001Thank you. If we'd all rise for the um pledge of allegiance, please. >> I pledge of 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. >> We have a moment of silence this evening for two members of the New Milford Public Schools community. Grade 12 student Noelia Kamacho passed away this week following a courageous battle with cancer. And Carlton Writer, a teacher of physical education in New Milford public schools for nearly four decades. >> Thank you. Our condolences go out to both families and friends. public comment. Is anybody here? Okay, we'll close the public comment. I'm going to turn it over to you, Dr. Parado. >> Thank you very much. So, one of our favorite
002things to do um as a board of education is to honor students and recognize them. So, October is traditionally the month for Scatakoke Middle School. And so, that's why we have so many of our uh friends here this evening. And so usually when we recognize students, it's for the ideas that we live by, which are focus, heart, collaboration, and creativity. Part of what Scatakoke students are being honored for this evening is the idea of belonging. So part of what we believe is heart and how we operate with with heart is to make all the rest of the students in the school feel like they belong. So all the students that we're recognizing this evening have demonstrated some of those characteristics of what belonging means. in our school and in our school district. So, I'll be
003joined up here uh by Scatakoke administrators. So, we have Miss Deer, she's coming up, and Miss Serr, Miss Powers, Miss Hines, >> and Miss Bergner. This list is not alphabetical, and that's okay. It's always >> Sometimes you're expecting it. >> Take a photo with >> Yeah. So when students when you come up you you will stay up here and we'll take one big group photo al together. So we are going to begin with Emma Herrera and she's in grade eight. Is Emma here? I'll say a few words about Emma anyway. So Emma participates regularly in class. She demonstrates a positive and welcoming demeanor with peers and adults and she sets achievement and behavior goals for herself. She's a She's welcoming to students and invested in her own success. That's Emma Herrera. >> Hey, Emma. [Applause]
004Next, we have Jeremy Torres Pula. He is in grade 8. Uh Jeremy is a peer advocate. He goes out of his way to assist others who are struggling to find their way. He's very friendly and well spoken. He has stepped forward to be a voice for students with a language barrier allowing simple instruction to be provided in a timely manner. Jeremy Torres Puma. Next we have Maggie McQueen. Maggie McQueen is in eighth grade. Here comes Maggie McQueen. um at in her team at Static Coke. The the teachers have observed every single characteristic of belonging through Maggie and how she inspires it in others. She helps other students academically and socially. She's a good model of participation, leadership, and behavior. Always Maggie makes students feel welcome and included in all that she does. Maggie McQueen Isabella
005Espino Isabella is in grade six. Isabella is a role model for her peers. She is kind and always willing to help others. She goes out of her way to assist her classmates with classwork and their sense of belonging at Scatakoke. [Applause] Next we have Ashley Bramal, grade six. >> Ashley consistently demonstrates kindness and empathy towards her peers, creating a positive and inclusive environment in the classroom. She has an upbeat personality and outgoing nature, and it makes her a joy to be around. Often she lifts the spirits of those around her. She contributes thoughtfully to class discussions. She provides insights to all and she's willing to try new things. Ashley always wants to help and possesses the selfm motivation to help without being asked. Her peers value her support. Ashley is well on her way to
006being an outstanding citizen. Matias Compoer Zarate. Matias is in grade seven. Matis is excellent at creating relationships with his peers. He is easily a friend to anyone he meets. He goes out of his way to make sure all of his peers are welcomed in all situations. He's a natural mentor, a good friend, and in general, a standout individual. Matias cares very much that his peers feel a sense of belonging and will volunteer to translate, even attending curriculum night to help parents understand the rigors of middle school. Matias wants to help and as a result, he has assisted many students in navigating the struggles that not only being in middle school brings, but also to help ease the pressure of being a multilingual learner in our community. Matias Compl Zarak. Next we have Sarah Buckerman. She
007is in grade eight. She was nominated uh through her physical education teachers, Mr. Hibbert, Mr. Wall, and Miss Blood. Sarah um in in a physical education environment that sometimes is a little quote unquote chaotic. Sarah always shows good self-discipline. the Scatakoke motto of being kind, safe, and responsible. Her teachers thank Sarah for being a positive Scatoke community member. Sarah Mucker. Next, we have Lucinda Chapman from grade seven. Lucinda is accepted. She is involved. She makes sure her peers feel heard and supported. She embodies the true meaning of belonging by making her peers feel included. She regularly participates in class, sharing her thoughts and encouraging others to do the same. She is she's active both within the school and in the wider community. Lucinda builds strong connections wherever she goes. Her genuine respect for peers and
008adults creates a positive and wel welcoming atmosphere for everyone around her. Lucinda Chapman Next we have Avery Gray, grade six. Avery is very welcoming, accepting, and friendly. Avery shows patience, effort, and unity. She participates both in and outside of classroom activities. She engages in opportunities to interact with a wide range of peers. She constantly greets adults in the hallway and interacts positively with all her peers in the classroom. She makes everyone feel welcome. Avery Gray. [Applause] Next, we have Pamela Powski. Pamela has been a member of student council for the past two years, and this year, she's working hard in her classes while focusing on extracurriculars like rowing and being a member of the swim team. She has deep friendships and builds caring relationships with her classmates. She is someone other students trust for kindness
009and to help them through challenging material in the classroom. She's consistently friendly with everyone around her and makes her teachers proud with her excellent work ethic and attitude. Pamela Powrowski, [Applause] Stella Deg Gregorio. Stella is warm, friendly, and always has a smile on her face, just like right now, which helps to foster a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in the classroom and throughout the school. She shares freely about her love of musicals, which naturally encourages others around her to share about themselves. She fully engages in her classes through active listening, use of academic vocabulary, and frequent participation. Stella is al always willing to lend a helping hand when she sees someone in need of assistance or support. Stella Deg Gregorio Aaron Zeller from grade 8. Aaron demonstrates true presence in the classroom, approaching each and every
010assignment with diligent diligence and a steady focus. She has an infectious sense of humor and exhibits unwavering kindness. These characteristics help to foster a sense of warmth and community in the classroom. Aaron works actively with her peers and is always willing to help others. Aaron Zeller is in grade eight. And we now we have Jeremy Torres Pula came along. So Jeremy will come up and I will summarize by saying Jeremy you are a peer advocate for others and you make sure that your peers understand the instruction in the classroom so that they learn in a timely manner. Jeremy Torres Pula [Applause] So these are our October ideal students from Scatakoke Middle School who demonstrate focus, heart, collaboration, and creativity. >> Um, Emma's here, too. >> Emma came. >> Thank you. >> Emma Herrera, you came.
011>> Thank you, my friend, for come on up, Emma. Emma has patience and kindness. Congratulations. She's a role model for all of her peers and she's welcoming and invested in her own success and importantly that of others. Emma Herrera. [Applause] So, here we are with wonderful students who show us what it means to be a wonderful human who creates belonging and heart in our schools and our classroom. So, I think we're going to make two lines so we can take a picture because this is a a big wide space. So, let's see if you can figure out who's going to go in the front. >> Yes. Usually I'm usually in the front too. I just >> some people can go in the front. Everybody kind of >> coming together with the teachers and the >>
012students. How's that? >> Everybody, can you look at me? Can you all see me? >> Yep. I want you to come over just a little bit. Right there. Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. I want to make sure I could see everybody's beautiful faces. Okay. Ready? And say cheese. >> Say, "I love school." >> I love school. [Applause] Hey, see you. Good job. >> Great job. Great job. So happy. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Keep up the good work. >> So families, while we invite you to stay, you can also leave at this time. Thank you guys so much. Great job. Great job. All right. >> Don't worry, we got a minute cuz we got the PTO record and I don't he's here. I don't think so. [Music] Did you? >> He did. Yep. >> Yeah, I already did.
013[Music] >> I don't think there's anybody here for PTO comments, so I'm just going to go right past it. >> Is here. >> And we're gonna introduce our We're going to have our seat of representatives do their report. So tonight we have Penny Morrisy. >> Great. And she's a senior. She was with us last year. >> Yes. >> And then Mark Porter. He's an 11th grade and he's going to join us this year and next year. >> Welcome. Already signed up. Signed up. >> Welcome. Welcome. >> You guys can go ahead. >> Yep. >> All right. So from Northville, we had no update. >> From Hill Plane, uh they had an all school assembly focus on respect and personal space. A big thanks to Miss Becker, the music teacher, who told the new school's songs
014that the students performed with their mascot, Barkley the Bulldog. The staff who showed the school's core values are being recognized as top dog with their names displayed on an office fridge. People also nominate core value citizens who have lunch with Miss Calibri and receive a special bracelet and certificate. The third annual spooky reading night is coming up where staff read to students and families and then they can enjoy math games in the cafeteria. The school garden had a great first season, mainly growing tomatoes and any community members willing to volunteer. The garden community plans to clean up the space Thursday and Friday 23rd and 25th to 5:15 p.m. Bring drink, gloves, and pruners are welcome. Plane wants to thank the Lfield Hills trans uh transitional staff and students for weighing and transporting plastic the school
015community collected. It was over 1,000 pounds of plastic in 12 months. And now they've been awarded a Trex bench. The school began another collection to earn a second bench. And every Sunday, Principal Calibri and her dog Olly share an online readaloud and weekly update bringing the school community together. Then from uh we had no update. And then from Scatico, the Center for Empowerment and Education came and presented to the sixth and seventh graders on healthy friendships. the eighth grade students saw presentations from Henry Abbott Techch, the Pog Valley Agra Science, um MHS and NHS as they start thinking about the transition to high school. Um this week the sixth and se and eighth graders went on field trips. Sixth grade went to the Beardy Zoo and eighth grade went to the Lichfield Historical Society and
016that the fall athletics have been in full swings with all of their teams practicing and playing hard. And then from NMHS on October 8th, NMHs welcomed 83 new members to its chapter of National Honor Society. Um we celebrated inductees superlative academic achievement, leadership, accumment, excellent character, and voluminous community service hours. The highlight of the night was lighting the candles. NH NHS now has 110 members and offer tutoring to fellow students, volunteer at local food banks, and lead community service activities. Um, NHS Rotary Club recognized Aan Newman as the student of the month, nominated by the business department. New Milford High School juniors and seniors attended the NEACA College and Career Fair at um, University of New Haven. Um, input engineering design students began building their projects in Mr. Jones's class. For athletics, the girls varsity
017field hockey team is advancing to the SWC semi-finals against Palm Brog tomorrow at 6 p.m. And the boys varsity soccer is also headed to the semi-finals and will compete at Weston against Weston on tomorrow also at 5:30. Um the math honor society inducted its newest members. Um, and on October 16th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students participated in the PSATs. >> Let's go. >> Thank you. You guys are free to go. >> We're on. >> Thanks, guys. >> And then we're going to move on to approval of the minutes. I need a motion to approve the following board of education meeting minutes, the regular meeting minutes for September 16th, 2025. So move. Sarah Brian Brian all those in favor that's everybody thank you superintendence reportado that's you thank you very much October is one of
018my favorite months of the school year we are settled into club routines and so much of the planning that we did in May and June and throughout the summer is in full view in October for example Our grades K to3 teachers are hard at work using our new reading program bookworms. We are in our third year of the new math program for grades K to 5. In the first year of a new math program in grades six through eight, we have defined high impact instructional strategies for grades preK to 12. We've revised our vision of a graduate so now that it is a portrait of a lifelong learner. We have modeled lab classrooms in grades K to 12. And over the next few weeks, teachers will learn about our district-wide purpose frameworks to use in
019their lessons. All these items work to support student learning and create consistency across the district. We'll provide examples of this work going forward, especially as we begin to talk about our district's performance as we go into November. >> Thank you. >> And my report is not a lot. I'm just happy to report that our capital reserve withdraw has been completed. Correct, Anthony? >> That's correct. >> And Matt, you're on your way with >> Rex and everything else, right? >> Correct. >> Perfect. When we'll move on to the subcommittees, we'll start with policy. >> Um, we did not have a policy meeting [Laughter] more. Oh god. >> Dear Jesus, thank you. >> Yeah. And um I do not believe that we have any um policies on the agenda for tonight either. >> So there you go.
020>> Trinity on learning. >> Uh we heard about 15 I believe it was course proposals from the high school. Um, and the administrators aren't here tonight, but I wanted to thank them for continually kind of thinking outside the box and trying to meet students needs. Some of these courses are um very interesting and not what you might expect to see. So, >> there I think they're always trying to fill the need. >> It does not require additional staff. Just as a a side note, >> facilities. So um I have nothing personally to report because our meeting was also cancelled. Um however later in the evening u Mr. Cunningham will be giving us an update on the status of ongoing projects uh especially those projects that he was able to get moving now that our capital
021has been freed up. So we look forward to that later. >> Thank you. And operations >> same here. We uh did not have a meeting because uh we had um Yes, it was overlapping. So, anything tonight financial the monthly reports obviously they come before the board each month and operations you see takes a you know uh an opportunity to review so it'll be open for questions and we'll move on to discussion and possible elections for the budget position dated September 30th. Um, I need a motion to approve the budget position dated September 30th, 2025, purchase resolution D-799 and request for budget transfers. >> Ryan, Eric, all those in favor? >> Question. >> Oh, sure. >> Sorry. Discussion. We didn't have it at operations. Just a We didn't have operations, did we? >> No. >> Okay.
022just >> I'm on the same board's really quiet and I'm like um just just uh for clarification Anthony please on page four or four um for the capital reserve account that's reflective of 93025 it doesn't reflect the dollar amount that was approved correct >> that's correct >> so that number will be brought to us that statement will change coming next month and that will reflect what was approved at the council meeting so the board is aware that number will change um for the public an announcement for the board. When we take a look at the turf field replacement, that also does not have um our 25 242 end of year balance that we have designated um 50,000 100,000 >> 100,000 >> which if it's matched by the town that'll put us at almost a million1
023towards the turf field replacement. we are ahead of our target and the commitment to the community on that and I think that that's worth noting. Um so I wanted to kind of put that out there. I had a couple line item questions on this but if I'm not going to I use Yasi as at operations if the board is okay with it um because we're going into budget I can just email and then we can bring them back rather than go through some of the line items. >> The chart on the bottom left capital reserve will be updated next month. the chart at the bottom right turf field will be updated after the audit in January. >> January. >> Are there any other I just have a budget. Okay. Um the the other questions, Anthony,
024if I may. Um the ESG >> Yes. >> The ESG payment, we don't see our revenue line adjusted because it really doesn't come into our revenue account. Is is that correct? It's the line item that we use in our budget towards towards electricity and then it's a little confusing. >> Yep. So, there's some savings that would be attributed to electricity and some to um oil savings and that amount will fall to the bottom line. We don't have a offsetting revenue. >> That's my point. whatever we don't pay to whatever vendor provides the commodity. The balance is then used falls to the bottom line is used from fund balance to pay the Bank of America um payment each year in December. >> I thank you because how would we gauge that in our revenue if we
025don't know what it is and we have no idea. So that's why I was asking that question. >> I have one question on budget um on the last page and that >> Yes, exactly. uh the budget transfer page if we may. So we have a request at a DOI due to savings uh to for to go out for an RFP. Dr. Pottle, >> that's correct. >> I'm I think this is great way to do it. Did we have discussion at the board over this or is this I don't recall us kind of pushing it forward in this way. >> So no um discussion about the RFP itself or about the aggra science uh budgeting. All of the above. I don't remember having the conversation at the board of that we are going to to kind
026of I mean a savings is fantastic and if you can pay for >> you know um a uh research or or getting that information and it doesn't you know >> have an additional cost that I I'm in favor of that but I'm not quite sure where we had the culinary discussion other than possibly in in budget. Did we have it? >> I think in the summer we talked about it in facilities at the very least. >> Okay. >> It was discussed >> and that and that we would fund it and get the get the information, you know, how much it would cost and and do a plan. >> So, the point of the point of this RFP is that we're we're trying to figure out what can even exist in that. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. But
027this is not an additional cost. In other words, this is we're taking money that we save through this this expense that we had anticipated and we're shifting it towards that research. >> Yes. Because the um state set the tuition for aggra science at a certain rate, we had it budgeted higher and the state is kicking in more money for aggracience tuition and so we're using that money that's in that line that's extra for this RFP for the culinary classroom. >> Great. Just to be clear, I don't think during facilities we discussed an actual budget for this, did we? >> That's my point. The dollar >> and that's why I'm trying to be clear. I I don't think >> where the money would come from. No, >> that was my point. No, we didn't talk about
028that. >> So, in this case, you have identified a funding source to move this forward. >> Correct. >> Thank you. >> I just have one last question. It's on the purchase resolution D799. the athletic transportation invoices out of general for the Milford High School, how is that different, and I'm sure it is, than the actual um anticipated athletic transportation. >> The difference is the ones that have already occurred that we've had to um sub out to Liberty that Allstar or any other vendors have not been able to provide. But then we have yearly anticipated in which we're already earmarked, >> right? That's additional going on into the future. >> Okay. And we're and we're paying that. >> We anticipate paying them. The one that's there for Liberty. We already have invoices that total that amount.
029>> Okay. Okay. I But it's the same. It's the same service. Is that fair to say? >> Same service, different vendors. Okay. The reason why that that disappeared here is I think Liberty um had some delayed billing. >> Got it. >> And once the total amount gets over five grand, I need to show it here. Um for maybe last year in the past, they ruled us um for um more frequently and then the bill did not reach that amount threshold to appear on this report years. Now, do we expect this is a different line item, but the student transportation we've already, you know, we've pretty much identified that we're going to have we have some some funds left in that line item. And I would how how is that identified? Meaning, we know what our
030yearly contract is. >> Um, which line item? >> 55 um 110. >> That's on page two. >> It is. Um, >> so how does that work? Because we have the contract, >> we know what the dollar amount is with the contract, >> correct? And that's been fully encumbered. So the remainder which is not encumbered there are transportation for um trips and athletic transportation that might be able to provide. We don't have >> that's my question. You see how I wo those together. You have the athletic transfer. So we we might be able to have something in that line item possibly. That's what I mean. >> Yes, potentially. >> Okay. I'm just asking going into budget, that's all. >> Where where does that fund go if it's if it's not used? Where does that line item
031go? >> It falls to the bottom >> bottom line. Everything else capital >> and then we push it into the capital reserve. >> Exactly. >> Um, thanks for your um on that. >> Okay, we're going to move on to >> We need to vote on the motion. >> Sorry. All those in favor? >> I I messed it up. Sorry. And that's everybody. We're going to move into proposals. >> Yeah. >> Um, do you want me to read them all or are we all good? >> Okay. >> As stated. Okay. I need a motion to approve the following curricula. And I'm going to um >> course proposals. >> What's that? >> Course proposals. >> Curriculum. These are course >> Sorry. >> Course proposals. proposals that are listed here in B in 10B. >> Second. >> Who
032was first? >> Sarah and then Dean. I think >> any conversation. >> It's outstanding. >> These are great. >> All those in favor? >> That's everybody. We're going to move on to um another motion. I need a motion to approve the leave of absence request for Mrs. Vilma. Alonzo, New Milford High School Secretary from October 14th through the end of the 2526 school year for personal reasons. So move second. >> Um Brian, all those in favor, items of information. We can start with registration and reg residency updates. >> Was there Oh, sorry. >> No, no, no. Forgive me if I missed it, but was there a piece of paper about this? Cuz I >> What? >> The registration and res. >> There was no memo. >> Okay. >> It's verbal. >> It's funny. I asked
033the same question. >> Exact question. Like >> we're on the same page. >> I don't see it. >> We're on the same page. >> What's the update? >> So that's why I have a little paragraph in my notebook. So we included in the 2526 budget as you know a new secretarial position and uh part of that person's responsibilities were to manage our new central registration process. So central registration is important to a school district because then we are allowed to have a standardized process for registering for school so that we have exactly consistent practice no matter who comes in to register. That also helps to make sure that our information in powers school is accurately put into uh the system because our powers school talks directly to the state reporting system. So the more consistent
034that information is, the better. And when you have somebody who's dedicated in part to doing that job, that just um it makes your your data that much more clean. This position also determines if someone's address needs to be changed in the system. And one way that we find that out sometimes is that we we don't do as many mailings as we used to do back in the day, but we still do some hard copy mailings. And sometimes if those come back and it says, you know, that there wasn't a forwarding address, then this secretary does a little bit of research and contacts the family and nine times out of 10 they say, "Oh, I forgot to tell you guys we moved to X." And then they have to reestablish residency in their new location. So
035that's another piece of this job. Um, and this person also completes the first steps of any residency investigation. So, they don't do the investigation itself. Um, we have other ways to do that, but they start doing the the initial pieces of the investigation and finding out information that we might need, including looking at property transfers uh in the newspaper and online. So, that's some of the ways that they gather information. This year also, all incoming sixth grade families had to resubmit proof of residency. So even if you've been in New Milford public school since kindergarten, any kid who was in grade five going into Scott Coke in grade six had to reprove it and they had to send in all their documentation to us to prove their residency again. Um, and we will expand that
036this summer. So it'll probably be incoming sixth graders and incoming ninth graders who have to prove residency again. >> What was the question? How what are those documents required for proof of residency? What type of documents? >> Oh, so it has to be either a mortgage um you the proof that you're paying a mortgage with the address on it has to be a utility bill um that shows the address on it. It has to be >> both or one. >> Both. >> Oh, okay. >> Um you have to show some sort of rental agreement >> or a rental agreement if you're not if you don't have a mortgage. >> Um but it has to be some sort of bill you're paying, but it has to demonstrate that address that you live at. >> Okay. I've
037got two questions. >> Well, let me make sure I finished. >> Okay. >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. I possibly have three, but I definitely have two. So, the sixth grade that we're we're um checking on them, but I thought we were going to do that in third grade, too, every time that they go to a new school. So, the secretary didn't start until August. So, we could only do one grade this year until that person started. Now that that person's fully on board, we'll be able to expand the work. >> Okay. >> Essentially what happened is that I >> would you do it in the middle of the year? You could if you really wanted to. >> Why not? >> We could potentially. Sure. >> Um Okay. I forgot where I was going with
038the second qu. Um my other question is who is checking and is this person going to be checking the bus stop in front of the high school where the Danberry um city bus brings these kids? I know that there's a couple of reasons that kids may get off of it and I know that there are a couple and that's understandable, but I would like to know if we're going to have an administrator out there and taking names of the kids getting off the buses and check them. >> Yeah, that's certainly not something that we would require a secretary to do. That's, you know, beyond the scope of that position, but that's an administrator's job. >> Okay. And can we make a note to follow up to get um >> already done? Yep. >> Okay. All
039right. Okay. And then I know I have another one on it on this subject, but I can't remember what it is. >> Go ahead, Sarah. >> I was just wondering how that was received by the families going into six. >> A peep. Did you get >> not a peep negative? Not a single negative word. >> Did you get the compliance? >> Yes. Were they not allowed? How how would how was that handled to make because sometimes people just don't. >> We tell them that we wouldn't release their schedule. >> There you go. That works. >> That always works. >> All right. >> Anybody else? >> Yeah. I worked like a charm. I was shocked actually. We we set up a Google form. They were able to take pictures of their documents and upload them. So,
040it was >> great. >> Yeah. >> I actually worked because we didn't have a secretary in place. My secretary and I actually checked them. >> So, that was part of >> That's great. >> It was one of my summer projects. >> So, I am concerned that when you get um return to sender mail, I mean, that's brilliant to use that. I mean, I'm sure it helped a lot. What are we doing in place of that now? I mean, >> well, we still do send home mailings for sure, and that's one way. And the other ways that you check it are you you look at the property transfers. You you make sixth graders turn it in when anybody registers. Now, we have central registration. She's very strict on the exact documents that they have to have
041>> because I can imagine that's a huge tool. So, I was going to say if I'm sorry if somebody can prove that they're a student in ninth grade, we don't check 10th, 11th, 12th grade. >> No. >> So, somebody that that could move away and live outside of our district and be coming to our school >> potentially. Yes. Unless we send snail mail to their home and it comes back to us. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, it would it would be more than a oneperson job to check the residency every single year of every single kid. That's a it took I don't want to even tell you how many hours it took my secretary and myself to do sixth grade alone. And we spent hours on it. And it's fine. That's the the work. But
042to do 3,500 kids would be a giant task. >> I wonder if we could use AI now. Send out a form, have them come back and have AI I don't somehow >> or to get their schedule. upload your utility bill to get your schedule. >> So somehow like >> it's still staffing to check everything though. That's a that's a thing. That's >> it's a lot of kids. >> It's a it's a thin central office to begin with. >> How many mailings do would you say go out each year because that is really the best way. I mean I know that people will have their things forwarded but after a while you cannot have >> I couldn't even venture to guess like Yeah. >> So as long as there's like three or four hits of a
043mailing it's going to catch it. It may not catch it within the first six months because I think forwarding off, right? But that it will eventually catch up and you know, so that isn't that is a catch all. That's going to catch. >> Yeah. Back in the old days, it was it was more fail safe because we sent home so much material. >> Now, not so much. >> No, I mean we Yeah, we barely use the postage line anymore for for student mailing. So, you just don't there could because we Parent Square, we have email, we have >> Wonder if we could do postcards every couple of months. It's I mean I don't even know how much it beable card costs now. I mean >> can I ask a follow Dr. Pado, I apologize. Out
044of the uh sixth grade uh um initiative that we did, you >> did you h how many what what was the what was the percentage or what was it? Was there an amount that we couldn't I mean >> that didn't live here? >> Yes. >> Or >> can you say or I'm just curious. >> Yeah, I'm just being careful about anything that might be personally identified. >> No, no, no. So there was there >> there were some >> there were four there were some that we had to investigate. >> Okay. >> Wow. >> Okay. And I I wouldn't I absolutely would not want to, you know, put you in that situation. But the point is when you have when you designate a certain job description to an individual that has been added into a budget,
045>> that's point of that job. Yeah. >> People want to quantify >> if it's actually working. >> For sure. So I wanted to diplomatically ask is it working and you know we can certainly add to that but there there were cases that we um definitely identified. >> Yes. Yes. And I would say that it's also having somebody in that position keeping in mind that half of her position is registration and residency um and the other half supports Holly's office. Um making sure that it's avoidance right so she is strict enough with checking the documents there are people who didn't come back. >> Exactly. So they came on one day and they they said, "Oh, yeah, I have to bring X." And then they never returned again because they realized that that we were harder. >>
046Yeah. >> Thank you. I just want I think that's a message that that >> I'm trying to do the math in my head. How many kids we have if Never mind. I'm not going to go there. >> Yeah, it's hard. That's fine. >> I mean, it's also important to know. >> I mean, a number is not identifiable. So don't I mean a number is not identifiable. If we have a hundred kids in a class saying that there were three that were turned away is not identifying any family. >> That's correct. >> But fair enough. If you were to take that number and take a 0.5 out of that salary schedule, do you see where I'm going? >> That's where I was going. >> And take the per pupil >> piece. Do you see? >> I
047know. But I think that Yeah. you >> you know I'm going that that basically there is there there was a um there was an effect on >> there's value added there's no there's no doubt that there's value added >> there's value added primarily one we are careful with residency and registration two our data is much better now >> that's that's another >> sometimes and it's nobody's fault but I might if I'm in Northville or wherever whatever school I might register a kid a certain way and fill out a box a certain way but now we have one person so our data is nice and clean. Not that anybody ever did anything wrong, but it's just the human nature. You're busy in school offices. It's It's always hectic. Yeah, >> I agree with that. >> I'm
048just wondering if we could bump up the position to full-time for residency. If it's if we're finding that there's a need for that, if we're coming across a bunch of kids that really aren't here and we're we're making up the money by removing them from our district. >> Yeah. Food for thought. >> Yes. Not now. No comment. We don't need to um anybody else. >> Okay. Pathways and exploration of STSM I'm sorry SMS. >> Yes. >> So this is uh just an update that we talked about at committee on learning and so we did have a we had a STEM teacher at Scatico. That teacher resigned in August and so that was hard to hire for. So we had no pool whatsoever that was viable. Um, and as you know, we don't want kids being
049in study halls at Scatter Middle School. So, we were able to pivot and uh create a course right now that's called pathways explorations so that it aligns with the pathways work at the high school. >> And we were able to hire for it because we opened it up to a bunch of different certifications including a school counselor. Um, and so there are more school counselors out in the world who are seeking positions. Um, and so this person's a school counselor um, by certification, which allows her to understand the career readiness aspect of the job. And so that's that's what we were able to do to make sure that the kids weren't in study halls and getting some programming that is important and that they enjoy. So that was posted as a one-year position. So of
050course, we'll try to recruit for STEM. Um, and STEM is just hard to hire for in general, but if we post earlier, we'll be able to post in anticipated in April even to see if we can hire someone. >> Dr. Parlano, is that a graded class? >> Yes, >> for sure. >> Good. We can move on to facilities updates. Facilities update. >> So, we have a lot of projects going on at varying scale and size. Um, I'll just focus on the RFPs we put out recently here that are capital projects. So we have the central office spaces. We posted that RFP that money is incumbent in this uh capital cycle that's for the uh development of office spaces in Sacramento as we know we also have a classroom repeat that's been posted that's for architectural
051engineering just to sort of exploratory to see what the cost will be associated with those functions in regards to establishing a culinary program in the high school. Uh we have the Northville hydrants that's been posted that's for upgrading the exterior fire protection there. So the system there used a fire pond here since 1981 and they've reached out to us the town and the fire marshall asking if we look into what it would take to improve the hydrants outside there have been pressurizing coming off of the aquarium main line coming up the street and then we have going out soon the new Muffford High School tennis courts and that's for the removal placement of all six tennis courts at New High School. Just a quick question on the tennis courts. Are we going to um I
052I know we're doing this on our own without the town. Correct. >> Currently, yes. >> Currently, are we going to lock these tennis courts from the public? >> That's not my call. >> Sorry, I won't look into that. >> That's certainly a discussion for another day. >> That's a discussion for another day. Okay, we'll put that on the Okay. >> I have a quick question for Matt. Um getting back to the culinary school, can you refresh my memory? We identify a location or do you identify a potential location at the high school for that or is that also part of the assum? >> We've identified areas that we think are more conducive than the building for us. Yes. And so we would be starting using that as a starting point with any firm that were
053to be hired. >> Obviously as part of that they're going to look to where our utilities are in respect to that. What would be take like what would it be like to have fire suppression uh you know as the space necessary. So come back to us and say we would actually recommend you try to develop this other space but as you know the high school's full but it's limited. So we we do the best what we have. >> So that will be part of the study as >> correct. Yeah. >> Yeah. Like as I said we >> that makes more sense. >> We have the school we've gone with the administration there and said potentially what areas would you feel comfortable allocating for this? So we'll start that as I said for a base and
054we'll sit there and see if that's conducive to the actual project. >> Great. and thinking about the the future expansion potentially of the program into a production class where you know we might have like a little store where we sell things out of it or a little beastro where we have tables on a sidewalk or >> just just thinking about all the possibilities. So, but at least we'll know, right? And it's for me it's like Christmas morning, right? I love this project more than we could ever imagine. I want it to be built tomorrow, but I we're just getting information >> and I just like to say it's very exciting. All of us on facilities were um delighted to hear this idea, but we glad that it's moving faster than we expected it to. >>
055At least we'll know. That's all. >> Yes. >> Anybody else? >> Go ahead. >> I just sit here and it I don't think it's anybody that that's in this room now, but it's just so kind of ironic that we had foods and cooking years ago. We had it at Scatter Coke. uh you know, it got all ripped out. I don't know whose idea that was, but we took it all the way and now we're bringing it back. And I'm glad it's coming back. And I'm sorry we ever let it go in the first place. >> You've been in education long enough to know it wasn't cycle. >> Yes. >> Okay, we'll move on to the employment report. It's kind of it's bonkers to me when I see names of kids that I see working for
056us now that were like eight years old when I met them. Sarah, that must be daily for you. You see these things, right? >> I have a question. >> Yes, indeed. Yes. >> Some of our um some of our employees are born now in 2002. >> Oh god. Yes, they are. >> Yes, they are. Yes. I I wanted to know um how many paraprofessionals, student care workers, and oneto ons are we down now? >> How is that affecting our ability to fulfill IEPs and 504s? >> Well, we um and Dr. Culin certainly can chime in. Um you know, we do our very best to make sure that that especially students with very significant needs are covered. Um I don't know how many off the top of my head were down. You might and I can
057look it up. >> I don't know off the top of my head, but I can share with you that we have contracted with some staffing agencies to fill in when we're not able to do this. We in recent I'd say the last two weeks we've had a small influx of applicants direct interest whatsoever. So starting with direct tire which of course is preferred >> but we don't have a number as to how many we're short >> looking right system >> but if we get it tonight maybe we can have it sent to the board >> I could send >> so we can have the actual number >> three listing of openings do you do you share that with the board the listing of openings >> I don't but I could >> that was one of
058my next questions was what do we still have open >> what do we still have open in the whole district >> certified positions uh teched teacher at the high school. Uh social studies at the high school, special ed at Sarah Noble, uh long-term subs in kindergarten, grade four and PE. Um after school credit recovery is certified, uh one-year science position, special ed at the high school, school psychologist, split scatakoke in high school. Um that STEM teacher, we're keeping it posted even though we have the the career readiness And then adult ed. >> So, um the language teacher position that opened up. >> Oh, Spanish. Yes. >> When we made an administrator, I we haven't filled that. >> Um that person. Yes, we have. But the person is starting a little later. Yes. >> Okay. So,
059it's not it's not on this report. That's why I was wondering why it wasn't on this report. >> On the certified staff appointments on the employment report, you mean? >> Yeah. >> Uh he's not starting till November. So he it'll be on the no report. >> Okay. Even though the person's been hired. >> Yep. >> Um there's uh somebody resigning and I'm so sorry to see this on here because we have major problems filling this position, but Dr. Mau um who was our woodworking teacher recently retired to move to a new district. Um that has been an especially difficult position to fill. >> Yeah. Tech Edge disorder is your area for sure. >> So, do you have any idea what they're going to be doing with this that this this course is obviously underway? Both
060both courses I think that he teaches. What are we going to do for those kids? Are they going to be put into study halls and not complete the semester? >> No, we figured out a way for them to get a half credit um by the time so I help someone leaves after August 1st, I can hold them for 30 days. Mhm. >> So I hold people for 30 days and so that it gives us enough time so that we're able to grant the half credit through the projects that they're doing >> and so so my understanding is that Dr. murder will stay for the for the first marking through through the end of the first marking period. >> But then he will but then we'll have the other >> part of the semester that >>
061projects that can be done that don't require as much danger so to speak that can be done with the sub. >> Okay. So so then we will not be utilizing that phenomenal space that we spent so much money to do. So, we we certainly post positions and do our due diligence, right, to make sure we try to hire people, but if they don't exist, then >> yeah, and that's going to be one that we're really going to have to look at because once again, teched, >> all these things go by the wayside because we can't find people to fill the positions because they can make more money out in the world doing these kinds of trades. So, I mean, I'm just really worried about this because and it's no one's fault here, but we need
062to be focused on providing opportunities for kids to get through school doing things with their hands, doing things that require building and that sort of stuff. And and we don't have a lot of that tangible stuff happening anymore. So, I'm not sure what we in the long run look to replace these type of courses with to accommodate kids that do want to go into the trades. >> Follow up on it. So, are we posting this position or where are we with this? >> Already posted. Yeah, >> that's my that's my point. So, if we have someone leaving the I I don't hear that the intention isn't to not continue. >> Of course. Right. >> It is to continue. It's it's that >> it's in the curriculum. >> It's that the the goal is to replace
063this position with another individual certified technique program going. So, >> but my whole concern is that if we cannot find that person, which realistically these types of teachers are very difficult to find. What is going to be the future of this area? Can I ask a question? What what are the besides being a booker? What are their specific qualifications? Because you're saying it's hard to fill because there are plenty of people that are in their 50s that don't want to swing a hammer anymore and they're like they can't be in field that would be more than qualified, you know, technically to handle it. >> I believe they have to be teacher certified. >> I think they have to be there. This can't be a non-certified. >> Correct. >> You have to have a teacher of
064record. That's what the legislation becomes the problem. Otherwise, >> become that is essentially the problem is that the certification >> it's it's needing that certification where they could have gone off and made so much more. I mean, it was the same thing with automotive, right? >> I was just going to say certification is a whole different conversation. It can be a it can be a challenge uh you know in in many um I hear you Tammy. I think that, you know, especially when we're hearing about, um, you know, culinary research and and all of that, uh, you know, and I and I I understand your concern. I think we post it and see what happens and and then know that where we go with this because we have invested into that space. It's a beautiful
065space and we want to make sure that it's used appropriately. >> Absolutely. >> Could we have a long-term substitute in there with somebody who's a woodworker? >> Yes, kind of. But you still have to you have to have a certified teacher, >> right, >> to oversee the work. >> And they have to be >> certified teacher could be a first it could be a a recent high or college graduate with a teacher's degree for their first year. >> Has to be the right certification. It does. >> That's the >> although I'm going to call about that because I know that the legislation changed two years ago or three >> that said that somebody who doesn't have certification can work up to 20 hours a week. >> However, there has to be a certified teacher attached
066to the course. >> So whether or not that has to be a technology education teacher, maybe not. I'll call in. >> That's a nice backup plan, you know, now that it's posted. >> Yeah, I'd hope that it I mean, I don't want it to sound like we're not doing anything about this because I don't >> No, no, no. And that was not my and that was not at all my my my reason for bringing it up. It's just that I just see another another shortage area that >> I think that was a wonderful and I think finding someone that capable of doing it is not the heavy lift. Having someone >> It's a certification. >> It's the certification piece. >> Great. Stop. And every year the state publishes a list on what the shortage areas
067are. Technology education is always >> always science and math, >> Spanish. Yep. >> I just have a question on this employment report quickly. I'm sorry it's financial. I'm just curious. Anthony, under the school nurse, um, we have a salary posted, but it's replacing a contractual service and there's no dollar amount to that contractual service or am I misreading that? In other words, the position that the salary amount, how does that reflect what we've been paying currently if it's contractor's service? Is it beneficial to us financially or is it are we taking a hit? this particular example a followup tomorrow. >> Yeah, we can give I mean I can I can predict that it's going to be far less. Yeah, >> that is exactly my point. >> But there's been lots of in andouts with nursing
068staffing directly hired public schools are contracted out and this is not just a phenomenon this year. This existed last year >> and it's it's we find that through contracted services period >> you know across the board. So that's why I wanted to ask it that I don't need the exactual dollar amount, but I didn't want to assume that it would be a benefit to us costwise, but you're telling me that it is. >> Yes, >> fair enough. That's what I thought. >> Thank you. >> That's a silly question, but I just wanted to know. >> October, I'm sorry, enrollment report. So you have your October 1st. That's the gold standard as we know. And so if you look at the chart in the bottom left hand side, uh that has some good information in it
069in a nice summary. And so let's just take preK to two for example. And so what this shows is and I'm the third one, two, three, four. fourth column for 2526. It says P R OJ projected because as you know we have that enrollment projection study that right now is about five or six years old, right? >> They projected us to be at 758 prek to2 students. What actually we have on October 1st is 762. So you can see that the projection is still pretty good because it was only off by four, right? the last column that shows year-over-year. So between Octo between um October 2024 and October 2025, it's down 36. >> Keeping in mind that the kindergarten legislation, >> right, >> is a big driver. What is the one that makes it lower?
070Yeah. Senobyl, another example, right? So projected was 741, actually 764. So it was 23 kids off. Again, that's not like a huge deal that it's off by 23 kids. Um, but year over year, seven students over. So, the the upshot of all this is that the projections that we have are pretty good still, even though they're they're getting older. And you can see that um from the projection we're 11 students over but year-over-year we're down 83. >> Just a note that a some of that has to do with the kindergarten. >> It does ask of September 1st you have to be 5 years old. >> Five years old kindergarten. And does the high school number also include those students who go off to other either the egg or the tech tech Henry Abbott or Jabag.
071Why? Why we're down? No, >> That does not Okay. >> Can I Can I have a quick follow on that? I know that we had discussed doing a possible enrollment study >> for sure. And I, you know, coming into budget, you know, not that I'm asking this to go into the budget, but I I do think um that it is time or that the you know, an enrollment study affects the entire town, you know, and so I I would hope that when we have discussions with the town and and wherever we go that we might be able to find a way that we can collaborate on um because the town graciously at one time had paid for one of the studies at one point and so and the board did as well one time as
072well. Uh but I I do think that it's time that we put the conversation out there um of possibly doing an enrollment study because it's going to take time to get the data back. Uh the legislation is now in effect for kindergarten. we have some, you know, um, building going on in town and I think it would be prudent to get ahead of that information. >> So, yes, as you know, last year we posted the RFP. >> Uh, we weren't necessarily too fond of of what we got back. >> We only had three three firms participate. And we chose at that time especially because there was not a funding source identified >> and uh to not award that RFP and we identified the three vendors who had submitted. >> We just sat on it. >>
073Correct. >> Right. >> What is the >> I'm bringing it back up again. >> What is the cost of >> Anthony can tell it's pro I don't remember. We had a it was a wide range too. It was shockingly >> it was it was it was all over the place. >> Yeah. I just think >> I don't have your hands on that but I but I think I remember that it was like that was another factor that we were kind of like wait a second we got to like wait a minute because these are just >> we didn't have a funding source and we decided at least you know with all of the place that we maybe pick the conversation up coming into this year >> I agree with you moving forward with all like
074the development the new >> these new buildings may may make other schools that are already kind of topheavy even more so and so I think an enrollment study might something we want to invest in >> with down. >> So, we posted an RFP and it closed on May 28th of 2025. >> Um, this was brought to the full board on June 12th. >> Took no action. >> We took no action. Correct. We had three vendors. Um, I won't mention the names. The pricing range was $19,250 for one, >> 65,000 for another. >> See, it's funny. In my head, I thought 15,000 was the lowest, so I didn't want Okay, >> the 19,000 65,000 or >> Anthony, are any of those combined for 30? >> Yes. >> Nope. >> So, we can't even >> seem pretty
075good, right? >> But we did send them the request when we posted. We always presented to whatever vendor is providing services or the incumbent vendor with the incumbent vendor who provided them in the past >> but they would not vendor >> not submit >> thank you for that like I said I think that moving forward we might want to pick up that conversation >> yes indeed >> okay we're good moving on to October fundraising report >> yes you See the high school has some there. >> That's what I could tell you. >> And trip out and about if people are out in the world still. >> Very good. >> Very exciting. >> We're going to move on to discussing possible action regarding ratification of successor collective bargaining agreement between the New Milford Board of Education
076and New Milford School Administrator Administrators Association. Executive session anticipated. I hereby move that the board enter into executive session for the purpose of review and consideration of the proposed successor collective bargaining agreement between the new Milford Board of Education and the New Milford School Administrators Association and the board further invites into executive session Superintendent Dr. Parlott and Anthony Giovani, director of fiscal services and operations. >> Whoa. Who moved it? >> Sorry. Uh Ly. >> Well, well, you moved it. >> Oh, I moved it. Okay. >> Second it. I know you want it. >> Sure. >> We all have to move. >> Y those in favor. >> Okay. What? Yeah. Yes, I was on a Zoom. >> No doubt. No doubt. Oh my god, Jed, the snacks are too healthy. >> Chocolate and lots of it.
077>> Okay. I hereby move that the board ratify the proposed successor collective bargaining agreement between the New Milford Board of Education and the New Milford School Administrators Association and authorize the board chair to execute such collective bargaining agreements subject to any necessary legal review and non sub >> substantive changes. >> Second. >> Who was who who motioned? >> Did you move it? >> I moved it. >> I'll second it. All those in favor. >> That's everybody. >> That was Leslie and Wendy again. >> Y we and we and Lauren have us back in executive session at 7:51. >> Y >> now we're both going to do another motion. >> Yep. I hereby move that the board enter into executive session for the purpose of review and consideration of the proposed successor collective bargaining agreement between
078the new Milford Board of Education and the New Milford Board of Education Nurses Local 1303-154 of Council 4 AFS CME AFL CIO and proposed memoranda of agreement between the board and the union relating to the same and that the board further invite into executive session superintendent Dr. Parlott and Mr. Anthony Giovani, director of fiscal services and operations. So I moved it. >> Eric, you're seconding it. >> Yeah. >> All those in favor, everybody hustle in there at what time is it? 7:52. Does that sound good? >> Sounds good. >> 803. Thank you. 803. I hereby move that the board ratify the proposed successor collective bargaining agreement between the New Milford Board of Education and the New Milford Board of Education Nurses Local 1303-154 of Council 4 AFS CME ALCIO and authorize the board chair to
079execute such collective bargaining agreement subject to any necessary legal review and nonsensive changes. >> I'll defer. Dean, was that you? >> Yeah. >> All those in favor. >> Thank you. >> So move. >> Sorry. >> Second. Oh, >> I was Did you make the motion? You got the >> Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. No, we have to do the memorandum. >> What are you talking about? >> We I have another motion. >> Oh, I'm so sorry. >> Where? On the last page, it says, "I hereby move that the board approve the proposed memorandum of agreement between the New Milford Board of Education and the New Milford Board of Education Nurses Local 1303-154 of Council for AF CME AF LCIO and authorized the board chair to execute such memorandum of understanding subject to any necessary legal
080review and non-substantive changes." >> So Leslie, you moved it. I moved it. >> Second. Tom. >> All those in favor? >> Eric. >> I apologize. >> Wendon. Eric. >> All those in favor. Good night to everybody. >> 804. Lauren. >> Thank you guys so much. Thanks for that. >> The dy authorized