001Told you I'd use the gavvel. [laughter] Um, I'd like to call the special meeting of the Plymouth Board of Education on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 to order at 700 p.m. Please join me in the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> I would like to entertain a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. >> Sure. >> Motion. >> Second. >> I'm not good at Who said first? Was it >> Mr. Foot. Okay. And Miss Klesa is second. Uh, all in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. Before we begin the election of our board of education officers, I'd like to take a minute to explain to
002the community and the public and the board how this process works because it really only happens once every two years. At the beginning of this meeting, we have no board of education leadership assignments. So, as the superintendent, I start the meeting. One of the first well really the first business that we have to take care of as a board is to appoint the temporary chairperson to facilitate the election of the permanent chair. So after we have a permanent chair in place, that person will then take over the election for the vice chair and the secretary and run the remainder of the meeting. A few important notes to keep in mind. One, all board of education leadership positions are two-year assignments. So, it's from now for the next two years. And we're also using paper ballots
003to vote. You do not have to put your name on the ballot you're voting on. And they will be collected and the public will have them uh for them to see within 48 hours of this meeting. Are there any questions on the board of education election process? With that, I'd like to entertain a motion to open nominations uh for the appointment of a temporary chair for the Plymouth Board of Education. >> I nominate Greg Showers. >> I second that. >> First mo is Greg. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Karen Klesa. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Listen, I know I've been the board chair [laughter] one time every two years. Give me my moment here. Are there any nominations for the temporary chair? >> I nominate Greg Showers to
004be the temporary chair. >> Secondly, >> Greg Greg Greg Showers was nominated by Jerry Bovenir and seconded by Pat Peragino. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Do I have any other nominations? >> Move they be closed. Mr. Chairman, >> second. All in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Based on only one person being nominated, Greg Showers is appointed the temporary chair of the Plymouth Board of Education to facilitate the election of the permanent chair. Greg, I have some notes for you if you want to follow me. >> Thank you. Okay. I'd like to entertain a motion to recess for purpose of caucus at 7:03 p.m. >> Second, >> Mr. All any discussion. >> Will we all caucus? Yeah. Caucus caucus together. >> Uh we can caucus as Democrats and Republicans separately or we can
005caucus together. How do how do you want to do it? It's up to you guys. >> I've only ever done it separately, but I don't Second. I would probably recommend we're all adults in the room, so we might as just caucus together. That's fine. I don't think it's the difference between whether it's a Democrat or a Republican. We're all adults in high school. >> I think we should just high school conference room if you want in the in the main office or the teachers lounge. It's up to you. >> Lounge is fine with me. >> That's fine. >> Okay. Let's go to teachers lounge. >> Settle before we go. I >> I >> No, you welcome. Oppos motion passes. [laughter] >> All right. Great. >> This all gathered up a motion to reconvene. >> Mr.
006>> I'm just going to say the time if that's okay, Mr. Showers. 709. >> And who? >> Jerry to the motion. No, Mr. Foot and then Jerry was seconded. >> Okay. Dick Foot and then Jerry. Are there any nominations for chairman? >> I nominate Karen Klesa. >> Second. >> Kelly first. >> Are there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations? >> Make a motion. They be closed. Mr. Chairman >> second. >> All in favor of Karen being the chairman say I. >> I. [clears throat] >> It's all yours. Karen. >> Okay. Thanks. >> I advocate the throne. >> Thank you. I do appreciate it everybody. >> Okay. Are there any nominations for permanent vice chair? >> I nominate [snorts] Jerry Baneer. >> Second. >> Pat. >> Jerry. Did you
007second yourself? [clears throat] >> Yeah, why not? >> I can't. >> That is confidence. [laughter] >> I'll second it. >> I don't know if you can or not, Karen. >> We'll put Dick down. Dick. He just seconded it, too. Any other nominations? >> I nominate Kelly Tolton. >> I second it. >> Kelly. >> And that is Becca and Robin. All right. Are there any other nominations for vice chair? >> Seeing none, >> like to entertain a motion to close nominations for permanent vice chair. >> Have to go three times. Ask >> three times. >> I'd like to entertain a motion to >> Three times. Any other nominations? >> Are there any are there any other nominations? >> Are there any other nominations? >> Make a motion they be closed. Madam Chairman, >> Mr. Peragino, second
008by Mr. Foot. All in favor of closing. >> I >> motion carries. >> Beth is now going to distribute uh the ballots, the paper ballots, and then they'll >> be turned into um Karen as our chair to read the >> results. Um she can do Oh, they're coming to me. You're right. You said you were going to collect them. >> Oh, you're collector also. Oh my god. >> [cough] [clears throat] >> Thank you. Okay, that was confusing. Okay, we have one, two, three votes cast for Kelly and one, two, three, four, five, six votes cast for Jerry. That makes Jerry Bourbon our permanent vice chair for the board of education. Congratulations, Jerry. >> Thank you, everybody. >> All right. And then we are moving on now to Are there any nominations for permanent secretary? >>
009How many? Pat Baragino. Second. >> Pat. And that's by Greg. And who was second? >> Dick. >> Mr. F. Any other nominations for permanent secretary? Any other nominations? No. Okay. Um, any other nominations for my third time? >> Third time. Right. >> Any other? >> No. Okay. >> All right. Pat, your turn now. >> Please close the nominations. >> Pardon me. >> You can close the comments. >> Motion to close. >> Yeah, I need a motion to close nominations. [laughter] >> So, Robin, >> anybody second? >> Second. Mr. Showers. All in favor? >> Motion carries. Um, considering there was only one nomination, Pat, you are our permanent secretary for the Plymouth Board of Education. >> Congratulations. >> Keep everyone. >> I'll educate my chair. [laughter] >> Everybody good? Would you stay where we are for
010now? >> That's fine. All right. Okay. Let's move on to item number seven, approval of minutes. Like to entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the Plymouth Board of Education of the Board of Education meeting of October 8th, 2025. >> Miss Tilson. And who was the second? Mr. Foot. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Any opposed? And any abstensions? We have Nicole, Becca, and P and Robin um abstaining. All right, that brings us to our favorite part, student representatives. >> Today, >> Tiana and Fallon, welcome. >> Thank you. Starting off with homecoming. For homecoming this year, we went with an Alice in Wonderland theme and everything turned out really well. We wait we raised about 3,000 total and split everything evenly. 1,500 went to the junior class and 1,500 went to the Leo's
011club to support their future projects. The decorations, music and turnout all made it really fun and it was great to see so many students invol involved and enjoying themselves. Last week, nine ths students attended the Close-Up Foundation's trip to Washington DC. I was one of those students. To get there, we took the Amtrak train with our social studies teacher and trip adviser, Miss Miller. Together, we participated in a comprehensive curriculum that brought us to Capitol Hill, numerous monuments, memorials, seminars, dozens of hours of workshops, lectures, discussions, and much more. We also had the opportunity to meet students from many states, some of which were California, Alabama, Michigan, and even Puerto Rico. Students will work with Mrs. Miller to share their experiences on the trip and encourage future students to participate. During the month of October,
012our National Honor Society partnered with the volleyball team to support our pink out and dig pink initiative to rec recognize breast cancer awareness month. The National Honor Society had a pink out on October 24th where students were invited to wear pink attire and donate a dollar during lunch waves. They also had pins available for sale. Then there's our Dig Pink fundraiser which we which we also held on the 24th. It was our first year participating in this. Dig Pink is a volleyball specific fundraiser where all the proceeds go to the Side Out Foundation. We held a silent auction and sold concessions to raise money. Through the generosity of our students, families, staff, and community members, we successfully raised $840 which which will be donated to support breast cancer research and patient services. Terrible High School's
013chapter of National Honor Society has been quite busy this month. They asked staff and students to donate books and then sold those books during another school event. In total, they were able to raise $125. With that money, they made a $50 donation to the Valley Parton Imagination Library and will use the rest to fund our school's first ever literary journal. This journal will include artwork, short stories, and poetry, all created by ths students. NHS also hosted a Thanksgiving food drive for the Plymouth Food Pantry. By the end, they collected 350 pounds of food that our community will be able to enjoy in the following weeks. Fall sports have come to a close. Girls soccer [snorts] made it to the corner finals in the state tournament and was awarded the Annie Pinnac award. This award is
014voted on by every program and awarded to a team that shows exceptional sportsmanship. Congratulations to the girls soccer team for this achievement. Tied into wrapping up our fall sports [clears throat] season comes a spirit week and a pep rally. This year, pep club partnered with Leo's Club in their homecoming committee to also make the pep rally Alice and Wonderland themed. Leading up to the big day included many fun themed days like Decad's day, pajama day, and twin day. One of the highlights of the pep rally was a volleyball tournament that ended with a sophomore class victory. Our drama club is putting on a fall play this year called Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion and it will be performed on Friday, December 5th at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. This is actually the first
015time in a while our school has had a fall play, which makes the experience even more exciting. This project will be student directed by Jonah Lopez in North Pole. It's the first time either of them has directed a production, and it's the first fully student directed show the drama club has ever done. The cast includes both high school and middle school students and the drama club will also be participating in Halo Awards again this year. They're really proud of how the show is coming together and can't wait to share it with everyone. Break a leg out there. Students have voiced a strong interest in our school offering another language. Among the student council, which comprises of students spanning all four grades, we found that French was the highest interest, followed closely by American Sign Language.
016We understand that the budget is tight, but another language would add choice and be more useful for some students depending on their situation or plans for the future. The PSAT has finished and scores have been sent out. Students have voice they would like more practice before they take the SAT junior year. Currently, the PSAT is optional for sophomores and mandatory for juniors. Students voice interest in the PSAT becoming an option for freshmen, too. If this change is made, students will have the opportunity to learn what areas they may need to improve on and then have an additional year to enhance those skills. We believe this will have a positive impact on our district's test scores as a result. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you as always for bringing the concerns to us, too.
017And we like to hear the good, we like to hear the bad, we like to hear the suggestions. We love to hear it all. So, >> thank you very much, ladies. And as always, you are very welcome to stay, but if you have things to do like homework, there go. >> I just want to clarify one thing. [clears throat] Just the freshman PSAT and the sophomore PSAT, are they looking to make it required or optional? >> No, optional to the freshman. >> So, it's optional to sophomores and then it's a matter of moving it down to the freshman. >> Yeah, it's currently if you're a freshman, you cannot take the PSAT through the school. >> Okay. All right. Perfect. I know you guys have a lot of tests. [laughter] >> Thank you so much. Have
018a great night. >> Karen, I have a question for the students. >> Yes. >> Last month, you you came to us and you uh had a concern about drinking fountains that were inoperable and so on. And they were repaired. >> Yes, they were. >> Uh as a group, I think you should talk to some of your classmates. tell them to stop breaking them, to stop pouring stuff down them because we have to get our janitors over there to clean them out and it takes time from their other concerns. So, you know, just tell them to be a little careful besides breaking them because we just can't be fixing them every every week. >> Thank you. >> Karen, I have one comment. Um, >> you guys should be very very proud of your student body here.
019You really should be. Okay. you raised $3,000 for two organizations in this high school, the you know, junior class and uh the Leo Club. Okay. I mean, I used to be the Leo advisor from the Lions Leo Club. And I know how um how many students used to participate, you know, from this high school. Um so that's kudos to the student body here. Okay. And then then there was another something raised what like $800. >> Yes. Okay. So, really you're looking at the student body raised like $3,800, you know, uh that's kudos to you guys. All right. That's kudos to and whoever the adviserss are, you should let them know that, you know, you did get some, you know, out of boys or out of girls from the board event because you guys did an
020awesome job. >> Thank you so much. >> The other part of that too is >> getting everyone involved. You have a lot of people involved in these events to raise that kind of money and that just builds the school spirit. So, nice job. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Have a great night. >> You too. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up is number nine, public comment. We will start with our in-person public comment. Please be advised when we start public comment. Public comment is not um we normally don't respond to that on the spot. If there is a question or an issue that is brought up during public comment, we will somebody from the board will get back to you if there is something we can get back to you on. Okay? So,
021just be aware of that that that's not something that we generally respond to right away. We'd like to give it some thought and do some research and things like that before we respond. But that being said, please feel free to >> 82 Ridge Road, uh, Terryville. I wanted to just say number one, thank you for all of the new members on the board of ed. It takes a lot to stand up um and put this kind of commitment in for time. I know I thought about it several times and I just don't have the time. So, it takes a lot of commitment. It takes a lot of guts and it takes a lot of strength and um the ability to be humble to sit up there. So, thank you very much. I wish you the
022best for your term and thank you for all you're doing no matter which side of the bench you're on. That's number one. Number two is thank you to whoever is in charge of those two student representatives. Um [clears throat] I was literally getting a flashback to college and and high school because these girls are part of something that they don't even know 20 years from now they're going to love. Um I did a trip to DC. I didn't realize it at the time. It was for the MAD National Youth Summit and it was the same time they passed the 008 law and 25 years later. I sure wish I paid more attention. Um, but those girls seem like they had a good head on their shoulders. They're asking for something that's pretty amazing. And I
023am really astonished that ASL was the second most asked for language that's pretty amazing. Um, and there's a really big market for that if they can learn that language. So, um, anyways, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else for public comment? In person public comment, there's another chance later. Uh, seeing none, do we have any online public comment? >> Not at this time. >> Okay, great. Maybe later. Um, now we're on to item 10, superintendence update. >> Good evening everyone. Um, October was National Fire Prevention Month. Throughout the month, volunteers from the Terryville Fire Department visited both Plymouth Center and Fiser elementary schools, teach our students how to prevent and respond to fires. I just would like to thank the Terryville Fire Department for working with our schools and working with our kids and
024for their continued support. On behalf of the board, I wanted to thank publicly Roxan Peragino and the Fedic the Fedicient Advisor Group. Um Roxan connected us with this group and they donated uh a number of pieces of their furniture that's in very very good shape to our school district which replaced some of our older furniture throughout our schools. And it also gave us a chance to reimagine a portion of our uh high school library up in the back corner where we usually meet as a board. Um and it was all at no cost. So I want to thank Roxanne and that investment firm for their donation. I'd like to thank the Terryville Lions Club. Each October members of the Lions Club visit Plymouth Center in Fiser and they complete vision screenings on our kids. And
025this year they completed 504 screenings and they made 47 vision referrals from our elementary school. So I want to thank our alliance club for that. Uh it's also officially that time of year and Matt kind of touched base on this last month because that was really the time of the year where uh we're working with our administr our administrative team on creating our 2026 2027 budget. So from now until the new year, we'll be working to finalize our recommended budget to the board. At the January board meeting, we are going to present present. Usually, it's Matt and I presenting our recommended budget to the board. In January and February, it's the board's turn to really start to kind of poke holes in the possible budget that you see, ask questions, and make modifications because it
026turns from technically my recommended budget to the board to a board adopted budget. And what happens at our February board meeting is that the board takes one last look at the budget and adopts the budget to be their own. We do have a timeline where that needs to be completed by February 28th because per town charter, we need to have our budget in the hands of the board of finance by the 28th. After our February meeting in March, we present our board adopted budget to the board of finance. And then in April, we have our tri board meeting with the uh board of finance, board of education, and town council. And [clears throat] our budget is set at that meeting. Are there any questions on the budget process? Okay. So, there's really not much you're
027going to hear about the budget until we get in January and we're presenting because we're really working on it as an administrative team at this point in time. Okay. With the colder weather upon us, it's a matter of time before I start to make some weather related calls about school and decisions about school. This year, I'm making a minor adjustment. I've already sent this home to parents, but I just [clears throat] wanted to say this publicly. Uh, with the way I announce the de delay of school, either a 2hour or three-hour delay or a closure of school, I will no longer be making phone calls. It will be a text message. It will be an email and it will be on the news on the TV channels, but I will no longer be making phone
028calls for delays and closures. And the reason for that is I know pretty early and the sooner I could get that message to parents the better so they could start making their plans and arrangements for coverage possibly especially for our little ones. And if I'm making that call I try to hold off because I don't want to wake up the whole house. So this way I could get the message out there as early as possible to parents. But on the other side if we're ever doing an early closing you will get a phone call from me. you will get a text message and you will get an email because at that point I want all parents to know that kids are coming back to you whether you're ready or not at a certain time. So
029we want to make sure we make everyone aware so you will get a call from me. Okay. And finally, as a reminder, the school district will be closed from Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28th for Thanksgiving. And I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving with your friends and family. That's all I have. >> Great. Uh, next item is number 11, unfinished business, our five-year strategic plan. >> Okay, that's you. >> I you looked at me. So, [laughter] we reviewed uh at our September meeting a draft of our strategic plan and how we wanted to move forward as a board. We actually haven't touched that document since that meeting. We made a decision to hold off on doing anything with that document until we had our new board in front of us because we
030only had one meeting left before we were going to be sitting here in November. So, what I'm looking for from the board is some guidance of how you want to kind of go through that plan, how you you possibly want to make some modifications, adjustments, additions, subtractions to that plan. And truly the board should adopt that five-year strategic plan as as that helps us move forward and gives us direction to move forward. Understanding that there are some things that we understand. It's a live document. It might say that we're going to have this completed by next year, but budgetary reasons might not allow that to happen or something circumstance might not happen. We just push it off to the following year possibly. But I need some guidance from the board about how you want to
031go about working through that document. Now I'm looking at you. >> Yeah, you are looking at me. I see that. Um, do we want to do that in a committee? Do we want to do it as a whole board? How do we want to >> How does anybody feel like they want to handle that? >> I think that should be a whole board thing. >> Yeah, I probably do it as a whole board. Just a meeting that we can >> a series of workshops or something like that. Serious. Yeah. >> So, like like we do with the budget. >> Yeah. like we do with the budget, but then we go through this. >> So, we can have a strategic plan, but uh workshop. >> That's that's totally fine. We could do a workshop for strategic
032planning. Um the the my next question would be before the holidays because once we get past uh the new year, our focus is really going to be budget and the budget process. So, do we want to try to get this tackled between now and the holiday break? >> Um or do we want to push it put after budget? Your call. I just have a couple questions. Is this something that needs to be submitted into the state? And if so, is there a deadline for it to be done >> there? This is nothing to do with the state at all. This has to This is our board in kind of giving us a a long range plan for improvement. >> Is there a deadline as to when it should be done or when you would like
033to see it done? >> For for me, the sooner the better. Um, it just it gets the process going that much sooner. [clears throat] To be honest, a lot of the items in there we're trying to tackle either way within the timeline that's in there in the draft. It's just a matter of if you want to add additional things that we need to focus on, we we need to know that. So, the sooner the better, but it's really up to you on how you want to move forward. If you want to do it before the holiday, >> let's have a let's have a meeting before the holidays. Everybody just make sure that you have your questions and concerns and everything ready to go for the workshop and maybe we can get it done in one
034workshop. >> Well, yeah, whatever we need. And so I'll have Pat, if it's okay, kind of pull the board um after the meeting, you know, tomorrow or the next day. You'll get an email from her trying to align some dates and see if we can get some things going. Okay. >> Uh in the evenings. Okay, >> sounds good. >> Perfect. >> All right. Now, we're up to new business. First item is Boys and Girls Club discussion and guidance. >> Okay. So, for the Boys and Girls Club, I was asked to place this on the agenda. Um, and um, it really is a decision of the board. I know there's been some confusion by some board members asking me, why is this on the board agenda? It really is a board topic to discuss, and I'm
035going to explain to you why. Um, right now we don't have a signed agreement with anyone to do our before and after school programming. We kind of have a a gentleman's agreement kind of with the learning center, and we've been using the learning center for a number of years. And we have some athome daycarees that we utilize or or that are utilized in town as well. Um, and if we went to a a model of using the Boys and Girls Club, it could impact those businesses um in a negative way. But we would also need to sign a contract of some sort as a board with the Boys and Girls Clubs to allow them to use our facilities and our buildings. And so in doing that, we're basically making them like an official partner of
036the Plymouth Public Schools in the before and after school programs that they're going to offer. So it truly is a board decision on how we want to move forward. understanding that there could be a line of people and I'm not sure if there will be that could be quite upset with that decision from either the learning center or these at home daycarees that could it it could be impacting negatively. So, with regard to this, I was asked to place it on the agenda. [clears throat] Um, Nicole, I hope you don't mind. It was by Nicole. Uh, >> I already told everyone. [laughter] >> And so, [clears throat] um, you know, I don't know how we want to move forward with that as a board. So, that's up to you guys on how you want to
037do that because I've done no real research on this topic of Boys and Girls Club. I haven't met with any. I did meet with someone when I first came in off of Nicole's recommendation back four years ago and I didn't really move on it because I was concerned with the impact on the other other um organizations and companies out there. So, uh it's up to the board on how you want to look at. >> Is there an age limit on this or >> for the boys and girls club? It would be basically Plymouth Center, Fiser and Eli Terry for before and after school programming I believe. and doing what in the after school program. >> I I don't know for sure, but I believe the Boys and [clears throat] Girls Club >> I've had zero
038meetings or discussions about this at all yet until today. >> Well, I can I can tell you what they do at my We have a Boys and Girls Club section at my school and Oh, you do? >> Yeah. They have a structured after school. Before school, it's um much shorter period of time. Yeah, obviously, but that's very structured as well. They, you know, they have breakfast, they [snorts] um have time to do some schoolwork, things like that. that they have activities for them to do and it's the same thing after school. It's very structured. They have outdoor play, indoor play, you know, homework time, help with homework. There's counselors there and things like that. So, that's how it's run at my school. That's all that's all I can speak to on that. >> Right. The
039only reason I ask, and Karen, you probably remember years ago, we did a little partnership with the YMCA in Planeville >> and we let them use Fiser School for it was teenagers at that time. And after three weeks, uh, superintendent and the business manager took me down there and showed me their destruction. >> At that time, we had soda machines and candy machines. They were all smashed on a Monday morning. We had to go down. Rugs are ripped and so on. Come to find out, when we investigated, we found out that there was teenagers, but they had teenagers supervising teenagers. So, you know what that is? You get a couple 17 or 18 year olds together. That's why I asked what age limit. You know, the younger ones I I I can understand. >> But,
040uh, get to the teenagers, it's uh, I mean, there should be something for kids in town. I I agree 100%. The only thing that we used to have I I well, we started a junior core in the fire department, but that was the only thing that they have. But, uh, there should be something for the kids in town. I'm looking at the teenagers, and I guess you're looking at a younger age group. So, >> so that makes a difference. >> Yeah. This is more of a a before and after school care type situation, not activities for teenagers. >> Yeah. And and for the for the older I used to belong to the Bristol Boys Club >> and I used to go down there on Laurel Street >> and then, you know, when when I got
041a little older driving a car, I didn't want to go down there anymore and >> went up to Torington. Better places up there to go to. So, >> yeah. That's where they're based out of stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, >> I just have a quick question. Is this actually through the Boys and Girls Club organization or is this us making our own for and after school care? >> This would be through the Boys and Girls Club. I had no intention of creating our own before and after school. >> Have we looked into what it takes to start this? >> We haven't looked it into anything yet because we want to discuss it as a whole board first. I almost feel like this could go to a committee because I think we have to look into
042not only the rep the repercussions to those other businesses but um you know try to get a handle on what are they going to be offering that is different what those costs what the contracts might look like um what kind of liabilities things like that >> I think there's some questions that we >> yeah when it was first brought to us that's exactly what I had said to Nicole was that it probably would be best for a committee to do some research on this and then bring it back, you know, as either a recommendation or a non-recommendation to the full board. So, if there are anybody anybody who is um maybe if there's anybody who's interested in being on that committee, you can email me and then I'll put together a committee if that's makes
043sense. Yeah. >> Will there be input from other community members as well? like will [clears throat] there be an impact to um like little league or the rec park parks and wreck department if they're bringing in programs will that negatively impact >> you know kids signing up for boys and girls club versus parks like I think they need >> yeah they don't generally do it's not it's not usually for the before and after care it's not generally like a baseball team type thing it's it's more just them playing out on the fields it's not >> generally a a organized team type thing. At least that's how it is at my school. And ours has been there for the whole time that I've been working there, which is 20 something years to work at the one
044in Huffle >> and I mean Yeah. And it it's very there. It is very wellrun. But she the one the woman who runs it in my school is phenomenal. She's amazing. >> But um I think it's worth the research to do that. So, um, if anybody would like to email me if you are interested, >> we're actually going to I think Pat and I were going to put together when we get to committees, uh, because we want to see who wants to be part of what committee and we don't want to just assign people to committees that they might not have any interest in. >> Right. >> So, when we get to that, if we want to talk about it further, >> that can be part of whatever committee >> I'll put it down as
045as we'll put it as a committee, then we'll talk about it later. Is that okay? >> Sounds good. So, that'll be a committee decision to make. >> Yeah, it's good. Yeah. Good information. Gather it. >> All right. Next up is donation of electric cars. Mr. Falconee. >> So, it's the Electrathon cars. Uh, we used to have an Electrathon program at the old high school back years and years ago. And Mike Grella, the old tech ed teacher, ran the Electraathon. Um, it was a club slash it sounds like it was more of a club. when I I spoke with Mike, he came in and met with me and um he wanted to know if we had any interest of bringing that back to our schools and unfortunately we don't have the machines um to to put
046these cars together. We don't have the supplies to put these cars together. It is pricey and we don't have the knowledge and expertise with our teachers to put this together and we're not sure about student interest at that point, but we don't have three out of probably the four things to put this together. And so I explained that to Mike and he was very understanding. So then he asked if it's possible because we have three cars that he worked on back in the day with his students that are in our big shed in the back. They're up on on the the second floor. and he asked if we could donate those to him so he can utilize those with a school that's starting up a program or that has a program currently. And so that
047would be a board decision on whether uh the board felt we could donate those electric those former electron cars that we used because we're not going to bring the program into our district. So >> all right. So I'd like to entertain a motion to donate the electric cars that are 19 years old to Mr. Michael Gerrella, former technology teacher for a new program he is starting. >> So move >> Mr. Peragino. Second >> me, >> Mr. Bourbaner. >> All right. Now we can discuss. Does anybody have any questions? >> What are these cars? >> Well, we're not using them. I mean, >> I just curious what they are. Are they like little? >> Yeah, they're it's like a go-kart almost. They're bigger. They're bigger. You can actually drive in a shed somewhere. >> Box car
048like the old box. They're probably the size of your TV. >> These two tables. >> Um >> Okay. >> And they're up in the barn. They've been sitting up there. >> They're in different fashions of assembly, >> but they're all salvageable >> for a program, >> but not something we foresee that we're ever going to be able to use. Right. >> No. to get money for if >> he wasn't offering money. Uh he he basically said when he ran it 20 over 20 years ago now um he got donations to to run it. A lot of a lot of it wasn't board funded and he had a lot of people come in from the outside to help him >> design and and when metal needed to be bent he would go to companies and have
049them bend it and and different things like that. So I just >> Yeah. He had engineers from GE working with him on it. >> Oh wow. >> I remember that. >> Yeah. Yes. He said he had a lot of his foot. Did you have a question? >> What was his plan to do with them? >> Any any school that's starting off a program or some current schools that are running programs? He was going to donate them to them. >> So he was just going to repurpose them. He actually runs >> I guess they do races at different parks. >> Yes, he do. >> And so he's the one that runs those races. sees the the uh winch pins for all that stuff. So, >> when they had the program here was a very good program
050and it was running and I think they they even had some co trophies and some racks down there where they I think they ran a blime rock and everything else would >> that's where he goes lime rock. >> So, you know, because I know I know Mike very well. I remember the program. I used to go with him. But it's uh you know, we're not going to use them. And >> and back then student involvement here was pretty high back then. Student involvement with that with that program was was >> very heavy. You're right. Very very heavy. >> And I'm going to tell you similar to this in my former high school, we didn't have a an Electrathon car. We but we started a robotics club >> and we had we we worked with other
051it cost a significant amount of money. Um not significant cost money um and we had donations and it had people come in. It reminded me of this when I was talking with Mr. umbrella about how like people came in with different expertise to build a robot that did different things and we competed in different robotics competitions and schools helped out other schools to get to a better level because that's what it was about. It was about like learning and seeing if you can get this robot to do certain things, take a tennis ball and throw it in a trash can, whatever it might be. Um, so if if we were going in my personal opinion, this is just me, if we were going to go into a direction of a different kind of club that
052offers something different, I feel through just my own experience as a high school principal, bringing in the robotics kind of aligns to more of what kids could utilize skill sets and write on resumes when they leave compared to an electric car kind of thing. But that's just me. So >> any other questions or discussion? Okay, there is a motion on the floor. So we will vote. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Motion carries. Donate away. >> And we have one more donation uh for the Plymouth uh food service program. So, we have an alumni that is wishing to stay anonymous who would like to pay the bill for all of our reduced lunch students that have a balance to pay. Um, and so because it is a donation, we have to accept that
053donation. Right now, the amount is approximately >> it's about it's about $320 right now [clears throat] because it is just for the reduced kids. >> Yep. And so we just need the board to accept that donation and then we'll take care of it uh with that individual on the side. >> Okay. I'd like to entertain a motion to approve the request of a Tville High School alumni and their parents who would like to make ongoing donations to the Plymouth Food Services Program in order to bring negative balance negative account balances for the district's qualified reduced payment students to zero. As of last week, the reduced student negative balance was approximately $320. >> So moved. >> Second, >> Mr. Showers. Second, Mr. Bouvenire. >> Any discussion on that? How very generous of >> Very nice. >>
054Thank you. >> Very nice. >> Um, all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? [clears throat] Abstensions? Motion carries. Send our sincere thanks to them. So >> that's a wonderful thing they're doing. All right, on to item number 13. Business managers report and personnel report. Mr. Falcom, >> what has me on here because I didn't know if Matt was going to be back or not. So we can we can hand this one over to Matt. >> Mr. Tenza. >> Uh so actually thanks for moving the meeting from last week to this week because I get to be here. >> Worked out for you. Uh, and let me welcome Nicole and Becca Robin. And congratulations to Jerry and Mr. Foot. Um, >> I'm looking forward to working with you all. So, >> I got elected, too.
055>> Yay. But you were here. [laughter] >> Um, so the big thing that happened in the business office in the month of October is Robin Gudachowskis after more than 20 years with the district has elected to retire. So, she actually is officially retired effective November the 14th. Um, I cannot thank her for enough for her time, the um dedication she's given to the district and frankly made my life so much easier coming on board here and helping me with with transition. Uh, we are going to definitely miss her. Um she has also agreed generously to come back and um help train our new business office administrative assistant who I can also now tell you happens to be in this room which is Meredith Patel. So she joins us as uh my new business office um
056admin assistant. So we're happy to have Meredith. Um so that's the big change in the business office. Okay. So, now we'll go to kind of the nuts and the bolts. [clears throat] This year's budget continues to move along as expected. Um, the budget is open. I haven't had any conversations about closing the budget at this point. Um, if you remember last year, we had a very early conversation about perhaps freezing the budget. Right now, I don't anticipate that we need to do that. Um uh you can see for 2425 I still have $4,400 sitting out there of which $4,100 of is a Johnson Controls PO for a fire alarm system that we're waiting for them to invoice us for the part that we finally have and then I can close this out. So happy about
057that. Brian already touched on 2026 27 budget. Um, we have already um basically loaded all of the salaries for next year. Now I'm working on the benefit portion of it. The administrators are working on their building portions of the budget. And as Brian said, between now and January, we'll be working um long, hard, and late getting all of that rolled up so that we give you a a good, responsible recommended budget in January. >> [clears throat] >> Um, food services, food services continues to perform as expected. We had a profit in the month of October. We're very happy about that. Um, it was enough that we wiped out the the beginning of the year always we operate in deficit, right? We have a lot of expenses to pay up front and we have to work
058that off. We have already wiped out that deficit for this year so far. We will have some months where we're going to have a deficit and that's because of the n number of operating days and how vacations fall, but um Jess Peterson and her staff are doing a great job. Um and we're we're continue to move along. We do have an an a state administrative review which is now scheduled for January 7th, 8th, and 9th. um which we're working diligently to make sure that we are ready for that and we'll none of us have been through it before. So, it's going to be last time it was done was 2017. >> So, we're we're working hard to make sure that we're in good shape. I don't anticipate any problems, but I'll be I would lie
059if I said we're going to be perfect. The state just doesn't work that way. So, they're going to find something and that's I take those as a good thing. Those are things that we get to work on. Um, in October, uh, Pat Paragino and I attended a capital projects committee meeting. Um, we were with the capital committee for probably an hour. You say, >> Pat, >> uh, I presented 11 project proposals totaling nearly $8 million. Um, I think that we caught them a little bit by surprise by the sheer >> Yes, we did. >> high volume of how much those projects would be. And those projects were our roofs. They were our driveways. They were the big projects that I report to each and every month. Um, but I put them in their format, gave
060them the paperwork they wanted, and I think it was relatively wellreceived. There were some questions that came back to me that that um were I kind of caught off guard, I guess. But overall, uh, the meeting went well. we'll be back in front of them again and at least we now have a focus on our needs which we didn't have before. >> So, I think that that went well and I thank Pat for joining me for that. Um, I had told you at one point that we needed some uh eight new cooling valves here in the high school because we had things [clears throat] failing. If you remember that quote was for $33,000. Um we by working with HS we did find another contractor that we can work with and that right now that quote
061is for about $27,000 for the eight units. So it's uh we do have some quoted savings. So we are going to move forward with that. Those items are on order and should be coming in. We want to get that going before the really cold weather gets here. We've actually been very fortunate with the weather we've had. And then finally and Pat already touched on it. Um the the students brought up some issues that were here in this building and um what the way I wrote it in my report honestly probably comes across as being a bit defensive, but I wanted to point out that they brought something up that made it sounded like we've known about it for a long time, but we found about it found out about it the day before the meeting
062and we had it all addressed by the following week. So sometimes things are presented. I just didn't want the board to think that so was sitting on anything is came to our attention. Jim Maison and his staff were on it and it's been taken care of. So with that, I turn it back to you unless you have questions. I see Kelly doesn't have a whole bunch of stickers, but there's questions here. >> Um [laughter] >> um I do have a question about the heating and cooling units. Is that like wear and tear that's typical for a building of this age now? >> Right. So the the heating system here is 18 years old. So it's just as they went through the the software and they were checking the system to turn it over for the
063heating, they found that those eight were either had already failed or were on the verge of. So we're just >> and that could lead us to having like those broken pipes down the road if we don't fix those. >> It's about distribution, not about the actual heating. Okay. is the things that control those. >> One more. I apologize. Um, with all of the happy news with our needing those long-term subs, I see that that line item on page I think it was five with the building subs that was in like two different sections. Are you going to merge those to help? I know that won't cover the whole deficit, but will that help put a dent in that? >> Yeah, I will be. I mean, I I try to do my transfers when I realize,
064okay, I'm at a point where I can make this transfer and it's going to kind of stay that way for the year. >> Okay. >> With the amount of long-term subs that we have, Miss Milo, >> sorry. >> Um, >> I have a lot of >> it will take it will take a little longer. So, you'll probably see that deficit run through, but I'm confident that we're going to have enough overages in other places that we'll be able to take care of that. >> I do have a question. >> Sure. um maintenance supplies and things that were supposed to be getting reimbursed from the maintenance company. When do we expect to get reimbursed? Is there a timeline for that? Is that >> So, it's an it's an ongoing for this year. It's it's sort of
065ongoing. And right now, the reason it's hasn't been reimbursed is that that's on me is I have to sit through and sift through all the invoices. And while I don't want to make this an excuse, I just haven't done it. Um, but I'm working very closely with Tony Carter, who is the regional manager for HES, and we both have an agreement that this is what's going to be owed to us. I just have to get them to put it on an invoice is really what it is. So, as but then you still will see it because the reason we're seeing it is we do use some contractors that we're paying directly and then they're reimbursing us because they're not setting them up as vendors yet. So, it's a very small number, but the easiest example
066is we use the local hardware store >> and they're not going to set up an account with them. So, we'll just continue to transfer, but um you'll see in my notes when I talk about negative balances that we're going to get those credits back and we will. >> And another question about the um maintenance. I know last year when you guys switched to that the contract was it said or it was talked about at the meeting that they would revisit it after a year. When will that contract be revisited and will the board have input on that? >> So there's not a revisit after >> No, I I I think I know what you're talking about. I think we were talking about staffing and if we hired people that left, they would be less and
067then they would reimburse and we revisit that. I believe that's what it was. It wasn't so much the contract. I believe the contract is set. >> Contract is set >> for how many years? Is it three-year contract? I think it was three. I don't know if it's your fault, >> but I think the discussion I could be wrong, Robin, I I but I thought it was about if we we were where we had our salaries they felt were higher than what they would hire people at. So if someone left, they would possibly hire at a lower salary and then that difference would be >> comes back to us. So I could be wrong though. I don't know if that's the question you were asking. You're right about what you're talking about, Brian, but there was
068not a a revisit as far the contract, I believe, is three years. >> Okay. >> Um there's a renewal um cap, right? So, I believe that it was set at either cost of living or 4% is the most like that's the cap. It could only go up 4%. It was based on where that economic indicator came in. But regarding staffing is if we elected to add staffing then it would adjust the salary of the contract. The salary of the contract if we hired new staff at lower rates the district would pick up savings for that on the other side. >> So >> any other questions for Matt? >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Go right ahead. Um the capital improvements, do you know the timeline on when we should be hearing about especially for the ones
069that are coming up in the next year to two years? >> Uh not type situation. >> So the capital improvements, all of my proposals went to the capital committee. >> They review all of the requests. They make recommendations to the board of finance and the finance decides what they're put in. Okay. >> We may not hear anything until they put the budget in front of the town and say this is in the capital. >> Okay. Um and I saw that it said on here to like replace exterior stairs at Plymouth Center. Are the Fisher stairs the exterior stairs on like the budget for this coming year? Because I know there's caution tape up. So the the I'll start with Plymouth Center is we have capped all of the exterior stairs at Plymouth Center to eliminate
070the safety concern that I have there. >> Um and that job is complete. We did that internally. >> Okay. And at Fiser, you'll see it is roped off the side stairs there because we >> um again internally we we drilled re but we put rebar into the existing um crumbled stair area and we put a new form and we poured a patch here. So we are addressing any of the safety concerns here. At some point that will probably be a bigger project. >> Okay. >> But I [clears throat] bandated it I guess is the best way to put it. >> Okay. the kids the kids will be able to use it. Okay. >> There should not be a safety concern and someday some way that 60 plus year old building will have to do something.
071>> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Matt, my question is about resurfacing the high school parking lot at $880,000. Is just that reass? Well, I'm sure they're gonna have to mill it. Okay. And then they're gonna have to reassalt. Does is that just that or are they going to look at the concerns of the base? >> That quote I think I put a notation on there is simply for the resurfacing taking the existing out resurfacing it. We estimate rough estimate to do it properly. Pull all of the substrate out and recompacted with the appropriate materials to be somewhere close to that number. So really it doubles what that estimate is. >> All right. So we're probably looking at >> but because I don't have because I don't have a quote because the company that
072came out >> didn't do that work. >> All we could do was was their best guess, but I didn't want to put that number down >> because I didn't have a I don't have something solid to say to you that this is it. So that's really just resurfacing which as we know is not the right action to take because otherwise you're just doing it again in 10 years. Like that's that's not the way you should do it. >> Okay. So, that was my only question. >> We also explained that to the capital improvements committee. >> Yeah. They actually had an addendum to the quote. It was in my pack. It was >> the packet that I gave them for that project. I had that attached to it so that they would know that that was
073there. >> Okay. >> I highlighted it. Anyone else questions for Matt? >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Mr. Falcone, the uh >> personnel report. >> Yeah. And the only thing I would bring to your attention is that we have two current openings. Uh they're not new to to our um budget. They are in our budget. one is a fifth grade teacher and as I I explained to the board in in a previous email that we knew that resignation was coming. It was more mutual uh than a one-sided resignation. Um and then the other is the special education uh resource teacher at the high school. We just cannot find someone to fill that position. And so um we're we're paying overages and things to cover the IEP hours on students, but we really do
074need that position. So, uh, we just have there's there's no one out there. So, we're doing our best. >> Any questions for Mr. Fel personnel? >> All right. Seeing none, we will move on to item 14, public comment. We will start with our in-person public comment. Please join us at the podium if you have any public comment. [clears throat] >> Hi, everybody. >> Hi. Um, I'm Alicia Power at 18 Ronald Road. Sorry. Um, I am also the director at the learning center. Um, sorry, one second. Um, I just wanted to say a thank you to some of the board members who called um to just kind of chat with me about the Boys and Girls Club, you know, option. I wanted to just kind of alleviate some stress that the learning center won't feel any
075sort of way, you know, towards anyone. We actually do not hold a license at PCS anymore because there's no need. Um, we only had 15 kids enrolled, so it really wasn't necessary to hold the license there anymore because there wasn't a need for afterare. We bust the kids back to the center um and they are with us there. We do however hold the license at Fiser. That's something that's a four-year license that we just renewed. Excuse me. Daycare holds. [laughter] Um so that is something to consider. Um I know you guys are discussing that um that we hold that license for four years. So Boys and Girls Club wouldn't be able to come into Fiser um until that license is up. Um, I do know a lot of the ins and outs of getting a
076license for that. So, if anybody wants to chat, I'm happy to chat. Would love transparency. You know, if anyone wants to call the learning center and ask information, just say, "Hey, it's so and so from BOE. You know, what's your license capacity? What's your your fees, it's not a secret. We're very happy to share." And, you know, we've partnered with the BOE in Terryville for a long time and Plymouth. And, you know, we've been here for 40 years. So, you know, we're going to continue to serve Terryville. We're nonprofit. We're not looking to do anything except serve the community. So, I just wanted to put my myself out there. And if anybody has any questions about holding >> Can you repeat your name just in case anybody >> Power? >> Alicia. >> Power. >> Yeah.
077>> Thank you, Alicia. You're welcome. Hi, Candace South again. 82 Ridge Road here, Connecticut. Um, I just want to say um it deserves to be said that Robin uh is going to sorely be missed. I was at Plymouth Center for over 10 years and now I'm at Fiser and high school and be back at the middle school and Robin Gurachis is one of the gems of the board of education and I just I've worked with her so many times and it's always been easy. It's always been professional and it's always been thorough and I love that. But I'm very excited for the new one, too, cuz I hear she's just as good. So, um, that's the first thing I wanted to say. Number two is, you know, with budget season coming, I'm um hoping that
078with the end of football season, I'll be able to make some of the workshops for once this year. Um, so you'll hopefully see a lot more of me. And, um, I also just wanted to say, Matt, thank you. um there are not a lot of board of eds that have someone that can explain those things in such a way that people understand that are not in the accounting world. So I can appreciate that but thank you. >> Hi, I'm Meredith Patel uh to Fair View Avenue in Tville. I just wanted to come up and say thank you for deciding to do what you did with the Electrathon cars. Um my husband actually was very very heavily involved in that program when we were in high school. He was one of Mr. Bella's honestly like a
079teacher's pet if you will. Um [laughter] but he he built probably one and a half two of those cars and um I have a lot of good memories at Limerock um with Mr. Grella. It was a really special time. It was a really special program and I just really like hearing that those are going to be passed on to some other children that will hopefully have just as much fun and make just as great memories. So, thank you for that. >> Anyone else for public comment? >> Do we have any online? No online public comment at this time. >> Whenever I think to ask, we don't have when I forget, we do. >> All right, moving on to item 15, committees. So, this is something that we have begun discussing already. Um, I think we
080have a general consensive consensus. um among the people who were here at the time that we should try to narrow it down to like three committees. That way we're not overburdening anyone with meeting dates. Um to our new members, I'm sure you you were here in the audience when we discussed it anyway probably. Um so you pretty much are up up on what committees are usually all about. All of you have served on committees. You know what committees do and things like that. Um, so is everybody comfortable with having those three overarching committees that we can form based on the interest survey that Mr. Falconee was talking about. >> What were the three committees again? >> That's that's what I was going to ask. What are we I can't remember what we were saying. >>
081Matt made a really nice >> Yeah, Matt had a good three. >> He did it really nice for you guys on paper and all that and it's on my desk and I forgot to make copies. Beautiful. >> [laughter] >> So, I don't know if we want to send Miss Milo over real quick to go grab it and make copies for everyone. You want to do that? >> I just thought about it. >> Finance operation. >> Yeah, I want to say Yep. Communications. >> What they are? >> So, the three overarching committees is the first one was finance and operations. >> Yep. >> And that was that's pretty kind of all encompassing of anything that has to do with the budget and finances. transportation, food service, facilities and maintenance, you know, all those kind of things
082that honestly sort of run through the business, right? >> One big um umbrella. The second one is curriculum and instruction. >> Um I had a really nice write up for it, but since I >> We'll get it. We will we'll see it. We will see it. >> So, and then the last one, it was called um community engagement and communication. um those and and you can kind of fit everything into all three of those silos. And there was a lot of questions about policy. And my experience on the board in the town that I live on because I was on there for eight years and chair for three is policy became an ad hoc. You really only do it twice a year. Um, and that sort of became an ad hoc where you would put
083some folks together, you'd go through the new policies, they would come back to the board and make those recommendations, but it only happened when you had to do policy. >> Negotiations too. I I that's what I had written down in my notes. ne um negotiation >> negotiations run their finance and operations, >> but the people who actually sit through the negotiation process. It becomes a secondary >> in in to be honest, I mean Beth, myself, and Matt talked about having the three committees >> and how it would work with the board because there's nine members of the board, three on each committee. There's only three people in central office, too. There's Matt, myself, and Beth. There's no one else we have. So, if we had those three committees where things fell under them, we would
084be able to service a committee each and we might show up to different committees, but um where you would have us as as a point person that would obviously be finance and operations. Beth would probably be communications and I would be curriculum and instruction. Um and so we would kind of look at if that's what the board wanted to adopt for committees and kind of put those subcommittees underneath. Uh it would work based on our our central based on having three people in central office. >> Yeah. >> So I think what we should go forward unless anyone has major um [clears throat] discussions on this, I think we should go forward with those three committees, subcommittees, sorry. Um Pat can maybe send out an interest survey on which committee you would be interested in, maybe
085your first and second choice just in case because you know if all nine people want to be on finance, all nine won't want to be on finance. Um, you know, it's, you know, somebody's got to do the other ones. Sorry. Sorry. >> But I think it's important that Matt spoke pretty quickly about what would fall under each of them. Yes. When we send the survey out, those will be listed there so you can better see. I just don't want you to rush in making that decision. Right. >> The other piece too I have to bring to your attention, similar to what Matt said, there are some pieces that are on my desk right now that we have to put ad hoc committees together for if it doesn't fall under these. One is policy. Like Matt
086said, policy happens basically two times a year. Usually in November. Right now, you'd be doing a first read of policies that have been put out through Shipman, but we didn't have a policy committee, so I don't have a first read for you tonight, but they're on my desk for December. Um because we really have to get those policies in as soon as possible. A lot of them are legislative changes, but we can go over that with that policy committee. The other is we have to put together at some point. uh it doesn't have to be immediate, but we have a negotiations committee we have to put together as well for uh the nurses contract because they have a bargaining unit. So, we're going to have to put that together uh to to work as an
087ad hoc as well. And then again, if we're going to do the Boys and Girls Club, that would be a third one that we put together, but that one might fall under communication, >> right? can fall into one of the other it's sort of between >> like finance operations and >> communication >> well I don't know where it falls because >> could be anyone >> feel like it's more engagement >> we'll we'll find a place for it though so when you get the survey you'll >> engagement so >> all right so we will all be looking forward to that email you have the paper that has kindly gotten for us and you can take some time to look it over and decide. Like I said, it give me your first and second choice. Um, we
088probably will have something on there about leadership. You know, somebody will have to be in charge of those committees. So, you'll have to have a chair and all of that. Um, but we can discuss that as it gets further. Does anybody have any questions about committees or how we're going to >> How many people should each committee have? >> Three. >> Generally speaking, three. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Each committee would made well my is each committee is made up of three people. >> As board members, you're welcome to go to any of the committees meetings, but it's really just three working committee members. >> Yeah. And they're usually open to the public and all of that. It's just a, you know, another meeting that we have that just happens to be smaller. All right. Any
089other questions about that? No. Okay. Let's move on to our board liaison's report. This is another thing um I think Pat is also planning on sending out um what you might be interested in as far as um being a liaison to one of our schools or there we also have um what is it at Advance at Advance which is our our regional resk um that you can learn more about. It's it really is a great meeting to go to. They're easy. They're not difficult. A lot of them are on Zoom. they only have them in person a couple times a year, but um it is something to consider. Um and then we will get that interest survey as well if you're, you know, interested in being the liaison to a certain school or something like
090that and we'll have those assignments for the next meeting as well. Does that sound good to anybody? Does anybody have any reports from anything that they've been to? >> Yeah, I was there [clears throat] last. >> Okay, go right ahead. Okay, let's hope I don't get it wrong because the president is sitting next to >> you can kick him if you want. >> Okay, the school Yeah. [clears throat] school Yeah. I slow down. School store sales $694. Right. >> Right. >> And the funny thing was the big sellers were hand sanitizers and chapstick, believe it or not. And we we have 48 members over at Fisher. Correct. >> 40. >> Oh, 40. Oh, 41 now. >> 41 now. I joined. Okay. So, there's 41. Okay. Change. >> December 1st is a holiday bazaar. Bingo night
091is December 4th, 6 to 8. And 2526 budget was approved last night. Updated bylaws were approved. The Halloween parade very successful, right? Okay. And the food drive they picked picked up over 600 items which is very good. Very good. >> And that's it. >> Okay. Did anybody else attend any meetings that they would like to speak on? >> I have a PTA here at the high school. >> Great. High school. >> Uh they're in the preliminary uh phase of getting ready for grad grad night. Uh the lyman pie cookie sale. Uh, cookie dough and pie sale, I should say, is done. And, uh, did pretty well, I guess. I got a couple of them in my freezer right now. Uh, designer bag bingo. It's going to be on Saturday the 8th of November. >> Gone.
092Sorry. Uh, donation letters will go out in January. Grad signs will be in April. Uh they're going to have an IGA roundup in May. Uh after grad will be June 11th at least at preliminary plans for it. Uh they're looking for members. If you're got kids in high school, we they would very much like to have membership. >> Yeah. As always. Yeah. And they are fundraising solely for the aftergrad party. I'm assuming that's the same as if the aftergrad party. That's what their fundraisers primarily are for. >> This is basically >> and some scholarships as well they have. Yeah. So >> support your Terryville High School PTSA. >> All right. Any other reports from any other places? >> Um we had >> our meeting of tomorrow, right? >> Oh yeah. >> Well, there you go.
093>> I mean last month I guess >> you if you have anything to this morning we had a dance in October that was really fun. you have holiday shop coming up. Um the middle schoolers, it's it's so funny to watch them because you think that they're grown and then they come in and watching them shop for people. Yeah. And themselves is really funny. Um it's really entertaining actually. Um but really nothing more than that. It's quiet now till the >> We like that. We like quiet >> till the beginning. We're going to have another dance in February. So >> Okay, great. All right. We are moving on to item 17, board comments. Mr. Falcco, would you like to start? >> I would if that's okay. One, I have a great fundraiser for both of your
094schools. [laughter] >> I know I see you staring because I mentioned it to you. Um, it it deals with wrestling. Um, I know a former WWF wrestler and he puts on these uh fundraisers and it usually packs the house. So, Matt will be mad that we're using the gym for possibly bringing in a ring, but I think it's awesome and worth it. So, I'll let you know all about that after the meeting. Um, I really wanted to take a second to welcome our new board members. Um, similar to what Miss Telky said, uh, you know, it does take a lot of your time and effort to be up here. Um, I want to thank the returning board members. I know a lot of you went through the election process to be back on the board.
095Four years is a long time. Um, and so to commit th to this for four years, I really want to thank you for what you're doing for the schools, the teachers, and the students. Uh, it really is appreciated, and I look forward to the professional development that most of you are going to be going to um on on Friday and spending some time with you guys at that professional development for for boards of education. It's welld deserved. So, thank >> you. All right, let's start with you, Mr. Peragino. Any board comments? >> Oh, yes. >> No, just want to welcome all the new members and can't wait to work together with them. And Mr. Showers and I just have a comment. Uh, for years they used to put signs up there, board of education parking,
096and Greg and I had a park all the way down the other. So, that's getting tough. So, we got to start putting signs up. I don't know where them signs are, but we bought them. I'll I'm going to point my finger at Matt. >> How did you [laughter] have to park way down? I parked like right near Close. >> There used to be six of them by the the guardrail over here and then in this hot parking lot over here. There was three of them that went up. >> Pat said you didn't want them anymore. And I said, Pat, [laughter] that's that's just not right. These are board members. Come on. My bosses, >> we're not young anymore. >> All right. So, we we'll put those signs back out there if we have them for
097yourself. >> If we have them. Right. [laughter] Also, I just, you know, I can't wait till Friday to get down to the Cape Convention. Uh, it is it's it's a great convention. There's some great vendors down there and a lot a lot of good classes down there. And I just spoke to PTA last night and told him what I would recommend for the new members go is the Nutmeg Board of Education with Tom Mooney. And uh he's a great guy. number one. Any questions? And don't be afraid to ask and don't be afraid to make a mistake because they'll tell you what you did wrong and it'll show you the whole board. Again, thanks for joining us here for next four years. [cough] >> It'll be fun. >> Becca, >> uh, first off, thank you
098to everyone in the community um for, you know, giving me this opportunity to help our schools, our students, and our faculty. I am very excited to get to work and see, you know, things through a different lens and how I can help. Um, I promise not to park in any of the designated spots. [laughter] Well, you can. >> So, that way they are there for those that need the designated spots. Um, and I'm also excited for Friday. I want to see, you know, kind of what's offered and uh, you know, just excited to learn more about the whole process and responsibilities and just excited to be here. Thank you. >> Pretty much everything that Becca said. [laughter] >> Um, I'm looking forward to the next four years and seeing what difference we can make. Jerry.
099>> Well, congratulations to the individuals that were uh brought in uh at the vote, okay, when we voted. I know most of us were uh unopposed. And unfortunately, Mr. Foot and I were against one another, but you know, it worked out all. [clears throat] >> Okay. Um, one thing that I want to reference is, and I talked to Mr. Falcone today. Actually, I texted him because getting back on the board, it wasn't really a preference of mine when I found out that I lost, but it now is a preference of mine because we're going into the budget season. And my question to Mr. Falonee was how what did the state send us for ECS grant money? Okay. Uh evidently, uh they flat rated us. So that is basically if we got whatever we got last
100year is I do believe is what we got this year >> for the ECS money which is for the people that don't know is ed educational cost sharing. It's been flat flatlined for a number of years now. Um and that money goes directly to the town. So >> correct >> it doesn't I don't have much visibility to it. So, if you really my my recommendation is if you want to know exactly what's coming into the town that you would talk with um the controller BJ Dora and because he he does have that because it doesn't come to us directly. It it's built into our budget helps the town offset what they all lot to us. But, um, I do know that there's constant talk at the state about the new formula and what they're supposed
101to do. Um, I know that Plymouth is scheduled actually to go down, not up. >> So, but I don't know exactly what those numbers are. >> Okay. So, just in reference to what Mr. Tenza said, also back when Jod Re was the governor. Okay. Um, yes, ECS grant goes right to the town. Okay. And then the town allocates that money to the board of ed and then at the end of the year if there's any left over [clears throat] then the board of ed can send that money whatever is left over back to the town. Okay. Uh at the time when Jod rail was the uh governor uh she was finding out that a lot of towns were utilizing that money first and then sending what was left over back to the boards of education.
102Okay. So she enacted that in legislation that the money goes to the board of ed first and then whatever is left over from the board of ed goes back to the town. So that's in legislation. So uh if as Mr. Tender said if anybody is interested in what it is then you need to talk to our financial director or AE what they call maybe the comproller. Okay. But just let everybody know that um if we're not getting any additional money and if they do send us less money, that means that the budget session is going to be uh very very tough. >> That's all my comments. >> Kelly, >> uh yeah, congratulations and welcome to all of our new board members and thank you for stepping up. Um and I just looking forward to getting
103getting to work now that everything's all settled up again. settle. >> Okay, Nicole, >> I'm just excited to be here. I'm looking forward to stirring it up a little [laughter] driving Brian a little crazy. >> Nicole's not very good at following directions. I [laughter] think so. She's like, "What about this? And what about this? And what about this?" No, no, no. [clears throat] >> You'll get a yes one of these days. [laughter] >> I just keep pushing pushing and one day there'll be one. Well, again, I'm just excited to see what we can do in the next four years. >> Yeah, great. >> Greg, >> congratulations to all the new members. It's good to see people stepping up and believe you probably anticipated as the rest of us by the end of the year. [laughter]
104And I'd like to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your time with your family. >> Thank you, Mr. Foot. >> Welcome new members. Also have a good Thanksgiving. >> Thank you. And I also welcome our new members. It's great to see some new people. I mean, four years does seem like a long time right now, but when you're at the end of it, you will think back, say, "Wow, that really actually went kind of fast." Um, yeah, it it tends to fly by a little bit. So, >> I'll probably be bald by the end of that. [laughter] That's your problem. I guess >> that is my problem. >> Okay. Our next board meeting is the next board meeting of the Plymouth Board of Education is on Wednesday, December 10th at 700 p.m. in the cafeteria
105at Terryville High School. And um we will also be having a workshop at some point as well that we talked about. So we we'll find out when we have that scheduled. >> All right. I'd like to entertain a motion to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. >> Mr. Foot, Mr. >> Mr. Showers, and then Mr. Foot. >> All in favor? I >> motion P passes.