NPS BOE Meeting - (5/6/2026)

001Good evening. I would like to call this meeting of the Newington Board of Education to order for Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The time is 7:03 p.m. Please rise for lunch. 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. >> Dad, would you please call the role? >> Howie here. >> Sam here. here. >> Thank you. Our first item of business is a resolution honoring our school administrators. Resolution honoring school administrators May 1st, 2026. Whereas May 1st, 2026 has been proclaimed as Newington School Administrators Day. And whereas the Newington public school administrators are qualified and dedicated professionals who have a positive impact on students, staff, and parents. And whereas the Newington public school administrators

002provide leadership and are committed to providing the best education and productive learning environments for students. And whereas the Newington public school administrators set the tone and provide vision, mentorship, and support that empowers teachers to excel in the classroom. And whereas the New England public school administrators contribute to the success of the entire school system and are willing to go above and beyond whenever necessary to ensure the success and well-being of all students and staff. Therefore, we do hereby proclaim May 1st, 2026 as Newington School Administrators Day. Be it resolved that we urge all the citizens of our community to join with us in actively expressing gratitude to Newington administrators on this very special day. Be it further resolved that the secretary of the Newington Board of Education is directed to spread this resolution upon the

003minutes of this meeting and to provide a suitable copy for presentation. Here it is. And we have none in the room. However, we do have some of our lovely administrators online. We do know if any of them got Alex H, Daniel Singleton, Seth Korn, Shell. >> Does anybody want to accept or recognize yourselves? Sorry, I'm trying to log into the meet so I'm like not able to see. >> I'd be happy to accept. >> Thank you. And thank I just want to say how nice it is to work for such a great district and um and I want to thank you for for recognizing and honor honoring us tonight. >> You are so welcome. Danielle is the assistant director for special education at the middle school level. I'll also say a quick hello. This is

004Alexandra Heslin. I'm the assistant director at the elementary level and I just wanted to thank the board um for acknowledging us and supporting us in all that we do. Um it's always an exciting day and a challenging day uh when we show up to work and our days never end but it is rewarding um every moment of every day. So thank you for everything. >> Thank you Alex. Um, finally online else, but perhaps they're not. >> And everyone else who's being shy, we appreciate you, too. >> Okay. And now, uh, we have recognition for our mentors and mentees, which I will turn over to Mr. Das. >> Yes. Thank you. Yeah, it's certainly a privilege to um celebrate our mentors and mentees for this year. Um as we celebrate teacher appreciation week, it's the perfect

005time to recognize our veteran educators who ensure a district's future remains bright. During the 2025 2026 school year, we are fortunate to have 34 veteran teachers dedicated to supporting our new staff. that includes 14 formal mentors who ex expertly guided beginning teachers through the rigorous state of Connecticut team program modules as well as 20 informal mentors who stepped up to provide the essential daily guidance and encouragement that helps a new teacher truly thrive. These 34 mentors represent the very best of our profession. Educators who not only manage their own classrooms with excellence but also find the time to shepherd their peers. To our formal and informal mentors, thank you for your leadership, your generosity, and your commitment to making our district a place where new teachers can grow into master educators. We're incredibly grateful for

006the extra hours and heart you have poured into this school year. >> Do we have any mentors in the room? >> Hi, Miss Tony. How are you doing? Thank you. Do you want to speak? >> She said no. Thank you so much. >> Okay, how else? It is definitely a large group of people. We appreciate all of you. And then finally, and then I'll turn over to board comments. Um, we have our recognition for our student representatives who are here in the room, Abby and Danny. And so we, yes, we have special awards for you for participating in the Newington Board of Education meetings and leadership within the school community and for demonstrating exemplary leadership skills to both of you. Yeah. >> Oh, elections are tomorrow. You're not running again like Abby did. >> Not

007sure. Um, I think I can speak for me and Danny when I say we're really grateful to have this opportunity to get to speak with all of you and get to talk to you every month. I think it's really cool just to come in and see how things work from your guys' perspective. And I'm just really grateful that you've been so willing to hear us out and hear our perspective over the last couple of years. Just knowing that you guys really care is something that's really impactful and it made me want to come back for a second. Um, obviously I can't put it all into words, but you guys are so great. You give us so many opportunities and we're so thankful for that. And I wish we can express it more, but we're grateful

008we have the opportunity to be here at these meetings and speak to you guys. So, thank you to all the board. Thank you to the administrators, especially Miss Tigno, who's always receiving her late night emails before presentations, Miss Batista, who's recording us as we speak, and then also just all the people that come to board meetings and listen to Newton public schools and voice their concerns and the recognitions and all the greatness that happens here. >> We'll be hearing from you later. Okay, board comments. Who wants to get Mr. Holler in? >> I'll start with the school administrators. Um, I think that is it just me or is my voice super loud tonight, right? I'm going to feeling well. I got my soul back. Anyways, school administrators. Um, >> I think to an outside person

009looking in, school is somebody teaching a group of children. I think from the inside looking out, you realize that it is a massively complex organization in business. There's a lot of moving parts that's always under scrutiny from both um state, federal, and the people of the town. And it is really, really tricky to navigate some of those waters. Sometimes we could not do that without the administrators. We could not offer the quality of education that we can offer without our administrators. So, I often see them as like the stage crew. They're not in front of the class, but they're making everything happen beside be behind the curtain. And um that's what we need. We can't do it without them. Um I don't know what else to say about mentors and mentees. There is no way

010to learn a better lesson in life than to have somebody guide you through it. Um it is a selfless act to mentor. Um you are giving yourself and your knowledge to somebody else and hoping that they thrive to be a mentee. It's a wonderful opportunity to take everything that you know and apply it to practice and then have somebody to ask. Um, I think I've seen a lot of fruits from that labor of the mentorship program. Um, and um, I think that it speaks volumes especially for new teachers coming into our school system. Um, and to understand what it means to be as part of our NPS culture. And lastly, uh, I hate this one because I like you guys. Um, our student reps. Uh, I hate that it's your last meeting. I do like

011that you dressed very fancy for tonight. I'm assuming that's the reason. Um, you put in the work. I've always said that our student reps tend to be represent the best of the best of what we have in NPS and you do. Um, it is constantly working, trying to fit things in, trying to get schedules, trying to think about the future. Um, and I think up to this point, maybe not this point, but a little earlier, life can seem very linear, cause and effect. You do this and then this happens. Once you start to to enter adulthood, you realize that it's not really a river, it's an ocean and it's very gray and you have to navigate things and there's no real easy decisions and having you be part of this table, you're able to see

012some of what those decisions are. It's the whole reason critical thinking is such an important skill that we teach in our schools because you need that to be able to have worthwhile conversations with a lot of different people that yields the best results you possibly can do. I have no concerns, especially you Abby. I know you're going out to college. Um that you will be successful at whatever you want to do as long as you put your mind to it. Dan, I hope you're back next year. Uh I know where you go to school. Um I'll make sure you come back. Um you are constantly doing plays and shows and tests and homework and this this is another thing on top of all of that and you handle it with such grace. Um make sure

013that the rest of the world knows it when you get out there. Appreciate you guys. Thank you, >> Miss Weaver. >> Holland's voice is back with a bang. All right. Um, first off to our administrators, um, thank you so much for what you do. I think from the school level all the way up to district office, um, you know, watching some of my friends get their 092s, um, who have been able to kind of foray into that. um looking at just the complexity of what our education landscape has changed so much in the last years um and particularly my experience always um with administrators uh when I went through the school system when Miss Tno was just an assistant principal now she's principal um I also want to say I don't know if we've ever

014acknowledged but um just want to acknowledge the passing of Mr. wanker that happened earlier this year um but was a super huge mentor for me um going through through uh high school and I think Sean put it very well. it's um the people that you know as students we interact with that aren't necessarily in the classroom that are there and I think as we see more and more of the need particularly on the special ed side um thank you to those still on Danielle and Alex and the team there um under Marina I think you know those are certainly areas that we're seeing just increased need um and we notice um the need and the the capacity that is continually added onto your shoulders um so thank you for what you do day in and

015day out. Um to the mentor and mentees, um this is one of my favorite programs to to talk about every year. Um because I always say it's like the NFL list. It's like your best first string that you can get. It's like the NFL all star. It's like literally the best rock stars of teachers um that are the mentors and then to see the new mentees that are amazing rock stars, too. Um, and just to see the interaction and knowing my sister has gone through this in her first year up in Windsor and um, seeing that interaction that she's had, just knowing the work that it takes from both sides to be able to really acclimate and again, particularly where we're in this um, this era of all these things coming down um, onto the

016school systems um, and trying to I think solve a lot of problems at the school level um, is a really difficult task. teachers and administrators and everyone in the school system, school and all of staff. Um it's a lot more I think than um it has been in the past. And so to try and solve for all the work, all the academic work um all of just the holistic trials that is is coming through um to get that portrait of a graduate um to tackle that I think is is one thing, but then to then help the next generation of teachers um be able to learn and get more efficient and more adaptable to these things is just um another added um responsibility, but also a true uh honor to see that you guys still

017do that. Um, so congratulations to everyone that continues to go through that. Thank you so much for continuing to participate in that and always good luck to our mentees that will become mentors I know very soon. Um, and lastly too, our incredible student reps. Hi. Um, feel like every year it just keeps like upping. I just want to reiterate like my best friend was none of us wanted to do student board of red rep. We're like we don't even know what that is. Um, in student council I was like, "Yeah, I'd rather be like treasure. I'm not going to do that. Um, and we used to like have a she used to have a little desk in the corner in the old Helen Nelson room in the old town hall. And it was kind of

018like a sad situation, but to see everyone come up. You guys now do these extensive presentations. Um, which is really just nice to see, to see the visuals, to see all the student um, shoutouts and the highlights and to see um, and I love how you guys are like, "Oh, this happened." And don't even mention that you've been involved in all of it. Um, like every play, every musical, all of these things. Um, and to see you guys and I know Abby like just came back from a DECA competition and killed it. Um, and also got into Quinnipiac and is going there. Spoiler alert. Sorry. Okay. Um, hi. It's out there. Um, but I think what's really great to see and Danny as well is just to see um how much effort and work you

019guys put in to be the best representation of Newington public schools and a role model I think for other students. Um I think one of the things we're always trying to do is ask more questions, get the student voice um particularly as um I get older, I'm like I am not the hip kid anymore, so I am not tapped into like what everyone is feeling um and what you're currently going through. So, we really do appreciate your perspective on all these things and your honesty and your ability to kind of bring it all and even go down to the middle school and get that and your aspirations to continue to create new clubs, to highlight different clubs, to highlight the different things that are going on. Um, that I think frankly not everyone from this

020board, but also the community doesn't necessarily know about. Um, so those that watch at home, you guys are are amazing shining stars and I can't wait until you are at the other end of this table someday. right here. You can't take your name tags home. I promise. Um, but just congratulations to you both for um all that you've accomplished and I really want to just express my gratitude for all the effort that you do because honestly like you do need to sleep. So, and you come and like sit through all of this and then you're like, "Sorry, got to go to my next event after this." Um, usually or you're like, "It's playtime or it's I have to go to this sporting event." Um, just to see that is just incredible. Um, so, uh, I

021do hope you nap one day, but until then, thank you for all that you do. >> Miss Beatric, >> I do want to recognize and thank all of our um, our uh, mentors, mentees, and our admin, and especially our student reps. I hear common themes and those themes are leadership, their responsibility and caring for our community. And that's something that all of our groups that we've recognized tonight share in common. Our leadership, our our admin team, we couldn't do the things that we need to do and meet our student needs without their strong leadership and guidance. Um, of course, mentors and mentees, that goes without saying. I know in my career development, I wouldn't be where I am today without the the helpful guidance and caring of people who took me under their wing along

022the way. and hopefully I am able to continue to do so for people um that have come after me and my job. But when I see our young student reps, I am so proud of you guys. I am so proud of what you're going to do going forward. Your sense of community, responsibility, hard work, diligence, but especially caring and fun comes out every single time you guys are with us. And so we are so excited every time to see you. we are so grateful for the work and effort that you put in and that um your your love of our school community shows every single time you guys take your seats. So, thank you so much for all that you do. >> Mr. Sharma, >> hey, I just want to quickly thank um all the

023admins. I mean, being a teacher, I know how it is. I mean, it's stressful. You're on your walkie-talkie running around all day. I want to thank all the mentors and the mentees. I mean, you know, I'm a new teacher, so I have a mentor, so couldn't do it without them. And of course, like Abby and Dan, thank you so much. >> Dr. Stanley, >> uh, yes, I would just also like to recognize all the admin. Uh, your service and commitment does not go un unnoticed uh, on a day-to-day basis. Uh, for the mentors, wow, what kind of responsibility you take for this unpaid um, work. Um, and I know the mentees absolutely appreciate it because you don't know the little details of a new job until you actually get your feet wet and it's nice

024to have somebody that you can run things by and and just get a quick answer. Um, and it means the whole world um to those um mentees. And then Abigail and Daniel, thank you so much. Uh, it's been a real pleasure to have you guys here. And Abigail, good luck. I know you're going to be successful in all your endeavors. and Daniel have a good summer and like come back, okay? Don't don't enjoy it too much cuz you're going to be back here, right? Um and so thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Um yeah, just Mary said, you know, everyone that we're honoring tonight is um is a leader and and like just like you said is um super important. So we're we're very grateful to have um all of our leaders in the

025district from our administrators to our students very important job and of course our our mentors. Um so yeah I will now turn it over to our presentation and rising. Miss Tno is not here, but yes, Miss Tno had an unexpected obligation, but Miss Batista has joined us with members of her ed rising program. And as they're assembling at the head of the table, I just want to thank Miss Batista because ever since she has taken over um this program with support from our HCD office, um she has grown it beautifully. and you are looking at some future leaders um at the head of the table. I'm sorry, future teachers rather and Miss Foy joining us as well because she has been intimately involved with this edrising program as well. So, it's a definitely a team

026effort, but I'm I'm thrilled to turn the mic over to Miss Batista and her students to give us a little more of a sense of what this program is all about in uh basically growing some of our future teachers. Thank you. testing. Okay. Um I'm comfortable speaking in front of three billion students, but in front of adults and >> a community. I'm like, "Oh my gosh, what do I say?" Um um my name is Elsa Batista. I'm an educator. I've been um teaching for 20 years, taught in New York City for 15, um St. Mary's 2, and 13 um here in Newton public school. And I'm also a resident of Newton. And I have uh two boys. Uh Christian is a sophomore now who graduated from Newton High School. He's a sophomore in college uh

027two years ago and Nico, my younger son, is a junior. So I'm excited. Um so Elsa Batista, Spanish teacher at Newington High School. And I'll introduce my students. >> Hello everyone. My name is Katherine Dapoli, but I do prefer Kasha. Um I am a sophomore at Newington High School. I'm the vice president of Ed Rising and I'm a aspiring secondary ed history teacher. >> Hello everyone. My name is Isabella Palano. I am also a sophomore here at Newington High School and I am aspiring to be a world language teacher. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Thomas Dapoli. I am a senior at Newton High School. I am the president of the Ed Rising chapter and I'm an aspiring social studies educator. and I I'll come they'll come back later to answer some questions. Um

028so our goal um the chapter has existed. We have about 44 chapters of educators rising in Connecticut. Um the numbers are still growing. Some are clubs and a lot of them are both clubs and courses offered at different high schools. Our goal at Newton High School is to create a pathway for educators, future educators. I've been teaching in the district for 13 years and I can tell you the amount well I can't tell you the numbers but there's a lot of students that I see coming back um to teach to sub who later on figure out that whatever career they went to college for was not the right fit but teaching and coming back home is. So, it's kind of a grow your own program, Educators Rising, um under the leadership of uh PDK International.

029And um we we're lucky to have the club in our school and our goal is to um make it a pathway like biomed and business. Um we could go to the next slide. >> Okay. >> Sorry, I didn't bring my readers. And um we do have a curriculum for advising and um um just uh the foundation of um our students will be learning um the foundation of education um through the curriculum uh the essential practices and um we want to give our students opportunities to to earn ECE credits um to be able to also especially for our upper classman um to be able to carry those credits into college. Uh develop student leadership. The students behind me um have competed for the past two years at different um uh un uh yeah different university. We've

030been to Wesleyan, we've been to CCSU and Southern for um workshops, leadership conferences, and they compete with other students across Connecticut. And our first year um we didn't compete. We started with two students. We had 11 this year. And um so the club is growing um and bridging the representation gap. students um if they can see themselves in you, whether it be your personality, the way you look, the way you sound, the way you treat others, they want to um be able to give that back and reflect themselves um in the teachers they see and the adults they see. I have a young lady right now, she's not a young, she's a young adult. She's a a special ed teacher at Martin Kellogg Middle School, um Janiah Marquez. She was an eighth grade student of

031mine not too long ago. She taught in Hartford. We did a video and um now she's back with us. So I'm just just those are little examples and you're going to see a video of another young man who's working at the high school now of um of growing our own. And now this is a rough draft um thanks to um I want to just say thank you to Kim Davies uh Telicia Foy and Kristen Freeman who have um from central office um have been and Dr. Brahmid and Miss Tigno um who have supported us. Um and so our goal this is what the trae the tra trajectory will look like that require foundational um classes for some students and the credits um some of the choice electives that them that some of them already exist

032at the high school. We just condense them into our pathway but students can still take them for other reasons. And um the capstone experience where um we taught if you love it teach it a few years ago and um we'll just bring it back. We still have the curriculum and I think it's a partnership with Yukon and we'll just reopen those doors. Next slide. Okay. So, part of um I love being an educator but outside of teaching at Newington High School, I'm also part of other wonderful um committees um to uh promote the education u to promote um the career. I'm part of um I was fortunate to be a Newington district teacher of the year in 2021 which you know you don't feel worthy because you I teach among amazing people and then I

033made it to Connecticut state semi-finals. I'm part of the Connecticut teacher of the year council which opens doors such as this one. They needed um to create uh teach Connecticut um needed students for a campaign and I was like I'm here. I got the students. I got the school. they came to our school and out of the nine students or the how many would you say seven out of the amount of the majority of the students in that video are belong to us to Newington and that was you know beautiful to see that they chose our students of all the students they interviewed um I'm going to go ahead that's Natalya Cooper she graduated you're going to see a former student that you remember from last year here I'm not going to say his name

034because you're going to recognize him if you were on the board last year and some of the the students behind me so if you can play the video hopefully the audio will audio. >> Teachers shape the future >> by their influence on the students. How they're passionate about the students and their topic that they teach is how they leave a lasting legacy. My name is Michael and I am a future teacher. >> My name is Olivia and I am a future teacher. >> My name is Isaas Rodriguez Sanchez and I'm a future teacher. My name is Thomas and I'm a future teacher. >> My name is Ka and I'm a future teacher. >> My name is Aa and I am a future teacher. My name is Kasha and I'm a future teacher. My name is

035Natalia Cooper and I am a future teacher. >> Teaching is so rewarding and finding a community of future educators has really helped me stay steadfast in my decision to go into the education field. >> Growing up, I was always surrounded by teachers. My father was a teacher, my aunt, and lots of other family members and family friends. And just seeing teachers who are very passionate about what they do made me want to be passionate for something like that as well. >> I've seen it for myself that having a male educator in my life, that's the that's the reason why I want to become an educator, someone who uh who looks like me and knows what I go through. So I can envision myself in the future to be like them. >> I have a brother,

036he's five now. He was diagnosed with autism when he was around two. And so I see how hard it is, but also how rewarding it is. I see like the difficulties, how he struggles, how we struggle as a family, how his teacher struggled to teach him. But I feel like at the same time, it's just a rewarding ability. If you're able to do that for a student, a student's family, and make a lasting connection on that student, that's just that's what I want to do. >> I didn't think about becoming a teacher until I got to high school and people were like, "You'd be a great teacher." and I saw Miss Roach who is a fellow African-Amean teacher and she gave me that reassurance. That's why it's important. I currently work with a non-verbal student

037and I've helped him daily teach him many different words. He likes me being there and that I'm supportive to him and we kind of help each other honestly. He inspires me every day to do my to to conquer tasks and achieve my goals too. I went through one of the toughest times of my life in second grade where I lost my bapta that's grandmother in Polish and my teachers really were there for me. So what I would want is to pay that kindness forward and do the same for my future students. So when they walk in they see a bright smiling teacher who's ready to teach them all all that they will need for the future. >> 8th grade year I met uh Mr. Hemi, David Hemi. He works at Slade Middle School and uh

038I was in a science class and every day he would come in with a bright smile but he was authentic with it and that's that's what spoke to me. Um it was a rough time. It was co year uh 2020 2021 and I was going through a lot and seeing his uh authentic personality >> damn >> um really impacted me and showed me that I want to be an educator that impacts lives just like he did. My classroom is going to be a safe haven for students to come in and be able to talk while still learning and teaching. You know, >> I think the most rewarding thing about teaching is again just seeing the kids just shine as themselves because a lot of times in middle school and high school, especially in that field,

039I kind of want to go into the secondary area. So, a lot of the kids are are still finding themselves and just being a part of that and help and when they come back 5 10 years down the line, they're like, I your class meant so much to me. you know, I I really found myself. That's what matters because ultimately you just want to be as a teacher, you want to help the kids find their way in the world. And that, you know, having them come back down the line, that makes it all worth it in the end. I can't wait for 10 years down the line to see what my classroom eventually looks like. you can explain it, but it's better when it comes from the students. Um, the next video is from Sam

040Davies. He currently works at um at our high school and he's also going to school at Southern to finish his teaching career uh his teaching degree and his mom is a wonderful um teacher uh science teacher over at Martin Kellogg. Um Miss Holly Davies. So once again, another student who has already um left Newton High School who's an alum, but it's it came back to us. Hello, my name is Sam Davies. I am a 2021 Newington High School graduate. Uh, I am currently getting my elementary ed masters at Liberty University. I've been a substitute in Newington for about 5 years now, and I am currently a long-term substitute at Newington High School. If there were more education classes while I attended Newington High, uh, I believe that I would have figured out my passion slightly

041earlier than I did. My senior year, I didn't know what I wanted to do. And the stigma of people asking, "What's your major?" Made me select a criminology and psychology double major kind of as a fail safe to go to school and with something. And once I got to school, I ended up transferring and uh changing my majors to uh history and elementary ed. Um once I did that, I began subbing in Newington and it was all positive experiences from there. Speaking with former teachers and colleagues led me to know certain career paths and things that I do wish I learned in my early classes in college, but as well as maybe in my senior year of high school, they would have benefited me in knowing what's to come or what could be to come

042if I potentially went down that route of education. Thank you. >> Hello. My name is Sam Davyy. >> So, it's awesome that the students get to see him um a young adult, a young adult male and connect with him as well um in different capacity because he serves for different classes. um the path forward. Um as a teacher leader, I'm inspiring um to help recruit, inspire, and prepare the next generation of highly skilled teachers. And we want them to come back to Newington or say that they um were proud to be taught by Newington um best. Um so this is the kind of the the our goal well right now and we're going to continue um the orange to research, build, and plan. Our students are going to continue to compete like they do with

043DECA, FBLA, um just related to education classes and they'll tell you a little bit about some of the topics they uh presented. Exploring resources. The membership that we get with the curriculum offers us um endless um um resources that students use um in the classroom for competition and able to observe classrooms. I attend as a teacher leader monthly PLC's and professional development just to make sure that I'm on top of my game to help prepare our future educators. Um in the fall, our goal is to um submit plans proposal to make sure that these um classes and courses start taking root and and growth. Um once we create it, the students are going to be waiting because they're already entering into the teacher teaching profession without um not without us because they are inspired by

044us, I believe. um you know, but have more access and and already go in knowing that this is definitely what I want to do. And I wait till that first time they student teach um in a classroom and then get scared because this is the first time they've been around students with discipline and different um um behaviors. So they'll get a head start with that at Newton High School and then in college aspiring and educators rising curriculum. Um, and then the rest is this is just a our little um stepping ladder towards what we wanted to create at Newington High School. And I'll end before I I want my students to be able to speak. The mission of educators rising is to inspire and grow current and rising educators to become community leaders, advocates for

045high school and um in quality for quality education. Our vision is to eliminate the teaching shortage, which there's a huge teaching uh teaching shortage um and reimagining the education pathways. uh core values, community, leadership, optimism, service, and excellence, which looking um at those core values is what our high school stands for and what many of our clubs promote. Um I don't want to take more time because I want my students to be able to um share. Um and this is not a gimmick. Like I literally this is where what I drink every day from. It's cracked. So it's not like she just took it out today. Like this is but you know why not face it this way because it's it's a beautiful logo. Um, Natasha, do you want to say a little bit about

046your experience so far and um, how you've grown? Thank you. Who's glad they helped? I was able to say, >> thank you. >> Hello everyone. I'm back again. Um, so I joined advising my freshman year when I heard it over the announcements one day. Thank you, Newington High School announcements. Um, I heard the announcement that one day and I was like, I went to my brother. I was like, you know what? we should join because we both have always saw education in our lives and in our future. And so we went to that first meeting and let's just say we were hooked. Um we decided to compete that year, the first year I competed in the advising moment which is where you share um a speech about um why you wanted to become in an

047educator in front of a panel of about two two judges. Um I didn't place that year but I did place this year. So um this year I competed again in the group lesson planning professional development with um Grace Miller, Lauren Visser, and Maline Visser. Um and Miss Tony actually had the pleasure of seeing that lesson plan this year. >> Uh yeah. Um, it was it truly gave me experience the first time ever like being able to teach a class in a way and it was crazy because I was teaching my own teachers which was even crazier. Um, but it was able to give me experience that we don't get to have in high school courses. Like there's business courses, there's medical courses. Like a bunch of my friends are in the medsai academy and but

048there's no education courses that much. And for me, it's something that I would love to have. I want to have those opportunities like if you love it, teach it. that course to go out and have almost like an internship in classrooms and get those experiences while I'm in high school. So when I enter um a classroom after I've gotten my degree, I have experience I guess my way around the classroom a little bit more. Um, and I think that having these classes will also benefit people who don't really know, is education the right pathway for me? Because a lot of the people that I sometimes drag to the club and I'm like, just try it out. Just try it out. We always need more members. We're always looking for new members. A lot of them,

049I tell them, you don't have to want to be an educator, but this club can inspire you towards that profession. It can give you a look inside a teacher's life. It can give you a look inside the goods and all that comes with teaching as as just a high schooler. And it truly has opened some kids' eyes to this is a possibility in my future where I can get a stable income from teaching something that I love. And that's me with history. But anyways, um, so I definitely think that we truly do need more of these classes cuz I'm also in the situation where I sadly cannot take AP psych my senior year because I'm lacking STEM credits. So, if I was able to have that academy, I would be able to work psych into

050my schedule and not have to take it in college with those AP credits. So, it's one of those situations where I would have I would have loved to have this academy. Well, right now sitting in this position and I want other students to have that opportunity because I didn't get to have it. And like we heard Mr. Davies talk about, he wanted those opportunities and as you'll hear my brother and Isabella talk about, we all want those opportunities. So, >> well, hello. If you don't remember, I'm Isabella, but um I am one of those people that Kasha dragged into the club. But I Yeah, she is. She's a very big recruiter. Half of the people in our group are sophomores because of this lovely lady. And um but when I first joined the club, I

051joined mainly because of the fact that she said I didn't necessarily want need to want to be a teacher. But now that I've been in this club, now that I've been around these lovely people and the other amazing people we have in our club, I've learned that teaching is something that I definitely do want to do now. I actually did the um competition that Kasha did the year prior, uh the Ed Rising moment, and that is where writing that essay, it was going to be complete nonsense because I didn't want to be a teacher at the time that I chose that competition. But as writing it, as researching for it, as being a huge part of this club, as social chair, I realized that teaching and everything that comes with it is something that I

052know I want for my future now. And something I want to say is that teaching is universal. Like cooking, you're going to need to cook anywhere you go. And you're going to need to teach anywhere you go. Being able to teach, whether you want to be a teacher like Miss Batista or any of the wonderful people we have on our panel, teaching is something you need no matter what. Even if you want to be a teacher or if you don't. So having these teaching courses can not only one tell a student what they want to do. Well, not tell but encourage a student of what they want to do for they can cross it off their list or they can choose to pursue that career in teaching. But having these courses can tell them or

053encourage them what they want to do and also teach them valuable skills of life. No matter where you want to go, teaching is needed in every profession. Whether you want to teach as your profession or whether you need to teach in your profession. A lot of jobs have a senior person that they learn from. And that senior employee or colleague helps so much. They have to teach that new newbie or as many people have seen the show the rookie that that senior cop needs to teach that rookie. Teaching is universal. No matter if you want to be a of if you want to be police, firefighter, teacher, or anywhere else in the world, whether you're in Asia, Europe, Africa, or any of the other continents, you need to teach. And having these courses not only

054teaches that valuable skill but puts you in that sho in the shoes where if you do want to be a teacher you have the experience you have the resume builders and you have the ability to pursue it even if in the end of it you choose not to. Mr. Davey said he was undecided before he before his second year of college about and he ended up coming back to be a teacher be but that he wa not wasted but he needed that extra time to get there. With these courses we can figure it out so much earlier and not have to spend that time feeling stuck and not knowing what to do. And earlier someone said when they were thanking these wonderful representatives that school is complex. it is. And with these courses, we can

055teach those complexities headon so that way they when they get later in their career, they don't feel stuck because feeling stuck is a really horrible feeling. And I think we all know that when I say that. So, thank you. >> Well, you know, I think my work here is done. Um, and I think with that, I have to say I'm so proud of what I'm leaving here in the next month. um behind me and of our other members that what we've built from when I joined later on as a junior and now seeing my number one recruiter bring on you know uh so many new members. Uh I'm just so impressed at at how we flourished in this past year and how we're going to continue to grow and I'm very excited to uh leave

056it in Kasha's hands over the next year. But what I'm so impressed with as being part of Ed Rising and as I said in the video, I'm I'm just so so amazed at the networking opportunities that I've had over the past two years. As Miss Batista said, we've gone on many trips. We've competed both years at the state conference and um over this just as an example >> about some of those network. >> Yes. Yes. I'm getting there. I promise. I promise. So, um, at our our, uh, Connecticut Ed Rising signing day at TPC River Highlands last week, um, I got to meet with, uh, the CEA coordinator for aspiring ed. Um, and I let her know, oh, I've committed to the University of Hartford. I'm really excited. She's like, wait, I was there today.

057We're starting a chapter. She's like, you're president. I'm like, great, awesome. When do I start? So, it just those opportunities. And that's that's just one, you know, um the symposium that we had meeting with uh other leaders and breakouts and the breakouts that we have at the Ed Rising conference and getting to meet with the other chapters and compete. It's just such a critical opportunity. But as both Kasha and Issa both reiterated, it's so critical that we have this path forward that we've discussed tonight so that uh for those who are after me have the opportunity who want to explore education as a career pathway just like the othermies. It's it's so critical to have that experience early on in high school. I'm so excited. I've had the opportunity to compete in both uh I

058did the job interview last year. I did win and qualify for nationals. We weren't able to go last year. And then um this year I got to do the creative lecture which I enjoyed thoroughly. Um I placed third in that competition. But what I loved about that contest was getting to explore um the more administrative side of the education field and look at um so my prompt was about uh standardization in the classroom and how we uh work around that and move into personalizing education for each student. And I had to you know go through like data and research. um a study I I did looked at one from DIO education in regards to uh disconnection among students. So it was just such an amazing experience to see that the other perspective that I wouldn't

059have had without Ed Rising. So as as they all reiterated, you know, it's super critical that we we're building something really big here and it just it's going to continue bubbling forward and I'm so excited to see what it is, you know, as I come back down the down the line. Miss Pat is just feeding me the talking points here. >> Um Um yes uh they uh Miss Batista I did uh one one thing that we talk up when we talk about the club is you know there are scholarship opportunities. I did win uh the Connecticut captain scholarship this year from PDK international um in the amount of $1,000. So you know that's also another nice poll for students. Nice plug. You know there is free money sometimes you know. Uh so yes it is.

060So, you know, just so many great opportunities and I'm so grateful that the district has been so supportive of us throughout this uh process as we've gotten off the ground and I'm so excited to see uh how we progress in the future. >> If I could just add something, if you didn't catch it before while he was talking in the middle of his speech, he used nicknames for us. Obviously, they're they're siblings, but I didn't know him before this. With new teaching career, with new teaching courses, you cannot you can not only make friends but you can make future colleagues as soon as you come back to the school. Being able to know these people, being able to meet these wonderful people when we come back to the school as educators, we will already have

061connections set and we will also be able to make more connections once we get there. So, I just want to bring that to the table. >> I I just have to add on to her point because it's spectacular. She's coming up with amazing responses, I have to say. Um, but we, one of the reasons why I was drawn to this club was I was going to have a community, a community of aspiring educators. And that's what this club delivered for me. And that's what I'm going to continue to do with Miss Batista, with Issa throughout my next two years at Newington High School and the rest of this year. I'm going to continue to create that community for future educators with the help of everyone around me. Like I said, my work was done for

062me. It's it's it's great to have people behind you that just articulate it so beautifully. >> We just want to say thank you very much. Um we definitely promote the teaching profession, but we also um invite students to benefit from the different leadership skills they gain through the club even if they become something else that's not teaching or school related career which we also introduce to the students. Um what else can you do in a school? You still want to have an impact for students. you don't want to teach, but let's let's bring you on board and benefit from all these things. Thank you very much for listening to us and continue to support us because we we appreciate your support. Thank you so much. >> Are there Hold on. Please don't go anywhere. >>

063Um are there any um comments or questions from the board, Miss Weaver? >> She was first. Um, well, one, this is there's so many surreal layers to this, too. Um, with um, well, one, seeing like the little Davies, it's like, oh my gosh, I remember he was a we we ladled when I was having his mom for seventh grade. Um, and I remember Michael and Kylie and Sam. So, um, this is what's really beautiful, I think, about Newington already is always the community that wants to come back. And I think it's because of the amazing educators that we've had. Um, my sister was inspired just by our teachers, you know, a Mr. K, a Mr. Sullivan, a Mr. Barbarana, Seco, the whole uh the whole the big three over there off. Yeah, >> The big

064three, right? Yeah. >> Third third floor, big >> listen, you turn 21, you get to go out with beers with them after, you know. So, um um but they're the they're special people I think that inspire. But um what's so great to see is that um one Kashines I can't believe you are quite literally only in your second year in high school. You are far beyond your years. It's so nice to see the most articulate old soul but beautiful souls um in front of us. Um and obviously thank you to Tom for bringing those on. Um and we we had already shouted you out at the last meeting with your full ride that you didn't mention but um yes congratulations. Um, but that's what's great to see is truly we're already hyping up our student

065reps here, but just more um wonderful representatives that are emblematic of what we truly want to see and that's having a portrait of a graduate that is holistic, a critical thinker and all these things, but also that you find what you want to do. Um, if you don't want to be educators, I think you'd be great marketers and sales folks. Um, truly, I think you made your pitch 10 times over. I'm sold already. Um, but what's beautiful is also everything you highlight and how you compliment each other. um in the community. So, Miss Batista, thank you for all that you do as always. Um you were already our teacher of the year. So, um >> I'm just really inspired and it's so great to see and I can't wait to tell my sister about this

066um and see what Windsor has going on. Um, but I think what's so great too is is we talk about um all the things that are facing teachers and um the profession itself, but really there is a huge teacher shortage and just to see that and what's always so wonderful is I go I never have to worry about Newington because I know people are going to want to come back and teach um because of what they've experienced here. So you're already contributing to that too. Like you're a huge part of um that you know obviously as um Mr. D and Miss Foy have the challenge of hiring our new teachers and all these things. Um, but you know, it's a very important reason why I came back. I could not do as what you guys

067did. Um, which is why I'm sitting here, but also having teachers on boards of that is very awesome too in districts that you don't live in. Um, I think it's just it's a really incredible thing that you guys are doing. Um, just collectively and both from the teacher side, but also from the enthusiastic student side. Um truly I'm so we get a lot of presentations but it's really really impressive just to hear um how incredibly well spoken you all are and the um content that you're already doing. I mean I don't think my sister touched a classroom until her like actual student teaching and that is very overwhelming. Um you're kind of just thrown into the fire. So to have that is such a great point to be able to know that cuz you don't

068necessarily know and I don't think I would expect um 16-year-olds to know that but good on you guys for already being ahead of the game. Um, so I can't wait to continue to follow this too because it's so nice here. I think this has been a conversation for a long time. I remember even back in my day, we were like, "Oh, wouldn't it be nice if we had like financial literacy and teaching and all these things and to see time grow and and to see this um opportunity?" But I think it's wonderful to have that kind of track because it truly is a need. Um, and I think we could really use you all. Um, particularly you once I want you as teachers like come back and teach us anytime. Um, but thank you guys

069for taking the time to do that. I know we curriculum were or curriculum was having a meeting and we kind of already saw you guys there in policy. We all just were sitting there. We're like, we need you guys to come to the full board. The whole community needs to know about how awesome you guys are. So, I hope those watching um know how special these students are. Thanks, guys. Mr. Holler. >> Um, thank you. Um, I don't think you guys understand the impact of what you do. Uh, first and foremost, I apologize for being virtual on the curriculum creating meeting. I was there, but I was like floating in the cameras. >> Okay, good. I don't feel so bad >> playing tennis. >> Yeah, I'd really like uh to see you in person. Um,

070and I'll I'll be succinct as I can about this because I think as Jessica uh Miss Weaver stated, there's a lot to unpack. Um, but I'll use it some of the own things that you said um to do it. Um, I think one of the first things uh that I I really picked up on is that you don't have to be a teacher to want to get involved in this program because the skills and the experience you gain can be universal. Uh, I can speak from personal experience. I spent the better part of two decades in corporate learning and leadership. Not always in training, not always in learning, but I always use those skills. And I think that's because the best coaches and the best leaders are people who are good educators. They understand the

071science. They understand um the psychology. They understand the the social influences and they have empathy. They can relate to somebody at that level. And I think that's really key. Um you had also spoke uh about teaching being universal and that's more true than I think you realize. There's a teacher shortage. We need teachers all the time everywhere. Um, and a little bit of Sean Holland's personal philosophy here. I think a healthy community is comprised of three pillars. That's the rule of law, healthy management of economics, and investment in education. Without any one of those, you're going to have a tough time being in a community. And the reason that education is so important is because you can't have the other two without an investment in education. you can't write good policy and you can't manage

072the money if you don't have people educated to do so. Um, but it's the inspiration um that gets people that to carry that torch. And I think that that's from what I heard, I am such a fan of this program. I'd love to see it expand. I'd love to see it be advertised. I want it to be one of those clubs that you're fighting to get in, not begging for people to join. Um, I would love Newington to be known as a district that has a really solid pathway to professional educators. The same way that we would have a pathway for anybody going into trades, the same way we have anybody going to college. Um, this is a needed profession and it needs support, but it also needs structure. And I think you are laying

073the first step into a long pathway of structure. Um to be able to say that we have the best place to have professional educators start their career before they're even out of education themselves. That's amazing. Um and I think that's because there's a terrible saying, I've always hated it and I think you probably know it. Those who can't do teach. Mhm. >> When you think about what I just said about community and how important that is, you need to have a level of understanding and empathy, but more than else more than anything else, when you want to be an educator, you have a desire in you that carries that spark. You remember that time when you were a student and you got some clarity or you figured something out or something just made sense. The

074feeling you get when you see that replicated around you, you have to have a desire to see other people succeed around you. Not just your own personal success, but you get the greatest joy about seeing other people become the full selves. So when we think back to that saying that I hate, I think it's much truer to say that those who teach do what others cannot. And I think that's the inspiration you set for all of our students. So please keep pushing, this is really important. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Gota, but I'm back again. But as you just said, teaching is one of the most important abilities to have. And if you couldn't see, which it might have been very noticeable, I was shaking when I started talking and my voice was kind of

075quivering. Oh, thanks. But teaching is such an important ability that is really universal. If you if you teach that is your doing that is your desire that is your passion because teaching is the do that is do you know what I mean like d o and then d u e >> yeah so if you can't do you teach which it's it's an idiotic phrase because you are doing by teaching it is an ability that some people don't have and having these courses in the school they can develop it early on so that way they can start teaching ing and they can become such a powerful teacher like Miss Batista. She does so much for the school so much. I'm surprised if you look at her Gmail um like the signature it's pages long. It's so

076long. So if you c by teaching you are doing if you can't do then you're not teaching. Do you know? So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Oh sorry >> just one more quick thing. Um, just thank you guys uh for for being here tonight. Like on a personal level, um, I know Miss Digno was supposed to be here. I'm sad she's not. We always love Miss To. You guys did a wonderful job and like you said, you could speak in front of 30 students, but sitting at this table can be intimidating. You guys did awesome because you didn't even realize or remember that we're live streaming, so you don't even know how many people you're talking to. Um, you guys did wonderful. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Sam. I just want to I

077mean I think this is such an inspiring program. I'm a teacher myself. My daughter, she's she went to Newington High. She's a teacher also. So, it's an amazing program and you guys will be great teachers. So, thank you so much, >> Dr. Stanley. >> Great job, guys. Uh your presentations were phenomenal. So, don't worry. It seems like all the nervous energy is back here, but it doesn't phase forward. So, great job. Uh speaking at national conferences, I know I understand the imposttor syndrome. Um, but I think you guys did amazing. What is your ask or what can we do as the board to support this academy development in this pathway? Is there anything that you need from us? my eyeh >> um right now sharing the excitement that our students have and and the passion

078that we I mean I represent my entire district you know so when you see Elsa Batista um advising this club or that club I'm really representing my colleagues um I think the the support of today is is huge um in the fall we're going to be submitting plans proposal for some of the courses and breaking down how it's not going to cost much because we're going to consolidate this and we're going to use this course to also and if you guys can see the vision um with us for the next few years and and hold on um and hang out with us um we're going to see the the benefits because this is going to benefit so many students that are already entering the profession and later on we're finding out but now we'll be

079able to track them they'll be um more ready at the college level um this is the advising chapter um at Newton High School college has the collegiic level that now Thomas is going to be president of so continuing to let you know through our students rep what's happening and then coming back if we need you know but when we come back with those plans proposal definitely think about it and um you know with Kristen Freeman and Telicia Foy and Miss Signal um and Mr. Seth Korn we're going to create something that's not going to cost too much but it's still going to be worth whatever investment we we might be able to ask for financially. So thank you. >> I do have something to say real quick. Um, just from a student perspective, I still

080got two more years and the rest of this year at this high school and I want I just I see all the support for ad rising in this academy today here in this room and it's amazing and I love seeing that because that's how I know we're doing good work in our club. But also, we want that continued support. We can't do anything without you guys' support. It means the world to us to have educators on our side and to support us through all that you do. So maybe even a follow on the Instagram. It would be great. It would be great. Um but I just we truly need your support. We can't flourish without your support. So just continue supporting us. That's all we ask. can um so I think so this kind of

081feeds into the curriculum update but I'm glad you're here because we um you were at our last curriculum meeting and that's one of the things we talked obviously like this is the thing that we talked about um and we mentioned or we we talked about this the it's on the screen now the the path forward and why why does it take so long or why will it take so long like 2829 so can you just speak a little to that and the reason for um because I support and appreciate and definitely think that this is a super important pathway to have like we have like you mentioned we have business and and um biomed and the other three call hospital >> um but yeah so just if you could do that >> so hello everyone

082director of talent here in Newington obviously so the reason that um it was going to take this extended amount of time is because we were trying to do um each component and build on each pillar. Um if we have the okay, we could absolutely expedite this. But in order to So what happens is Ed Rising has a curriculum that we currently it's a program that belongs to PDK which is a subgroup that works with the state but we actually have to currently pay for the curriculum. So we have to take that and amend that in a way so that we can work to build our own. Then we have to get the connections with Yukon and maybe like CCSU and other colleges to ensure when our students are doing the work that that those ECE

083credits that we are giving them are able to be utilized when they get there. So just creating that framework and things and doing things at a slower pace we thought would be most effective is what we built out. But if we have the support of the board and this is something that we know we could have the go-ahhead um we can put a little bit more time and labor behind it and instead of having the 28 29 implementation we could seek to have like a 2728 implementation >> and I think another thing that we had talked about is obviously Kasha with your excellent recruitment skills um but but we also don't want it to just be 10th grader just sophomore is we want to expand it and make sure that students of all grade levels

084are are entering the club and or you know even starting as freshman and then going through. So I think the other thing that was mentioned and maybe this plays into it and obviously an offline conversation with like everything but want to make sure that there's there is the um the interest and the excitement for it because we don't want to have like the whole courses developed and then have people not being interested. However, with that said, I don't think that that's a problem because um with everything that the students have said and obviously, Miss Batista, but I think that you don't have to want to be a teacher. You could want to work in a school like I know for, you know, I want to be school social work and that's obviously, you know, directly

085impacted with students and and um working alongside teachers and just understanding like, you know, there's child development, there's psychology. So those courses can translate like you said not just to teachers but to other other careers or even as Mr. Holland was saying even in the corporate world. So I think that like I don't see that as being an issue but I think the issue is maybe just making sure that the recruitment or the in some in some high schools they start with the courses and then create the club because then the courses feed into the club and they could do more of the um state competition national focus on that. Um many schools start with the clubs, build it up and then open up the courses. So it's a it's a segue that goes up

086down or down up. Um I think taking our time also is imperative so that we can sustain this long term. we don't want to rush into it and then end up with two students in the class and then the words don't you know um word of mouth doesn't really pick up and I think the excitement that we bring for a profession that sometimes I think gets um a bad rap for the amazing things we do in the classroom with our students every day is is it's important to keep that energy up you know whether it be two students like we had aa and Kora they were juniors and seniors our first two um they received special ed services in our district and now want to become special ed teachers to give that back juniors and

087seniors. This year we're lucky we have these sophomores that are going to be with us a few more and next year through college fair through the career fair and the student club fair we um bring in more. >> Yeah. And I think just in terms of it at least from a short-term logistical perspective um in terms of the credits I think Kosh articulated it well but also um to to turn this from uh in terms of just a general elective into that CTE and give it that diversity in terms of the buckets it falls into is so critical in terms of getting it off the ground just because I know even personally I had more flexibility. I know there have been a couple extra graduation requirements that have come in now where Kasha was talking

088about she has a little bit less flexibility but also I I had to look and really plan out from freshman year what I wanted to do and having these courses as an option it just gives students when and that's the beauty of the STEM elective that you have so many buckets to choose from but giving them one more bucket to pull from I think would be so critical and also just you know when you're sitting down like I'm sitting down with Miss Slater here here's this course that's aailable able during your open here's this course that you could fill this credit requirement to have that on the on the program and have the students be like oh well you know it's worth a try I think that's you're going to see the numbers also flourish

089because it it fits so many places >> I do just have one quick thing to say as you mentioned recruitment we are currently a big group of sophomores and a senior um we were able to get another senior and a freshman to join the club. They didn't compete, but they were they did join the club. Um I think that is an issue we both share. Um it's something that I have been talking with Miss Batista at the conference this year. We were able to connect with um other aspiring ed programs at colleges and they were giving us advice on how to recruit more people, how to get more people interested instead of the people that I'm like, "Hey, maybe just try it out. It's good for your resume." So, I think it's definitely something that

090we will continue to work on. So, >> great. Thank you. >> Okay, we have Go ahead. >> Quick question. >> Uh, this question might be directed at you, Dan, or or somebody. I don't need an answer right now, but with the proposed courses, what would be the impact to the high school staff in terms of FTE? Would we be able to absorb it? Would it require more staff? If we can get some answers to that, that'll help us. It looks like on the previous slide a lot of the courses that are just naturally an education program psychology still >> he's new. It's fine. >> That's true. Um so it looked like a lot of the courses are I think existing um already was Batista, right? Um so when you see like sociology, psychology, AP psych,

091those can kind of be lumped in. So the good news is a lot of those humanities courses are a part of education. It look there are a few other credits. I'm not sure if long-term we looked at the impact I know the plans proposal if there is going to be staffing implications that would be in the plans proposal but the choice electives it looks like many of those currently exist and are actually being taught by current staff >> and I'm certified 098 as well as world language so I can teach Spanish as well as education classes as we make this program grow so as of now there won't be money for we won't need money for extra an extra um staff member because I'll be able to cover that until we keep you rock. Elsa,

092>> I'm sorry. I have another point again. Um, I know you guys don't miss me that much. Anyways, but I was just talking with Miss Foyne. She brought up a wonderful point with clubs. There are so many at Newington High School. We've got Deco, we've got FBLA, we've got crochet club, which I am a proud member of. Um, we've got um debate club now. We've got so many clubs that start. We've got after we've got school sports and we have so many things like Stuco. Those are all commitments and with commitments >> sometimes you get a lot of them and then you have to narrow down on the ones that you're like maybe it's not that necessary to me anymore. So I think with advising sometimes that can be an issue. If we're having the

093coursework they can they're taking it as a class. It's a part of their day so they don't just have to come after school instead of doing their homework. >> Thank you. Are there any other questions or anything? >> Oh, thank you so much for being here. >> Very very appreciative and good luck to everything. >> Okay. Oh, she get Miss W. Could you hold the photo, too? >> So, the team, >> stop it. >> Okay. >> Thank you so much. Love your energy. Oh, and Miss Bisa, I just need to give you a shout out because you you mentioned it, but you um you have done so much for for Newington and being the teacher of the year, like you said, has opened up so many doors and you've just opened and ran through and

094opened more and just done so much. So, I just want to thank you so much for being here and being a part of the community and doing amazing things with your students and and everyone. So, the StuCo, Ed Rising, everything just really appreciate you and and you're amazing. So thank you >> the town and the school system has done wonderful work with my children and my nieces and nephews. So >> not only the least I can do but it's my duty as an educator keeping >> and we love you. Thanks Elsa. >> Thank you so much. >> Um at this point I would like to open up to public participation on any matter related to board responsibilities. If you're in the room, you can come to the head of the table or online, you can

095raise your hand. Um, you have four minutes. >> No. Okay. Um, then we have our standing committee items. So, we have our student reps. Good evening everybody and welcome to our last um student representation for the year. >> So first of all um inside Newington High School obviously as summer is coming a lot of things are starting to come to a close. So seniors celebrating their celebrating their decision day on May 1st. There was a tailgating in the morning with all this senior class which is that picture with all those people and they had like breakfast in the parking lot and then they later took photos together at lunch celebrating their commitments. Also, juniors had their prom on the same day, May 1st, and had promise where guest speakers came in to speak about different

096concerns that students should be aware of as they approach prom season. Uh students are currently in AP testing and it's going up until next week. I know. I just took my chem AP test yesterday. All right. >> And then for the music program, a lot of concerts are happening during May. The orchestra concert happened last night. The band concert will be happening tomorrow. And the chorus concert will be on May 19th, all at 7:00 p.m. I believe. Also, um, Newington High School is hosting a 9th grade incoming transition night for the incoming 9th graders on May 18th where parents and families can come and just get introduced to the high school. And finally, they'll be celebrating their scholars breakfast on May 20th and we hope to see you guys there. Okay. So, for clubs at

097the high school, um like we mentioned earlier, DECA, we traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for our international career development conference. That was last week. We had seven students compete and four others attended conferences where they got to learn different skills and that they could bring back to our chapter. Um out of the competitors, me and Katie Dugis brought home three international medals. So, we were really excited about that. and all of our competitors and our conference members worked really hard throughout the week, a lot of hours studying and presenting. So, it was very exciting. Um, and then for link crew, with it being a seniors only club, we've been working a lot and the officer team has been working to train and gather a new group of link leaders. So, they'll be having their junior interest

098meeting at the end of May to get their new members for next year. And then student council, we met have our have our last meeting of the year tomorrow. And then we have been celebrating teacher appreciation week. Um we did a yogurt parfait for the teachers and we've just been doing lots of exciting things to honor all of our staff members. We also have our mystic field trip coming up. We have that set for the end of May just to celebrate all of our representatives and all the hard work that they do. Moving on to our middle schools, Martin Kellogg had their student versus staff basketball game to raise school spirit and everybody had a great time. Uh student Riley O'Neal was awarded for his written play Sunk which was based on the Titanic and

099he received state recognition for it. Um there was a fourth grade orientation to welcome rising middle schoolers to Martin Kellogg. And then also both both schools are going through their academy process for the biomed academy at Wallace and the aerospace sorry flip that academy at Kellogg and aerospace at Kellogg. Wallace. Wow. Okay. um Wallace is continuing to meet with their diversity club and grow throughout the year to get student perspective on inclusivity and supporting diversity. And then also exciting news, Governor Ned Lamont came to Wallace um at a press conference to support legislation that would promote universal breakfast for all students and free lunch for students who are eligible for reducedpriced meals. And while students also had the opportunity to meet the governor and then when he went into the cafeteria to serve lunch to

100the fifth graders >> and that legislation passed by the way. >> So for some shoutouts we have some an additional one too that we're going to mention but we just wanted to shout out Miss Cody who was selected to receive the excellence in science teaching high school award for 2025 2026. Um, Miss Cody is going to be recognized at the Connecticut Sign Teachers Association Awards Celebration on May 27th at Dinosaur State Park. So, we just wanted to shout out Miss Cody. Super exciting. We also wanted to congratulate um Olivia Caniperry and Thomas Denapoli who are both seniors who were awarded the scholar athlete award. Um, and then we also wanted to shout out Miss Rosendez and Miss Chararm who were recognized by the Connecticut School Counselor Association for the 2026 Outstanding Student SF family program

101of the year. Um, they were honored at the CSCA professional recognition gala awards and they are so impactful at our school. I think Miss Cody and Miss Rosendez and Miss Chararm, we just wanted to make sure to shout them out because they have such a big impact on our community and with it being teacher appreciation week, we just wanted to make sure they got recognized. Um and then we have um the unified athlete Isabella N and unified partner Josie P were honored at the 22nd annual Special Olympics unified sports award banquet um at the Aqua Turf. >> And then we just want to say thank you guys for an amazing year. We do want to shout out all of the teachers and staff at Newington High School with it being teacher appreciation week, especially Miss

102Batista. She helped student council and Ed Rising put on a lot of celebrations for the teachers. Um, student council, we did the yogurt parfait. We're doing some more celebrations later in the week. And then Ed Rising, they made a whole display in one of our hallways. They wrote notes to the teachers on little apples and they put them up and made a poster. and it's so nice and we just wanted to shout her out for helping out with all of that and all of our teachers who put in so much work. But yeah, that's all we have for you guys today. If you have any questions, we'd love to answer them. >> Thank you. >> Are there any questions or comments or words of support and encouragement? I just I'm Yeah, I know brief, but

103these are these are shining stars. Okay. I just want to say like and they cannot get enough flowers. You guys are incredible represent rep representatives of Newington. I'm so honored we got to get to know each other. Um this past week I was actually out at Yukon um and I was keynoting our um Yukon Polysai awards night and um I got to judge and connect with Vidisha and she was our former board of ed rep who also did two years um and she's now graduating from Yukon and going to law school and all these things and it was one of those full circle moments and it made me think of both of you um and just knowing all the accomplishments you have and then how old I'm going to feel when I see you as

104seniors in college. Um, but just truly what you've contributed to Newington High School, to this board. Um, know that it's recognized. We see you in quite literally, I think, every email update that goes out to the district. Um, simply because of how involved you are. Um, so just thank you for what you've done for Newington Public Schools. Not only from a board side of things, but I think from a school community, as Miss Tao would say, you are the best of our family of learners. Um, so thank you for what you've done. it's important that you guys are a large part and we always say like the student voice is really really important. So, thank you for always using yours and for always giving your opinions on things. Um it's just it's one of those

105things to to hear from your perspective. Um and please, as always, Abby, stay in touch. Um we can't wait to follow you and do see all the amazing things you do. Um and Danny, we can't wait to have you back. Looking forward to already next year's play here. You know, it's going to be here. Well, at least I'm going to see them in the plays here. Listen, Amy's been on stage for Listen, there's a lot. They're over they're over involved. Um, but just again, I cannot thank you guys enough for taking the time, the exorbitant amount of time, these extra hours no other high schoolers do. So, thank you, >> Mr. Hollerin. >> I said my piece to you guys. I want to talk to the report. Um, but I will reiterate some things. I

106really liked seeing uh the DECA jackets as a former DECA member myself. Um, it's nice to see that it's still thriving and Abby, great job. Those are not easy to win. Um, but I'm not surprised. Um, uh, thank you for the update on the high schools. Uh, I'm sorry, the middle schools. Um, sounds like they have a lot going on, uh, in terms of wrapping things up. Um, and congratulations to all of the good work that we the last slide we had where you're like, one more shout out, right? Like there is so much good that's happening in our public school systems and I always say you guys are my favorite part of these meetings and I'm not kidding they are because at the end of the day we have a lot of data. We

107have a lot of information and everybody's got opinions about our school system. Some informed, some not. What we get from you is something nobody else can provide and that is your experience and that more than anything else helps guide my compass as to what the right decision is. So, final words, Abby. Best of luck. I'll see you at graduation. I know you'll be successful. Dan, good luck. I hope to see you back here next year, but no matter what, you're going to rock it next year. You're going to be a senior. You guys set the bar pretty high. The presentations are up another level this year. I think next year we're going to have to have like live plays. I don't know how you're going to up this. >> We did have one of those.

108>> No, we did. Never mind. Uh, you're right. We did. Um, but that's it. Thank you guys very much. Appreciate it. Maybe you can take your name badge as a parting gift. >> Oh yes, um yeah, super happy to have you guys here. Sad it's our last meeting, but we will be seeing you around the next month over a month, month and a half cuz we're going so late. Um but it's going to be full of celebrations and I'm sure we will see you multiple times, both of you in all of that. Um and obviously at graduation. you're going to be at graduation too, right? Yeah. So, yeah, you'll be there with us on stage. Um, yeah. So, it'll be a fun time and just thank you for being here and we really appreciate your

109updates and we appreciate your contributions and, you know, talking about hard topics and fun topics and everything in between. Um, it's just been really beneficial and helpful and grateful. I'm grateful to hear um the student voice and and you're sitting at the table. So, thank you so much for being here. Thank you. Okay, what's next? >> Uh, oh, it's you. I know, Jessica. They're like, >> he's out. I'm done. Thank you. Um, for board policy, I'll defer to our last policies. Um, we'll be discussing them and hopefully some popsicle action. We are still making our way through the 9,000 series as well as some of the kind of ad hoc ones that have come up particularly um at this board table. So, um, I will do that. But um we had a great meeting the

110other night on 420 right after curriculum where we ran a little bit. We were trying to coordinate between um so we did get to catch some of the curriculum committee with the advising presentation there where that was fabulous as well. Um but we'll talk about those policies in new business. Okay. Any questions for policy? Oh good. Okay. So curriculum we met on same day um April 20th. I'm going to just work upside down because we have a book that was um a textbook adoption. It's a book that's been taught in our schools, but um it it's been very popular. So, it was decided or discussed to have it as a whole class um lesson. And then Mr. Newton had suggested the this lovely writeup that you'll see in the book. It's just a summary of

111the book um and key themes and all of that. and it um I want to read the book so I probably will. So that's pass being passed around. Um and then we obviously had our educators rising team. I think just highlight there is that they have the club has been very successful and want to formalize um the club and and the career path into an official pathway and what as one of our themmies which um I think is a fantastic idea and I think it's um you can just see the you know just the passion that they have like these few students but and Miss Batista running it is um just fantastic. So, um, that's what we talked about. It's kind of a mini version of what you just heard. Um, and we also talked

112about English 9. Um, so in the in this school year, sorry, next school year, um, we're or the instructional time for English 9 is going to increase um by approximately 80 minutes a week just to give additional um, classroom learning time for English. Um, and I believe it's going to be like a um like there's ABC days, so like it'll be like in place of a study hall, they'll go to English. Um, and they're hoping to utilize this additional time to deepen student learning in both reading and writing. So that is the update there. Dr. understand me. I just had a question for clarification from the advising and maybe they said this in their presentation or you know um so sounds like the FTEEs for the courses are going to be covered but for an

113academy is there any sort of like director's leadership like vice principal I'm just kind of ignorant >> yeah but it's well I think first steps right now is um the plans proposal so that's how everything starts and then once the plan's proposal is written it comes to Dr. from it and then she reviews it and and decides yes or no. There's How many do you get a year? >> Um it quite a few lately. I'd say 10 per year and it varies from just curriculum and book request all the way to staffing. But in terms of the leadership question I see the answer to that is no. Um we would use existing administrators who would oversee it. Um and that's how it works right now with the variousmies. Yeah, there's a counselor that has all

114the academy students. So, there's the the house counselors, but then the academy students have like I think it's sophomore year once they join the academy, they'll move over to her. So, she would have maybe a bigger case load, but um maybe not. But yeah, so I think um you know, and then and then as part of the the plans proposal or as a part of part of the curriculum decision, budget, everything, that's when they'll decide which courses to offer, if they need anything else. So, we don't really have won't have all those answers yet, but yeah. Okay. Thank you. Sure. Any other updates or questions for curriculum? Okay. >> Um, now for new business, update on the budget. Um, so I guess since last time we met um we were anticipating having money um allocated

115by the state and now officially there has been money allocated to this to Newington. Um Dr. Bra is sharing on the screen. Do you have the you don't have that? Oh yes, additional ECS allocation. And it's not exactly ECS money, but it is for the purpose of education. Um 928,000. Um we don't know how that will get distributed to Newington or to the board, but that's still kind of in the in the air. Um but we're hoping that that will come to us. Um we also heard back from um Mr. Turo on the schoolbased health center grant that he had been working on for us and we were were granted the 159,000. Um so that is very positive news. Um effective school solutions that's another one that was already coming to us but we didn't

116know how. It's you talked to them this week, >> actually today, and they've assured me that that $300,000 will be applied as a credit to the money that is um already in the budget of the cost for all the sites is a little over just under $700,000. So, this will cover almost half of that. Um, and again, it would I'm noting in that far right hand column, it's shrinking our gap of the $1.8 $.8 million cut to what now is is coming in as some additional offsets. >> Miss Weaver, >> just to clarify too, um so the um there were kind of different acts that came through in terms of a passage. So I know the ECS was um just in the house and then the schoolbased health center. I just want to clarify that

117the effective school solutions one was that one that we got for district 9. >> Yeah, that's >> from Senator Leser and that was like a 300 the Easter bill. This was 300 this year and maybe like 200 next year. Okay. Because it was like 1.5 million for district 9 and then it would just wasn't or the senate district 9 and then we were like what is getting what in terms of the senate district. So to clarify it's over two years though. >> It's over two years 1.5 million in year 1 divided equally among the five school systems that are involved and 1 million in year two um divided equally among the systems. >> Thank you. Um, so those are the well mostly knowns. We're assuming that we will get the ACS or that 928,000. Um,

118and then still unknowns are, as we discussed last time, we do have the health benefits fund. I think it was estimated at 500,000 last time we saw. Um, so that's still a TBD. We won't know until October, but that could help offset as well. And then still pending is um the grant for the Nor Easter Academy which we've talked about for $100,000 which we won't hear until next month probably. Yes. >> Um so that's what we know now. Um I am continuing to advocate that we um the town council if the money comes to them I think there's still question of how it's even getting distributed but that um ECS allocation the 928,000 um advocating for that to come to the board. um but still TBD at this point. So that's what we know of

119now. Um nothing else has changed in regards to um the budget from last time we spoke. Um so yeah, any questions on any of that and the session ends tonight. So um >> is it at midnight? Yeah. So >> DA is at midnight. So they will end exactly at midnight. >> At midnight they will end. They're currently debating the bottle bill. >> What are they debating? >> The bottle bill. Yeah. In the house. Senate is at ease. >> Okay. So, yeah, I guess more to come after close of session. All right. Next, the poss possible action discussion and possible action on our board meeting schedule. Is your favorite one? So just clarifying that we have vetted this list by looking at any conflicts with holidays or other conflicts within the district calendar. So uh these

120dates are in keeping with the um protocol of having two meetings a month. Some sometimes they fall a little bit differently because of conflicts like we said with holidays or other events, but these are the suggested dates for next year's board of education meetings. Um there is only one meeting held in November and December because of vacation um holidays in both of those months. If those months have business that is unfinished, then the board would have the opportunity to schedule additional meetings. >> And we do have the ability to add or cancel meetings at the board's discretion. We just have to um propose dates so that they become public for the year. Miss Weaver, I think you're really looking forward to reading this motion, so such an auctioneer. Let's like not hype it up too

121much, but All right. Um All right. Move the board of education approve the following meeting dates for the 2026, 2027 school year. September 9th, 2026. September 23rd, 2026. October 14, 2026. October 28, 2026, November 18th, 2026. December 16, 2026. January 13, 2027, January 27th, 2027, February 10, 2027, February 24th, 2027, March 10, 2027, March 24th, 2027, April 7, 2027, April 21st, 2027, May 5th, 2027, May 26th, 2027, and June 9th, 2027. >> Good job. Thank you. >> Do we have a sec? Okay, second. >> We have a second. Perfect. All right, so we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> No. Okay, I guess we can do a roll call vote on these meeting dates. >> Mary, >> yes. >> John Hall, >> yes. >> Lens, >> Yes. Brian, >> yes.

122>> Sharma, >> yes. >> Dr. Gail Stanley, >> yes. >> Jessica, >> yes. >> The motion passes unanimously. 90. >> Thank you. >> Be though no meetings fall on kids birthdays this year. >> Um, okay. Next is discussion and possible action on the use of school building fees 26 27. So, um, every year we look at the building utilization and, um, discuss at, uh, the business office as to whether an increase is in order. Um, and I would say that, and I know there's been discussion among the board in the past, we do have a a large uptick in building usage. U just spoke with Jacob Kish today and we got the buildings being used right up practically till the last day of school and then summer hasn't been scheduled yet. So um I think

123an increase is definitely in order. It's really at the discretion of the board uh to whether it should be a 3% increase or 4%. I know last year I think they split it down the middle and did 3.5. Um I don't know if Miss Bo would like to opine on her recommendations given our financial situation. with the increases to the ask me contract. Um I I think the 3% is is a a very good one. That's what their increase was. So um I I feel that our buildings are being utilized a lot and this is very important that we make sure we follow in line with the ASME contract. generate. >> Yeah. Um yeah. So the we um charge for building usage, but we don't charge for like obviously school functions, but also like youth

124nonprofit programs. And so you can see like the fee schedule. There's um um like there's different fees based on when because we obviously pay for people to be there in the building, janitors and and security at times. Um but there's different fees for different um times and days and then also for different I'm trying to scroll and see. Wasn't there like a different Maybe it's all the same. Schedule C, schedule D. Oh, profit making. So, yeah, but like our community, what I guess I'm trying to say is um our youth programs because I know for like cheer, we don't have to pay for usage of the buildings, but like for um like a dance recital, the the company would pay um to use the things. So, I think in the past we've said like, oh,

125we we don't want to increase too much because of, you know, it's going to just kind of fall back on our community members, but um at the same time, given the budget season and everything that's been going on, maybe we, you know, we definitely I do agree we should at least increase on the 3%, but we should discuss if we want to go higher. Go ahead, Mr. Hollerin. So, just kind of looking at the simple law of supply and demand, right? We have a demand that's outpacing supply. Like, we've got demand for our buildings. Why wouldn't we want to entertain 4% if we're going to raise money for our schools that isn't coming directly out of taxpayers pockets? Is there a downside to going to four? In um the case of the not forprofits, it

126it would it could be a burden to them. The profit making ones could probably afford it. I I just worry you would have two sets of schedules then. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Sorry. Feel like I just breathe into the mic. >> Sam, go ahead. >> Quick question. So if if the if if a nonprofit rents our school any I mean is there a charge or is it the same charge or is there is it like a cheaper lure? >> Um we we don't charge them for many of the times when there's custodians in the building. We um would they're there till 11:00 most nights, 10:00 in the elementary schools. And we wouldn't charge them for that. We charge them for the weekend hours when they come in for the weekends

127because then we're paying our custodians time and a half or double time. >> So, so >> if a nonprofit uses our I mean any of our rooms during the weekday, there's no charge >> for the most part. Correct. >> Miss Beatric, right? Just to clarify, because the custodial staff and and security staff would already be in place. >> It's not outside of their regular job responsibilities or um hourly correct. They're they're in the buildings. They're there. Security may not be. >> Okay. So, we would have to charge people for security if it was an event that was big enough to need security. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome, >> Miss Weaver. I'm just clarifying for the profit ones, are they usually local kind of like for profofit or is it vary? >> It varies.

128Um, we have quite a few dance companies that are using the buildings and some of them are from New Jersey and some of them are from Connecticut and >> um they have found that we have very nice facilities and that we take good care of them. So, word of mouth gets out there and they all talk. >> Yeah, I know. I was just thinking I'm like dance is expensive. Things are all expensive right now. Um, just wondering like if I I feel like if 3%'s good, I'm I'm good with that. If that's your recommendation, Lynn, I think that that makes sense. Um, I was just more of saying like, you know, if they're local businesses and that kind of stuff, particularly like, you know, some of the dance companies in there or some of the

129ones that give us good business. I think NCTC though is not for profofit. >> They do it on the weekends, >> but they do it on the weekends. So, that's what I was thinking. Like most of them would be taxpayers. >> Mr. What would the difference be between a 3% and a 4% for us in terms of money we would get back? We're not talking $100,000 right over the year. >> It It's not that much unless we have more. >> Okay. >> Correct. And I I would worry to be priced out if we go too high because there are other facilities that can be used. They may not be as nice though. Dr. Tan. >> Yeah. So, just so um adding some clarity, all of the funds that we get from our our rentals go

130into our CIP, the school CIP. >> Mhm. >> Yes. >> And that is last year it was like $117,000 and we're projected about $100,000 each year from your presentation, right? >> It it actually varies based on how much usage there is. Right now, it's over that. >> Okay. But in yeah 2025 26 was our school rental receipts were $117,000. So we're this is only like a we're only demanding or pulling in $100,000 from these rentals. So it's not it's not like Yeah. >> four would be four. >> Yeah. Yeah. So >> business also with the sense of community uh I think that 3% would be inadequate. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. We have a motion if uh move the board of education increase the building fees use fees by 3% for the 202627 school year effective

131July 1, 2026. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second to increase the fees by 3%. Is there any further discussion? Roll call vote, please. >> Mary Be, >> yes. >> Sean How? >> Yes. >> Marissa Lindsay? >> Yes. >> Timothy, >> yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Dr. Gail. >> Yes. >> Thank you. All right. Next is board policies. All right. I know remarks have been long this time, so I will keep this brief. We will go through the 9,000 policies that are looking for possible action. These have been the ones that have been presented to the board before. Um, just to go over the first one, which was formerly 9120, now 9035. Um, we're looking to move all of that policy. So, eliminate this policy and move it all to the next

132one, which would be 9121. It's duplicative. And we just basically took the all of the duplication of this. Um, the highlighted part is what will be moved to the other part because or the other policy because the other policy already has it in there as explained last meeting. um which will then be 9121 or new updated 9040 board of education officers. Um so I'll have Dr. Bett put that one up. Um but these were all presented last time. We didn't really change anything when we went back. We didn't change anything. We went back. Sorry. Um so that will be the updated board of education officers which includes the officer um the actual like positions officers and the function of the officers. And then the other one would be the um 9125 or new policy number

13390445 which would be just our attorney one. Um, we simply just changed this there. Any questions, comments? >> I don't have a motion, but I can read one. That's okay. >> Do Yeah. Do you want to do them all at once or >> So, these will So, what we'll do on we're just >> Yeah, I'll just put Yeah. These are just the ones we're we're voting on. So, I'll do a motion. Um but to clarify it will be um move that the board of education uh remove policy 9102 or 9035 officer and functions of officers and adopt updated policies 9121940 board of education officers and 91259045 attorney. Thank you. >> Second. >> Okay. And the first numbers you said were the old policy number new policy. Yep. Rain number. Any discussion? Roll call vote, please.

134>> Mary, >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Sam, >> yes. >> Stanley, >> yes. >> Pass unanimously. 90. >> Thanks, guys. We'll bring back the nine ones. we'll get through them. Um, okay. And then the next topic is just the first ones. These are coming to full board first time. Um, these are in light of some of the conversations we've been having. Um, so first one is the school policy one uh or school calendar um because that was um one that was talked about as we were talking about the updates to the school calendar. Um we noticed that it was um the language particularly in the last paragraph was that it would follow the correct recommended calendar and we knew that was probably not what was happening. So to update to current practice um

135we said take into consideration partner educational institutions school calendars um noting that we just not just correct but you know there's magnet schools other things um and we had a great discussion I think about um you know some of the things that we already included was already there each school month number of days in school each month legal and local holidays staff development days early closing days vacation periods all the things that we were talking about as consideration factors were already in the policy um so that's good but we did ask that um I think you know um we have somewhat of a regulation or something to say every x amount of years, two years, 5 years, we kind of revisit or refresh maybe it's a survey um who that survey goes to kind of

136what we had at the full board discussion. Um so a regulation of sorts. We didn't want to necessarily codify that into policy noting that it may be different circumstances at different times. Um but just a refreshment or a reconsideration of how often we look at the um look at the school calendar. Um that would be a regulation we recommend. I know Mr. is and I think teachers council will will consider how that language goes um which we can bring back but again we don't vote on regulation we vote on policy Mr. Do we need any verbiage in here that says when the calendar needs to be made public? >> So that was um good point, but I think one of the things is it depends, right? Like >> it does. >> And um I've noticed

137in other school districts there is no policy on on school calendar at all actually. Um some and I know like for example my sister's district in Windsor like they they adopted their next year's one in February I think. So it was quite much later and they don't do the extra year and that kind of stuff. Um I would say maybe in a regulation I would recommend like it is recommended that we >> kind of do that. I think our current practice is um biased but I think better than some of the other school districts trying to do like two years in advance. Um obviously we endeavor we we do change it from time to time. So I don't want to lock us into a restriction of what would passage be or when it makes it

138public um from a date but we could I think that would be definitely appropriate for a regulation. Yeah. >> Yeah, it makes sense. I don't want to lock us in either, but at the same point, I don't know if there's a need to codify it in the policy, but just >> I think and as always too, I'd recommend that the regulation be published alongside the policy so that way um anyone can say, you know, hey, like if you know, 15 years from now, board's not publishing them in a I think what we would consider probably a timely fashion, um kind of referencing that regulation to say, hey, it's recommended that you do that. Not certain something that we could have legal liability on, but that could be definitely a reference for best practice. >> Cool.

139Thank you. >> Thank you. Questions on that one? >> Okay, we can bring that one back um to policy, but then bring it back to full board. >> Okay, I have a question. Um sorry, >> no, you're fine. >> Um it says in here that we show graduation date. Um but as like recently since co I think um now we are able to establish it and it's not on >> the calendar. >> Yeah. Well, but also like it's not even there. >> It wouldn't be set prior to like when the calendar is published. So, I don't know if we just want to talk about removing that or say like it's funny you mentioned that because I was looking feverishly and I apologize to the committee members for the new statute that allowed us to have

140that permission to set the due date. Um, and I couldn't find it in the CGS. So, um, yeah, we can amend that too. Um cuz I was like, well, we have the power to do so. Um technically under our to set that, but I understand what you're saying. Like not in the initial school calendar that we publish. It just ends up when we set it. Yeah. Um yeah, that's fine. Like other pertinent dates, like what are those pertinent dates? Like >> I think it's just I think just maybe just >> I think other pertinent dates I would put is like conferences. >> Oh, conf Okay. It doesn't say conference isn't >> Yeah. >> Like if there's like a school district like some people have like you know district days that are like you know teacher

141Tuesday would be kind of considered >> or closing days. Um but other pertinent dates like literally I don't know if there was a school specific one that would be >> open house >> if we knew it. Yeah. I think it Yeah. It kind of gets tricky because we want to make sure >> I think I think it's a I think it's a catchall for if there is something Newington specific. Um yeah, I just want to like we should make sure that we have as much information on the calendar as possible. We don't necessarily know when we said it, >> right? So yeah, I would just look at that. >> Thank you. Thank you for that note. This is why we bring to full board. >> Okay, we'll move on to policy um 1270, crisis management

142and school safety plans. Um initially we had we had edited these policies and and passed it. So this will feed into the other two, the use of physical restraint/exionary time and assignments of students to classes. Oh, that was a separate one. So, so, so 1270 and then 5144.1. These two were both um impacted. So, um we noticed that in some of these and the last time we kind of passed them, we kind of combined some of the um crisis response teams versus the um like crisis management team. So the mer versus some of the crisis response those are very those are two different things. Wait. Yeah. Go ahead Mr. D. Don't let me talk anymore. Thank you. >> So we so these two policies um what these are is these are policies that set um

143a crisis response um in a school and how that gets managed and then a crisis intervention. Um from our our perspective both as a board but also um as a district they're two teams of two very different purposes. um a crisis response team as part of a school safety and security plan would be um in the unfortunate situation if we had a weather related incident. Um unfortunately, you know, a death of a of a family member of a student um the principal in the building um would call together crisis response team and that team would put together a response to that crisis which might include counseling supports for students um you know being available for other students that may know the family. Um the way that the policies are both written conflated language of both

144crisis response team and crisis intervention team. The state defines a crisis intervention team. That is when there is a crisis with a student in an immediate situation. So, for example, um if a student was having um emotional reaction, if a student was having a need um to have a protective hold, for example, um the crisis intervention team, which we call PMT teams in the district, um they would respond in that to ensure the student safety, to ensure that the student was number one safe themselves, um not posing a danger to themselves or others. We have highly trained people that do PMT training every year. Um most of that training is deescalation strategies um how to manage a situation. There are there also is some hands-on training that happens in the event where they have to

145protect a student. The way that the policies were both written, it sort of put the board in a position because training is mandated for crisis intervention teams. It is not mandated in crisis response. the way the policy was written and the regulation was written um put the board in a position where um anyone on either team had to have training which um is not accurate and actually put us in training having to train up with almost I think it was 45 staff members in that training. So I work with Shipman and Goodwin to ensure that we just have both policies as clear and concise as possible. We absolutely as a board in a district will train um staff. We are mandated to by the state regulation if they are on a PMT or crisis intervention

146team. So what we did in these policies is I work with Shipman and Goodwin to just be as clear and concise as we can in both policies to really separate that out. So we're very clear in the language and the guidance to crisis um intervention teams. I know we don't do um regula uh regulation here at the board, but both policies um influence the regulation. And so the regulation is now very clear that individuals on crisis intervention teams which we call PMT teams do get training from the district and we do keep a record of that training. Um our special education office supports us. We do initial training for a full day for staff on those teams and then they are yearly mandated to do what we call refresher training. One excellent thing about our

147district, we have um I think four now in-house trainers that actually train our own staff where some districts actually have to pay uh to a private group to train their staff. So, we've built that up over um the last several years. We do in-house training, which is a huge benefit for us um to have highly trained people not only do the training, but they serve as a resource in buildings if there is a crisis, if there are questions, if people need retraining. So really the the whole goal of these policies was to be as clear as possible um and clearly distinguish crisis response versus crisis intervention. And again in the language are just kind of conflated a little bit. So um that's what you'll see in the policy. The strikethroughs are just taking language out

148that may have confused or conflated that language. >> Thank you for that explanation. It's very helpful. >> Any questions on this? U Mr. Hollerin, >> thank you for that explanation. I think very needed because it it affects, you know, could happen tomorrow, right? Um just a quick question. If you go up to the first page, paragraph three, do we need to have um for the school year commencing July 1st, 2024, can we just I mean obviously it was written before that. Can we just update that? I don't think it's pertinent. And just say each school year the board should develop, maintain, and implement Yeah, I think we might have >> Yeah, for our second look as a policy committee, we'll kind of go through a little more with a fine tooth comb and and amend

149some of the language. >> Yeah, I can't remember if that was like a policy requirement or not from like state statute standpoint. We did discuss it. I know we've discussed it in multiple policies. >> Um, yeah, we'll get back to you. Thank you. >> Thanks, Mr. is for the >> very articulate explanation of that distinction. And then the last one was um one that came to us via the curriculum committee um reflective of some of uh I think it was I don't know what Kristen was saying it was maybe a >> um this is oh sorry 5144 is still is also feeding in from the changes to the um crisis >> inter more specific to the the um yeah crisis intervention team which is a PMT team in the district. So we took some language

150out that was about crisis response teams that was in here as well. Yep. >> Oh, yeah. I think is it sharing? You're moving on to the Oh, there it is. Yeah. 5122. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Wait, that's Sorry. No, the next one. That one. They're deleting because it >> We're not deleting. We're We're deleting. >> No, we're looking at 51 512. Yeah. >> Yes. >> All good. There's only 400 something policies. It's fine. >> I counted one night. Um, so this was more from curriculum. Um, really it's specific. I mean, if you look at the original policy strike through, it was quite literally just a paragraph and it just said a student will ordinarily continue in a class with other children of the same age in grades PK through 8. That's not really specific. Um

151or it said a student, my favorite is the last sentence, a student may be placed with a group a year older or more than a year younger only upon approval by the superintendent. So, we just didn't think that was necessarily clear or um understandable or current practice or anything. So, um uh this came from um Kristen had some new language and um we were good with it. The only thing that was of question from curriculum if we scroll down um was just any transferred second semester senior may arrange with their former school. So if they had like come from glass or something they can arrange with and they are a second semester senior like essentially coming in now um they can arrange to receive their diploma from and it does happen but um which we

152thought was appropriate. So, I think this is reflective of current practice, but again, we'll take this back if there's any other questions or comments on that. Other than that, that concludes policy. Um, we are set to have our next one at May 11th, but I may have a conflict coming up. That's news to my committee members. So, I will circle back with you guys on that. Um, but yeah, as we make our way through, please email me, Mr. D, or anyone in policy if you have any questions. But thanks for another passage, guys. Chugging through. Yay. Oh, I forgot to mention we our next curriculum committee is uh May 21st, 6:30, Thursday. Um, okay. Next is a report on professional learning. Thanks everyone. So, you have the report. This is a yearly report um that

153we do um that's required from the state to share with the board of education on our professional learning. Um I just have some highlights. I know you have the report but a few things I wanted to to highlight with you from the 202526 school year. So in total um Newington public schools our in-house professional learning exceeds over 500 hours. The actual legal obligation of the state is 18. Um but we've exceeded a total of 500 hours inhouse but our out of district offerings also exceeded about uh 1,300 hours. Um couple things I want to just highlight for you. you do have a full list of all of the in district professional learning days um that teachers have the opportunity to take advantage of um also facilitate. One thing we're very proud of is a lot

154of the professional learning that you'll see is actually facilitated by our own staff um in collaboration with building administrators, department coordinators, school leadership teams. something that we're very proud of and you have an entire list there of all the in district learning that has been offered um to staff that happens um during our professional development days that happens during department days as well. Um they're strategically aligned to our mission and our vision. Um some PO offerings like I said are between full day early release. Um we try to tailor it to individual participant needs. um our PDC committee, professional development and learning committee does surveys throughout the year to help inform our professional learning needs as well. In addition to our certified staff, we also um implemented 18 hours of professional learning specific to hourly

155non-certified employees such as para educators, tutors and rbts. Um that learning is also offered. Um some analysis of both what what was actually offered. So um if you do analysis of the in-house learning and audit district learning it demonstrates a majority of this session's focus on instructional strategy and leadership with a strong focus on high impact pedagogical practices and also schoolwide systems. A lot of our work this year is working with our committees. We have seal discipline um and um academic committees at all of our buildings. So a lot of the work has been aligning with a district vision and vision uh around that. Um additional professional learning included holistic supports for students. So a lot of the learning is really geared uh this year we did a roll out of restorative practices. I believe

156you heard um some schools come in um share about restorative. We had a great presentation that have been one of my first board presentations where we even had ears from the staff on just the impact that they saw. Very proud of that. So restorative practices, social emotional learning was a huge focus this year for us and we're seeing that um the results across the whole district, supportive inclusive environments for learning. Um how important it is to have positive climate relationships with students as foundations for learning. um and technology and and AI, not just to support, you know, modern tools in the classroom, but even teaching our own staff, our teachers, our administrators to improve administrative workflows, teachers to be highly impactful and organized during their day. So, it frees up time for teaching. So, that

157was sort of what the learning was around some topics there. If you go to the um second set, that shows you the out of district offerings um that staff were able to do. Um there's also a section on our partnership um that we've had. We do bring consultants in at times. Um CIRC we did a partnership with as well. Um they helped us around special education. We may have I believe the board may have heard about our co-eing model that we are uh moving to that's that's also happening at the state level. I've been a part of that work um partnering with CIRC um at our building in just shoring up our co-eing model um looking at different ways to deliver services for students um both who have needs um in special education and students

158who uh might have other needs in learning as well. Um improving our overall u multi-tered system of supports. We partnered with CIRC on that as well. And then if you look at the outofd district conferences and workshop attendants, you can see um national organizations that some of these conferences as well our staff go to. Uh we've had presentations in the past. I've had the opportunity to present um at the National Association of School Principles conference um as well. and just that learning that you can see, you know, staying up to speed, staying on top of the latest in education, um, and you know, what's out there as far as instructional strategies and bringing that back to the classroom um, is a huge part of this. So, what you see here is a complete list from

159the school year. I know we do have, you know, a month or so left and still in the school year, two months, I should say. Um so there are still some active um things happening but up to this point that's kind of a just a snapshot of uh what we've been doing in our district but proudest I think of a lot of that in district is collaborative it's not just principles and coordinators you know teaching and directing our staff our staff have a huge part of the learning um that happens with their colleagues so we're very proud of that >> thank you Dr. Stanley >> thank you Mr. is um a question. So we have offers of so much and this is wonderful the breadth of of things that we offer. What is the requirement

160for teachers to for their annual requirement for hours? >> So the annual requirement here um we we are supposed to provide up to up to 18 I believe is what we have. >> So they have to do 18 hours. >> Yes. And we provide >> so many more options. >> So many more. We are we provide many more options than what the state requirement is. Okay. That's on there. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, just so I'm clarifying because it's um maybe I'm lack of sleep, but we're required to offer 18, but they're required to do 18. >> Yeah. Per individual teacher. And we we have we go above and beyond just based on the pressure learning time that we have. >> Okay. Great. >> Yep. >> Mr. Newton, >> are any of those workshops covered by

161grants or >> Yeah. So, some are actually a partnership that we have with CIRC when the consultants that we bring in, a lot of that is covered by a grant. Um, our partnership with Girk, a lot of that comes out of the chef grant um and the choice grant. Correct. >> Yep. Yep. And there are some if they fall in line like our choice um grant, we can use some of that to apply to some professional learning as well and consulting. >> Miss Weaver, just want to say it's really cool. I had seen I don't know where someone they were like oh public schools don't know what to do with AI and all these kinds of things but it's really great to see um one and I know we had we've talked about it a

162lot and I know we I think even presented I think you know jobs impacted by and all this stuff I don't think I can go meeting without talking about it um in my job and um just clearly the presence of it um so to know that you know we're tackling this at the education level both how to you know utilizing it to align goal setting to um how to actually teach it and then teaching the teachers and all these things. It's just great to see you to buck maybe uh some of the myth some of the myths that are out there about um incorporation. I know it's often a nebulous and very scary topic. Um but I'm glad it's getting addressed. Um looks like a lot of good opportunities to learn in very different lenses.

163So, just wanted to say um this is also like five pages worth of just like, you know, it could obviously be oneoff, you know, conferences are one-off lesson and that kind of stuff, but it's always good to see um that our our staff and is engaged um when it comes to kind of what our professional learners and I know that is a differentiator too for many districts of um when we're trying to attract teachers um how much we offer. So, thank you for giving clarity on that. >> Just you know the type of learning that happens. We we work with our administrative team with our teacher leaders as well on how we deliver professional learning. You know, it's not a stand and deliver model. So the same strategies we apply in the classroom. We think

164of engagement, how do we engage adult learn adult learners, collaboration, we try to build that into uh the professional learning that we have as well because we know their adults also learn best in certain ways uh just like students. So some of the strategies we use with students, we also use in our professional learning. >> Dr. Stanley Just one more uh question. So are there courses that they must do or they can choose from any of these to complete their 18 hours? >> So there are building um level course. So on our like Tuesday professional learning days um what happens is that like we'll provide professional learning from a building level. Sometimes like we have district professional learning sessions they can opt and they can choose on which sessions they want to do. So we

165have choice sessions. believe this August when we came back we gave people options on what they wanted to choose most of the PL that's embedded in the learning day like on a Tuesday professional learning day um is set up for staff and designed by the instructional leadership teams so they would take those courses like this year for example the restorative practice training as a district we wanted to roll that out to ensure that was going to be um across the board in all schools to get the same training but sometimes we can offer choice sessions individual buildings can do that and sometimes at a district level we'll offer choice sessions as well if there are certain areas of focus that teachers want to look at >> or get better in. >> So mostly they meet

166the requirements but the hours based on things that they don't have a choice on but even though we offer a breath there's limited chances that they can take any different opportunities. >> The audit district is where that comes in often times. So if someone sees a a course, a conference, um Circs offering something, Craig's opportunity, that's where a lot of those opportunities can come in for staff to seek out um something they might be working on individually. Uh but we do try to offer some district choice sessions when we have fuller PL days. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And um correct me, but are a lot of the are some of the PL days or the trainings offered like things that the building needs to work on or wants to work on? And so there's

167like that opportunity for maybe a teacher to suggest or recommend a training but then you know and then it can be >> yeah so a lot of it is based on feedback. So when we do professional learning like like I'll give you an example at John Wallace when when I was the building leader our leadership team would look at our student data and we would see maybe uh discipline data or we' look at academic achievement data and we would talk and see where where where are we seeing the data leading us into the learning that we need to do. So we want to make sure it's purposeful and intentional learning. Um restorative practices for example coming as a district uh is in a response to some of the discipline um data that we've looked at

168and also our understanding of building relationships and how important it is and a proactive approach to discipline. Um there could be learning for example I think of a department coordinator who may see um in their curricula if there are areas of focus coming out of their data they might want to target that specifically in their department meeting um and and work on shoring that up. One thing I'm thinking about is um like the BTC work that's been happening in the math department. Um that's a specific, you know, uh leverage point where we're seeing engagement in the classroom um and how we can bring that in and bring that to staff. And then in those sessions though, they might be set up and and sort of planned for staff. There's always that opportunity of the breakout

169sessions, the questions, the small collaborative groups where they can go deeper in the learning. >> I turn it in >> question. And you made me think um when the state mandates 18 hours for the sake of army, do they say that 5 hours have to be uh cover social issues? Does five hours have to cover physical interaction with kids? I mean, is is the state specific in what? >> I don't think it's as that specific with the topic as long it's most of it it's aligned to the district vision, mission, and goals, the needs of the district there. But based on those needs and based on legislation, for example, like restorative practice training because there's a state mandate now around restorative practices. So, we're going to shift and move with that. Um, if you're thinking

170about um school climate, there's been a lot of again legislation driving school climate. So, you'll see a lot of professional learning is going to support school climate. Some some of the mandates are unfunded. So, what we do as a district, most >> is most to to be polite. So, um, what we do as a district is how are we going to address some of these mandates? We do it through our own professional learning systems. Um, so, you know, school climate, restorative practices. Um, a lot of that has come out of sort of we were doing it and we were working towards those goals um, prior, but that just kind of gave us more of a a focus to kind of move forward in in that work direction. Yeah. >> Miss Weaver, and this is just

171for clarification. I know we have a lot of mandated trainings on like and those don't fall under this category of the 18 professional hours correct like the sexual harassment mandated reporting >> mandated reporting those are more um from the state level that we have to ensure our employees have so those compliance >> bloodborne pathogens those are more compliance training the professional >> do you fall into we'll use the the overall time we have like for example the beginning of the school year we'll embed some time for that training to be done but it's not necessarily professional learning. It's more about mandated training that we have to have >> that comes out like this keep coming up. Yeah. >> Keep coming up. There's a new one coming out that we're working on last year. There was

172one on a very important one on on sex trafficking that came out that was mandated that all staff had to do. Um but that's not necessarily improving practice. It's more of mandated training to ensure compliance and things like that. Yep. >> Thank you. Thank you for that report. All right. Computer purchase plan. >> Okay. This is just an annual notice to the board that we do allow uh and have allowed since um 199596, well before my time, uh to allow employees to purchase computers and then have it deducted from their paycheck to pay it back. So to date we've had 382 folks that have taken advantage of that. And here the chart is included. Um that show you the number of folks by year. You can see it's going downhill a little bit from the

173very start but uh you know year to year we still have a few folks um that still take advantage of it. So because it is something that a few employees every year take advantage of I would recommend the board continue it. There's no vote needed other than if the board would like to discontinue it, but there's no cost to the board. They're simply allowing us to do an employee deduction. Um, so this just an FYI so the board knows it's actually happening. >> Miss Weaver like program is more of a like implies cost. There's no cost and no like format like >> it pays the cost. Okay. I mean >> if we end if it's two people or one people like great it varies year to year but it's it's shrinking a bit but we

174still have a couple >> shrinking because we're keeping more teachers bringing in as many ones >> Mike's not on >> perhaps plus we do provide teachers with work computers so perhaps they don't invest in a personal one >> Mr. Hollerin. >> Yeah, just to add to the conversation, Tim did us. I think the technology has changed. If you bought a computer in 1995, I mean, now you can get a Chromebook for less than 200 bucks. So, I think that's probably what's driving. It might not make sense. That's right. So, I can understand why it's gone down to, but I don't see any reason to cancel it if it's an option. It doesn't cost us anything and it literally requires very little work. >> Dr. understand they >> so we are essentially giving them a free

175credit though right it's like a free loan because they're not paying any interest on these payments >> okay that is correct >> any further >> thank you for the update next is um health benefits reserve fund yes this came up at our last board meeting and there was a bit of confusion relative to the motion. So, we have uh revised it. Um Lynn, if you wouldn't mind summarizing the memo and where where we currently stand in your based on your understanding. >> Um we were told that we have a projected $514,175 surplus in the 2526 health benefits budget. um following recalculations made on the fund. I personally um am not comfortable with that amount because at the end of the year, everyone has met their HSA deductible for the most part and it becomes um

176the the costs go up significantly in the last three months of the year. So, I would not bank on this money being there. And when I I looked at it, I I did a very conservative estimate of a 3% increase and it would bring it down to around 200,000, possibly, maybe less. So, in in my mind, I would not use this money until we actually know where we stand by the time the runoff happens in October. And then if we do still have money, we could possibly use it to offset the cost of PAR benefits possibly or reduce our reliance on non-lapsing. >> Yes. >> So, do we I'm sorry. Did do we have to do the motion or we just >> Yeah. >> Is it just saying that we're not going to do anything

177until we know what we actually have? In the in the past, there's been a motion that acknowledges that we're aware of this situation with the money, but that there's no firm decisions made until you know how much money you have. >> So, that's what this is saying. >> That's what this is saying. I mean, if we need >> if we've done it in the past, I think we have, and just for again reiterating, um, for community sake, we had had a couple like it was like 400,000 one year and then it was we've had an MOU with the town on this health benefit credit for many years. Um, and then last year it was >> negative. So, this isn't something, you know, that we can actually rely on. think and to I think Lynn's point

178like this is something I I think the phrasing don't use it until you actually know what you have is quite reasonable. Um, so I think that's fine, but I think um I do recall us in in years past when we did actually have a positive we actually had a credit um that we would use a motion of the sorts to be able to just say we acknowledge that this is credit and we know we will be able to use it and then it was something with the town as well theou um >> yeah we're not proposing anou this year but in the past we have >> um and again if it goes to zero or below zero we have no liability >> if it's got any type of positive balance, then the board can apply

179it in some way, shape, or form. That that would be something that would be discussed at the board table in October. Move it. I move that the board of education defer any budgetary adjustments within the health benefits fund credits until the after the town's final cost analysis has been completed in October 2026. >> Thank you. Any further discussion or questions? So, we're basically voting not to do anything until we know what we have. >> Okay. Roll call vote, please. >> Mary, >> yes. >> Sean Howerin, >> yes. >> Timothy Newton, >> yes. >> Amy Paratt, >> yes. >> Sam Sharma, >> yes. >> Dr. Gail Stanley, >> yes. >> Jessica Wever, >> yes. >> Motion passed unanimously. 90. >> Thank you. Um and at this time we have public participation on any matter related to

180board responsibilities. If you're in the room you can um come to the head of the table and if you're online you can raise your hands. I'm seeing >> oh >> wait what happened? >> Oh >> I lost my projection but sometimes I just have to reboot. Okay, >> we didn't lose like the meeting though, right? >> I don't believe so. We good? >> All right. I think I just had to re >> set it. There it is. >> It just does that sometimes. >> Okay. >> Um and Miss Havens has her hand raised. Go ahead, Miss Havens. >> Dana Havens, 113 Stoddard Avenue. Um I want to begin by saying that I appreciate the hard work of our school administrators, our teachers, our staff. Running a school system is not easy and the people who

181serve our students deserve our respect and fair compensation. However, I cannot support approving these salary increases for the school administrators at this time. And when salaries and benefits already make up such a large portion of the school budget, these increases add up fast. Eventually, taxpayers are the ones expected to absorb these costs year after year. I think a a lot of residents are asking the simple question where does it stop and what is what is actually sustainable. This is not anti-school or anti-education. We all want good schools and we want people fairly compensated but this increase is a bit high. I think a more modest increase would make sure or make more sense right now and would show taxpayers that the board understands the financial pressures people are under. I just ask that you keep

182the bigger picture in mind before approving any increase. Thank you. >> You anybody else would like to participate? >> He doesn't have his hand raised. >> We see your face, Matt. >> Okay. And he's gone. >> Oh, he's gone. He's disappeared. >> Okay. Um, moving on. So, we um before we get to H. >> I don't see any hand raised. Do you? >> No hands. No, no. >> Um, before we move on, I am going to make a motion to convene into a non-meating for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining bargaining strategy with the administrators union. >> Second, >> I am making a motion to convene into a non-meating for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining strategy with the administrators union. It's a it's >> session >> uh it is similar to an executive session

183but the reasons for executive session and non-me for the purposes of discussing collective bargaining strategy it is qualified under a non-me before we discuss question. Do we have to have other bargaining members here like representatives of the union before we can do that? No, >> Mr. Hollerin. >> And handling it as a non- meeting that was recommendation from our legal council. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> We still need a second before we can discuss. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Is there any further discussion? Oh, do we have to make make that as part of the motion? >> I want to mention >> All right. And um further discussion since we have um we're going to invite in Mr. D and Dr. Brummit as they were part of the union negotiations. >> Other

184questions? You want to second my amendment? >> Second. Thank you. >> Wait, I had a question. >> Go ahead. >> We can't vote at this non- meeting, right? >> We're not voting at the non-meating, though. >> We will reconvene um in public to talk about or to do H1 and two. >> Mr. Newton. >> Yeah, we have a motion on the table. Can I say something? >> Yeah. So to clarify, this is not this is akin to executive session, but it's not because given the parameters of what executive session can be versus not, but given the confidentiality of some some of the information or not, we want to be able to like if there's personnel kind of conversations, but it's not distinctly a personnel matter or something like that. Am I correct in like that

185assumption? Right. >> Yes. So meeting the parameters of a legal meeting status but giving it that if there's personnel brought up. >> Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Contract strategy discussions cannot be in public session. So that is why legal council advises to go into a non-meating. So I know haven't done this in the past but this is the recommendation and it's because there's a lot of discussion that needs to occur relative to sensitive nature >> how things have been determined >> but we will not be voting on the contract in yeah >> and we're yeah can explain the contracts after we have a chance to discuss with the board but we can't legally discuss with the board um until right about this specific thing. Yeah. So, um any further we do a roll call

186vote, please. >> Yes. >> Amy, >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Sam, >> Yes. Motion passes unanimously. 9 Z. >> Thank you. So we will >> Okay. >> Now we got to figure out what >> So you should have a Oh, okay. There it is. 14 education. >> No 10th of you have double. So the 10th we have right now. >> We're still waiting on >> We're still trying to figure out the technology. >> Okay. >> Want to make sure I'm not hitting. >> Shouldn't be. But that's uh that's a lot going on. >> June 1st is also something like Tuesday and Thursday. I just want to be mindful that Okay, we're back in >> participants. >> Okay. Um All right. So, we are >> sorry about the technology. Um Okay. So, we are

187um going to contract discussion possible action on the 81864 non-instructural administrator contract. >> Are you recording? >> Do we have >> no >> recording? I'm not my computer. >> It says it's not recording. I >> It's showing stop the recording. I mean, yes. No, I didn't because we put the screen. >> It's recording. >> It's still recording. We're fine. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, make sure. >> Is there a motion? Anyone >> move to approve the agreement between the board of education of the town of Newington and the local 818-64 of council number four. Ask me AFL CIO non-instructional administrators initial bar collective bargaining agreement effective upon signing and continuing through June 30th, 2030. >> Second. Thank you. Motion a second. Is there any discussion, Miss Weaver? Um, so I just want to be clear

188about what this is. This is for the 085 group. This is for the four individuals, correct? Um that don't really have um so we went through all the comps. Um I think what's important to note about this and the next um one are that should these be voted down these would automatically go to binding arbitration and per the comparables that were shared and I think can be shared after this um they are below the median. So it is likely that given that this was negotiated in good faith by the parties um and that this was then uh comparables were used that we show was lower. The likelihood um is that we would lose. So ultimately it would be at minimum $50,000 per arbitration and then paying part of the arbitration fee um and legal fees

189and then ultimately likely the same result. Um, so I think that's just an important note that um, and these have to be approved and if they were not approved by um, the effective date June 30th, then um, that would be seen as a delay in um, what is it? Delay in process. >> Yes, >> you do missteps, >> a procedural misstep. Okay. which would then give more fodder to their side in the arbitration and I think given the state of arbitration how it looks at these collective bargain agreements is likely to favor um the unions but um I think what's important is to share the co the comps um that were found um which I know we have but um there's no apples to apples I think for this one just given um many other

190districts don't have like a food services director they contract out to like different ones so I think that one's a harder one um but This is for the 4% increase for each year. Sorry, Mr. Hollerin. Yeah, just to add what was Miss Weaver was saying too. Uh my opinion is that these contracts were negotiated or the negotiations began over a year ago in good faith using comparable data, hard data and uh failing to to approve and adopt the new contracts would result in automatic arbitration um because of a procedural uh misstep. But arbitration would get the same data that these contracts were based on. So they would very likely arrive to the same conclusion that these contracts which has been agreed upon by both parties already know except now we're adding a lot of time

191and a lot of um a lot of money to fight a contract that we negotiated in good faith that will ultimately get ratified anyways through arbitration because they're going to be using the same comparable data. as the school districts around us. >> Uh Lynn, did you have something to clarify? >> The recommended motion needs to be corrected because this is not the initial contract. It is their second contract. >> Does say initial. >> It does say initial. I amend my motion to shrink initial from the original motion. >> You can get a second modification. >> Well, >> you have to second the her modification. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Do you second it? >> Sure. >> Second. I thought >> he seconded it. So, he has a second. Yes, he has to correct it. >>

192Thank you. I >> Oh, >> yes. Strike initial from collective. >> No, I did. It's just >> second your motion. I get it because we're >> Thank you. It's late. >> Okay, go ahead. >> Um I also just want to know I asked too if there was um opportunity to renegotiate and it is that if we wrote this down um that there is no opportunity to renegotiate because it's already been negotiated and it would go to buying arbitration. So, the point of wanting to get it to a lower point if there's desire to do that is is either binding arbitration or passage. Um, and I'm not saying that's the right answer. I'm just saying that's how these contracts go. Um, so I just want to put that as a point of clarification. Thank you. >>

193Mr. Char, did you have a >> I mean like just I mean looking at looking at the the the data and then the legal counsel we got. I mean, if we vote this down, it's going to go to arbitration and uh we're going to lose. So, and it's going to cost us $50,000. So, that's my opinion. >> Dr. Stanley, >> I think this just highlights um or what good faith means in contract negotiations? How how can we honestly say this was in good faith when we don't have representation of the board? Um, and I think this is a process that needs to change. Neither party was invited to these arbitrations. It's not historically done that way apparently in Newington. Um, but this is a process that we absolutely need to readress because I don't think

194that this is truly in good faith for our taxpayers. Also, like for the non-instructional administrators, um, I would suggest that the salaries remain flexible based on market conditions. I don't agree with placing a minimum on there. I think it should, um, be based on, you know, comparable in the market that's competitively for their compensation. Uh and at the same time I think we need more reasonable caps. Uh we are just increasing the maximum wage based on these neverending uh salary increases and I don't think that our fixed income taxpayers can continue to afford this. Um and I would encourage considering something like $160,000 for an IT director for a maximum and $140,000 for other non-instructional directors. Um, and for a non-director, I would even suggest a lower cap if they don't have the appropriate qualifications,

195um, such as a supervisor of transportation. >> Mr. Nan, >> I can't support this regardless of the issues mentioned. Um, there was no minority representation or majority representation involved in any of these and it hasn't been in the past and it should be going forward. If there is not representation, I do not understand the financials. I cannot support something I don't know. >> We just want to say I think huh, sorry. Go ahead. >> Oh, sorry, Mary. Um, and also I think what's important is the comps that were used were used in negotiations. They're using Berlin, Weathersfield, Cromwell, Rocky Hill, West Harford, and Farmington, Southernington. Um, so similar to our geographic area, someone in our DUI and those kinds of things, I would say what anyone compares to our other school districts, and we're below

196all of them when it comes to like salary, not necessarily like this one doesn't have again the apples to apples comparison. Um, but I think what's important is um noting that those comps are what's being used and that's what unions are going to use and then that's what lawyers are going to use and that's what the arbitr arbitrators are going to use. So that is like the context in which we have to then negotiate in and we saying just the district. >> Miss Petus and just take a just quick moment um just to remind everybody though that decisions were made um based on data and it was data driven. The data doesn't lie. The data is what it is. Um and that we respect the the different voices that we hear. Um, but we need

197to make sure that we are making our district a district that professionals want to come to and want to stay with. And that's what enhances our students educational experience. We value that. There is value in that. And we want to make sure that decisions that we make um convey that message. They're not based on emotion. They're based on on data and the actual hard numbers. >> Sorry, one more time. I I forgot. I also want to just say that I think there's a lot of questions or comments around like the fiscal responsibility of this and it's a question of I don't think it's as fiscally responsible to vote down the contract to then send it to binding arbitration where we are likely very very likely to lose and then ultimately pay $50,000 at minimum more.

198I think that is not the responsible thing to do. So that's also of my thought process in voting for this. >> Mr. afternoon. >> It's 11:00. I'm tired of going back and forth. Can we vote? >> Okay, I won't say anything then. You can call the question or um yeah, roll call up, please. >> Mary, >> yes. >> London, >> no. Timothy Newton, >> no. >> Yes. >> Brian Stebo, >> no. >> Sam Chararma, >> yes. >> Dr. Gail Stanley, >> no. >> Jessica Weaver, >> yes. >> Motion passes 5 to four. >> Thank you. Motion. We have the NASA administrators. I move to approve the agreement between the board of education of the town of Newington and the NASA collective bargaining agreement effective upon signing and continuing through June 30th, 2030. >> Second motion

199and second. Is there any discussion? >> Um I'll just say that this this one was very clear um uh with the the comps and the salaries. um our administrators are at the very low end of compensation. Um and for a district that highly supports and respects all of the people in the school district, it um I do believe that this contract was done in good faith and it was um it was fair. Um the 092 is a shortage area in the state of Connecticut. So if these administrators or these people um that are working with our children don't feel like they're being compensated fairly, they're able to go to another district in the next town over and get significantly more compensation. Um we're lucky that they're here and we're lucky that that we have them,

200but we we should be treating them fairly um in their compensation as well as everything um else that we do to support them. And I um we can talk about the process for which these contracts were negotiated, but the decision was made over a year ago to do so without lawyers and without um the huge process that say for example our teacher contract negotiation goes through due to the size and the number of people impacted. So I um I still stand by the decision and but we can have a conversation about it and I believe and I trust in our administration team who are not part of unions. They're not unionized. Um but I believed in their ability to do the contract negotiations along with our lawyers and the union's lawyers effectively. And I will

201also just say that um the the timelines there was this they started a year ago, but there was a lot of back and forth and discussion that occurred. And so it's not that we waited until like I know this is probably going to come up, but like we didn't wait until um the budget was done to talk about it. We didn't wait until um we didn't wait we waited until they were ready. Um so the and the other one we had obviously it came up previously um in discussions while the budget was still open. Um but with this NASA one specifically um there was some language that was being revised back and forth that we're waiting on. So it's not that we're like oh here we have to actually approve this or otherwise we're going

202to go to arbitration. um if this was done correctly and the way that it needed to be done with the proper language, the salary piece of it was not holding it up because the salary portion of it is again using data and using um the comps for the same positions in other districts. Final comment too. So trigger point is not the timing of this, it's the actual that it was negotiated would then trigger the arbitration. Correct? Yes, if we Yes, if we voted it down. Second, this was um baked into the budget assumptions. So, this will not increase the budget neither of them. This was on if we remember like this chart, it had the different salary and contractual obligations. The numbers are accurate to the assumptions of these negotiated contracts. So, this will not

203impact what we had passed as a budget. >> Dr. Stanley, >> thanks. Sorry, I know it's late. Um, so I think overall the Republicans in and that we represent um require us to emphasize the need for stronger auditing and meaningful cost containment. I think all of our residents are asking us to do this as well. Our current estimates uh for our contract obligations for this year will add 5.5 million. Uh I can't imagine what it continues to add in another four years if we don't negotiate these contracts better. Uh not notably. So it's 5.5 increase for our contract obligations to our budget but our operational budget is only increasing by 5.2 million. Um that is shocking to me. Uh if salary increases are not reduced then what will we have to cut to make up

204the difference? Will it be our transportation? Will it be it? Will it be athletics? Will it be employee benefits? We're not doing PAR benefits that I know of yet because we can't afford it because of the cuts. Um or will we have to reduce our staffing? Will the burden shift to our town, forcing cuts in essential services like road maintenance, snow removal, trash collection, and emergency services? The town budget is already lean and cannot support further withdrawals from the general fund. Without serious cost control, residents will bear the burden of these higher taxes, making Newington less affordable for everybody. We also know that ARPA funding was only temporary, and many districts are now facing a multi-million dollar deficit as it expires. This makes disciplined budgeting essential for us. Contract negotiations are just the beginning of

205a broader need for long-term fiscal responsibility. I know these contracts are a small part. 800,000K. It's already built into our budget. Seems like a no-brainer, right? But every little dollar counts. This is not just a small part in the scheme of things. For perspective, Social Security increased by 2.8%. State employees received an annual raise of 2.5% over 3 years, meaning earning far less than six figures. And so this percentage increase is not as impactful. In this context, the proposed increase of four to 5% for these directors and administrators are difficult to justify. While some districts struggle with staffing, Newington does not appear to have a widespread recruitment or retention issues. Feedback on our district is generally positive with concerns mainly focused on paraprofessional benefits, which we cannot afford. Turnover data supports this, showing limited issues

206outside of parent educators. If we do not take a more disciplined approach now, we will risk setting a costly president ahead in the future for teacher union negotiations. I recommend that we start think considering a three-year contracts instead of four, which is more consistent with other Connecticut municipalities. Given current financial uncertainty, a four-year commitment is not prudent. Based on my assessment of the comparisons, I would disagree. I think that these directors and administrators are already competitively compensated. I recommend that we limit our annual increases to 2.5%. Finally, the board of ed should allow adequate time for thorough salary benchmarking and ensure that minority party representation throughout the negotiating process is happening. >> Thank you. I'll just reiterate that the the compensation numbers come directly from our lawyers and um the I looked up a Huh.

207>> Yeah. which is directly from the other contracts. Um I also looked up a couple while we were meeting earlier and saw exactly the same numbers that they presented. So um I respectfully disagree that um they were wrong. Um, and also I will al say that we can not just say 2.5%. It's that's not how um this works. It uses actual real data in real time with the information that we know of as the time as contracts are negotiated. I think the process of what you're saying and having minority representation is a discussion that we can have in the future. And again, I own that decision of allowing the contract negotiation to happen without the representation again to save money because these are the smaller contracts. The teacher contract will not have will have minority

208and majority representation. Um, also I don't personally see this as a political issue, even though it seems like it's becoming that way because this is a school system and we have to fund the school system and part of the system are these people that are represented with this in this union. Um, and I personally understand that there are people in this town that are on fixed income, but I also understand the importance of investing in our education system and the people um that are teaching our children every single day. And I don't I just can't put a price on it personally. And that's my opinion and that's what I'm how I will be voting. Um, and everybody is welcome to vote their opinions. Go ahead. >> Sorry, just two sentences. So, historically, we have negotiated

2092.5% increases for these kind of positions and other districts are negotiating 2.5 or 3% um on their next contracts or their current contracts. So, I don't think the 2.5% isn't unreasonable. Um just came out of thin air. It was based on reviewing other contracts. >> Mr. Hollerin. >> Yeah, I know it's late and we want to get on with the vote, too. I just want to reiterate a couple things just to clear up any assumptions. This was negotiated properly. This contract, it was vetted by our legal council. It is a fair rate. It's comparable. And while you're looking at other towns that might be doing an annual increase or an or not an annual, but a contractual increase of 2.5, that's because they were already well above where we were. So part of what we

210have to do is catch up and then maintain. So, it's not just saying compare percentage to percentage. When we're looking at a market value, we have to look at the dollar amount. And essentially, we were well below, we were underpaying for the value that would be provided somewhere else. So, that's not really a good comparison. This is a good contract. It is a fair contract. It's a contract that's gone back and forth. Um, wording has changed, but the data suses it out. I understand that maybe we were uh I didn't know about this contract. I wasn't involved with the negotiations. We could have we delegated it to the people who are good with contracts. But looking at it, it is a fair contract and I don't want to have the public come away and say

211like this was a terrible contract for negotiation. I can't believe we have to do this. It is a good contract. It is a fair contract. It's actually if I'm looking at as an arbitrator, we might be getting a deal because of where we have to meet with our comparables. I don't understand personally why there's such an issue with the contracts themselves. What's wrong with it? Where do you see fault? Cuz I can't find any. I'm just going to leave it there. And I suggest my opinion is unless we have merit on the actual body of the contract itself, the issue with these contracts, then we're voting on principle, not fact. I think that we need to separate those two. We are voting on this contract, not by party lines. We're voting on is this fair?

212Is this right? And at the end of the day, is this where we're going to end up? And if it is, why are we going to throw a bunch of legal fees on top of it? And I think that that is damaging to, as Jessica said, that's being physically irresponsible. We know we're physically irresponsible. It's late, too. Physically irresponsible because we know we're just that is literally throwing money out the window. We had the time to make sure the the contract was negotiated fairly to get it to this place. We have the contract. We agreed with it. And now all of a sudden we're going to say, "I don't like that contract. That doesn't make any sense to me because I can't find a flaw in it. It looks fair and it looks better than

213we probably would get from arbitration." That's it. >> Mr. >> I'm going to say it one more time. Can we vote? Because if the four minorities walk out of this room, there'll be no vote. >> Have a question. >> Mary Beatus. Yes. >> John Holler. >> Yes. >> No. >> Timothy Newton. >> No. >> Amy Parad. >> Yes. >> Brian Stea. >> We're going No. >> Sam Sharma. >> Yes. >> Dr. Gail Stanley. >> No. >> Jessica Weaver. >> Yes. >> The motion passes by four. >> Thank you. Marks by board members. I know we're all tired. I just want to say despite it being political lines, I think we all still Don't worry, I'm gonna go to a wedding with Tim. >> I know there's no hate. Exactly. Thank you. Um, just clarifying, state

214employees, I am one and we get two% and a two and a half%. So, we get the 2% cola, too. So, it's four and a half%. >> Um, but you get the you get the two and a half. So, I get four and a half%. Which would be 5544, which is 4 and a half% which is what they got. So, it's the same as what I'm getting. Um just want to clarify uh policy meeting we did in our tech why it took so long in executive session fun tech issues. Um we did clarify policy will be um June 1st at 6:30. So sorry everyone but just wanted to clarify that. Um and congratulations again just want to end on a positive note. Congratulations to our our mentees admins and then um of course our student

215reps that are doing wonderful things. And then thank you for bringing the Ed Rising program. I think it's wonderful. Thank you. Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion second. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Meeting adjourned. 114