10-28-19 Groton Board of Education Meeting

001I need you to set a timer today. >> You bet. >> But you have your own phone, right? >> Yeah, I'll take it off. >> Okay. >> So, you you'll need to do that. All right. Good evening, everyone. I would like to welcome everyone to today, which is October 28th, to the regular um Groten Board of Education meeting. Um and we start off our uh meeting uh just reviewing our mission statement and the board goals. And our mission is teaching and learning. Our board goals is to provide dynamic, rigorous curriculum to ensure effective and engaging instruction and embrace excellent learning environment. Um and at this time I ask that we stand for the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Mr. Newsome, would you be willing to lead us in the allegiance? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you

002to 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. >> We have a [Music] >> Okay, thank you. All right. So, um, sorry, we we just had some communication about a board member who will be coming in late. Um, so I know we have a huge crowd and I am so excited about what's going to happen next. But the board, may I orient you to um our agenda for a second, please? Um, one of the things that we received um is that um the Dr. Grineer um and staff has asked if we do a motion for the hiking club field trip which was happened in May. Um and that also it just inadvertently did not get on

003the agenda when um Dr. Grineer and I were talking about that. So we just needed to do those two and so I just needed twothirds. Is it a two-thirds vote um to add these two items? So, um I will take a motion. Um >> I'll make a motion >> to to add the um the hiking club as well as the Charles Barnum Elementary School to operate as a magnet school. Thank you. And Lee has seconded. Do I have any discussion about these two things? Hearing none. All those in favor of adding these two items to our agenda, please say I. >> I oppose. motion has carried. The second thing that I would like to bring us to attention with the agenda is we do have um a huge portion um or a large portion of

004it talking about our school curriculum, the high school curriculum that I believe has gone to the curriculum committee. it has um handled our new process and I know some of the administrators are here to talk about it and so I am just wondering if we can move that up front and then the other discussions that do not necessarily um require other bodies um to be handled at the end. So um if you guys can remind me of that when we get to that point that would be dandy but that's what we're going to do is move that forward um and then um carry on with our agenda. Awesome. Um with that said Dr. Grineer, can you please introduce our guests? >> I am thrilled tonight. U if Michelle McCuskkey could uh come forward. Uh Michelle

005is uh a language arts uh teacher at at uh Westside. Some of you may remember we have a school called Westside Middle School. uh and uh she she had a project last year uh where a number of students uh submitted uh writing some eighth grade students uh and they submitted it and Michelle will tell us a little bit about it but uh suffice to say that they were recently published. So, we have some published authors with us tonight, and maybe they could Can I just have them come up, please? Uh, so would the writers, the published writers, former Westside students, please come forward? >> Yeah. All right. Well, these are the true rock stars of the evening, so I'm really thrilled. Um, >> just peel the microphone off. >> Okay. Um, you guys, I'll let

006you guys come up. Um, my name's Michelle McCresky. Um, and we, you know, of course, are trying to support the rigorous curriculum of an IB learner profile. Um, so to be those inquirers and knowledgeable thinkers, um, and be the game changers of our world. So, one of the first initiatives uh this past year with teachers college um at Columbia Teachers College was a dystopian novel unit. Um the end of the world goes ary. Um at the same time, as well as they finished the new book club, so thank you for all your grants and your support. They got these great books. Um I saw this contest um that I thought would be a great culminating activity for the students to take part in. It was just a hundredword mini saga. So to get them prepared

007um at the time the UN report uh just came out May 6 Associated Press that nature is in the worst shape in human history. So I brought in the real life with what they read in dystopian. We read some book jackets and then they started um so like I said they're just a short little snippets. We um I scanned them in um and then we put them into the contest June 7th of last year. So that was great at the end of the year. These eighth graders were doing wonderful work. Um and we've heard back this year at the end of September that all 14 of them have been selected to be published. So not only will they they get a published um book, they were still part of a contest. Um in the letter

008it said that they've never selected this many from one school or group. So it was 7,500 applicants, you guys. You um from middle school to high school. So they competed all the way through 12th grade. Um and these 14 kids were um published. So, there's three of them that would like to read. Um, David, I'm going to have you. It's only, like I said, 100 words. Can you come up? They came up with their own titles. Um, and their own stories. And >> where are you attending school now? >> Oh, I'm attending Nord Free Academy. >> So, it was great because um I I had to think out of the box and find them all. So, I did find them all. It was great. And I have to say thank you to the guidance counselors

009of Ledger High School and NFA because I contacted them and um Aaron and our staff at Fitch. They were incredible. Um and then even as far as Virginia because one of our students now um part of the military he's left but I was able to get a hold of the family and they also will be published. So that's great. >> Um >> title. >> Okay. So I call it found. Um my name is David Doer. So humans had their chance to live. Time we thought we had expired. Everything we have built is annihilated. Honest Christians warn humanity about the end. I was just left lost in a mistoal feeling world. Life is just a longforgotten memory. Mankind worth is to worship the beast. Its iniquity is all we remember. Six six Marxist as his forever

010being tormented by his law. It uses demons to search for the few people who remained intrigent, refusing its villain. Lamentably, it found me, and I'm on my way to eternal death. Wait, it's him. He's returned for all. I have to say, David did an incredible job. He did a lot of research and like seven sins and how like the world goes ary and signs of that in order to write that. So he I think like redid it what like 10 different times and I was like that's it. It's June 7th. You got to go with this one. Um but they were all incredible. >> Come on. [Music] >> Michelle, make sure they get close to the mic, please. >> Okay, perfect. You're in here by Oh, your second one. Sorry. >> Hold on. >> There

011you go. There you go. Um, my name is Yaya Mansour. My saga is called Attack on Humanity. Um, it was the next great war. All hell broke loose, but they took it too far. Paraguay had launched a nuclear missile at the core of the earth. The floor below me shook in powerful waves, each one stronger. Buildings around me toppled in blocks like Jenga pieces. Blood covered each brick. Breaking news. Tsunamis in Japan. Earthquakes in the Americas. Tornadoes and lightning infested the earth like a virus. Food was depleted and all disease broke free. The streets were now colored in red. The streets were now colored red in blood. As if each road got a gruesome new paint job. We were now facing the end. Wow. [Music] This is Devin Cuadras. Invisible killer. End of life. After

012taking down North Korea, the devil was unleashed. Omega-3, a brain stem eating virus, broke out. It resisted all antibiotics. North Korea was going to drop it on the United States and wipe out everyone so they wouldn't be opposed. I'm the last being left known in existence. Even animals ceased to be. I hijacked a spaceship. No one noticed during the anarchy. If only I knew how futile it was. My food and water will be exhausted within the month. I'm doomed. If life exists, read my journal. It's filled with human history. I'm Deon Cuadra saying goodbye. We have two more that I would like to read. >> Absolutely. >> Um, I'm Rihanna Ba and I wrote All of Me. The world ended two weeks ago when all of Earth's nations told their governments to commit mass genocide.

013This happened in hopes of saving our Earth. If you get rid of humans, the planet can heal itself. Everyone around me has died. But by some twisted miracle, I was one of the few survivors. You see, I have dissociative identity disorder, which means I have multiple personalities. I'm like five different people all in one body. And now, since I'm one of the few left, I've been tasked with saving the world. All while All while dealing with four other altars. Great. Our [Applause] gorgeous city. Our gorgeous city had been reduced to ruins. Filled with aching hearts, it was less of a home and more of an unknown place we hadn't seen before. I truly understood what war could do to the world now. To think it started as an argument over weather. Then when it escalated,

014if only one person had stopped bickering and paid attention to the danger outside, we could have at least been prepared. Facing a war and a hurricane, why us? What did we do to deserve this? What did we do to deserve to lose our home, our gorgeous city? That's Eller Emily. And Aiden is going to uh cap off and we'll give you a copy of this. Um each student uh because they got so into it after reading about the the world climate change um reports. They each took their ances um and then they researched them and then they wrote poems um about what would happen to the demise of their species if we continued on the trajectory that we were in. So he's going to read his little mission catastrophe and then he'll just read the

015poem. We'll end off with that. Okay. The title of my story is on the run. Silence, then a crack. The nearest tree shattered into a tidal wave of splinters, slicing my skin open in multiple places. I took off running, zigzagging through the trees. The sounds of the genetically modified, assaulting my ears. The government had a wonderful idea to control us by slipping poison into our water supply. A man with claws leapt out of the bushes clawing my back. lions better than the owl men on their silent wings. Ignoring the pain, I kept running. Day after day, everyone's always running. Anything would be better than getting torn open by those monsters. [Applause] The title of my poem is called Cruelty and it was about the white rhino. What have we done? Hundreds of mammals on the

016run. Ivory tusks, lives turned to dust. The time has come to take action. Each species reduced to a fraction. Read about their innocence. How can you make a difference? Ivory tusks. Life turned to dust. No one knows their sadness. Our final chance to end this madness. >> Wow. Wow. Um, each student came up with a poem. The poems still line the halls of Westside. I'm very proud of them. They hit all the steam initiatives because we are a steam school. Arts is totally full part of our success in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics. So, thank you for giving us this time and thank you guys for being my brilliant students. You inspire me. >> And thank you parents. Thank you. Um each student is going to grab a copy and give you um so you

017can look at the poems and uh the other copies. I fortunately, thank goodness for Google Drive, I was able to uh get them all from the Google Drive. each board number. >> Okay. >> To the family and parents that um that have each one of your kids, thank you very much for sharing them with us. Um I keep on saying how graten proud I am. Um but this is just a wonderful demonstration about why we are graten proud. Nice job, guys. [Music] Thank you so much for coming out tonight. We really appreciate >> Yeah, I didn't get one either. That's okay. Thanks. >> She did these at King. >> Thank you so much. I think that >> Yeah. One more for Yeah. I would like and >> Okay, good. >> Could we have one more

018board members coming? >> Oh, yeah. Okay. [Music] >> All right. All right. Once again, thank you very much. >> We are going to move >> Oh, yeah. I will. >> Thank you. >> I'll I'll do it. What? >> She just Thank >> All right. So, I'm going to move us on to the comments um portion of our agenda that uh the board hears comments from citizens uh agenda items 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 from the citizens. Each presentation should be limited to 5 minutes or less and citizens should if possible submit written comments. Presentation should be related to matters pertinent to Groten and if possible submit written comments. I lost my way. Presentation

019should be related to matters. Okay. Board members will only ask questions in order to clarify the speaker's presentation and cannot respond during the comments um from citizens portion of the board meeting. Citizens should make their presentations from the podium and state their names and addresses for the record. Miss Joan, who is the first? Is it Mr. Newsome? >> Mr. Newsome, please. >> How are you, Scott? >> Good. How you doing this evening? Scott Newsome, 56 Hilltop Road. Mystic, I just had a couple of points to make. The first one is, as you know, we have this issue where the town attorney has issued an opinion regarding the grants that typically don't come through the town. As of right now, you know, the budget session is coming closer and closer, especially for you guys. I'm hoping

020that you will at least come up with a plan. And I would like to see the RTM, the R and the town council and the board maybe a small group of people maybe get together and meet and discuss some of the issues because I I understand that the board's got concerns. I I truly understand that and I but we have to kind of work through this and figure out what we're going to do because by the time we get to the the budget session, it's just going to be chaos and we we want to avoid that. So, I would just urge that you that you think about that and and please consider communicating with with us because we would really like to just work through it and do what's in the best interests of of

021the town and obviously the kids. The second thing I'd like to say is I know that when we make Cuttler Middle School an elementary school, I know that you're going to get rid of the tennis courts and the basketball hoops and the two baseball fields and you're going to replace it with just one baseball field. And I would just say that that area has been a the focal point for community recreation for at least 26 years I've been in Grten. It's easy to bike to. Kids play there all the time. They can't get up or they're they're less inclined to go all the way up route up the hill up route on Route One to get to the middle school. If you're in our our neighborhood, um it's not easy. And so they they they

022bike to Cutler Middle School, but all that's going to be taken away. And so I would just request that when you're doing the middle uh the new elementary school, please think about putting in some additional playing space because that really is kind of a community space. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, >> Miss Jones. Thank you. Good evening. Rosanne Katowski, 24 Avenue, RTM, District 5. My comments tonight are regarding board of ed offbudget grant money. At the board of ed special meeting on October 7th regarding off-budget grant money, it was disappointing what the superintendent chose not to say. >> Can I just wait? I have something to pass out. Can I pass that out? >> Sure. >> Okay. A second. My comments tonight are regarding the board of ed offbudget grant money. At the

023board of ed special meeting on October 7th, 2019 regarding off-budget grant money, it was disappointing what the superintendent chose not to say. Unfortunately, some board of ed members were unfamiliar with the issue and were not informed regarding the conversation with the superintendent and the RTM for the past nine months. This could easily have been clarified if the RTM members present at the special meeting were recognized by the chair. Here is the history of the conversation and interaction with the superintendent and the RTM regarding off-budget grant money. Last January, Representative Pascalini asked superintendent questions regarding off-budget grant money. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend the next several RTM meetings. In February, I followed up on his questions regarding off-budget grant money. In March, the superintendent provided the RTM with a presentation of how off-budget grant money

024is being spent. information distributed indicated that there is $4,612,66 in off-budget grant money in fiscal year 20. This presentation generated many questions from RTM members. One was to ask the town manager to check with the town attorney why off-budget grant money did not follow the same approval process as town of Groten offbudget grant money. On April 5th, the town manager provided the RTM and town council with an explanation of the town attorney opinion regarding offbudget grant money. At the May and June RTM meetings, the superintendent was asked the status of how the board of ed is complying with the town attorney opinion. There was no answer. There were no RTM meetings in July or August. In September, the question came up regarding RT um came up at the RTM meeting. No answer. On September 12th,

025I said sent an email to the board of ed chair and others asking questions. On September 26, I received a response from the board of ed chair which stated, "This is where things are at. I sent a letter to both Simma and Patrice stating that I am awaiting to have a full discussion on this matter. Once we have had this conversation, I will send a notice to both the RTM body and town council." While I appreciated the chair's response, it was five months since the town attorney opinion was provided to all elected officials in town. The the fact that the board of ed was awaiting to have a full discussion in October is frustrating. This is what led up to the board of ed special meeting on October 7th. I was under the impression that

026the discussion at the special meeting would focus on complying with the attorney opinions and charter language. However, the conversation focused on whether or not the board must comply with the town attorney opinion and and board of ed attorney opinion at all. Also, there was much confusion at the meeting when the superintendent by omission of the history of the RTM in this issue left the impression with the board of ed that this issue just popped up out of nowhere. There is one more point I would like to make. I do not disagree with how the board of ed is spending the off-budget grant money. In fact, I was impressed with the March board of ed presentation to the RTM. The question I have regarding off-budget grant money is what happens to the additional staff, equipment, programs,

027etc. when the grant ends. I understand this is a current concern with the existing middle school grant. The answer seems to be the additional staff equipment programs will be folded into the budget. That is the area that needs more transparency from the board in the future. It is important that the board of ed comply with charter language and attorney opinions regarding all expenditures, including off-budget grant money. This will provide the town council and RCM the same review process as other expenditures. Considering that we have a town attorney opinion as well as a board of ed attorney opinion agreeing that off-budget grant money should be reviewed and approved as other town of grant off-budget grant money it is past time that the board of ed established a policy for approval. The town finance director has provided

028the document revised administration regulation grant money dated June 5th 1996. This policy could easily guide the board of ed, town council, and RTM in developing a policy for board of ed offbudget grant money approval. Thank you. And I brought for your review that policy. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> I think we we actually have that in our in our minutes already. Okay. >> From from that meeting on um October, >> do you have the town the finance director? >> Could you just do me a favor? Could you just leave it with Joan and then Absolutely. We I'll make sure that all board members get that. Thank you, Rosanne. Thank you very much. Are there anyone else? Sorry. Uh Porsche Bordalon, 159 Chennas at Parkway, Graten. For full disclosure, I'm a parent of two students in

029the Graten public schools and recently appointed to the town counselor. So, I am a town counselor. I am speaking on behalf of myself uh not for the voice of the whole town council. First, I'd just like to say uh thank you to uh Westside Middle School for what an awesome presentation as I feel sometimes Westside is underlooked at times in the community and sometimes as you know as I speak often underserved and it's so uh inspiring as a former graduate of Westside with the last year of the school to see children being published coming out of there. Um so it's it's a wonderful thing and I couldn't be more proud of the accomplishments of those students. Um, I also want to say today I'm also in support. I know you guys are going to be

030reviewing um some curriculum. Uh, the communic communications 2 class I think is an asset to our district and long overdue to be put into fruition here in the town. Um, my note I can speak on behalf of my own student um, who took communications one and was looking for more. Not every student is a writer. more pe some students need the ability to speak and learn how to um advocate for themsel especially in a technology world that we live in. Um it's very important especially for different career paths and choices they choose to do. So I hope tonight that you do support the communications 2 class for Fitch High School. Um I've also spoke in regard to the water. I know that we've gotten the levels down to allowable. I still firmly believe in this

031district despite what the state regulations are, we can make a decision to make our allowable level in this town zero or next to nothing or barely traceable. When I asked at the last several times or meetings or whatever um what is our plan to monitor the allowable levels, I was told we're looking for direction from the state. I was wondering if any direction has come back uh because once lead is traceable in the water and school is shut down for a week or two or days, it would need to be flushed because if you tested that water at allowable level um after a long weekend or holiday, the level some other student could go to the fountain and be hit above uh above the allowable level. So I just wonder what the action plan with

032that is. I also have spoken about the fieldhouse. If we if we're not going to continue to the tradition of spray painting it as a person who lives in the community and and representing the town and having other visitors come to the town, we must keep up with our sports facilities. Once again, I feel that our sports facilities in this town for our high school being um a class L school are um behind the curve. And one which is an eyesore in my opinion, others may think it's beautiful and I respect that. That fieldhouse needs to be painted. It's a mess. Uh not the fieldhouse, the concession stand and the restroom area. Not very attractive. Not something that you want to see as you're paying five bucks to walk down the hill. Um with that,

033um using the restrooms there, um the the the simple maintenance needs to be done. One of the restroom doors doesn't even have a lock that can close. Nor is there any uh trash cans in the individual two individual stalls stalls for sanitary napkins or personal feminine hygiene products. After the thing this weekend, I noticed where people were probably embarrassed to bring them out of the bathroom to throw them away. They discarded them on the floor. That's a public health concern. As a person who's also battling with medical concerns, I can't use the outhouse because of the germs, but I shouldn't have to walk in and find that on the floor. But to the person who needed to use the bathroom, they shouldn't be embarrassed by the line to have to carry that out. That should

034be rectified. And those doors should be able to be locked appropriately and closed. Couldn't even close it. You had to hold them. Um, moving forward, looking at the district as a whole, I know that there has been talk about moving a plastic ordinance through. Looking at the schools, it's discouraging to me and almost disappointing that we are still serving our children on styrofoam trays and cups. Styrofoam was never intended to have hot products on it. Um, and uh, I just think as a district we should really start to look into that. We can build new schools, but let's think about the health and well-being of our students in the schools and providing styrofoam trays with hot pizza that's melting on it. I don't it's no discredit to the cafeteria staff who do a wonderful job

035providing the best meals possible but we can call it farmtotable but putting farmtotable on styrofoam food is not a good impression to put forward to these everchanging students that are talking about poems with environmental changes and those scary aspects when we're still teaching them and giving them the rights to use styrofoam. So I just encourage maybe you'd maybe make a referral on that one and even consider that looking into how we can do better. Even one step of getting rid of the styrofoam change trays would be a step in the right direction. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Hi, Kathy Chase, uh, 146 Indianfield Road, and I am a RTM member representing District 1. Um, I just wanted to add a little something to what Representative Katowski said, and um, I know there was

036concern at one of the other board of ed meetings about the RTM not meeting often enough and you might miss grant opportunities. And I just wanted to let you know that referrals can be made and the RTM can meet and um they can also do special meetings. So if there is given enough notice that that so there shouldn't be any concern that you would lose any grant money. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you K. Hello, my name is Beverly Washington. I live at 30 Pennsylvania Avenue in the city of Grton. Um, I'm just here to ditto what Porsha talked about with the fieldhouse and the concession stand because I was at the band competition on October, I forget what day it was, 21st, no, 19th, and she's absolutely right. When the women went into

037the bathroom, the door was open and we had to wait in line. I mean, it is a mess down there. So, I don't want to go on and on. I just want to deal with what she said. And the second point I'd like to make is with the offbudget grant money. You probably figure I was going to comment on that. Um that I do hope that the board comes up with a policy or procedure so we can all work together. We don't want to take your money at on the RTM, but we do want a policy or procedure on how to deal with the or budget grant money. Thank you. And you're doing a fantastic job with the schools. >> Is there anyone else? Yes. Oh boy. >> Hi, my name is Fran Whitney. I'm

038at 112 Deerfield Ridge Drive in Mystic. And I just have a couple quick comments. Nothing major, but um one thing I was happy to see that the uh Northeast Academy indoor air quality was on the CIP recommendation list. I hope that moves forward because there have been times where I've been in the building and I know it smelled musty and our our kids' health is really important. So, air quality should be something that we definitely look into um moving forward with. So, we appreciate that it's on there. Um also, I saw that classide guidelines are posted and and that's great because class size is directly related to how much contact the students get with the teacher. Um, and I hope that moving forward in planning that's considered when the classes are planned because I think

039what happens sometimes is maybe when the classes are planned, they have the max limit in the planning, but then kids shift. And I know that some classes already exceed those guidelines that you have listed there. So going forward, I hope that's considered in the planning phases and they're not maxed out right from the beginning, especially in the lower grades and ele and middle schools. Um, and also I wanted to a comment. I love that. I saw there's a a grant going forward with the Cutler Acts of Kindness Initiative. I would hope I hope to see more initiatives that focus on positive climate and culture and supporting our students in learning how to be kind and and good people because citizenship is so important. So, I just wanted to say that's great you got that grant

040and um and good job. Thank you. Keep it up. >> I have a clarification. >> Okay. But can I ask? Okay. So, are there any other people? Well, I know that there's other people, I guess. Are there any other people who would like to make comments? All right. All right. So, we're now on um responses and so Lita, I have a a clarification. And the first time the board of education was, you know, um, informed was at that meeting on October 7th about the RTM's request. So board members weren't aware of this. It was the first time we had seen this information. So I think that's important. Even though there was this nine-month process, we we didn't know about it. >> Right. And I appreciate that. The other thing is that um I believe our

041our class sizes are to be commended and they're really I mean I would like to see what schools um Mrs. Whitney was referring to because I I am very impressed with the class sizes in Grten, Connecticut compared to many many other towns. So um recently I know in Harford a friend of mine is a principal and the average class size is 28 for students and that to me is outrageous but I think we try to do a very good job of keeping our class sizes low. So we have a lot we have a lot of student contact and if there is one that is over 25 or there is an aid there. So anyway thank you. So, is there any other comments? Because I just would like to make a couple of things. So, just

042for the people who are having concerns about the grant approval process, um, as Rosanne, as I talked to you on the phone, is that I don't feel any member of the board, um, does not want to comply with what the charter has. Um, and so there was a delay and once again, I think I I described it to you, is that the delay actually was more on my end um, because of some personal things that had that were going on. Um, and so that is an apology that I offer to the board as well. Um but the good news is is that actually there is a non there's an attempt to schedule a meeting between um Simma who is the moderator for the RTM um Patrice who is the town mayor and myself and uh

043John Bert and um Dr. Grineer to come up with a process that we then can share to the boards. So truly and I don't want to go into budget with with this um not resolved um because I don't want to make it any more difficult as that it is. Um so I um I want to let you know that that that is absolutely um you will you have my promise that that will that that will happen. Um and I just Dr. Grineer I am wondering if you can um request um some looking at the maintenance of the fieldhouse. If those um conditions are present that is deplorable and that is not um since that is our um flagship school that's not how it should look. Um, but I do want to encourage our RTM and

044our board members that um, the buildings are sort of owned by the town. So, we would want to work with you guys on making sure that we have enough budget money to kind of keep those things um, up and running um, the way that they should be. But the maintenance issues we definitely need to take a look at. Um, I um, sadly am not aware that we are using styrofoam trays and so I don't know what other people feel about that. Um, but maybe that's something that we can make that we can um, >> It's underway. We're we're reviewing the whole policy. >> Okay, good. Because that would be great. And that might be something that needs to go to the finance and facility um uh meeting to kind of take a look at sort

045of what would that mean in terms of budgetary concerns for us to move to styrofone. So I appreciate all those comments um are worthy. Gretchen. >> Yeah, I skipped my mind. I mean um when the RTM if they pull a special meeting out of the blue will there always I mean I know there are times where the RTM has a challenge meeting the maximum number of pe the minimum number of people needed to make a vote. So if you are pulling a special meeting so that we can get a grant in on time. >> I guess what I hear from them Gretchen or I hear from and I don't want to speak for Representative Chase is that you guys would go way above beyond if that we have a grant and there's a deadline that

046to make sure that happens. So once again once we get the policy that will kind of and hopefully we can kind of delineate that as well. >> Okay. I just wanted to >> right and the concerns about um the um the fields um I think that that that goes back to um and I believe that's on the agenda for the permanent school building as well to kind of take a look at fields because that's also a park and wreck concern as well. So um I think that we are trying the best that we can. All right, if I hear no other comments and concerns, let us move on. Um student representative report. Hello, my friend. >> Hello. Um, my fellow student representative Zay is not able to be here tonight, so I'll be pulling double

047duty and doing all of the notes. Um, I want to start off with updates from last meeting. So, on Thursday, October 17th, the humanitarian club put on a paint for Bahamas night where anyone else was allowed to come in and paint and do different crafts. and all of the money went to um the funds for Bahama relief after the hurricane. Uh and then this week from October 8th to November 1st is our spirit week, which is why I'm wearing um red, white, and blue for America Monday. And if there's any paint on my face, it's because face paint is really hard to get off your face. Um so Monday is America Monday, Tuesday is Pajama Day, Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday, Thursday is character day, and Friday is Fitch Friday. and also the day of our

048pep rally. Um, all grades will be getting their pep rally shirts passed out to them this Wednesday and all of the shirts were designed by each respective class council. So, anyone who bought the shirts will be receiving those. Um, moving on to class council updates. Seniors are selling chocolates and getting ready for homecoming. Um, juniors are hosting tailgate this year, which will be on the day of the homecoming game against NFA. Juniors will be hosting, or sorry, sophomores have a puffy paint pizza party this Wednesday, October 30th, at Fitch in the Falcon Cafe from 5 to 7:00 p.m. It cost $5 and all students get to design their pep rally shirts or they can bring their own shirt all while eating pizza. Um, and freshmen are continuing to organize their class council. Moving on to

049homecoming. So, homecoming is this Saturday, November 2nd, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. in the Fitch High School. The theme is Starry Night. Um, tickets will be sold for $20 at lunch waves this week. Um, and all proceeds will go to the um senior class. Um, this on November 5th, um it's regional professional development day, so students don't have to come to school. Um and then there will be a FAFSA night for seniors on Wednesday, November 6th. So this is where um seniors are able to come with their families and get the FAFSA done, which can be a very challenging and stressful thing for a lot of families. Um so many local and regional FAFSA experts and the Fitch High School school counseling staff will be there that night to help families complete the FAFSA form.

050And anyone interested should sign up for a specific session through a link that was sent to senior parents through email and is also available on the Fitch website. On Saturday, November 9th from 9 to 2 in the Fitch High School cafeteria is the craft fair. So, there will be um over 50 crafters and local vendors and food will be available for sale. Um I know from experience there's a lot of very cool things there and all proceeds will go to the Fitch Music Department. Um this past Friday, October 25th, More Than Words had their first interd district meeting um at the New London Science and Technology High School. So that was where the respective clubs from More Than Words all got together um from Ledger High School, New London, and at Fitch. And it was

051definitely a very very good meeting. I can speak from experience cuz I'm the president of the the Fitch more than words. Um, and I know that a lot of activities had to be scrapped because it was so much conversation going on, which is great. Um, and so we all discussed discrimination and we brainstormed um, possible actions that studentled groups at each high school can take to make the school a more inclusive and welcoming place for all students. Um, Renaissance will be putting on the Sandy Hook Promise Start with Hello week next week from Monday, October 4th to Friday, October 8th. Uh, this week will be um full of various events that will um promote inclusion and raise awareness about social isolation. And then finally, uh, moving on to Fitch Athletics, volleyball defeated Griswald and Guilford

052Guilford. Guilford was undefeated before stepping on the court with the Fitch Falcons. So, we're very proud of our volleyball team. >> Thank you, Addie. >> Andy, could you give us a little update on the marching band? >> Oh, yeah. Um, so um marching band just went to um states I think recently. Um did very very well as the marching band always does. Really good. Um, and um, I I'm don't know how many of you went, but there was the home um, the home marching band event recently, the past week or so. >> Sounds of the sea. >> Yes. Sounds of the sea. Yep. And it was a great success. So, >> well, the reason I asked is uh, uh, one of the band parents told me that I guess it was this past weekend, and

053I know of a score in the upper 70s is really good. Mhm. >> Um >> the fish band scored 89 and and and won the state and New England championship and and now have been invited to the nationals >> uh which I think is held but we we'll we'll get a fave to come in and give us the details >> and there's um on Facebook there is actually a video of actually the school bus has had a police escort coming home from the nationals. So talking about >> from the New England >> New England that's what I meant. Nationals are up and >> nationals. There will be >> upcoming bad reason. >> All right. No, that's right. All right. Thank you so much. All right. >> Thanks, >> Rita. Before you move on from Fitch

054High School, I wanted to congratulate the Fitch High School boys soccer team for the first time ever, winning the ECC's >> ever, ever, ever in the history of Fitch. Um, I had two sons that played soccer and I know the struggle. So anyway, I wanted to congratulate the boys soccer team and I wish them well in the tournament. >> Great. >> All right. And so the next up is superintendent administration reports. >> Well, I almost everything that I've been doing lately has to do with Grant Middle School. So let me let me start by saying that uh tomorrow I'll be meeting with a a a joint uh faculty uh both uh uh oh no tomorrow sorry tomorrow with the kids is that true or do I have my dates >> tomorrow is a joint faculty

055meeting >> joint >> as we had the right notes here and the next day is the >> right so tomorrow both Fitch and uh Fitch both Cutler and Westside faculties are coming to Fitch and we're uh and I'm going to address them and the FA and the principles are going to address them and we're going to we're going to basically launch a a series of subcommittees that will be talking about all aspects of consolidation everything from uh from scheduling uh to how parents are going to be brought into uh into the consolidation and so forth. Um, and then the next day, uh, all the seventh graders are coming to, uh, Fitch High School and, uh, Amy Samuelson, who is a chief architect, uh, is going to give them a a kind of a virtual tour

056of of the new building and, uh, and I will address them. This they are they will be, of course, the first eighth grade class at at Graten Middle School. So, we're we're very excited um about that. And weather permitting, although I don't think the weather is going to permit, we we we had planned and we may have to postpone this, 30 students from Cutler and then 30 students from Westside are actually going to go on site and they're going to uh look at the facility and the site and they're going to plan outdoor classroom. And we continue to work on the schedule. uh we've uh over the last uh couple of weeks now a lot of really good work. We we now have a team of about 14 people working on this and teachers and

057and and administrators and some of our tech staff. Uh it is a complex matter but I I think we're we're making some uh really good progress. Uh I I think we're we're right on track u for that and things are uh things are coming along uh pretty well as we approach the end of the first quarter I think right Annie the first quarter is >> coming up >> it's ending this week the first quarter >> I figured november 1st is is we don't celebrate Halloween for nothing that's when grades come out >> all right is all right I'm going to move over to Susan Austin, our assistant superintendent, >> and my topic is on professional development. And we've had three um professional development opportunities this past month where many of our teachers were able to

058participate and administrators and then we always come back together again to chat about it and to our to really acknowledge our takeaways and to see what we can do to implement. Um these are all free of charge by the state of Connecticut and also by Teachers College, these three events. So, I'm going to start with the performance matters and I thought you might like to see the agenda and I was going to speak to a couple things um that we were able to participate in and the other was the alliance district and as um one of the alliance members were able to participate in a plethora of opportunities that they provide for us free of charge. So, I'm gonna pass both items out to you and I'm going to start telling you a little bit

059about um performance matters. So, we have people um who attend who run our power school for instance and are always collecting the data and making sure that it's accurate. We also had principles and assistant principles. we had teachers attend um and I always like to attend so that I really get the most updated information. um in that some of the things that they talked about were the Connecticut report card which I shared with our board of ed um they even had a a a workshop on mindset a hidden factor impacting test results which is really the importance of social emotional learning on our children and how academic success of students is related to mindset of both staff and students. Um we also went to um workshops on the state reporting best practices and tips. The

060NGSS of course was we've really just taken part in our first um benchmark exam. So we did get results. The children got results. Those were verified by the state. We're still waiting for the um to bring you the data. Um and they call it preliminary results. They don't even call it embargoed anymore, but they said in the preliminary results, it's a little premature to give it out to public until they have verified it and we know what the state results are, our DUR results. So, those should be coming mid November and I look forward to presenting that to you. They also had um I guess they had a presentation on AP in Connecticut and how they're looking to make more rigorous CO courses and that the state is actually make you know charting and recognizing

061IB and AP for students for rigor. So um and when we got back we really had a wonderful discussion about how we're using interim assessments and I think it's really one of those best practice ways. So we felt pretty validated that we use them as pre and post assessments in our teaching. We use them teachers use them to um mark their SLOs's which is their stu student learning objectives to see that kids are making growth on these things. And they're also used for instruction. So teachers may use them like um in a whole class setting or put kids in think tanks and have them work together or paired. and sometimes they're done alone and it's really a great practice model prior to the ESBACK or the NGSS. So we found that kids go into the

062testing environment more comfortable, more self- assured because they've had these experience and we've really tried to tie them in with instruction not as something separate that we just practice for like the week before but really throughout the um the school. We do the same thing for SAT. So on unit assessments, we often have ESPEC type questions K through eight and we have SAT type questions in our high school for unit assessments. So um the conversation was terrific. We also talked about the alliance district. Matt Brown was able to join me in that and we got a book called Creating Safe and Equitable Engaging Schools. And um the presenter was this Sandra Williamson who actually was one of the authors and editors of the book. And um really the um the essence of this is setting

063a um creating a positive school climate um and making sure that students have strong social emotional skills and feel physically and emotionally safe. that's really the the importance in their school environment and that they have are connected and supported with another adult in the building whether it's a teacher a guidance counselor it could be a principal or assistant principal and these all seem like really common sense kinds of things but I think it's it's really important to keep that as kind of our foundation that um that is really a very important piece of what we do um so we learned about the s the systemic approach which is really like the pure pyramid we've seen with tier one, tier two, tier three. And Matt and I took a chance and wrote down all the things.

064We kind of selfanalyzed how we're doing and what we have in place. And then the job was to identify areas that we might need support, whether it's through professional development or other um resources needed, maybe even keeping track of kids who've had struggles in the past, you know, whether it's a a piece of software or data um collector. So, um, we felt that was really a valuable, um, morning to spend in Hartford. So, and I I gave you this because I I really made some copies of um, there's an article here on multi-level systems of support for school mental health. I thought it's through the um, child health and development institute which is run by Jeff Vanderploo, Dr. Jeff Vanderploo, who was here for our mental health summit. So, a lot of good work comes

065from them. And then um a bus load of teachers and I went on a Saturday. We met at central office at um 5:45 and we didn't get back till 6:15. I like to recognize our our teachers because they go way beyond the call of duty so many times and we take the trip in the fall and in the spring. um teachers college opens their doors with all of these experts um you know from the university and there were about 140 workshops thousands and thousands of teachers it's the 97th reunion they call it >> and we started with keynote um Peter Reynolds who wrote the book the dot and if you go through our elementary schools you'll see a lot of dots because our art teachers love that book and it the whole essence of it

066is it starts with a dot. So, a little child said to her art teacher in this story, "Well, I'm not an artist. I can't draw." And she said, "It starts with a dot." So, she made a dot and she signed it and the teacher hung it up. And then her dot, she had a plethora of dots. So, she had a dot, you know, um, art show and she just messed with colors and and did her dot. And so, I think it really recognizes that, you know, it can start with a dot, it can start with a word and you become a writer or you become an artist. So we really appreciate it. It was really the whole essence of the teachers college day was around creativity and finding kids strengths and finding their gifts and

067really you know inspiring them. So um and then of course one of my favorites is Mary Arenssworth and Dr. Acriman and I had seen her um when we went on our trip and she had a few different workshops on planning for grammar instruction in writing workshop methods structures and progressions. So I was really excited about that and she's written the book Grammar Matters. So and then the last but not least is what's happening in Graten Public Schools for November 5th. And I thought you'd want to know that. So it is a regional PD day which means that we work with learn and teachers from this whole southeastern Connecticut can come together. So a lot of our special area teachers um art, music, PE and some of those um are just a matter of teachers bringing

068other teachers together. So, some of them ran and some didn't run. But we you really see um all the different opportunities at Fitch. Both middle school and high school teachers will be working on my assessment. The high school is very busy with NEASK, with my IB diploma um programs um and then a lot of curriculum work. So, and then also the elementary teachers are working on finalizing report cards and I look forward to bringing them to you um in November and bringing some of the teachers. We've had many teachers who were writing curriculum all summer also writing the report card standards and every teacher has had an opportunity to give feedback. As a matter of fact, Beth was saying that when they looked at some of the kindergarten report cards, she made sure that those

069really matched the standards. So, we've had so many eyes on this that it really is um I think a wonderful product. We've always had standardbased report cards, but by re-examining what the standards are and looking at so what demonstrates a 1 2 3 4 and having that calibration articulation like we're going to do November 5th and then what's the evidence that supports that is just a a powerful conversation and I think we'll do much better by our students and our families by giving them you know this new report. So um and then our pair of professionals also have um some wonderful things. Aaron Jennisk is going to do um workshops on trauma and practices in the classroom. Our paras are the ones who are the you know right and left hand sometimes of our kids

070supporting them. And so they've asked for more opportunities for this and um and then also um you know through the um the business office we have and I'm trying to remember his name. Let's see. There's Rob Wright from workers comp coming in to talk about therapeutic sensitivity of mindset. So that's really kind of the theme for them for the day. >> So thank you. >> So I I guess you're really bored and doing very little for the district. This is amazing. >> Well, Mike, you can share that through our attendance matters group. you have a little um >> magnet. Yes. >> And it's I wish it came out in September next year maybe, you know, but it took us a while to really develop it. But for parents, you've seen the big signs at the

071school. So, we've really followed through with our plan to make sure that parents realize how much attendance matters. You matter. Your child matters. And um it's always good to have a little reminder on the refrigerator. That's what I always say. >> Nice job. Thank you. Thank you so much, Rita. >> I just had a quick question. I noticed one of the se the sessions for the Department of State Education that you went to with Matt, they had um AP in Connecticut, a state and district approach to expanding assets and also the best practices in early childhood transition services. Could you share with the board maybe in our packet some information about that? I >> I'd be happy to. The nice thing about this when you go that they have all the slideshows and they have

072all the information. So if you can't go to one, sometimes we divide and conquer. So I did have a few teachers who went to both of these things. So we come back, we share, but then we have the slideshows too. So I'd be happy >> even the state technology resources and student success. I mean all that would be right >> wonderful to read about. >> I would be happy to do that. >> Thank you. >> I even made copies for myself. Hello. >> Hello. >> How are you? >> Oh, very good. How are you? >> Good. So, we are now on our business manager report. >> Attachment number one uh will show that our uh current uh projected unexpended balance uh $96,891 uh on our budget of 77,438. >> Uh we're continuing to >> yeah,

073we're moving up >> to follow budget uh pretty closely. Um we are getting in our outofd district uh tuition bills uh as we speak. So hopefully we'll have that one updated uh for next month and we can get a better idea where we are versus budget. >> Any questions on this? >> All right. >> And second attachment is our uh health insurance um claims for the month of August. uh they came in at 93.5% of budget. Um and on a year-to-ate basis 90.2% of budget. This compares with last year we're at 92.1. So we're a little bit ahead. Uh yep through two months. It's uh but those are pretty heavy months typically. >> Uh so I think I think we're uh we're we're in good shape so far. >> What what did we end the

074year last year to the good? uh last year uh it was uh around 95 90 95 point five somewhere in that area. >> Okay. >> Any other questions about the health? All righty. So Mr. Kilpatrick. [Applause] Uh so uh the update on Grten 2020 uh as you uh can all see uh the progress continues over at the Graten Middle School and as Dr. Grineer just mentioned the seventh graders will be making a visit on Wednesday uh morning and hopefully uh the weather will hold off and the kids will get to actually walk the site uh in the afternoon at least uh not all the seventh graders but a special group of them uh would go over and take a look at the school itself. Uh and the second thing is the elementary schools. Uh we

075are planning to go to the um to the state on November 26th and 27th and that would we would be looking for the approval from the state to go out to bid on those two projects. >> It just seems so unbelievable. There's some data in there though that they're going to need the board to sign off on on the >> Rick was explaining. >> I haven't seen that one yet. So, >> okay. Well, the I'm not even exactly sure. Is it the the bid specs that the board would want to sign off on? >> EDS specs. the EDS specs are all done and the bid specs aren't out yet. So, it would be just the the uh forms that would be necessary to go to the state to ask >> authorizing the forms. Okay. >>

076So, we might have a have to have a very quick board meeting. Uh because I know we're going on the 26th and the 27th. This is where the architect really goes through it with a fine tooth comb to to be sure that the plans align with with the specs and and that the whole thing is within uh projected budget. Thanks >> oh just wanted to ask you had an update about the the water at the schools and if anything is being done. Well, uh, one of the things the state came out with a recommendation, uh, to all schools in the state of Connecticut, uh, to, uh, flush the water after long weekends and holidays. So, that is being that's actually being done by our custodians and maintenance personnel. Uh, has been since just about the

077beginning of school. I can't remember the exact date that it came out. So, that has uh, that's been taking place. Uh we're still waiting to uh set up a meeting to go back to the state and talk about um a full plan of how to move forward on this whole project. >> So are you waiting because the state has to give you a date? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Anything else? Um I know that you attend or are you considered a member of the permanent school? >> I'm not a member, but I attend all the >> Okay. Um, so I I'm assured that there's a process of understanding about fields specifically with either the closed schools or the new newly constructed. Um, and it seems that, you know, I'm I'm not just hearing from

078tonight, but I'm hearing from other people about the concerns about the fields. And so I'm just wondering if that group could have um some communication about that because I know it's part of the plan. I I can I can make sure that it gets on the next agenda of our next meeting and um that would have to be something the permanent school building committee those persons would uh speak to the architects about and see whether some changes could be made. >> Well, I also I'm hoping that this is in in in conversation with the park and Rex who also use the field as well. And so I mean I would I would hope that there is like >> Parks and Rec did submit a um a list of concerns and and requests for for all

079the projects previously. So they've been in contact with the permanent school building and committee right along. Yeah. And and and I guess maybe um I'm talking off the top of my head, which I know is a dangerous thing sometimes. Um but maybe the athletic director should also be part of those conversations so that they he once again I'm assured that this is happening. But when when as we know when there's a lack of communication like then people tend to not know what's kind of going on and then speculate. So I think that the more that you know the more that that is knowledge out there I think that the better people are in making decisions. All right. >> All right. I don't know if that sentence made sense so I'm just going to go with

080it. Any other questions for the director on grounds? All right. We're going to move on. So committee reports policy. I know that we're going to be talking about some >> we have a second reading. Um, in addition, um, last last policy meeting was still in September because instead of being at the beginning of October, but we continue to meet um, and work hard. >> You know, it's really cool. If you go on the district website, you can pull up all the policies. >> Oh, yes. >> It is just so much fun. >> Incredible. >> I was trying to do that. >> And the index is great, too. >> Yeah, it is. >> All right. And curriculum met with Mrs. McKenna and she reviewed for a final time the proposed courses that are going to come

081before you this evening and the curriculum committee is recommending that you approve all of them. >> Thank you. Finance and facilities. >> Uh we basically discussed the uh fiscal year 2021 uh CIP recommendations which we will review later in this meeting. >> Okay. Super. um and negotiations we have finished um but it um and I know actually that's on our schedule for the possible of executive session but that contract is not ready so actually we will not be having that but we are done with that piece of negotiations um and I don't think that there's anything >> it literally hasn't been printed quite yet I I well it's not me but we apologize for the delay but no big deal there's not a problem it it's just getting it through the lawyers. >> All right,

082>> Rita Learn. Um, we met the board meeting, the regular board meeting with October 10th and the highlight was Dr. Grineer coming to speak to the learn board. Um, he his presentation focused on coordinating and everything to do with the two middle schools becoming one. Um, so anyway, it was it was very wellreceived and people afterwards said to me how lucky we are in Graten to have Dr. Ganer as our superintendent. They were very other were very impressed. Dr. Premier. >> Well, thank you. >> We also um had the associate educ executive director Dr. Ryland Donlin who presented their school data. They discussed um we we also discussed um let's see that Dr. Lee title of Harvard who was going to be facilitating a number of workshops at learn on equity which I thought maybe

083some of our students would I mean our teachers would be interested in attending. Um let's see what else there was something else that we did. Oh yes, our roundt discussion was on vaping and cyber threats in schools and that was very very interesting and it'll be ongoing as something we're going to um continue to do and provide more information with IT departments I think. I think and then I had an executive meeting last Friday. That's it. Thank you, Rita. Um at the beginning of the month we had the board of ed um town council RTM and city um council. We need to add the city council to that um heading if we could do that. >> TCC. >> Well, there's the town council and then there's also the city council. >> The Grten City Council.

084>> TCC. >> City represent both. >> That's what that was. >> Yeah. Town. >> Well, you know, >> council city. >> I don't know how many years I have to be a board member before I recognize that, but Okay. >> Well, that's new. All right. Being clever. All right. Um and we did meet um and actually this discussions that were happening was a lot around the um charter and the grant proposals. Um and I I I don't know Lee if you have anything more to add. I >> I have nothing to add. >> Okay. >> Right. Um I they are great meetings. Please don't get me wrong. It just happens that life gets so fast in between those two and I need to take better notes. Um, we also will have a leazison meeting with

085the AJSA. Um, and the GA uh, and that will be this coming Wednesday at 4:30. Correct. >> Correct. >> All right. And then trails and goen scholarships. >> Uh, trails will be excited to find out about the wilderness English class. The wilderness. They'll be very, very excited to hear about that and maybe even participate in it. And uh scholarship is status quo. We really don't change much month to month, week to week. >> All right. Except for they forget to tell me when they're not having a meeting. >> Okay. All right. So, we're going to move on to the action items. Um and this is the consent agenda where all matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. Um where we will allow for points

086of clarification. Can I have a motion to accept the um consent agenda? I have the motion made by Katrina and seconded by Gretchen. Can I have any discussion? >> Yes. Um is there anything we can do about the amount of paper we're using here? Um when we all of us who are on the board of ed have already gotten that before. So, would it be okay if we don't have all of this over again? Is there any way >> So, could we just have them? Am I hearing um correctly? If we could just have the minutes and not necessarily all the supplements >> because we already have this, >> right? >> Yeah. >> I all sent out by email as well, but there are some board members who requested it in copies. So, >> yeah,

087I think I think you're just talking about the minutes, though. >> No, I I think the minutes are fine. I just wonder because >> she's just wondering about all the supplemental information that comes by the by the >> Ex fact. We all had that. >> Yeah. >> Um and everyone had it sent to them either by email or hard. >> We won't do the enclosures. >> Um >> Okay, good. >> Yeah. I just simply opt out of the paper and anyone can do that. You just read it on your your iPad. >> I can do that. >> I did that years ago. >> I feel the same way. >> Yeah. >> So that cuts down the paper. But if we didn't have to have it as that. >> Yes, it's great. >> Thank you. >>

088All right. Any other discussion? >> Um, did we approve them yet? >> Nope. I'm still in discussion. Oh, yes. I had one the meeting that we attended on September 16th. I actually attended that meeting. Um, I was late. So that is on um September that was when we had our um discussion with Isabelle Stevenson. >> That'll show you. >> So I'd like to amend that those minutes. Can we have that amended? >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. All right. So I will um now we've point that's points of clarification, right? So we've already cleared that. So all those so I can just ask for a motion. So all those in favor of accepting the consent agenda with the points of clarification, please say I. I. >> Oppose. Abstain. The motion has carried. The board

089would like to say thank you to Chelsea Garton Foundation. Um has made a donation on behalf of the Chella Patel as part of the 2019 acts of kindness initiative to the Cutler Arts and Humanities Magnet School Pro. um magnet school your cause LLC trustee for Wells Fargo Foundation Educational Matching Grants Program has made a donation of $140 to Claude Chester School and that is um through Michelle Ezel Atkins and if I'm pronouncing your um names wrong, I apologize. And then also for your cause LLC trustee for Wells Fargo um foundation educational matching grant program um for $140 to Clchester um school through the same person Michelle Asel Atkins yeah Atkins sorry. All right so as I had suggested we are going to move into our agenda to number five um which is to hear the

090curriculum. And so I believe that we have some folks here and so I don't know if you wanted to kind of kind of come up. Would that be best, Susan? How how should they handle that? >> Well, I think that um I think that Dr. Acriman and the team can kind of um work us through. I think you have a packet in front of you that has the um courses and the board remember had had the teachers there and the administrators and they're here if we have any questions for them but um you know we had had the full the full CO had really um paid attention to the the brief version but now you have the curriculum maps in front of you of each of the different areas. It's just really amazing. >> It

091is amazing. >> It's just really amazing. >> So, I think the attachment, the first attachment was the shortened version that you all better see. And then when we said off you go writers, they did and they wrote up the courses. >> So, so we're right on track that if the board approves these courses, then we'll go back to the high school. It will be those courses that you approve will be incorporated into the program of studies. The students will have access to that in January, February and then the courses will those you approve will be taught in the fall. So it's it's it's it's a it's a long process and a tedious process. Uh but the board the the committee looked at it initially. The board looked at it as CO uh the teachers uh

092spent a great deal of time writing and creating these curricular documents. So we're we're we're we're right on this this really 18month track uh to to put it in the stud appropriately. And I would like to do a shout out though for our our English language arts, you know, department that they really recognized that kids they wanted to involve kids in half credit courses so that they would really love reading and writing even more and you know listening to the children and and seeing what some of the newer opportunities were in the area. What are the things that they want to read? of what's going to help support them, including um you know, the actual um Yukon writing center, which teachers have gone to professional development up at Yukon stores to find out more about

093how we can train our kids to do some peer support and mentoring. Um and that can last a whole year. So, it's a two-part series where they actually get trained and then they actually are part of the writing center supporting one another. So, it's just um you know, amazing work and I do believe will want to sign up for these courses and it will make them better readers and writers because they're going to be reading more and writing more about things they learn. I I would like to add that we've had rich long discussions and conversations about the the content of the curriculum and I have to say that in the beginning there were there was a particular course that I was not in favor of but >> Oh really? >> Yes. >> Oh I

094didn't know that. >> However um it was duly defended and I'm 100% behind it and I just wanted to to congratulate Mrs. McKenna and all of her her co-workers, her colleagues who came up with the documents. They are just so they're moving. They're so beautifully done. And I I'm hoping that if you have something else that you'd like to say that would that you take this advantage advantage of this moment. No, she says no. >> Okay. >> So, what I am going to do before we go into any further discussion, I do I do hear you, Gretchen. um is I do would like to have a motion on and Katrina and I'm just wondering if you would be willing to read that that you like to make a motion to accept to approve the following

095courses and if you could just list them and so that we can get that on the books before Miss Joan thinks I'm silly. >> So it'll be a motion number five like to make a motion to approve the following courses. Wilderness literature, graphic novels, gaming narratives, the NTAC and science fiction, sports literature, oral communication too, the writing center, theory, practice, and internship. >> Can I have a second? >> And Andrea has had the second. >> Now, let's continue on with our discussion. We've already got it. >> Gretchen, >> throughout this entire thing, I still do not understand the graphic novel. So when this is brought to a vote, if I want I will not be voting for it. The entire package class because I don't get it yet >> and I think my getting it

096is really important towards moving forward with the program. >> Okay. >> Otherwise, the rest of it is great. I love most of these. I I really like most of them. I love many of them, but I don't understand that one. Okay. So, I just need more. I don't know. I don't know whether I need to sit with the teacher and have him explain to me >> or play with me. >> Just just a note on that. Dr. Acriman met with Miss McKenna and I would encourage you to reach out to her because it's it was the one book, one region I think Hey Kido uh moved a lot of us. I know uh more than words many of the more than words students we that we had that as a text that we dealt with

097but I also I don't want to promise Miss McKenna's time >> Miss McKenna has actually come to the board committee to the curriculum um council I think she's probably in support of these courses from the the conception of time has probably met with us about five or six times to help explain I do want I do I do want to respect the fact that Gretchen is ancient. >> It is not that I haven't done the research. I came in one night with a pile of six or seven graphic novels. >> I support that >> many genres and was like this is actually exciting and we could teach Baya Wolf and Poe and all these other things with graphic novels. I I just don't this one I just >> Yeah, I'm I'm good. >> It's not

098clicking. Maybe it's the dyslexic child in me. That's all right. I really appreciate you being able to say that. Um and um but once again you already you you have the resources and you've heard um so and I I appreciate sorry let me try the sentence one more time I appreciate the comment uh your comments. >> Is there any other discussion >> I had a question? >> Yeah and then >> I would like to audit sports literature. >> Can I do that? >> Yeah. >> All right. I think so. My question was about the sports literature uh course. Awesome. And I was a little confused. The unit one is 10 weeks and then the unit two I believe is like different. It's it's no one was 14 weeks and one was six weeks. So they're

099just it's just sectioned off. I just couldn't quite understand how it was being presented. If a student could take is it is that a whole semester? Does su do students take one part and then another or is it all one? I I just couldn't figure it out from reading this, but that's just me. >> So, these are all half credit courses to be um credit one semester. >> One semester course, >> one semester. So, the one that says part one, unit two, six weeks is a separate section. It's just all included in the half credit course. >> So, each of these units adds up to the whole course. So, they're not necessarily in equal parts. So you might have different amounts of time spent in different units. Am I speaking correctly? >> Is that it?

100Okay. But they're 20 weeks long most of them. >> About 16. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> I think it's usually 16 weeks. >> It was just fun to read this and I want to say thank you very much. >> A lot of work >> um to the the staff in the English department. This is just it was fun and I just really wish that I was a high school student. 20. >> Um, >> yeah, I I agree. >> Um, I just wanted to let Gretchen know that I believe the graphic novels was presented about eight years ago also, and it's taken me a while to get there. So, you you know, you may get there, but it it it's been present um proposed for quite a long time now. Now, I understand it. So, >>

101you know, now that I've saw that it can be more than just a coloring book. >> Oh, yeah. Much more. Yeah. Thank you. >> All right. Any other discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor of passing the motion to approve the following courses. Um, wilderness literature, graphic novels, gaming narratives, fantasy and science fiction, sports literature, oral communication to the writing center, theory, practice, and internship. Please say I. I. >> All those oppose, abstain. The motion has >> understanding that it's one class. >> The mo so the motion has carried. So we now have this to add to the catalog. >> Thank you. All my hard work. >> Oh J. I I I also want to thank the board because we've come here a couple of times and we said we didn't have enough time

102to do this the way we wish we could have and you were nice enough through my courses for example to get it on the docket but the the staff and the administration have done a super job here. So this is really the way that it it's the first time in my six years uh that we've done this really properly. So my hats off to you guys excellent work. Thank >> I just wanted to um emphasize for those um who may be watching at home at some point that this is now at what an 18-month process which has involved hours of work uh on behalf of the um the faculty um the curriculum council Susan um the curriculum committee it it seems to happen fast here on camera but we've received reams of information uh either

103either in paper or on our iPad to to study this very carefully, but all this work has been done. I don't know how many hours uh has been uh spent uh sorting through all this. >> I think you that's a good point. >> One more thing. >> I think that what kept us on track is the uh the timeline that Susan came up with and I think you were part of that as well. >> Well, and and you did it. So, it was terrific. >> Yeah. >> Hello again, Susan. All right. So, we're I'm going to move us on. Um Gretchen, we are going to go back to the new business portion and number C. Would you ble um please be willing to open up with a motion? Um for number one, the motion to

104approve the FY21 CIP. Can I have a second? >> Thank you for being congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Oh my goodness. These poor people are sitting here right there. >> All right. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, I'm going to I'm not We I didn't get a vote on that. So, Gretchen, >> do you want me to do it again? >> No. What I would like you to do is old business because I' I've led you wrong. >> Old business number one. >> Yes. >> The motion. Yes. uh discussion and possible action regarding a school reading of policy P6146 graduation requirements attachment number six. So the motion is to approve as a second reading of policy P6146 graduation requirements. Can I have a second? >> Did you all just about everyone wanted to second it? Okay.

105Um and the discussion to this is >> it's green. I have ready. >> Okay. Um my first question is um on page three of nine at the bottom where it talks about approval from the high school administration to take course the course to be eligible to receive the credit and I would like that to say principal. I would hate to see, speaking as a principal, I would hate to see something approved that I didn't I would didn't have firsthand um say in that because um >> Do you have it in front of you? >> Okay. Do you have it, Matt? >> Okay. >> I you know, I trust our our administration now. You you don't know what's going to happen in the future forever. And um I think the principal should have the last say

106and not just that vague high school administration. >> So you would change administration. >> It's the footnote at the bottom. >> Footnote. >> Change administration to principal. >> Could we do it by paragraph talking about >> I didn't. >> It's the note on the bottom of page three. >> Okay. >> About the third line down. Take out administration and put in principle. I have two three others under on the page five of nine under Connecticut seal of bure literacy. I I see that including American sign language is not in there specifically and I think it should be. >> Where would that >> No, I don't know that there is a seal of biiteracy for that. >> I don't >> I thought we it's it's a world language that's accepted but I don't know that the

107the seal of biiteracy program >> has a test for American Sign Language. >> Okay. And if it if it does, but I'm getting clear body language that it does not. >> Okay. >> Uh we certainly would include it, but but I I think you're right. You you you have to it's oral proficiency. Well, it's more than oral. It's written and oral. Well, how is it that we're recognizing it that way? >> It's it's it's accepted certainly by the international balorate and for carne units for graduation credits, but there is simply not a test of bioiteracy that we could put a seal. >> Okay, I withdraw that. Um, and then I had a question at the very top vision of the graduate. I don't know what that's doing in policy. It talks about something yet to

108come. I don't know why it's in policy. >> The top the top It's a tentative statement. >> Yeah, but >> I'm sorry. >> It's Yeah, you're right. It's coming. And that's a NAS thing. It doesn't necessarily have to be in policy. We're just doing it. >> So, we could we could we could strike the vision. It it is you're you're right. It's not integral to the policy. >> Well, I'm I'm Is that true, Aaron? That um Do we have Don't we have to include the vision of the graduate? >> Yeah. >> As part of our graduation requirements? I thought >> okay >> so >> we may have to but not in policy >> we have to do it for NAS but but unless it says >> no it's the new regulations yeah >> but if

109it's not done yet I mean we guess we can hold off and then just put it in when it is complete but I >> see of putting a vision of something in the policy state in the policy itself maybe I'm incorrect I could be >> we'll go back and look at that. >> Okay. And the last one, uh, a question I have is, >> excuse me, could we agree? We're going to check on NASC. If NAS says it has to be in the policy, we'll come back. If it doesn't, we'll just do it because it's that's a a essential element of NASC. Does that seem reasonable? >> It might be part of the law. So, I just want to make sure. >> We think it's part of the new law. >> We think it could

110be part of the law. >> Okay. But then we should do it when we do it. Not >> Yeah, you're right. >> Yeah. >> Once the policyy's written. >> Yes. >> Okay. And the last one is, and I'm not sure if this is state statute or not, but number five at the very bottom of of awards and high school diplomas. >> Where is this? Where is this? >> Same page 5 through N. Number five. >> Number five. Okay. It says a student who is under suspension, I'm sorry, under expulsion from the high school can graduate. How is a student now unless it's state statute that says that? Well, >> if he's under under expulsion, how is he going to graduate? >> Well, when a when a student is expelled, he's excluded from school, but we

111continue to provide educational services. So many students, I'd say most students actually graduate. that that is to say, they complete their high school requirements, but they're expelled, so they can't come to >> graduation. They they can't come on school property. >> I understand the I understand the the the concept of providing education. I just don't understand how if the student if he's off expulsion, that's a different story. If he's completed his but if he's under expulsion, how does he graduate? Well, he doesn't he he could com because we provide you have to provide four hours a day of tutoring. >> I understand. >> So, let's say a senior who gets expelled in last few months of high school, they finish off their educational requirements, they therefore complete their high school uh credits and would be

112awarded a diploma. >> But wouldn't they be out of the the concept of expulsion at that time? That's my >> right once they finish. >> That's what I'm talking about. Maybe we could have this go back and re be looked at again. >> Student. So, a senior who gets expelled in May finishes his or her diploma requirements >> and is finished with expulsion. >> Well, once they finish their diploma, they're finished with expulsion. That's true, >> right? But that's not what this says. >> What is your issue? I'm Can you just help me out? Like what what is your what is your concern? >> If a student is expelled, if it if it if his expulsion is over, then I understand that he can graduate. Let's say his his expulsion isn't over till next September.

113Do do we go back? >> Well, the explosion, right? The explosion ends by definition when they finish their high school courses. But this provision is very clear and I appreciate what they've written here because sometimes students finish their work and then they say they want to participate um they want to participate in in high school ceremonies. >> That's the good part about that. >> Yeah, I understand that. I think this language was in the um K policy but was in many many other new policies on graduation. Everybody's doing this now because of the new state law >> and and what's going to go into effect in another year or so. So, I think that the um committee that worked on this at Fitch um noticed that this was the language that had been in all

114of these different >> I think Aaron >> Can I actually call Aaron to the the podium so that you can address this issue? Thank you, Aaron. >> I just want to uh point out it was in our old uh graduation policy as well. It was just it's just part of the language of many of the the policies. So, I just wanted to to point that out. So there's no change >> there. There's no change. But but but I will say because I' I've dealt with this many times. Uh some parents say, "Well, my my my child's completed the high school courses. I now want him or her to participate." Even though the expulsion could have been for something quite grave. Uh so the idea is that you they would be excluded from graduation. That's the

115important part as far as we're concerned. >> I get that. Gretchen, what's the difference between suspension and expulsion? And my growing up view and adult view is that they're both punishments, especially expulsion, which meant you needed to go find someplace else to learn. >> No, expulsion means to be excluded from school for more than 10 days. >> Ex for more than 10 days. Okay. or less than >> part B >> 180 >> is if the child is over 16 and is an unwilling learner >> do we and we expel them do we have to provide a tutor >> we do by law >> if they say I don't want a tutor I'm done so I want to just be careful that we're now talking about something besides what's on the floor right now which is

116that policy >> we're just following the law >> okay I'm just trying to figure out what has changed in the law since the last time I took a serious look at it which was probably two decades >> know the answer yes >> Katrina >> would Mrs. Sacramento be um satisfied if instead of who is under a student who is under expulsion >> if it was written a student who has been expelled. >> I would that would >> that's what I was thinking. >> Yeah. >> Well, I don't want to say that because somebody could expel when they're sophomores and they come back after a year. >> But this wouldn't apply to them. This would not apply anyway. >> If they came back, they wouldn't be under expulsion anymore. >> But you just said if they

117had been expelled. >> Oh yeah. >> See, the under expulsion is it's during those last few months. >> We wanted to say that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And and this unfortunately happens more often than >> Can you add that? >> A student who has been under expulsion during the last the last part of his senior year. >> Sure. Yeah. That's what we mean. Clear to me. >> Yeah. students under >> Would that meet the high school's need? Lee, I got you. >> Would that meet the high school's need if we if we added that phrase, which is um a student um who was under expulsion from Fitch High School in the la in the last >> in in in the latter part of his high school career. >> No, in the latter part of his

118senior year. >> Yeah, in the latter part of his senior year. Sure, that's what we but has satisfactory completed all the graduation requirements shall receive a diploma. However, they cannot attend. >> Okay, that makes sense. >> See, my here's my concern. I know that that there are times when a student is is uh expelled and they're not allowed to come back to school until next September. >> That's my >> That's right. >> Those are the the undergraduates. >> But see, it doesn't say >> this is to get, >> Right. So, I knew Right. >> I'm happy with that new language if you and and and actually not to complicate things, but when a student successfully graduates from high school, his expulsion is expuned by law. >> Yes. >> Lee, that the one thing that I'm

119thinking about is the student who for some reason has been expelled. >> Yes. >> Um that person is he he or she has the rest of her life she needs or he needs a diploma, >> right? Oh yeah. >> Um because he's going to apply or she's going to apply for that job. >> Yes. >> And where the question says, "Do you have you graduated from high school?" If the answer is no, that person isn't going to get a job. >> That's a good point. >> That's where the expuning comes in because the student has a huge incentive because he wasn't or she wasn't expelled if it's expuned. >> Exactly. Is there other Did you have other concerns? No. >> Gretchen, do you have anything to the policy? Not. >> Well, I was just wondering

120how it read on college transcripts. >> Another pol. That's another Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> All right. I caught myself. Thank you. >> There. >> Okay. So, what we're going to >> um So, are people comfortable with page number three? Changing from administration to principal? >> Yes. um scratching for the present moment vision of the graduate until we hear more information about that. And that number five, changing a student who is under expulsion from Pitch High School and at the end of senior year, latter part latter part of latter part >> in the latter part of the senior year. >> That can go back to the committee. >> Yeah. What the heck? That that's what we mean. Right. >> I just want to confirm that this wasn't um verbatim from the state

121or from cave language. So I would have to just get clarification on that because some of these are directly that we had to sort of use the verbatim. So >> yeah, >> I have a concern about the vision of the graduate. I don't think that should be scratched until we find out what the state >> So I'm I'm thinking that this that this needs to go back to policy that we have too many we have too many questions about this. Okay. When does when did the um high school need it? >> Yeah. Well, here's here's here's the problem. Everything is great for >> I thought you guys were just here to hang out with me. >> These regulations kick in for the freshmen, >> the current freshman. So, we we need to promulgate these and

122and we're already I predict like next week is going to be November. Uh so we we need to get these things out because the freshmen are living by these. >> I see. >> So why is the law so late with that? >> Well well they they didn't get promaggated from the state board a bit until fairly recently. >> Yeah. I mean so I think that we were only responding as quickly as the state has given it to us. So I don't feel like it's it's been under someone's desk pile here. Um okay. So for Jay, >> so I'm concerned that the policy committee has spent a great deal of time um writing this. This is now the second reading. >> Yes, it is. >> None of these uh issues were brought up. These are this

123is existing language and I really don't think it's appropriate for us to rework it on the fly. >> So I say we vote on it up or down as it is and if if something really critical comes up, we can amend it. >> Yes, we do. But the the policy committee has spent countless hours on this and no one raised any of these objections to language that's been on the book since. I'm not sure. >> Um and I don't think we should be fiddling with it. >> They weren't on the book before. >> No, this is the second is >> but she said that the um that whole section about the expelled students is not new language. >> No original. >> I didn't see this. >> I'm sorry. the when we have the complete vision

124of the graduate the state is and ask is asking that it be contained within the graduation policy it is not complete at this point and so I do not believe that there's any problem with taking this out until it is actually there is something that we can substantiate in the policy I just wanted to >> thank you >> but but the other elements are very important that the freshmen know this as soon as possible >> um I'm going to do Rosemary and Benj >> um I'm just curious is this legally is where bring about that um don't doesn't our commitment to the student end when they complete the graduation >> right >> and is it that the legal ease kind of thing >> they well they changed the law so for example world language >>

125right and that I I got >> so so the it's it's it's really the components it's just that that first page these are well the first page it's the same for uh it's when you get to the second page when you see the class of 2023 Those are quite different >> and we need we need to promulgate those Eron >> and just one more thing the number five for that again this has been in our policy um prior and unfortunately we've have had situations where we had to sort of honor that number and it hasn't been an issue as far as language goes in the past so I just wanted to present that as well. Okay, >> Jay. >> So, if the vision of the graduate is something that is ultimately required, I'm not sure

126why we have to bring it back again. Why can't we just accept this as it is just like we do with policies where regulations are written at a later time. Let the high school go forward with the policy is written and then they will um draft the vision of the graduate, >> right? >> And add to the regulation. it becomes similar to to the regulation. But >> when are we going to bring this back again with all the things we have on our plate? How many times is this going to come back to us so we can add subtract? A great deal of time has been spent by our professional administration, our committee to create this document and I'm not comfortable fiddling with it on the floor. >> Okay, I have one last I have

127to apologize because this is really the first time I've seen this. I thought this was administrative and I would be satisfied with if we could amend it to say principal instead of >> right. >> Yeah. Principal instead of um administration. >> We could amend it. Now I >> I leave everything. >> I appreciate what you said, Jake. A little minor word smithing is is is not a problem. We can come back with the vision of the graduate, but my recommendation is that the board vote on this so that we could put this in the hands of of the nth grade students. >> All right. So, we have a So, do I need to get an amendment to the motion? >> Okay. So, can I have a second to the amendment, which is just a change

128administration to principal? Secondly, >> did um Gretchen I think she was in my visual field. Any further discussion? >> Okay. All those in favor of um the motion to approve for the second reading as amend as amended. Correct. First as amended first. Okay. So the fir so I I go backwards though or do I go forward? Okay, backwards. I should be able to do that very well. All right. So, the motion is for the amendment um of the policy the second reading of the policy of of graduation and that is P6146 graduation requirements. Right. Okay. All those in favor please say I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Okay. So that now I I have to say even say that one even though this one's passed. >> Okay. So now the main motion to accept

129the policy I'm Thank you, Mr. J. Um to accept the policy P6146 graduation as amended. Please say I >> I >> oppose assumptions. The motion has carried. Thank you guys. Someday I'm going to grow up painful. >> Jay, >> would you be willing to read um under new business number >> the motion for number one? >> Number one. >> Yes, please. >> I move uh to approve the fiscal year 2021 CIP recommendations. >> Can I have a second, please? Second, >> Rosemary. >> All right. So, um, Jay, Dr. Grineer, do you want to kind of lead the conversation? >> Well, let me let me just the the the board received the the overview, which was the uh FY21. Uh, and I'll just give you a a really a quick lowdown, and then I'll show you

130what we did with the the more formal and and this is all kind of tenative to to what the board hopes to achieve. Uh we uh Sam's done uh some research and uh we need to resod and recrown the football field. It's not draining properly and uh and the suggestion is to include an irrigation uh with that. So that whole project would be $200,000. The the Northeast Academy study that was done by Fen O'Neal included several elements. One of the elements was some short-term u repairing upgrading actually of existing equipment. Uh they also they also suggested some site improvements uh uh curtain drains and so forth to to to divert the the water. Uh and then ultimately the replacement of the air handling units uh which are on the roof. They're about $200,000 a piece.

131Um, so over uh over a a four-year period, is it four? No, it's it's a five-year period. Uh uh so uh but what what we talked about was taking the first step. Sam has uh and his crew have done dehumidification through our a program that we have uh through our HVAC system. uh and that has largely reduced the uh the level of humidity significantly but we we still want to be cautious. So we think that the upgrading of the equipment would be a wise prudent step for next year. Um and then uh the site improvements we we want to see how well the de dehumidification project works and the and the upgrading of the equipment. Um, and then we'll see where we are and then maybe for FY22 we we perhaps would consider uh the

132site improvements and and potentially replacement of the air handling units. But for this year, just just the the short term uh we have we have four portables uh that we also are thinking about the Pleasant Valley. There's one more portable at Pleasant Valley that we'd like to move to Charles Barnum. There's one there. There's two, excuse me, at at Cutler. And and and Sam has uh come up with a kind of an ingenious solution of moving them on site, putting them up on blocks and using it as a construction trailer, at least for the next year. >> Uh moving them to the central office, for example, would be quite expensive. But we think we could move each of the two at at the Cutler for about $25,000 each. And then moving the one at at

133Westside uh on the side of the property again to be used as a trailer. It may be possible they could stay there and it would be permanent storage for us, which would be which would be great. And then lastly, and this is this is my recommendation, Sam's recommendation and and at least initially the the committees, the idea at one point was that SP Butler would be retained by the board to be used as a a perhaps a STEM education center. Uh we know that would cost about $750,000. And uh and I I for one looking at the big picture of the town, I I I didn't see the town. >> No, >> I'll just take it myself personally. I didn't see the town investing $750,000 uh for a facility that's that's not going to be

134a school. So what we >> So what we did today, this is a little bit more detailed. I again, here's the football field with the narrative of the football field. And I I literally penciled in because I didn't know what the board was hoping to accomplish. So, uh that was uh uh you see where it says a football field, lacrosse field. The next page is the is the Charles Barnum Cutler Westside $125,000 to move those portables. uh the the PV1 permanently to uh Butler uh Barnum and the two westside uh the two Cutler and the one westside to be used as as construction trailers. Northeast Academy, it's a little more complex. What I'm recommending and the committee recommended was $104,000 to do the short-term immediate uh improvement of the existing equipment and $44,000 and then

135in FY22 do the if need be uh the construction uh the the site uh work and to move uh replace one of the existing or two actually the existing in air handling units and then so forth and so on until we get to where we need to go. And then the last one is to uh last page there is to the idea of using Butler uh as as a STEM education center which would be great but I'm just not sure $750,000 is is price tag. I think it might >> Jay >> um >> I I can't imagine too many people are going to find it um controversial that we want to resid and recrown the field. I think there's at least one person in the audience or maybe she's left >> I think she left

136who would agree with who would agree with me that we've been asking this for how many years >> and it continues to deteriorate and could become a safety issue, right? Um, and so I I highly support that. The NEA situation, you know, I I personally I I I want everybody to understand we're not voting on these subsequent years tonight. Um, I'm very skeptical of sinking this much money into a new school um for um until we determine whether what they're already doing is helpful. I'm not even sure about the 104,000. I guess what we're what I would propose we're doing tonight is creating placeholders for because it's required that we have something in there, right? >> But we may rethink even even these things. >> Um, and I'm very concerned about these uh portables. I

137would like the uh architects to point at a spot where they can be moved and stay. We are under the gun because we're required uh by state law to maintain student records for 50 years. A lot of these records are in a building which we are losing. Um and the town is unwilling to convey that that small parcel to us to maintain it which would cost nothing. Um so we're now faced with an expensive uh alternative. Um this would be great but I I don't want them moved and then moved again uh because next year we're going to be coming back for another couple hundred thousand. So, I would hope they could determine where can these go, you know, once and for all. We don't want this to be the Nathan Hale school of graten

138that moves four or five cars. Um, so anyway, I just consider these placeholders except the Yeah. >> football field. >> Okay. >> Got um Northeast Academy. >> What? >> You say equipment and I just kind of curious as to exactly >> Can you weigh in on that a little bit? the >> what >> the upgrading of the existing equipment. >> Yeah, it would actually be um doing some adjustments and recalibration along with a couple of minor repairs on the uh HVAC systems that are on the roof of the building. There's 10 units on the building. you want to explain a little bit about what your staff has been able to do on the dehumidification >> which actually is going pretty well and worked pretty well this summer and maybe a little bit about the carpet

139business. >> Yeah. So, um we we we have a consultant that we work with a a contractor that comes in and works with our uh technician our within our staff. Jamie Anderson is our DDC person, a computer person with regard to HVAC systems and uh the contractor and he got together we uh and we have put in a process that's called active dehumidification. And so what this does uh the the equipment that is on that building I'm told is not uh was not uh designed to uh dehumidify uh the air and what happens it takes it out of the building comes back and it goes back into the building again. So, this active dehumidification actually dries the air out as it's coming through and puts it back into the building drier than it was when

140it came out. So, um we've been doing that for um well, we did it in one section of the building that was our uh of our highest concern just to see if uh we thought it might work. It uh it it worked pretty well there. we thought so the entire building is now on this and um so we want to follow that uh and and continue looking at the trends and see whether this continues. One of the other things that we did, one of the classrooms that had the biggest concern, um had had carpet in there and um the uh they're pretty young kids and so they sit on the carpet uh when they're doing their reading and and things and uh kids would get up and feel a little damp or something. Uh we

141actually had one of our maintenance guys go in that room uh a while back before this before we did this uh change and uh he walked into the room, went over to the other side of the room to check something on the opposite side of the room. When he came back, his shoes squeaked on the tile floor as he came back. So there was some uh humidity in the carpet. Um and so uh in that room uh this past summer we took the carpet out and uh uh the teacher is um uh quite happy that that happened. The other thing that we did uh over the summer uh was uh one of the first things that was recommended in the Fussenonio report u was to uh clean the uh all the duct work in the

142building. And so we hired um dependable duct work from the other end of the state. they came up and uh and cleaned all the duct work for us. So, um again, um the staff was uh pretty pleased with that so far. So, everything's um at this point, uh I would say that the active dehumidification looks like it's working. We're we're we're checking on a daily basis and um we want to continue to look at it and see how how it plays out. So to to go to Jay's point, we could ride this out for for another few months and and by the time the town council is actively considering it, we we we might be able to say uh it was a placeholder. Uh the the active dehumidification process is going forward and and you

143know, knockwood so far so good. But I think you're right. The portables are extremely important. Those are those are valuable buildings. >> Yes. >> Uh and uh and and I think uh and I I agree with you about the football field. It it's it's been a it's been a problem for a while. >> Can I Okay. >> And I was just going to ask the alternative to to replacing the building we're losing would cost. Do we have a estimate if we didn't use these? >> We we had a previous estimate in the $300,000 range. >> So, we're gonna take a we're going to take a three >> second minute. >> Sorry, we're we're back on. >> You want to ask it again? >> Yeah. So, how much would it cost to um build a facility

144like the A-frame? >> We we had an estimate of between three and $400,000 and that would be dependent upon what the uh the site was actually like. that would be considering a a flat level site previous though. So, uh the more inclined there might be, it may cost you more in in site work, that sort of thing, but it was in that range. >> Rita and Ben Gretchen. Um, question. >> My question is whether or not the re air handling units that are on top of the building, would they also have to be replaced at Char um at the Konaski school? I mean, they were built the same time. And why would they be replaced at Northeast? I mean, would it is it, you know, and not at local they're not having the same issues

145there? One of one of the statements uh by the Fuss and O'Neal um engineers was that these uh units are designed to have a life expectancy of 15 years. >> So then we could run into the same thing at the Konaski school. >> I don't think any school system in in the state of Canada, probably not in this country, uh expects their equipment to only last 15 years. And that's why we have uh preventive maintenance um working on it. And I I think they take that into consideration, but that's what that that's that was their statement. >> Um so um >> that's not a very good picture and a very good thought for sure. >> And then I had one more question about the um to use one of our schools that we are going

146to be vacating for the Graten STEM Education Center. Could could we ever use Claw Chester for that? Would it be as expensive if you used one section of that school since it's so centrally located? the there was an engineering study previously done while Mr. Greenleaf was here which indicated that the structure of that building that that um the underpinnings of the gym and stuff were not uh would not support such uh for instance the robotics uh if you saw the robotics uh equipment it's you're talking about very I mean tons of equipment that they use lathes and uh milling machines etc. So, um, without doing another study and having an engineer come in there and take a look at it, I would I wouldn't say yes or no to that without doing that first. >>

147Okay, >> hang on. >> Um, the school that was at the Northeast site prior to Northeast, did does anybody >> remember if that school I mean it was it had mold issues? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> It's a wet site. >> So, we know it's a wet site. So, as we move forward with the Cutler site, we know that's a wet site. >> It is, believe me, it floods a lot in that area. >> Actually, they're raising it 3 ft, right? >> The Cutler, the new Cutler Elementary. >> Yeah, that's going to that has to be raised in order to build a building on it. Yes, >> that is excellent. >> The architecture. Um, as far as using SP Butler as a STEM for a community center or for the Falcons, what I'm hearing from

148the numerous stores that I have knocked on and believe me, it's been a lot of doors in district six and seven and three and anyway, it's all over. They are actually supportive of putting because we've got the Fitch Middle as a community center. They're actually thinking that it's not a bad horrible plan to keep one school that we can eventually that we keep up that we can use as a swing space if we ever need it and to keep it viable as I think the I didn't even think of a STEM center but we have talked about using it as a preschool na nursery school building um putting centralizing all those but yeah I've gotten a lot of positive I think we might be able to get support Mhm. >> Keeping that as an active

149playgrounds and it it's really a beautiful >> town supported. That's why it's here. >> I can't promise you everybody, but I >> Right. Well, that's why it's on the um >> I'll take you with me if you want to go for a walk. >> No, we we put it there for for that reason. >> That's all those new buildings. >> Oh, >> Jay, did you have another comment? >> Uh, no. I think I've said enough. >> Do we have Do we have any other um questions? Nope. >> Well, the question I have is I have to tomorrow >> Let Let me Let me tell you what I think we have. We have a football field that I'm sensing consensus >> put that in for $200,000. Move those portables. We'll work to with the architects. If

150they could be permanent, that would be delightful. um $14,000 plus O'Neal recommendation as a placeholder. We'll see where we are with humidity as we and and uh active dehumidification. Um so the big question that I have for the board is I could put in $750,000 and we know that the town if we don't put anything then the town won't consider it. If we put 750,000 in as a placeholder, then we have a conversation. >> Okay. >> You know how much are people are in agreement to that? >> Um I I still would like to know the difference with Cloudchester as a more central spot. >> I know you hear that that's a central spot, but Sam has continuously talked about that a while ago. >> Let's have one >> conversation. I I still think we

151need to compare them. I mean, >> well, it wouldn't be $750,000 because we've already removed the asbestos. So, what we could do, Rita, is put this in as a placeholder. Uh talk about the study, which hopefully wouldn't be too expensive, would it? I mean, could we could we have that could we conduct that within our operating budget? >> Probably not. I would say Well, uh it'd probably be at least $50,000 to do a study like that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, but this goes back to the the RTM town council conversation that we've had that we're keep on going over and over again. I'm in favor of putting place over for $750,000 that we can then have a conversation because we can always take it out. >> We might and we might switch it. >>

152Okay. >> But I I just think um we've had this conversation 750 >> over and over. >> Okay. So here here's a vote. 200,000 bucks football field, $125,000 portables, 104 as a placeholder for the uh indoor air quality, and $750,000 for the the roof and the uh asbestos abatement at SB Baller. Katrina, I wanted to clarify before we moved on. The study would be $50,000. You're estimating. Yeah. Okay. Um or can we look at the study? Can they we just get an updated from what's already been done? >> I have to find that study first. >> Okay. Well, that would be a good place to >> We'll do that. >> Yeah, that that makes sense. We'll get on that right away. >> And can we get a written Can we get something written about it?

153>> Sure, absolutely. >> All right. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of um the the FY21 CIP, please say I. I. >> Opposed. >> Abstain. Motion has carried. >> One abstension. Rita. >> Okay. Jane, would you be willing to read the motion for number two of new business? Just the motion, not the discussion, please. >> It's at the bottom of page two. >> Okay. To approve the uh 2020 uh 21 and the 2021 and 22 school calendars. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> I got question. >> No, Raspberry just seconding. So um the discussion is we this is another one of those examples where we've had lots of conversation within our committee as a whole on this. Um do we need to have any more discussion on this folks?

154I think the biggest change that we had was that we um are going to um define the graduation date um in February versus trying to set it right now because we just don't the unknowns of snow days and that because um Fitch has moved away from the postgraduation party um it it makes us more flexible for doing that and this brings us back to having Columbus Day um on that It it brings us back to Columbus Day and two days for President's weekend. And at least on mine, it still says graduation, but we need to strike that. >> That's right. >> We're not going to on neither. The last one doesn't have it. So on the 2021, I'm I'm scratching out 625 graduation. Uh and and that decision will be made in February. And maybe

155that can be added to the school calendar. Is that graduation >> graduation to be deter? Yeah. Okay. >> Determined in in February so that people know Yep. >> that we're we haven't just had a absent-minded moment. Lee >> um we in other words for Thanksgiving the the four days that's both next year and the year after. >> Yep. It's the Jay White memorial holiday. >> Thank you Jay >> Andrea. I just have a question about Dr. Ferrer said Columbus Day, but the calendar says indigenous people day and I wonder why we changed that. >> Oh, >> I think we talked about it needed to go back to Columbus Day because that is sort of what the state has it not that necessarily the board >> and the contract has it that way too. >> Yeah,

156I didn't even catch that. Thank you. >> I'll change it to Columbus. >> All right. One one more thing I think we should point out that the calendars for um next year and the year after the school will start after Labor Day >> in order to make sure that the construction of the new middle school is going smoothly and we're all in. Give people a chance to move in and also the two new elementary schools. So both they both years will be at the Tuesday after Labor Day which is great. So that's why we're going longer in June because we the the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a full day. There's just a number of things in here besides the day after um starting after Labor Day. >> And if people can help us with the

157snow days, that would be great. >> Right. They have any if they have any >> clouts with the weather. >> All right. So, do I need to make an amendment on that since we've changed a couple things or just clarified? >> Clarified. >> Okay. Okay. But we didn't amend it. Okay. >> All right. So, any further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor of approving the 2020 2021 and the 2021 school calendars, please say I. Oppose. >> Abstain. Motion has carried. All right. >> Point of personal order. I'd like to uh recognize Joan Johnson for keeping us honest. >> All right. I absolutely appreciate that. I appreciate you very much. Um Rosemary, would you please be willing to read motion for number three, please? >> This is a motion to approve the class size guidelines.

158Right. >> Right. Can I have a second? Second. I've got Lee discussion. >> This is these are the guidelines that the board approved last year. So K1 uh you can see at the 20 a little bit higher for grades uh two and three at 23 and grades four through 12 maximum uh would be 25. Um although in in in practice we we we really try to keep class sizes uh uh to 23 when when it gets above 23 we we are concerned but there are some special areas where we only have a certain number of stations like technology education um and some of the uh I know some of the music classes are considerably larger than that >> some of the special a classes are smaller than that uh counselor ratio, library media specialists and

159so forth. U uh the these are what was passed last year. Any other Rita? I have a question about um the media specialists at the high school and how many are there? If you could get back to us. >> I think there's just one. >> I know that. And I've I've so I've always questioned why we have 500 to one when there's over,00 students at the high school >> and and and there will be next year at the middle school. >> So that's what I was curious what they were going what you were going to do at the middle school if there were going to be two media specialists or just one. >> My thought was just one. So we >> well then it doesn't meet our gu well I mean not that it has

160these are just guidelines from the board of education but you need to if there is just one media specialist there always has to be like a library >> a library yes that's true >> and I know the high school has it but it's difficult >> and the middle school will have one too >> yeah it's still difficult and I know I'd like you to review um the guidance counselors at the high school um I do believe that now that our um the number of students here has gone down. I think some of them have like 150 to one guidance counselors to students. So I think we should review to see the the size of our you know high school and our how many guidance counselors we have and do we have to adjust it for

161our middle school? Could one maybe be moved down to the middle school now that you know we have almost the same amount middle school? Okay, we'll we'll take a look at that. >> But that but that doesn't have anything to do necessarily about the class size. >> But I just wanted since we were talking about them, I wanted to make sure we address them. >> No, I think that that's great. >> Ted has recommendations on that, too. So >> awesome. Review. >> Any other conversations about the guidelines for the class sizes for this upcoming year? >> All right. Hearing none. All those in favor to approve the class size guidelines that presented, please say I. I oppose >> one opposition. Any abstain? The motion has carried. That would be Gretchen. Yep. >> Yep. >> All

162right. So, we're going to be moving on to attachment number 10, which is the 2020 board meeting schedule. Um, which has to get into the town. Is that the town clerk? Is that correct? >> Yeah. So it looks like um once again we can always we can always add a meeting it becomes a special meeting or um we can cancel if we don't see that we have enough business to hold a meeting. Any questions? Yeah I I really feel that that's too many meetings in the summer that you know it was always a little reduced. We have quite a few. >> You have a motion. >> Oh, for make a motion. >> Yeah. Could we have a Yeah. Can we second it? >> Could you just make a motion to for the >> We read

163the motion. No, no one read it. >> Nobody read it. >> I'll read it. Thank you. Sorry. To approve the 2020 board meeting schedule. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Pick. >> All right. Discussion. >> Okay. I I feel that there should be one less meeting, one of the less CO meetings in the summer. >> It's difficult to get people together and um >> we actually only have >> I I would propose July 20 and August 17th get get cancelled. >> That's what I was thinking. Which ones? Which ones? >> August 17. >> Keep keep 13 and 27. CO and a board meeting and keep 10 and 24, >> but cancel 20 July 20 and August 17th. >> Hard to get a quorum for this. >> Both both. >> Anyway, >> or one?

164>> No, both. >> Both. >> People in agreement to that. >> I will agree as long as they promises a birthday cake on August 10th. >> Okay. >> All right. >> We'll write that down. And Jay, uh, with your permission, I I put in second line from the bottom, the first Monday of the month, uh, will be at at 6:00 p.m. We we could meet uh, G given the new circumstances, if >> that's okay with you. >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Great. >> All righty. So, do I have to have this is just clarifying again. Okay. All right. So any further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor of approving the Graten Board of Education Committee meetings for 2020, please say I. >> Oppose. >> Abstain. The motion has carried. >> So we now

165need to move on to the two that were given to us um earlier in the day. Well, the night, sorry. Um, and Lee, would you please read the motion for number nine? >> I will. A motion uh to approve a hiking club field trip May 20th through 23rd, 2020 to New Hampshire. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> There's Rosemary for the second. Dr. Grineer. >> Well, I I think we've typed this quickly today. discussion regarding uh could we put in a a a Charles Barnum school hiking field trip? That that's what this this is Mr. Danner's trip a CB hiking club. [Applause] uh th this is the trip he has taken many years ago with the middle school and uh now the fourth year I think uh with Charles Barnum and I

166know he's been conducting his Friday experiences I think next weekend they're going to have instate they're going to have an overnight so it's it's really a remarkable program and which includes by the way students in the regular program as well as uh sometimes students from the academy program and it's just really well he's a remarkable person and the program is terrific. >> Do we have any other further discussion about this? This is something we approved for several years. >> All right, hearing none. All those in favor to approve the Charles Barnum Hiking Club field trip May 20th to the 23rd and 2020 to New Hampshire, please say I. >> I oppose. Abstain. The motion has carried. Rita, would you please um approve? Would you please? Yeah. Would you please approve? >> Um would you I

167think what I need you to do is would you please read the motion >> for number 10? >> Yes. The motion is to approve the operation of Charles Barnum Elementary School as a magnet school beginning in the fall of 2020-2021. Can I have a second to this? >> No, sorry. That's wrong. >> It's it's stretch out. It's just 21. 21. >> Yeah. It's not next fall. Uh it's it's the fall after >> 2021. >> Beginning in the fall of 2021. >> Just just scratch out 2020. >> Thank you. >> It has been seconded, Andrea. >> So, this is also something to Jay's point that we've had lots of conversation about. Um uh but that because it is um it is sort of um holding all of our elementary schools um with a magnet with a

168magnet themed program. Rita, >> I do feel it should say as an intra district magnet school a true magnet school. I really feel that all our magnet schools are intra >> district intra. >> Thank you Rita. >> Thank you. So we could um and then the theme is to be determined. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Do you want to put that in the motion? Theme to be deter. >> Okay. >> Well, all right. >> All right. So, we'll just amend it to intra district. >> Okay. So, I don't need an amendment. We're just clarif clarifying or Okay. All those in favor of the motion that's on the floor to approve the operation of Charles Barnum Elementary School as an intra district magnet school for the fall of 2021, please say I. I >> oppose. Abstain.

169The motion has carried. So what's left on our agenda is the the that the possibility that we're going to be going into an executive session. I do want to call the board board's attention to that would be just number seven. that we just need more information for number six to happen. So, that's going to be scratched and um eight I think I already mentioned and that was about the contract. So, because we have so many good folks that are here, I'm just would like the opportunity to be able to put a placeholder on that, have us continue the rest in terms of just communications with the rest of the um with the rest of us and then go back into an executive session. Does that does that meet people's needs? So, Katrina, do you have

170any letters or communications? >> Um, I think I got the the same email thread that everyone else did um about the robotics team. I went to the Sounds by the Sea. That was a lot of fun. And then the principal's retirement party, the high school principal retirement party and my committee meetings. Not much. Gretchen, >> I've been very occupied with things that have to do with schools and have heard from many, many people and I've told them, "Please write it down and email me." >> Okay, great. >> It's a good strategy. >> If I sit here, I'll be talking to you all night long. >> All right. Is that it? >> That's it. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Great people, though. Fantastic experience talking to hundreds of people in town. Just walking. Hey, I'm >>

171Thank you. >> It's been fabulous. >> Thank you. I'm glad. Jane, >> I did something a bit different. Um, as a Rotarian, I visited uh Barnum uh school um to help distribute dictionaries and what they learned. >> Oh, great. >> What I learned was great. The kids were so enthusiastic. Um they were pleased. They recalled the dictionaries that their older brothers and sisters got for Rory and they still have them. So now they have their own. Um it was delightful. It really was. They were just extremely It was like Christmas morning in these classrooms and I'm serious about it. They they respect the the dictionaries. They enjoy using them and they were just extremely pleased. >> Yay. >> Um I then went to with everyone else to the MLK dinner um and and thoroughly enjoyed

172it. I was thinking back to maybe 15 years ago when I attended that same dinner. And back then the the recipients were extremely shy, extremely quiet and how times have changed. The kids this year were so full of life. They were sure of themselves. They didn't mind talking about growing up um in families uh enduring serious very serious problems. We can only imagine. Um they talked about their traumas. For example, u you know things that had changed and molded them. One boy told about um being attacked by two pitbulls who removed his ears. >> Um that was his trauma. This boy was just chosen as first cadet at the Coast Guard Academy starting in the fall. >> Yeah. >> Um one girl talked about having her bedroom in the trunk of a car. She had

173a pillow, a comforter, and an open trunk. It was that sort of thing. But the kids in um for the most part were extremely enthusiastic, very sure of themselves, and have their rightful place in society now. They're not whispering, and they're proud of of what they're doing. Um they talked about activities that were involved in in the community and in their school. Um and how they've grown and how proud they are to have received the scholarship. Um thanks to this lady. Yes, >> that evening was wonderful. Um, we got to see um the the video uh tapes of the videos of the the kids getting word that they were recipients. Um, we learned where the kids are going to school and what they what majors they are or fields of work that they're interested in

174for good reason. One girl wants to be a neurosurgeon because she had a very serious medical problem and is alive to tell about it. They're very serious, very mature kids. Um, and she has worked with kids I don't know how long, but uh, she threw herself into getting this just right with the kids. And that because of her work, the families were treated well. They were proud to be there. The kids spoke right up, were proud to be there. Um and the guests were ecstatic, really ecstatic about um the donations that the companies and organizations are making to help these kids. So kudos um kudos. I was just a wonderful wonderful evening. >> I wish I could take all the credit. The the Martin Luther King board of trustees is is entirely voluntary and the

175whole team of of of board membership works diligently throughout the year. So, I'm happy that I get to get the the kudos for the things that you see, but the things that you don't see are far more far more serious than what what we've done. But thank you for that and I thank you for from the scholars. She practices all year working at the Coast Guard Academy. So, she's just in sync with these kids and is a perfect person to do this. >> Thank you. Um I I I did want to mention the the MLK dinner only in in as much as uh in in addition to the the scholars and all of the and it was a capacity crowd this year. 700 people came to listen to this and to celebrate with the with

176the recipients. But among those are two uh two uh eighth grade students from each of the middle schools in um in New London County and one of their parents which we support through donations. And it was a wonderful thing to see the scholars speak to to those um middle school students and just encourage them with their with their words and as you said with their with their experiences and to encourage them not to give up. the uh I wanted to mention in particular our our scholar from Fitch High School which is who is Melissa Manuso and in addition to that Aaliyah Staten who is town counselor Julia Park Parker's daughter and Juliet I should say and Aia Brown of course who is the number one recruit at the the Coast Guard Academy and the admiral

177himself went to Marine Science to to give him his appointment and in addition to that AI Brown is the captain captain of Fitch High School's field and track and cross country teams >> and basketball. >> Oh, and basketball. Yes. >> Holy cow. I miss that. Anyway, that's what I've been up to and thank you very much. Oh, and we had two more things. One of the things is something that Mr. Newsome said tonight and I' I've been thinking about that. The community space at Cutler and I if we do attend to that, I would like to see something at at Westside for that community as well. >> Yes. And the second thing is I heard you say and that is there will be 30 students from Westside and 30 students from Cutler who visit the

178site and I'm wondering if we could combine those so that's not from Cutler from Westside but a combination of >> school students. We're trying to do that. >> Okay. I I just wanted to highlight and Addy knows this is true. Not only do they make their speech in front of 700 students, but we had a group of 50 students and they said to Melissa, "Can you give your speech again and how great did she deliver it?" She delivered it with complete poise and the kids, you know, your peers in the round. She was wow walking around. I mean, she gave that speech and it was just it was remarkable. I was a little uncomfortable asking her in front of her peers and she delivered it and boy, she is >> Dr. Manus >> she when

179they when she said I will be Dr. Manuso that place just erupted. It it was very impressive. >> Jay >> and um I regret that for the first time in years um I had reserved a seat at the MLK dinner but uh >> I enjoyed your dessert. Thank you. >> Thank you so I was unable to attend but uh uh I'm beginning to think that Mystic Meritt may need to um expand their facilities. >> Yeah. Uh because how many people feel? >> Do you have um other things for Okay, Rosemary. >> Um I was not also unable I was also unable to attend um because of my coughing jag which I thank you for the cough drop. >> Oh, >> it's much better. >> Can you imagine what it would have been like there >>

180things that you've attended? >> I also went to the farm to school um dinner which was delicious. >> Yeah. And I was able through Yale to attend a workshop on pediatric concussions which was very informative. >> Great. Thank you. >> Especially the changes in the treatment. >> Thank you. Really? >> I went to the marching band which was wonderful. I went to Joe's retirement dinner which was just great fun and delicious food. Um I went to the farm to school dinner. Um, God, I can't even read what I said. Uh, the MLK dinner, of course. And also on my way here tonight, I noticed that the screens um of the fences are gone. >> So that when you drive right up here, you can see everything. Um, I'm just It's very tingly, isn't it? >>

181It's pretty cool, huh? >> It's what I've been doing. >> All right, Rita. Um, I did all the things that attended everything that that Lee did the farm to table. I was really impressed with the culinary arts students that their apple crisp was not they also had a gluten-free can of apple crisp that was just really delicious. So, that was really nice. Um, the MLK dinner was phenomenal and also the band competition in Mr. Rockar Reese's retirement party and I attended a a soccer game also which was fun. >> I didn't see you did something. >> I did one more thing. >> Um so I have attended most things that that have been mentioned. I did not make it to the farm to table. So um so it has been a very busy month for

182us. I I do wanted to let people know that I h we um I have received the same emails as everyone else did about the robotics and it's actually Dr. um Grineer is sort of on that and handling sort of that that and we will be having a committee of the whole um conversation just so that the board could be um more updated on that. Um, just wanted to let people know that there was a anonymous letter that was given to a couple or at least one board member, but another board members have been approached um about uh about some things. And so that is in our human resource um director's um hands um for for her to kind of take a look at. But just wanted to let people know that um there is

183a fraud hotline that's available for people to use um if they if they um foresee that. And also um the board does hold a policy for whistleblower um so that which basic basically means that they will that they will not suffer any bring something forward that they will not suffer anything. So we just wanted to make sure that they knew about that. Just for the board to know as well is that I received a um uh correspondence um this morning from Claire Rogers who's doing a lot of the senior activities and there has not been a discussion or decision made by the senior class and so the parents are not wanting to kind of go any further about the afterparty um for the prom. So that it's basically in limbo and that's and that's sort

184of where that is. All right. Um, so moving forward, just to look that we have the advanced planning. If you thought October was busy, you should probably take a look at November. Um, and that down below is the meeting dates for the town bodies, November 6. Um, and I just need to see if there's um willingness for people to do that since it's the day after election. Um, so I don't know how people are going to feel about that, but I will throw that out to um the the body um that leazison body. Um, and so Rita, I I heard you say a couple things about suggested agenda items is really having Dr. Grineer look at what what did that mean for in terms of budget for media specialists. >> Um, I didn't see that

185guidance and guidance and guidance counselors. So, I didn't necessarily see that as an agenda item outside of that is part of the the budget discussions. Um, we might want to I I mean I'd also like to look at the class sizes. We haven't had an update on on all the schools, the class sizes. >> So, you would like to have an agenda item on the uh on what the current class sizes are. >> Yeah. And which would include the guidance counselors and everything. >> Okay. That that actually makes perfect sense. >> And and I just want I thought the board had a policy that we couldn't actually address um something that was written to us that wasn't signed. I don't know. >> Well, the the only the only difference is if you remember last year

186>> the auditor suggested uh including a fraud hotline and >> and and and that is anonymous. Uh somebody can call in. >> I meant something addressed to the board and correct it is just placed in the human resource file. >> That's what I thought. Y that's what I remembered. All right. But we never not everybody gets to see it. >> Right. So that that's correct because it's Right. Um we are now going to um I will take a motion to have us go into an executive session for purposes Thank you. So for purposes of um the discussion of uh retirement um and I I would like to add to that motion that we invite Dr. Grineer, Mr. Knight, and >> Susan >> and Susan. Mhm. >> I think so. >> All right. >> Yes, please.

187>> All right. >> Not add any. >> So moved. >> So So moved. >> All right. >> Um second. >> Katrina has seconded. All right. So we are now going to be going into executive session. Um, and so if if people could