001700 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14th, and I would like to convene this regular rescheduled meeting of the board of education. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Bellica here. Christine Pessa >> here. Amy Quinnon >> here. >> Jason Malibu >> here. >> Christa Palumba >> here. >> Karen Hosking >> here. >> Cindy Balen here. Elizabeth Lawren >> here. Now, >> thank you. Everyone should have received their packets containing the meeting minutes of our meeting on September 8th, 2025. Does anyone have any questions or updates? Seeing none, do I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the board of education meeting
002from September 8th, 2025? >> Yes, Madam Chair. I move to approve the minutes of the regular board of education meeting on September 8th, 2025. >> Do I have a second? >> Yes, I second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> opposed. Abstension. >> Motion passes. Okay, moving on. We are moving on to the lot. Let's see here. Okay. Superintendent's recommendation and report. >> So I have updates in letter H and the rest are for information only that part of the packet. >> Okay. Let's see. And public participation. In accordance with policy number 9050, public participants must state their name and address for the record and limit statements to three minutes. The board encourages speakers not to express defamatory comments about Watertown Board of Education personnel or any other persons associated with the Watertown
003Public School System. Would anyone from the audience like to participate in public participation? Seeing none, moving on to items of discussion. There are none. And updates. Yes. So, I have several updates today. um some of which I know I sent the board in writing but I wanted to just recapture them um for public knowledge as well. Uh so first one is um about Eversource and some summer savings which was a little piece of bright news. Um we had a little experiment where we unplugged everything across our district and all of the schools um this summer um and we captured a savings of $17,000 from just simply unplugging. um we would have captured an additional $7,000 at the high school, but we had compre construction projects going on there, which would have brought us to $24,000.
004Um so that's a nice chunk of change to save with just a very simple strategy of unplugging. Um so we will unplug over winter break as well. Um and I joked around in my written report to the board that if you see some shadows in the buildings, it's Marie and I. don't call the authorities because it's Marie and I going around and plugging everything. Um so just sometimes simple things, every little bit counts. So that was just super exciting news. Um some building project updates. Happy to report that the field lights are all in at the Mills complex. There's all new fixtures and lead light bulbs. Um and that should also reap us some additional savings um as far as utilities are concerned as well because they're energy efficient bulbs. Um, so long overdue and
005great project to have finished for our students and they're able to reap the benefits throughout the rest of the fall season. So that was really great news. Um, we did complete the lift project at Swift. Um, so there is a brand new lift there right now. We have three lifts that are working and accessible from all parts of the building. And hope um hopefully in this next budget cycle we could add the fourth lift to be repaired. Um, but we're in really good working order there because all three lifts are really strategically placed around the buildings and and there's um ability for students to use those. An update on the John Trumbull Primary School roof. All the metal has been completed. We met as a small committee um with Mr. Porter and some of the
006other um building committee folks last week just for an update. Um all the metal work is done and the contractor has assured us that it is watertight which thank goodness after the weekend weather. Um, we do have a full building committee meeting tomorrow evening and at this juncture the committee is working on a punch list for the contractor to finish some of those items so that hopefully we can close the loop on that project. Um, but in the meantime it is waterproof while we go through and get those punch list items done. Um, next update is just about budget season. Um, I'm really excited to say that we have been already been preparing for budget season in particular at the cabinet level. Um, we've created a draft of the timeline for the board of ed
007to review at an upcoming meeting. Um, and we also worked as a cabinet on a packet of guidelines for the overall process, which has really been adjusted this year. Um, we've decided to take a little bit of a different take. Um, and we have some specific goals around our process. We want to ensure that we're increasing stakeholder input. We want to make sure that every single expenditure is connected to district goals and priorities. Um, and then we're looking to really capture both short-term and long-term priorities. Um, so that we're creating a budget that isn't just shortsighted to get through the interim, but starting to look at how we can free up some funds for some of the long range plans. Um, and we're looking really to um institute a really more efficient uh process this
008year. We want to make sure that we're eliminating any duplications in emissions some from the budget so that there's not surprises that come along throughout the year. Um, and probably the biggest goal is that we create this year a very clear, simple, and transparent budget process for every single phase throughout the budget season. Um, and to achieve those goals, we've developed a three-prong strategy. We have a new uh budget development system and vetting process that I'll be able to share with the board at an upcoming meeting. Um, we've also uh already begun to talk about some creative strategies for cost savings and rethinking revenue across the district. So, that's super exciting. Um, and then we also talked at length about a communication plan that's very clear, straightforward, and transparent with our stakeholders. Um, so we're
009really excited about budget season because I think it's an opportunity to put a fresh set of eyes on it and to have a little bit of a new take um on the process and on communicating that. Um so hopefully we can get a um budget and finance subcommittee meeting scheduled in the near future and we'll be able to roll out that packet and share those ideas with the board as well as the timeline for the whole season. Um and then next um is just a little professional learning update. Um I'd like to give a shout out to Jen Gaelic uh to thank her for her exceptional planning this year. um we made the decision to really focus on some coaching. And so we have several coaching cycles out in our schools across a number of
010different subjects. So we have a cohort of folks that are working with math coaches from I Ready. We have a cohort of individuals working with Amplify CKLA for reading coaching and then of course we partnered with Ed Advance for co-eing and all of those coaching cycles have either begun or they're getting ready to begin. Um, and I think that it will really give us a good bang for our buck this year to do some really push-in job embedded um, professional development with our teachers. So, that is super exciting and I thank Jen Gillick for all of her coordination on that because it's it's a little bit of a heavy lift and it's like putting a Jenga puzzle together. Um, next update is just about policies. Um, Jason and I had a little opportunity to to
011talk and chat about the status of our policies. Um we are embarking on a full policy audit. Um we are going to compare all of our policies with um our legal firm Shipman's model policies to make sure that we have incorporated any statutory updates and any new statutes. So what we've decided to do to be costefficient and fiscally responsible is that we will internally do begin the audit ourselves where we'll compare all of our our policies with the shipment model policies and then at in the 11th hour we will then turn it over to shipment um to take a look and help us to prioritize our list. Um, so by us doing some of the leg work ourself, it's a way to um co cut some costs while making sure that we're in compliance with
012everything we need to get into compliance with and we'd also like to get a a policy subcommittee scheduled soon as well. Um, exciting work. I do think we have have some work to do in the policy area, but I'm looking forward to working with the board to get those things accomplished. Um, and then lastly, um, I'm just announcing the next set of superintendent office hours. I have a couple of dates booked. I will push them out to teachers and to families. So, 10:22 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. And then October 29th from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Um, and again, when I push that out, I'll also remind everybody that there is a complete open door policy in the superintendent's office. Anybody is welcome to schedule a time to meet or schedule a call
013outside of those office hours. Um, but I think the office hours are a nice way to give people some specifics, but I really hope that people will continue to take advantage and come in um and have conversations. Um, I've had an opportunity to meet with a few parents and several teachers and it's been very very helpful um to me as the leader in the district. Um, so that is it for my updates unless the board has any questions. I actually have a request, sir, not to put you on the spot, and you can totally say no. >> Sure. >> In uh Mr. Gavalis's absence, would you step in for budget and finance until he returns? >> Honor, too. >> Thank you. >> Does anyone on the board have any objections to that? >> Oh, okay.
014>> I just had a quick question. >> Sure. >> Yeah. For the uh the 29th of October, you said you're going to have office hours. Are they What were the time again? 1:30 to >> um y 330 >> 3:30 to 5:30. I'm trying to pick um in particular for our staff and for um working families trying to pick early morning and then later in the afternoon or evening hours. Um but again, I am more than happy to schedule anything if these times are not convenient for people. I have an open door policy, so people are welcome to call and schedule something. Kathy will take the calls, put them on my calendar. Does anyone have any questions on the policy work or anything? Okay, moving on to communications. >> Yes. Hi. Two emails came in from
015parents um regarding the Swift Bus schedule of which a response has been sent to each. >> Okay. Committee reports, curriculum and instruction. Miss Hosking, >> no report at this time. >> Policy and labor. Mr. Malagudi. >> Uh thank you, Madam Chair. respected covered perfectly uh everything regarding the committee and I thank you for doing so. >> Okay. Budget and finance and facilities. Mr. Gabalis who is not here. Uh community engagement myself. There's no update action items. Adoption of items to be approved by consent consideration to approve a donation. Odet Samos of Watertown donated viola to the Watertown public schools with an estimated value of $561. It is recommended that the board of education accept this donation and a letter of appreciation be sent to the donor. Do I have a motion? >> Yes, madam chair.
016I move to approve the donation of a viola from Odet Samo of Watertown with an estimate estimated value of $561 and a letter of appreciation be sent. >> Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Motion passes. Future agenda items and board comments. Okay, seeing none, moving on. Report from the board chair. As many of you know, my term as chair of the board of education is coming to an end in just a few short weeks. Serving this community in this role has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together we have navigated challenges, celebrated accomplishments, and most importantly kept our our focus on where it belongs, on the students of Watertown and the future we are helping to
017shape for them. I have always believed that the strength of our board and our town lies in collaboration. No single party, no single viewpoint has all the answers. What makes us effective is our ability to bring together different perspectives, to listen respectfully, and to find common ground. Our children benefit most when adults work together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Watertown residents committing to do what's right for our schools. That's why tonight I want to speak about the importance of a balanced bipartisan board of education. As I prepare to pass the gavl, I want to publicly express my support for Jason Malagudi to serve as the next chair of the board of education. Jason is the longest serving member of the board of education. He has demonstrated integrity, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to working
018with everyone at the table. Qualities that are essential to leading a board that represents all voices in our town. This endorsement is not about party labels. It is about leadership, cooperation, and continuing the positive student centered progress we've made together. I trust that Jason will uphold the same spirit of openness and collaboration that has guided our work. I know what you're thinking, but he's a Democrat. The majority of the board is Republican. That's the beauty of what we have been working towards the past few years. A bipartisan board that puts the best interests of the students first. Contrary to popular belief, the board chair does not, I repeat, does not need to be of the majority party. One of my last acts as the board chair is to also guide the board of education in
019choosing the next superintendent. The board has been working tirelessly tirelessly with CABE over the past few weeks reviewing candidate resumes and asking thoughtful questions that were born out of the public participation survey. We received a healthy response to the posting and we are in the home stretch for choosing our next superintendent. I want to thank my fellow board members past and present for your dedication, your time, and your willingness to serve. It's not always easy work, but it's meaningful work. and to the parents, teachers, and community members who stay engaged and care deeply about our schools. Your involvement is what keeps Watertown strong. As I step aside, I do so with confidence that the future of our board and our schools is in good hands. Let's continue to support a board of education that reflects
020the best of Watertown, balanced, bipartisan, and always putting students first. Okay, it is now 7:15 and I would like to move to go into executive session. Do I have a motion to move into executive session? >> Yes, Madam Chair. I move to go into executive session for discussion regarding the successor contract negotiated between the Watertown Board of Education and the Watertown Administrators Association. Board members present are Christa Palumba, Karen Hosking, Christine Feressa, Kareem Bellica, Annie Amy Quinnon, Elizabeth Lton, Cindy Failen, Lisa Becky, and myself, Jason Malagudi, >> and Jen Ga. >> And Miss Jen Gaelic. Do I have a second? I second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstension. Motion passes. It is now 7:15 and we