12-14-20 Groton Board of Education Meeting

001They said it's going to be the biggest storm in five years. >> Is that right? >> Really? Oh, I didn't hear that. >> Oh my. >> Really? >> Oh, I didn't know that. >> All right. Because we do have a quorum and it is 6:02. I am going to call the special meeting for the Graten Regular Board of Education um to order. And it is it is 602 um and we do have a quorum. Dr. Grineer, >> I am wondering since this will be your last regular board meeting. >> A >> um if you would be willing to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> Sure, I'd be happy to. >> Oh, >> I pledge allegiance >> allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America >> and to the republic >>

002to the republic for which it stands. One nation, >> one nation >> under God, >> indivisible with liberty, indivisible, justice for ally and justice. >> Justice for all. >> Kim? >> Yes, sir. >> Uh, right after this image, I have the national anthem that the middle school did. >> Oh, wow. That would be very cool. >> Okay. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] That was shared by Lisa Gay's orchestra at Grten Middle School. >> Wow, >> that's great. That was amazing. I think I saw Jamal. Is Peter also on this Zoom? >> Not seeing Peter. Jamal is here. >> Okay, just Jamal. Um, kudos to the Graten Middle School. Thank you very much. That is great. >> Dr. Dr. Grineer. Yes. >> Uh, do we have any recognition or participation of

003visitors and delegates? >> No, I don't think so. >> Okay. Okay. I'm going to move us on to the comments from citizens. Uh, this is the portion of the agenda where the board welcomes comments from citizens. Each presentation should be limited to five minutes or less and citizens should, if possible, submit written comments. Presentation should be related to matters pertinent to Grten. Board members will only ask questions in order to clarify the speaker's presentation and cannot respond during the comments of citizen portion of the board meeting. Citizens should and state their names and addresses for the record. Miss Joan, do you know if there is anyone that has contacted you that they were interested in? No, no one has contacted me. >> Okay. For those people who have more skills looking at the screen and

004talking at the same time, um that would not be me. Do we know of anyone that has any um any if there is a citizen who would like to make a comment to the board? If you can somehow notify me either through chat or raising your hand, that would be very delightful. All right, hearing none, I'm going to move us on um to student representative report. Do we get anything in writing? Do we have our student reps here? >> I, you know, I don't think we just Let me check. I'm sorry. I don't think we do. All right. So then, Miss Dr. Grineer, you're on. >> Well, I since this is my uh my my last board meeting, I thought I'd uh m make a few comments and let me start by saying my my

005wife mentioned this this would be a this would be a good time to to to look back. It's as uh as as Jay Whiteoff knows, this is seven years to the day. I I will leave. I started on the 1 of January uh 2014 and so I am finishing up seven years and and she encouraged me to to look back on all the district's accomplishments and but she also observed as my wife often does that I didn't get here alone. Uh I know she was suggesting that I receive some uh some uh support from the home which go God knows is true. U but I I I did I did want to observe that there were lots of people and I feel so incredibly proud to be part of of this district. Uh but as

006I as I look back just just quickly of course I see a legacy of the 2020 uh graten plan uh that that so many people made possible. We we are in the process of building one already is completed and two uh new uh elementary schools one combined uh middle school. We have created an international balorate campus uh between the high school and the middle school. We are in the process of closing four older and more costly facilities. And and the other thing that the board recently made possible is that starting in the fall, we will be a 100% elementary magnet district. Uh all of that was was really accomplished uh in this remarkably magical time. I I I I came here I I I know at a very pivotal time. I was very lucky to

007to come to Graten at that time. I think the community was ready for a partnership. Obviously, we proposed the the largest referendum in Connecticut state history. I was praying that we would only lose by 5% because the earlier one had lost by 75%. And wouldn't you know uh it it it passed and and so when I think back and I I I I think that my journey really began with a small group of people uh and I have a I have a poster in my office that that that reflects that. It's a quote from Margaret me, the the great 20th century uh anthropologist, and she said that never doubt that a small group of of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, and indeed it's the only thing that ever has. Uh my my journey

008began with the with the school facilities initiative task force. Uh Andrea smiling because she was there every month. and uh and Susan uh joined us a a after a while. And if I'm leaving anyone out, I apologize. But we we worked and worked and worked and we finally got a a a basic understanding and then we all got together. The second group was a uh what we called our stakeholder group in the in the spring of 2014 and we we put together a plan that uh that settled the issue whether it was going to be one or two middle schools and we we settled on the the notion of international baloria campus and so we had our whole plan put together. We we knew that by having magnet elementary schools, we'd be able to do

009away with redistricting and yet uh have racial balance. U and so a month later like this is a bad novel. Uh, I I I got a I got a letter from the state board of education saying that our schools are out of racial balance and and we had four months to put together a plan to address the racial balance. So, I simply took actually Kim and I uh went to the state board of ed in January of 2015 to be exact uh and we said here's this plan uh and it will address racial balancing but also it will bring a great in addition to equity it will bring excellence and will be more efficient for the town and so forth. I remember a a few people said to Kim and me, you know, lot lots

010of luck. I wasn't sure if they meant that somewhat sarcastically or not, but we we we then went to another small group that Susan was instrumental in. And that was a a graten 2020 pack and we we we started to make clear to the citizens why we thought it was important. and we did focus groups and we did signs and we did letters and uh and lo and behold that now that was in in 15. It took us a whole year uh year and a half actually. So, in in November of 2016, there was this election, uh, the big huge national election, and we knew there would be a huge audience, and we figured that'd bring great credibility. And to our great delight and amazement, uh, it passed. $184,000, uh, $184 million. I I confuse

011my millions and thousands from time to time. Uh actually$184 and a half million dollars with the state paying approximately half uh which was a great deal of course for Grten. Uh and so we then proceeded on our path and so for me it's about partnership. the the board has been an enormously powerful uh partner for me. I also want to acknowledge the town councils, not just the current one, but the former town councils uh the the current and former RTM I I've had as I as a as I look at Beth and and Chris, I I I've been really blessed. We meet I meet and Susan also now meets monthly with our association leadership and it has led to what I consider to be a absolutely a rockolid foundation for our work which is not

012to say is a sweetheart uh deal. Uh we we had plenty of uh contentious issues but the leadership that I experienced I feel very very fortunate to to have uh been a part of. And then of course I'm so I'm so pleased with the administration, the faculty, the staff. You know, time and time again, I hear anecdotes about what what's going on and and where where things are occurring and people going the extra mile for kids and and of course I have a I have a hidden u a hidden source of information in that I have three grandchildren uh who uh were until recently. one of them graduated uh students in Grton public schools and and I must say so many times I would go to concerts or music events and the thing that always

013shocked me and I I' been a school administrator as Jamie knows for a long time because I was her principal or assistant principal uh I've been around schools for a long time and I have never heard kids cheer for their peers the way Fitch High School students do. It's really amazing. Usually I see uh quiet uh you know not quiet but you know clapping and so forth but the kids the kids in Fitch and the kids in Grant generally just have a a genuine love and and and real support of their of their classmates and it's it's it's really amazing and and then on the diversity front many of you know I've been involved with diversity education for uh several decades now. In the first time I walked into Fitch Fitch High School cafeteria, I

014figured I would see the white kids with the white kids and the black kids with the black kids and the Hispanic kids and so forth because you almost always see that at high schools and that was not true. I I was I was amazed and that was the thing that gave me the confidence to really encourage people to have one middle school uh for Graten. our kids get along and it is uh it is amazing to me and as I say I see it with the kids I see it I see it with with my my grandchildren and and as one of the things one of the best things I I I think I've done and I expect Susan will agree is uh two hours every Tuesday and Thursday morning uh we visited classrooms and

015uh in time after time after time I just I chatted chatted with kids and I chatted with teachers and and and saw the kind of work that has been been going on. And then of course now with this crazy pandemic, I I I I go to meetings and people talk about breakout rooms and Seessaw and I didn't even know what these things were uh six months ago. And we we have become very accomplished at at at that. And and so for me, for my seven years here in I'm actually wrapping up, I guess, uh 30 30 something years in in in southeastern Connecticut. I I came here as an English teacher once upon a time when I taught at the Coastg Guard Academy and uh thoroughly enjoyed my time there. And then I joined Jamie

016and her her mother and her father being my mentor who was the principal of New London High School. and and then I went up to northeastern Connecticut to Chris's neck of the woods and served uh there and first at Torat Memorial High and then as a a rookie superintendent in in in Putham and then back to to to Ledger for for 11 years which was a really a terrific run that I enjoyed a great deal and and uh and then here for for seven years which I I never I I I certainly didn't think I was going to stay for for for seven years. So, for me, it it's been a just really an honor and and I just keep thinking about pride. I I'm just so proud of this district. I'm proud of what

017we have accomplished and I will remain in graten and be the cheerleader uh on the sidelines every step of the way. So, thanks for uh giving me my moment to chat with you. That's it for me. >> I am so very thankful that you know you didn't talk about the part about the fact that you were going to buy yourself some shinuards because um we would have inerson meetings. I was known to kind of give a swift kick um you know but um so I'm I'm happy to hear that you say that and yes what an incredible ride the seven years have been. I have been doing some thinking about that as well and it is wow. >> Yeah. >> Um it is wow. So I always never wanted you to go on your vacations

018because we was always due for something major to have happen. >> Yeah. Right. That's true. Susan knows that. I would go to Florida and we'd send the W2s to Africa. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. >> Oh, sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned that. >> Yeah. Right. So, um Mike, thank you very much. And uh I think that that was a a nice concise but um uh not there's so much more stuff um that is in between. But thank you very much for um sharing that with the board and with the community at whole. >> I I do I do want to mention one thing. I I see that he He Heather Summers has has has signed on and uh she was the one who appointed the the the the school facility initiative task force. And >> and

019I also want to say that there was a there was that time after we passed the referendum that we were I was desperately trying to get another $10 million uh through the diversity education grant and and Heather was was instrumental. We we begged Lenny Winkler to get us a meeting with the commissioner and Heather and I went up and made our case and gave us the 10 million bucks. And so it's really been it's been a magical ride for me. >> I'm sure that that's exactly the words that you use have used every single day. With that said, Susan, I'm going to move on to you as the assistant. Actually, this is going to be your last report as an assistant superintendent um for the Graten Board of Education because in January you will be

020the superintendent of Groten. And so, here's to your last assistant superintendent report. >> Yeah, thank you. >> It's bittersweet, but at least we know where to find Mike. he's going to be he's always been my mentor and my coach and I stand ready but it wouldn't have been without him you know so I do applaud him. Um so my report is really where are we and after two weeks of going remote after the holidays we are back hybrid and here comes the snow. So here we are in New England. Um, so we're hoping to get another couple days of hybrid before the snow comes on Wednesday night to Thursday and um, we'll be sending out some official messaging, but it looks like it's going to be a whopper and we're thinking it needs to be

021a snow day. Um, just don't know about the winds and how people will get on and we kind of feel kids need to have a snow day. So, um, so hopefully it'll just be Thursday and we'll be back again and, um, ready to go until, um, the Christmas holidays, which start, um, the 23rd is a half day remote Wednesday, and then off we go to the holidays. And Mike and I had made the decision to do a one week with some of the new information um, one week after the holidays. We certainly think the two weeks after Thanksgiving provided us enough time to really um forecast and see what was happening in our own school community so we could prepare. Although there is you know much absenteeism, we are figuring out how to cover those

022classes and um you know we just are continuing as much as possible to make those contacts with kids and you know make progress in that way. So that's really my report. Thank you. >> So, Mr. Knight. >> Yes. Hello. >> Hello, sir. >> So, we're going to go over our object code summary, which was attachment one uh that you received. Uh this is showing that we have a projected unexpended balance uh for the year of 322,155. Uh this is a little bit better than what we looked at last month. Uh one of the things that uh came uh that we uh solidified this past month was that our out of district general education tuitions are are down uh about 139,000 from budget. Uh this is the result of uh we're noticing a decrease in the

023number of students uh in out of district. Um, and then it's a combination, I think, of of COVID, homeschooling, and then hopefully some of those uh kids coming back uh and staying in district. >> Uh, we anticipate that there might be some uh in the special education. Um, >> right now, >> but uh we're still receiving those contracts in Can I just interrupt you for just a second? For those who are not talking, could you please put yourself on mute so that we don't have as much of the background noise? Thank you very much. Can continue. >> Sure. Uh so but at this point we're we we have special education tuition. Uh we're holding that at budget, but uh we'll continue to monitor that as uh as we go along. Um uh so that that's

024kind of what's driving that 322,000 unexpended uh balance at this point. And any are there any questions about the object code reports? Okay. Were was the finance and facilities were we able to kind of go through that? Um and did you guys talk about that? >> Uh yes. When we met on November 30th, we went through um everything line by line. So, um, obviously it's very fluid. Things can change. Um, but, um, we did get a full report. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> On to the health insurance report, which was uh the attachment two. Uh, so this report is through October uh, of 2020. So the month of October uh was the claims came in at 78% of budget. Uh and year to date uh they're at 68% of budget. So we're continuing

025to see um um the claims coming in lower than budget significantly. Uh we are told by our um our health insurance uh agent that uh we should expect these uh this to to come back at some point that um uh these non-essential medical services that were propon post postponed or rescheduled uh will will catch up with us at some point. Um uh but what this is uh having the effect of doing is it's it's increasing our health insurance reserve because uh these claims aren't coming in as budgeted >> and uh we anticipate the reserve uh to be somewhere conservatively around 5 million at the end of the uh end of the year. And so that's part of the reason why uh Mike and Susan and I feel comfortable um uh using some of that reserve

026next year uh um to offset the health insurance expense. Uh so uh that kind of what we went over last uh last week when we talked about uh the budget for next year. We would anticipate we'll utilize some of the health insurance reserve uh uh then Any comments about that? >> Could you mention about the sorry about the budget book? >> Yeah. So, we anticipate having a budget book. Uh maybe not all the pages, but at least the um uh the the pages that have the uh object code and the uh section that has the function codes. uh have that to you sometime before the holiday so you can have time uh to review it over the holiday because I know that's what you want to do and uh we can we can jump right

027into it. Christmas >> after the new year >> because my guess is that health reserve is going to have quite a bit to play in terms of understanding that though it seems that there's a lot of money there. We really need to be mindful of the fact that um we are really going people who have no who have with all right um have postponed um doctor's appointments and surgeries and such um that we we can't let that kind of go at down as much as we think that there's a twinkle in our eyes about that. >> That's right. They they tell us that we should hold an additional reserve more than we would typically uh of around a million to a million and a half to to account for these postponed and um and rescheduled

028um um appointments and services. >> Any other comments for Ken? And Ken, thank you for um getting together that budget book as quickly as possible. I really appreciate that. >> You're welcome. Mr. Kilpatrick, where are you? Oh, there you are. I can't hear you though, sir. >> Good evening. >> Get it? >> Oh, now I can. >> So, I have about four items I want to uh talk about tonight. So, the first item is the Fitch High School asbestous abatement project for the summer of 2020. Um, and at this point I'm uh waiting uh for some signatures on the signatory pages uh that are out to uh different people throughout the community. Uh and uh also the uh certified minutes from both the board and from the town council uh indicating that uh we have

029permission to move forward with this. Once we receive that, we'll be putting the whole package together and Ken and I will submit this to the state uh with a request for approval on the project. I might note that uh one of the one of the projects that uh we had to do this past week uh speaking of asbestous, we had some water damage at Fitch High School which caused some uh um hot tiles to buckle. Uh so we actually had to have uh the contractor to come in and do a uh a quick uh abatement project at the high school across from the bank. So it was a small area, but uh we were fortunate that the kids were out of the out of the building anyways. Uh and so we were able to do

030it uh without having to close the school down. Um but this um indicates th this just shows that it's important for us to get this done at this time. Anyways, uh second second item is school buildings update. Uh the 2020 projects both at Thes River and Mystic River continue to move along uh pretty quickly. Um very good progress there. At Grten Middle School, uh they're working on the punch list and they're uh I see that the roofers are are almost done. Most of that punch list uh should be done by the end of this month. So we should have uh full um occupation of the building and and approvals for for the entire building by the end of the month. Um couple of the projects that we did uh while the kids were out of

031the school um were again that asbestous abatement project at Fitch High School. We also um uh with with the temperatures being down in the buildings because the kids were out of the buildings uh uh for longer periods of times, we've uh cut back on some of the um fuel usage and uh so uh we had some peeling paint in the uh in the wood shop at the high school. So, we were able to get in there and take care of that. Uh and uh I'm also working on a project right now uh working with contractors to get estimates on uh the project for the uh old gym at the high school because again that the walls um are are peeling in there and and again the cooler temperatures haven't helped it any and uh it's

032a pretty important it with u once once uh Dr. Dr. Grineer and Susan said that we were going to take that extra week after Christmas. It seemed like it was a good idea to get in there and get that taken care of as soon as we can. So, uh that that's coming up as well. Uh the uh last item on my list is something that everybody was talking about when I first signed on and that's Thursday, Wednesday into Thursday. And uh now that um we have a new middle school. Um previously the town uh plowed uh Cutler Middle School for us and the city uh public works department plowed Westside Middle School and we did some cleanup uh some smaller parts of that, but they did the bulk of the work there. Uh but the

033town isn't able to help us out with Graten Middle School other than coming up and doing the driveway. They're going to do the driveway for us, which is substantial, but um there's still a lot of parking lot and lower lower driveways that uh we're going to have to clear. Uh and so um this this Thursday is going to be a test run for our department uh regarding how how long it's going to take us to do that additional plowing. Um and so we'll be able to figure out exactly how much time we're going to need in these storms. uh whether we go with a 1 hour delay, two-hour delay, three-hour delay, or or or cancellations depending upon uh how much snow we get in in storms as we go through the winter. So, uh test

034run on Thursday and uh should be back to work on Friday. Uh hopefully everybody everybody will be back on Friday. So, that's it. >> Any questions for Sam Rita? >> Kim. Um Dr. Gene, I thought we were able to use virtual classrooms for snow days. >> We we we can uh there was uh it's an option in and so a number of districts uh have either built it into the schedule. They they literally have snow days. We we look at our calendar and it hypothetically it ends on a Tuesday. So, I was talking Susan and I were talking to the principles about the possibility of of using perhaps three ending on a Friday. Uh, but with the high winds, we're we're a little bit concerned. If it was a smaller storm, uh, uh, maybe it'd

035be one thing, but, uh, we're concerned about this could be a well, as you said, it could be a really a big storm. So, people are going to need some time. So we and plus in the middle of this pandemic having a having a true cancellation day is not a bad thing. And if please God we're we're back in full at the end of the year then I I I'll I'll take a I'll take a snow day now and and give me a give me a five day a week regular day at the end of the year. >> Thank you. >> That's pretty much the thinking. >> Any other questions for Sam? Sam, once again, thank you for your crew for working so hard on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, but specifically on Wednesday,

036and getting our buildings all clean and and ready for the next cohort. I really appreciate all that you do on that. >> Yeah, they do a great job. >> They do. I'll let them know you said so. Thank you. >> Please send the board's appreciation. >> We'll do. >> All right. Hearing no further questions for Sam or Ken, I am moving us on to committee reports. Um Lee, um I know that >> we Yes. Um we met earlier this this um um in December. We have interestingly a new first policy to read um for the first time. Also, I I only got to see the information from Dean um about two and a half hours ago that he had questions about our old business about sexual harassment which is supposed to be our second reading.

037Um so maybe I don't know if Susan had a chance to look at that either. >> So you didn't. >> So yeah. So Lee, I think what I what I'm going to suggest is that in lie that we just received this information that it's not fair for us to go through a second. >> Exactly. >> Um and so I'm going to ask for that to be tabled. Um but just be mindful folks that when we have like stuff, especially when we're in the second meeting to make sure that it it gets enough time to get back into policy for them to have that conversation again or to any any committee. But I'm I'm going to ask Lee that once we get to that whether um whether we can table that and move that to the

038next meeting. >> I think that's an excellent idea. Thank you, Kim. >> Got it. >> Curriculum. That would be my friend Andrea. Where are you? There you are. >> Right here. And we met today and Miss Hodgej presented the new curriculum from the state for the new new African-American studies class. And it's a very rich conversation. So we invited her to come to the to the next CO with your permission. >> Absolutely. Just make sure that I get that as an agenda item finance and facilities every there's I'm I'm losing where people are. So Jay, you're now on my left side of my my screen in case you were wanting to >> Sorry if I'm moving. Um so we met on November 30th. Uh we did a in-depth uh discussion uh of the budget. Um

039and um we also discussed the item that's be coming up later today for a vote about the district credit card. Um we discussed the asbestous abatement uh project which again will be I believe 48% reimbursed by the state. Um rather than running around and taking care of hotspot tiles one at a time, just get it all done. Um and um then we uh briefly discussed uh the proposal they're working on for the um high school fieldhouse design study. >> Thank you. Wow, that's exciting. I can't wait to hear more about that. >> All right, Lita. Um >> yes. Um we had a learn board meeting last Thursday, December 10th. We our superintendent's perspective was um delivered by Patrice McCarthy who is the deputy director and general counsel for Cape. >> She said that there's going

040to be a long session at the legislature this year. >> Um >> there were going to be more opportunities for the public to be able to participate because the whole session will be done virtually >> and that there one of the um important topics that they're going to be discussing is the vaccinations and the intent that all teaching staff >> will be in a group directly behind first responders and healthcare workers which I thought was wonderful. So I was very very happy to hear that. Um they're also going to be discussing the ECS the funding for the districts and that could have an impact on Graten. Yeah. >> Um there was another legislative update from Connecticut. The um the six regional rests in Connecticut are going to be asking for increased magnet school funding and

041school readiness funding which has not had an increase in eight years. So that's definitely a priority. as well as the teacher residency program which Graten has signed on to um which will help hopefully um at least double our the minority teachers across the whole state of Connecticut which will be great because many of the rest are doing the same program that Graten has done now is going to do with learn. I think the last part of my meeting was really something very informative that I hope we can have a discussion on in the future. At the CO meeting, there were a lot of concerns being brought up by how much students were going to need to be caught up um because of the pandemic. So, we have to have a discussion about how we going

042to prepare for this challenge. How do we assist teachers in preparing for new models and practices that will assist the students towards regaining the momentum needed to achieve their academic performance? So, we really need to have um some careful planning and long discussions about this topic in the future. So Rita, I've already written that down as an agenda topic, but I kind of see that it makes sense that when we do the the object code where we're looking at instruction that we really are talking about that at that point because my sense is is that um not just that time period, but that that also helps with our conversations um in terms of what what do we need what what are what are we what is the district going to need um to be working

043with our students um as they as we come out of the pandemic and we go back into full-time classes >> and and everybody discussed summer school >> and once again and once again to your point right yes is that right >> that we need to like have those conversations during the budget time so that we can make sure that we have fun funds available to to make sure that we have got summer school and maybe we need >> and how we're going to assess our students and find out what's really going on and how we can help the teachers >> right >> during this period Thank you. >> Yep. >> Andrea, you attended the town council board of ed RTM meeting last week, I think, um weeks ago. Um and is there anything that that

044came out of that meeting that you would like to report on? >> Uh no, not not really. I um it was a a a wonderful meeting. There was a a you know a great deal of discussion and I wish you had told me that because I would have thought about it and so I have nothing to report. I'm sorry. >> Actually Kathy Chase took really comprehensive notes and we'll send them to you tomorrow. >> Okay. No, I just wanted to >> as we report >> I'll take notes next time. Um and then last Wednesday we were able to gather as an AGSA GA and board of ed leaison. Um it was kind of we added it to our normal schedule um just because we're not in normal times. Um and so I once again um

045am very appreciative of the leadership that we have um both both the admin actually the central office um and the teachers in terms of the work that they are doing um and I loved how you guys worked us through um the virtual learning experience and the the pros and cons. It's it's still not gold standard. The gold standard is to be with your class in front of you all of them all at once. Um, but I I I myself was incredibly appreciative of that conversation. Um, and I believe um Susan, you were going to send us those talking points um because we we as as um we were talking about that meeting are the board of ed gets lots of comments from people um about not being in not being in school and what is

046virtual versus hybrid. And I really thought that there was some really good conversation and some really good wording um for me um so that we can make sure that not that it's a company line, but that we're just talking about the same things and the same reasons. Um and so and I actually think Seth, you were um child- centered learning, I think, is how you helped frame it for me. And for me, that was my light bulb. And so I appreciate for that that conversation. Jay or Rita, am I missing or Andrea, am I missing something from those conversations? No, I think you did a great job. >> All right, Graten Scholarship, my friend Lee. >> Uh, to the best of my knowledge, we are meeting on Thursday um for our December meeting um and

047I assume I will be there. >> Okay, good. I'm glad for the assumption. Jay, do you have anything to add about the athletic field? only that um we're going to have a meeting this Thursday night to tweak the final presentation at which point I will send it all to um to all the board members to review um it's my understanding we're all being invited to a joint meeting with the town council on January 12th uh to discuss uh the proposals for athletic fields across the town. Miss Joan, can you make sure that that gets on our revised list for um the board of ed um and town council? >> I also think we're going to need to get >> almost here. >> I also think that we're going to need to get on our town

048on the agenda um just when we're going to meet with the town council to go over our budget stuff. Maybe that's in February. I can't remember my I have no such thing as memory anymore. But I am moving us on to um the consent agenda. Um and the consent agenda is all matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. Points of clarification will be allowed. I would take a um I would take a motion. Liz I >> consent agenda. I make a motion that we approve all matters listed under the consent agenda that are considered to be routine and will be enacted upon by one motion. Thank you. Can I have a second to that? >> Second. >> I have Lee. Is there any discussion

049hearing? None. All those in favor of approving of the consent agenda, please say I. >> I. I. >> Oppose. Abstain. Okay, that has carried. We are now moving on to old business. As I mentioned earlier, Kim, >> yes, >> excuse me. Under that, just want to put out a thank you. >> Thank you >> to Chelsea Grten Foundation through its acts of kindness program and on behalf of Cha Patel has made a donation of $100 to be used for events and supplies for students at Graten Middle School. Yeah, >> thank you very much. It's further proof that it takes um more than one person to raise a chairperson. >> I'm I'm moving on to the old business. And as um I mentioned earlier, the first two have to do about the sexual harassment. And considering

050the fact that we just received the information about some comments about that, I'm going to ask that we table that so we can go back to policy for review of those comments and then have them come back to us. If if I might, Kim, uh >> the last time, and I don't remember the date, but the last time that we met and we had a first reading of these, I had uh raised a number of concerns. Uh it was uh well, there were a lot of them and I think it was felt that I should probably put something in writing and it's I began to do that immediately. I already had an outline of some sort, but the calendar isn't isn't being kind to me. And I, you know, as I approached today, I thought,

051"Oh, good." I kept saying, "Well, I better get this out. I better get this out." And here I was today, and I thought, "Well, better get it out in the morning at least." You know, that kind of thing. They'll be pretty pretty ticked off at me. It didn't happen. So, I was left with either sending it out when I could send it out or not sending it out at all and then waiting till the meeting. I understand it's probably, you know, it derails it from this agenda, but um it's a it's a little more of a fleshing out of what I mentioned the last time. the same points that I mentioned the last time. And if if they want to be taken seriously, I'm happy to do that. I my understanding is we already have

052a policy in place uh for this. And this is intended to update uh and align ourselves with uh with Title N ress, current Title Ngs. So, I apologize if this bumps it from the schedule. Um but I'm I'm secretly glad to see that you're you're willing to bump it to to consider my points. Listen, Dean, I much rather have it be delayed and have all points considered than to be rushed through and not meet the needs um and not have another um set of eyes on it. So, that's not a problem. Um and I'm I'm once again happy I'm really um happy to do that and appreciate your efforts into that. And you know what, life happens when you're living. So, um I think I for one understand about how the calendar gets ahead. But

053I am going to move us on to the second um business. Um Rita, if you could do me a favor and could you read the motion under new business number one, please? >> Yes. To approve policy P6142.102 social and emotional learning as a first reading. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. All those. Okay. So, can I have discussion? So that would be Susan and that would be Lee. >> Mhm. >> Lee, you wanted me to um just get us started? >> Sure. >> So um as you know um in Graten public schools, children's social emotional well-being is very important. Um, this first sentence of this policy says that the board of education believes that children's social and emotional development are essential underpinning foundations to school readiness and academic success. And I love that

054line. Um Denise was instrumental in helping us frame this and research it and actually attended some of the state um webinars and the state thinks this is so important that in our flexibility plan it's encouraged teachers to put um social emotional learning as one of their goals. So, um, you know, I think we're all in on this, have always been, but I'll let Denise kind of give us some of the specificity on this particular policy. >> Thank you, Susan. Um, this, uh, is a new policy. Um it's a new policy for many districts and it really is a focus of our efforts this year um in response to the CO 19 pandemic and really trying to support our students and support their social emotional learning and their social social emotional needs. One of the um

055things that we've learned is that social emotional learning consists of six standards. Um there is a nice chart at the end of the policy that highlights the six standards and they're self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decisionmaking. And our message to the teachers is that many teachers, if not all, address social emotional learning um frequently through their you know lessons that involve um you know talking to a partner, cooperative learning, um working as a group in a breakout room, um reflective journals. There's a host of activities on our social emotional learning um page on this district website that illustrate this. So, we really want teachers to um to to feel comfortable with the fact that our our focus on social and emotional learning is not new. It's something that they do each day

056and they don't even realize they're doing it. So the um safe school climate committee is working um with the buildings to present information to the staff so that they understand um what social emotional learning consists of, what examples of it are. And the chart gives different competencies and indicators so that they can use that as a guide um as they're writing their goals, as they're developing their lessons, and as they're working with their teams. so that we are supporting our students es most especially this year. Um the policy also indicates um again this is not new but it's something that will now be uh part of our policy manual in terms of the three tiers that the district has to support social emotional learning. Obviously tier one is a universal approach uh for all students

057whereas tier 2 is more targeted for students who need more targeted assistance and tier three would be more uh long-term and more frequent support possibly provided through some of our support staff like a social worker, a school psychologist or a school counselor. Um, so again, not necessarily anything real, anything new, really validating and confirming the work that we've been doing and giving teachers permission um to know that they're doing the right thing uh in their lesson plans and giving them some ideas for how they can continue to support students um throughout the pandemic and next year. Are there any questions or discussion for this policy? Lee, >> I would just like to say that Denise gave us the most incredible program on this. Um, I'm just grateful to have her on our team and also

058to say that Susan as superintendent has decided to keep policy and I cannot tell you how happy I am with that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Lee. Is there any other conversations about the first reading of the social emotional learning? Liz, I just have a quick question. Um, I did I miss something? Did this get printed and sent to us? Because I haven't seen these at all. It's not in my it I didn't get it in my packet, you know, in my envelope and I didn't get it online. So, I was just wondering um Lee, when was it? Was it sent? >> It was in mine. >> Yeah, it was in mine. >> It was mine, too. >> I'm sorry, guys. It's not in mine. I just going through it all. >> So, could somebody

059please tomorrow? >> Thank you. Please. Thank you. >> Any other discussion, >> Dean? >> Right. My father used to play the role of my blanket. I hated it. Um but this is very very very important policy. Uh I can see the attraction uh to this. Uh I suspect and as I'm a parent I still have some underage kids. My first instinct is to look at this and say well Jeepers isn't this what the parents are supposed to be doing? Having said that I understand that not all parents are doing it. In a lot of ways, the schools are picking up the slack for what isn't done, maybe can't be done uh in the home. We've been doing this for some time, and I understand it's being done on an informal basis. Uh so, I guess

060one of my concerns is um well, first of all, it's being done in response to COVID. CO has prompted this, but I imagine this isn't going to be a temporary measure. It's going to be in place uh for as long as we keep it in place. CO is simply the the the reason for doing it this year. Uh but my concern is while we implement policy and administration and and staff implement the actual details, you know, will the details involve for example formal assessments of the kids? You know, are we going to be scoring the kids? And I'm not the kids aren't going to be graded on their on their emotions, but you know, the discussions of, you know, labeling your emotions, identifying your emotions, a lot of this stuff appears wonderful. Um, and there's

061a lot of value to it, but is it the school's role to ask personal questions of the kids, maybe to ask about the family? Uh, we do this when kids are in a having having a problem. We I understand that uh and they're referred to a professional, but we intend to be doing this district-wide, kid-wide, K through 12, uh regardless of whether a child's having a problem. And uh I think if you were to run this by a lot of parents, their instinct would be I I'll be blunt, their instinct would be to feel insulted um uh by this. I think the understanding is the district means well and again I can see the attraction to it but it's one of these areas when I look at it I think maybe maybe we're going too

062far with this thing and I'm I'm concerned that the details once it's implemented will be highly intrusive there there must be data gathering there is a mention in here of evidence-based etc. Are we going to be gathering data on the children? Um, >> so Dean, >> yeah, >> let me just let me um help help um help center you for just a second. And Denise, I'm probably need your um backup along with Susan and Mike. Um is is that as Denise um noted, this is something that the school has implemented for multiple years. And I think that the research is out there that the role of the educational system is is that it's it's it's multi-tered. It's for not only just the education of the students but along with understanding the academic education of students.

063It's to see a student in its whole. >> It's to see it see its students in its entirety. So multiple years ago, I think that um the school district um implemented a program positive behavioral supports. How am I doing? >> Wow. Good. I believe I remember that. Um so PB um so it's positive behavioral intervention supports. And what it what it does was it was that it helped give a framework for for teachers to begin to sort of think about how do you how do you teach to a whole child. Um so evidence-based isn't meaning that people are going to be gathering data though the support staff might be needing to do that especially if a child has been identified who has learning issues um or or needs or needs that are that are in

064that might be impacting the academic. But when we talk about evidence-based, it's really be that's actually what grants are requiring in in the human service field. Um, for me, Dean, um, if I'm going to apply for a grant, I have to have an evidence-based model. So, I have to have a model that has been tried and tried someplace else. So I what I heard Denise say is is that this is just kind of giving credence to something that your children have already been exposed to because it's part of how we think about the whole child in in in academics. And so >> Oh, I I I understand I understand and I I also know for my own children that this has been done on a on a nonpolicy informal if you will basis. Um I

065I think that again my concern is that um if it's sort of if we adopt the policy do I just sort of wait and see how it's implemented and then say my goodness it looks like we're doing basically a every child is going to be subject essentially to a you know a psych profile child psych profile whether they need the help or not. >> that's not what it's saying Dean. So >> all all I'm saying is we do policy and the details are in the implementation and if I say yes and then I what am I going to do when I'm very unhappy with the implementation and it looks highly intrusive. Uh as I've mentioned this isn't going to be my last word. I'm simply telling you what my first thoughts are when I see

066something like this. >> Okay. >> There'll be a second reading. I know. >> Right. So I what I would um what I would encourage you to do is that um I think policy is going to be meeting in a couple of weeks or to make sure that you know when the policy meeting is and and maybe even asking the chair which is Lee whether you could kind of speak to your concerns regarding this policy and and so that when it comes to the second reading we'll we'll have some understanding about your thoughtout um comments about that. >> All right. Thank you. And can I add Dean often times we will add regulations to the policy at the same time which talks about implementation. Board's responsibility is to vote on the policy. It's staff's responsibility to

067design implementation but we often do it together because I think it's really important for the board to see the whole picture. So that is something that we can actually do but this has really come down through legislation that this is necessary. Um, and I would have to tell you if you looked at the chart and you looked at the um, main ingredients of what we're trying to do, it's, you know, when we hear college and career ready, how often have businesses and corporations and the Navy told us this is what they're looking for in people. These soft skills aren't so soft. You know, a self-awareness, a self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decisionmaking. These are musthaves from so I think a partnership between families and our school system are what makes us stronger. So I

068agree families need to know that what we're working on and how we're doing it. And I think probably this year with the hybrid model and remote model they've had like a little window of opportunity to kind of see into some of this work that we're doing. Um, but I agree and would certainly um, you know, appreciate you attending if you would like. And um, Lee and I just have to set the agenda and set the time because I don't think the first the first um, um, week is going to be manageable, but maybe the second >> really I wouldn't know why. There is there any other discussion about that policy? Um, I was just going to suggest that >> um I was going to suggest that maybe Denise could be invited to a committee of

069the whole and share what she shared with the policy committee >> that was, you know, so meaningful. Um, and and then have a little discussion about our policies as a board and what we're responsible for. >> That'd be great. I got that as an agenda topic. >> Matthew, >> Rosemary, sorry. to see you. >> Um actually the um implementing evidence base means that we already have the evidence base. We're not gathering information. But what I see this as being very important in um in that we are codifying and acknowledging its importance and um and acknowledging and codifying how how teachers are actually doing it and how they can um document do doing this. And if we need any more um information, we can certainly go to the direct source for emotional intelligence, which is um

070Peter Saliv, the the um uh president of Yale, who came up with this many quite a few years ago. He didn't have gray hair when he did it. Um and um but it's something that we have been incorporating into society and how and its importance for many years and it's time we gave teachers acknowledgement for doing it. >> Thank you Rosemary. Any further discussion on this? >> Sure. >> Hearing none. All those in favor of the reading of the policy of um P614-2102 social and emotional learning as first reading please say I >> I just for first reading oppose one abstain Liz did you get that Joan >> all right I'm >> No I didn't get the no vote That was Dean. >> Thank you. >> And Liz abstained. >> Right. >> Okay. So, I'm

071going to move us on to the the next motion which to approve the authorization of the business manager to execute a PECARD program agreement on its on its behalf. Can I have a second to that motion? >> I'll second that. >> I've got Rosemary. So this um has everything to do with the fact that we had a committee the whole meeting on that last week um in terms of a purchase card of moving that um because when we when we did the agreement with Dr. Grineer, it had all Dr. Grineer's information and under recommendation of Ken Knight, we were going to a per purchase card. I don't know. I don't know why Dr. Grineer doesn't want to have us continue to spend, you know, on his dime. I think it's kind of silly. Are there

072any other questions about that? No. >> Okay. All those in favor of the motion to approve the authorization of the business manager um to execute execute a card program agreement on its behalf, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. That motion has carried. Um the next motion that's on the floor is to approve the revision of the 202122 school calendar. So, not the finish of this, but next year. And Dr. Grineer, can you walk us through why we need to do that? >> Yes. >> Oh, we don't we didn't receive that. Yeah, we haven't got that. >> Yeah. >> Haven't got it. >> No. >> Let me let me wait till next year. >> We we don't again I'll just give you something to think about. The uh I apologize. I should have sent

073uh the information. the the calendar that the board approved uh includes uh April vacation as the second week of April uh from the the the 1st to the 15th. The the uh almost all the other districts in the region have have sort of reconsidered that. Usually we do the second week of April uh but the second week of April starts on the 11th uh and the 15th is Good Friday of 2022. And so a number of districts have decided that they're going to for the regional calendar have uh the April vacation start on Friday the 15th of April and then go through that next week. It gives us eight weeks after the February vacation and it gives us eight weeks before the end of the school year. U and I looked of course the board

074we already proposed this. I I think a number of districts did, but now they've gone back and and number of districts have said we're doing the third week anyway, which sort of ruins the whole idea because we we don't want to have to send buses to to Ledger, for example, uh if they're going to be on vacation the third week and we're going to be on vacation the second week. So, the idea is not it's not urgent, but I can tell you a number of districts have uh have opted to to do this. So, it just it it made sense to to me that the 15th would be Good Friday. So, we just have a little bit longer April vacation. >> So, what I'm going to do is that Susan, I'm just going to ask

075that we um put this on our board of ed um agenda for January. Um but making sure that we have the schedule with the highlighted of what what it's being asked to be changed. Um at this point board I'm asking are there any communications that you want to share? >> Rita >> um I would like to know if we can observe um moment of silence for all the students and staff who were killed at Sandy Hook eight years ago today. as for a minute just to think about just to reflect on that. Is that possible? >> Sure. >> Thank you. Um, I received all the same communications I believe that all the other board members have received from parents and and we really appreciate them contacting the board. Thank you. >> Kind of try moving

076people around, but if there's any other correspondence that people have received outside of what Rita has received, I don't want to squash anyone's voice. Okay, I'm going to move us on. Um, I've got the agenda items of Andrea for committee of the whole for curriculum also uh summer school conversation and also for the social emotional to come back to the committee of the whole. I do want to remind the board that we're going to have sort of smaller committee the holes because we're going to um for the first month, six, seven weeks because we're doing budget. Um but any other agenda topics that you guys want to Alexa off please. >> Oh sorry. Um um it's just a sad day. Okay. So um any other agenda topics that I'm not bringing up board is um

077recognizing that we've got lots of dates. Joan, I think I asked you to add um the field one um to the craft council. >> That would be great. Andrea >> motion to adjourn. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Board. It is now 7:12 and I would like to enter into our second special meeting. Hopefully, Dr. Grineer, you know nothing about this. >> I have no idea what you're talking about. So I am calling to order the meeting and it's 7:12 and it is a special special board of ed meet special >> Kim >> board of education meeting the first motion and the only motion is on the floor is this for the board I ask to approve

078the naming of the Grten Middle School Library Media Center as a doctor as Dr. Michael Grineer. >> Can I have a second to that? >> Yes, I'll second it. That is everybody. >> I am very moved. >> Is there any discussion? >> Dr. Grineer. I don't know if you can see that. >> I think we should ask him to invite his wife in. >> Oh, she's here. >> She's she I hear her clapping downstairs. >> Oh, great. >> Well, thank you very much. >> Hearing no other discussion. All those in favor of the motion to approve the naming of the Graten Middle School Library Media Center as Dr. Michael Grineer. >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. The motion carries. >> Thank you. I >> shocked. >> Andrea. Yes.

079>> I need motion >> to adjurnn. >> To adjourn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Yes. >> Second. All the Okay. Okay. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> So now, Dr. Grineer. >> Yes. >> I don't know if you have noticed. >> I've noticed a few extra people. >> We've had a few extra people and maybe some even people that you have might recognize. >> Yes, I recognize many of them. >> All right. So, the the first thing, so I just would I'm going to just invite you to kind of sit back and kind of soak it in. >> Yes. Did I bring you up a glass of wine? >> Yeah, that would be good. >> I got the genie time, Susan. >> Hi, Dad. How are you? >> And so, you

080know what, you guys, for the next couple seconds, let's just say hi to everyone. Say hi to Mike. Just open up, unmute yourselves, and just say hi for a couple seconds. Go ahead. Hi. >> Great. >> Hi, guys. >> Oh, this is great. >> If Mark wanted to put up the tribute so we can show him what he's in for. >> Wow. This is I am shocked. Debbie, you kept this whole thing secret. It's unbelievable. >> Oh, I'm I'm I'm sick with anxiety. >> And my More Than Words friends are here. And as >> Mark, John, and Laura, this is And and I see Fior to move around the Hollywood Squares here. This is the M and the boys. Holy mackerel. >> There's Maya. Did you see Maya in the corner? >> I did see

081Maya. >> Oh, look at that, sweetie. >> There's Maya. Yeah. >> So, so, um, Susan, I know that you would think that it would be nice for the tribute to be on the screen. Unfortunately, when we do that, it really stops people being able to say see faces. And so since I'm a very visual person, I'm gonna request that's not. But Mike, I want to make sure that you get the sheet. And my understanding from and I also just want to say thank you to Susan, to Liz, and to Andrea, to Mark, um to some of the central Alpha staff for helping to kind of put this and pull this off. Um my understanding is is that when we can gather together freely and safely um that we will also have another time um because

082there's many people who were not able to kind of come um and um but just so that you can do the thing that you do really well which is to is to really kind of soak in and appreciate instead of on the screen you know with a one by one screen. Um, so, um, I just wanted to let you know that that was going. Um, but I, uh, um, so I'm going to pretend to be the MC, but we know how that's going to go. Um, so I'm just really going to follow through on what is here. Um, and I'm and um, I think that the first thing is are we do we hear from the Fitch High School Orchestra and Chorus? Is that the first thing that's on the list, Mark? >> Yes. Brought

083in Middle School. or or was that before? >> We've actually we've already done that Graten Middle School. So, we can actually move to your tribute. Um first, Kim. >> Oh, the Fitch High School chorus. >> That's That's going to happen at another time. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, I I guess I am going to need to Can we Can you share the screen on that one, Susan? >> Sure. >> So, you can see Dr. Grineer that this was really well rehearsed and we start >> I'm amazed we got this far. >> We're finding people, you know, that we can kind of just um So, is this is this going to be the plaque? No, >> no, this is >> this is a program >> and we've we've already heard the orchestra. So, you're going

084to um and we've seen the plaque. >> Okay. And if you had any words that you wanted to say, you could say them now or we could We've got Heather Summers who's been waiting >> in the wings. So, um, yep, >> we can go through and then I can take it off. But you see that we have Heather Summers just Joe. >> Yeah, I got it. I got it. You can you can stop. I just wanted to make sure that I was on the right thing. So, um, so Dr. Grineer, we just wanted to kind of um, once again, this is not everyone who wanted to be here. Um, and once again, we are offering another time for people to kind of come and be with you in person. But for tonight, we're going to

085start it off with hearing from our state senator, Heather Summers, >> if she's here. I have no idea where she is. >> I am here. Can you hear me? >> Thank you, Heather. >> Yes. >> Um, well, congratulations, Dr. Grineer. Um all of us, our entire delegation is uh here to celebrate your retirement and to thank you for your service um to the town and to all of the students and teachers of our community. And we have a wonderful proclamation for you um from the governor's office, but because the capitol is closed because of COVID um I can't get it to you until that later time when all these magical things are going to happen. We're gonna have the chorus. You'll have a frame citation. >> This is just the warmup for the for the

086real retirement party. So hopefully um everyone will have genonics, you know, not just >> Yeah, just the one special lady. >> I'll provide it. I'll provide it. >> Okay, perfect. So, you know, I was thinking about what to say about Dr. Grineer and I I thought I would sort of roll back in time a little bit. I can't believe it's been seven years that went by with a snap of a finger. And to really um put in perspective um my first introduction to Dr. Grineer, which was um actually through John Heler, who I know is on here. We met at the Old Norm's Diner and we were trying to figure out together how how can we bring Graten together? Graten had experienced um quite a few failed referendums. We had a a tough situation uh

087with a a previous uh person employed by the by the town. The board was struggling with how to move forward. And John Heler said to me, "What we need is Mike Grineer. We need him here. He can he can change things for the for Connecticut and forgotten." And you know, at that time I I was the mayor and it really isn't our decision. It's the board of education's decision on on who to hire. So, um, I did make a few phone calls and say, you know, this is what I've heard. This this man comes with a wonderful reputation, although I think your former employer did not want to lose you. So, that was a little bit of a a struggle, but um, you came and I remember meeting you with John and just the way

088he had described your enthusiasm, your leadership, your ability to bring people together for a common goal. is everything that you have accomplished in your seven years that has really flown by in the town of Grten. Um, you took us from being a town that was, um, you know, had low morale with very aging schools and and people trying to decide if they wanted to keep their students within our system to really renewing our sense of pride and community within our town and bringing us together to create these magnificent schools that are really showcases of of our town. um driving us through the largest school referendum project in Connecticut history with I will add the most referendums to get it passed. Didn't do it once I think three times, right? And that it's like your retirement

089party. We're just going to keep doing it. So, um that being said, Groundhog Day of referendums, it showed how the community reinforced that decision time and time again. And that would not have been possible without your vision for Graten uh 2020. And um a few things I'd like to mention. It's been a bumpy road sometimes with our funding at the state and um you know we had a little bit of a mishap in the first tranch of m of money to build the schools. Every time no matter what time of night it was calling Dr. Reneer from my office. He always picked up and he always sounded like he was happy to hear from me, which is something that is quite endearing. Sometimes people don't always say that, but when he picks up the phone,

090it's always like, "Hi, Heather. How are you doing?" And um you know just last year when I was able to call him the night before Grten was um awarded rightfully so um about $600,000 that it was due. You could hear the joy in his his voice when he heard the news and he was so excited not for him but for the students and the teachers and the town and um you can see he just lives and breathes education and wants what's best for the community and the students and loves them. and you can feel the um the interaction and the the love that the students and the teachers have for him. And although you will be very missed by so many uh your accomplishments are um you know they they will not be forgotten. We're

091going to have a media center named after you. But uh you know when you look at these brand new schools um that that's your legacy and I I think that's a wonderful note to go on and retire and travel and do all those wonderful things postcoid that you'll be able to do. So on behalf of the entire general assembly, we uh want to wish you the very best on this memorable occasion of your retirement and we hope for your most continued success in whatever it is is in the next chapter of your future and that you always will be um gr known as the person for graten 2020. We are so humbled by all the work that you have done for us and our community and um we are looking forward to having you be

092an active part of our community in other ways and we just wanted to be here to thank you for everything. This could not have been accomplished without your dedication, without those late meetings, without all those, you know, long meetings with uh Wenny Winkler and Melanie Curry and and with the group that you you really coales this group from all different backgrounds and different viewpoints together that really was able to drive that home and and that's a true gift and quality and I thank you from the bottom of my heart because the students often are so much better served as are the parents. So congratulations tonight on this wonderful precursor for your big retirement party that we will have shortly postco and uh we wish you the very best. Congratulations. >> Thank you very much. >>

093Thanks Heather. I appreciate all those words. >> Chris, >> thank you everyone. Um I'm going to speak on behalf of myself and Joe Dela Cruz. couldn't be here tonight, but I'm sure he'll be at the postcoavid party with now genonics and hopefully cake too, one of my personal favorites. Uh Joe and I, you know, we've we were with Dr. Gineer again, just like Heather was in the beginning. We were all serving in different roles. Uh but so pleased when you came on board that we ended a period of darkness and came into a period of cooperating, working together, um and getting things done for the most important residents of our town, the students. Um, again, I I know you'll probably miss the text at one or two in the morning, but Susan will be able

094to step right into that role and we'll be calling and texting her at the wei hours asking all sorts of onall questions that are very important to the budget or new projects. Uh, we'll let you know about it during the morning during business hours so you can enjoy your sleep from us. But you have been a shining light for all of us in all of our different roles be it where we were on the RTM where Joe and Heather were on the council and then joining us up in Hartford. I appreciate you coming um many mornings for um public hearings that we needed to do at the last minute for a variety of things that popped out with those new schools. Be it the driveway, be it whatever it was, you were there for us

095and there for the students every step along the way. Uh, and I hope you get to enjoy uh, retirement. Enjoy those grandbabies. I was so happy we all got to see the little ones where I know you'll be spending the light of your life and spending some good quality time with them. >> Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much, Chris. >> So, Dr. Geneer, the next group of people that you'll be hearing from are the people um, who are on the board. Um, and um, the first person that I know has asked to speak was was Rita. So, I'm going to turn it over. Rita. >> Sure. >> Thank you. I hope you can all hear me, right? >> Yes. >> Good. Okay. Mike, I can see you in the middle of my screen. So,

096on behalf of the school board and the town of Graten, I personally owe you a debt of gratitude for what you have provided for all of us over the last seven years. After Dr. Mitchell retired, the board went from periods of conflict and uncertainty to your reign in which the board, the teachers, and yes, the students were able to benefit from having a superintendent for all seasons. One who knew how to handle economic downturns, social unrest, and even pandemics. Not an easy task. Our confidence in you has been so great that we have never doubted that you had situations under control no matter how difficult they were. We will miss your knowledge, your understanding, and your intellect and more than anything else your warm and caring personality. We wish you the best as you move

097on, continuing to travel, enjoying your family, and embarking on writing a book. On behalf of the citizens of Graten and the board, we thank you for your accessibility and your leadership and for being the special person you are. Thank you. >> Thank you, Rita. I appreciate that. Lee. >> Um, I'm feeling like Rita. I'm for clamped, if I can use a Yiddish word. >> Um, um, every every December you and Deb hosted a wonderful, wonderful party for the board of ed and our spouses. Um, and on one of those evenings, I was talking to your son-in-law, Clint Kennedy, and I said how much I love your family. And he said, "You know, Lee, if there were a medal for best in-laws, I think I won." Um, if there were a medal for the best superintendent

098ever, I think I speak for the whole board when I tell you that you are the winner and we are better for it. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Jay or Jane? >> Yes. >> A uh Dr. Dr. Ger, from from serving as a captain in the Coast Guard to teaching in the classroom to leading several school districts as superintendent, you you leave a legacy of service and dedication. You brought stability to our district uh by leading a series of initiatives that will benefit students for many years to come. And while leading the district, your focus has always been on our students. Um you you exemplify the Coast Guard motto, Seraratus, always ready. And as Rita said, we owe you a debt of gratitude um for ushering in what will be known as the Grineer

099era. And we wish you all the best. >> Thank you, Jay. >> Liz, >> Mike, I'm going to get emotional, too. You know me. >> Yeah. >> Sorry, guys. But when you first came to Grten, our system was in crisis and it was quite quite broken. And you came in and you gave us a clear course. We finally had our captain. And I want to say thank you. >> I'm gonna go see Mike. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Um, God bless and enjoy retirement because I'm going to tell you, it's awesome cuz don't run for a position for at least two years. Thank you, Mike. And like I said, I I just can't thank you enough for all the support that you've done for the kids. For me personally, it's been a real pleasure.

100>> Thank you. Appreciate it, Liz. >> Andrea Mike, I look at you as a father figure, which is bizarre because I'm older than you are. But that's that speaks that speaks to your wisdom. It speaks to your character. It speaks to who you are as a human being. and have a wonderful time. >> Thank you, >> Jane. >> Yep. Mike, I I must share I had no intention of um joining the board of education when we moved to Graten. However, Leah um broached me and said, "Jane, we need you. Um you need to do this, Leah. I'll help you do it." And so, I um made that took that big step and said, "Okay, I'm hearing good things from Leah." And it's been a great experience every day since then. I came to Graten with

101over 30 years of experience in different roles and I was very often very frustrated with lack of change, lack of enthusiasm, thinking old ways, etc. And as soon as I met you and visited classes with you, talked with you, I knew it was a whole different ballgame in Graten. This district was moving forward. you I dubbed the Renaissance man of Grten and I still feel that way. Um, absolutely wonderful things were happening. People not knowing, well, yes, some people were knowing from past experience in other districts how feet were dragging and the change wasn't being made to move forward. In Grten, you were leading the way and everyone was making great strides and having a good time. Um, I saw that you cared about every child, every teacher, um, and were in out of discussions

102with everyone all the time and meaningful discussions. Mike, you've made the impossible very possible. Um, with new state-of-art school facilities, programs, um, all strongly supported by the community, not usual in in many cases across the country. I thank you, Mike. I will never forget this best part of my um, role as former educator. Um, absolutely wonderful. I wish you good health, happy days, and lots of days smoothing sailing. smoothly sailing, excuse me, out on the sound. >> Thank you, Jane. >> Jane >> Rosemary. >> Um, hi Mike. Um, I have learned so much from you. Um, and um, you can teach an old dog a lot of new tricks. Um but um the one thing that um I was able to connect back to was when I was a student in in the Grten public

103school system was that I trust the people who are teaching me and I trust you and thank you so much and um please keep in contact. Um maybe we could rent your house out every year for Christmas. So, just thinking >> we've been thinking >> and and have a wonderful and um we're both approaching retirement. Um I'm doing it. Um um I'm going kicking and screaming into retirement, but um I'm going to get there at some point. So, >> thank you. >> So, take care. >> Thank you. >> Dean, I I know you didn't ask, but >> I'm the only one who hasn't said anything yet. >> Right. >> Well, Dr. Grineer. I've only been on the board I don't know how long, what, it's been days, weeks, something like that. So, I can't speak

104from that position, but we have worked together in the past. Uh, it's been a pleasure and I want to not repeat what other people have said. I just want to thank you for your service, your your help with me and your service to the town of Graten. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thanks, Dean. >> Well, you haven't really heard from me and I just want to keep it real for just a second. All right. Okay. So, how many times have I called you and what I hear in the background is I got it. All right. Do you know you and Deb just said the exact same thing? In fact, I knew when I was on the right track when I was somewhat parallel to what Deb Grineer was talking about. And so, actually, Deb, I

105I consider that an honor um and a privilege to be in in that line. um you know from breakfast when I try to get you into a meeting but you're greeting everyone um at the at the diner um and and the only thing that has that you have not helped in is in my family because I just always assumed that Harry would be a lot like you and when I said really and you respond when I say really to Harry he's like and and so I just wanted to um to say thank you but truly And um it goes back way back and I I'm I'm not gonna go any further because I'm a if you think Elizabeth was um or Liz was uh emotional, wait and tell what you could see from me. But

106um I think you know where I'm coming from and I think you know how I feel. Thank you for the process. Um and uh uh you're the best. >> Thank you. >> And you are also my fifth superintendent in seven months. I just want >> Oh jeez. Um so we are uh we are now going to move on to Patrice. I know that Patrice is here and um Dr. Grineer. We did invite um Keith Hedrickk and he was not allowed um not allowed. He was he was he um he stated of course he's allowed um is that he was um not able to attend and he senses regrets. >> Thank you. Um I just want to start by saying it's been a pleasure working with you Dr. Grineer. um over many annual budgets uh on

107the RTM and on the council um and especially on the 2020 project, all those uh conference calls and the multiple votes that the senator mentioned and um reaching out to representatives Connley and Dela Cruz to help us out up at the state. Um we always knew that you had the best interest of the kids at heart and you always we always knew you respected your teachers, too, which is important. Um, we appreciate all you've done to move Grten forward. And, uh, we know you fought you fought gently and righteously for what you believe to be right and good. And, um, much respect for you, sir. And, uh, I wish you healthy and happy retirement. And I hope you have lots of time with your family and you enjoy your quiet time. And it's been a

108pleasure having you here in Graten as our superintendent, sir. >> Thank you. Thank you, Patrice. Appreciate it. Um I just want to make sure was there anyone from the city um council that was coming in Keith Ste I didn't want to um um misspeak okay um then Simma but thank you Kim so it's seems like it's all been said but not everyone has said it yet so let me just put my own twist on it so you know I've come to know Dr. Grineer through my position on the RTM and as many people have already said he took over the board of ed after a particularly turbulent period and has been able to calm the waters and steer a steady course seem to fruition more projects than I can name three schools among them. I'm

109always impressed when I go to the liaison committee meetings and uh the board of ed has this uh amazing list of things they're working on. Kim can probably can't hardly even get it all out. Um, but he was willing to provide Graten with a needed transition to a new way of governing Graten schools. And he's caring and respectful, civil and plain spoken and honest, and willing to keep coming back to the RTM to provide us with the information that we need to understand and pass the school budget. He brought with him the institutional experience and knowledge gained from a lifetime of dedication to educational achievement. And it's not often that people at his senior career status are that generous with their time, making the effort to teach a new generation of teachers and administrators. Dr.

110Grineer has also steered the schools through turbulent waters of the COVID pandemic. And we have only to look at the list of accomplishments of Graten students and schools to know he's done a very good job overseeing this large and dynamic district. As a result of his leadership, I believe Graten Schools are poised now to move into a productive future for both students and teachers. And I did reach out a little late to some of my members and I from uh Bruce Lax uh who's the RTM Republican floor leader and former town mayor. He noted that one quality that Dr. Grineer possessed possesses is that he's always very respectful and he would always respond or make himself available to whomever reached out. We are a town of several governments including the RTM and there are a

111lot of government officials to hear from and to my knowledge when anyone reached out as I did he always responded which is what Senator Summers noted. So I want to thank you Dr. Grineer. We all wish you good luck in the next chapter of your life. So thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate it. >> John. >> Hello. Um, I moved here, was hired by the town council about three and a half years ago. Thank you, Dean. I see you in the audience. We're the ones that hired me. Um, moved from Michigan after having lived there my whole life. Uh, my wife had not even seen the town. And the first night we got here, uh, Debbie and Mike had hosted us at their house and a lot of their family were

112there and the town council. It was a very relaxed way to get to know people. And Mike gave us made us both Mike and Debbie both made us feel welcome, gave us the history of the town, made us feel um told us about the politics, which was very handy coming from Michigan. It's a little more difficult here than Michigan. Um but uh it was a very welcoming way to come into this town. After that, Mike and I would regularly meet for breakfast or lunch uh to discuss issues common uh to both the town and the school, but also just to uh for me to be able to bounce things off of them, seek guidance on difficult issues. Uh those times made meant a great deal to me, made this job much easier. Um it would

113have been much worse without having Mike here. I greatly appreciate his willingness to uh be available for advice and guidance and wish you the very best in your retirement. Thanks John. Appreciate it. >> So the some of the few of the last speakers are going to be about you know maybe I don't know if it's the hallmark of your career here in Graten Mike but the 2020 and so I'm going to ask Norris to begin that conversation. >> Hi Mike. I know you've been through many probably hail and farewells. This is a certainly a a farewell for you and we hate to see you go, but it is a hail for Susan Austin who was going to take the reigns uh as as you leave them for her to take. I I had a present

114for you, but I couldn't find a frame big enough, nor could I fit in my car the construction sign from the site. >> Oh. So, I figured it would go in the garage with the rest of your keepsakes that you look at like every 5 years or so when you decide to >> to clean out the garage. But those are the best of times. >> Yeah. >> Um, after you and and our congressional delegation waited through all the heavy lifting with the uh political political stuff on the on the schools, you left it to uh the town to build them. Um, I appreciate your respect and support for that. You trusted me to do what was best for the schools based on the plan that was developed by the board of ed plus uh um

115do the best for the students. Um I was always I was always happy to hear you when you called me back because you always said you're the only person I know that answers their own phone and that and that was on on numerous occasions. So, I hope that the uh uh the relationship we developed between the board of ed and the department of public works and the town will go forward from here and continue because I think that was greatly improved from from previous times and we really appreciate that you for that. Um there's only really two words I have to say. Thank you, Mike. Oh, that's three, but thank you. >> Yeah, thanks so much Rick. I appreciate it. So, John Hiller, I think I saw you at some point. >> Yep. Um, thanks.

116Thanks so much, uh, uh, uh, Chairman. Um, so, as as Senator Summers, she really took most of my most of my comments there. But um but I met uh Lieutenant Grineer in the uh in the fall of 1985. >> They're going to start crying now. >> Yeah. No, I know. Well, I was fine until I saw you until Elizabeth Porter got me an hour ago. But um but um uh you you know and I was exposed to him as an educator um in a very different role then as he stepped into this budding electrical engineer and and uh tried to get him to write and read and uh and move forward as a freshman in my journey uh in the Coast Guard. Um and uh and then as a reservist uh he transferred as I

117did to the Coast Cutter Campbell where we both uh served together there. And then uh when I returned here to be an educator at at that same academy um we were running down River Road and there he was uh pushing a stroller with his uh with his grandson um and daughter and uh and we reunited um for the better. Um, Mayor Summers uh is I couldn't say it any better than she did that Norm's Diner was such a a preient moment. Um, followed by uh coffee with um with Beth Horler at Dunkin Donuts there where where we sort of uh sealed a little bit of a deal to uh to to make something happen here. Um, but my connection with um with Dr. Gineer was to convince him to to leave uh Ledger. Um, and

118that was that included a sailing trip. Um we went we went sailing with him to try to convince him. We did a mock interview. I was the chair of his mock interview committee. >> Oh, I remember that. >> And uh and then um calming his nerves of uh with cocktails in my living room the night before his his final interview there with the with the hiring committee. Um and uh and I remember the line um I'm so glad so many of you echoed was um I really thought we needed him to come and lead us through the desert. we'd been spending, we didn't want to spend 40 years uh wandering through that desert. And so we really were uh trying to get him inspired to come and do that. And it has been seven years.

119It's been six acting uh interim or real superintendent. We we have our five towns of Graten. Um there are four we've served under four town mayors, three new schools, two turtle doves in in uh in Deb and Leah. They're his turtle doves. and um and he has been our partridge in a pear tree. I've heard that there's a a debunking that um that uh the partridge in the parry is not a reference to Jesus or that uh but I'd like to rebunk that. I saw another definition on there whether it's true or not the poetry works in that part will sacrifice themselves to save their children and I think that's exactly what this man did as Mr. Dylan once said, the poet laurate, um, come in. He said, I'll give you shelter from the storm.

120And, uh, and he built with those three new schools, he did exactly that. He said to our town, come in and I'll build you shelter from your storm. Thank you, Dr. Grineer. Good luck in your retirement. >> John, you must have had an outstanding English teacher that was so articulate. Thank you. I appreciate it. You clearly haven't heard Twisted Sisters, The 12 Days of Christmas. I just heard it for the very first time today. You should You should >> I'll listen. I'll listen to it. >> Yeah, it's pretty fun. Um Craig. >> Hey, Mike. Uh so I I get to go last, so I don't know what more I can say, but first, let me just congratulate you on your retirement. It's welld deserved, and I wish you uh well. I don't know if you

121remember, but um I met you about I think it was about 13 years ago at Fiona's birthday party at the the nature center. Um you and Deb brought your guitar and were trying to entertain the kids, but I don't know if you remember, you were upstaged by a pooping turtle, but you you kept your wits about you and so and you were always calm with things like that going on. Evidently, you never learned the adage that you should never uh entertain after following animals or kids. But anyway, um but I really got to know you when we started working together on the task force for the schools and then subsequently the 2020 pack and I found your leadership on both uh organizations to just be excellent. I mean the task force was years of me

122of meetings. Uh we had to deal with so many different school options, looking at different configurations, vetting all of the locations, not on top of that, dealing with the issues of racial imbalance, learning the ins and outs of Connecticut school bonding, and then of course the merit property swap with the D. Um the task force needed a solid leader to get us through all of that, to keep us focused and on point, and you did a great job in doing this. Um, and so when the task force was done and we turned our attention to the pack and selling our vision, your vision uh to the community, you know, you were instrumental in explaining the vision to the public um at our public forums, you know, I'm convinced without your presentations, we never would have

123had the largest referendum in Connecticut passed on the the first vote. Now, I know you weren't entirely pleased with all of the election results that night, but at least we did get this cool uh money pass. >> And then I have to tell you, you you really uh helped me out when we ran into the whole merit property exchange debacle at the 11th hour. >> Yep. And I thought I thought the project was going to be it was going to be done. >> Yep. >> But um and I really needed to have your common disposition at that first public meeting with the GOA people. Uh because without it, I would have blown a gasket. I mean, you you helped me out tremendously there. Uh but we overcame that obstacle and the 2020 vision is becoming

124a reality. And it's becoming a reality because of your leadership and determination to see us through the whole process. And I'm sure you're as happy as I am. When you drive up Fort Hill and you see that school, it's just awesome. Um sorry. And uh in addition to you know being a great leader though you always show genuine interest and compassion in your students. Um you know at every meeting you would always ask me like about the IB program about you know how are Ryan and Finn doing you know and you continue to do that. I know you did that with many other parents as well. And you know this the the town is going to miss your leadership and your uh compassion for the for the kids. And so in closing, look, best of

125luck to you. Um just know you're leaving this position you're leaving. You did a job well done. Congratulations. >> Thanks so much. Great. And sorry about the army game. >> You know what? What I think is very fun is that we're hearing Mike about you. We're hearing about you, Mike, and we're talking about how you were steady, you were focused, you were driven, and then members of your families are coming in and out and moving and sage is being flipped or was being flipped for a while as the presentations were going. And I and I just think it's the whole you are that whole thing. You are that steady focused and that and anything is going to fly. And so, um, I just really love that part about you, Dr. Gordon, we're we are going

126to, um, and Susan, I my understanding is that are there people who've been identified or for people with more than words? Um, are they, are they, can they just unmic themselves and and say a couple of words if they would like. So, I apologize for those people who are being represented by more than words. I don't know all of your names. Um, but feel free to just kind of um uh to jump in. [Music] So, um, I'll go. So, I'm the So, um, it's been amazing just to hear everything about you, Mike. You are truly incredible. and um we've been so um inspired and we're different because of you. You've been that impactful. You've made a difference in everybody that knows you and um in all my time in New London and my involvement with

127More Than Words um I have seen your heart for the kids. I've seen your heart um for what's right, you know, and um it's really you've pushed everybody to know that they can make a difference no matter where they are. And um and I'm so grateful that you were able to instill that and um and help us all and just really continue to work with them. And I feel more than just being colleagues and facilitators and we've always like, "Oh, yeah, Mike has a plan, you know, we'll run with it, you know, and um but we've been able to build such a great friendship, too. It's been such a strong sense of family, and I I truly appreciate that. I love you, and congratulations. >> Thanks so much. I I love you, and I appreciate

128and we'll be together again." >> Oh, yes. looking forward to it. >> Are there any are there any more than words students on the call at all? >> I think there are. >> I would I would love to say a few words if I could. >> Go for it. >> Um, so I joined more than words um during my sophomore year after hearing my pupsy talk about the amazing diversity uh club that he uh was a part of. Um, and it's really opened my eyes up to the opportunities that I have each day um, at Fitch High School to create a better community and to help those around me um, and include everyone. And I'm really appreciative for everything that uh, Dr. Granire has done to uh, help the schools. So, thank you >> and

129I want to thank you for the advice on snow days. I got plenty of advice from my grandchildren on snow days. I can assure you. >> I I think we might have a few more more than words kids on the call. So, anyone else want to speak up? >> I just want to say like good luck and thank you for being like so important to More Than Words because like it's a really cool club and all that and like thanks. >> You're welcome. Thank you so much, Lana. >> Um, I'd like to say really quickly, um, I was in More Than Words for four years and I was also lucky enough to be able to be on the board of education as a student representative. So, I can say with utmost confidence that um, Dr.

130Grineer put his all into everything. He really he really went to all of the big More Than Words meetings that we had and was always involved in all of our decisions and made sure that equity and justice was so important in our school. And it was it's inspiring and I really it really makes um it makes me feel very lucky that I was able to uh be in Groten Public Schools while Dr. Grineer was superintendent. >> Thanks, Addie. Anyone else? >> Uh, as someone who was like very very not confident when I first joined in freshman year, it was just really nice to have like a a familiar kind of comforting face there at the big meetings. I was glad to see you. >> Thank you. Thank you. I think that's is that all I

131think that's all the more than words kids on the call. Are there any others, >> Kurt? Thank you rounding that up. I appreciate that. >> Yeah, there were quite a few of them that wanted um to join in and um they just couldn't. >> Yeah. And I have a uh I have a a message from one that I would like to read right now. My name is Kurt Yonke. I'm the more than words adviser from Ledger High School. I've been working with Mike since he was hired there at the school in 2003. And I'm just passing this message on. Um, dear Dr. Grineer, thank you for your dedication towards uplifting and creative a creating a supportive safe space for young people of color during your time served in the education system. more than words opened

132the door for me to feel empowered while talking about my experiences. For once in my life, I truly felt heard, validated, and seen and supported in a white dominated space. I sailed across the the ocean to Cuba on a ship where I learned that sm a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. I made lifelong friends and I'm now that I now consider family. Thank you for changing my life in a way that I will never forget and will always be grateful for. I miss you. Lauren Hippowitz, Ledger High School, class of 2017. I also just like to say that I know like you say, like I said, I worked with Mike for many, many years and the thing that I liked most about working with him is he's a problem solver. You know, we

133get sit down the table, we look at the problems, and we get right to work, try to get problems solved. It's been a pleasure, Mike. I love you. I look forward to hanging out with you more in the future. Take care. You You got it, Kurt. Thank you so much. >> Well, Mike, we we have a little wrap up for you. Um our Mark Mark Russell has put together a little bit of a slideshow. It's about probably 10 minutes and I thought this was a good segue. Um you know, we love you. You've just done an an enormous job. You've readied me to continue the journey, but we know where you live and we know where to find you. and you're still much part of this community and you know we'll be always part of

134this community. So with that note, Mark, if you want to um you know, let us enjoy your slideshow. >> Long and oh so far away, I fell in love with you. before the second show. Your guitar, [Music] it sounds so sweet and clear, but you're not really here. It's just the radio. [Music] Don't you remember? You told me you love me, baby. You said you'd be coming back this way again. Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby. Oh, baby, I love you. If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I'd like to do is to save every day till eternity passes away just to spend them with you. If I could make days last forever. If words could make wishes come true, I'd save every day like a treasure and then again I

135would spend them with you. But there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them. I've looked around enough to know that you're the one I want to go through time with. But you used to be the best to make life to me. And I hope that you're still out there and you're like you used to be. We'll have our sunset time and we'll dance the morning sun and we'll let the good times come in and we will stop till we're done. We'll be back in the high life again. All the doors I close one time will open up again. We'll be back in the heart of love again. All the eyes that watch this once will smile and take a sing. And we'll drink and

136dance with one hand free and have the world so easily. You know, we'll be a sight to see back in the heart again. [Music] Hey. Hey. You've been so kind and generous. I don't know how you keep on giving. For your kindness I've been dear to you. [Music] And I never could have come this far without you. [Music] for every you know I'm bound to thank you for it La. [Applause] [Music] Oh, I want you so many gifts. You gave me love. [Music] If I should call you up, invest a dime. And you say you belong to me. So you lose my mind. Imagine how the world could be so fine, so happy together. I can't see me loving nobody but you. for all my life. When you're with me, baby, the skies will be

137blue. For all my life, you and you and me. No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be. The only one for me is you and you for me. So happy together. I can't see nobody but you for all my life. [Music] Remember [Music] never before and never will the whole world. And as you feel it, you know it's true that you are blessed and love. It's true. You I touched by something that you [Music] are you remember when is rushing over my you [Music] see in every [Music] you [Music] it's You [Music] I touched by something that I know you. [Music] I feel the earth move under my feet. I feel the sky tumbling down. I feel my heart start to tremble in whenever you're around. Oh baby, when I see your

138face mellow as the month of May. Ah darling, I can't stand it when you look at me that way. Hey, I feel the earth move under my feet. I feel the sky tumbling down. I feel my heart start to tremble in whenever you're around. [Music] Comes a time when you're drifting. Comes a time when you settle down. Comes a light feelings living. Lift that baby right up off the ground. Oh, this old world keeps spinning round. It's a wonder tall trees ain't laying down. There comes a time. [Music] You and I, [Music] we were captured. We took our souls and we flew away. We were right. we were giving. That's how we kept what we gave away. Oh, this old world keeps spinning round. It's a wonder tall trees ain't laying down. There comes a

139time. [Applause] Comes a time. [Music] Loving you isn't the right thing to do. How can I ever change things that I feel? If I could, maybe I give you more. How can I when you take it from me? You can go your own way. Go your own way. You can call it another day. [Music] >> Mark, that was fabulous. >> Unbelievable. >> Well done. >> Awesome job, Mark. Wow. Just wow. gonna take me a while to process all this. >> Well, it's been recorded so you can continue to watch it. >> Thank you very much. This was a little overwhelming. >> I bet. And so, Dr. Grineer, um I'm I'm going to come clean now that I'm sorry that I lied to you about um activities. Um but I think that um I I will

140beg forgiveness now. Um but >> well, and Kim, job well done. Three meetings at the normal time that we do one. So, there you go. All right. And Mike, we've talked a lot about Graten 2020, but one of the things that um really was the the catalyst for change was having that international balaria campus sitting on the hill and the growth of our IB program with not only the diploma program, the careers program and the my program and the, you know, $8 million worth of grants that we sought um and to afford board what has happened not only um but for the inside programming and that really is also one of your crowns. So I just appreciate having you as my mentor and my captain and um you know it's been a wonderful journey. So

141those are my words >> and I guess I'll see you you and Deb around the neighborhood Mike always walking by at some point or other. >> You you bet. We'll be watching Jamie jogging and we'll uh her on. I think everyone can see now why I feel so proud and why I feel so humble with these incredible partners that I've had. I I I'll just end with a Coast Guard thing. It's a great compliment to say to people the word shipmate. It means you do your job and you pull your weight and and John uh and and Rick and anyone else who's in the military knows what I'm talking about. Uh, so I had great shipmates and I'm looking at Sam and Rosanne and uh I could just go through uh so many great partners,

142so many great shipmates and uh I uh I will uh I will leave but I as I said I will be the cheerleader and uh and and there will be another time we'll we can actually get together and and hug hug each other and so >> you'll you'll You'll see that advertisement coming up. Thank you. >> Kim, can I say one last thing, >> please? >> Mike, we all say this very respectfully. Fair winds and a following sea. >> Thank you. Thank you, Andrea. So, everyone who came tonight, who have left, who have stayed on, who have said something, who has not, I love the fact that I see a lot of um the admin and teacher leadership um here. And so, I'm just really appreciate for you guys also being here. Um but and

143I know that this is overwhelming for you. So, I'm I'm going to allow you to have some time to kind of process, take out your notebook, do a lot of writing about this experience. Um >> taking notes. I I bet you have and I I will look forward to meeting with you next year so that you can tell me about that experience as you reflect on that. >> Um but once again I I just wanted to say once again to Susan and to the central office staff that made that happen to Andrea to Liz and to other board members that kind of helped think about this night um and put it together. Um, as as I've told most people, I would much rather have my tooth pulled without Novacaane than plan an event. So, I

144appreciate that who have that skill and that have that desire to do that. Um, but so once again, Dr. Grineer, you're amazing and thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mark Russell, for pulling this all off. >> Oh my gosh, Mark. Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark. Oh my goodness, Mark. Thank you. and Kaitlyn. >> Andait. >> Yes. >> And Kaitlyn, >> I'm afraid that if I if I start saying people, I'm gonna be missing people. So really, Mark, I apologize profusely. The the sides screw was absolutely amazing. And to all those other people who have given support to make tonight happen. Thank you very much. And um good night. And once again, thank you everyone for coming. And just let me and just let me just let me remind uh Susan 4:30

145in the morning, Michael will be calling you and Sam and Sam will be calling him to figure out if it's a snow day tomorrow. So get ready. >> I know. Thursday. Thursday. >> Mike already has his note on the thing. Get up at 4:30. Check with Sam how the weather is tomorrow. >> Fun time. >> Thursday. >> Tomorrow too. >> That's right. >> Yeah. Tomorrow also. Thank you to everybody. This was just wonderful. >> Be well. Stay safe. >> God bless everybody. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. >> Thank you. >> This was really, really wonderful, Mark. Thank you. >> Good job, Mark. >> You're amazing. Thank you, >> Mark. The slideshow to Deb and Mike so they would have that if they wanted to take another peek at it and the >> be were

146coming. It was good to see you, >> Mark. Send it my way. I'll make sure they have it. >> Merry Christmas, everybody. >> Merry Christmas, everyone. >> Merry Christmas. That was such a great tribute. Thank you. >> I'm so glad the family was together for this. We love your dad. >> Yes. I'm like, my eyes are dripping. Liz got me started. Like, Liz, why'd you start so early? The mascara's running down my face. I'm trying to mush it under my glasses. Congratu and then Mark with all the music like come on already. >> All right, I'm gonna go get Leah Jin and Tonic. See you guys. >> Thank you so much. You made their nightm and it's been a wonderful ride. >> Thank you so much. >> You all made it fabulous for him and

147thank you for speaking so kindly and and showcasing who he really is. And we really appreciate everything you guys have said. It's so nice. >> And it's all true. >> It's all true. >> But we know he's not going too far. So I'm gonna keep broken like more. >> He's still gonna help us. >> I'm sure. >> That's why I picked that last song. >> You can go your own way, but don't go away. >> Yes. >> These are very thoughtful songs, Mark. I have to say. >> And your sisters know Wednesday, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Did I leave the Did I leave the My mom's already calling right now. I'm gonna >> Goodbye, everybody. >> Bye, guys. Happy. >> Bye. >> That was >> good to see you, Sam and Roseanne. Bye,

148Mark. Great job. >> Thank you. All right.