001All right. Um, good evening everyone. Today is August 28th and it is 6:05 and I it this is the Gaten Board of Education's regular meeting and I am honored to start our meeting. The first order of business is a pledge of allegiance um which is behind us. And Ernie, I was wondering if you'd be willing to start us to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um before we get into recognitions and participation of the visitors and delegation, I ask that the board members both online and in person to just kind of take um if you could look at the agenda item of new business number three, which is that most
002likely we'll be um having a motion to go into executive order. What I would like us to be able to do is just move that towards the end, actually the end of our um agenda and go through everything else. um just to help out with the uh Zoom meeting and and and people. So, um I would actually just like to uh for both people on online and in person, I just need permission to be able to do that. I think it's twothirds um just to be able to change the order of the agenda. It's fine. >> Yes. >> Bev and Jay and William, do um does that seem okay to you guys? It's fine with me. >> Thank you, Beth. >> It's fine with me. >> All right. I get over twothirds. >> All right.
003Um and so the second part of our u meeting tonight is the recognition and participation of visitors and delegations. Um I will going to throw that over to um Superintendent Austin. So, I was delighted to see that Cave sent us a letter on your behalf, Kim Shepardson Watson, and um congratulations are in order. You are one of nine board members recognized for such an honor. You've earned the Caves Certificate of Boards of Ed member designation. And it's with your attendance at numerous CAB and CAPS conventions, CAB workshops and programs and other events that you've been acquired a variety of skills and have earned such an honor. So we really applaud you and we thank you for your service to this district. >> Thank you. For those who don't understand what CAB is, CAB is the
004Connecticut Association of the Boards of Education. And second on my list was to recognize Terry Hinkle, who is our JOTC senior naval science instructor. He has worked all summer long to get ready for this. This is something that has been in the works since 2014 that I know of. and we really were um granted the what they call the National Naval Defense Cadet Corps which is the precursor to JOTC and we're really looking forward to having it be a full JOTC maybe even this year. So um I really applaud Terry Hankle. Um it's taken quite a bit of organization. Um, the federal government has supplied really all of the the books and the curriculum and the major supplies that the kids would need to be able to, you know, do the um program. So, he
005will come back though and he can share with us his enthusiasm, you know, probably next month and let us know. We have over a hundred students who are participating, both boys and girls. So really it's a you know in a military district such as ours, the largest student military group, um this is something really to be proud of. And then um also here with us is Ernie Kashmere and his food service team and they deserve great accolades that they have worked tirelessly like they always do, but even more so this summer. Not only did they feed the Grten school kids and at all those feeding sites, but they also help support Norwich when we got the call to give them, you know, some helping hands. The federal government of course pays for the meals, but
006it was the people, and it's our people who kind of rose to the occasion. And I just want to say that we got um email after email really applauding your good work and saying, "So, thank you." But I think the the sweetest thing I got in the mail was a handwritten note from their prior superintendent, Abby Doiver, who's very beloved in town. And I think she was helping with getting some of the meals started. So, just want you to know how much of an impact you made. And Ernie's going to come up and talk about a few other things that have been going on with food service programs. Thank you, Superintendent Austin. Um, I just wanted to say that um it's all because of those folks sitting right there that uh who do it tirelessly
007every single day when the temperatures were 90, 100°, hot and humid. Uh these ladies here made sure that those kids in our community and also Norwich had breakfast and lunch every single day this summer. Um and I could not do it without them. They are the most talented individuals and there's more of them. But those are the those are my uh right-hand people right there. So, thank you um ladies for all that you've done this summer. And just a quick uh recap in 2022 uh these ladies here did 30,630 meals and that was over 39 days. Um, and that was last year. And, uh, that is Monday through Friday, of course. And, uh, same kind of heat and weather. When it rains and stuff, we go out. Doesn't mean the kids don't eat. We're out
008there in those weather. I just want to tell you this year, and this includes Norwich, uh, we had a 64% increase. We did 47,876 meals with one less operating day than we did last year. Um, and that is back and forth in Norwich. It's approximately uh we had uh four sites up there and each one range from 27 mi one way to 32 mi one way. So it's up, it's back, it's empty, reload, up and back again. So some of those ladies were putting on 100 plus miles on their vehicle um every single day all summer long. And um you know, it's hard to believe, but there's still um people in our town uh where we can see that there's high need, especially when school is out. The the meals stop, the consistency stops. Um
009I can't thank you guys enough for authorizing us to do the summer meals program free of charge. Uh the children 18 years or younger. We've had uh families in Norwich when we went up there, uh Chris Roers um and myself, we had one day to go up there and do a site survey. We had to look at the sites. We had to estimate what we thought we were going to do. We had a family come up to us and give us hugs, thanking us, asking us if we were going to do meals. They didn't know what they were going to do. They had three little kids that were hugging Chris and I, and the mom didn't know what she was going to do. They was were they were within walking distance of Anka's uh memorial
010school there in the neighborhood. Um, and they so depend on that service. And unfortunately um the folks up there did not think or plan ahead um to to make sure that these families were not left behind. So I thank the board once again and of course Susan for when the call came in from the state department of ed asking if we could jump lines if you will jump orders and go up to Norwich. Um because we were the only district close enough that had the capacity to do so. We had the staff, we had the food, we had the vehicles. So that's why we uh I mean it wasn't within 10 minutes as Sam and Susan says, do what you got to do and we went up there and took care of those kids roughly
011about 250 to 300 meals a day over the four sites. And you mentioned uh former superintendent um Doiver. She is a she's a deer. Um I love her to death. She was right there at a place called Bully Busters which is in St. Mark's Church. They uh was that was their donation site that uh the community was coming together, dropping off juice boxes and loaves of bread, peanut butter and jelly. They were making sandwiches. Um Abby was in there with about seven or eight of her colleagues and friends making meals. So we were dropping off um accompaniment, stuff that they didn't have enough of to make a a full lunch for kids. Um we weren't able to claim those meals because again they weren't full meals but uh we supported um Bully Busters and giving
012them the components when they needed it such as juice boxes. I drop off 10 cases at a time. Uh bags of chips. Uh we would drop off peanut butter. Um when but and Abby was good. She was let us know what what they needed. Um and I didn't want to interfere with that operation because they were very they were very proud to be able to do that for their community and give back. there was no way that we were going to interfere with that. And um you know we concentrated on the wreck programs and um one of their uh NFA was another big site. This year also, we um did the first ever in the state, we uh we did our um our garden fresh bags. And what I did is I asked uh Graten
013Utilities if they would uh support me in a $3,800 contribution because that would enable me to provide 300 garden fresh bags to our um severe need sites throughout Graten every Friday. Um what we did is we get local produce from farms when it comes in Maple Lane Farms. We would we would buy and and again I don't ask for donations but I I purchased with our local dollars donated by Grant Utilities and we were able to hand out 300 bags every Friday to kids to take home and they would have like a head of lettuce, couple tomatoes, couple cucumbers. It varied. There was beets, it was um there was blueberries at one time. Very very unique program. Commissioner Herbert came down not once but twice to Grten because he was amazed at how we were
014able to find the funding use his uh Connecticut fresh bags um because he's the commissioner ag so he love those bags and and we would hand these out to families to take home and we would put little little notes inside hey try try the lettuce you know with ranch dress and roll it up with um you know tuna fish or something you don't always have to have bread so that was a huge program and next year I I plan to expand expand it by looking for more donations from um Electric Boat and Fizer. Um and lastly, the um we were able to employ three high school students for our farm to school program this summer. All summer long, three high school kids were making 15 bucks an hour. Um you know, and they loved it.
015These kids were fantastic. They worked with us. They went to the farms, helped pick up the produce and stuff and bring back. They packaged the stuff for the Friday distributions. They were out there in the field handing out the stuff to the kids and the families to take home. And then we had four high school kids that worked Easter from Point Beach. So, there was seven kids right there this year that we're proud to say that we were able to help fund um through the summer and uh gave them their first job. We've had such a great group of kids this summer. Um and again, all of this was, you know, I can't do it without this team that's sitting behind me. you know, I can't feed the kids like these ladies do every single
016day, not just during summer, but we're going to be opening up our schools Wednesday, and they're going to be right there taking care of these, uh, 5,000 kids every day. So, thank you. I know what leadership looks like in Grten, and we have it, and I can tell you, uh, some communities don't have what we have, and I've seen it firsthand to know what that looks like. Um, so, thank you guys for all that you do. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you all. [Applause] I think that one of the things that I have come to realize that people can't do their best and be their best if they don't have food. >> That I am so happy that research now um really um I agree with your watch a lot as it gives
017us feedback. Um I I we just we do better and we and we can function better. And what a relief it must have given to the families to know that um their kids and themselves could have something to eat for two out of the three meals and to also try some garden. Um it's just so important and so thank you for your willingness to kind of say yes um and to do it and to work as hard as you work. Um, you know, my proud moment is that my mama was a a middle school baker um at Mansfield public school and she baked for the whole school system. And so I realized forever um what it was like to make sure that kids were fed and people were fed well. And so to it's such
018a once again graten proud moment um to be able to to know that um you and your colleagues are what did that. So thank you very much. Any other comment from the board? >> I would like to thank um the staff at Eastern Point Beach. Also, the food has been phenomenal this year. My husband and I go quite often at night and it's just lovely. So, thank you for doing that and taking over that val valuable resource in our in our community. Thank you. >> Thank you. And good luck on on Wednesday. Yes. >> And send me those stats so I can put them in the the notes for everybody. >> Thank you. >> Good luck for the new school year, ladies. >> And Ernie. >> Thank you. >> So, I'm going to move us
019on to the comments from citizens. Um, this is the portion of the agenda um where the board welcomes uh comments from citizens and each presentation should be limited to 5 minutes or less and citizens should if possible submit written comments. Um and presentations should be re related to matters pertinent to graten. Uh board members will only ask questions in order to clarify the speaker presentations and cannot respond during this part of the comments of citizen portion. Um and citizens should make their presentation either from the zoom or um if they are present um from the podium and state their names and addresses for the record. Is there anyone in present that would like to address the board? >> No, you're just here to have fun. >> Yeah, your turn. >> I love that. Um, is
020there anyone online? It's good to see our buddy Joan is online. Joan, it's good to at least see your name. So, hearing that, I am moving us down. Um I believe that student representatives have not been allocated yet um to service. Is that correct? >> Student reps. >> Um we have two who are getting ready to come. Um but they aren't here yet. So they will be coming. >> So they'll sit next to >> They'll sit next to Sam. >> Sam because he's been >> We have Zoe back. >> Oh, good. Yeah, >> that's that's what I hear. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Who's the other person? Do you know >> Sam? Can you read his name? McCoy. I think it's the McCoy. Calvin McCoy and >> I think there are a couple backups too
021because they get so busy. Yes. >> Are we Are we going to have two seniors, two juniors? >> I think that's what we have so that they can kind of come up and take their place so we don't get short-handed again. >> All right. So, we're going to be moving on to the superintendent and administration reports. Um, and so Susan, please. >> All right. Well, we are really prepared to open up our schools and very excited to do so. I call this the year of all hands on deck being the military child myself as we search for a new business director. Um I'm so grateful to have um Lori Leine who is the director of HR really being able to do both departments and and check in and she checks in with me daily as
022we kind of review budgets and make sure that everything is running smoothly. and um also for new high school principal at Fitch High School. And also equally blessed to have Dr. Phil Piaza. They want to keep him, but I won't let them. He's there to to make sure schools open up and he's been um a principal multiple times, middle school, elementary, and also high school assistant principal. So, um I think you're having fun actually >> so far. Two days in. >> Yeah. Still smiling. >> It's going Yeah. So, I just thought nobody better to be there for us and get the year kicked off. So, um I I actually at convocation last um Friday, I said the Navy calls this deal one ship, one crew. Every member on the boat has really important work to
023do for our national safety and security and they need to all show up together and be present. Um and so we really look at teaching and learning similarly and our Grten Public Schools staff and that includes faculty, teachers, administrators, pareducators, our food service people, our custodians and maintenance um you know and our administrative assistance people in the buildings and at central office. It really is um one team. It's teamwork and we've kind of made it through these past three years even during a pandemic and we're looking forward to getting better together. That's the theme this year. Um, also we want to say that at Fitch High School besides the JOTC, we also have Ed Rising um as another course selection that's offered to kids. There's been a lot of curriculum development done over the summer
024um to just revise things. And we also have hired a French and Spanish teacher for the elementary through our last DODIA world language grant. So fourth and fifth graders will get the carousel model which used to be done in the middle school which then enables our middle schoolers to start on their three-year journey in foreign language which is exciting. So, um, that's it about I mean, I know Sam will tell you more about the facilities and all the hard work that's been done over the summer, the things that were on his list and not on his list to do. Um, and and all that work to get those buildings ready. It was a buzz this summer. Every school had a program had we had ESY over at Northeast Academy. We had the wreck camps at
025Mystic River and Themes River. We had Fitch High School had entertained both middle school and high school kids for enrichment and credit recovery. And then we had camps at the Graten Middle School and elementary camp, STEM camp at the Charles Barnum School. So, it was hopping this summer and I know even the cleaning crew, they they're all hands- on deck kind of crew, too. So, >> and just to note, I'd like to make a point that the buildings look fantastic. >> They do. They look beautiful. They're shining really nice. Just a shout out to the crew and to Sam. They look ready to go. >> Excuse me, Susan. For the benefit of the public, what's ESY? >> Early um >> extended school year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> For special education students. >> And then
026um really the um review of the summer programs I just um did and I'm trying to think if there was anything else with that review. How about how many students participated? >> Do you know? >> We have I have here I can we have numbers the the GMS summer steam camp there was a total of 77 students. Um I don't have the numbers in front of me though for the elementary this year. >> I think it was more like 300 for the elementary. >> Yeah, they they had um and then >> I've got the numbers for the ESY. Do you have that? >> Yeah. what you included in your board notes, the the high school summer school report is there as well. >> Um where I think I don't know if we've mentioned this before,
027we had um 111 students enrolled in 167 courses. Um 95 of those students completed over 136 courses. Um so in terms of credit recovery um you know we had 98 students earn credit 16 did course advancement meaning they took classes to sort of get ahead um and that they were a combination of both apex and teacher taught classes. There were 79 um in the apex and 88 in uh teacher taught >> and even the apex had a certified teacher on board to help support the students. So there was teaching going on even with the um online program. The other thing I wanted to mention um Denise Doolittle who's our pupil personnel director gave me the numbers K through 12. And this is ident they're identified in their IEP individual education program to be able to
028receive these services. Um and there were 110 K through 12 17 preschools. Um there was some speech, some reading only, some PT. Um so really and then there were the ABA students who were able to stay um the program for autism for the extra two weeks so six weeks total and there were 44 of those students. So the program really took care of 200 total students for the six weeks at some point. So and I just wanted to add that professional learning is happening today and tomorrow and I couldn't be more proud of the staff and some of the presenters who really are our staff. this since you've learned about the science of reading I just want you to know that for a full year they've been working on a K through3 model that we've
029purchased the UFly University of Florida phonics program and they've really taken the Wilson program the UFly program and some of the TC and they've developed our own comprehensive phonics program and the teachers were so excited they they've heard about it last year but they were all brought together at each of their individual grade levels K1 and two um to really see what's been rolled out and I didn't want them to do a lot of make and take. That's when they have to like spend a couple hours cutting and pasting. We did that for them over the summer and they couldn't be more pleased that they had everything at their fingertips. The curriculum is on our website. So, that's one example. We did that in mathematics as well with some of the new units. Um the
030middle school and the high school had some great uh articulation, vertical articulation, which we talked all about, but now that we have coordination 6 through 12, they were able to do that and some teamwork um and team building because through the culture and climate committee, they're actually making goals and helping to resolve some of the issues that they were seeing last year. And that's really important. So the principles have shared that they've been in working groups and working some of these out and did then doing some team building together. So um we've really and you know we've really done some good work in just these couple days and we had a multilingual learner teacher a professor from Southern who came back again um this year and we got positive positive rave reviews on the work
031that she did. So, >> and then even the work I think you've me you might have mentioned this at the last meeting. You know, we had Kim Marshall come and work with our administrative team to talk about evaluation and uh feedback. So, that's something that we're going to continue to uh to work on to build the skills of the administrators um to build those connections with staff and to help move learning forward and to give constructive feedback for growth. And it's quite a shift because it it really is something that we're looking at principles being in and assistant principles being in every single classroom like maybe up to 10 times. So it's not just a oneshot deal like once a year and it's really for support and verbal feedback and that's also making those connections.
032And so we really are believing that this is going to be good. Yeah. So that's what I have for you and then we're gonna turn it over to Lori. >> So just um but if you have question Yeah. This would be a good place. So is there any questions for Susan and Phil who is slash assistant not slasher um assistant superintendent and slash um principal of the high school. Is there any questions? >> All right. >> Haven't been here. >> Yeah, absolutely. He's only there for a couple months. >> All of you. >> Thank you. >> Yes, all of you. >> Thank you. >> So, how many people have been interviewed for the >> We haven't interviewed the It closed today because we had to extend it, but I think we've got a really good
033talent pool and we're going to start Friday and we've got an amazing team. >> Good members applications and identifying those we want to interview. >> Yeah. And we have the profile, the leadership profile. I believe I sent it to the board, but I can send it again if you didn't get it. >> You did. You did. >> We got it. All right. >> So, as Susan talked about, um, Lori Le Pine, um, who once again, I know Susan talks about that, but I just on behalf of the board, um, once again, all the stuff that you do for the district, how you help the board, and now, um, pushing in and helping, um, not only doing the human resource, but also doing the business manager. Um, and so my thanks to you and the board's
034thank. >> Oh, thank you. Um, good evening everybody. So, I'm going to give your interm reports here and just bear with me. I'm going to share the screen for those that aren't here. Um, comes attachment one here. >> Yeah, you'll be able to tab. >> I will. Okay. >> Control. if you toggle over to where it has there. >> All right, got it. Okay, can we Okay. Oh, here it comes. >> Okay, so this is I'm just going to bear with me scroll down to the bottom of the object code summary so it's on the screen so everybody can see. Um, so spending for the month of um August to date has been fairly normal. Um nothing unusual has really come up. Our current spending um is a little over five million and our percent
035to budget 86.1% of budget spent to date. So um nothing unusual has really come out of the month. It's all been uh spending we've seen in it was it's not too far off from what we saw in July, but we did know that a lot of teacher salaries were encumbered at that time. Right. So that's why it showed correct larger in July but now it's kind of >> the incumbrances will come down as we >> correct correct. >> So any questions on the object code summary before I move forward to the healthcare report. >> No I just want um welcome to the committee. Thank you for coming in and thank you for being online. Um which is for those um who are watching us uh both Jay and William were online and now are in
036person. It's good to see you. Thank you. >> It's nice to see everybody around the table now. >> It is. >> Okay. So I am going to proceed to attachment number two which is the healthc care summary for the claims through July. Um, our current health care spending is 89.9% of Anthem's projection. Um, it is a little bit higher than last July. We're up about 12%. I did the actual calculation. Uh, but one month really isn't enough of a trend to really determine where we're going to uh see if we're truly up or down. So, we'll have to get, you know, some more months under our belt before we know for sure what the impact really is. Um but right now we're still performing um favorable to Anthem's projection. >> Any questions on the insurance?
037>> Um Laura, did we did we finalize the previous year yet against the budget? >> We're just waiting for a report from the town on the fund reserve so we can balance to that. Um we're hoping to have that for the next finance facilities meeting. We're working towards that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Yeah. You're welcome. >> Any other questions? >> I do. >> Please, >> Lori, I'm asking you to flip on a different hat. Okay. All right. This is your HR hat. Okay. >> Um, so how are we statistically with our staffs? Are we um is that something I are we going to talk about or No. Well, that actually probably should have been on a review of that. That's probably an oversight that Susan and I did in developing
038the agenda. >> Actually, it's not we we have it going in board notes this week. >> So, it's just to get it accomplished the the task. >> So, it's not on the agenda. >> That's true. >> But I will get it to you in boardnotes and we can put them on our future agenda. >> All right. We'll be sure to do that. >> Take your hat off. >> No problem. Rita, I just always think it's good for the public to hear how we're doing because there's been so much of that in the newspaper. >> I have no problem of that happening, but we would just need to agree to add that as an agenda item. This is a regular board meeting, so it's not it's not a something new, and it's the same thing as
039what we just did, which is that we are changing the lineup in our agenda. Am I correct? Or do I need to go to a motion >> to do what? to add >> to add to add a an item to the agenda. >> Yeah, that's that's a heavy duty thing because the the agenda is posted. It's meant to be posted ahead of time so that our meeting is public. People know it's going to be discussed. >> Yeah. >> So, it's uh traditionally underhanded quote unquote. You slip in new items while you're meeting. Oh, by the way. >> Yeah. >> So, >> okay. I I guess for me I would in light of that um and the fact that this is probably still a moving target with some of the positions that maybe we could ask
040for a full report in the in our September meeting. Um and because I'm hoping because I think that we have a lot to go on in terms of all the stuff that has happened in the building and grounds. Um but I um maybe the numbers will be more solidified and you can kind of talk about openings and and positions filled and stuff. We do have a little bit of information we'll be putting in board notes too so you get a kind of glance. >> I think we could you could address it in nine letters and comments sometimes from board members maybe. >> Well, I I still am going to make the um decision. I I'm not saying we're not going to talk about it. How about if we wait and we have it a full
041agenda item unless people would like for us to move forward and we can add it as an agenda item. understanding that we will not have the full information because Lori and Susan are not fully prepared to talk about it. >> Is that all right? >> Yep. >> If I if I could add, you could add in a normal organization. You could add by twothirds, but we're not a rule organization. >> Okay. >> So, we're governed by state law, which I haven't reviewed the paragraph, but I imagine it probably frowns on adding things at the last minute. >> That's fine. So with that, let us move to the director of building and grounds, Sam. Have you been a little busy? >> Thank you, Lori. >> Lori, thank you. You're welcome. >> Summer came and went. You
042might need the mic closer to you there, Sam. Just bring the mic closer to you. So, um, yeah. Um, we we've been doing a little bit. So, uh, I I will declare that the schools are operationally and aesthetically ready. >> Well, that's a good thing. Thanks to uh the custodial supervisor Wel Gaston and his staff for the superb job they did and for the maintenance coordinator Tom and his maintenance staff who are still doing some uh finishing touches. We're all trying to wrap up the finishing touches. You may know that this was one of the rainest summers that we've had in quite some time. A lot of the outside works which we'll have done by January wanted to tell you about Mystic River Magnet School. Heard that we had a a water leak there, a
043minor flood within the building. on the same weekend when we had the torrential rains throughout the state and the other end of the state got it worse than we did. And so when I was talking when I called contractors to see who could come in and get us up and running again, of course, most of them were real busy down the other end of the state, but we were fortunate enough to get a couple of contractors come by and the school is now put back together. the walls that were taken apart, the cabinets that were taken out, the lockers, so on and so forth, over fire alarms. There are a couple of items that are still on back. There a couple of lights in the hallway, although it doesn't really affect too much in that
044in the foyer area. So, there's a couple lights that are still on back order and there's one other item. I can't remember what it was at the moment. So, one other item that's on back order, but we're not prevent from that might also note that when I walked in Mr. River magnet school this morning not funny George was sucking up the water from the fountain on the first floor which sprung the same. So we will be finding out um whether this is a manufacturing defect because it's the same model unit or whether it was a an installation problem by the contractor because it was the same contractor that did both. So there is a a tank that was inside the bottle pillow unit and it is this one's no good. >> Joan says she can't
045hear you. Joan, can you hear me now? >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. I can. >> Well, it's good to hear your voice. I'd rather see your face. >> You will soon. >> I'll see you tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Uh yeah. So, um, between the insurance company and so on, we'll be doing a full investigation as to exactly what the cause was, whether it was a manufacturer defect or whether it was a, um, installation issue. So, that'll be coming forward. >> Can I just add that there is insurance, thank goodness, and we've reached out to the town because the bill for um, you know, is $25,000 for deductible. >> Oh. And the bill I think for the whole thing was close to 75,000. So we have requested that they may be be able to help us
046out especially if this is a manufacturing problem or a construction problem. >> So just wanted I you know I'm not sure that we've gotten positive yet on that but I'm pursuing it. and and so uh we we have shut down that bottle filler on the first floor too waiting um for some parts to see if we can at least get a couple of tanks in so that the kids can fill their bottles there. The fountains work but the bottle fillers do not. Um one of the other projects that we completed this summer was the Northeast Academy uh curtain drain uh on the north northeast side of the building. Um, we still have some money left in that account, CIP account. Uh, and we'll keep an eye on uh the other side of the building and
047we'll make a determination whether we'll do a uh a second uh curtain drain on the opposite side of the building after uh we get through the year and see how things are going. uh the Grten's middle school field lights. Um the town is actually cutting a purchase order for that so that we can order parts or so that the contractor Musco can order the parts. Takes about 6 weeks to get the parts. It looks like we'll start the project toward the end of September and the agreement is that we will have it done before the end of the year. Um solar projects at both Graten Middle School and Mystic River School um are to begin on September for 11th and September 25th. They haven't determined which school they're going to go to first, but one
048will start on the 11th, the other will start on the 25th. And again, those projects are expected to be completed uh by the end of the uh calendar year. We are also um doing an LED uh lighting upgrade at Fitch High School. Uh and the company that is doing that is resource lighting. Uh and they are mobilizing now, which means they are getting their trailers to the site, getting the supplies to the site, and they will be doing that project over the next couple of months. They'll be working in the evenings while the kids aren't in the building. And of course the if you've driven by the Graten Middle School lately, you may have seen uh that we put uh a lot of concrete in the ground um and uh for the uh pergola or
049the what we're calling the outside classroom. So that's adjacent to the existing patio on the lower level um main entrance of the school outside of the art rooms. So, uh that uh we've we've made the elevation of that uh equal or to the same elevation as the patio itself outside the art rooms with a a small sidewalk going to it to join them together. So, they just finished a slab today uh and did a broom finish on that. So they'll be finished cleaning up tomorrow and uh uh we will start the erection of the of the pergola itself um once we get some curing of the concrete. So that'll be happening in the next couple of weeks probably. >> And that was the last purchase from the MSAP grant if you remember. Um, and we
050really were so thrilled to be able to make that purchase because thinking of that steam school, um, you know, this is really an advantage to have the outdoor classroom. We needed it during COVID, but we we'll still use it during this time. >> I don't think I've forgotten anything. So, if there are any questions, I'd be >> No, there's been a few things on your list. And then there was the central office. >> That's water. We have we have a water problem at central office but u we I think we've narrowed it down now um we replaced the pump so it's not a pressure issue it's actually a flow u problem is what we've determined uh because those pipes were um installed in about 1965 um something happened in one one of the pipes it
051probably more than likely at one of the valves something broke off piece of rust or something and slowed so it slowed down the flow of water so the toilets aren't flushing as well as we'd like. So, we've changed some toilets to low flow toilets so that uh we can continue to operate. Um but it's a a situation that uh not a pleasant situation that we're still working on. uh in order to um rectify the situation, it's going to take quite some time to go through one end of the building to the other to find that particular place where this uh um obstruction is in in the line. So, >> so besides facility and food service, Sam also oversees transportation. We've been short-handed there. Um our transportation coordinator is flying solo because we lost a member,
052you know, that was working with her. So, she's been working overtime really trying to get these bus routes together and we had someone in from the bus company um today helping to oversee that. So, bus list did go out. Some parents have called and just know that we appreciate the call because if they're telling us that something's not right, I'd rather know about it now than after the buses roll out. So, >> right. So, as far as transportation is concerned, Jenny Aino has been working really hard at that with the new program. Leslie Davis was flown up by STA from I think she was in Florida uh to work with us this week so that she has somebody in the office working with her on the pro on the on the program. And uh Lauren
053um Lion from my office has been back and forth uh with between Power School and transportation trying to help out with that, answering phones and stuff. So they're working feverishly to make sure that things run as smoothly as possible on opening day. So, >> a lot of collaboration goes on behind the scenes. Just letting you know. >> Um, Sam, I had a question. I couldn't quite hear you when you were talking about were they the tanks to fill water bottles? Are they the drinking fountains? And is it at Mystic River? >> It is Mystic River School and they are the bottle fillers. Yes. >> And wouldn't um are the same ones at Themes River? >> They they are the same ones at the river. They're also the same ones that we installed at Fitch High
054School. >> It's the same model. >> So, the same model. So, could we anticipate future problems with >> I'm hoping not. >> Not. >> I mean, if is there's a defect. >> We have experience at it now, but I we're hoping that we don't have any further problems, >> but I think we're investigating to see what's the root cause. >> We're trying to figure out exactly what happened. So, um I've got another actually have another bottle filler section on order um so that I can swap that one out, get one out of the building so that we can open it up and find out what was going on with that uh so that they can get at least one operating at the school. >> Thank Thank you for all that, Sam. >> Yeah, >> you're
055welcome. >> Thank you, Le Lori. Yeah, >> J. So, we migrated from Transfinder to a new system for STA. Is that >> Yeah, I'm not going to say it right, but it's a Trans Versa. I don't think there's an S in trans. We were calling it Transversa, but I don't think the S is in there. So, it's Transversa. >> Yes. >> It's a program that uh a lot lot of districts have used in the past. Some of our people have had experience with it previously. SDA um we were able to uh negotiate with STA and they actually purchased the program for us and they are supporting us with the training. They have been training us all summer long and as I said they um uh we we asked them we told them last week that
056we're um uh we're looking to uh to beef up the staff in there before the start of school. So, they brought their uh trainer up and she's in the office working with Jenny this week. >> Okay. So, this is a a program they're using in other districts and they recommended >> and this is within the contract we already have that they they did this upgrade. >> We're not paying additional for it. That's part >> Yeah, we didn't pay for it. Okay. >> But it is a new program so people might be seeing some differences, >> right? Okay. >> Thank you. >> New to us. Yes. >> New to us. Any other questions? >> Any any driver shortages on the horizon? >> Uh they actually presently >> not >> um presently they have a couple extra
057drivers. >> Wow. >> And and the uh and their supervisor got her license over the summer too. >> Nice. And so we will be looking for doing a placement. I guess back piggybacking on your on your question is looking for a replacement for the open position on our end as well. >> Yes, it's already been posted or it's already going. Yeah, that that's already been posted. >> Okay, >> Liz, when were the bus schedules um put out to the public? >> I'm sorry. >> The bus schedules, you know, the routes, when were they put out to the public? We were hoping for Friday, but we let parents know that we needed a little time to check on it. So, >> all right. Just want to make sure. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And one
058thing everybody should remember is uh hopefully there's some public listening too maybe. Um is that uh every time we add or subtract a a student from one of those runs, it changes. It may may very well if there isn't already a bus stop there with kids there, if it's an added stop or one taken away, it'll it'll affect the timing of of all those other stops on that run. Um especially because we're going from one end of town to the other end uh with the magnet school. So, >> the bus drivers have been involved. We've asked them to do uh you know a run or a few runs and then give the feedback back to Jenny. So we know that they're working running. Um because the thing with a a piece of software is they
059really don't know our roads. They know what they think they know. It's a piece of equipment, but it's the bus drivers doing the runs that really know. So we do appreciate that feedback. >> Yeah. One little side note was um we had some bus stops on Flanders Road uh which wouldn't be a problem except it was Flanders Road and Nyanic. So that one's been corrected. Oh, >> that really wasn't final. I'm glad we figured that out. >> They could have stopped by and seen me as work. >> Anything else for Sam? >> Just as like with Lori. Um Sam, thank you and your staff for the work that you guys have done over the summer. Um, and I think about like all the work that you guys were doing and then all of a sudden
060central office um, uh, issues kind of popped up which then had to divert your some of your staff to kind of taking a look at that. So, um, I know you guys have been really busy and thank you very much for doing that. >> Okay, I'll let him know. Thank you. >> Yep. Same with Mark Russell. Thank you very much for your hard work and Kate. >> Yes, I just said Kate. All right. So, we're off to we're off and running to the committee reports. Policy. I know that we have a policy being brought to us tonight. We have policy P 51113 and it's protection of undocumented students and its requirements are um hefty and um really designed to protect kids who are undocumented from any kind of um harassment or illegal activity directed at
061them. >> Okay. Um curriculum, you still are on summer hiatus. Yes, we we meet again. Um we come back on September 18th. >> Supera finance and facilities. >> Uh we met on August 1st. Um Lori uh reviewed the um uh contracts for the diesel uh that was locked in and the fuel oil. We're we're still using that. Um we also reviewed the uh end of year unexpended uh funds and she explained the incumbrances to us. Um as you mentioned earlier some staff choose to be paid on an annualized basis and so we have to encumber that for the payroll through the um beyond the the end of the fiscal year. Um, we discussed the the health insurance reserve and uh Sam gave us his update on school facilities. >> Um, and communications were going to
062meet today but that meeting has been cancelled and we have over the summer reviewed the your plan communication plan. >> So others is um negotiations. We are currently um the board we are still currently in negotiations um and at the present moment we are um in the phase it's called mediation and we have not heard back from Floyd >> just heard that we're they accepted our extension so we have a little more time so they're working out a date that works for everybody >> so a date for us to go into mediation that's right okay >> um And I don't think that there's any other contracts coming up >> yet >> before yet. All right. Um and learn um learn does not meet over the summer, but I I am still on the building committee
063and um we had a meeting last Friday for the additions to the Ocean Avenue Learning Center, which are, you know, going along and hopefully will be completed by the end of August. Yay. Um so town and city council I believe I sent you you were all forwarded an email from me that I had sent um uh just in regards to the leazison meeting and Susan and I um there's just so many things like unfunded mandates that are coming down from the state board of education um and also just from legislation um and I just thought kind of like one-stop shopping um so I have sent out um uh to our colleagues in the town and the city um about whether they would like um to use the liaison as a way of the the reps
064can kind of come and talk to the liaison board and then report back to the other bodies instead of having the legislators like kind of hit every single um uh body. So, I was just trying to think of like one-stop shopping and um I haven't really heard back from anyone. Um but that leaison meeting the next one is going to be October 5th for anyone who would like to know. And then our next one is the ASA GA BO BOE liaison and that's also in October but I do not remember. >> Make sure we get it out. I have to look back. >> Yeah. Grten scholarship to make this summer. Waiting to hear from when they're going to reconvene. >> Okay. Athletic fields. So, it was actually a call for a meeting last Thursday. Um,
065unfortunately, it failed um due to a lack of a quorum. So, it became a discussion instead. Nothing was voted on, but um uh Kim did send all of us the documents that were reviewed. Um, and they're trying to determine if they need to constitute another meeting to actually take a vote to go forward with the request for quotation and also a survey they want to do. Trails and library I believe are with Matthew Schulman and so he's not here to make a report. Um, and then the permanent school building committee, they I have they met, Sam, the permanent school committee, >> we have not met since I don't know quite a while. >> Okay. And then we have no report because that's >> okay. >> October, I think. >> That's October. Okay. So, we're now
066down to the action items. Um the first one on the agenda is um our consent agenda which has all matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted in one motion. Um and we will allow points of clarification. And so I just need a motion. So moved. >> Can I have a second to that? >> Second. >> I have William. Um any discussion on any of the meeting minutes? Hearing none. All all those in favor of the motion on the floor to accept our consent agenda, please say I. I. >> Oppose. >> Abstain. That motion has um passed. We would like to thank um Costco Wholesale who had donated um 75 student backpacks with school supplies which would include zippered pencil pouches, pocket style folders, 12-in rulers, and erasers
067um to the Grant public school. Once again, thank you Costco for being a great partner for us. Um, there is no old business and we're moving forward. >> Hey Kim, where does the backpacks go and how do we determine um who gets a backpack since there's only 75 of them? >> Good question, Bev. So, in my board notes, Beverly, I wrote that a team of Gruntton teachers and staff went out, including myself, went out to Brford Manor. They had a great picnic and they were g the police was giving out some book backpacks and then we had a table. We also had HR there and gave families some information. There were some curious people who were interested in Gruntton public schools and um it was just a great event. Um we were there from 2:00
068to 5:00 and it was great to see the kids. The kids were hugging their teachers and we were giving out backpacks and I purchased some books that we were giving out to go in the backpacks. >> Okay. I read that in the board notes, but I didn't know the back pants came. >> Yeah. Yeah, that was a a good thing. >> Thank you. >> Um, so our first thing for new business is um policy William, would you be willing to read the motion for number one, please? Motion to approve policy P5111.3 [Music] protection of undocumented students as a first reading. >> Do I have a second to that please? >> I'll second it. >> I have Rita for a second. Discussion, please. >> So I just can start it by saying it's all in green.
069So this is something that's been on our tracker sheet for probably a couple years. And um we had actually done another policy where um if students were, you know, called in to talk to a police officer that really the the idea was that we'd never turn over a child to anyone, you know, without the parent permission and that kind of thing. So in the same vein, this was written to really protect undocumented students from anybody from the outside coming in to interview a kid or to take a child. So that's the essence of it, >> right? And then, you know, it involves the superintendent getting involved if I need to, the principal being involved and to make sure that, you know, um we have all the legal information that we would need. >> Susan, how
070are the um teachers and school administrators and staff being trained to implement this policy? with any of the board policies, we I first start with a principal meeting. We send it out to everyone and we talk about ways that we're going to communicate it with staff and it does get sent out to the staff, but it's really up to the principles to make sure that the teachers have the latest policy and know how to interact with it. Jeff, >> and I just like to mention that um having them all online now. >> Yes. >> Electronically, searchable updated. >> So much better. >> Yeah. Updated all the time instead of >> the policy book. >> Filing the policy book, you know, which I I used to delegate to my son. Now it's all right on the
071screen. >> Yep. I don't even think I've seen that book in a long time because I use the digital version much better. >> Right. Yeah. It makes a great doors stop >> like all binders. >> Um, any question Dean? >> Hey, guess what? I'm going to be the heavy. So, there are two issues here. One's really a non-issue. It was addressed by the Supreme Court decision in Plyer back in ' 82. And if you've ever read the Plyer decision in 75, Texas passed a law saying if you're here illegally, if you're a child, you're here illegally, you don't get to use our schools. That all went all the way to the Supreme Court. 1982 Supreme Court 54 said, "No, you can't you can't do that." So that that's one question. That's a non-quest. The other
072question has to do with what happens when and we're talking in general terms, but you're very specific here. What happens when the feds show up? And >> I will admit, I've had feelings of wanting to stick it in Uncle Sam's eye from time to time. But it isn't just anybody. It's the federal government doing what the federal government itself claims is solely the federal government government's job, which is to manage immigration, naturalization, etc. So, I'm not against the kids being here, but should I show up to Connecticut schools and you know it'll be a cold day cold day in hell before they do that. Um, I have a problem with it. They if they try to enforce federal law, the reason why I bring this up is because the people who are the primary victims
073of our completely dysfunctional immigration policy or nonpolicy are the migrants themselves. And to me, this business of not cooperating, it's essentially what this adds up to, not cooperating with the federal government is one part of the larger Rube Goldberg that we've set up that perpetuates this problem. And so, for that reason, I cannot support the policy. >> If I may, it doesn't say not to cooperate. It says to refer everything to the superintendent and then if the superintendent has questions that you should consult with our lawyer. >> I know I know how this rolls. I appreciate it, but I know how this rolls. I'm still voting against it >> for the safety of children. I just want everyone to be aware that parents give us on power school who children are able to go home
074with and we monitor that with great care. If the parent isn't picking up the child um and someone else is, we need it in writing. It needs to be verified that we just don't pass off children to just anybody, even the federal government. So, I would say that this is really um you know, we would do this with great care. It would come down to me and I would be checking with the lawyer. So, >> and aren't these students minors? Basically, >> they are. Any other question? >> I really appreciate all the resources too for families for districts and schools all listed on the back of this policy and for legal direct legal services too. >> So I think it's excellent. Thank you. >> That's due to Stu Susan and her staff. Liz, >> um
075I'm just asking this came to my mind is this coming um as all our policy is usually we're kind of given direction through the state. Has there been a a an increase or a situations that have a have a a risen involving children that we may not be aware of? And that's what we are required to give protections to those children. Is that where the impetus for this policy comes from? >> It actually um was brought to our attention I think probably um before the new governor came on board. the other governor had really put out legislation that was protecting, but this really was put through CAD Connecticut Association of Boards of Ed and through um you know legal expertise in drafting this. So we really had it on the tracker probably from 3, four
076years ago and we felt that it was needed to kind of really pay attention to this and put into place some protection through our policy and through the law that backs it up. >> So it's already state policy which would make this redundant. >> I know we're just being extra careful. >> Any other questions or discussion? hearing none. All those in favor of um to approve as first reading the policy P 1.3 Protection of undocumented students and once again as first reading. All those in favor please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. Motion has carried. Rita, would you be willing to read the motion for number two, please? >> To recognize September 19th, 2023 as National IT Professionals Day and to direct the superintendent of schools to send a letter of appreciation to our
077uh IT staff. Thank you. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Andrea seconding. I don't know if we should like, you know, put out it exactly what that means rather than >> instructional technologies. We should have written it out. >> Yeah. >> See, I think it is information technology. >> It could be too. >> Yes. Yeah. So, instructional technology both. Yeah. Depending. >> So, we have a second. >> Any discussion outside of just writing out what it stands for in her letter? >> All right. Thank you very much for um all the people who support our even now more importantly um support our um our students and our staff in the digital world. Um so all those in favor to support the motion motion to recognize September 19th, 2023 as the national IT
078professional day and to direct the superintendent of schools to send a letter of appreciation to the IT staff. Um all those in favor please say I. I >> oppose. Hi, >> another department and director, Dr. Clint Kennedy, who's been working overtime all summer long and in the schools and, you know, all hands on deck. Again, really amazing work. >> If you go to central office and look at the bulletin board, you won't wonder what they did all summer, right? >> It's all laid out on the >> I'll have him come in to let you guys know maybe on his mark of appreciation. last week. >> Sorry, I'm writing that down so that I don't forget. Um, so as we uh talked about at the very beginning, we are going um we're going to go forward
079um and do number 910 of our um agenda and then we're going to come back to the exe or the potential of going into an executive session. Um, so I will start over by to Dean um of any letters, communications, or comments? >> No. No. I don't start off with you or No, you don't have any comments. >> I've got no comments. Okay. Enough. >> Um >> Jay, >> yes. I uh received u communication from um some uh potential or you should say some candidates for uh board of ed and I'm looking forward to speaking with them. Um I also regret that I was unable to attend the convocation um last Friday. Uh, but I was told that uh uh Kim, you made a masterful speech and that I should seek out the YouTube video
080um and uh >> to put you to sleep. Yes. >> Well, >> not not at Susan's or anyone else's, but yeah. >> And uh I I know we all appreciate your leadership in this district. >> Thank you. I received that same communication from the board of ed as aspiring individual and I look forward to that conversation and because I have been so out of it I didn't realize that congregation was last Friday so I missed it. >> You're excused. >> We'll forgive you this time. >> William, >> uh nothing to add. I actually had um some communications about scheduling at the middle school and how small some of the math classes are, 10 students, less than 10. Um I guess from what I understand there's still on board from a few years ago extra math
081teachers, but not where the English teachers have 26 kids in the class, 27, but there are math. So, um I'd like this as a future agenda topic. What's going on there? >> It still hasn't been finalized. They're working though. >> But if there are extra teachers, maybe they could be redirected redirected someplace else. I I just as a taxpayer also, I think it's important to kind of keep on top of this. I would say that all the cores mostly have about 20 to 24 both at the middle school and the high school. >> So I haven't seen that. >> But not the math at the middle school. >> Well, that I I'm not I'm not saying I've seen that yet. I've seen 24 20 to 24. >> So maybe that's something that um Susan that
082you'd be willing to kind of Yeah. >> investigate for us and and kind of get back to us so that we know that so that's not out there hanging. >> I appreciate that. Liz. >> Well, first of all, I went to convocation and I had a wonderful time and it was so wonderful. I I'm I'm I know I said the word wonderful, but it I was really a lot of positive energy in the room. Um, in all the rooms, it seemed like there was um people were were ready to get back. They didn't appreciate having to come back on a Friday, but you know, and I could I can understand that. Um, I also received communication from somebody who is um uh vying to be to be a a candidate for the board of ed
083and I wanted to introduce him. He's sitting here in our audience right now. This is Mr. Rob me >> and so I just u wanted to say you know thank you for you know asking those really good questions and it's really nice to have somebody who's interested in the board asking the board >> and coming to one of the meetings. We appreciate that. And so um and the other thing is is I was I have had people ask me also about um the numbers in the classrooms and um they seem to be people were concerned that they may be a bit high and I said no well they go along with what board policy is >> and I said you know we we do keep track of that but I just wanted to let you
084know that there is some concern out there and I there is something I would like to have you consider for a future topic and that is um I think we um we have wonderful uh curriculum coordinators but this has been on my mind for some time and um seeing it's getting towards the end of my tenure I think I better say something now or forever hold my piece but um I do believe that we expect our math science coordinator I think it's a it's a heavy lift >> and I think for STEM and I I understand that But the it's STEM, but the reality is you have an a language arts person who takes care of nothing but language arts and the you know this the humanities the the departments are small and so you
085know you you can handle that in some respects but I really believe we need to look at that administrative structure at the high school and look at you know the equity um about what our expectations are from the um STEM coordinator because it seems like there's a a lot of math teachers, a lot of science teachers, engineering, it's a lot and I just think that um we need to really start looking a little bit more carefully at that. So, thank you. >> So, you would like to have that, excuse me, as an agenda item? >> Well, I I I would like to have it discussed. I don't know if it's a you know a >> in order for it to have a discussion. >> Yes, I would like it as an agenda topic. >> Just
086just asking um I have one one more point that that when you spoke about that I've heard also that there are no not as many STEM electives at the middle school this year that they've been a lot of them have been cut and I was curious as why and maybe we did have some information about that also. Yeah, I think that these are really great things. I'm also encourage each each of us as a um as individual board members to feel free to drop an email or a phone call to Susan so that she can kind of look that up so that when you bring that up that she can actually have the answer now. It's kind of >> Well, I don't want the answer now. I think it's a discussion. I mean, I think
087it needs the principle and so forth. Um and so for myself, um I did attend the convocation. Um and and Jay, thank you for your kind words. Um uh they were actually representing us as a full board. So I appreciate that. But then you guys also need to take credit for um your belief and your hard work in the district as well. Um, what I what excited me about the convocation was more and more of the teachers were not filling up the first first two back rows um of the of the Fitch um auditorium that actually they were sitting um more in the middle and in front and if there is ever a um indication about um people who wanting to be together and um I just I really that that hit me um really
088hard um about that. We are just really have um a staff that are ready and willing to um to uh work on their craft and to um uh work for um our district children. I just think that's really kind of cool. Um I have down um we have lots of meetings coming up. I appreciate everyone's um uh that they beared with me with all the um special meetings that we had over the summer. I think many of them were very fruitful and positive. So, I really appreciate that. Um and I also think our working committee of the whole meetings have gone really well where I think that we've been really able to knock off some um great discussions. Can >> I policy is listed here for se September 12th, but we will not be meeting
089in September. You will not be meeting in September. Correct. >> Okay, >> Miss Joan, did you get that? >> Yes, I did. >> Um, and and maybe we could even throw on Oh, I don't know when when we would do that. Um, just to make sure that our that leazison meeting from the town council and the board of ed um gets on there as well. We'll we'll we'll figure that out. Um and do I have for agenda items to this point? Um is um a scheduling of the of the middle school public school, but you're going to give us information about that. We have a curriculum, the administrative um structure looking at the STEM. I'm I'm a little bit of hesitant hesitation of putting that on um in that our our acting principal is an
090acting principal and I don't know if the board wants to make those decisions without having the principal available to make comments and and and questions about that. So that would be my only thought process about that. >> You mean that I'm talking about the middle school? >> So I'm addressing Liz's um >> Liz's thing. Oh. Oh. Couldn't see where you were pointing. >> And um and so that would be my only concern is that if we did it too soon, we would not necessarily have a um a sitting a new sitting president uh principal. And so um I'm not quite sure if that would be important for us. >> I think honestly that it won't really matter if we have a new principal or not. >> Okay. >> It's the administrative structure. >> Okay. And
091that really needs some address. Needs to be addressed. >> Okay. Do you do you have what Liz is asking for so that >> I know the the situation and the problem. >> Okay. But we need to work on it. >> All right. Um >> not my support. I won't be there. Okay. >> I think that that's all the agenda items that have come up. Okay. Um so we need to go back to our item three. So um under new business and um that is the discussion of the superintendent evaluation. Um I would um there's a couple scenarios on how we could play this. we could go in um alone as a board and then invite her um invite Susan in afterwards or or not. So, I just wanted to let you know that we could
092um I was going to ask sorry this was an email that was in my head that never got formed to you. um is that if we go into executive session and we come back out to just invite as in this case the superintendent, can we do that or do we have to end that executive session and go into a new one? >> I think you can remain in the executive session. That's what we're going to be doing. >> Okay. So, >> it includes these people, us and then it's going to be including Susan. We'll let her know when to come in and nobody else. >> Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. So, what he said. So, um I would like to make I would like to make a motion um to go into executive session
093to um talk about the superintendent's um evaluation um and compensation with the knowledge that we will eventually be going into um we might be coming and bringing Susan back in. So, Susan, please don't leave the building. And um so that actually means that um because we have we have a board member who is online, we need to stay by the microphone so that Beverly can participate with us, but everyone else needs to get offline. And I'm just going to ask for Mark and Caitlyn to leave the room as well and as well as as Sam and Phil Piaza. >> And thank you, Dr. Phil, for all you're doing for us with the high school, making everybody feel good. All right. I would like to make a motion to approve the superintendent um to to approve
094a one-year extension of the superintendent um contract and a 2% raise retro of July 1st um with a salary of 20162952. >> Can I have a second to that? >> Second. >> Any >> Andrea seconded it did it. And um any discussion? Um, I would just like to say that uh Susan has been masterful in leading this district uh through the challenges of COVID >> y >> and the aftermath >> and working, you know, so diligently with um these grant writing opportunities um and the revamping of the curriculum and Um, you know, I for one uh am so appreciative that that she's leading the district. >> Thank you. >> I second that. >> It's also exciting that we are actually on the map and that's largely because of your involvement on the state level, on
095the local level, and on a national level. um your energy, your passion um for not just teaching but all things Graten School District is really really appreciated. You're amazing. >> I'm home again and I love it, you know. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, all those in favor that of the motion that is on the floor, please say I. >> I >> oppose. Abstain. That motion has carried. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Oh, second. >> And William seconded. All those in favor, please say I. I because you you before I did. You remember that time? >> Thank you, Susan. I >> I thought that was hysterical.