001[music] [snorts] >> Good evening, everyone. And welcome to the Waterbury Board of Education regular meeting at Waterbury Arts Magnet School. We'll begin this evening with a silent prayer. Do we have any memorials? Superintendent, do we have any memorials tonight? >> Yes. Thank you, President. In our moment of silence this evening, let's remember former members of the Waterbury Public Schools education community who have passed away. Michael Cooper, former site coordinator for adult education, passed away on May 4th, 2026. Ann DeLeo, former third grade teacher, passed away on May 15th, 2026. David Halloran, former teacher at adult education, passed away on June 9th, 2026. >> Commissioner Orso, could you lead us in the pledge? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
002under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Commissioner Hayward Bowen? Commissioner Anthony Ireland? >> Present. >> Commissioner Latoya Ireland >> Here. >> Commissioner Jackson Commissioner Lopez >> Present. >> Commissioner Lott >> Here. >> Commissioner Nunez >> Here. >> Commissioner Orso >> Here. >> Commissioner Vanstone >> Present. >> President Brown >> Present. Thank you. Communications, can I have a motion, Commissioner Lott? >> I'll make a motion to receive and place on file the superintendent's communications to the board. >> Second. >> Discussion, all in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed, abstained, motion carries. Thank you. Public address to the board, Secretary Lopez. >> I motion to I motion to suspend the regular order of business to hear from the public. All speakers are encouraged to submit prepared written statements to the commissioners. Comments shall be limited
003to a maximum of 5 minutes. There will be no responses this evening to any questions or concerns raised. They will be referred to the administration for review and response. >> Second. >> Discussion, all in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed, abstained, motion carries. Uh Betty Johnson >> Good evening. This is an urgent formal complaint regarding a severe student safety breach. >> please state your name and address for the record? >> Betty Johnson, 65 Derain Street, Waterbury, Connecticut. >> Thank you. >> This is in regards to a formal complaint regarding a severe student breach of safety protocol addressed to our superintendent, the Board of Education members, and to both transportation companies, as I'm not sure which one is responsible. I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a severe, traumatizing, and life-threatening breach of student safety
004protocols that occurred yesterday, Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, involving my granddaughter, who was picked up from Wallace Middle School on Pierpont Road. According to Waterbury Board of Education policies and Connecticut State regulations, contracted school bus companies act as an essential partner in safeguarding students. Their core safety responsibilities are explicitly defined in their operating contracts. Yesterday, those responsibilities were completely abandoned. A substitute bus driver forced my tender-age granddaughter, who was entirely unfamiliar with the area, to exit the bus in an unknown location. She repeatedly told the driver that this was not her stop and that she did not know where she was. The driver ignored her pleas and left her stranded. The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. In total, she was missing for 3 hours from the time of school dismissal of middle school until
005an officer found her because a good Samaritan called 911. 3 hours for an 11-year-old. Walking across the city. >> [clears throat] >> Let me continue so I can stay calm. >> It's okay. Take your time. >> [gasps] >> She suffered severe psychological trauma. My granddaughter was traumatized to the point that she could not remember her own phone number. She was put in extreme physical danger. She bravely attempted to navigate the city to find her way home. After hours of frantic searching by her family, she was finally located at a gas station at the intersection of Homer and Huntington Avenue. Keep in mind that her school is Wallace Middle School on Upper East Main Street. >> She walked in the heat. This is a notoriously high traffic area >> [clears throat] >> known for numerous motor
006vehicle accidents, several of which have been fatal. Failure of duty of care. She was eventually found by a passing drug truck driver who noticed the look of sheer terror on her face and called 911. Thankfully, he did the right thing. When found, she was exhausted, severely dehydrated, and sobbing uncontrollably. This bus driver's actions constitute criminal endangerment of a minor. Leaving a child stranded in a high-risk area is a direct violation of district policy, state law, and standard transportation safety protocols. I demand the following immediate actions from Waterbury Public Schools and the transportation contractor. Termination and investigation. The immediate permanent termination of the substitute bus driver involved alongside a full police investigation into potential criminal negligence or endangerment charges. Preservation of evidence. Immediate preservation and review of the interior and exterior bus camera footage from the
007specific route yesterday. Evidence of training. Provision of verifiable evidence that this transportation company mandates rigorous, comprehensive training to all drivers, specifically substitute drivers, regarding no drop policies for un- >> [clears throat] >> for unfamiliar students. Contractual accountability. [music] A formal review by the Board of Education into the contractor's breach of their operating agreement. Our community trusts the district to keep our children safe. Yesterday, that that trust was entirely broken. I expect prompt written response detailing the immediate steps being taken to address this incident and ensure it never happens to another child. Thank you. >> Thank you very much and I'm very sorry that happened. That must have been a nightmare. >> It was. >> I know Dr. Schwartz will >> Yeah, thank you for informing us. Can I just ask you a quick question, Ms.
008Johnson? Um, have you talked to anyone um in the in the school system yet about this uh incident? >> My daughter spoke with Jeff Hunter this morning. >> Okay. >> And requested some of these things as well. >> Okay. >> The police were involved, DCF was involved. >> Thank you. >> So. >> And I'll have um members of our staff come get a further report from you so that we can get that information and we will be contacting you as soon as possible. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you for sharing. >> Thank you. >> Seeing no other speakers, could I have a motion? >> I motion to return to the regular order of business. >> Discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. Thank you. Superintendent's announcements. >> Okay. Good evening, President Brown,
009Vice President Ireland, Board of Education Commissioners. Um, I want to start off tonight by uh highlighting a few changes that we've talked about. Um, in our executive session and I want to talk to you a little bit about um some amazing talent that we've been able to bring on and retain here in the Waterbury Public Schools. So, if you go to the first slide, there we go. There she is. So, um Tracy Menzies uh has been with us as the Assistant Director of Pupil Services. So, you haven't seen her a lot because Wendy Jones was the Director, but um uh she was brought on this position was brought on a few years ago to be able to support that office. As we all know, uh, we've been striving to improve our services in the people
010services department. Um, Wendy, uh, brings a, uh, Wendy, Wendy brought a tremendous talent to, uh, the district, but has since left us. And as we talked, uh, uh, as we discussed, uh, Tracy applied for the position. Um, this isn't appointed position, just a reminder board. So, this is a pointed position from civil service. She brings 17 years of leadership and instructional experience, not just in special education, but in education in general, supporting students, families, and school communities. And she's been with us since July 2023. Um, and she's done a phenomenal job uh, in that department, and we're really excited for her, uh, to take over and lead as the director of pupil services. Um, before coming to us, she was also in New Milford and a special education transition teacher. We're excited to bring, uh,
011uh, Tracy on as the director, and look forward to her, uh, continued success in that department. And if it's okay with the board, I'd like her to just share a few words with you. >> Yep. Great. >> Okay, great. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening, President Brown, board commissioners, and Superintendent Dr. Schwartz. I want to begin by thanking our Superintendent Dr. Schwartz and Deputy Superintendent Mendoza for incredible opportunity to serve as the Director of Pupil Services. I am deeply grateful for your confidence in me, and I'm honored to step into this role with a full commitment to our students, families, and staff. As I look ahead, my vision for our department is grounded in collaboration, accountability, [music] and continuous improvement. A major focus of our work will be strengthening our in-district programs so that we
012continue to provide support for our students. By building strong systems, aligning practices, and ensuring our schools feel equipped and supported, we can keep our students learning and thriving within their home community. We'll also be enhancing our 18 to 22 transition program. These young adults deserve meaningful, community-based experiences that provide them independence, employment, and lifelong success. I also want to take a moment to recognize the incredible people who have made this work possible every day. Our special education supervisors, teachers, paraprofessionals, and our related service providers are the backbone of this department. Their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to students are evident in our classrooms, PPT meetings, and family interactions. They're doing exceptional work under challenging circumstances, and I'm proud to lead a team of such talented and caring professionals. I also want to acknowledge our district
013administrators, whose support and collaboration are essential to the success of our work. Their partnership strengthens our programs, align our efforts, and ensure that we're moving forward together on behalf of all students. As we move forward, we'll continue to work collaboratively with families, listening to their experiences, valuing their perspective, and supporting them as true partners in their child's education. And of course, we're also looking forward to the future opening of our preschool building. The ability to offer full-day, five-day-a-week program will be transformative. The It has It will be giving our youngest leaders the consistency, structure, and rich early learning experiences that set the foundation for long-term growth. This is an investment in our children and in the future of our district. And last but not least, I would like to thank my husband George and my
014family. Their support throughout of my career has been steadfast and I truly could not do this work without them. Their encouragement, their patience, and their belief in me makes everything possible and I'm deeply grateful. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> OKAY. THANK YOU, MS. MENZIES. THANK YOU. GEORGE, YOU didn't get to win last night, but you got one tonight, okay? I know we're talking soccer earlier. We're talking soccer. Talking soccer, okay? Um So, next up I in the spirit of our transitioning and hiring, I want to also welcome our new director of human capital. I want to congratulate Jen Marino on her appointment as director of human capital. She began her career with the Board of Education as an HR assistant before advancing to HR generalist and serving as acting senior HR
015generalist and then ultimately senior HR generalist. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and employee relations, staff investigations, labor relations, compliance matters, and personnel management. Her expertise and onboarding, retirement, reporting, athletics administration, and board legal matters, combined with her extensive knowledge of EDS systems has made her an invaluable asset to the district and I can say this for her and Tracy who are two of the three that were were were looking that to within the district who have moved up beyond their technical skill. They're just a joy to work with. They bring I think most importantly something you can't teach which is just positive energy, positive attitude, hard work. And so just really proud to see her move herself throughout the system and be able to to move up similar to Tracy moving from
016assistant director to director. Jen has an experience and has gone from all the way as you can see from HR assistant all the way moving up and so just really excited to see that type of growth within the system and proud of her. I'm sure all of you who know her as well. So let's give her a big round of applause and invite her up to speak. >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. President Brown, Vice President Ireland, Secretary Lopez, Board of Education Committee Commissioners and Superintendent Dr. Schwartz. I'm truly honored to have been selected as the next Director of Human Capital. As I stand here tonight, I reflect on the path that brought me here. Almost 11 years ago, I walked into the Cheese Building as an intern not knowing exactly where my career would
017take me. Since then I've had the opportunity to serve this district as an HR assistant, an HR generalist, a senior HR generalist and now the Director of Human Capital. Each role has taught me something different, challenged me in ways and helped prepare me for this opportunity. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent my career growing within this district and learning from many talented people along the way. There's a quote that says if you have a dream, chase it because the dream isn't going to chase you back. This position has been a goal of mine and I wouldn't be standing here today able to pursue my dreams without the support of many people along the way. First, I want to thank my parents who taught me the value of hard work and education. As the daughter
018of a teacher who spent 40 years in Waterbury public schools, I grew up seeing the dedication it takes to serve students and families, and that perspective has stayed with me throughout my career. To my husband, Chris, thank you for your support, being my sounding board, and my partner through all of life's chaos. To my biggest cheerleaders, Adrienne, Vinny, and Nicholas, thank you for sharing Mommy with the Human Capital Office. >> [laughter] >> I also want to thank my mentors, uh Doreen Biello, Juan Mendoza, and Will Zudell for your guidance, encouragement, and belief in me over the years. Thank you to Dr. Schwartz for this incredible opportunity and for the confidence you've placed in me to lead this department. And finally, to my Human Capital team, thank you for everything you do. I'm excited for what's
019ahead, and I look forward to continuing our work together and to continuing strengthening our department to help serve our staff and students. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good job. A lot of handshaking this week. Graduations. >> [laughter] >> And to complete the trifecta, uh we obviously have a very important position. Um all three positions tonight are are serve, just so you all know, on the senior leadership team. Really important for the district to continue um its progress. Um and obviously we've had a chief operating officer opening and I am really excited to welcome Rebecca Gonzalez to the district as our new chief operating officer. Ms. Gonzalez brings 18 years of operational leadership experience spanning facilities, transportation, food services, security, custodial operations, and construction projects. Since 2021 she has served as the chief operating officer
020for the Consolidated School District of New Britain. She has also held leadership positions with the city of Hartford, Ellington Public Schools, and CREC, gaining valuable experience in both district and municipal operations. And I think the most um impressive thing that's not on her resume was she got a ringing endorsement from our chief financial officer Doreen Bielo, um uh and uh Wanda Mendoza during the interview process. She came um she really nailed a lot of the questions and um they were they were they were really honed towards some of the difficulties that we've experienced over the last few years. Um and uh and gave phenomenal answers of and and look forward to her executing on that in the near future um when she starts in a few short weeks. So, congratulations to Ms. Rebecca Gonzalez. >>
021[applause] >> Thank you for the warm welcome. Good evening to everyone this evening. President Brown, Vice President Ireland, Superintendent Dr. Schwartz, and board members. First, I would like to thank the Board of Education, Deputy Superintendent Juan Mendoza, and Superintendent Dr. Schwartz for the opportunity to serve as the next chief operations officer for Waterbury Public Schools. I am truly honored and excited to join this district and community. Throughout my career, I have believed that strong operations create the foundation for student success. Whether it's safe and welcoming schools, reliable transportation, quality nutrition services, effective security, and long-term facility planning, the work we do behind the scenes helps ensure students and staff have what they need to be successful every day. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience, skills, and passion for serving students and
022families to Waterbury. I look forward to working with collaboratively collaboratively with our leadership team, administrators, faculty, staff, community partners, and city leaders to build upon the great work already taking place, and to further enhance the services we provide to students and families. My goal is simple, to help remove barriers, improve systems, and ensure that our operations support the district's educational mission at the highest level possible. On a personal note, this opportunity is especially meaningful to my family and me. My young son already attends a program here in Waterbury, and we have roots here in Waterbury, as well. So, joining the district feels like a full circle moment for us. It gives me even greater appreciation for the responsibility and privilege of serving this community, not only as an educational leader, but also as a parent.
023I am excited for the journey ahead, and look forward to listening, learning, and working alongside each and every one of you in support of the students and families of Waterbury public schools. I know we can continue building systems, [music] environments, and opportunities that allow every student the chance to be successful. Thank you again for this opportunity and I'm honored to be here and excited towards getting this work started. Thank you all. >> [applause] [applause] >> Nice to see you. Congratulations. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> So, I just want to thank everybody again. For those that are staying with the Waterbury Public Schools, thank you. Thank you for your commitment to us and for those that are joining us, really building a phenomenal team. Although we're losing some phenomenal people, I have full faith in and
024everyone here tonight. So, excited for that. Waterbury Exchange Club, for the second year in a row, Duggan Elementary School was honored with a plaque from the Waterbury Exchange Club for its support for child abuse month fundraiser. They raised $545 this year and then they were they get the plaque because they raised the most money in the district. So, congratulations to Duggan and specifically to these amazing young leaders there that that led the movement there in in Duggan. So, congratulations to them. It was career month at Regan and so we made our rounds. A lot of different educators and career professionals went to Regan to talk to the students about their careers. This is our continued efforts to talk to students at an early age about what careers are available for them. So, I particularly enjoyed
025I think my toughest was trying to explain to the five and six No, that was a second grade. It was a second grade. Yeah, they didn't have teeth, so it was second grade. So, that's Carly gets it. So, um trying to explain to them what a superintendent does. Well, we we got through it. We got through it. It was good. So, thank you Reagan for inviting me. Um just to give the board an update on NEASC. So, in one of our previous slides in in in that I've talked to you about is NEASC is the accreditation process that our high schools go through to be accredited. It's changed over the years the accreditation process. It's improved. It's gotten a little bit sleeker. It's but it still requires the schools to come together to talk about
026what they are doing well and what they need to improve on as a as a school. And we support them from central office on there what they're doing well, but also what NEASC also sees their independent evaluators that come in look at our schools try to give us some feedback rather than looking at it from the same point of view. And so, I'm really excited that the middle schools have have have agreed and are working together to be able to also bring accreditation to the middle schools in the district. I think that will all three middle school principals were really excited at this opportunity because at least two of the three are coming from high school. So, Vin Balsamo and Pete McCaslin come from high school, so they're familiar with the NEASC accreditation process. And
027they thought this would be the best next step coming off turnaround about keeping the the focus on improvement alive in their schools. This could obviously lead to larger opportunities for us to expand accreditation into our pre-K eights and all elementary schools as well to be able to keep that kind of momentum about how are we going to consistently improve and having independent evaluators come in and give us some feedback I think is a good professional practice and so really excited to start this process with middle school. We met with a few teachers on June 5th to go to Bristol to learn about the accreditation process. Everyone's really excited at this point. So looking forward to that and giving you an update on that soon. Central Inspire teacher teacher residency program. This is great. We had
028eight former paraprofessionals who earned their master's degree in special education through our Central Inspire teacher residency program. We also had two former ESS substitutes who earned their master's in special education SCC SEO. So we had of employees who were not special education teachers who have become special education teachers recently. As you know, it's our biggest area of need and so I want to I see Marson Carley there so I got to give you guys a big shout out for helping not just organize this but get this going, get the recruits and get keep filling those vacancies. A lot of that and human capital department will tell you is is due to their work. So thank you for your efforts in that area. >> [applause] >> The city recognized 50 plus years of service. Rita Law
029has worked for 50 years as a cross and as a crossing guard at HS Chase Elementary School. Janet Mastracchio has worked for us for 56 years and is in the welcome center and student records and Sandy McCaslin has worked for us for 54 years in the school budget office. We want to thank them for working for us for over 50 years. Amazing amazing and they were very grateful that that we honored them. So congratulations to them. Ride to success. This was just really cool. It's our first opportunity to do this. This is we we haven't done this before. Um so I want to thank the uh to Leah and and and uh Jackie and uh Sandra and everybody else involved with this. Oh, there you are. Hi everybody. Uh everybody else involved with this event.
030It was really to just raise awareness again about the importance of attendance at schools. We had 565 students with perfect attendance this year. >> Great. >> Um mayor said he's going to recruit them to talk to people in the city about, you know, perfect attendance and things like that. So, Mr. Van Stone, you might want to Commissioner Van Stone, you might want to get on that uh group cuz that's one of your um things. So, I think um now this was really the the the the parents were so grateful. What a nice way to end the year, last day of school, and you could see students uh they got into Waterbury One with the mayor, they got into some police cruisers, they got they went with the uh the fire department to school, all showing
031up with the lights and sirens on, making a big deal, uh and lots of music out there, kids greeting them as they showed up. Um uh and it was just like a joy to see. They were also able to just receive um a brand new bicycle as well with a helmet. So, I want to thank you all for your efforts in uh putting this program together. It looks like our chronic absentee numbers are down for this year. So, I also want to thank you for all the efforts you put into it. Even even percentages means hundreds of kids. And so, um thank you for your efforts. And this was great, and I I can see us doing this again next year. And many of us were able to attend the Step to NVCC and School
032to Work Transition Academy graduations that um uh Tracy mentioned uh in earlier. And this was just an amazing group of students. Uh I think we all enjoyed uh seeing them grow and graduate, and they're off to big and better things, but um we we sent them so out with some good vibes and reminders that they've got this, right? So, that was that was a great event. And I want to thank the teachers. The teachers did an amazing job and I see Nan Nancy Nancy was here, but Nancy does a good job of organizing that program as well. There she is. Hi. Bye. Just in time. Early College High School senior recognition ceremony, many of us were also able to attend the Early College High School um uh senior breakfast where seniors were honored on June
03311th. Some just amazing seniors, 19 of them who earned associate associate's degrees from Post University. So, again, a successful year for Early College High School. I want to thank Sean Mosley, the administration at Crosby, and all the teachers part of that program. It continues to be a tremendous success. And of course, um we didn't put together all the pictures because we we ended a few hours ago. Yeah. So, but uh the graduations uh were were were fantastic. Um always something to learn every year. We I think we get better and better. Uh so, we did have a speaker face the stage and so we could hear what's going on. So, we had that feedback from last year and a few other things. And we've heard some feedback as well for for the current graduations, but
034I I do think overall it was just a tremendous 2 days of watching graduates walk across that stage, take that final step with us, and bittersweet, but we all know that um it will happen again next year and it's it's tough to see some of them go, but we know we have to let them go, but I just want to congratulate all the graduates, all the families for entrusting us to to educate their children. Um it's been an absolute pleasure. This was a great senior year class, and so congratulations to all the graduates of 2026. Also wishing all the families a happy last day of school, which was today. Um so, don't don't don't don't send them on Monday. But uh we are looking forward to a robust summer program that we've talked about and
035I hope everyone has a safe and restful and relaxing summer and that goes for all students and staff who are able to to relax this summer. And finally I just want to remind everyone of um you know, this is our even though there's a special meeting next week, there's some debate if he's going to be here or not. So I I didn't want it to go without mentioning all of the amazing work of our current chief operating officer, Mr. Nick Albini, who has done done just a tremendous job in his role as chief operating officer and all the ways that he has served the Waterbury families and children over the years has been phenomenal. Um he survived Commissioner Van Stones initial onslaught of him as chief operating officer. Which That was not Yeah, so now
036you've you've survived that, but I I do think um you know, Mr. Albini, it's been an absolute pleasure to serve alongside you, to learn with you, to grow with you, to do just amazing things for kids. You still get have that joy in your eye when when you when you when you when you can just do something that you know, makes the difference for kids and I I see that with you every day. I appreciate all the hard work that you put into it and I'll just I'll I'll do a give a shout out that June 29th we are having a a party for him. Maybe not a retirement party, but a party for him for everything that he's he's done for us. So if you can join us, I hope you can, but I
037I will I will end with this is that there was one conversation that I had with Mr. Albini that is going to stick with me and we talked about being a craftsman. And we talked about being a craftsman because a craftsman or craftswoman is they care we talked about bureaus or dressers depending on your vocabulary and how you what you call it. And we said a craftsman really cares about the back of the dresser or bureau as much as the front. So we all know that the back of a bureau or dresser gets pushed up against the wall and nobody will ever see it and the only time you may see it is when you pull it out to dust. But a craftsman really cares about the back and what it looks like even though
038nobody might ever see it. And I that to me is a conversation I've had with Mr. Albini about being a craftsman, making sure that maybe nobody will ever see it, but it matters that it it it looks right. It it it it's done up to a certain level of expectation and to me that really sums up Mr. Albini. So to the best craftsman I know, uh congratulations to you Mr. Albini. >> [applause] [applause] >> And if you have any extra time, I do like furniture, so you >> Thank you Dr. Swartz and uh my personal congratulations and I still have you on speed dial by the way, so you're not going to get away from me. He's been always there answering questions. He's just been an amazing uh person to work with. You will definitely
039be missed. We love you. Commissioner Vanstone. >> Thank you Madam President. Through nothing about Nick. We we've talked enough about Nick for now. Superintendent. I don't know where else to ask this question. We used to have an agenda item that was called uh business from a previous meeting only. And we could bring up items that used to that were in the past. Um so I'm going to make up the agenda item myself and do one. Uh back on June 4th, my first graduation this season was my grandson's kindergarten graduation in Pennsylvania. So I missed this special meeting. And it just so happens we had the woman speak to us tonight about a bussing issue. And I'm not real happy with the bussing company and I told them so when they met before us. So I
040just wanted to take a chance because I missed this meeting, couldn't speak, that my exact comment to Durham was if I was on the transportation committee, I would have put it back out to bid when they wanted Um so I just wanted on the record that I would have voted no that night. I'm very disappointed and they need to make changes. So I just wanted to bring that out. You know my feelings on them. Um they need to do a much better job. And tonight tonight just it hurt to hear that. So thank you. >> Thank you uh Commissioner and I'll uh certainly I think we gave our opinion on that and we all kind of gave them we agree with you whole heartedly that changes need to be made. I will find out when
041I talk to Mr. Albini, Mr. Mendoza which uh bus company it was uh but I uh I agree with you and I just want to make it up just a also a point to um clarify because I wasn't able to do it last meeting. Um and apologize to Mr. Hunter. I know that we we asked him to be here for that meeting but he did there was a medical emergency in his family that night. Um we you know we you know I wanted to talk to him before I said it publicly. He said it's okay to say it publicly that um he there was a medical emergency in his family so unfortunately he couldn't be there That night, uh when the bus companies did come, but um you know, as we're talking about the bus
042companies and Jeff um and our new chief operating officer who's coming in who's uh has extensive experience working with transportation companies and sometimes transportation companies that aren't living up to their expectations. Um my we we are um 100% on board with having this company uh have more accountability to this not just this board, to the superintendent, and also to the chief operating officer. >> Thank you. Okay, on to our president's comments. Um >> We're not talking about the transportation anymore. >> I just have one question. >> All right. Commissioner Lopez. >> Sarah, you don't want me to rant. I get it. I think everybody knows how I feel about the bus company, so I don't think I need to go to it. I totally agree with Tom. Um just curious, when is our first meeting
043with them? >> So, we're going to set up our first meeting that we uh talked about at the meeting, doing our first meeting with them in August. >> Okay. All right. Um we had a very busy week with graduations. I want to thank all the commissioners uh for uh attending, and your speeches were wonderful, and I think we just felt the spirit of of Waterbury public schools and and the excitement of all the students and the teachers and the families. It was just really so celebratory that you know, we're all exhausted tonight. So, uh I can imagine how everybody else feels, but I just want to wish everybody a wonderful summer, and uh I also want to uh wish everybody a happy Juneteenth celebration tomorrow. Uh it's a federal holiday since I think 2021, fairly
044new. It it celebrates the uh emancipation of the uh enslaved population who didn't hear about it for 2 years. The proclamation of emancipation was in 16, I mean 1863 and the people in Texas did not hear about it for 2 years. So this celebrates really the end of slavery after the Civil War and thanks to Major General Gordon Granger and the Union soldiers who came upon over 250,000 people who were still enslaved in Texas who didn't know they were free. So it certainly is a celebration and as Dr. Schwartz mentioned in his speeches this week, America is a work in progress and hopefully we'll keep progressing to make sure that everybody is free and that we are living up to our ideals. Anyway, I know that City Hall is having a celebration tomorrow. I think
045it starts at 10:00 to 2:00. So anybody who wants to stop by, there's there's refreshments and and 11:00 it starts. 11:00 it starts. So I think it'll it'll be a fun time. Okay. All right. Student representatives are not here cuz they all graduated. >> [laughter] >> Okay, executive session. >> I move to convene into executive session for discussion concerning the appointment, employment, performance, evaluation, health or dismissal of a public officer or employee. >> Second. >> All in favor? Opposed, abstain, motion carries. We're going into executive session in the back. Okay. >> one more time >> [music] [music] >> Mhm. >> [music] [music] >> I move to return to the regular order of business with the records reflecting there were no votes taken. >> [music] >> Discussion, all in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed abstain, motion
046carries. Item number 10, consent calendars. Uh I with the uh approval of the board, I would like to read number 10.4, the total. And then for 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8, just list the additional schools because the language is the same in each one to save time. Would that be okay with everybody? >> Yes. >> No? Okay, Tom. >> Okay. Yes. >> Okay, thank you. I thought it would just It's so redundant. Okay. All right, 10.1, Committee of the Whole, request approval of a memorandum of understanding with New Opportunities Inc. Retired and Senior Volunteers Program, RSVP. Number 10.2, request approval of a memorandum of understanding with New Opportunities Foster Grandparent Program. 10.3, request approval of a no-cost memorandum of understanding with State Education Resource Center, SERC, to support implementation of youth prevention efforts. 10.4, Committee
047on Building and School Facilities, request approval of form S SCG 042, Request for Review of Final Plans, and to authorize the chair of the Waterbury Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools to sign said form so that Waterbury Public Schools may submit the final plans and professional cost estimates, commencement of construction of the rooftop solar photovoltaic project at Wendell L. Cross Elementary School, DAS Project 151-0310 PV. 10.5, ditto. >> For General >> Commencement of construction of the rooftop solar photovoltaic project at MM Generali Elementary School, DAS Project 151-0311 PV. 10.6 Ditto. Commencement of construction of the rooftop solar photovoltaic project at Sprague Elementary School DAS project 151-0312 PV. 10.7 Ditto. Okay. Commencement of construction of the rooftop solar photovoltaic project BW Tinker Elementary School DAS project 151-0313 PV. Okay, 10.8 Request approval of form
048SCG-042. Request for review of final plans and to authorize the chair Oh, same thing. Uh, ditto. 10.8 is ditto. Commencement of construction of the rooftop solar photovoltaic project at Westside Middle School DAS project 151-0314 PV. 10.9 Request approval to apply for the Connecticut State Department of Education Office of Student Supports Learn Engagement and Attendance Program LEAP Grant. 10.10 Committee on Finance Request approval of a professional services agreement with Connecticut Junior Republic Association Inc. for SAFE program and school-based clinic program. 10.11 Committee on Finance Request approval of a transportation micro grant agreement with Naugatuck Valley Council for North and Middle School. 10.12 Request approval of amendment two to the professional services agreement RFP 6636 with Phi Delta Kappa International's Inc. DBA Education Rising for teacher preparation courses. 10.13 Request approval of amendment two to the professional
049services agreement with Empirical Resolutions, Inc. for an outline grammar and writing program. 10.14, request approval of a research study and data protection agreement with Benchmark Education. 10.15, request approval to apply for the CSDE Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Century Grant. 10.16, request approval of professional services agreement with IXL Learning, Inc. for data hub setup, configuration, and implementation. 10.17, request approval 17. Thank you. Request approval of a professional services for math teacher training with Math Concepts, Incorporated. Okay. 10.18, request approval of a construction contract with Empire Paving, Inc. for Driggs Elementary parking lot improvements. 10.19, request approval of construction contract with N&S Electric, Inc. for theatrical lighting system upgrades at WAMS. 10.20, request approval of amendment number two to the professional services agreement with Catapult Learning, LLC for Waterbury non-public schools Title I
050tutoring services. 10.21, saw lateral transfer request. 10.22, use of school facilities by school organizations and or city departments. 10.23, committee on building and school facilities use of school facilities by outside organizations. May I Commissioner Ireland, may I have a motion? >> I make a motion to approve the consent calendar as listed. >> Second. >> Discussion? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Abstained? Motion carries. Thank you. No items were uh from the consent calendar. Uh Vice President Latoya Ireland, Committee on Building and School Facilities. >> I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of City Youth Theater in the amount of $5,670 for their use of Crosby High School's auditorium and lobby at various times during the period of July 17th through August 22nd, 2026 for play rehearsals and
051performances. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I. Opposed? >> No. >> Abstain? Motion carries. 12.2. >> I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of City Youth Theater in the amount of $9,720 for their use of Crosby High School's caf and two classrooms during the period of July 6th through July 24th, 2026. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. >> Abstain? Motion carries. 12.3. >> I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of Hoops for Life in the amount of $7,140 for their use of Reed School's gym during the period of July 6th through August 20th, 2026 for a basketball program. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. >>
052Abstain? Motion carries. 12.5 or 12 12.4. >> Four. I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of Hoops for a Life in the amount of 7,000 140 dollars for their use of Westside Middle School's gym during the period of July 6th through August 20th for a basketball program. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. >> Abstain? Motion carries. All right, 12.5. >> I move I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of BA Baller Not a Bully in the amount of 3,070 dollars for their use of Wilby High School's gym and calf during the period of August 3rd through August 7th, 2026 for a basketball camp. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Yes. Commissioner Lot. >> Thank you,
053Madam President. >> You um last meeting we talked about possibly doing um discounted fees for Waterbury public school students. Was there any progress on that? We talked to the ordinary organizers of the turn of the camp and we figured out if they're going to do something to kind of They want the fees waived, but then they don't help the students on the other end. >> We haven't heard back about regarding discounts for Waterbury public schools. Thank you. >> Motion carries. 12.6 I'm sorry. Finish voting. Do we finish voting? >> No. >> Okay. All in favor? I. Opposed? >> No. >> Abstain? Motion carries. 12.6 >> I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of Connecticut Rebound in the amount of $936 for their use of Wilby High School's gym
054and calf during the period of July 27th through the period of July 27th through the 30th, 2026 for a unified sports camp. >> Second. >> Discussion? All in favor? I. Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. 12.8 >> 12.7 I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of Waterbury Bridge to Success in the amount of 11,592 for their use of Reed School's gym from July 6th through the 20th, 2026 for a basketball program. >> Second. >> Discussion? Commissioner Orso. >> I was wait I was waiting for the end of this getting near the end of this group. I realize we're approving these waivers, but um I think that the policy tonight we're supposed to be accepting the new policy for waivers for these organizations cuz it has to end. This is a
055lot of money and we told them I think [clears throat] we agreed that we will continue this until the new policy is initiated, but uh these prices are are just ridiculous. I mean, they're approved tonight, but I think that all these organizations got to realize times are going to change. I feel bad for them. I don't want to be, you know, the bad guy, but things have to change cuz you know, we just can't continue to wave 9,000, 7,000, 6,000. It just adds up and adds up and adds up. When this new policy is initiated, all these organizations should get a copy of this of this new thing and I think that there was some uh new system or uh technology, some apps or whatever that that we can acknowledge that they can go in
056and do this and get this approval and we should do that. And everything has to be organized. I think that I you know, I yeah, I voted yes, but if I I really wanted to vote no, but uh but it has to end. That's all I have to say. >> Thank you. Commissioner Lot. >> Just uh uh are we on 12-7 or 12-8? >> 12-7. >> Okay. >> 12-7. Okay. All right. >> And then oh, so yes, this is just for 12-7. I'm sorry. I thought it was 12-8. Um last meeting as well, we talked to them about they had wrote community partners or community whatever that we need a specific list of who's going to be in the schools around the children or not. As far as community groups from them. >> Yes. >>
057Um and I know Sandra, you're I know you're probably not ready to talk about it, but I know and when it comes to Bridge to Success, specifically, don't forget Bridge to Success is our community partner that runs community schools in our schools. And so um they're tasked with uh the responsibility of ensuring that they um they get surveys, they get feedback, they talk to parents and the kids of the school to talk about what kind of programs for before and after school care that you'd like to receive. And then Bridge to Success uh goes through the process, so it's like a RFI process, request for information process with the companies that are able to um um say like so, this school, they really want to do some sort of cooking class cuz everybody's talking about,
058so they go out, they do RFIs for cooking classes they bring it and they do it directly for the students for example at the all pre-K schools is where it's at except for Carrington so um you know so Bridge to Success is probably one of those things that we do need to talk about a little bit because they do they are our community um back home partner for Bridge to Success. Regardless if it's part of the grant responsibility there there are community they run our community schools and in terms of the the before and after school care and so basically um it's kind of an interesting situation when we as we dig deeper into this um use of policy because uh um we want to make sure if we give them the opportunity if it's
059under Bridge to Success because they have a coordinator on site when it happens but if they're bringing in a vendor what does that mean for us and I think that's probably something that we need to hash out before the next uh the vote because this is an interesting one because if you if basically they wouldn't be able to operate if if we if we don't let them figure if they don't let them go through their process. So they're an interesting um it's an interesting dilemma with the discussion because it is they are they do run our community schools before and after school programming. So um so in terms of the new policy it's something that I think we can write into how they can operate within our system because it is different than every other
060organization because they are running our community schools so it's kind of a long-winded answer that I think our new policy um has to have some sort of carve out to be able to address this um but currently we don't. >> Thank you. >> It's a good point. Yep. >> I have two questions. >> Madam President. >> Commissioner Lopez. >> Thank you. No I just wanted to let Rocco know that the policy committee did meet today uh before the meeting um and we were reviewing the policy. Uh it will come before you next week. Okay. >> Thank you. And and >> Thank you. No, I don't have >> One other quick thing, I wasn't picking on any particular one. I just wanted the whole system to change. I just wanted to make that clear. >> Yeah,
061the comment okay. >> Right. >> I forget where are we in the voting process? >> 12.7 with the vote. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? >> Abstain. >> No, he voted no. Any abstentions? You're abstaining? >> Yes. >> Okay. Right. Okay, motion carries. 12.8. >> I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of Waterbury Ballers in the amount of $4,200 for their use of Career Academy's gym from July 1st through August 17th for basketball practice. >> Second. >> Discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. >> Abstain? Motion carries. 12.8, I mean nine. >> 12.9. I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of A13 Leadership Academy in the amount of $2,016 for their use of Kennedy High
062School's gym from July 6th through July 9th, 2026 for life skills through basketball. >> Second. >> Discussion? >> Madam President. >> Yes, Commissioner what? >> Thank you, Madam President. Yes, so um items 12.9, 10, and 11 are the same group. So, just quick question. Um >> We didn't get to that. >> In their in their >> We didn't get to that. >> request, well, 12.9, in their request, they put that they have scholarships to can athletes to run it. Can you speak to the scholarships that you provide for the the athletes? >> Yes, absolutely. So, we provide we provide about 50 full scholarships. We provide 25 half half discounted scholarships, sibling discounts, and double camp scholarship discounts. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? >> Abstain. >> One one
063abstention. Motion carries. 12.10 >> I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of A13 Leadership Academy in the amount of 2000 tw- excuse me, $2016 for their use of Crosby High School's gym from July 6th through July 9th, 2026 for life skills through basketball. >> Second. >> Discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? One abstention. Motion carries. >> Okay. 12.11 I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the waiver of fees request of A13 Leadership Academy in the amount of $2016 for their use of Rotella School for the periods of June 28th through July 2nd, Magnet School's gym. So, the use of Rotella. >> Discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. >> One no. Abstain? >> Abstain. >> One abstention. Tom, you're abstaining,
064too? No? Two no's and one abstention. Motion carries. Thank you. Okay. Commissioner Orso, Committee on Finance. >> Ladies and gentlemen, I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve a contract amendment with the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood for funding for Early Start Connecticut. >> Second. >> Discussion. We have uh Maureen Bergin with us this evening to answer any questions. See no questions. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. You're all set, Maureen. >> [laughter] >> 13.2 I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve a construction contract with Glass Plus to provide front entry door replacements at Driggs and Woodrow Wilson Elementary Schools. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. >> 13.3 I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve an
065agreement with Prism Academy LLC to provide educational services in accordance with students' individual education program, IEP. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. Next. >> Item 13.4 I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the Department of Education's 26 2026-2027 operating budget totaling $247,926,382. Uh $158,375 Board of Aldermen adopted appropriation. $73,716,020 Alliance year 15 $450,000 2016-2017 surplus $1 million 2015-2016 surplus $1 million 2014-2015 surplus 675,000 contingency surplus and 500,000 city non-lapsing contingency uh $12 million 210,362 CSD supplemental education aid. >> Second. >> Discussion. Uh Commissioner Van Stone. >> Thank you, Madam President. Through you, at this time I would like to make a motion to refer item 13.4 back to committee for further review. >> Second. >> Could you repeat that? It's a little echo over here.
066Go ahead. >> I'm making a motion that we refer item 13.4 back to committee for further review. >> And there was a second. >> Second. >> Discussion on the amendment. All in favor? Do a roll call vote, please. I'm sorry. >> Can I do discussion? >> Do you want to discuss something? >> You can discuss. >> On that motion. >> I'm not understanding you. What? >> I want to have a discussion on it. >> Oh, okay. Commissioner Lopez, thank you. >> Um will there be any delays to operations um especially for the summer school if we delay this vote? >> Uh during I'll feel more comfortable if you come up and have that conversation, but uh I I I guess it all matters the timing of uh when it would go back to committee and
067then um when it could go through. >> Any other uh >> Uh good evening, President Brown, Commissioners, Superintendent Dr. Schwartz. Um I mean we are we did meet um, on the was it the 4th I believe? We had a finance committee or the 3rd we had a finance committee and on the 4th we had a Board of Ed workshop where the budget was discussed. Um, at that time the finance committee on the 3rd um, proved to make it go to the whole board. It went to the whole board. Um, opportunity was there to ask questions. Um, and now we're here for the vote. Um, if we want to move this to go back to committee again. Um, we are right now on June 18th. Um, so it would affect I don't know when we would
068meet again. Um, with the scheduling or I know there's a special meeting is there a special meeting next week at next week? Um, for a a vote. Um, and if we don't come to a vote so yes, there will be issues with not having an approved budget for the beginning of the school year if the vote um, does not go through. >> Any other comments on the amendment? Commissioner Vanstone. >> Yes, Madam President. The reason I bring this forward uh, it yes, there was a committee meeting and again, I was out of state and then there was a special meeting to make the vote. Um, which special meetings is another topic all together. But um, I bring it forward because we the what we did receive as backup uh, at the meeting uh, previous cuz
069I went and pulled it as well as tonight is very high level piece of information. There are a number of items that go deeper than the items listed and I will give a couple of examples. One, I am always interested in how many vacancies we are budgeting for and I have questions as to each individual group of vacancies and how we could spend the money wiser. And I bring it up each and every year. Another one is uh our rental properties. Our rental properties, I uh pulled out last year and I actually asked for us to get out of the garage that is up on in the north end because not only were we paying $140,000 in rent, we're paying the person's half of their real estate tax. And I just found that to be
070incredible. Uh I don't know because I don't have those lower details if we're still utilizing that property again in this new budget. So, there are lower level items that concern me that I would like to have further information on. And at this time that information is not in front of me. So, that is the reason I brought this motion. >> Any other discussion? >> I have a question. >> Commissioner Watt. >> Thank you, Madam President. When is our next meeting after the 25th? Are we on July 9th? >> we have we have meeting June 25th. >> After the 25th? >> July 23rd. >> 23rd? Oh, okay. And will we two weeks in August at that point? >> Okay. Any other discussion on the amendment before us? We have a roll call vote, please. >> Excuse
071me. Could you just What could you consider a no vote? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I mean >> Just just uh tell us what the no vote means and what the yes vote is. >> vote would be not to uh send it back to committee. >> Okay. >> Mhm? Well, there's a the amendment is is to send it back to committee. And we're voting no on it. I mean, I'm voting no on that. Right? And then we have to vote on the underlying amendment. Yeah. >> So, wait, explain to me one more time. What's the No is we don't want it to go back. >> Time Commissioner Vanstone has asked us to amend this motion to approve this and to send it back to committee. So, if if you want to send it back to committee,
072say yes. If you want not to send it back to committee, say no. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> No. No. >> Yes. >> No. Yes. >> No. Motion to amend fails. So, the next vote is on the underlying uh vote. Just repeat repeat it again, Rocco, so we know what we're doing. 13.4 >> Okay. Made my night. >> [laughter] >> Wake up. Wake up. >> I move that the Waterbury Board of Education approve the Department of Education's 2026-2027 operating budget totaling $247,926,382. $158,375,000 Board of Aldermen adopted appropriation. $73,716,020 Alliance Year 15 $450,000 uh years 20 16-17 surplus. Uh $1,000,000 2015-16 surplus. $1,000,000 2014-15 surplus. $675,000 contingency surplus and $500,000 city non-lapsing contingency. $12,210,362 the CSD supplemental education aid. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? I. Opposed? >> No. >> How many no's? Okay,
073roll call vote. >> Yes. Yes. >> No. >> Yes. >> No. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Okay. Um Thank you. We're moving on to 14, Commissioner Lopez. Committee on grievances. >> I move that the WTA grievance 25 26 03 heard by the committee on June 9th, 2026 be denied. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Discussion. Commissioner Van Stone. >> I did read the backup. Thank you, Madam President, through you. I did read the backup and I read the minutes. Could we just have a little further explanation of what this grievance was and uh >> [snorts] >> And I know the committee voted on it and presented it to us. I just wanted to get a little more info about what actually happened. >> All right, so you want to know what happened for
074Well >> I want to know more about the grievance. >> Yeah, Commissioner Jackson is not here this evening. Was there anybody else Are you Are you on the grievance committee? Yeah. >> Oh, okay. So >> Yeah. Um so the agreements that came before us um was something that was passed like it happened in the past, but it's been already corrected. When we reviewed the contract language, um there was nothing currently in violation, so we we denied the motion. >> Okay. Thank you. That's what I needed to know. >> Thank you for that explanation. Any other question? Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Uh Commissioner Van Stone, number 15. >> Thank you, Madam President. I move a motion to receive and place on file uh Superintendent's notification
075to the board items 15.1 through 15.9 as listed. >> Second. >> Discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. >> Why? Human resources is doing a lot of work on the names. Are there any committee chair reports this evening? Seeing none, could I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain? Okay. That's the end of the year. >> Hey! >> Except for next week. >> [laughter] >> Yes. Yes. >> Mhm.