001Good evening everyone. I'd like to call to order our December meeting of the Avon Board of Education on December 16th at 7:00 p.m. I will begin with a roll call. So for those of you who may be new who are joining us, you know who's sitting up here at the table having this conversation. I will start with board members. I am Deb Chute. I am the chair. We also have Dr. Thage Singh, our vice chair. >> President Deb, thank you. >> Jeffrey Flechman, our secretary, >> present. Thank you. >> Sarah Heath, >> present. >> Chris Campbell, >> here. Thank you. Lynn Katz >> here. Thank you. >> Susan Zakaris >> present. Thank you. >> Romesh Kendipili >> present. Thank you. >> And online we have Nicole Russo. >> Thank you Nicole. And for administrators we
002have our superintendent Dr. Carnamola. >> Thank you. >> Assistant superintendent Mr. Janei >> here. Thank you. >> Assistant superintendent Mr. Medic. >> President. Thank you. >> Our business manager, Miss Russo. >> Good evening. Thank you. >> Our executive assistant to the superintendent and board clerk, Miss Sardences. Would you all join me in standing for the pledge of allegiance? >> I pledge allegiance 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. >> I always like to start our meetings by reading the mission statement to remind us of the work that brings us here together. Our mission is to inspire in each student a joy and a passion for learning and a commitment to excellence, personal integrity, and
003social responsibility. It's also the perfect segue into our recognition piece. And I'm already starting to feel it. It's happening. Okay. the December meeting um >> I know after an election um every two years means that some people might be leaving and new people are coming on. Um so I want to start with recognizing our two board members that are leaving us this evening. Jeff, eight years is a long time and I know I've leaned on you quite a bit as my fellow secretary, but also you've helped me in bringing on new board members in um providing a seasoned perspective. Your lived experience as a teacher has been valuable um in this role. You keep us um thinking in that mindset and bring up things that maybe some of us might not be aware of. You've
004always asked um very thoughtful and critical questions and as some of them might have been a lot at some meetings, they've always been valuable and worth the time and I appreciate the effort that you have put into serving and you really have represented the community in a way that I think you should be very proud of and we are grateful um for the time that you have given to us and you will be missed and I hope you will not be a stranger. And so that's just me. I will welcome any other comments if other board members would like to speak as well. For Jeff in particular, and we'll get to Mersh in a moment. Go ahead, Lynn. >> I'm really going to miss you, Jeff. Um I think you've made an indelible mark on
005this board because you have you know the confluence of your background as an educator which you bring to the table and uh caring deeply about every penny that we spend taxpayers issues and but it but it always came down to the best interest of kids and that is something that's been so obvious whether we're in executive session or here in these meetings. things. It's always about the kids as a parent, as a teacher. Um, and uh I look forward to seeing what you're going to do with your the next chapter of your life because I don't think this is it for you. Thank you, >> Jeff. It's been a pleasure. I think I learned a lot from you coming on the board. Um, you've brought a lot to the table. I've always respected your opinions.
006I think we've agreed more than disagreed on a lot of issues. I wish you well. We'll miss you on the board for sure. >> I saw Chris and then Suzanne. >> Jeff, it was a pleasure. Um I appreciate everything you bring to all the meetings, especially with negotiations, having me look at things a little bit differently, a little bit deeper. Um and I really appreciate that that perspective. So >> I I don't worry about you. You're going to do even greater things. I don't know how you did this on top of everything else that you're doing, by the way. Um, you're a very busy man. >> Thank you, >> Jeffrey. I have um I've learned a lot from just watching you um when I first used to attend these meetings as just a dad because
007why not? I'm going to come cuz I had nothing else to do. Um, so but I was like, "Wow, he he he's he's he is very passionate and it almost always came down to the students and safety and caring about the teachers and faculty. Almost the root of every single thing was just that. So I applaud you for that. I applaud you for running a campaign that you believed in on your own morals, on your own ideals. I applaud you, sir. Uh you are well respected and you will be missed. >> Good. >> Sarah, >> what are we going to do when we don't hear your voice every single meeting? >> Get out of here. >> Um Jeff, thank you for all your contributions and thank you for asking the questions that often I would
008be trying to articulate in my head, but then you would get it out and so it would it was so helpful to me. um on the board you're very supportive and um you know you have our support and whatever you choose to do after now and we hope to not lose touch >> go ahead Romesh >> all right so I'll talk about Jeff too so uh this is prior to the board as well right so me joining the board um so I think uh Jeff was the first person I interacted with uh uh he has given a lot of insights and uh inputs and everything how do we rationalize as a board member whatever right so tips and dos and whatever right so I think uh I think that was very helpful uh so Jeff
009I think over the period of time right so I think I learned a lot uh by hearing your questions and the answers and the responses what everybody else has shared right so I think that's very insightful And obviously the world is small, right? Who knows? So I think I wish you all the best and good luck in your next chapter. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Nicole. I see your hand. >> Yeah. of service to this town. You're very passionate about everything. >> Thank you. >> And I'm going to start with Romesh before we hand anything out. so that we wrap this up. Thank you, Nicole. Um, two years can feel like 10, right? I don't think many people understand the commitment that it takes to be on this particular board. And so, the fact
010that you raised your hand and showed a willingness says a lot about you. And I feel that anytime served on this board makes you an ambassador for the board out into the community. And so, if you hear conversations and people ask about certain things, you can speak to it from experience. and we really lean into that and you might hear from me from time to time just to keep you apprised of things that might be going on and ask for your assistance as well. But we have valued your input and your perspective and your commitment and so thank you for thank you for agreeing to do this. It's a big undertaking and we really value you. So we wish you well and everything that is before you too but we want you to know that
011it has been time well spent. Thank you. Anybody else? Go ahead, Suzanne. You're closest. Go ahead. Let me just go around in order. >> I said that. I'm always in awe of an individual who has very busy work life, professional life, as well as raising kids at home. It's a lot easier for someone like me to step up and and um engage in public service for you to do that with so many other things in your life and you your questions are always different than the rest of our questions and I think it's because of your life experiences and that those questions have helped us grow more deeply and learn them. So I thank you and I wish you the very best. Chris, >> uh, I first met you at our training. Um, and just
012the way you spoke of your kids, your family, and to do all these extra things, I'm like, not a bad guy. So, uh, I wish you well, man. >> U, thank you so much for your contributions, Romesh. And I think what's what I've taken away actually for both of you, Jeff and Romesh, is we've always had robust conversation. And I think that we've all worked together in a way that is the best for the kids whether maybe we have differing kind of viewpoints. It was always um good, respectful, grounded conversation and that's thanks to to you two. So I wish you all the best. >> I definitely echo everything everyone said, Romesh. Uh it was a pleasure getting to know you. Thank you for your contributions. Uh the questions you asked, your insight was really
013valuable and like Deb said, the two years felt like 10 because of the intensity and and the work that we all put in. Um and so wish you the best of luck in the future. >> Well, thank you. >> Mhm. >> Um it is hard. So, it's taken me eight years to figure out kind of how the system works, and you jumped in and and figured out in two years. And one of the things that I think stood out for me was your eagerness to get in the work immediately. It wasn't so much, you know, I'm I'm late to the game, I'm just going to write it out. No, you wanted to get into it. You asked all those questions to get caught up to speed cuz you wanted to make those informed decisions. And
014I appreciated that. I've also appreciated you pushing back, bringing a different perspective, asking certain questions, things I hadn't considered as as much as I question everybody else. I do that to make sure we explore all concepts. So, I appreciate your contributions pushing back even to me and that I think has led to better board leadership. So, it has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with you, sir. I wish you the best. >> Nicole, I see your hand. You're always positive. You're inquisitive. Thank you for everything. So before we move on to our third recognition, I would like to acknowledge that we have a tradition that when you step down, we have a school bell that has been engraved with your years of service. And so we would like to give you your own
015certificate from the board of ed as well as a school bell. And then after we've spoken with Jess, we'd like to take a picture with you, too. >> Do I have to come around to shake hands? >> Well, I can hand it to you sideways or you can come around. Do you have a preference? >> This is fine here. Okay. So, this is your bell. >> Thank you. And >> of course, it's the last. >> Save the best. >> And that's for you. >> Thank you so much. >> And Romesh, if you wouldn't mind, come on around. Do you want to do it that way? >> Here is your >> Jeff. Do you want to take a moment to say anything? >> I I think at this moment Thank you all. >> Thank you. Excellent.
016>> Romesh, do you want to say anything? I don't have anything. I'll make it very sweet Sweden short probably. So I think I wanted to do uh come to the board of education since long time. I'm an immigrant actually. So so the moment I became a citizen I was thinking about it. So then I thought I'm not in the education field and I may not do the justice but folks in my neighborhood and friends and everybody they push me to get into this this path and I think what I can say is after getting into this right it's a very incredible experience actually working with the board working with the staff working with the administration and also learning about kids in a in a more different way like uh not as a parent but as
017uh as a board member. So it's very enriching I think uh it's very fulfilling as well and thank you everyone who who has given me uh insights inputs or who have supported and helped me. So thank you very much for each and everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, Jess. As everybody knows, we are losing Stop. Jes one of our brightest and best. Um, when Jess reached out for a recommendation letter, I knew we were losing him. As soon as he told me about this opportunity, I would never get in the way of your success, your next steps. You are stellar and we have been fortunate to keep you as long as we have and I am grateful that you have stayed with us as long as you have. But I knew that as
018soon as they had you sit before them, they were going to take you. So Farmington is so lucky. We have been so fortunate. You are incredibly talented and good at this work and it comes through. There's absolutely no doubt. You wear it with pride and with joy. You are a standup guy. And we are incredibly proud to claim you as having roots here. And so we will claim bragging rights that we have formed you into the man you've become. so that Farmington is fortunate to reap the fruits of our labor and um I'm so glad you're a neighbor and we're going to lean on that probably more than you'd want. But it's great to keep you local. We are so proud of you. Um just thank you for asking me to be a part of
019that process. That was a huge honor for me as well. And um let us know how it's going cuz we'd love to hear from you. >> Good. Absolutely. So again, I will let others um share their perspective as well. Um go ahead Jeeoff. Best of luck. You have a tremendous impact on this district. Sometimes in education, people jump from district to district to district and that has not been your case. You have committed yourself to multiple levels of this district. You have touched thousands of lives with our students and that impact is your legacy to this district and it's because of your hard work and your commitment and I thank you for that. Our superintendent is fantastic but she's only as good as the support she has and you've been amongst a key player in
020that support. So thank you for all that you've done for us. Farmington is extremely fortunate to have you. It is an absolute loss for us. I wish you all the best. Jess, we're definitely going to miss you. Um, your professionalism, your knowledge, the depth in which you supported this district, um, I want to say has been unmatched in my experience of being here. Um, and wish you everything of the best in Farmington. They really, uh, are lucky to have you. Jess, you're leaving a legacy of the curriculum being online and we are so thankful for that. >> I will say um thank you for all the work you've done. Often you make it look easy and you're this voice of reason when in my mind I'm thinking how is this working or what are we
021doing? you always have a way of explaining it very calmly and succinctly um but not fully even representing what it takes to get to that level of calm knowing everything behind the scenes um that has gone into different projects but thank you for all you've done I don't think this is the last that we'll be interacting and I wish you all the best >> congratulations one um two uh you always have the answer like and it's and it's confident and it's truthful and I appreciate that. You make these meetings flow. Uh so when it's your time to speak, I'm like I'm going to get all I need to get. Jess, he's going to bring it. So thank you, sir. I wish you well. >> I'm so excited for you. As many people around here know,
022I used to work in Farmington for 13 years as a as an administrator. And I am 100% certain you're the perfect choice for Farmington right now. You are they're going to love you and it might be an adjustment cuz the culture is a little just a little different. It's a different town, but I I've really enjoyed working with you and I can't wait to hear from my friends over there about how happy they are that you're there with them. So, best of luck to you, >> Jess. Congratulations. I'm very happy for you. I think this is amazing opportunity, obviously. Um, but I'm going to echo what Sarah said. Something that I always thought about like as we're bringing all these new curriculums in year after year, um, you know, with us freaking out behind the
023scenes with the cost, you're always so calm. >> So, it makes it much easier to vote, you know, in favor of a new curriculum. um when the person who's done all the work is really calm about it, there's a level of trust there. So, we appreciate everything that you've done. Thank you. >> Yes. Uh congratulations first of all. Um uh I echo the same thing, right? So, uh and being in a curriculum committee so I have an opportunity to interact with you more in depth and I echo with someone said that okay so you have answer for everything right. So uh and the depth of knowledge what you bring in is is very incredible. So I hope uh you're not far away. So there is a there is a collaboration and leverage between Avon and
024Farmington still continued and and now we have Avon superintendent and as well as the the formington to be superintendent. So we'll be collaborating much more uh meaningful way so that uh both the districts will be benefited. Thank you very much >> Nicole. >> I want to again congratulate you. are highly field. I personally appreciate always taking the time to answer every question that I have very Thank you. Bridget. >> Oh boy. >> I'll keep it very brief. I'll start. Uh Jeff and Romesh, everyone has already said it and I I it's very difficult for anyone who has not sat on a board to know the extent of the work um that you do because it most of what you do is not done while we're at this table and and sitting on camera. um the
025actions that you take are here, but the research that you're doing, the questions that you're asking, the people that you're talking to, um parents, community members, me, u other people in the district, that that's where you spend the majority of your time. And um I I think it's an immeasurable um honor that you would step up and take that on for the town that you live in. And um Romesh, as you know, I I got to know you as a parent um with your boys before being a board member. And I was happy to see you come to the board. I think as you've already heard tonight won't belabor the point. You brought a fresh perspective um coming from a different industry and as you said I think part of that is being an immigrant
026and seeing the um system from the outside in and now you've seen it from the inside out and I think that you have made it better in in even just the two years that you've been here. So I have always appreciated working with you. I've always appreciated your questions, even when we've gone back and forth about what they were. We've had we've had a good time doing that at some of these meetings. Um I I'll miss you sitting there and asking those questions. Um and as I'm about to say about Jeff, I'm sure I'm going to say the same about you. For for years when someone leaves, there's still a mark that's left that I find myself saying, "Well, if Hermes was here, he might ask." or you know, as Jeff would want to know
027right now, what how much does three copies of that book actually cost. Um, so I I I'm going to miss you being uh here with us and uh still looking forward to working with you for a little bit longer as a parent and always available to you if you need me in the future. Thank you for your support over these years. Jeff, you're a hard one to say goodbye to um because like everyone else that's already gone from this board with the exception of Deb and you most of you know this um Jeff is one of the last two people sitting here that uh were the first board members I worked with. So I I first met Jeff in November of 2017 I think somewhere thereabouts. Um, and I have probably spent more hours with
028you than I have most members of my own family, as you very well know. That certainly happens when you're on the negotiations committee, which Jeff has done for many years. That that is a um tremendous amount of time and responsibility, and you've stepped up and done it each time. Um, I I really will miss working with you because, as you said, sometimes it feels like you're just finally in a in a path of knowing how things work when you make the shift. But, but I would argue that um, you knew how things work from the moment you got here. And that's because one, you're an educator, and I could just put a period there and say stop. um you were always concerned about what your constituents um wanted to see happen, the questions that they
029that you had. You and I spent many hours over the years on the phone um with you gathering information for people or trying to assist them and I am sure that the town uh appreciates all of that time and it will be a loss to them. um we have two new people coming on and some years from now we'll most likely be saying the same thing because you are signing up for something that you don't recognize at the time but you in all of these years Jeff have certainly left a legacy in the changes that you've supported to curriculum instruction uh the the cost savings that you have helped us to realize and every project large and small that you've been a part of there are so many it's too many to list will be
030here all night, but um I I have really appreciated working with you. And I'm I'm a little bit nervous about what it looks like when you're only a parent. Right before the meeting started, he said, "This is the last time you'll have to hear from me when I don't only have three minutes." And I thought, "Oh, and um because the conversation is usually started with, this is as a parent. I have my parent hat on right now." And now you'll always have your parent hat on. But not really. you you you don't give up being an educator or a board member. So, thank you for the support you've provided. Thanks for taking a chance on me that many years ago with the board members you worked with at the time. I'll miss you. >> Thank
031you. >> And Jess, I'm I'm not getting into that. I'm not I'm not doing that right now. U I've said it before, I'll say it again. Jess has been um one of the best uh partners in the work that I have ever had in any capacity. Um and and like Jess, I was a teacher um uh assistant principal, a principal, and then a central office um employee and so rose up the ranks in in a lot the same way. So I am so happy um for you at the opportunity and same thing you know it was admittedly and many people know this by now it's unfortunately a little bit my fault at least at the onset because when it became available and I knew I I did go and say to Jess did you think
032about and I knew he had thought a little bit about and that was it we were off and running and as Deb said I really felt pretty early on that it would probably be him and knew that was the right thing. So for you and I hope and I'm sure for Farmington you have to say hope because once you know once you sit in the seat you're going to know a whole lot of other things. Um um and every day now I say things like oh my good no you know what this is the best. You're going to love this every moment of you're not even going to know what to do with how much joy this job brings you every moment of the day. But um and we have a good relationship as you
033know and joke quite a bit in ways like that and and others and it's part of how we um carry through when times are tough. So I hope you have someone there that's for you like you were for me. And if not you can call but but but don't call to complain because then I'm just going to say well you know you could have just been sitting next door still. You had to move you had to move to another town. Um, congratulations. We'll miss you. And we've got a few about a week and we've got some other some other things lined up for you. Um, so it's for us it's not goodbye tonight, but officially it is. Thank you. >> Jess, do you want to say anything? >> Well, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity
034to say >> scroll. >> Don't have a scroll. Although I have been going through my files and as it says here, I think it the 22 years is a little shy, but I'll take it. And I'd like to go on record as saying Avon was crazy to hire an 8-year-old all back those years ago, but it worked out just great. Um, no. Um, first and foremost, um, thank you to the board of education. As as Bridget referenced, I've been a teacher, a building level administrator, and a central office uh, assistant superintendent. and you've always had trust in me uh for you know to to be a leader in this district whether it was in the classroom or you know as a building or a district leader and I I that means a lot you know
035and Jeff you referenced being in a district for that many years uh when I was uh asked in my interview in Farmington something I was most proud of I said well it's it's being promoted within Avon because every time I came to the table I couldn't hide who I was you knew what you were getting and So, um, that meant a lot to me because it meant that you had confidence in me and trust in me. Uh, and that and that is something I'll certainly take with me. Uh, thank you to my colleagues who are probably sick of the Chesterini road show right about now. And how many goodbye meetings and assemblies? No, I see you shaking your head. They haven't had fun with me yet. Um, but you know, I'm getting credit for things
036up here tonight that you've been partners with me on. And, um, I couldn't have done anything that I did here without your support. And, um, I see John sitting out there as representative of, you know, all the teachers I've worked with through the years who've been incredible supports, colleagues, friends. Uh, and I'm going to take a lot of memories with me because all of you have motivated and inspired me for 20 plus years. Uh, and I thank you for that. Uh, I want to thank my former students, too. Uh, unfortunately, they weren't able to come here this evening. Um, I did send out personal notes, but um, it's a busy time of year. Uh, but no, in all seriousness, uh, I sometimes you forget until you run into a student somewhere in a store or
037one of the, uh, the schools. Uh, and just, you know, they they taught me more than I'm sure I ever taught them, uh, through the years. and and more importantly made me laugh and I you know I think you've gotten to know that laughter is a how I cope and with all the stressors that come with this work uh and I often say you know we work really hard but we laugh a lot which I think is what keeps us going um and to Dr. Carnola, uh, thank you for your leadership, your support, your mentorship. Um, I appreciate you having that same trust and belief in me that I could do this work that I think you've shown, um, all of us through the years how to do it the right way. And so, um,
038as has been referenced here tonight, I'm sure I'll be calling you often to ask for advice and to partner with you. Um, you know, I was, um, talking to Jody earlier today and I said, uh, all of these decades here in Avon, I can't remember what life was like before I worked here. Um, every major event in my life from getting married to uh, starting a family, losing loved ones, gaining loved ones, uh, you know, it's just uh, all been here during that 25 years. And so that's a hard thing for me to walk away from because so many of those memories are tied to, you know, the people who are sitting here tonight, but also, you know, dozens of people who are out in our buildings every day. Um, I mentioned going through my
039files, so I brought three artifacts because I know it's getting late in the meeting. Um, but I thought you'd appreciate this, uh, because I think it speaks a little bit to, um, my time here in the district. So, first is um and I'll I'll pass this around cuz you're going to want to take a look. Um is my first class photo from Pine Grove School from 2001. This is my very first class. Uh I still remember most of their names. I was quizzing myself. Um but this was yeah 2001 2002 school year third grade at Piner School. So this is my first photo. So Mr. Mat, I'll start with you. Um, I also brought you used to go to the gym. >> I did used to go to the gym. Yes. Prior to being an
040administrator, I had lots of time to work out. Um, sadly those days are gone. Those children are 87 now. Um, so >> they also weren't able to be here. Um, I also, um, Mr. medic asked me to bring my my first um Avon Achiever award. Um so, Roberto, it's now two um for Avon Achievers after this evening, but um I knew you would appreciate seeing it, so I brought that for you. >> Um >> and uh last but not least, >> this is like being next to Michael Jordan. >> Does anybody else want to see this? It's from the Dave Irwin days. >> And then I did have a a file of notes and things from students. So I did pick out an appropriate one. Um and this is from Zachary. Um and I think
041we're okay to say his name. I won't say his last name, but he's probably also long graduated from Avon Public Schools, but he wrote on this very festive note. Um dear Mr. G, thanks for doing fun stuff with the school. like Principal Peeps and Piney's Paws. Also, thanks for coming in our classroom and spicing things up sometimes. >> Sincerely, Zachary. Um, so I'll end there and just say, Zachary, I hope I kept things spicy all these years, both in and out of the classroom. Um, and wherever you are, thanks for inspiring part of my message tonight. Um, but yeah, in closing, thank you all. Um, I I'm I didn't cry, which I'm proud of myself for that. Um, I know I was so close. Deb, you almost got me at the beginning there, but um,
042thank you very much. Appreciate all the support and partnership through the year uh, through the years. And, um, thank you again to everybody on the board for your support. And, uh, it means a lot to me, and I'll take many memories, uh, and good times with me on Farmington. Thank you. still stealing your >> Jess. We do have your second Avon Achiever. >> Oh, thank you. Yes. >> And if you would join us, we'd love to take a picture. And if there are any family members that want to come take a picture, come on up. So Dory's welcome to take a photo, too. So let's come on over this way. We expect this to be kept with the artifacts for the next time. >> Yes. You should have Roberto hand too. >> Yes. >> You
043you you took off too because we're going to get everybody. So I guess the whole current board. I don't need to push you over. You need >> I don't think you like my smile. All right. Thank you. That's an important part of serving on this board is being recognized for the time because it doesn't happen often. And so, thank you for bearing with us as we took a few moments to do so. Um, if you joined us just for this reason, we're not offended. If you want to release yourself from staying, we won't be bothered at all. Um, now we'll move on to approval of the minutes from the board of education regular monthly meeting of November 18th, 2025. Do I have a motion to approve? Thank you, Lynn. Do I have a second? >>
044I'll second. >> Thank you, Chris. All in favor? I. And Nicole, you just want to put your hand up, you can do that or not. Nicole, do you approve? >> Yes, she does. Okay. having issues. >> No worries. All right. Thank you. Next, our board of education special meeting minutes of December 10th, 2025. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Thank you, Suzanne. Do I have a second? >> So, yep. D. >> All right, Paige. All in favor? I. Passes unanimously. Next is communication from the public. Do we have anyone signed up? >> Do all right. So, if you'll bear with me, I just need to read the instructions for doing so. This is the section of our meeting where Avon residents have the floor to share their thoughts and or concerns with the
045board. It's not an opportunity for conversation. Rather, it's the board's chance to listen to feedback from the community. Please add your name to the list. Miss Sardinskus will then call you in order. You must state your name and address for the record. Each speaker will have up to three minutes to speak. In an effort to hear as many of you as we can, we must adhere to this time limit. You can certainly state that you agree or disagree with the previous comment. If you'd prefer to be brief, brevity will allow more attendees to be heard. After 15 minutes are up, the board may choose to extend public comment or not. No speaker will include charges or complaints of a personal nature against any individual Avon Board of Education member or individual employee of the Avon
046Board of Education, whether the speaker names the individual or not. Please refrain from clapping or cheering. Miss Sardinskis will be our timekeeper tonight. If you should reach 2 and a half minutes, she will alert you with a 30-second warning. At the three-minute mark, you'll be alerted again to signal that your time is up. We welcome your engagement and participation. All right, Christine. >> Rashed Ahmed. >> Hi, good evening esteem members of the Avon board of education. My name is Rashed Ahmed. I live in two Camden Way, A1, Connecticut. And I have the privilege of calling Avon my home for over 17 years. I wish to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for the upcoming uh your decision to recognize Idul Fet as a school holiday. While this may appear as a some simple adjustment to
047the academic calendar for Muslim students and families, it is a profound affirmation of their place within our community. Your action sends a powerful message to our children. Your faith and your education are both valued here. This is the hallmark of a truly exceptional school district. For my family, the gratitude is simply personal. Both my sons are proud graduates of Avon High School and have gone to pursue successful careers in high finance on Wall Street. Throughout their time in at Avon, my eldest son often remarked, "1 high school prepared students exceptionally well for college." Our family stands as living proof of that promise, benefiting from rigorous academics, dedicated educators, and a nurturing community that empowers young people to thrive in higher education and beyond. Looking ahead, our daughter Sabia, now a 10th grade grader at Avon
048High School, will be able to celebrate Eid next year without the anxiety of missing exams, assignments, or vital classroom instructions. Your decision elevates a recurring challenge for students who have had to choose between honoring a uh sacred tradition and keeping pace academically. You have bestowed upon them the dignity and freedom to celebrate with their families without fear of academic penalty. The step enriches our entire student body. By recognizing it, you f foster cultural literacy uh deepen mutual respect and strengthen the sense of belonging that is essential to both well-being and academic environment. Um when our school honor the diversity of their uh learners, every classroom becomes a more vibrant and inclusive environment for growth. On behalf of the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center, we extend our partnership to you. We stand ready to support teachers
049and administrators with age appropriate resources about Ramadan and Eid uh offer classman speakers, organize family engagement events, and provide opportunities for professional learning, whatever advances our district and and finally tonight, please accept our heartful thanks to the board, district leadership and principles and teachers. So, I really appreciate and thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Amed. Anyone else? Daniel and things. >> All right. So, good evening everyone. Um, board members and superintendent. My name is Danielle Aar. Um, I graduated Avon High School back in 2020. Um, you know, I've been here from K through 12. I went to Pinerove for elementary school. Um, and actually in my my my freshman year at Yukon, we were all online for that semester and I was able to work as a part-time substitute teacher um back at a um
050back at Pinerove um during the 20 this was I think spring 2021. Um and then I I ran into Mr. Higgins, my my old second grade teacher, and you know, I was like, "Oh, hey, Mr. Higgins, what's up?" He goes, "Call me Peter now. You're you're a colleague." So that was that was a crazy crazy moment for me. Um and I even, you know, worked with some of Mr. Mr. Moss's students. Um so it was it was a crazy moment. But I I wanted to take some time to talk about um this proposed addition um of Eid fritter being an official school holiday. Um I'm now a medical student at Yukon. Um, and I'm coming here tonight to voice my strong support for for this proposed inclusion of Eid as a official school holiday in
051the upcoming school year. Um, and I hope to see it finalized um in the calendar for the for the upcoming year. Um, by finalizing the decision to make Eid the school holiday, you will all be really sending a powerful message to the youth of Avon. You're telling them that their identity is recognized. it's respected and valued by this very institution that is helping um to raise them truly um for the broader community. This is a vital step forward in inclusivity. Um, in my current training as a medical student, um, you know, we talk over and over again about cultural competence, about, you know, the understanding the diverse populations that we're going to have to work with as as future physicians. And um you know Avon public schools um by making these um these next steps
052they are sort of um modeling that inclusivity really um for the students and preparing them not just for you know for exams for the SAT for college but preparing them for this diverse world that we're having to live in now and um to really cherish that world. Um, and really thank you all for your leadership in taking these steps to including Eid as a school holiday. It means a great deal to alumni like me and so many of my other friends and family members. Um, and it's going to mean everything to the students sitting in those classrooms today once it becomes official. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Thar. >> I'll be very short. he took most of my time. But, you know, as a mother of four children and all of
053them going to the Pinerove and different school districts in Avon, um I can tell you firsthand how, you know, big this will be for our children and community, especially the Muslim community in Avon. and you know having to debate whether this exam is important or the ETH celebration is important. I can tell you you know this will go strong and we'll be you know we will be thankful for uh you know the new kids that are coming in. Um I do feel that with this the kids are going to feel that their tradition is valued. It's important and you know we are building a stronger community with this. So thank you very much for your time on that. >> Thank you Mr. Thar. Anyone else? All right, thank you very much for participating. Moving on
054to items of information and proposals. We have our student reps tonight, Zyra and Madison. >> Hi everybody. So, first I'll be talking about Roaring Brook. So, some just some updates and things that are going on. Um, we had like the PJ day for kids um uh for patients struggling with cancer, I believe. And um Voringberg managed to raise $1,000 for um the fundraiser. And the fourth grade winter strings and coral concert took place last Thursday. Um and something that's going on on Friday is that the Thompson Brook Chorus is actually coming to sing on Friday. Um, and something that the PTO I believe has organized is they are coming to Roaring Brook to organize like some hot chocolate and cookies and just kind of like some holiday cheer on Friday. And as for Pine Grove
055School, they have actually started a new tradition which I don't I think this is the first time this year. Um, they're putting on a play. So that's going to take place the first week of March, but their rehearsals have already begun and I think I believe it's Aladdin junior and um this like it seems to be very popular. There's it's grades 3 to four. Um and there's about 60 kids participating. Uh I think some of the teachers who there was like four different teachers involved. Um so it seems like it's going to be really fun. Um, and something else that happened this week or last week was the turkey ch turkey trot food drive. Um, and they raised 695 food items for uh the organization Gifts of Love, which is in Avon. Um, and they're
056actually hosting a second food drive during December. So, just something that's post Thanksgiving. Um and the student council of Pinerove is actually going directly to Gifts of Love to deliver it them during January kind of like as a field trip um just to see how much of an impact they actually have. And then for Thompson Brook, um they're just kind of continuing as um you know, just hosting these holiday events just similar to the other schools like um the high school did that too. Um the fundraisers and yeah um not much else news to share, but yeah, you go by. All right. In terms of the high school, same as the other schools that she mentioned, um the PJ day was a really big success, I heard. I know it's always fun to see your
057teachers dressed up like that. Um, a graduation date was released which I believe is June 11th. So that's very exciting. Um, A Christmas Carol, the fall play was the 5th, 6th, and 7th. And I'm pretty sure I heard I wasn't able to go, but everyone said it was a really big su big success. Um, Yukon was offering an on-ampus experience, and Miss Mascoli was nice enough to host anformational meeting about that on November 29th for students who are interested. All the winter sports teams were starting like starting up. Wrestling had their first practices. They actually had a scrimmage on Saturday. And then the girls and boys basketball actually have their home openers tonight or boys have their home opener. Girls have their first game away. So that's really exciting. And then for the middle school,
058the band concert was November 29th. The choir concert is the 17th. And we all have Christmas break coming up. So that's very exciting. Thank you. Nice job, ladies. All right, our financial report with Miss Russo. >> Good evening, everyone. Um, we ended the month of November with just over $4.1 million unencumbered or 5.64% of our budget. That is trending about 1.88% uh year-over-year from where we were at this time, November of 24. Due to that we remain in our pause in spending uh where every expenditure is reviewed um to make sure it is necessary to move curriculum forward um and is a necessity in salaries. We had some variations due to some FMLA leaves um in both the certified staff lines as well as the custodian maintainer line. Uh we we're still onboarding and have
059postings up for PAR educator vacancies. uh budget transfer 2026012 in your consent agenda uh use of savings to offset any of those deficient lines. In other expenses, we had some variations in our benefits lines due to some of those onboardings uh for qual for um unions that qualified after their first 90 days uh for benefits. So as those folks onboarded onto their um dental and disability plans uh we had some variances in those lines. transportation as we discussed during the budget meeting. Um we hired the specialty our contractor hired a monitor for our preschool run which has increased uh that that line item and budget transfer 202613 again on the cassette agenda uh utilizes funds from other savings to cover that variance. We also had an increase in our vocational technical line. We have some
060student needs so that we're doing a ride share with Simsbury on to save to save cost there. Adult Ed, we had our finalized billing from Farmington. Thank you, Jess. Uh a little higher than we budgeted and also uh the grant from the state was a little lower than we budgeted. So it was a kind of a double hit there. in supplies. Uh maintenance supplies you'll see on your transfer are just allocation between um the districtwide line and the school lines for our ice melt as the winter season is already upon us. Uh and maintenance uh seems to be a continuing theme all year. Everything is breaking this year and continues to break. I think even today and yesterday we've got some emergency calls on things that we're going to be doing uh in the coming
061weeks. Uh but I won't read them to you. Some of those are highlighted on the sheet. Uh in special education, uh we have the encumbrances for the placements that are currently um students enrolled uh encumbered uh through the end of November. Uh we were still working on a couple different transportation needs uh as they are fluid. Um Mrs. Fox's Dr. Fox's team is always looking for a ride share, always looking for a way to reduce the cost uh to get the students where they need to be in a timely manner, but at the lowest, you know, cost for the district. So we thank her and her team for that. In contracted services, as we discussed during the budget as well, uh we have seen an uptick in evaluations prior to an IEP uh which caused
062a fluctuation in that evaluation 504 line. Uh legal fees, again, the complex cases that we continue to see as student needs rise um is causing our legal fees to be a little higher than we have um budgeted for this year. And that's it. >> Thank you, Susan. Any questions? All right. Next are committees and leis and reports curriculum and professional practices. Lynn. >> Yes. Our next meeting is scheduled for January 27th. Uh we will not have Jess with us at this meeting. So it's it's going to be different. >> Thank you. Finance, that would be me. We just had our meeting last week on December 9th and discussed what was discussed there with Susan just now. Um, we have begun our budget discussions as well. We held a meeting prior to this one to get
063that ball rolling. Our next meeting will be January 13th. All right, moving on. A negotiation. Suzanne, uh, we did meet to discuss an agreement between Avon Board of Ed and um, Avon Administrative and Supervisory Association and we will be talking about that in new business. >> Thank you. >> And there's no other meeting scheduled right now. >> Thank you. Policy thage. Yes, Deb, we had our meeting uh December 2nd and uh all the items that we discussed except for one is under new business. So, we'll be talking about that momentarily. Our next meeting is March 3rd, 2026. Thank you. And Capital Region Education Council Chris, >> our next meeting is January the 21st of next year. >> Excellent. Thank you. All right. for the board chair. I would I'll be brief, but I would not
064let the moment slip by without acknowledging that our very own Mark Zuma won as the middle school assistant principal of the year. Again, we are incredibly proud. I was honored to be a part of that process as well and we are grateful to have you and we'll be doing more for you. So, I'll I'll stop there, but I didn't want a meeting to go without acknowledging that. Congratulations. That's a huge accomplishment. Really proud of you. Um, lastly, I'll just put it at we're almost there for break, guys. So, I hope again that you take advantage and you have a wonderful time with your families, create, as my mother would say, lots of memories and come back feeling refreshed and um wearing lots of layers cuz I have a feeling we're it's going to be chilly.
065But I will stop there and move on to the superintendent report. Thank you. And we'll go to the hiring report. Mr. Medic. Hi. >> Good evening everyone. This month's hiring report shows uh that we are welcoming a new non-certified staff member to the district. Uh Mr. Michael Garta joins us as a custodian at Pinerove School. Mr. Garta previously was a member of our substitute custodian pool before being hired full-time. We also have three resignations to report. We'd like to thank Miss Redmond, Miss Shaw, and Miss Hatfield for their service to the district and their respective roles as PARA educators. Presently, we're working to fill several openings across the district for some uh needs uh for when we come back from break or in the spring. Currently, we are working to hire a long-term substitute for
066a Spanish teacher at the middle school, a long-term substitute science teacher here at the high school, and a long-term substitute for a special education teacher to cover uh cover some various leaves that are upcoming due to medical or maternity. Uh we're also continuing to look for and hire a freshman baseball coach here at the high school. Uh we have several PAR educator vacancies that we'll be working to fill across multiple buildings and then as we report each month we continue to add individuals to our substitute custodian and substitute nursing pools. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our enrollment report uh first of all point out that during our budget workshop one of you asked about uh the number of outplacements and I according to our enrollment report I do have that number right. 27 at present.
067Um, but as I said, that can fluctuate in any given moment and that's not inclusive of of some outplacements, which is why the number is different than uh what we're talking about with some of our special education uh versus tuition schools for uh magnet and so forth. Um, we are still looking at class sizes for the coming school year, keeping an eye on on those and projecting forward. As I've said, it appears as though um kindergarten uh seems to be taking a dip in enrollment right now, and we're projecting that forward also. But we uh are doing the census to families, as I've mentioned in the past, to hopefully find what uh school age children there are at home that may not have come to school yet. Um other than that, there's no huge change.
068She picked up about eight students, but I can't tell you exactly why that is except houses continue to sell and folks are moving in and out of town. Uh, moving on uh to the strategic plan update. I'll keep things uh brief. I know it's the meeting that it is in December and we've already spent quite a bit of time together tonight in the workshop and thank you for um recognizing to have obviously both of our board members that are departing and and also Mr. G. uh we are plugging along as if it is not December 16th and so I just want to pause and and say thank you uh to to the entire team. This is the um time of year when things um can escalate quickly. Um holidays are not always the happiest time
069for everyone and um sometimes we see the impact and the effects of that in the schools uh both staff, students, families. So, we're we're balancing at all times to keep it a happy and and joyful time, preparing our students to have and staff to have a little bit of a break. Um, and on the other hand, we are also dealing with a number of um situations that sometimes seem to only present themselves at this time of year. So, I want to pause and say thank you because while all of that happens, like as usual, um we are pushing forward with our new reading and math curriculum programs. Our teachers are doing outstanding work. Um as I said, you all weren't here earlier in the budget workshop, but I'll say it again so that it's it's
070on the record here. Uh if you see an elementary school teacher, thank them because the amount of work that they have been doing, the amount of work everyone does is extraordinary, but the amount of work that our K2 um six teachers have been doing is really extraordinary um with implementation of all of the new items that they have done in a short amount of time. And we're really proud of that work. So I want to thank them. I want to thank you for continuing to lead that work. Um Dr. Fox, Mr. medic and I are involved in um some data analysis related to special education numbers and also open choice on discipline things that we do all the time but we are digging in a little bit deeper looking at some things right now um
071and that's it we the next thing you know it will be January and between now and then um besides taking a little bit of time off uh we hope Susan and I and the rest of the team to the extent necessary will continue to work on the budget Hope we get some firmer numbers from um other agencies such as our insurance uh brokers and and as you know some of those numbers are tough to firm up sometimes until we are very late in the process but we are doing our best and we have some more conversations to have with our leadership team also related to budget and what we are looking to fund versus perhaps defer in the coming year. Um other than that we have I I want to thank uh our camarada singers
072again uh and Mr. Brochu they as they do every year went and sang uh for the Rotary's holiday meeting and they as always are are just fantastic. Um I think they're doing a little bit more carolling even besides what you said and um there's someone I'm missing. There's something Oh, the play was was fantastic. Thank you um to everyone who is involved and um we'll see, you know, some we'll see. We might we might be eligible. We might be nominated again. We we we do pretty well typically with our plays and I I don't think this one was any better if you didn't have a chance to see it. >> Um I don't know if they're able to. They they have talked for years about possibly being able to sell the broadcast, but there's copyright
073issues with that. Yeah, it's a licensing thing with our >> contracting thing, but they have they have worked through it, but you never know. Someone might have a video that that you could see if you weren't able to be there because it it really is uh it really was spectacular. So, thank you and congratulations to everyone that was involved. Um, moving forward later tonight, we will talk about the Avon High School course of studies. Um, we put this on every year as a reminder for approval. It is not required that the board approve it, but we think it's important to bring it and just to highlight where the changes are each year. By default, you are approving everything that's in the course of studies because you are approving the curriculum and the course of studies
074reflects um the courses that are being offered at the high school, potentially being offered I should say, because it depends on enrollment um that we have put through for curriculum um and materials. and Jeff in advance of the question that I should No, I'm going to pause it. I'm going to let you. It might be the last time you get to answer you get to ask it. You're not going to ask it. Not this year. I'll ask it for you, Jeff. Um, we are at a point, as we said earlier in the meeting, where our curriculum for all of our core classes has been completed. um everything is online and therefore with the exception of I think there might be one or two still left in the course of studies >> we're still in a
075>> we're in a stage of it but 98% of what is in this course of studies has gone through our process now which is really outstanding and I challenge you to find me another school district in the state that can say the same because luckily we were doing this work long before state required that it work this way. So, thank you. >> Have to ask it. >> You didn't have to ask. I know. Thank Thank you. >> Seven years, eight years of asking. >> Thank you again to to uh to hold her teaching and learning crew, Jess, Jody, um our our teachers, our curriculum specialists especially. Um we are continuing to make progress. and just a few policies that I think should be easy tonight because they are all um very small changes that were
076required by law. And I hope all of you have a good holiday. Thank you again, Jeff and Romesh. I look forward to seeing you on the other side of the board. >> Quick question. I'm changing the subject, but um with all the flu cases I'm reading about, are we is it impacting our students the numbers? I this time of year between Thanksgiving and now it's a little bit difficult to tell because there's a combination of things happening which is sometimes uh vacations are extended around a holiday but yes we have um from the nurses been told that they are seeing more illness whether or not it's the flu depends on whether or not people have been tested. Um we you may have seen we sent out um what the Farmington uh Valley Health District asked
077us to send out related to preventing the flu, when to stay home, uh flu shot availability and so forth. Um we we've also seen a number of staff impacted. I think there there have been uh definitely some nasty viruses going around whether or not they're the flu. >> Right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, moving on. budget transfers um for the consent calendar. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Thank you, Chris. Second. Lynn. All in favor? >> I. Nicole 2. All nine unanimous. No old business. Moving on to new business. Discussion and possible approval of the 2026 2027 high school course of studies. >> Thank you. As Dr. Carnival referenced included in your packet this evening and it's a big part of the packet. It begins on page 25
078with that onepage crosswalk um and then continues all the way on to page 96 I believe as the last page of the course of studies. Um you will find uh all of uh the complete packet really of what is provided to students. uh that one pager I think was created several years ago as a way to inform the board of the changes. So think of it like a redline master with a policy. Um and thanks to a lot of heavy lifting on the part of Dr. Lockheart and the high school team, our department coordinators, Jody Krosanski. Uh we've really gone through this and that's why what you see here. Um if you were look back to the last few years, you would have seen a few pages of this crosswalk and we're really down to
079just a few changes left. Um and some of those will always exist because our department coordinators look at the course descriptions every year and sometimes they make little updates to after talking with students. I think this better represents um what students are experiencing. They're not changing content. Um nothing with you know curriculum. It's just the way the course is presented uh in the course of studies. Uh we added to down at the bottom the footnotes to um kind of highlight the dates when those courses were approved by the board. So you can see a direct correlation between your work as a board approving them through CPP DC CPP and then the board um and their changes appearing here on the course of studies. Um the last thing I'll say this evening is to plant a
080seed for the future with the course of studies. Um we're hoping this is the last iteration of it that you'll see on paper. Um the next version, version whatever uh 6.0 7.0 you know, um will hopefully be completely online. Um and so we're going to be working between now and June. Lynn, I believe there's a final CPP meeting scheduled in June. Um and the hope is by that date to bring you um a prototype of the new version of the course of studies uh where we can again provide all that information in a more userfriendly digital profile. >> Any questions? Go ahead, Lynn. >> Um, two questions. I might have even asked this last year. I don't remember, but um, it stood out to me that the test fees are paid by students for advanced
081placement, but for the Yukon courses, um, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch can qualify to have them waved. So, why do we not wait wave them for the AP? >> And they're waved for both. That probably just needs to be clarified in there, but they they are waved. And >> this is um Mrs. >> Julia, I can never say her last name, right? CW Julia CW um Ashley's been working with my office and the director of nutrition services to make sure that happens. >> Okay. Because if it's in there, then parents will know and kids will know. >> Yes. There's mechanisms in place for that. The other question, and this could just be a typo, too, but on page 52, um, algebra 1B, it's listed on the top on the chart, but then
082it's crossed out below. So, is that just supposed to be crossed out also? >> It should have been on both places. Yeah, because that's a course we sunset with the changes in the course progression. So, >> so that just that'll get eliminated. Thank you. >> Good Island, Lynn. Anyone else? Thank you. Go ahead, Romesh. >> Just a clarification here. Uh on looking at the page 25, there is a there is an item says the deletion geometry skill sunset and page 66. But when I looked at page 66, I don't see any geometry. Uh just curious from which course that is being deleted. Uh, it's it's likely that's just a typo. Um, >> it's page 66 of the course of studies, not 66 of the packet. So, it's page 92 of >> Yes. Yes. You're looking
083at the board packet numbers. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yes. No problem. I'm glad I could figure that out. And that's why we um Romesh put at the top too as well that some of the formatting changes and one of the reasons we want to move to a new version of the course of studies is there's lots of like hokey graphics in here that were created in like word 97 and every time we try to update them it it kind of creates a mess for us. So, we're hoping to clean a lot of that up and and clean up some of that. Um, create new graphics that are easier to update and work with for the future as well. >> That makes sense. Yep. Thank you. >>
084Any other questions? >> Well, we greatly appreciate that one sheeter and the highlighted um portion so that it makes it easier for us, but it also makes it easier for the community and parents who might have questions and want to stay apprised of it. So, thank you for your efforts. And I love how you keep saying we just, you know, that's okay. We'll miss you. All right. Um, do I have a motion? Or Lynn, would you like to make the motion to approve? >> Thank you. And do I have a second? >> Thank you, Sarah. All in favor? I passes unanimously with nine. Thank you. Next is our discussion and possible approval of policy 4000.1 policy regarding prohibition of sex discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace for personnel. >> Thank you. And as we
085talked about in the policy committee meeting, if it seems like we've talked about this policy numerous times, it's because we have because um both laws and regulations have changed numerous times over the years, sometimes more than once within the course of of a year. Um, I will speak to both the personnel and the student uh version at once because I I think it'll be more efficient, easier that way. They are very minimal changes to the pro the prohibition of sex discrimination and sexual harassment both on personnel and on students. Um, number one, we had to update the location of and the contact information for the United States Department of Education, the offices for civil rights also um because the Boston office has been closed. So policy has to be accurate in case someone wants to
086utilize it to file a complaint and a change as small as that had to be made legally. Um, also there is a reference that was added to be able to use a third-party contractor if um needed to conduct investigations related to it. Um, the rest of the changes were to regulations in definitions and I'll give you an example of that. Um, instead of hate having to say these things anywhere in public meetings but is what it is. uh they removed the term fondling for example and it has been replaced with um sexual uh criminal they removed fondling altogether and then they changed um sexual assault to criminal sexual assault and all of those are um consistent with changes in legal definitions those are the same changes in both policies personnel and students. All right. Thank
087you. There was a good conversation at the policy committee level. Are there any questions? Paige, would you would like to address the first one? >> Sure, Deb. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to approve policy 400.1, policy regarding prohibition of sex discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace, the personnel. Do I have a second? Thank you, Suzanne. All in favor? I nine passes unanimously. You want to do the next one, age? >> Yes. I'd like to make a motion to approve policy 5145.5, policy regarding prohibition of sex discrimination and sexual harassment student version. Do I have a second? Thank you, Sarah. All in favor? I passes unanimously with nine. Similarly, we have um two policies here that deal with personnel and students. um approval possible approval of policy 4118.11 non-discrimination for personnel and we
088might as well also add in policy 5145.4 non-discrimination for student. Dr. Carneala, >> thank you. Again, the changes mirror each other in personnel and students and are result in slight changes um such as the office for civil rights being closed in Boston. The address has been updated. You often see these two policies go hand inand very often because they are related. Sexual harassment or discrimination and non-discrimination. So just about every time you see a change in one, you're going to see it in the other because they have to mirror the changes. So those changes have been put into both students and personnel. And in addition, um, in the state of Connecticut, there was a public act passed in the 25 legislative session that added, uh, sexual assault victim and a human andor human trafficking victim
089as protected classes. As you know, there's a definition of protected class by law. That is the definition that has always been in our policy. the law changed and those two categories needed to be added under uh the new non-discrimination laws in Connecticut for both students and personnel. >> Thank you again. Great conversation was had at the committee level. Any questions now? >> All right, the I'd like to make a motion to approve policy 4118.11 non-discrimination the personnel version. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? Thank you, Lynn. All in favor? I passes unanimously with nine. Next page, >> the I'd like to make a motion to approve policy 5145.4, non-discrimination, a student version. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> No, sir. >> Thank you, Chris. All in favor? I. Passes unanimously
090with nine. Thank you. Next, we have the discussion and possible approval of the Avon Administrators and Supervisory Association contract 2026 to 2029. First, I'd like to say how grateful we are to have worked with you on this. Um, Dr. Carnola, is there any components that you want to speak to? >> Uh, we have some highlights. >> Okay. >> Oh, the highlights. >> The highlights. >> Oh, sorry. Yes, the memo. I Yes, I thought that was in the packet. We can't send the contract out in the packet because it's confidential until it's approved. Uh, if it's approved. Um, but the highlight memo. Apologize that we had that. Um, can we put it on the screen? I'll start by saying this um agreement will take effect if it is approved tonight um July 1 and it is
091a three-year agreement. Um this encompasses the individuals in um our school district who are members of that association. All people that are um practicing under an administrative certificate are not necessarily in that association. For example, I am not. I can't be as the superintendent. Um Mr. G cannot be. Mr. Medic cannot be. Um we Mr. Haynes is another uh person with us but he is not functioning as an administrator as in the way that um we are or the building level folks are. He's a coordinator and so his um certification is not essential to the majority of his work at this time and therefore he is not also not representing that. I just think it's important to point out which ones of us are and are not because uh very often I think we have
092misinformation about who actually constitutes administrators. It's it's those of us working under an administrative certification and the vast majority of which are in this association and we are grateful for being able to work with you through this summer. It's it's difficult when we negotiate both teacher and administrator contracts because we are the individuals in district as I said that are certified. There are timelines involved and inevitably it starts in July and so a lot of hours and time are put in um by the team in trying to go through the contract and come to an agreement and um board members also. So, thank you for your time and thank you for your time and I think that uh we were able to reach an agreement that was a good one um for both the district
093and for the association. >> I was just pulling that out. Um I won't read it to you on the screen but some of the highlights very minimal changes part of the agreement very collaboratively off the book off the record um and summ uh to negotiate this contract. The first thing in article three is the work year. Uh we've worked collaborating to recognize the work that our assistant principal would do and particularly at our oh thanks at our year end and um our our year end and our beginning of the year times. Um so we added four additional work days to increase their work year from 196 days to 200 days to allow for that. And those folks were for the most part working those days anyway. So we just incorporated into the contract. Um for
094salaries and benefits uh for wages we came to a negotiated settlement of 10.58% or 284,928 over the life of the contract. Uh year one you can see there was a perdm adjustment. Um there was some concerns from both parties uh regarding the sixth year teacher perdm salary versus the administrator salaries and that adjustment helped us um maintain that gap that was necessary between those um positions. Uh they negotiated 3% below max and a 3% at max and there's debt movement in your in all three years. I will say the major the entire union as we have the employees today, right? Because it always changes um would be at max step as of year two. So you'll see year three drops down to that 3% even though we were at 3 three and three all three
095years with the step moving year two goes up to that 4.08% all-in cost in year three is just at the flat 3%. Uh we did remove the $8,500 stipen for our extended school year supervisor a couple years ago. Now um our special ed supervisor position was made 12 months. So that's incorporated into their duties in appendix B insurance and benefits. Um the union did agree um luckily before this insurance came out uh to increase employee contributions starting in year two. Uh so year one there's no increase and we just did a small half percent in year two and and then in year three uh we removed the $500 payment for the financial planning services. Um no one was really utilizing that benefit. So it was a win-win on both parts again for the the um
096both both parties. And then finally we agreed to a three-year term. Anything? Everybody's good. All right, Suzanne. >> I would like to make a motion to approve the Avon Administrators and Supervisory Association contract for the years 2026 through 2029. Thank you. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Jeeoff. All in favor? >> I passes unanimously with nine. Thank you very much. All right. Our final item on the new business. Um, we had a parent who um requested an impartial hearing um for a book challenge appeal. And so after discussing with our attorney, we would like to make a motion. I have to pull up the exact wording for you so I do this correctly. So I would like to make a motion in accordance with policy 6161 and in consideration of
097complainant's request to have her appeal heard by an impartial hearing officer. The Avon Board of Education moves to appoint an impartial hearing officer to serve in his place to review the complainant's appeal or appeals regarding a request for reconsideration of educational materials. The board further moves that the chairperson is authorized to retain such impartial hearing officer without further action by the board. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Second by Jeff. All in favor? I. Passes unanimously with nine. Thank you. >> Yep. I saw that with nine. All right. Any more communication from the public? Just want to check real quick. >> What are we supposed Oh, okay. Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> We're good. All right. Thank you. Communication from Avon Board of Education members. Jeff, >> I had
098to delay one last meeting. So indulge me please for a few more minutes so I can say my last piece. The last eight years serving on this board has been a tremendous honor. I am deeply grateful for this experience. As someone who is a government teacher who loves our constitution and believes our democratic system, being elected twice by this community to serve in this role has meant everything to me. First, I want to thank Dr. Carnomola. I still believe my vote to hire you was the best decision I've made during my entire tenure. As a teacher who has worked under many superintendents, you are generally one of the finest leaders I've encountered. These eight years have been a masterclass in district leadership. While we board members make the final decision, your guidance, your educational philosophy,
099your approach to leading the system has profoundly impacted me as an educator. You've given me the best professional development I have ever received. Challenged me to think beyond my own classroom and understand aspects of our educational system I never fully grasped before. to our administration. I know I may have been a pain to many of you over the years. Dr. Lockhart, I know I still am. You have two kids. Lucky you. You still at me. Um, but I hope all of you always have known that when I've asked the tough questions, push back or made you count every crayon in the closet, it came from a place of trust, not doubt. You are incredibly hardworking group of administrators and when I challenge you or pressed for details, it was because I was trying to help
100find solutions. I've always had complete confidence in your abilities. To our teachers and staff, thank you for everything you do. I know what it's like when board members dismiss what we do. When they act like anyone can do our job or treat us like glorified babysitters. I was determined never to be that kind of board member. You are our front lines. You see our students every single day. you do the heavy lifting and I hope you've always felt that I trusted and respected you, that I was fighting for what you needed to succeed. As I leave this role, I want to return to something fundamental. My core educational philosophy, every educator has one, and mine is simple. Children are a legacy. When I started this journey 8 years ago, I felt I was carrying forward
101the legacy of my parents. My mother, a teacher for over 30 years, instilled in me the belief that all students deserve to be encouraged to become the best version of themselves. That school, that school exists to help students explore who they are, challenge them, encourage their growth, and support them along the way. My father, who was always involved in local politics, taught me we have a responsibility to our community, that we need to step up and try to be part of the solution instead of just complaining about problems. He showed me that we can truly make our community stronger when we get involved. That's why I stepped up eight years ago. I brought this phil philosophy to my classroom. I hope it was evident. I've brought it here to this board as well. Every decision
102I made, I made believing it was the best for all of our students. As a board, we have an obligation to create that supportive environment for every child. To the board that will form in January, I hope you remember that you're here for all students to help them become the best version of themselves. Even when you may not agree with the choices they're making or the paths they're exploring, it's not our place to tell kids who they should be. Our responsibility is to create an environment where they can safely explore who they are, where they feel supported and encouraged. And let me be clear about something fundamental. Students are never the problem. When we start labeling students as problems and we we become the problem. Think about what we're modeling here. We are adults charged
103with providing a safe school environment for them. Yet, if we're labeling them as a problem and seeking solutions about them rather than for them, what legacy are we setting? What are we teaching them about how we should treat others who are different? Our job is to find solutions that make all students feel accepted and supported. We serve 3,000 students of Avon public schools. Not a political party, not an ideology, not any particular group in our community. We are here for the students. That is the work. I hope you remember that in every decision you make. Thank you for allowing me to do this. It has been an incredible 8 years. >> Thank you, Jeeoff. Anyone else? Hard to follow that. All right. We appreciate your time. And so now I'm going to ask Jeff, would
104you like to adjourn this meeting? >> I move to adjourn. >> Thank you, Romesh. Would you like to second? Thank you, Romesh. All right, we move to adjourn at 8:29 with a vote. All in favor? I passes unanimously. Thank you, everyone. >> Thank you.