media specialist, but the board actually commissioned me to work with learn summer learning opportunities and our libraries, our public libraries. So we had a whole task force and some of you had come to that >> and so we really talked about ways that we could really get hands, you know, books in the hands of kids and to try to make it more strategic and
025using the governor's reading challenge, the governor's math challenge is kind of the um base basis so that kids could put information in digitally, they could put it in in print, whatever worked out best. And then um schools always do some kind of a special celebration when they come back. >> But um what are the hours that the library is open? And >> I just haven't seen it publicized, you know, very much. So I just want to >> Well, I know that the schools publicized it through and did rooc calls, but that's why I gave you that piece of paper that has the summer learning opportunities on the front page. So if you go on to the front page of the website, you can click on the various schools and find out when they are having
026these celebrations. >> So it's not not the celebration. I meant the hours that the library >> Yeah, the library is open once a week usually or twice a week. >> Oh, just once a week. Oh. Oh, it made it almost sound as if they were open every day for the students to come in and out, but it's not the case. >> No, but it's it's a couple once or twice a week that they are open and they have really a program scheduled for them. That's really interesting. >> It is. >> And so now >> I just had I forgot to mention that high school. >> Not the high school. No. >> Okay. >> By the middle schools. >> Middle schools. And they actually had kids come into their libraries before they left and they were
027able to take five to six books out and then they had a follow-up date that they could return books and recycle. So, >> and in terms of the I just I missed that the transition K how many students have been identified again? >> So, we have 22 coming back for additional assessment that were screened. We have 17 that have not been screened but meet criteria to be screened coming back um in the next couple weeks and we have about four sites that were you know we have teachers at the different sites to help out. Beth is one of them to do this screening. That just sounds like more than one transition K to me. >> So we will prioritize then with all of the data that we have. We had to cast the net kind
028of wide to then prioritize >> who would be and it also gives us added information when they are in kindergarten. So there's some students that we know so much more and so even in placing them into kindergarten classes, we can really fairly distribute and make sure that services are provided early on. So the teacher will actually have a lot of information about a child because they've gone through that assessment. >> They'll still have some in August. So they'll still have two days in August to finish doing that. >> Can I ask on top of your question? >> Oh yeah, I'm all done. Um so so um um will could the board um once you figure out what what that what the criteria is to sort of whittle yourself down to the class size that you
029guys need which I'm not I'm not even quite sure I'm sure you guys have it in your mind. I just don't have it in my mind about what that class size is. >> I think that that would be just kind of helpful for us to know. I think I had mentioned it, it was on my PowerPoint show that that we probably initially will have um 15 16 seats, okay, >> and prioritize those children, but we want to leave a couple seats open for in August should there be other children or we look back at the list too to add more. >> I just think I like the fact that you are keeping us sort of updated since since this is a new pilot for us, >> right? >> And we, you know, we'll certainly bring
030back the curriculum to share with you once we've hired the new teacher. we can bring the group back and we plan to do that periodically throughout the year to keep updated on how it's going. >> And my astute lovely friend to the right of me noticed that um you have a date on August 7th at Claudechester and Hess Center. What's the Hess Center? >> Hess center is the community center in Brford Manor. >> So that's when I was describing that >> Claude does the reading program at both places. We'll also do the and they happen to be that day. So, it makes it really convenient because then the kindergarteners can come in and um while we're doing the the library program and have the assessment done at the same time. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm
031just school, but as soon as I um you know finalize with transportation and Dr. Grineer and the principles, um I'm hoping that we'll have an answer by the end of the week. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> As to where it will be. >> Thank you. >> That will help. And then just teaching and learning is as busy as ever before. That place is like a revolving door with so many um people including um our treehouse program. But um we are already planned the new teachers um and I think it's the 16th of August and Beth will be part of that with me and with the EXO or the chief to come in and talk about our military community and also our PD has been done and teachers are signing up for the PD in August.
032Um hiring, we of course are hiring um a new principal for NEA and now for the high school. So hiring is really in the midst of things. So there's quite a few things happening in each of the departments that um you know kind of report to me. Um technology like I said um has worked with everything from student data and that report card that we told you about. So they're now collecting more data from last year from the 19 year and making sure that it trying to make sure that it's accurate. So, we have some some things in place to help look at the accuracy of those numbers. >> Wow. >> I have one more quick question. Who is the board member representing um the board um for the principal's position at Northeast Academy? >>
033Um Jane. >> Great. Thank you. I'm so sorry. >> Y >> good. >> So, that's it. That's it. >> Are you doing anything else? So my thanks to the also to to Susan as always. Thank you for um really being at the helm of leading us forward and all that stuff and also for your partnerships with the leadership um in the in the district. It only really makes this district as strong as it is. So really thanks. My hats my hats off to the two of you and to all those um to all the others that are that are working tirelessly. Um >> just one last quick thing is one of our teachers in Charles Barnum and she's written her first children's book called The Anglewood and so she had an article. So, we're trying
034to put up the articles also on the front page of our, you know, um, website so people can see that we're in the news quite a bit lately. >> And so, we're really proud of her. >> Wow. >> So, I did purchase the books so that every school would I did it myself to purchase a book um that she signed and we put it in each of the school libraries. >> So, we're really proud of her. >> Wow. All right. Well, thank you. Uh so Mr. Knight, can you top that please? >> I cannot top that. >> Uh but I am here to talk about our object code summary which is our attachment one. Uh so this is our object code summary for FY20. Um if you notice that first column FY20 budget at the
035bottom says 77,438090. This is our new budget for this year. Uh we are very early in this year as you're aware. Uh so we're we're really just uh most numbers are at budget at this point. Um >> yay. >> Yeah. >> A month in and we're at >> the look forward at this point is we we are on track. >> So we're we're balanced at this point. >> Any other questions? Jay, do you have anything that you would want to add to that? >> Awesome. Uh the next uh exhibit is number two which is the um health insurance uh report. So this one is through May of 2019. Uh these things are usually uh at least a month um month and a couple weeks behind. So we won't see the June one um at earliest
036next meeting, but maybe even after that because it's the end of the year. It takes them a while to uh to finalize. uh but through the month of May uh the month of May itself actually was uh just right at budget or slightly above about 4.9% above budget uh for a year to date of 91.7 uh which is pretty similar to the last year. Last year May we were uh 17% above budget. So we're we're tracking a little bit better. Um we anticipate June will probably come in heavier as it did last year. So, we're anticipating that it'll probably end up somewhere in the 93 93 and a half% of budget, uh, similar to the prior year. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yes. So Ken, uh, in that second column in from from
037the right, uh, the variance at 941,000 if at at this point, although we expect that will be a little bit lower number, that would be the number that would default into our health insurance reserve. >> Uh, not quite that simple because this uh, this 941, this is both retired as well as active employees. So there's an element of uh this affecting OPED as well. >> I see. Okay. >> So it's not but uh in general yeah it's it's a >> it's a a positive for our health insurance reserve. >> So I think by September we should be able to tell you officially what the June 30th health insurance reserve because as you know the board used 1 >> three million u in this year's budget. Sure. We're hoping to go back and recoup that. >>
038Okay. Thanks. >> Any other questions? >> Hearing none, let's move on. So, director of building and grounds. I hear it's fun to come up the hill and seeing the structure off to the right. It It actually made me cry. >> Me, too. >> Yeah. Um, so it with your permission, I'd just like to uh go back to a point that I missed earlier regarding the water service project. Um, when I said Paul Dashi and his crew, what I really meant is Paul Teddeshi, our plumber, and Bill Johnson, who was our boiler tech, they did the bulk of the work. And, uh, Bill Johnson, who is our boiler tech, uh, is capable of doing a lot more than just boiler technician stuff, uh, and is always willing to do whatever it takes. So, I just wanted
039to make mention of that. Uh, and secondly, when Susan was talking about the um, uh, the summer program uh, at Charles Bronnham School, I wanted to also mention that our, uh, transportation department of Patty Gomez and Jen Aino who uh, get the notifications on uh, on these children a couple of days before it has to go into action. So about 400 kids going to uh school at different times. Some uh for part of the time, some full-time, some being picked up in one place, dropped off in another. Uh and day by day that may change as well. So in a couple of days they uh really put uh this transportation thing together. And so I just like to mention that as well. And now if uh I may I'll talk about Graten 2020. Um, yeah,
040as you can see along Fort Hill Road, although you shouldn't be taking your your eyes off of the road. >> I was a passenger. >> Uh, you may have seen that magnificent thing coming out of the ground. Um, and you were the passenger. Um, yeah. No, it's really exciting and uh pretty impressive, too. It's really going to be an impressive building. Um, in the meantime, um, so you can see that it is progressing as expected. Uh we're on schedule at this point, possibly a little bit ahead of schedule, but I wouldn't jinx us like that, so I won't even say that. Um uh this past week, uh we met with the architects and uh discussed uh the HVAC system, uh heating ventilation systems, and uh I am meeting with the architects again on Wednesday to
041talk about doors and hardware for for the building. So uh these things are moving along very quickly. Uh, also with regard to 2020, you knew that we needed to start some things early at the uh, middle school uh, properties. So, the Westside Middle School fuel tank has been removed. That was removed last week. And the sewer realignment uh, project at Cutler Middle School will be starting any day if they didn't start today. I didn't get down there today, but they'll be starting within days if they haven't started today. So, that's it. >> Question Rita. Um I I was asked by um just a couple of um people in the town where the entrance to the new school is. I know that the students are going to come in through Fitch High School, but there's another
042entrance on Route One and they were wondering is it through Sutton Park or not? >> It the driveway is going to be sh we're going to be sharing the driveway with the technical school. So you go up the driveway uh quite a bit before you get to it on the lefthand side. So, you'll actually enter on the technical uh school uh driveway. >> That cutting that just went through uh where you can see the school now clearly is actually for the sewer that's going to come across and and go across Fort Hill Road and then go down the other side. So, you may have seen a little bit of clearing on the opposite side or as you're going down the hill on the right hand side. >> So, that's part of the project too. That
043is a lot of people have been asking me. >> Yeah. And then my other question is um the state for the new Grasso Tech is bu building something quite large there that's going to have the sign you know for the school will it also be for our new the graten public schools because I mean you have to their entrance is very elaborate now the state you know bricks and concrete and >> so I was just curious what how our science >> I'm curious too I asked the question at one of our last meetings I didn't get a complete answer yet but I'll ask it again and see if I can get an answer for our next meeting. >> I mean, you know, maybe >> I don't think it's going to go on the same um
044on the same wall, but it'll be down. We going to have a sign down there somewhere. But >> we'll have to. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Maybe someone with a suit on, you know, with the sandwich boards. >> I actually have a couple of questions for you if that's going to be okay. Um, do we know how the summer the how um the summer feeding it's not the >> summer meals meal sites >> like how how are those sites going and and do we know how that's been? >> Yeah, they're going they're moving along as expected. Um and of course you know that the uh beach concession is doing really well especially after this past weekend. >> I bet they were slammed. Yes. Yeah. >> They were slammed. So I I split Die 17
045sites. >> It's unbelievable. >> 750 meals a a day, lunch meals, and about 350 breakfast at the 17 sites. >> How many lunches he is? Seven >> About 750 a day. >> A day. >> Mhm. >> Over the 17 sites. >> Yeah. Spread out over the 17 sites. >> Wow. And and what what he said to me was um there are 15 staff members working in the concession stand. U some high school students, some uh our employees uh and and with the the meals program, >> uh 11 11 kitchen staff that would not normally be employed during the summer are being employed. So it's it's really kind of a win-win uh for the community. I was going to save this for correspondence, but I hope that I can just indulge on for one second because
046this is directly about your staff. So, I do know someone who happens to be one of the co-directors of Campa Bubbles, which is um handled through maybe it's not bubbles that sound buttons. >> Buttons, you say buttons, I say bubbles. >> One of those beans. >> It's something like that. um which is a park and wreck um camp that um supports um our our students who are receiving services um in our in our district. And she just was enamored by how responsive your staff has been um to make this camp run because it is a it's a pretty staff intensive um but like they have like sometimes she said that like they before they could even speak about what they needed to have it was it it was already there. So once again to some
047oftentimes staff who get um don't always get the recognition that they want to um just want to let you know that Camp Buttons is incredibly excited about the partnership with the NEA um staff that you have there. So thank you very much. >> Well, thank you and I'll relay that message. >> Please do. Please do. >> Yeah. I was going to say one thing on the front. >> I I got I'm back. I'm here. >> I apologize. >> It's so good to see you, my friend. So, if you could give us an update on staffing and stuff, that would be fabulous. >> Sure. Good evening. Um, I'd like to just give a brief update on the on the staffing situation for the summer. Um, as you know, summer's our busiest time with staffing. Um, the
048take you through a little bit of the retirements, what's going on with that, and then we'll talk a little bit about where we are. So, um, we had a small number of teacher retirements this year. We had eight. Um, we had two administrators retire. Um, and then we had a small number of resignations, teacher resignations. We had five. It's not unusual. We tend to have about three to five each summer. Um, life circumstances change and and teachers do, um, tend to leave during the summer month. Um, so we've been in the process of filling all those positions. We actually filled most of them prior to the end of June. We got a very early start with hiring this year. Um, so we're in great shape with teacher hires. Um, administrator hires we're working through, as
049you know. We're um continuing our efforts on Northeast Academy. Hope to wrap that one up fairly soon and um getting started at the at with Fitch High School for the principal position at Fitch High School. Um so the only teaching positions we currently have open that we're still working on, well I should say we're not still we are working on are the new transition K teacher and uh a recent resignation we just received for math teacher at the middle school. But all other teaching positions have been filled. Commitments have been made. those teachers are ready to get started and come join us on August 16th for new teacher academy. Um par professionals we have about 19 vacancies that we were starting with which isn't uh an unusual number. It's actually not too bad. It's about
05010% of our par workforce. Um we there's an element of transition each summer with those um as they could either continue on their path to school or whatever they might have going on at home. So um so we're working on those right now. will be um working on those with the principles. They'll be um interviewing very soon. We would anticipate wrapping those hires up by early August. So um anticipate a pretty smooth start of the school year opening as far as staffing goes. I think most of our needs are going to be met and then we'll have some uh additional positions, small amount of bus aids, and um I think kitchen needs are pretty well staffed at this point. So um you know, we're going to start the school year, I think, in pretty good
051shape. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. Thank you. Any other questions? >> I have a question for Lori. >> Lori, um there's always an issue with um substitute teachers. >> Um how are you handling that? You know, we we had talked about in the spring having a job fair um bringing everyone together for fingerprinting, interviewing, and not just um substitute teachers, but pair professionals so that they're, you know, so what's going on this summer for that? >> Yeah, sure. So, um, so we continue our outreach efforts. We have expanded our our career fair participation. We used to only do a couple of year, a couple per year. Now we're up to about six to eight per year. We do them all year round. Um, we'll be doing some recruiting in August for subteers. Well, pair professional we're
052already working on. Subteers will be doing in August. We've shifted some of the responsibility. We've actually we're actually doing some of the pre-screening and interviewing within HR amongst the HR staff to try and help out the school. So that helps facilitate getting um those individuals hired and into the classroom sooner rather than having to rely on maybe the school-based committees to do those interviews. We're trying to advance some of that effort to help um get those hires made, you know, sooner and faster. Um, so that's that's definitely I think we're going to see some improvement this year with that because we're able to provide some extra support in that area. Um, and the other thing we've been doing I just want to comment on related to hiring is we we started a new program this
053year to work on high taking non-certified staff members and giving them um assistance to get them hi um certified as teachers. So, we started that program this year with special education and um we did have some special education openings this year. We had two and we're able to actually advance two of those individuals into certified positions. So, we're excited to see that that program is working and we anticipate running that on an ongoing basis. We'll probably put about two to three individuals per year into that program to get them ready. We go through a very detailed selection process. Um and um it's nice to see the the success of that program and and the and the sustainability going forward. You know, we focused on special education. It's one of the key shortage areas. We may
054uh expand that. We have had discussion about expanding that into science and math possibly in the future. Um we've done that in partnership with Yukon Avery Point um because they're running those programs there, but we've also had um those non-certified staff members take classes at other universities as well. So, it's not it's not um it's not segregated just to Yukon. They can pursue any program they'd like as long as they can complete their studies within about a year to 18 months so that they're ready to go for a teaching position. Um >> you're doing this in Avery Point in conjunction with Learn. >> Um not not no not in conjunction with learn just um allowing the students to we've been working with Avery Point to get students enrolled in the program there at Avery Point.
055um that meet the criteria for their program and have an opportunity to have some assistance from the district to do so. Yeah. >> And we do some reimbursement. >> Exactly. Correct. >> Tuition. Tuition reimbursement. >> Tuition reimbursement. Correct. >> Yep. as well as some they do need some a little bit of release time uh very late spring and early fall um in order to get through the advanced programs and we basically arrange coverage for their responsibilities so that they can have the release time they need to attend that program. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um and then uh also just a a side note, we are with our hires this year, we are um taking some extra steps and making sure that we're doing some extra communication around the middle school consolidation, the upcoming consolidation. So we're
056being sure to inform applicants before they take positions so they know exactly what's going on with >> so that if they're in a middle school that they to know that they will be leaving soon to go to a different building. >> The middle schools or one-year assignments. No, the one year assignment, middle school teachers because we will be losing FTEES, >> right? >> We we we tell them up front. >> Yeah, we tell them up front and then also other staff members. We're just making sure that they know what's going on in case there could be any ancillary impact. We don't know that that's the case at this point, but um just making sure that we're keeping communication transparent and open. >> Yeah. So, >> any other questions? >> Lori, thank you for coming. It
057was good to see you. So moving on to committee reports um policy we continue to meet um we are going to talk today I think one two three four different second readings um we met today and we are cancelling August. >> Wow. Okay, great. Um, curriculum >> curriculum that and Miss Maguire came down from the high school and just I guess I just want to say that she reiterated everything that we had already discussed about the various courses that are going to be offered in the coming um the coming year and she just kind of reaffirmed any qu and answered any questions that we had. And Mrs. Austin and I will be getting together that together to set that the agenda for the next meeting in August. >> Okay. Awesome. >> Uh finance and facility.
058>> Um we discussed several things that are on the agenda tonight. Uh we discussed the water study project. Um where we recommended that the um that the CIP go back the um capital improvement project. Um we referred the uh memoranda of understanding on unified sports and ELLL to tonight's meeting uh for those stipens. Um and we also uh received a report apparently we still don't have the final uh report on the NEA air quality issue but I know Samson's working very hard on remediating that as well as if he doesn't have enough to do. Um but I guess we don't we still don't have the final report from the consultant on how that um can be solved and that was it. >> Thank you. All right. Um and then some of our other things negotiations
059we have completed and we're sort of awaiting um for uh I believe um our attorney and the union uh the pair professionals attorney to kind of go over some language um in in some contract language and then it will be needs to go and be ratified by their the union um and then it will come back for us for a vote. So we are we are done with our negotiations basically and that's sort of what they are and in August or the end of August we'll be starting our negotiations um with the administrators um and um so stay tuned for that and while I'm just talking and then I'll go to all the other ones is the we have not met with the leazison with the AGSA or the GA that will happen in October
060I believe it's October um and that also the last week, last month's uh uh leazison between the town council, the city council um and the RTM uh was postponed because it was like July 3rd um and it was right right before the holiday. So Lita Lita learn with Rita. >> Thank you. >> Um learn the is continuing to meet with the executive um committee and Kate Ericson who is the new um executive director at learn presented her platform her goals and how learn administration will be organized um reorganized under her leadership. I'm very positive. I'm hoping I think everything will be wonderful. She's a great person and should be um follow Dr. Holl's >> I totally agree. >> You know I think Dr. Holly was her mentor. So I think it'll all go very smooth.
061>> Very professional, very competent. >> Yes. Yeah. >> And there's a new CFO. Is that correct at >> um Yes. Yes. >> So okay. Yeah. I just can't remember his name. He just came on board July 1st. I'll tell you next I have another meeting August 2nd. Okay. Well, thank you for your leadership on that. I see that um uh Gretchen Nuome is not here for the trails and Graten scholarship. So, we'll skip those and I'm going to move on to um the action item item or the consent agenda. Um notice there is no approval of of gifts um loaded noticed. Um and so I'll just take a motion for the acceptance of the regular uh board meeting minutes June 24th, 2019. So, move take a motion. >> Okay. So, I got so moved by
062Andrea. Second. Sorry, Rosemary. You You got >> um Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of the approval of the regular board event meeting minutes of June 24th, 2019, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> Abstain. The motion has carried. So, we're now on to discussing a lot of um motions. I am just going to ask the board for just a second to move to number 10. Um, which is going to be uh most likely us going into ex uh executive session. So, what I would kind of like to do is to kind of continue to say that for 10, but I would like to get all the rest of the stuff done so that when the board comes back, we can just finish up what we need to for number
06310, but we don't have to have people stay here to take notes and etc., etc. Um, does that sound that that's okay? Sure. >> So, instead of going right to 10, we're going to just continue on with the rest of the the schedule and correspondence and then come back to 10 and go into executive session. >> We've done that before. >> I'm not being eloquent or succinct. I apologize. >> You first have to attachment 10, but I know what you mean by 10. >> Okay. Sorry about that. All right. Katrina, would you be willing to read the motion for number one, please? >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion to approve the turnover of Pleasant Valley School to the town of Graten. Can I have a second to that? >> Second. >> All right.
064So, this has been something that we have been discussing for a really long time since really the end of winter. um that this is uh um that we um because of the budget cuts that we received a couple of years ago in order for us to make up that money, we um the board made the um decision to close Pleasant Valley School. Um we did so um we have been um it has um currently being used for the robotics and has been up until then. Um my understanding is that there will be an ML um so that the town will keep the robotics program there. Um it is not it is currently on the market but it has not had any buyers um as that I know of. Um and it takes about a year
065anyways. Even if they had someone tomorrow, it would take them um about a year to kind of go through the whole process. Um and so the the town has been willing to do that. So um and once again, this is something that we have chomped on for a really long time. I just want to make sure that people who are watching know that um that we're not just saying sure it's time for us to do that. Um but I don't think that there's anything else about that, but if people have >> I think the storage is going to we're going to keep this our storage facility there for a year. >> The will be robotics for an entire year and the A-frame for a year. >> Thank you, Rita. And then they have to find
066new homes. >> Yes, we're working on that. >> Right. All right. If there's no further discussion, all those in favor of returning um the or turn over of uh Pleasant Valley School to the town of Gotton, please say I. >> Oppose. >> Abstain. The motion has carried. >> Yay. Jane, would you be willing to um read the motion for number two, please? >> Sure. To approve as a second reading policy P 6141, curriculum design/development. Can I add a second to that? Rosemary. I'm going to get her in there. All right. So, this is something that we had last last month for a first reading. This was where we had the chart, right? We we had this great flow design and it's enclosed in there. Do we have any further questions about that? >> Awesome. All
067those in favor to approve the second reading for policy P 6141, Curriculum Design and Development, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. One. >> No. >> Oh. Abstain. >> Oh. >> I. Yes. >> I. >> She's an I. >> Okay. Well, I don't know if you're waving at me. I'm sorry. Any obsessions? >> All right. Motion has carried. Sorry, Katrina. I misread your your body language. Jay, would you be willing to be number uh motion for number three, please? >> Um could you pass me on that one? >> Sure. To you want me to go? Yes, please. To approve as a second reading uh policy P5141.3 health assessments and immunizations and regulations R 5141.3. Thank you. Can I have a second to this? Second >> second. >> So Jane has seconded discussion. >> I don't
068have all right hearing none. All those in favor to approve as a second meeting policy 5141.3 health assessment and immunization and regulations are 5141.3 please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> Nay. We do have all right and then absention. All right. Motion has carried. >> I'm sorry. >> That's correct. And the rest were positive in the affirmation. Sorry. So number four. Jay, would you be willing to read number four? Would you continue like to pass? >> I'd like to pass on that. >> Okay. Awesome. So Lee, can you read motion number four, please? A motion to approve as a second reading policy P5112.2 admissions requirements. >> Can I please have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> This is the second reading, right? >> Y. So, we've had a lot of discussion, but
069there doesn't seem to be very much that's changed >> on this. There's just a little bit. >> Yeah. But >> just just to not necessarily use the birth certificate that that >> and there's lots of other options including the birth certificate, >> but there's other options as well. >> And and the documents for proof of residency that there's also different things for that too. It's sort of like getting your license where you have to show that you have mail coming to your house and so forth and so on. >> But there were no changes on the residency documents. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Hearing no other further discussion, all those in favor to approve as a second meeting policy P 5112.2 admissions requirements, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> Nay. >> Abstain. Motion
070has passed. Where am I? Um Lee, would you be willing to read number the motion for number five, please? Um motion to approve as a second reading policy P3542.43 food service charging. >> Can I have a second? >> Second discussion Jay. So for those that are watching, I I think it's important to to understand that um the operative um policy change here is that um in some districts and I guess in the in the in the past here, we've uh offered what's called an alternate meal when parents have not paid for or not up to date on their lunches and we felt that it wasn't fair to uh to hold that against the student. Um, some of you may have read over the weekend that there are districts uh such as one in Pennsylvania that
071are actually going so far as to turn their parents over to social services for not paying their lunch bill. So, we wanted to make it clear here that we're we're not going to >> Do that. Well, number one, we wouldn't even consider that, but also that we're going to give them the same meal. It just it it stigmatizes them and also provides them with something less than than is nutritionally balanced. Um, however, I I still hope that through the regulation and the administration, we can pursue how we're going to get these parents either the services they need or >> some kind of action so that the town is not on the hook for their their lunches. So, it's a fine balance here, but I think we've struck it. I I I can say I spoke
072to a parent recently u there is that scholarship program that although people may not qualify for free reduced lunch uh we have created actually it's a donation account u and people can apply and at least have a portion of of their of their balance uh paid for through that and that seems to be progressing. So, you know, I think that plus earnest efforts just to communicate with the parent. Uh we we will continue that. But but you're right, we we are not going to in any way indicate that this is a problem uh for the child, >> right? >> Child will get the the meal the same. Anyone else will get it. >> Thank you, Jay, for doing that. Rita, could could um maybe someone on curriculum just tell me why the board of educ
073education is crossed out? Which policy are you looking at? >> The one we're talking about. >> Third paragraph. >> So, it's a third paragraph in red of education's process. I was just curious why >> I don't know the answer. >> I mean, to me, it clarifies it. >> Yeah, >> it could have been me. It could have been you like >> we do bring back some of the corrections back to Erica so I can double check on that. >> It could just been a word thing. >> Yeah. Okay. So because to me it sounds better. >> I have to look at >> Pardon. >> I'll have to look at it again. >> Well, it's not substantive. So we'll >> It's not substantive. It's just a question change. >> Yeah, we'll look at it in in
074uh consideration. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? No. >> All those in favor of um the the second reading of the policy P 354243 food service changing please say I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Um Rita, would you be willing to read number six? Motion. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to approve as a second reading policy P6161 equipment, books, materials, provisions, selection. Can I have a second on that, please? >> Second. >> I have Andrea for a second. >> No, that's Jane. >> Oh, Jane. Oh, sorry. >> Giving person the wrong credit. Um, any discussion on this? Once again, this is a second reading. Katrina, >> actually, I will wait till the bottom is complete. >> So, you have nothing to offer? Not about >> for discussion >> particularly none. >>
075Okay. >> Any other discussion? >> Hearing none to um all those in favor to approve as a second reading the policy P 6161 equipment books materials provision selection please say I. >> I oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Katrina, would you be willing to read the motion for number seven, please? >> Um, I make a motion to approve as a second reading policy P6161. Can you go to number seven, please? >> I just did that. >> Oh, we're at seven. >> Sorry about that. >> That's right. >> Attachment nine. >> Oh, okay. Discussion and possible action regarding the more than words advisor stipend of $2,000. Could I ask that um Mike do a little explanation on what this? >> Yep. If I can get a second and then we're going to go into discussion. Okay. >>
076Second. >> So, Rosemary. All right. So, can we have a discussion around that? >> Sure. This is a a club that meets weekly uh that really provides uh a lot of uh diversity support uh to to to the to the school. And then uh in addition to the advisory meeting with the students on a weekly basis uh u he or she coordinates with the Ledger High School and New London High School. So, it's a it's a sizable investment of time and uh and as uh our student representative knows uh when there are crises at the high school uh the students come forward and they they've done some professional de development for the staff. So, uh, I I I thought it was important that this be recognized and and continue as a, uh, as as a
077key part of, uh, of our kind of promotion of diversity in in our school system. >> Thanks for explaining that for the audience. >> Um, and this is also the the myou is supported by the leadership. Is that correct? We have discussed it and we have an agreement on on the terms and and the money involved and the stipen the amount of stipen. >> Rita, had we discussed this at a CO? >> We did. I must I don't remember discussing this at a CO but anyway um how many would the um students are participate in this and would Ledgers and New London High School would their representative also receive a stipen have >> they do they do now only Fitch doesn't >> only Fitch doesn't >> right >> okay >> I I would say on
078a weekly basis say usually 15 to 20 students come to the the large the three-part group that I coordinate but on a weekly basis 20 25 >> well recently in the past year there's been more students in the club so I would say probably I mean 20 25 is probably reasonable and different students cycle in and out um but yeah it is a fairly large group we meet uh weekly And we have in school and out of school trips and field trips. But yeah. >> Who is the president of the club? >> I am the president. >> I I thought that. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other further discussion about this? Hearing none. All those in favor to approve the more than words advisor statement of $2,000, please say I. >>
079Oppose. >> Abstain. Motion has carried. Jane, would you be willing to read the motion for number eight, please? >> Okay. To approve the United um unified sports stipend for help me with this. MOA stands for >> memorandum of agreement. >> Memorandum. >> Thank you. Um with the graten education association. >> Can I have a second please? Second. >> Okay. Discussion >> again. Uh this this is a a program that the board approved I think two years ago. it was added to schedule C uh and >> which is what >> uh the schedule C of the of the contract the stipen um amounts I I I actually have it here uh and the the uh the idea came up recently that when when it was approved you you'll see in in yellow uh we thought it
080was about the same level of interaction uh as as cross country team. Uh but what what happened over the last two years is that the program has expanded from one season to three seasons. So we have soccer in the fall, we have basketball in in in the spring and uh and volleyball in excuse me basketball in the winter and volleyball in the spring. Uh it is a huge group that it's actually co-f facilitated by by two of our high school teachers. uh right now. Um so when it expanded to three seasons, we talked a little bit and what what I learned was the team all three seasons. Now this goes from September through uh late May. Uh they play uh they they practice one uh two two hours or so uh a week. They play
081a game uh a week every every week or so. Uh and then the days that they the weekdays that they're not doing that they have a half hour social interaction with with the students. So it's a it's a big deal. It's a I don't know. I go to games there's like 50 or 60 students there because it's it's unified. It's it's adult. I mean it's it's special education children as as well as regular that that that play together. is is really really a phenomenal thing. So, one of the things uh that Beth and I talked about uh is that we would simply we don't think it it ought to there ought to be a stipen for three separate seasons. It's not quite that much, but we do think it would be appropriate to give them
082for say two seasons. So best suggestion which I agree with would be simply to uh to provide two stipens or to double the amount of the stipen but to pay it uh in in the fall and then in the spring. Uh I I think this is money very well spent and it's a really a terrific program. >> Rita are there and then two people >> two well >> so will they be splitting it? >> Yes. Yes, >> that's not uncommon though for other That's right. >> dual chaperoned or not chaperon but dual run teaching Katrina. >> Um I noticed on the top of the form under five full years full five years and over. Um I know they've been doing the same coach has been doing unified for quite a while. So where will they
083>> I think they're still under five years >> and then after five they've switched to the next >> correct. And will we need to vote on metagraph? >> No. >> Okay. It's in the contract. >> Well, we'll do an MOA and then when when we have to negotiate the next contract, God help us. Uh we'll we'll put it right into the thing. >> The three. >> Right. Any other questions? Hearing none. All those to approve the unified sports typa with the Graten or uh with the Graten Education Association, please say I. >> I. I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. >> Jay, >> can I just make a quick >> observation? So, anyone who's been to any of these games, I mean, you really come away u with a sense of how important it is
084for these students and the parents will tell you how how uh important it is. And these teachers have been doing it voluntarily now for several years because they believe that strongly in it. >> I will say this, they had a dance. I don't know if you went out at, but they they had a dance at the end of the year. they they they brought in the teams that they competed against and and they had sort of a prom type thing and some of us contributed articles of clothing to it like ties and and people got really dalled up and so this whole unified movement is is is really terrific. So again there were special education uh students and regular education and get getting together in in a real spirit of uh support uh for these
085kids. Awesome. I have Rita, would you be willing to read number nine? >> Yes. A motion to approve the English language learner assessment coordinator stipen per MA with the Graten Education Association. Say that five times fast. Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Andrea has seconded it. >> So, we have a we have a a a requirement from the state to appoint We actually just got it fairly recently to appoint an English language learner assessment coordinator, but our ELLL coordinator actually does a lot of work uh in support both of the high school, middle school, and elementary school students. So, we we thought about that and it will be open and be Beth and I have an agreement u in in principle uh and we're recommending this uh this level. There is something
086called headteer. It's already in the it's244 a year. Um the the English the ELLL assessment coordinator does all the the the links and all and all the all the data that that we present to you in in in May. uh but uh he or she does an awful lot of work during the year uh because we continue to receive students um uh who do not speak English at the time of their enrollment or don't speak it well. And so this is this is a kind of an ongoing uh issue. So to have someone uh that would be appointed to this coordinator position would be really I think a a strong statement of support for our our students that are not native speakers of English. Any other discussion around this? All those in favor hearing none.
087All those in favor to approve the English language learner assessment coordinator stipen per the MOA with the Grten Education Association, please say I. I >> oppose. Abstain. The motion has carried. >> So I am going to move us down to the information and um proposals um section leaving 10 for us to go into executive session as we talked about. So, um, Jay, do you have letters or communications? >> Well, I just want to, uh, say in addition to all of the summer food programs that are going on through Ernie, um, I I wanted to highlight, um, the, uh, transition academyy's hot dog stand over at Pquonic Plains Park. And that's, uh, in partnership with Noak Nibbles. Um, the day kindly uh, published an article about this a few days ago. Um they're at Pquonic Planes
088from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday um from now until August 8th. So I would encourage people to stop in and see our folks from the transition academy. It's called Hot Dogs and Nibbles. So >> love that. So when is it? It's Monday through Thursday 11 to 1. >> 11 to 1. >> And it ends August 8th. >> Uh yes. >> All right. And it's at the concession stand at >> Bquanic Plains Park. uh which is 150 Fort Hill Road. I haven't been yet, so I don't know if they're in that concession or do they have their own tent. >> Okay. Next to the concern tent. >> Okay. >> Awesome. Y >> Rosemary, welcome back. It's good to see you. >> It's good to be back. I had kind of a light month.
089>> All right. Um, I went to the board meeting of Sound Community Services because we had a voting session and um, just to say we will be having some interesting news coming out of them in a little while. >> Oh, okay. >> But I can't spill the beans. >> All right. Please don't. >> And I attended the um, policy meeting. >> But once again, it's good to have you back. And another person who is back and it's good to see. I am so happy to be back >> and we're happy to have you. >> Thank you. >> Um and I know that you have been um recouping, but did you have any correspondence or anything? >> I have not. >> All right. Well, I'm I'm sure this will be different next time. And once again,
090it's great to see your beautiful face. >> Thank you so much, >> Rita. Um, I had a correspondence um with an RTM member who said that since our venture at Eastern Point Beach is so successful that maybe we would like to also have a concession at um Esker Point. >> So, you know, I guess they have something there just Thursday nights >> um when they have the concerts, but they thought, you know, I've noticed it's it has been quite crowded there during the especially the weekends. So, it was just a thought. >> Get that volleyball business going. >> They have a lot of volleyball going on and so it's it's just it might be different hours though, you know, a little because the volleyball is more in the evening. So, it was just a thought.
091>> Yeah, I thought it was a good thought and I really can't wait to go and get a hot dog plan. >> All right, is that it? >> Yeah, Katrina. >> Um, just committee meetings and regular meetings. Nothing. No correspondence. Exactly. >> Un unlike Susan, we we do quiet down for this summer. >> Jane, >> well, first of all, I met Lee's daughter from California. That was that was a treat. >> Yes. >> Really nice. >> Thank you so much. >> So nice of her to come. >> She is a terrific human being. >> Yeah. >> Um and also we better take care of Ernie. My goodness, he needs to be cloned at least. >> Yes. Yeah. He He's really amazing. >> He really is. I knew him back in Stonington. Um he would uh
092and I probably mentioned this before. He would do uh food preparation for any PD stuff that we had going on. And he Oh my gosh, his world has changed so since then. >> Yeah. >> But he's a great guy. Um meetings of principal vacancy committee, um curriculum committee, and the par negotiation committee and playing with my dog a lot. Andrea, >> um, on a sad note, I did go to show me Olsen's funeral, >> Lola Colette's daughter, and it was impressive to see the support from the Bratton public schools, the number of people who were there, and also who wore blue because it was Shel's favorite color. Oh, on another note, I'm I am going to meet with one of the RTM members concerning curriculum and how it's conducted in GRO and how we get
093there. So, that's something that we're going to talk about. And then I I would ask Mrs. Austin, if you would let us know when there is going to be a a major professional development initiative such as the one in Stonington, I would love to have gone to that. And if we could >> the world language thing. >> Say that again. >> The world language thing. >> Yep. What did I say? >> No, you said Well, well, you didn't say world. >> Okay. Whatever that was. I know it was. >> Yeah. No, but anyway, you get the picture. >> Yeah, I get it. >> And I would like to be able to to go to one in August. So, if you would send me that. And I think you said that you had a a list
094of names of teachers who participated and and I'd like to see that if you could do that. And I think that's all. >> Awesome. So, I just wanted to we get this in our um packets usually like at least once a month, but I just want to this is our volunteer hours for the 2018 2019 school year where we had a total of 2,260 volunteers within our school district. That totaled um 16,575 um in 89 minutes. So, um just hours Yes, with the 089 I was counting. >> Stop correcting me. So, I just wanted to to let people know that um I I uh wanted to um actually let the board know that on Friday I was on a conference call with Dr. Grineer and Susan um to meet with Isabella who is going to
095lead our next retreat um doing strategic plan. Um and so just to make sure that the board's voice was being heard as they plan for it. Um so I was part of that conference call um and I um have placed myself on that building um committee about what did you know how does the board get to that place of when we are turning over a building to the town and also what is the process to kind of go through it. Um as Dr. Grineer um mentioned I was not able to attend the first one um but the second one is going to be on Friday um and I will be at that one. So just to kind of let you know um when we look at the dates um for August for the committee of
096the whole and the board of ed meetings um is it August 12th or the 19th? >> 12th. >> The 12th. >> I'm sorry. What's your question? >> Uh Susan, which one will you be >> 12th for her? >> Okay. So, just to let you know that um instead of just cancelling, there was so much work that's being done in Susan's office. I just felt like we we could just spend that committee of the whole just hearing about the activities that's been happening and where where we could really ask those questions that we want to have asked. Um so, I'm I'm assuming we're going to we're going to just talk about the curriculum um and stuff that you're doing and possibly even giving us the fine details around the transitional K program. So that would be
097>> requirements too. >> Yeah. >> Are coming up. So we'll get to have some more information on that. >> Yeah. So that I felt like instead of I mean we could go to just one committee of the whole meeting, but um and with the fact that Dr. Grineer was going to be out of town, I just figured that this would just give us a chance to meet up with Susan. So >> So which one are we cancelling? >> We're not cancelling. >> Oh, okay. >> Instead of cancelling, we're going to have um Susan's. I mean, I think that if if we find that most people are going to be on vacation or whatever, um, we we'll do that. But, um, once again, we kind of figured it was a great time to do the meat
098of the work. And then we're going to be having a board meeting right before school starts. A regular board of ed meeting is going to be our next one. So, we're still continuing to be busy. Um, so do we have suggested agenda items? >> Katrina, um, I'm I'm thinking committee the whole. Can you mention that? I'd like to um discuss the um vetting of our policies and what is the best way to do that? >> Do we have affirm or do we always use cape or should we always use cape? I want to affirm versus cape. Which one is um the better vetting of the policy? So, I just want to make sure that I understand this. So, what you're talking about in the policy committee when when we when we review our policies, we
099oftent times will put up against either CA, which is the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education um or some boards of education uses a an educational lawyer to make sure that our policy is in line with other districts. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> And so your question is, are we using the best one to vet? Can we explore that? Okay. So, how so that like Shipman and Goodwin I know does that for learn you know there are different >> That's right. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> There's different Yeah. Right. So should that >> we often do especially if it has to do with let's say those health policies. So, we will have um our lawyer for special ed review it or we'll have, you know, our lawyer um for the board review it if
100it's something that's really huge. But we don't have it for every single policy that we look at at this point, especially if it's a new policy from CAD. Maybe as a first step, we could clearly explain exactly what we do >> and and then >> and then go from there. Does that make sense? Because I I now that you've asked the question, I'm not quite sure if I understand about what gets used. So instead of just saying are we using the right one, can we explain? So the first step I'm going to add a step to yours, which is can we have an overview about how how we how we how we review our policies and and to whom from the outside do we use that for? Is that >> Yeah. And I'd also um
101if we do look at other firms besides Cape, can we have some estimates or some of their pricing? >> Sure. We we can get that. >> All right. So, as um promised, we are going to go back to number 10. Um, and I would like to entertain a motion to go into um, executive session for the with not inviting anyone um, for the purposes of discussing uh, going over the results of the superintendent and compensation. And can I have a second? I have a second from Andrea. So, we are going into executive session at 7:30.