5-22-23 Groton Board of Education Meeting

001Good evening. Uh today is May 22nd and it is 6:03. Um and this is the Graten Board of Education and it is our regular meeting. Um and our first order of business is the pledge of allegiance. Pete, as your last work with us, would you be willing to lead us in the pledge? >> Thank you. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. So our second order is participation in recognition of visitors and I believe that there is none coming to us today. Thank you. And the next portion is um our citizens comments. Um, and this is the portion of the agenda where the board

002welcomes comments from citizens. Each presentation should be limited to five minutes or less, and citizens should, if possible, submit written comments. Presentations should be related to matters pertinent to Groten. Board members will only ask questions in order to clarify the speaker's presentation and cannot respond during the comments of citizens portion of the board meeting. Citizens should make their presentations from the podium and state their names and addresses for the record. Do I have anyone in the room that would like to comment? Is there anyone online? Miss Joan, did you is there anyone in the chat or anyone? >> No, there is not. >> Thank you. It's good to hear your voice. I think I asked that just so I can hear your voice. A little selfish that way. All right, hearing none, we are going

003to go down to the student representative report. I do know that we have Isaiah online, but we also have Kate here, our two seniors. >> Isaiah, do you want to go first? >> Um, sure. I'll go first. I don't have too many things to talk about today, but for our spring sports at Fitch, we're starting our ECC tournaments. Uh, baseball has a game against Planefield away tomorrow. I know actually I think tennis had a couple matches today. And in addition to that, we have our senior prom coming up on June 2nd and our senior trip on June 5th. >> Wow, it's getting pretty close, huh? There's 10. >> Yeah, pretty much at the finish line right now. >> 10 days. >> Around there, I think. >> That's a good question. That's amazing. >> Yes. Isaiah,

004where are you going to school? >> Hi, Dr. Akan. I am going to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. >> Whoa. and Kate. >> Hi, I'm Kate Subashi and I just have a few things to present on. Um, this past Tuesday and Thursday we had the pops concert at Fitch for the music department. Um, so I was only at the Tuesday concert that was for the um choir and then the Thursday concert was for orchestra and band and those went off without a hitch. They were fantastic. There were so many wonderful performances that I was so um happy to be able to be a part of. Um as well as tomorrow there is the National Honor Society ceremony for the uh inductees which I have the privilege of speaking at and Dr. Piaza will

005also be there as well. So that'll be really exciting. Um I have a lot of friends stepping into that role so that that's something I'm really excited about for them. Uh we also have the senior awards night coming up on the 30th which I personally am very excited for. I've worked very very hard. Um so to be recognized for things like that I think is just another reason to put in so much hard work and dedication which is something I've put into my speech for tomorrow. Um the music department um for the choir at least is also doing a song at the end of the month with the middle school at their pops concert. So we've been working on Lean on Me um which I'm really excited to get to share with the middle schoolers.

006You know all the joy that being in a high school choir brings. And then my final two things, drama club just had um two very successful productions of Little Shop of Horrors, not this past weekend, but the one before. And Empora also just had a open mic night on Friday that went really well. There was a lot of um poetry I heard that many students presented. So thank you. >> Andrea, would you like to ask the same question to you? >> Okay. Where are you going to school? >> I'm going to Gordon College in a mass. Oo, thank you. >> And I forgot to ask Isaiah what he was going to study. I should know that, but I don't. So maybe if he'll answer, then you can answer. >> Isaiah, what are you going to

007study? >> I'm going to study political science and then hopefully go to law school after. >> Whoa. >> With the uh intent of becoming what? >> A lawyer. >> Don't do it. No, no, no. That's not what I heard at the dinner. What was the intent? >> What' you say? >> I said that's not what I heard at the dinner. >> What was your >> What's your ultimate? >> So, the intent of being a lawyer and then one day becoming the president of the United States of America. >> There you go. >> So, K, what are you going to study? >> I'm going to double major in accounting and finance. >> Go, girl. I like numbers. >> Yeah, I do too. >> Well done. >> Educational accounting and educational finance. >> Hopefully in business. Sorry.

008>> For profit. >> But both to Kate and to Isaiah um to do the board during the pandemic and as we come out um the the joy that you bring us, the insight that you have brought the board um you've made us um go from a good board to a great board. So, the two of you, thank you very much for your work and leadership in helping um us adults um be the best adulting that or do the best adulting that we can for the board of education. So, once again, thank you very much um for Kate and Isaiah for your leadership with us. Thank you. >> Might I add to that? >> I think you have all prepared the two of us to do the best adulting that we can do as we go

009off into college. So, thank you to you all. Yeah, you you got you have a lot of people on that are um watching you and seeing you and uh holding you as you go through your next phase of your journey and we are looking forward to hearing all the great stuff from the two of you. >> Thank you. Got it. Right. But I am going to move us along. Enough of that fetchy feely stuff. Um and so we're going to go on to the superintendent and administrative reports. Um and so um Superintendent Austin. So I would like to really um share with you the good information that we have on our diversity, equity, and inclusion committee and the work that's been done this year. I see Jamal Davis is with us virtually because I think

010he has a daughter who's participating in that um competition. And um we also have Lori Leine and Dr. Piaza who have also helped spearhead this initiative. The goal I think this year was really to move it from a district-wide committee to having schools have on in their schools committees and committee work and we've done everything from book talks to making sure we have equal opportunity schools in our high school looking at those high level classes. So there have been numerous initiatives that have happened this year. So, I'm going to turn it over to them to give you some more details. >> Jamal, I'm going to let you go first. I don't know what your timetable is, so why don't you share with us uh what you want to share with the board. >> Well, thank

011you. Um again, I want to thank thank you for understanding. My daughter's running her track meet. Very excited dad. She just won the 400 as a sophomore. So, she is ECC champion. >> Very exciting. But with regards to to DEI and the work that we're doing, um I'm excited to to share with you that uh this year um as Susan was stating that we really wanted to um be intentional in moving the work from being uh more uh top centered to more within the schools themselves. So our our focus was building the capacity and readiness of uh members within the school so they can take that work within their school with an equity focus. And so we were able to um send a number of of our students to um the risk alliance nighting change

012uh pathways. We sent um members to inclusive schools and we also sent members to the equity center leadership and our goal um and with each of those let me just explain a little bit with each of those there were five um um meetings that they attended uh these were attended in Harford as well as in Hampton um and what we're hoping that we get from those experiences that they can come back and share um what they learned at those particular um professional developments. So for example in inclusive school culture they were focusing on foundation of equity and education developing an equity lens examining policies and practice in the physical environment through an equity lens coaching children adults for inclusive school culture and then they end um in fact I'll be there tomorrow to see the

013work that they've done with an action plan with the equity focus organizational leadership the focus was defining your equity senior uh central leadership facilitating facilitating uh equity centered conversations again focusing on looking at data using data to inform decision- making and then again um um ending with some action planning. So what I really like about it is now we're building capacity beyond that of again as I mentioned for those individuals in terms of a district but within the schools because then we have transition into creating uh equity leadership at each school with the goal of setting one priority that they can focus on. So again, individualize it to that specific school. Um providing them both the skills, the knowledge, and the will to do that work. So that's where we are. Um I'm now going

014to pass it back to Dr. Piaza because he's going to talk about how culturally responsive teaching has been um integrated into the work that we're doing. >> Thank you, Jamal. Um, and a lot of what I said, I I've mentioned before previous meetings, we've tried to do a lot of work with culturally responsive teaching in the classrooms. Again, as Jamal was saying, building the capacity within our teachers uh to have difficult conversations and to lead the work within their own building. Uh, I've mentioned these names before to you. Dr. Cherry Paul, uh, Dr. Son Sherry Paul, uh, Cornelius Miner, I know you've heard that name uh, over the years uh, often, and uh, Dr. Kim Parker. uh they've all worked in our schools at the at the various levels to help build um again this

015capacity within our teachers to to make decisions about curriculum and about instruction um that help provide a a better environment for for our teachers. So um what we've what I'll talk to more about tonight is sort of how you know moving forward we've started making decisions as to um how we're going to continue this work uh moving forward. Uh I'm happy to say that, you know, we we've worked uh again with Cornelius Miner over the years and we're going to continue to work with him uh both at the middle and high school level. Um, so we've met with him and discussed how we're what that's going to look like next year. And we'll have both uh inservice days where he is I mean in district days where he is here working with our teachers in

016classrooms uh modeling as well as giving feedback uh to our teachers. Um and uh also virtually where he comes in and meets with administration uh and various teacher groups uh uh virtually through zoom where they can exchange ideas um about culturally responsive teaching. So that work is going to continue. >> Can I give them a specific example? So um Cornelius Miner was working with the middle school um with ELA teachers but also with social studies teachers helping them really understand their their need to be teachers of reading and writing and showing them ways that they could help their students access difficult text, difficult vocabulary. And when the other teachers started catching wind, the high school really wanted to have that happen. So he came back with all of our high school and middle school social

017studies and ELA teachers. Then our science folks said, "Well, we have difficult texts, too, and we do a lot of research and development and we we're teachers of writing as well." And the math teacher said, "Our language looks a little different, but it is a language." So, they've really all been so inspired to have him and he's just such an inspirational and he gives them such really concrete tips of ways to, you know, put the vocabulary down, make those connections in history and really help kids to access difficult text. And while we do differentiate with text and there's so much out there online, he's able to really give them ways that they can make sure that their kids are reading and writing in their discipline and across the discipline. So, I just wanted to say

018that. >> Yeah. No, that's great. There's so many levels to his work and he has been it's it's really been impressive. Uh, and I think I've mentioned this before, too. all three of these um educators who we've brought into the district has had a positive effect and and the responses that we're getting from surveys from people is like when are we going to be able to continue to work? Um as we talked about during budget season, you know, this, you know, a lot of the decisions we make have to, you know, we always keep our budget in mind. Um and the question about building our capacity came up and you know, um I'm happy to report even with the work with Dr. Dr. Kim Parker who worked with our high school English department about reviewing

019our curriculum uh looking at the texts that we teach um had a really profound impact on our English department and and Amy McKenna is going to continue that work with our middle school uh next year and and use what they learned to to now go down into our middle school and do that work there as well. Uh Dr. Sonia Cherry Paul finished up her year with us last week. She visited um CK as well as >> Mystic River uh Mystic River. Um I was able to get down to Mystic River and and sit in on a few of her sessions. And again, I'm happy to report we're we're trying to finalize uh bringing her back next year to work with us on the election day PD day uh to pro, you know, probably give keynotes

020at uh different levels and then run some small group workshops as well as continue her work with the administration. Uh again, one thing that's been important to her is not just to work with the teachers. Uh she insists as part of her work uh to work with the administrative uh council or our administrative team. So that we're hope to continue that uh next year as well as we uh try to strengthen continue to strengthen our DEI teams on the on the building level. So that work will continue uh in some capacities with these individuals, others, you know, we're going to move forward with the skills that we've learned from them to now uh sort of expand their work into the various levels of the school. So it's been impressive to see the work that's been

021accomplished. Uh this isn't again this isn't the type of work that you just sort of check the box and say it's done. It's it's continually ongoing. Um, and I think you'll see that as we move forward and as next year as you continue to hear about the the curriculum that's being written uh the books that are being taught. I think you'll see the effects of the work uh that these people um have had um on us and the work of the teachers moving forward. So, we're happy about that and we're happy to continue continue the work. Um as Jamal was stating, I'll let um Lori share a little bit about um her work. Um, but I also wanted to mention too that hopefully we're going to be looking soon, Susan and I are planning our

022end of year meetings with our our principles and part of that meeting is reviewing the survey data that you know we end up sharing with the board as well. Um, we have questions in there if you remember from last year about um how people feel and this is these are given to the students, the parents and the staff uh their feelings on how the staff appreciate student diversity and respect for each other. Uh we ask our teachers if they're comfortable having conversations with colleagues about diversity, equity, inclusion. Um we ask them how often students are given opportunities to learn about people from different races, ethnicities, and cultures. Um so these, you know, we're hoping to see improvements in these areas. I think we identified some areas that we wanted to work on after last year.

023And so we're going to compare that data over the last uh three years hopefully since we've been doing these surveys and really work with the principles on looking at that data, seeing what it says and then developing goals from there as to what we want to accomplish next year. Uh and and then eventually as you know we share that data with you and we review that with you. So um those surveys close soon and then again those are the focus uh part of the focus of our conversations with principles at the end of the year. I'll let Lori share anything on our hiring committee. >> Yeah. So, I'd like to give the board just a brief update on the recruitment hiring retention committee. It's a subcommittee to the district-wide DEI committee. Um, we spent the

024last couple of years, uh, two to three years with a heavy focus on recruiting and hiring. We've done a significant amount of work in that in that area. I know the subcommittees reported out to you at times, but just to refresh memories, um we spent a lot of time focusing on um minority educator recruitment, working with historically black college universities, um diversity career events, um developing the grow our own programs for our non-certified staff members to assist them becoming certified teachers, um working with the teacher and residents program, which is actually kind of a statewide initiative that we signed on to a few years back um to bring educators of color into the profession and give them a path to teaching. Um and then working with the high school on career pathway scholarships for our

025students. We originally were uh received a grant for that. We continue to support those students as well who are moving on to teaching pathways and working on their educational preparation programs. Um so we continue to kind of work on all of those recruitment avenues uh as we move forward. We're committed to those programs going forward as well. And then we've also done uh a major uh realignment of our hiring uh process, our interview materials so that they align to our mission around diversity, equity, inclusion. So we ask specific questions that have been developed by the committee. Um so all of that has been fully embedded into our process this year. We piloted it two years prior and then we've um completely embedded it this year. So we're now working with the new materials which is

026great. Um and then the focus for moving forward 2023 will be to focus on retention. So the committee is shifting its focus. We've done a significant amount of work like I said with recruiting and uh hiring practices. Now we'll shift our focus going forward to look at retention initiatives, surveying and and so forth. One other thing I just wanted to mention um is that part of the work that we were doing with um Sonia Cherry Paul was with the classroom walkthroughs and as we are moving forward uh looking at our teacher evaluation program and and uh developing our our policies around that. Um we are going to incorporate a lot of what uh a lot of the resources that uh Dr. Secretary Paul gave to us uh on what to look for in classrooms that

027are culturally responsive. And I think uh everyone that's taken part in it will agree a lot of it is just good teaching. A lot of it is just build, you know, how you build relationships with your uh kids in the classroom. Um so it's nothing new. It's nothing our teachers aren't doing, but it just gives our administrators something to look for um while they're walking through. We're going to incorporate a lot of that into our uh our program that again we'll share with you as it's developed. Lori, >> um could you please tell me um how many teachers are retiring and if we've have any new hires already and also, you know, is it a diverse hiring of of new staff? >> Sure. So, we had uh last uh last count we had 15 retirees.

028>> Um we're in the process of hiring now. We've made a small number of hires. Um, but I'd be happy to put that information together for you once the hires are made. We can identify that information for you. >> We have been able to place every single one of our teachers and residents. >> Oh, great. >> Who have been diverse candidates. So, we've had positions that have opened up due to retirements that we've been able to place. So, that's a real >> good correct. And I think there are at least two every year for three years. >> Yeah, we actually had three placed last year um and then one this year. So, four over two years. and our teacher and residents. We just informed him that he would be going to Thames River. So, he's

029very excited to get started there next year. So, >> could you just explain for the public what that means, teacher and residence? >> Sure. So, the teacher and residence program is uh a program in which they spend an entire year uh school year with a mentor teacher in our district. They learn uh they go they do their coursework uh they do classroom in-classroom uh teaching practice and basically develop their teaching skills over the course of a year and then they are then released to be placed in their own assignment in year two um which is uh the individual I just mentioned he'll be going to J will be going to themes river and um in the second year they are followed again by a sponsored teacher to continue to help them grow and develop so

030it's really a two-year program but they um they work with uh as a co-teer year one, they have their own classroom year two. >> It's almost like a two-year internship with student teaching included. Yes. >> Are these um individuals have bachelor's degrees and then they're going on for their education teaching degrees, right? >> Correct. Correct. >> So they do end up with a master's >> um over time. Yes. Yes. But then they move from a bachelor's to certification. That's the program, >> right? Yeah. Educator preparation to certification. Yeah. >> Yes. >> And and do we re reimburse them for their courses? Correct. >> Uh it's actually we pay the program cost so it doesn't cost anything of the individual to take the program which is it's a it's a program designed to eliminate financial barrier

031for the student themselves. >> Yeah. >> I think it's wonderful. >> Yes. It's a great program >> and our mentor teachers also get a nice stipen as well. >> That's correct. That's great. Yeah. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Any other questions from the board? >> D. >> I shouldn't, but I will any efforts to recruit Asian teachers. >> What and first of all, what percentage of our student population on the whole would you would qualify as Asian-American or Asian? >> I wouldn't know the student number. I don't think it ring a bell. Not off the top of my head. I don't know the student number. Um but specifically our goal is to diversify our entire workforce no matter what it is. So we don't target specific um educators of color. It's just being sure

032that we're um finding individuals who mirror our student population >> and who are highly qualified. Yes. Correct. >> Okay. >> Yes. But the goal is at some point in the future to have the faculty exactly or as closely as possible match the demographic makeup of the students according to categories set by the state, >> right? >> Yeah. I mean, the goal is certainly to have our workforce mirror our student population demographic. Yes. I I for one don't confuse somebody of Korean background with somebody from Indian background but they're both counted as Asian by the state. There's no differentiation made. I don't know whether we're going to actually take the additional step to make sure that if we have Asian portion of our uh faculty actually consider the uh actually widely disperate subgroups. But >> so

033your issue is more about the subgrouping by state and federal government. >> Oh, I don't have an issue at all. I'm just sort of curious. >> Okay, >> Andrew, >> this isn't really a question. It's more of a confession. I'm on the the EI, but somehow in the last two meetings, I haven't been able to to um to connect. I guess I didn't what I'm saying is I didn't get the um the notification in time and I I'm taking responsibility for that because I didn't look in the right place. But I want to I just want to assure everybody that I want to continue and that the the board from my perspective anyway has your entire support. >> Okay. Thank you, Andrea. And I'll be sure to touch base with the committee leader to make

034sure that they know that. >> Yeah. >> Good. Thank you. So, the reason why this is on our agenda is is that um if you can remember about a month and a half ago or maybe the end of March, um Susan um and Joyce uh from the superintendent's office and I met um to clean up our template and our referral sheet. And um this was on a template. And so it's not that we're only going to talk about DEI once a year, but we wanted to make sure that once at least once a year there's a that the board gets updated on the activities of the district um to ensure that. And so that is um in May. It just happened to be on the template. So Susan and I are trying really hard to

035kind of follow through on that stuff. >> And it also was timely. I think I brought to the board's attention that um Junth June 19th um is a federal holiday now and it's also recognized by the state and in our own town and city it's been recognized and and is being observed. Um last year I think the board asked me to get a proclamation and we actually had school um late that year so that we were able to say that it was you know a recognized holiday. Um I know that the the a lot of banks are closed and a lot of um state and workers are you know have the day and that our city and town also is giving the day. So the question was asked what kind of financial responsibility would the

036board bear. So I brought it to our finance facilities um group to you know board of ed committee to really look at it and examine it and with Ken's help we asked the question well what is this going to cost the board. So Ken if you want to just remind I think we also had a nifty chart that you did up that >> Yeah. And Jay, also if you would like to um as the chair of the finance and facilities, if you would like to also chime in because I know that you guys talked about it, >> but um I think um Ken has his uh chart so I'll uh defer to him. Um, oh so we uh we had identified that uh be with it being after school lets out this year uh that

037the impact was for uh I think we came up with 88 uh 88 employees that central office and the uh the maintenance uh and custodian uh technician group. um the the financial impact uh uh isn't so much of an impact uh because uh the the the groups would be paid for that day regardless of whether or not they they were they were at work. So uh there we found no financial impact just productivity impact because of course if they weren't there they wouldn't be doing uh uh the duties of that uh those positions >> and we also discussed that anou would have to go into place because it does affect some union workers. So we would have to really craft and get Floyd's help on that. The question was also asked, well, what if school

038was in session and if we got, you know, some snow and, you know, we always plan to finish up the year. It seems like we've had graduation the 16th, 17th for the past several years, but if it went past that, what would that look like? And we did say we'd probably have to adjust the calendar accordingly if there was snow and um, you know, and then the kids would also have the day off, but they really wouldn't be given the day off. it just or the teachers wouldn't be given the day off. They just have that day then the the following day and we'd continue on the calendar. >> Yeah, the the teacher contract number of days will stay the same. They just wouldn't uh pro potentially work on on that June 19th day. >>

039Jay, I saw that your hand was raised. >> Yeah, I just wanted to to clarify um but but Ken um uh sort of made my point. the the classroom teachers and the administrators all are contracted to work a certain number of days per year and that's what they're paid on. So if there's a federal holiday um it it doesn't impact us, it just means they work another day and so there's no financial impact. um except um I think we brought up the scenario that if there were some sort of building emergency um that staff, you know, would be brought in um on on holiday pay. Um but other than that, the the employees who are not under a contract that specifies the number of days that they work uh would have the day off. And

040as Ken mentioned, it's sort of a it's a productivity thing, but it doesn't directly increase any of the the line items in the hours. >> I have a question. >> Absolutely. >> So it when you said that um it you know they would work, when would be the other day that they would make up that day? You said that they would make up >> mean during during a school year. You mean? Yeah. >> Uh if if school went past June 19th, then the June June 20 would be the next day. >> Okay. And what about um the cost for pair of professionals and part-time employees that don't work 12 months? >> The same would be true for them. They would have to work then the following day. >> So they also have contracted days of

041the year. Um so that would just you know offset the year. But that there would be a cost to that because they're not normally 12-month employees, >> par professionals and and and uh tutors. Correct. They're not 12-month employees. Um and but there wouldn't be an additional cost because we wouldn't pay for the day that that they didn't attend school. It would be the the following day when they did come in. >> So, they would come to work on an additional day of the school year based on a calendar if we had to adjust it for weather like we've had to do in the past. And sometimes we hold off on that graduation as you know sometimes it feels like too long. We're waiting to make that graduation date and then um you know and then

042there's you know weather in Clement like this year we were really pretty fortunate. We're ending on the 14th for everybody and we're having our graduation on the 16th. So we had a really good year as far as weather goes. >> Didn't we Sam? They still worked very hard because our custodial crew, maintenance crew are the people who are out there at 4:00 in the morning on those snow days, ice days, you know, doing that extra care work to make sure it's safe for everybody else. >> So that's this is a question for Sam then for your custodials. We're still in those schools those days even if it's closed on June 19th. Correct? >> No. If the school was closed, we wouldn't be in >> if it were a holiday. >> They'd have if it's a

043holiday. >> Oh, okay. >> But we'd have to put that into anou and be very specific about conditions. >> But when they talk about emergency, that would be affecting my department, I believe, is what they're talking about. >> No different than any other holiday. We have very few emergencies on holidays. And >> I would knock on wood. >> The wood's needed. >> Christmas included. Yay. So, um, so the reason why Susan was bringing it up here is that we will be voting on it for this year, um, uh, for the observant of June 19th and, um, and and maybe, um, needing to get some, uh, more information maybe, um, from Lori about how to just kind of make sure that we get that into theus or whatever that we need to do for um, moving

044forward. Um, but so I just wanted to make sure that that got talked about. Thank you, Superintendent Austin. We're going to move to the business manager report. >> Okay. So, uh the updated object code summary, that's attachment number one, shows that we are anticipating about a $30,000 uh unexpended balance. This is a very very tight window. Um we're currently in the process of looking at um uh the final bills for the year. Uh we still have May and June to go. So we will be making estimates for those depending on when they come in. Um we found that electricity cost is coming in much higher. Uh we have had some uh additional students come in uh for special education that uh we didn't anticipate. Uh however, site budgets are coming in under budget uh which

045could allow for us to pay for our bid list. Uh uh things like uh the snow plowing is of course under budget this year thankfully. Uh so uh we are still uh anticipating that we're going to uh come in uh at our budgeted amount of uh 79 uh 79,157 >> a lot of money. Go ahead. >> And if there are um if there is money left over we do we return that to the town correct? >> Yeah we'd return to the town uh superintendent Austin and I would would would discuss uh how how that would be. We've actually done a nice job putting it back into OPED or to health savings as well. We've had opportunities to do that to be really responsible. So, um we'll be grateful to come in. >> Yeah, I don't

046anticipate there being much >> with a little extra. >> Any further comment about the object code? >> Right. Moving on to the insurance. The health insurance claims report uh for the month of March. Uh came in uh this is um attachment number two uh came in at 121.1% of anticipated claims for the month of March. Uh year to date we're at 91.2%. Uh and as we've discussed before this is a trend that we've anticipate. Uh folks use up their uh their their deductibles in the first half of the year. second half of the year tends to be uh uh uh more uh more uh claims. Um this compares with um last last March uh at 108% so it's uh a little bit higher but uh on a year-to-ate basis we're actually a little bit lower.

047Uh we did we don't usually get it this early in the month but we did get the April of 2023 report. Uh and so that's showing that we're going to be at 102% for the month of April. So it's kind of flowing the way we anticipate. Um uh I fully anticipate that uh we will be within our anticipated number uh at the end of end of this year. >> Wow. >> Great. >> Wow. >> That is good. >> Yeah, that is good. >> Any questions about the insurance? >> All right, we'll move on. Um, I am sorry to the board if they'd like to see the full the full version of of this room, but sometimes I just it's important for me to see who's there. Um, and if hands get raised, I know you

048get in front, but um I just wanted to let you know that that was more of my need. Um, and so I apologize that I superseded your you guys. Um, but let's move on to the director of building and grounds. >> Good evening. I don't know if the rest of you noticed, but I when when Kate was doing her report, she had some notes on her phone. I have my notes here. I'm a little bit jealous of uh the young people with their eyes. So, um moving on, I have a couple of things to report on. Uh the first is that uh last week we did receive our bids uh for uh both the sewer project at Fitch High School and the Northeast Academy drainage project. So the first phase of the drainage project and

049the sewer project will start as soon as school is out. Good. Uh those contractors have been selected and uh vetted. So we're all set on that. We also met with uh Mr. Daniel at uh Graten Middle School uh to uh work on the promotion layout uh which will be on June 8th. Um there are lots of moving pieces that we're we're running around uh uh to all the elementary schools for all of their events that are coming up, field days, uh promotions at those schools as well. So we're moving furniture uh and equipment to those uh on almost daily basis now. So those are the things that I have for now and any questions I'd be happy to answer. When um now that our CIPs have been approved, when do you start on the Was

050it the No, it wasn't the roof. Yes, it was. No, >> that's from last year. >> That was from last year. >> That's from last year. Uh one one of the other uh advertisements that we had out and came in last week was um I think I told you in an earlier uh meeting uh this year that the state has changed their process regarding uh grant projects and uh previously we were able to select architects and then move forward with a project. they now uh require us to go out to bid or or to ask for our uh RFQ uh for um uh architects. So, we have to uh and we got uh eight uh uh submissions uh for that. And so, uh Rick Norris and I are putting a spreadsheet together to look at

051all the qualifications for the architects. And that will be the first project that we start with uh with the architect is the uh Charles Barnum roof project. >> Jay, >> uh Mr. Kopatrick, following up on our finance meeting from earlier this month, I saw that since that meeting, the town has approved uh if I'm not mistaken, the field lights for Grant Middle School. >> And I'm just curious what is the rest of that timeline? I think you might have been waiting for FAA approval or something. >> Yes. Um the uh light project is moving forward. Um Kent and Frost are working on the finalized plans and uh we will be submitting that uh to the town um on the I think it's the 28th we'll be going uh for that uh and and uh hopefully

052we'll be uh uh ordering supplies. It looks like uh a fall uh project. It won't it certainly won't happen before school starts with the uh the time frame for getting the supplies in. So uh that would be uh after school starts. >> Jay, do you have another question? >> Uh no, I'll lower my hand. Thank you. >> I have a Rita. >> So when I read in the paper that the town would also be putting lights at Aquonic Plains Park, is that correct? >> That I don't know. I didn't see that one. >> Yeah. So, I read the paper daily. >> They mentioned Grten Middle and they mentioned Pquinic Plains >> and so I was curious whether or not that would impact our some of our sports that are played down in Bquinonic Plains if

053they'd be able to play like later in the evening or >> certainly during the fall. You know, it gets dark pretty early. Uh >> yeah, >> I think Yogi Bar had a comment about >> getting dark early. Um but uh that would be helpful there along with the the middle school project as well. >> Yes, they mentioned both of them and they said so many people use the walking path in the you know during the pandemic and everything and they felt that they should light light it. So I assume we'd have some lights there, right? >> Well, maybe that's something that Mark Romano needs to to be in contact with the park and wreck and to see what that is. I I thought Jay might be asking about the solar project and that wasn't on

054my list. Um at least if maybe it was on this phone and not on my iPad. Um the uh solar project is moving along as well too and again that will be a fall project for us. That has hit a little bit of a snag in that the uh uh method of uh attaching them to the roof. It was supposed to be a ballast system which is uh weighted down. Um they're concerned about the winds up there. Uh and uh so we're now looking at penetrate more penetrations in a roof than we had initially thought. So uh again, Rick Norris and I are working with them on a daily basis to uh determine whether um we can accept their change at this point. So uh working with their engineer on that one still, but again

055that will be a fall project. >> I have one more question. Um, last year I remember Liz brought up that about our charging the charging stations at our schools and that you know the board of education um pays for those. So I believe we had a CO about it or we were going to to talk about whether or not they could be turned off on the weekends or if it was feasible after school. So I was wondering just swinging back has any has anything ever happened with that? Um, it's probably something we probably should have talked uh at the uh finance and facilities committee meeting about, but I'm in favor of um I if it's your uh wish to actually turn them off on weekends if you think that's >> I think last time you

056can do it. >> You can do it. Okay. >> Oh, I didn't realize that. That's >> we could do that. >> I think we'd have some upset neighbors. Yes, >> but that's okay. There are the town has quite a few of them. >> So, would you like to have that? I know that we're not at that, but to add that to the finance and facilities to talk about that. >> Let's talk about that. We probably need to also find out from the town >> what they're doing on weekends, >> right, >> with everything. >> Any other questions for Mr. Kilpatrick? >> Paid them well, huh? Um, but I do want to say um, thank you to, um, Superintendent Austin, to Ken Knight, and to Sam Kilpatrick for, um, you know, walking the board's budget across

057the finish line with our colleagues, um, at the town council and the RTM, um, which has finalized their budget process and have approved our budget. So, I would like to say thank you to your your staff um for taking our budget and um uh and helping it get to fruition. So, thank you very much >> and thank you and the board for the support. >> Yeah. >> On the journey. >> Yeah, it's been a journey. >> It's been a journey. >> All right. So, I'm going to move us to committee um yeah that word committee reports. Um and I'm just going to start off with policy. So I can tell you all about it here or I can tell you all about it when we do. >> Would you like to save that for the

058discussion? >> It's that's up to you. >> Why don't you save that for the discussion? >> All right. Okay. >> Is that all that you would have? >> Just making sure. So curriculum that would be Liz. >> Yeah. Um so we've had couple of things have happened. Um there will be a pilot next year for a course that's kind of a capstone project for the um project lead the way and that is going to be called the engineering design and development class and it's has about a number of students right now there's eight that are registered for it but they're trying to get more kids involved and these are students that have gone all the way through with project lead the way and this is their abil now is this this is their time to

059demonstrate their knowledge and to learn how to become designers and engineer type of thing. So we're very excited that that's going to be in a pilot program for next year. Um, we also had an update about the EMT class from Principal Keller and we began a discussion on the teachers write college writing program that we are going to be looking at um a lot of different research, a lot of different articles and to um you know for further discussion that's going to begin in September. Um, one of the things that we are looking at also is that there's a financial literacy requirement that has um, begun that the state has come out with. Unfortunately, their verbiage is quite um, nebulous. So, we don't know if it's for the class of 2027 or if it's begins

060in 2027. So, we're waiting on some clarification there. But we also went through we have a number of CLA of uh of a list if anybody's interested I know Matthew you are of all the courses that are offered for financial literacy but one of the things that we discovered is that we're not quite sure even of what the state deems as financial literacy. So these are terms that we have to make sure that we're in compliance with. So that's that's for um future discussion. Um the other thing I just want to inform the board and this is also at the on the calendar at the end is that I'm traveling a lot this summer and therefore we're not going to be holding um a curriculum committee meeting until September. >> So no June. >> No

061June, >> July or August. >> Excuse me. >> June. July. August, >> June, July, and August. We're going to have a little bit of a hiatus, allow for people to do their work this summer. There's a lot of curriculum writing going on. Um, and just to get some things fleshed out and then come back strong in September. >> Thank you, Liz. Thank you for your leadership. >> Finance and facilities, Jay. Uh yes, we uh met on May 2nd and uh as we discussed uh already earlier in this meeting, we we basically reviewed the unexpended funds, the financial implications of Junth, uh the field lights and the solar pan, and that was it. >> Thank you, Jay. Communications. >> Communications had its monthly meeting tonight. We went over the final draft with a fine tooth comb

062of the communication plan and as a result we will vote on it next month but uh I think we're going to have a strong plan for you. I hope to get it to you well before the month. We'll send it out to everybody so they can read it in advance. >> Thank you. >> Uh the other things is we're working to reschedu a date for the PTO uh meeting. Uh this is a meeting designed for the parents so that we can ask them what collaboration they want amongst themselves, what support in a perfect world they would like from us and then we can decide what we can actually do. Uh we will not be promoting any particular thing. This is to be driven by the parents with our support for the parents and the children.

063Um, we are going to be taking up uh a communication strategy for realtors. Uh, it may be more than realtors because I did look online, uh, looked at the town and city website, looked at economic development, looked at the two chambers of commerces, uh, looked at the HR uh, HR offices and the major employers. And to the best of my knowledge, none of them has any information about our school district. So, I'm hoping that a single document uh may be adequate to advance uh our education for prospective residents of the town. >> That's great. Thank you. >> Just a point about that. I know looking at um different real estate sites in our area like they have gotten Longpoint the students going to Westside. They have all the different areas. They have the the students

064going to schools that are closed. >> So I think it does need, you know, >> needs to be cleaned up. >> Yes, definitely. >> Yeah, definitely. >> I think we can we can I'm hopeful I'm hopeful we can enlist the PTO leadership. These are parents who have a vested and demonstrated interest in the success of the students and the and the district that they will be able to put reviews on great schools and other sites. Uh and maybe we can encourage great schools to include the actual schools that are functioning in our district. >> How welcoming it would be for a family looking at our town to go to a closed down school. >> Right. >> Thank you, Rean. >> That wouldn't be crowded. that won't be crowded. You're right. Um so negotiations, we are

065in the middle of um we'll be holding actually our second meeting um with the uh PAR educators um and I think that that is next week on the 31st of um which is a Wednesday. So that will be our next meeting. Um and Twa Learn. Yes. Um we let's see we Mike Belden who is the finance um gentleman at learn presented the budget and it was approved um by the board. Also, in terms of the legislative updates, HB 5,03 was not fully funded by the state of Connecticut legis, which means that there is no additional magnet school fundings available to districts. We were hoping that the state would take over um so that we wouldn't have to pay for our students going to magnet schools, but that wasn't funded. The other thing is learn is

066not in support of a legislative proposal. um that would prohibit the use of seclusion and restraint for a child's safety. So they're they're concerned that you know if this bill goes through and I actually read even it's even in the in Congress the federal they're thinking of doing this. Um so they're they're not in favor of this at all because a lot of times it's for the safety of the students in the classroom and um the the child itself. So, um, the other ones, there's a bill concerning financial literacy, which you you talked about that is still hasn't it's presented, but it's hasn't been voted on yet. And then there's a bill of rights for English language learners that the legislature is looking into and also an act for student meals, whether or not the

067state is going to continue to pay for student meals. But learn in terms of learn itself um the friendship school which is in Waterford they're hoping to move that school to 51 Daniels Avenue in Waterford on a new site. Um the town of Waterford would like the site back where the Friendship School is located right near Waterford High School and there's a lot of traffic in this area and they would just like that site back even though it was built by the state of Connecticut. 50% of students were supposed to come from New London, 50% from Waterford, and then Waterford pulled out after a number of years. Um the the fif the kindergarten class, the 5-year-olds at the Friendship School will now be going to the magnet school in New London, the multicultural magnet school.

068And they've also signed a lease for 58 Pennsylvania Avenue for their transition academy. So, it'll be moving from Route One in Niantic to which is much better for the students. They could go out, they could walk to jobs, and it's a much better site and a bigger site. So, that's about it. Wow. Is that the old lighthouse? >> Yes, it's a lighthouse has moved out and so yeah. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I turned the page. Sorry. Uh so the town and city and council RTM uh board of ed leaison meeting is on our thing. It's June 1st. Um and that's actually going to be hosted um by the RTM and so that is for the liaison um the AGSA the GA and the board of ed liazison. We are going to be at par 4

069Wednesday for um members of the board of ed on committee um and that's going to be at par 4 um grten scholarships. >> Yes, I have wonderful news. We have 46 recipients will be receiving some form of a um graten scholarship at on scholarship night which um was it the 30th or 31st? I just had it written down and I lost it. But anyway, uh we had a total of $42,100 that was donated for the the scholarship. So, we did quite well. Um we had top three three top three top earners, I mean winners of that will receive $4,000 each and then there's increments that go all the way. So, but everybody who applied received something. So, I think that's really quite remarkable. >> Very cool. Thank you. >> Senior scholarship May 30th, 6:30. >>

070When is it? I'm sorry. >> It's on our little list if my cheat sheet and your activities. So, it is the 30th. May 30th, 6:30 p.m. Senior Scholarship Awards and Honor Courts. >> Thank you, >> J. athletic. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I just had a question. Some students don't know until graduation when they see their name in the book, though. Is that correct? I think that that is more when they get the book awards. >> No, that's the junior year's book awards. >> Junior year's book awards. So, but I thought a lot of the times the students found out the night of graduation if they received some of the Graten scholarship. But did they change it? >> I don't know. I honestly don't know. >> Okay. Well, I've been at those uh the awards

071ceremonies and when I I would give my own scholarship. >> Oh, that's right too. You usually give it because I don't go up anymore and do that. That's true. >> Yeah. >> I do hope though that the students, the recipients write to the people or just acknowledge the scholarship. I I mentioned it to you another time. I think sometimes you get a thank you and other times you don't even know who received it. Like last year the high school didn't send out their um you know the booklet saying who received what. >> Well I have the list if you want to look. >> Oh okay I'm going to move us on. J athletic fields has there been any new meetings? Uh no they have not met >> trails >> the June there is nothing to

072report they will have their quarterly meeting in June. Oh, there is something about trails. We received it in our board notes and was also in the paper. June 3rd, Graten Public Schools in conjunction. I was so pleased to see that >> with Graten Open Space will be helping to lead um the on the National Trails Day, which is June 3rd. >> Very exciting. We've been really working hard. I give a lot of credit to Dr. Kennedy who was a hiker himself and making those connections and we've had um day field experiences in many of our schools where we've had some of our student hikers join GOA and do some hikes. >> Oh, that's great. >> It's been wonderful. >> We want to see more of it. >> So there, Matthew, >> there we go. >>

073Well, >> how about the library? >> I have to finish penitence first. uh library uh the public library uh board met week ago. Uh there were comments made about present and potential future collaboration with Graten Public Schools librarians and the our librarians have been there was some question raised about collaboration on policy and so the library the public library is inviting any librarian from our system to attend their policy meetings uh and keep their keep us in sync with one another. I see Lizanne with her thumb up. I think she's already been invited. >> Yeah. >> Um, permanent school building committee. Have Have they met? >> They haven't met in some time. >> Okay. >> Last couple of months. >> Okay. So maybe you and Dean could um just have a brief conversation about what

074our role is in that or what your role is in that. That I think that would be helpful if you would be willing the two of you de same that would be great. Thank you. Um state council of educational opportunities for military children. Yes, we met on May 11th and there was a great deal of of discussion about well, one of the things we talked about was a Penn State study on that they're doing on the compact and I took I took the survey. Well, I guess it's a survey. It was supposed to be training, but it was more like a survey and it didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know. So, maybe I'll take it again and and see what's what. Um but there was a lot of of um discussion about

075the meaning of deployment. So there's going to be a a study of that because you know does does deployment and and the time off that a student would get does that mean every 3 weeks when dad goes out on the submarine for you know some training that's deployment and does the um the application of those days um apply there or is it really meaning when they're you're out to sea for six months. So, they're they're looking at that and there's a new training on the uh I think it's on this coming Wednesday and that's on the the Purple State program and that's looking at at the idea that military children move every three years. So, that can mean as many as nine. Is that correct, Susan? >> It seems to me that's how many times

076you move moved. >> That's about right. >> In in a child's career in dur at school. So, the new training is going to be looking at how do we help with the coping of that? It's called, pardon me, the purple state program, I'm sorry. And um finally they decided that they were not going to include the National Guard in the in the compact because of the the various differentiations in in how states uh man the National Guard. And um it was too unwieldy. And the last thing and I think this is all the last thing was that and to me this has profound ramifications and that is Utah is considering withdrawing from the compact. So that's that's that's a big deal and I think I did I cover everything. >> You covered it. >> Okay

077then. Done. Oh no. June 13th there's a military uh entrance. Um and it's talking about the um idea of of college and career readiness in terms of states and that's the the captain of the base Miranda will be there Bob Ross will be there Susan me. So I have been bringing it to the state's attention over and over again until finally I got AI from the state to come down and meet with us because I said how is it that 30 of my students every year either enlist or go to a military academy but don't get credit for it on our report card as college career readiness not even if they go to the naval academy do they get credit so I think it has to do with how we keep the records and how

078department of defense doesn't necessarily you know, how to share the records and and really pinpoint the student to what school. So, I think we're we've really been working on this project for two years and calling people at Department of Defense. The captain has helped out, Bob Ross has helped out, and I think we do have some resolutions. So, we're meeting with AI. It's something as simple as when you have orders or you enlist, you bring the paperwork or you're or you bring your appointment to the academy to the school that gets copied and then submitted somehow on powers school as yes, you're officially going to be serving our country and you should get credit. That's a career opportunity. >> So sometimes you can't let things go. You just have to keep on keeping on keep

079fighting the good fight. >> Yep. So, it should be good news. So, I'll keep you posted. Thank you. That's great. So, move us on to action items. The next one is the consent agenda, which all matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine. They'll be enacted by one motion. Points of clarification will be allowed. Can I have a motion for the consent agenda? >> So, moved. >> I'll second it. >> I have Liz and it's been seconded by >> Rita. Thank you. Um and so any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor of the consent agenda, please say I. >> I oppose. >> Abstain. Motion has carried. Um the board would like to thank thank um Sugene Vasant who has donated a $200 gift card to Bernett's C Country Gardens in Salem,

080Connecticut for use by the Grten Middle School gardening club in campus beautifification. How cool. >> Have a question. >> Yes. >> Um a couple of years ago the town set up a beautifification committee which is um working around town and I'm wondering if there's any opportunity for synergy with that. uh don't meet anything tonight, but if you can think of any synergy, Susan, let me know. >> I know a few people on that committee. I might >> reach >> I think you do know. That'd be great if you would want to reach out to see if there's any um and then to bring that back to to Susan because it would be under Susan's purview. >> Okay, >> that'd be great. I love it when we can do that. Liz, yeah. Can I please have

081you read the first motion? >> Motion is to approve policy P6163.1 library material selection as a first reading. So folks, this was um put us on on table for um actually almost three rounds. The first two was just because our we were just too busy during the other two uh meetings and then it did get pulled because my understanding is that the p that there was a more information that was coming from the state and um we needed to get more information. So is that correct? >> Okay. And you actually have the the workings of that in green on where you see the objective of the selection and then the selection personnel that is really um involved in cultivating curating the materials that go into a library to make sure they're reflecting a broad diversity

082of culture and worldviews. Um so I have to thank Lizanne and um and also her colleagues because they really worked with us to not only look at the policy but it's really regulations or the working of the staff underneath the superintendent that we want the regulations to match how it actually has to unfold. So a polish policy is usually short and sweet and that's the working of the board. So, it's important that you know you read this policy and approve it and then the regulations then will follow as how we put it into play. >> Andrew, do you have anything else to add to that? I just have to say that we brought the language up to date and there were some really u vague um the wording in here that talked about principles and

083it said that um the the uh decision to be guided by principles not ps and the question that I came to my mind was well whose principles are those >> I said the same thing So um >> so Susan was really astute about this. I I would never have thought about it but she did and she u added the principles that are under that are held up by the school library bill of rights freedom of to read statement the American library association and the Connecticut department of education which really strengthens >> to specify what we're talking about. >> That's right. Yeah. And I don't think that there's anything else. >> Would there is there anything that you would like to add to the discussion? And if you and if you do, we're going to I'll

084throw a mic to you. I probably won't throw it, but I'm wondering if she could borrow your mic. >> M. Did we get a second for that motion? >> Oh, you're so you're so silly. Yes. Can I have a second to the motion that we've already discussed? Matt has seconded. Thank you, Miss Joan. >> Thank you. I'm Lizanne Johnson. I'm a library media specialist at Grten Middle School and Fitch High School. I just want to stress the importance for us in the job at how many book challenges are taking place. So, having our policy up to date will protect our district and our town from frivolous book banning and book challenges. Um we worked very hard. The librarians worked in November on the um regulations and we followed the American Library Association. We the New

085New Jersey has a fantastic state approved policy and so we used that as guidelines. So we really we really did our research but we appreciate all that you do. Are >> if there are questions for me I'm happy to answer them. VA. No, my question is um not not for you, Le. Um on the second page, it are we going to be rewarding this? So, it's a Grten board of education and then board in green in parentheses again or how how does that work? Right on the first line on the back page of the first page, >> this is under the regulations. >> Oh, >> well, under library material. Yeah. Respons. So would it would it say Graten Board of Education and then in parentheses board again? >> I think it either says the Graten

086Board of Education it says and then from here on out we'll be calling it just the board. >> I see. >> So when you put in parenthesis you're saying for future reference we'll just call it >> just call the board just like the district is the district. >> I had the same question for Erica and she corrected me and she said what Susan said. >> Thank you Dean. So there was mention of frillless challenging. Is what in here is designed to tamp down on that or to eliminate or to control it? >> Isn't it in the regulations? I think >> it is in the regulations. It really talks about that it would have to be a parent of a student who is currently in Graten Public Schools. That it couldn't be someone from Iowa or

087Florida or somewhere else, you know, >> one of those other states. one of those other states or places. >> I mean, that's one that comes to mind. Yeah. >> Right. It's a second to the last page. >> I No, I I I'm sorry. Yeah. >> Did you want to come up and >> Yeah, >> because she has more once the book has been challenged, it can't be challenged again for five years. What they're finding in other states is that groups will challenge a book 125 times and you have to revisit that 125 times by stating that we will only re revisit a book after 5 years and that we're keeping it local. >> Yes, >> you have to have a vested interest. You have to have a vested interest in Grten Public Schools to be

088able to challenge a book that our libraries have. I believe also one has to articulate in one's challenge specifically what it is one finds troublesome, right? >> Specifically what it is that one finds would be harmful to a student. Um and the book would not be or material would not be removed from circulation during the period of the review. >> That's exactly right. Thank you for reminding us that. >> Thank you, >> De. So, if I may be so bold and and it's not for you. You can you can you can sit down. You don't have to stand up at the mic anymore. I'm voting no because this tracks the the library bill of rights, the school library bill of rights, uh et freedom of read statement which is actually goes back a great number

089of years because these emanate from the American library association which I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw it with respect to its judgment of what's appropriate or not appropriate. So principles that have anything to do with that organization I don't trust. So I'm voting no. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other comment discussion? >> I could go into detail but I don't think it would matter here. >> I'm not trying to I would never try to um stop your freedom of your speech. >> No, I understand. But I' I've made a judgment call that uh just steady my objection. >> Okay. I appreciate that hearing. No further discussion. All those in a motion to approve the policy P6163.1 library material selection as a first reading, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. That

090motion has carried. William, would you be willing to read the motion for number two, please? >> A motion to approve policy P5123, promotion, retention, graduation, as a first reading. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> See, Miss Joan, I can be taught >> discussion. Andrea, >> I think we're uh just up to date on this. I think everything is is pretty clear. The only thing I want to mention is that we need a the if you go down to the second paragraph on the first page of course is prior to the end of the school year and then you see u any deviation from the progress mentioned in the first paragraph. I'm going to um strike the word mentioned. I don't think there's any place for it there. And I I thought about

091it what before when we met we met and then I just thought it was too superfluous but I when I read it again today I said that has to go. So just as an edit >> and then on the next page in the middle school promotion and retention um and that's on the u the the you're your part of this not the policy the regulation there's an Oxford comma missing. >> Oh my goodness. And I'm so careful with those now. I've learned so much. >> Okay. So these are two editing. tell you where it goes. So, we'll see how good a student I am of yours. >> Okay. Tell me. Well, you can tell me later. >> So, this one really is um when we we notice that this particular policy really jives with the

092one that you've already um approved on graduation requirements. >> So, we had to really update it um so that it also simple things like on the first page, we no longer have CMTS. So, we have smarter balance and we have next generation science standards. So we had to update and then certainly with in the regulations we had to update the current classes versus the upcoming classes with our new newly um voted on graduation requirements. So they this now is aligned with the the policy that has already been approved. >> There's one more. >> Okay. on the regulations on page three or three or four. There's no S on one stem one STEM credit. So the S has to go. >> Okay, >> that's it. >> You are right about that. >> Can I Do you

093have more Andrea? >> Do you have more corrections? >> That's it. I had a question about the middle school promotion and retention. If a student fails one subject or two two or more, they could be given a special promotion or may be retained in the same grade another year. My question is like in our high school, we give those students an opportunity to go to summer school. Do we do that in the middle school? >> Yes, we do. This year, I've asked the principles to look at any child who's failed a core subject and they'll go to Pitch High School for credit recovery. >> Wonderful. >> So that they can continue. And we're sharing that information with parents. We think, you know, nth grade is kind of a gatekeeper. If our ninth graders aren't successful,

094then it really correlates with graduation and not graduating. So, we said it really is important um that our eighth graders if they failed a course like their grade 8 math, then to put them in algebra in nth grade without some credit recovery is really putting them >> in a poor position. So, this should really give them leverage. And we're going to I think that Peter even has some things that he's got up his sleeve to really pro to promote that and to also, you know, give kids some um acknowledgement of them doing that work over the summer. So, I'm really happy about their response to that. >> Good question, Liz. >> Oh, I'm Liz. >> I'm sorry. I just um I remember I asked about increasing the social studies credits to four and I had

095asked um for some data about how many students take more than three credits and I've never received that data and I think that speaks to this policy and so I feel like um you know if we're looking to increase the number of credits for world language but I also brought up the idea of the concept about you know especially in this day and age we need to increase um I believe personally that we need to increase our social studies credits we are becoming more of a global society we need to have students who are educated in the democratic process and not just a you know a brief thing I think we really need to encourage that um and I just was wondering I don't remember I'm sorry but I don't remember voting on the number

096requ the credits that we were going to allow. I don't remember that vote. I don't remember when that happened. It could have happened when I had to take a couple times off, but I don't remember that happening. >> It it did happen, but I I'm sorry you didn't get the data. I think that was sent out, but I will double check and make sure you get the credits. So, um, but I still think that's something that we as a board need to continue to explore because quite frankly, when you have three credits and you have one and a half are already dedicated >> to something, I I just don't think we're doing due diligence to our our society. And I >> I totally agree. >> I just would like us to continue exploring that option,

097please. So, so Liz, how do you want us to um continue to keep that on our foreground? Would you like to have that be thrown into the the the curriculum referral sheet so that you could kind of continue to have that in the curriculum? >> We could do that. That would be fine. I really would like also to maybe through that we'll be able to talk to the teachers and get some input from the teachers. So, I think that's a really good thing. So, Dr. Piaza and Dr. Hardy and Dr. Ikerman, let's make sure we put that in our list. Look at that. I've got three doctors and I'm the only one without the doctor in front of my name. That's okay. But let's um we're going to put that as a future topic. We'll

098put that on our tracking sheet. Is that the thing? >> Referral sheet. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. No, I think that that um I think you're bringing up a really good point and um I think um let's not lose that. No. Um because that policy has passed uh but that doesn't necessarily mean that that policy cannot be relooked with new information. So >> Okay. Thank you. >> No, I just wanted to tell Mrs. Porter to take two aspirin and we'll put it on the docket. >> I'm sorry I couldn't hear. >> We couldn't hear you. >> Take take two aspirin and we'll put it on the docket. That's the doctor. >> You know, in the future, it'd be nice to know how many students are retained. I I don't think many students are

099retained anymore. So, it'd be interesting to see whether or not from elementary all the way through if students are really retained, you know, if if because it it doesn't sound like it from this policy. So, so that that actually wouldn't like a glo just a global how how hard would that be for the for us to give that see it more in kindergarten, >> right? Um, and that's why we designed the TK program because we knew that there were very young kindergarteners coming and sometimes it was no fault of theirs. They were just not ready for >> Well, I think of it as a report at the end of the year just like a retention. I mean, just like our suspension and expulsion report that could have done that summer. >> Yep. >> So, I'm

100going to bring us back to the policy. Any further conversation hearing? None. All those in favor to approve policy P5123 promotion retention graduation as a first reading please say I. >> I abstain. Motion has passed. Since this is a first reading, isn't it possible for the the um policy committee to re think about the four credits in a social science? So that is a different policy and that has already been passed by second reading. >> We did pass that. >> Y so Rita >> would you please be willing to read the motion for number three? >> Sure. Thank you. >> To approve the observation of Junth on June 19th, 2023 for 12 months employees. Can I have a second to that please? I have Dr. Han. >> So we've had the discussion already. Um Jay,

101>> so um reading this this motion, um I'm just concerned it it it approves the observation of Junth on June 19th, 2023. and it adds this 12-month employee. Um, which I don't know that that is is relevant to what the public would understand. I I would propose that that um to amend it to approve the annual observation of Junth >> beginning June 19th, 2023 and just leave it there. >> But I don't know if anybody would support that in >> I would support that. Yeah, I I absolutely Yeah. >> Okay. So, Oh, Miss Joan, walk me through this. So, that I now have an amendment on the floor and it has been seconded by Matthew. >> So, now do I go into discussion about the amendment? >> Yes. >> See, >> okay. >> There is

102any. >> If there is any Okay. So, do we um want to have discussion on the the motion to approve the annual observation of June 19th? >> Yes. Because all this says is that we're going to do it on June 19th this year and that's it. >> Yeah, I see that. That's how I read it, that this is this was only going to be a oneshot deal. And I think we need if this is what we're going to be doing, then it's something that needs to be um an annual event. So, I think the reason, and I'm not saying it's a good reason, I'm just saying the reason why I put it specifically for just this year is because I wasn't quite sure about any of theus and and stuff that had to be done.

103And so, I just wanted to kind of like make sure that we could get it for this year. Um, but that I would be advocating that we then moved to having it. I mean, I don't care what I I my my concern was just to make sure that I wanted to get it done for this year specifically. I do feel it's an annual thing, but I wanted to make room for theus and such. And so maybe that doesn't have to be part of our motion. Maybe that's understood that if we are celebrating the June 19th annually that if there is anything that comes out of like if we're like in school until June 25th, >> gosh forbid in theou that would be in theou. >> Do you want to speak to that Lori? >> Yeah.

104How that works? >> I just um I think the edit is fine. uh we would have to do anou with the union body anyway just to define how exactly it will logistically function. So we can do that. >> Okay. >> Um I believe that we were going to have a discussion about this with um the different unions and possibly giving back a day like a different day like indigenous people's day or because it it is another paid holiday. So how many do you know that's why I thought we were going to have a further discussion about this with theus and so forth with the unions. >> So at an earlier part of the discussion let's make sure that I heard this is that it's it's just that we won't be paying them for June 19th

105but if the school is still in session they would come to school and work June 20th. Is that did I understand that? So that's how we were going to that that's how they were going to take care of that. >> It's still a day it's still a day off. It's it's still it's still a paid holiday no matter how you look at it. It has to affect some employee some way and there has to be some cost. And whether or not do we need you know I mean to have this day at the end of June it just I don't know. Lori, do you want to speak to what theus would do? >> Yeah, the only the only bargaining unit impacted by this decision is the maintenance custodial IT SE um secretar's unit. However, the

106only individuals would be maintenance custodian IT staff that work 12 months who would be impacted that we would need to um meet with them to work on anou together. the other units are impacted because what would happen is if June 19th um is observed and we needed to run the school calendar either past to June 19th or past June 19th, it wouldn't be a paid holiday holiday for them because they don't receive paid holidays. They may be off work, but that day would then be added on to the school calendar at a later time, whether June 20th, 21st, whatever date that is, we would add it, >> let's say. So that would be 13 paid holidays as opposed to 12 like right now for the teachers union. >> For the 12-month employees, yes. But for

107the employees that do not work 12 months and work the school calendar, they're not paid holidays. They're just nonwork days for them. Yeah. Any other discussion around that? And we are uh talking about the amendment. >> The amendment, right? >> So, initially I would be in favor of if you're going to do it for one year, just do it for eternity. Um but so the only value in just leaving it for this year as you said is as to leave us kind of space to consider this fully and then the next time. So I see some value in that. On the other hand, maybe there isn't very much to theou thing. Maybe we've already discussed I'm I'm sort of two minds on this one. Should we have a further discussion to make sure we're all

108on board with it? We know all the ramifications or do we think we've heard enough about that? In which case, then let's just go with the amendment. >> I'm I'm frankly of two minds on it. >> Thanks, Dean. Well, there has to be an impact to students because if there is no school and it's close to the end of the school year and there's a day off, good chance that the students aren't going to come back after this, you know, even if they're supposed to. That that's just my thought. >> Yeah, you can kiss that day goodbye pretty much. >> But you might anyway, frankly. I mean, the end. Let's let's be honest. When I was in school, same thing. Last couple days of school. Yeah. Not a lot going on, >> especially after seniors

109have done graduation. >> Yeah. >> Right. And >> Jay, I'm sorry. >> I was simply going to say that, you know, it's already a national, state, uh, and local holiday. Um, and we have the same issue with with snow days. We don't know how many snow days there'll be at the end of the year. Um, and there are people, for example, who don't come to work when it snows. Um, and sometimes we have many more than one or two. So, um, I I know we said that for a couple of people it's going to affect productivity. Um, I guess snow days do that as well. Um, but I just think that um, again, I I just uh support that we go with this amendment. >> Matthew I was of two minds as you know. I

110sent a note uh in response to Susan's letter with a calculation of cost which further uh I have been educated as to my miscalculation. Uh I made another mistake just eight years ago. Uh so I just want to know Ken if it's possible and uh if it's possible what the dollar figure just a ballpark on the dollar figured cost is for the uh for doing this if in an event in a year where we go past June 19th. I mean are we talking $3,000 $30,000? What what are we talking for cost? I >> I I don't know. Uh but specifically, you want to know for the impacted folks, which we calculated to be 88 people, calculate >> I I trust you on that. So if we have 8 stipulate that we have 88 people and

111if it's 87 or 92, you will still get the scent the general sense. >> It's how how much they get paid for a day. Is that is that what the question? >> What what will the impact be on the budget? >> There is no impact. >> There there is no impact. there is no impact. Okay. >> If if there were no work, uh they'd get paid for the day. If there were work, they get paid for the day. >> Okay. >> So, that's that's where I'm uh >> so I'm clarified that for for those 88 people, there's no financial impact. And if I'm understanding correctly, for those who are on a contractual basis based on the number of days served, there would be no impact. They would just adjust the the situation. Am I correct

112in my understanding now? >> Yeah. and and then the only impact could possibly be if if employees called in for an emergency uh that would be >> that's understood. Okay. >> And I think the work that we have to get done in the summer to get the schools back ready again will still get done. >> There's just there's these projects that we just get done and sometimes people just work harder at it to get it done in the days that they're there and they team up a lot. I know that Sam does a great job at like all hands on deck in schools as they go. So, just to know that the work will still get done. >> Bev, I I see that you have your hand raised, but I'm just going to interject one

113thing. So, let's be clear. We want to celebrate the June the June 19th. Um, I I think what what I'm hearing is the logistics if we're in school past that time at other years, but there's going to be other information to make those decisions around that. And so, um, I just wanted to also be clear about that that that we are about making sure that we celebrate this holiday, um, but we're just concerned about logistics um, in the future if those arise. But I would like to recognize Bev. >> Thank you, Kim. Um, can Jay repeat his amendment and explain it again if you don't mind? Absolutely. >> Jade, would you like to say the amendment, please? >> Uh, yes. I um had proposed that we say to approve the annual observation of Junth beginning

114June 19th, 2023. >> Period. >> And the reasoning being that, you know, it is now a federal, state, and local holiday. Uh, and this way it won't have to come up for a vote every year and have us need for us to remember to put it on the agenda to vote for it again when it's already been enshrined as a holiday at all other levels. >> But that would be happening anyways, correct, Lori? If that if something was to happen, you would be going and we would be working with each of the different contractual employees. >> That's correct. That's okay, Bev. >> Yeah. And Jay, what was your uh why did you oppose having the 12-month employees on that amendment? >> Well, it sounds like I know it just seemed awkward to me. It it

115sounds like they're the only ones that'll be observing. Um it it just seemed awkward. We're we're going to observe it as a district. >> Right. That's right. Now, now, you know, obviously the 12-month employees, there's going to be some, you know, and that sort of thing. I don't know that that needs to be enshrined in the motion. >> It's a districtwide observation. So, if they aren't 12-month employees, Beverly, and they're, you know, working the school year, then they would just have the calendar adjusted so that they would to work the days that they're contracted to work, but they would just shift it a day if that needed to happen, >> but we would still observe it. >> I I just don't think you need the word annually. I think if it said the motion to

116approve the observation of June Junth on June 19th 2023 period and just not have because that means it's annual you don't and >> beginning right it's just to approve we're approving it >> to approve the observation of June 19th beginning June 19th 2023 >> yeah and then just drop off for 12 month employees I mean you don't need to say annually because it's It's implied. It's you're approving it on that day forward. >> All right. Well, let's get first this amendment done first. Jay, >> I I just respectfully believe that the motion should be clear that we are not just observing it on June 19th, 2023. I I think there needs to be some modification to indicate that it's June 19th, 2023 going, you know, and going forward. >> Okay. >> So, by inserting annual,

117you know, to approve the annual observation, it makes it clear and doesn't require someone to come back and declare June 19th, 2024 to be a holiday. It just we >> okay >> we make it um we make it clear in the motion just by adding that and removing the reference to the the 12-month importance. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other discussion on the amendment? I I just wanted to say that uh I I understand Rita's objection in in particularly in terms of you know when I f first saw this as a teacher I and a principal I said how wacky is it to give a day off at the end of the year that's until you really think about what the day means and it has nothing to do with what time I wish it

118came into a different time of the year because it would then be more established But uh you know my first reaction was at the end of the year you're going to give a day off but when you really consider what what the day stands for there's no question that it has to be any further questions on the amendment hearing none. The amendment that's on the floor is to approve the annual observation of June 19th beginning June 19th 2023. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, abstain. >> I'm abstaining. >> That amendment has passed. Now I need to go back to the motion or just stay with the >> go back go back to the original the main motion and ask if there's any more discussion. >> Okay. So I'm

119going to go back to >> Excuse me. Point of clarification. We have passed this. >> We have passed the amendment. >> We passed the amendment. So, uh, >> we've amended the original motion. The main motion. >> So, we now have to vote on the the amended main motion >> mechanically. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> The original. >> No, the amended main motion. >> Well, the the main motion as amended. >> The main motion as amended. >> Okay. So, I'm now going to go back. Do I have to get a first and a second? No. It's big. Okay. So, thank you. Uh, thank you, Dean. Um, so all those in favor to approve the annual observation of June 19th beginning >> Junth. Junth I am sorry. Junth beginning June 19th >> on June 19th, 2023.

120>> Right. >> Is there any discussion? >> No. I I go just right to a vote, right? >> No. No. Right. >> I'm I'm correct. >> Yeah. I'm You might want to canvas if this to see if there's any more discussion, but I'm holding my eyes because I'm hoping there isn't any. >> Oh, okay. I didn't know if you were starting to get a headache. Any any discussion? Um my only discussion would be I really liked what um Andrea had said about why you're observing this holiday and to maybe encourage the schools to do something on June 18th or June 15, you know, a little earlier in the school year so people understand what this holiday is all about. Just like if you you know some schools go to school on Veterans Day and they

121have a lovely ceremony that day. We have ours before the day. So again, we could do something like that for this holiday. All right, if we're hearing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion that's on the floor, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> I >> abstain. >> Just one. That motion has passed. Jay, um, letters or communications? >> Uh, yes. So, um I'm sure you all received the same uh emails that I did um from parents and others uh expressing their um appreciation for our PAR educators. And while we can't say anything given that it's currently under negotiation, I I certainly want anyone who's listening to this to know that I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for all of our educators, staff, and administrators, including our PAR

122educators. >> Thank you, J. Beth, >> same as Jay. >> Matthew. >> Yep, I'm fine. >> Dean >> pass. >> Liz, >> I received those communications as well. And I I want to also say yes, we appreciate all that the Paris do as well as all of our other staff. I also received a communication from Irene Weiss who is the um voter regist for voter registration from the League of Women's Voters and um I've put her in contact with uh Principal Keller to see if we can do another drive to um register students, our seniors. So I wanted to um give a shout out to Irene for and thank her for getting in contact with me. I also wanted to say um as earlier stated by our student rep that the Fitch Pops concert was

123absolutely phenomenal. Uh I did not have the opportunity unfortunately to go to the choir and chorus one, but I did get to go to the the instrumental one. It they blew my socks off literally. I couldn't believe how wonderful how much they had grown over the year. And I just wanted I really want to say to the the the music department at Fitch High School, fabulous. Well done. So, >> thank you William. >> Um, >> nothing. Okay, Rita, we received the same letters about the pairs and I really appreciate hearing from the parents and um the other question I had was in our minutes from our meeting on the 24th um Mrs. borderline had asked about the um the indication on report cards about whether or not a student has re received or achieved honor

124role. And in your notes, Kim, it says here, Mrs. Shepard Watson noted that she will add this item to the board template. Did you mean the CO? >> Um so I meant um the template, I think. Um just to add that to making sure that when we go over the report cards because that is uh an annual review of the report cards. I think >> but isn't that something we could just vote on and and speak to hear from the high school staff and you know >> um I think that I think that we were like it's part of the template. It's in the summer that we're going to go over and and at that point we could okay we could bring that to a vote. and then also the about the AED machines in

125the schools and whether or not you know what what's happening on that case now that our budget's approved. So I just think that it's important if if you know if people we've often talked about this that if there are comments from citizens that we need to answer and understand how we're moving forward with with sometimes you know their requests. Wasn't that in the board notes? >> I believe that that information was but completed, but I can go back and look. >> But would the public know that? No. >> So whether we >> I don't think she was I think we answered her specifically. >> Yes. But the general public heard her question and then there's no response from the board. So I feel that some place we should have a response. You know, we have

126response to comments from citizens, but that's only directly for when someone comes up. But when people have approached us about important issues to them, we should have a response that everyone can hear, I feel, not just the one person. So, that's just a thought. There's a um there's a couple of us who are going to be looking at the 9,000s which is also the meeting template and maybe we could talk about whether we add that to the agenda >> or was it would it fall under response to comments from citizens? >> It could. Right. But but we then need to then denote that. >> Right. >> Okay. Thank you. Andrea, do you have >> I have two things. >> Yes. And the first thing is I I want everybody to know that when I do

127I have two reasons for doing the the uh corrections for commas and things like that. First of all, I do it for fun. And the second thing is um I I want to make the difference between instructional grammar and rhetorical grammar. And there are two different functions and uh I'm hoping to pursue that as we go along during the year. So that's one thing. The second thing is I couldn't have been more thrilled or more uh I don't know just felt such a a feeling of camaraderie is the word that comes to mind but u maybe it's more like grandmotherliness but Karen Rockwell Cardier was teacher of the year >> and I had Karen in eighth grade and I was so proud of that. >> So that's it. >> Wow. So, um, I've been talking,

128uh, or the template has been referred to quite a bit tonight. Um, and I will I think we've got the most recent one has been sent out to everyone. Um, but then I'm asking for the people for the chairs of policy, curriculum, finance, and communications just to look at the referral sheet just to make sure that the referrals that you have on there make a lot of sense to you all. Um, just so that we can do that. And just um when Susan and I were meeting, we were looking we were just we we've worked really hard this this year. Um and so um to kind of go back to a little bit more of a summer schedule where we would have um one committee of the whole with one board of board of ed

129meeting um and then also um in August actually have one of the meetings for the committee of the whole be a retreat like we would have it at the same time that we have committee the whole we would have it so that people um could uh be remote um and uh to finish up the work around our our vision and mission statement. Um, so I just wanted to give you a heads up on that that that will might look a little bit different for us um for the summer. Um, notice that we we have not only um was the cheat sheet of all the end of the uh school activities but also the act uh the dates that are coming up in June. Um and uh graduation is when Susan 16th >> The 16th. Okay.

130>> It's a Friday. Um and uh suggested agenda items. I have Rita I have for you to go to finance um the electric charging stations um on school grounds. And then for Liz I have the curriculum for four credits um for social studies as are there any other agenda items? I guess we'll be hopefully voting on the uh communication plan at our next meeting. >> Okay. So, just make sure that that um I we get that. But absolutely. Okay. >> Um super. I'm I'm looking forward to looking at that. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Oh, you have another agenda. Okay. >> No, but information and proposals. I wanted to acknowledge the middle school concert, the orchestra, choir, the drummers were really phenomenal. We enjoyed that very much. And I did have a request uh in

1312021, we got a form showing minority hiring across the district. And I had asked our former statistician and I've asked our current statistician if we could use the same template and have a year or two before COVID 2019 2021 2122 if that's available so that we can fit a line and and measure our progress and set our goals and I I would really like to get that data set. >> So is that a possibility that could get to the board? >> Yeah. Um, we do have the requests. We're researching back. We our system does not retain historical data, but we're trying to see what we have in the way of maybe archived reports that we can pull that data. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> And we're still hiring, so this

132year we we wouldn't really have all that data till school year starts. So, >> yeah. >> Anything else? >> No, ma'am. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Oppose. Abstain. Good meeting, guys.