001Okay, it's now 7:00 p.m. First order of business before we convene, I would like to have a motion to move the uh action item K3 after L and have an executive session. Do I have a motion? Yes, Madam Chair. I make a motion to move agenda item K3 to executive session after item L, future agenda items and board member. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Extensions. Motion passes. I would like to now convene the regularly scheduled board of education meeting for Monday, July 7th. Please stand for 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. John Gavales Christine Feressa here. James Gamberelli here. Jason Malagudi
002here. Christa Palumba here. Karen Hosking. Cindy Failen here. Elizabeth Lawren here. Kareem Balikica here. Thank you. Board members should have received their packets with the meeting minutes from board of education meeting from June 23rd. Does anyone have any questions? Seeing none, do I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the regular board of education meeting on June 23rd? Madam Chair, I move to approve the minutes of the regular board of education meeting on June 23rd, 2025. Do I have a second? I second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Extension. Motion passes. Moving on to the acting superintendent's recommendation and report. Okay. Good evening, board of ed members. I'm really excited tonight to be able to present to you my 30 6090day entry plan. Um, so if Michael can kind of pull
003up my slides there, and you've also been given a copy of the slides so that you can look through them. So I believe also in your packets um the full plan is there and I emailed it to board members. So you should have received it through email. That was the full um narrative plan. And tonight I'll just go through some slides to highlight some pieces um from the plan and then certainly open for feedback or questions from the board. So, I titled my plan, uh, starting strong, meaningful momentum, and lasting leadership. Um, so we'll kind of flick through. Thank you, Michael. Um, so I am very honored uh to serve in this role during, I think, what is a key transition time for Watertown Public Schools. Um, I'm happy to take some of the experience
004that I have had in this district, a district that I love, um, as the director of operations curriculum instructions, the interim director of special education this past year, which was a wonderful year for me, um, and the principal of Pulk School. So, I am very excited to kind of take all of those lenses and use those um, to to move forward the district this year. Um so I do feel that I do have a comprehensive understanding of the district's strengths, needs and values. Um but I also am a person whose leadership is grounded in collaboration, transparency and integrity. So I am very happy to hear multiple voices and to take consideration of all of those voices to move forward with decisions that are always student centered um at the core of all of the actions.
005Um I'd also just like to mention um that while Dr. Villinoe Villinoea and I worked very beautifully together for four years. I am a different person um with a different set of priorities and a different style. Um so I'm looking forward to getting to know the board um in this new capacity and the board getting to know me in this new capacity. Um so what I think I bring is a little bit of um understanding of the past but also some of my own novel ideas for the future. Um does it work yet Michael? Are you turning it? There we go. Okay. As I mentioned, um this is a little bit of a piv p pivotal moment for our district. There are a number of things that are happening right now in the district. Um
006you know, we have the leadership changes at Swift Middle School. We have the schedule changes that we've talked a lot about at John Trumbull and Swift. Um there is a a new department plan for special education that will be rolled out this year based upon my study of the department last year. We also have a new IT department that we will be integrating. Um, and we're coming off of the heels of a tough budget season. Um, and then the district plan is really just started. So, that is work that needs to continue and and to move forward. So, I think it's it's really a pivotal time in our district um to bring some continuity, but also fresh insights. Um, this plan, I've I've thought long and hard about the pieces in this plan, but I'm
007also open to feedback from any stakeholders. Um, but I'm hoping this ensures a thoughtful, transparent, and effective transition. Um, I'm hoping to leverage my existing established relationships and mutual respect that I have with much of the staff across the the district while also building some new relationships and connections with folks that I may not have encountered through my previous roles. Um, I have a commitment strong commitment to listening and learning from all members of the school community and I am prepared to um introduce some innovative ideas and uh advance the district in align with our shared vision of excellence. The way I structured the plan um is in buckets. So there are five buckets that I kind of packaged the action steps under. So the first is operations resources and fiscal responsibility, district vision and
008alignment, data-driven strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and then leadership alignment. So I will go through each of those buckets and just give um everybody a sense of some of the highlights in the plan. So the way I structured the slides is that I'll talk just very briefly about why I think this bucket itself is important and then I'll talk about some of the steps that are in that bucket. So district vision and alignment. This work matters because when we're all on the same page, we can move forward together. By talking openly, setting some clear goals, and working as a team, we can make sure that our efforts truly benefit our students and schools. It's really important to have a combined vision so that we know where we're going and we can create the roadmap from that.
009So, some of the action steps under district vision and alignment. Um, I invite any board members who would like to have an individual meeting with me to please come in. I'd love to hear from you. Kathy will schedule it. Um, I really would like to hear more about your thoughts and perspectives to inform my plan. Um I'm also planning to meet with the cabinet individually uh to set expectations for 2526. Um I'm working on kind of setting some priorities um reaffirming and redefining some of the district priorities. Um and then I think one of the important um pieces that needs to be tackled this year is continuing the development of the district success plan that was started last year in partnership with Ed Advance. There are some seed ideas, but it really needs to be
010taken to a full comprehensive plan that we could use as a roadmap to to guide our district. Um, with respect to administrators, I'm looking to set some goals with them based upon some of the district level work and then always holding um regular meetings with administrators and um anyone else just to keep that ongoing communication going. Uh, district operations. I've been around enough for many board members to know that I love a good procedure. Um, but I do very much believe that efficient and clear and transparent operations are essential because they allow a level of comfortability and calmness for teachers and for administrators where they're not focused on things that aren't working, things are working smoothly. So then they could focus on the teaching and learning. And I think that's achieved um by building trust,
011having a shared purpose, but having really clear um directions and procedures and ways to do business so that everybody's kind of on the same page. So some of the um projects or pieces that I plan to work on uh is to and I did meet with Dr. Villan Noeva before her departure just to learn the status of all existing district projects and priorities. Um, another piece that I started a few years back that I will continue on for both the special education department as well as um, just in general for the leadership team are indexes of information, procedures, forms all in one place, alphabetized so that it's one-stop shopping when you're looking for something. Um, if you ask the administrators, they will share that, you know, my admin repository as we call it. It is
012a helpful tool and you're not always kind of looking around for things. Um, so just a a little piece but powerful in that it saves time. Um, a big piece of the summer work in particular is hiring and talent management. Um, we brought some candidates forward today. Um, but that's really essential that you go out and you recruit and that you hire people that are going to be invested in Watertown, invested in our schools. Um, so the other piece um is as far as summer work in particular is getting facilities, technology, and instructional resources ready. um orders have gone out, pieces are coming in, curriculum materials. So all of that is ongoing. Um and then taking a good look at school safety and security plans and then of course planning all of the back to
013school events that take place. So mo a lot of this will be done in in the first 30 days, but then certainly carried through as the year goes on in different pockets and places. So stakeholder um engagement and transparent communication. Uh I I those of you who know me well know that I am a a very honest and transparent person. If you ask me a question, I will always answer it honestly. Um and I look forward to carrying that through in this role as well as the other roles that I have. I am also invested in in listening to what people have to say. Um, there may be sometimes a time where I may make a decision that people may like or may not like, but certainly giving people the opportunity to share their thoughts
014and that might even change or tweak a decision that I might be making, but at the very least it's an opportunity to share some context so people understand perhaps I can understand where they're coming from, they can understand where I'm coming from. Um, so I think that um, you know, some opportunities for conversation it is important with students and with staff. So some pieces there. Um, I'm hoping this summer in particular and then moving forward gathering feedback from all stakeholder groups, hosting some key events, uh, back to school orientation, admin free happens, convocation, um, sharing this transition plan and details and leadership updates um, with the board and and the community beyond. um maintaining transparent frequent communication. My door is always open. People are more than welcome to come and and spend some time to
015talk with me. And that goes for board, staff, families, students. Um ensuring easy access to clear information and resources for the school community, for the board, for the teachers, for the students. Um and then I think it's important to monitor the progress of this plan and report regularly to the board so that you're always in the loop of some of the things that are happening. Um, and then I think it's important to recognize we have exceptional staff, exceptional students, and we have a wonderful community here in Watertown that I love. And I think it's important to recognize um those contributions. So that is another piece of what I hope to do. Um, next is leadership alignment um and development. Schools are busy places. And so one of the things that I feel strongly about is
016that if you're going to um take people and put them into a meeting, it really needs to be worth it. It really needs to be productive. Um so one of the things that I think is important is for for us to kind of take a look at our leadership practices, the time that we collaborate together to make sure that we're being efficient and that we're focusing with our eyes on the prize, which is student achievement. How do we improve teaching and learning? How do we improve stu student achievement? Um, so in line with that, um, I have a plan and, um, I had actually gathered some feedback from admins, uh, a little while back of their thoughts on this, but I'd like to redesign our leadership meetings for greater relevance and alignment and efficiency, um,
017and then gather feedback from admins um, to continue to improve. Those meetings need to be informational, but they also need to be collaborative and they need to be worth it. If I'm going to pull a principal out of a building, it needs to be for something constructive and efficient and something that's going to move us forward. Um, as you know there, or you may or may not know, there is an August administrative retreat. Um, and I already have my list of items of things that we're going to work through. Um, but it is really a time for us to establish a vision, focus areas, and operational readiness. So, I'm really looking forward to that time to pull our school leaders together. Um, and then I think the other piece that um, I'd like to do
018with the admin team is really look at the administrator evaluation and support plan and really leverage that to have conversations with admins about their practice. Um, I think that that is a piece that will be hugely helpful and it will build bridges and help us to improve teaching and learning. Um, and then my plan is to hold regular meetings in buildings and be visible in buildings. Um, but my idea when I do go to meet individually with building administrators is that we do classroom walkthroughs and that we talk about what the instruction looks like that I, you know, we get to see what are the teachers doing, what are the students doing, so that not only are we a presence where people know that we care and we want to see what's going on in
019the school, but it's also a a way to get information to actually see some of the things that are happening in lifetime and in classrooms. Um, I am the data geek. Um, I 100% believe that if we use data to make decisions that we're going to be efficient and it's going to drive student achievement. Um, it is researchbased and it is proven and this to me is one of the hugest directions that we need to take in this district um to do it with fidelity and across our buildings. So my hope is to research and adopt a new data platform um and implement that once secured. um there is oodles and oodles of data and we need to find a way to kind of take it and to put it package it so that people
020can actually use it to drive instruction um because it does get overwhelming and I think the piece we're missing is a platform to help us do that. Um PLC's I think are also hugely important going through um constant loops of of reflection. So focusing on PLC meetings, um I hope to conduct a gap analysis to identify some quick wins and think about some directions. Um using data to target student achievements, um and then planning and finalizing the professional learning calendar based on student needs and stakeholder input. So, I left this one for last mostly because it's kind of where Marie and I right now are living and that's in that resources and fiscal responsibility um vein. So, I really feel that we have to manage our resources responsibly and we have to be transparent. We
021need to build trust and support um student success and I'm committed to working closely with our town, with the board, with our community so that we can have a shared understanding of the school district's needs and try to move forward together with a shared understanding and a shared vision for Watertown. Um so some of the ideas and I have many ideas um for fiscal responsibility. Um but Marie and I have already begun to um collaborate to finalize any budget adjustments for fiscal responsibility and transparency. Um we did create a document this year. Um it's kind of a two-prong document uh that we will frequently use and bring back to the board to share. So there is one piece of the document where um we're keeping track of any time that we're trying to be more
022costefficient. Anytime that we go out and look for a new vendor, anytime that we try to order paper from a different place or uh look if we can obtain services in a different manner, we're keeping track of those things and then we're keeping track if we were able to reap any cost savings from that. The other piece of that is the unexpected costs or the increases that we didn't predict. So that those pieces on an ongoing basis, not only with Marie's financial report, but we can share some of those specifics with the board in the community. So, hey, we tried these three things. We were able to capture this much money. But, you know, just to give everybody an awareness, these three things came in higher than we thought. So, that there's really some specifics
023around those changes in budget so that people understand. Um, so, um, that's looking for potential savings and revenue possibilities. um updating the board and the community on those pieces. Um and then certainly commencing the the budget planning process for 2627 and closely monitoring facilities, technology, and instructional materials so that we can prioritize and really put our dollars towards what's important. Um and so that is the piece for fiscal responsibility. Um Marie and I are trying very hard this year not to to freeze. I think it's it takes away people's agency. So, if we can be really efficient in our costs and and let the schools have as much of their school budgets as possible with their own prioritized expenditures, that is a goal of ours. Um, and I do have some very specific plans. I'm
024in the planning stage of an idea to um have a revenue stream for the district that I look forward to updating the board about in the very near future. We're in the infancy stage, Marie, myself, and cabinet of planning. um some programmatic pieces that I think will serve as a revenue stream for the district to help offset some of our other costs. Um so I thank you for listening. Again, you have the full version and the slides to refer to. I know I'm a process thinker, so if you have questions after, please let me know. Um, but I'm certainly happy to answer any questions um, now if the board has any or take any feedback in of of things that maybe you feel should also be included in the plan. Um, through the chair, I
025just have a quick question. Um, could you possibly go into maybe I'm just the data driven strategic planning. Um, so we don't have a data platform right now. We do. We um have one through um it's through CTS. It's the SRBI platform. Okay. Okay. We do. We 100% do. Um but one of the things that that it doesn't necessarily do for us is create a great output. Um so it's really labor intensive and and Michael is is been fantastic about when I say, "Hey, teachers need to to see their scores. Like could you put all of these scores together?" It's a lot of physical leg work to actually put together that data in a way that people can take it, digest it, and use it to drive their instruction. So there are pieces, there are
026platforms out there that um don't just serve as a repository. So the one that we have is more of a repository. It doesn't necessarily have the output. Um and that's what we need is the output in a quick way so that we can turn it around while the data is still fresh. Is there a cost to the CTS SRBI platform? There is not a cost. So, but with a new platform there would be a cost obviously. Okay. Y through the chair. Yes. Um would you be able to um as part of your community engagement, would you be able to present at the PTO meetings? Yes. Because I think Yes. Or just in general? Um this in this and like achievements that you do at the 30-day mark, the 60-day mark, and what's to come ahead?
027Absolutely. That's a great idea. I'm writing it down. Probably Kathy's writing it down because she knows that I won't remember unless I write it down. Great idea. Any other questions or feedback? I just have one quick comment. Um, one of the things when we were going through the budget process, and I know I just want to, you know, we we when you move things around a bit and we didn't know you moved things around a bit, can we just make sure we asterisk the things that we move around a bit? Does that make sense? I I will say that I'm I'm pleased with the meetings I've had with Miss Becketty because I think she and I are much more aligned in that. Um, I don't I don't think there's anything wrong with being completely transparent.
028From day one when I've gotten here, I felt very strongly about the more information we put out, knowledge is power. Now, sometimes that opens you up for a little bit of, you know, um, you know, people start asking deep deeper questions, but that's okay. Um, but I think what I like with Lisa just in the meetings that we've had is that I've said to her, you know, when I first came on, it was said to me, and I will say this openly, that someone had said, oh, you know, well, they said they want to audit the board of ed. And when Dr. Villain WA said that to me, I think she thought I was going to be shaking in my boots and I turned around to her and I said, you know, Dr. V, you
029realize I my my my strong suit is an auditor. I was an auditor. I'm not intimidated by that word. You know, I that's what I think makes me a good business manager is I like to dig in the weeds and I'm not intimidated if somebody digs in the weeds for me or wants me to dig further. So, I think that the two of us working I've already talked to her about um you know, it bothered me at the end of this year being questioned, right? Nobody wants to be questioned because I knew my intentions were always to do a good job and I know I'm doing a good job, but then I said, "Well, what what am I not doing well enough or what can I do better?" Right? if you turn it into a
030learning process and we've already implemented and I spoke with doc uh with uh Miss Becketty before I even spoke to my team was what can we do so that we're not capturing this towards the end of the year. what can we do to try to find these encumbrances that are over under earlier on on a more specific base and it's something as simple as literally we just started trying it's probably going to take me one or two months longer to encumber everything but I said to them if we spend the the time at the front end and now let's start doing everything by month so instead of having a oneline entry for 12 months of ever source bills we're going to have for every single location which is a lot it's a lot of work
031for for Jod and Eva but it's to literally list out every month so now when the bill hits, we will know right away that month, were we over, were we under? And then it'll allow us to look forward to start making those adjustments a little sooner. So, everything's a learning process. And again, it didn't feel good to be, you know, nitpicked. I'm going to use the word nitpicked and be questioned. But, you know, I'm I'm okay with it because it actually forced me to look further and to to see if there's ways that we can do things a little better. Now, I might find out that that didn't allude to anything extravagant, but I have to believe that by December, we're going to be a little closer than we were last December and not finding,
032you know, a million dollars in in March. Um because no, you know, we're not doing anything unintentionally. If anything, we're trying to be very very cautious to make sure that we're encumbering more than enough. Um but we need to we need to find a balance there. So, well, I think it was just even going through the budget for us, you know, I'm not an accountant, so I'm just kind of going through what makes sense, what doesn't make sense, and why is this here, and you know, we didn't have anything here, but now we have this big number. So, I think it's just understanding maybe just a little asterisk say, "Oh, this is why or it just just a reference point as we're trying to go through the things as well to understand." Absolutely. And that
033was one of the reasons why we came up with the list and Miss Becketty had said, you know, we need to start showing, you know, how we're trying to recoup because we've been doing it all along. It's not that we haven't been, but I don't think we've been doing a very good job about reporting back and and and almost proving out like, you know, what we've tried to do. But I said to her, there's the flip side of that, too. We're we're quick to come in and say, well, we have these unanticipated costs in sped. But sometimes there's unanticipated costs not in sped. Like the first bill I got was for workman's comp, and that came in a little higher than I was I was. And I'm like, oh, great way to start off the
034year, not the bill that I was expecting. Little things like that. So, I said to her, let's have both sides of the equation on there. And it could be as simple as just putting that Google sheet with the ongoing list right as part of our financial plan. But anything, you know, we want to be cooperative and I if if there's anything that both Lisa and I want to do is we we want to gain the town's trust. I I think we've been trying to do that all along. Um but the more transparent we can be, the better we'll be at it. And that and of course I report to all of you. You're you're my main stakeholders. That's the way I see it. I report to to Lisa Fecky and and to the board of
035ed first and foremost. Um, I want you to be confident in the information that I'm giving. And again, I'm open to suggestions in any way. Um, but I feel like our my conversations with Lisa right from the onset, um, the last few weeks, even before Dr. Villain Wave officially exited, we had started having conversations because we knew it couldn't wait, um, until the last minute. And some of that did involve me going back and actually looking at some lines. So, when I give you u my financial report for the year ending 6:30, you will also see that I will give you the new um, budget for this year. Not major changes, but there were some areas that that we shed some light on and we said, "You know what? We need to tweak these numbers.
036They need to make sense." And we did. So, we went line by line. Yes. Line by literally line by line. Thank you. You're welcome. The question. Okay. Thank you so much. I really appreciate you listening to my plan. I'm excited about it. Moving on to 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 Watertown Public School System. Would anyone like to come to the podium? Seeing none, moving on to items of discussion. Number one, review and discuss the process outlined in policy number 1050 regarding the proposed naming of the softball field in honor of Keith Borcowski. Yes. So
037board members, in your packet, um I have provided you with board policy 105 um which outlines the specific process for naming school facilities um which includes a comprehensive review and strong community support which was already established I believe by Mr. Chiola when he came and presented at a previous board meeting. So the next step in this process pull per policy 105 is for the board chairperson to assemble a subcommittee to review the proposal for naming the softball field after Keith Bowski. Um so according to the policy there are some very specific uh stakeholders that must be a part of that committee. Um which is the chair, the superintendent, one board of ed member, one administrator, one teacher, one parent of a current Watertown student, two community residents, um and any individuals that may be designated
038by the chairperson with relevant expertise. Um and so also once that committee is established, the board should publicly announce the formation in charge of the subcommittee encouraging any further community input. Um and then there will be possible action tonight um based upon the board's discussion and purview. Um so the board may choose to move forward and formally assemble this committee to begin the review process. Um, so that in a nutshell is the policy and the next steps. And then of course later in the meeting, if the board feels to do so, you can move forward with action um for Christa to be able to um assemble that committee and get to work. Thank you. Um, anyone have any questions? Uh, yes to the chair. A basic question. The field doesn't currently have a name. No.
039Okay. And they've already gotten 100 votes there. So all all other criteria the basic stuff has been met. Okay. I went through everything. Step one has been together. Thank you. Okay. Next consider and vote on the approval of policy number 4040 which addresses background checks for employment and student teachers. Okay. So to refresh the board's memory um we had conducted a second read of this policy at a previous board meeting. Um as you may recall this policy addresses employment and student teacher background checks. It requires that all job applicants and student teachers provide rec written documentation and disclosure of any criminal convictions and any pending criminal charges um and whether they are listed on the DCF abuse and neglect registry. Um and the purpose of the policy really is just to ensure that the district
040um conducts a thorough background check to maintain a safe environment for students and staff. So again um this is in items for discussion later on in the meeting. Um so the board may decide to take the action to approve this policy um since we did conduct the second reading at a a previous date and the policy is in board members packets. Um and the blue langu I believe it was blue language that was agreed upon um has now been turned to black in the policy. Any questions? And then next, conduct the second reading of policy 5000, the Connecticut school climate policy. Yes. So, um this also uh we had a first read of at a a previous board meeting. Um and this is the policy I if you recall that I shared that is the
041one that um legally we must adopt um as is. Um and so I have the policy in there for you. Um so state law requires it and and changes really aren't allowed. Um it ensures consistency and equity. It was developed um by experts. Actually CAB um created the policy um with state individuals. Um and the purpose for adopting the policy in addition to it being good practice is that it puts us within legal compliance and protection. Um and really some of the key requirements that are in the policy is that it mandates a school climate committee annual training bianial surveys um all designed to improve st uh school climate. So in summary the state law mandates adoption of the model climate policy as written to ensure consistency across the state compliance and best outcome for
042students. Um, we the state charged school districts with adopting by July 1st, but I did check and given that we had a transition in leadership this spring, I did check with attorney Ritter and we are well within our rights to just adopt it uh should the board choose to do so at the next meeting and we will still be in compliance with the state. Anyone have any questions? I do through the chair. Yes. There's optional language under section four of that. Mhm. What would we be? So, if we adopt this tonight, what would the like? So, I don't think we could adopt it tonight because this is be the second read. I think we have to wait one more time, but let me um look. Oh, wait. That's the second. Okay. Okay. So, I believe
043the second one, the cave one, exactly as is. And then I think that we can um look at these gray areas and see I think it's just those two gray sections. Correct. That's all I saw. Yeah. Yep. Okay. So, I think we just need to add some supports for one and then we need to add the designated area. Mhm. That's Yeah. If we It says optional if we include that removal clause at all. No, I think you have to have the removal clause. I just think that it's optional whether you want to put the designated area in. This optional include 4A if the board student discipline policy authorizes teachers to remove a student from a class etc etc. So would this be included? We just need to add the specific location and intervention. Right. I
044don't do we have that in our current policy with the No, but you know what we should check the and and maybe that that's a good thing for me to check and to be able to answer at the next board meeting. this doesn't supplant the school discipline policy and so not having it in my binder now to look at I think that we need to see if that particular piece is in our school discipline policy which I believe it is but I want to be able to check it because this would have to mirror what it would have to mirror that that might be why it's optional because this um this does they don't tell you that you have to supplant your school discipline policy this is an add-on layer to ensure restorative practices are
045um complimentary towards the discipline policy if that makes sense. Okay. Um so I will look and have more information for the next board meeting and I will double check our school discipline policy through the chair. Yes. Um would you be able to just get an update? I know with Dr. V, we were working through these policies and we got busy with other things there just where we stood on how many are ahead and maybe we could have a policy and labor subcommittee meeting to to go over these if there's ahead of us still. I forgot whereabout we were with getting them all through. That is a great point and I will actually touch base um and check through the old documentation from K, but I will also touch base with attorney Ritter. Thank you. Um
046and then we can certainly get that scheduled um because to be honest, I'm not sure where you left off either. So I remember there was a bunch of them and we've been working our way. There may be a few ahead of us still. Yep. I will check with attorney Ritter. Thank you. And that could be a future agenda item. Any other questions, comments? Moving on to communications. No communications at this time. Committee reports, curriculum and instruction. Miss Hoskin at this time. Policy and labor. Mr. Meligudi. Uh, yes, Madam Chair. We had a brief discussion regarding policy 1050, naming school buildings and facilities. Sounds like we'll be proceeding ahead. an action item to have her field renamed. And we also had our second read of policy 4040, a possible action item to follow. Spoke a little
047bit about series 5000, which uh we are hopeful to get a policy leader subcommittee scheduled for in the near future. Thank you. Budget and finance and facilities, Mr. Gavales, who is not here, governance and community engagement. No report. Moving on to the report from the board chair. I come before you not as the board chair but as a citizen on speaking not out of anger but out of deep frustration, deep concern and no longer willing to stay silent. What I am about to say is not personal. This is business and I have a job to do. Leadership at its core is not about titles, positions or polished speeches. It is about responsibility. It is about listening when people speak, taking action when it's needed, and owning the consequences when mistakes are made. But what I've
048witnessed lately is not leadership. It's deflection. It's silence. It's decisions made behind closed doors with little regard for those most affected. We were elected or appointed not to preserve our positions, but to serve, to listen, to act. And yet, time and again, we've seen vital issues sidelined for political convenience, critical voices ignored in favor of poll numbers, and truth bent to fit partisan narratives. Last Thursday, I sat in an RTC meeting. For those of you that don't know, the RTC is the Republican Town Committee. Although the Board of Education is nonpartisan, we do need to be get we do need to be endorsed by a party as we are elected officials. In this three-hour meeting, I was yelled at for probably a good two hours. This is nothing new. Rather, it's typical. I'm going to
049address some of those concerns that I was unable to answer as I was either talked or yelled over, which I find ironic as one of our agenda items was on decorum and there was none of that on display. In the pre presentation given last week on schedule changes at Swift, I was told I disrespected the teachers as I pointed out that the teachers did in fact receive the data they were asking for. If any teacher felt disrespected by me, I sincerely apologize. That was not my intent. Everyone here knows I am pro- teacher. We received this question over and over from teachers and board members saying that there was no data to support the changes when in fact there was. So this was very confusing to me. I wanted to make sure everyone had the
050data, nothing more. No disrespect. That's why I kept asking administration, did everyone get this? I wanted to make sure everyone had it. Clearly, there was miscommunication somewhere along the way. Also to clear up another miscommunication, when Cindy came to the podium to address the schedule changes, she mentioned that some teachers got together and came up with a schedule. This was the very first time the administration had heard about this schedule. I do not want the teachers to feel they were not heard or dismissed. The administration knew nothing about the schedule. Again, miscommunication. In the presentation, there was a bullet point in a slide that was wildly misinterpreted. The slide said low enrollment numbers in select classes between 9 to 15 students. This was misrep this was misinterpreted as average class size. This was specifically about
051section numbers for unified arts at Swift. This is why two CTE teachers were moved to the high school. There was a huge demand of unfulfilled requests at the high school for CTE and the new schedule evens out enrollment in unified arts classes at Swift. The average class size at Swift is 20 students with some as high as 23 to 25. I would like to remind everyone that the role of the board of education is to set policy, hire and oversee the superintendent and approve the budget set forth by the superintendent. The board of education does not, I repeat, does not manage the dayto-day operations. Now, when I refer to this RTC meeting, I want everyone to be aware that this is coming from a small group of people. This is not representative of the entire
052group. The main objective of this meeting was to hear from candidates. The three incumbents are running as well as a few others. In my speech, I made it very clear I knew what the few had been doing for the past few months. I've known for a long time they were not going to endorse me. So, my speech was not about only my qualifications, but to let the larger body know of the FU's actions. I will share a few of those actions with you tonight. And before I go on, I want to apologize to Miss Fecky before I say anything else because she does not deserve what has been going on around here. She absolutely does not deserve it. The RTC chair submitted a foyer request for communications between myself, Dr. Villanoeva, and Lisa Fecky. Why?
053Because the few could not believe I signed Lisa's contract when I did. The board never knows when I go to sign anything at central office. It is at my convenience. This could have been taken care of with a phone call, but no, we have to do things the hard way. They even went so far as to lie and call board members and say they had the votes to overturn the appointment of the acting super to try to flip the board's decision. There is not one board member who does not know what the succession plan was to be. Not one. If anyone had any reservations about Lisa being the acting super or super, not one person spoke up in two years. There was plenty of time to say something and nothing was said by anyone other
054than encouragement and statements of support. Everyone knew the succession plan. The few are actively undermining the decisions of the board of education. This is very serious. Why are they doing this? Because they want their guy in. They are very upset I did not consult them on this decision. It is not the place of the RTC or the town council to tell the board of education who to hire. When I asked members of the board of education if they wanted a guest to come in and speak about the RTC plan, they said no. I even asked former board members if they had ever reached out to the RTC or town council when making such decisions, and it was met with a resounding no. I thought so, but I wanted to make sure because I was not
055only called out for not consulting the RTC, but was also told I rule the board of education and whatever I say goes and I do not listen. That could not be further from the truth. If that were the case, why have board members offered to step down to keep me as board chair? The nine people that make up the board of education come to the table with their own opinions, and we share them respectfully. When decisions are made, it is made by the entire committee. This also upsets a few of the RTC. I include the Democratic members on everything we do. Every decision is made by all of us. Again, we are nonpartisan board. Everyone's input is valued and appreciated. I have said it over and over. Politics does not belong on the board of
056education. This is why I am not the team player the RTC is looking for. My job is to guide the board ensuring effective governance and strategic direction for the benefit of the school district and its students. I was told not once but twice in that meeting, we don't care about the students. You've made that very clear. You want a yes man who you can control and slash teachers teachers and that's not me. We were already told at the meeting because of the water and sew sewer debacle we will not get a dime with the next budget. To which I said contractually we have to pay people. The answer same as every meeting every month year after year cut the teachers and close the school. I said we can't do that and was told then find
057money somewhere else. When I mentioned that we were going to take a look at the workman's comp, I was told no. Respectfully, we have to people on the books for over 20 years. We are going to look at workman's comp. We have to. We are turning over every rock and every pebble we can to find money to keep our schools running. As I'd mentioned earlier, the focus of the meeting was supposed to be about the candidates. I sat there in disbelief as they also dismissed Karen Hosking and her background. Karen was a special educator and school counselor for 38 years. Miss Veressa was also also told by one of the few that she they I'm sorry. Miss Varessa was also told by one of the few that they didn't want her either. You do not
058let this knowledge and experience like they have walk out the door. Why are they doing this? For what? Power and control. They want people who are going to cut teachers and close a school. This is not leadership. This is survivalism disguised as governance. We are living in a moment that demands more. Not more spin, not more fingerpointing, but more honesty, more urgency, more humanity. This is not about political sides. This is about responsibility. All you're doing is causing community members to question the Republican party and candidates judgment and integrity, diminishing their qualifications in the process. Continuing down this path of nefarious behavior will not help you. All it has done is fractured friendships and relationships with community members and other board members. The few have gone even so far as to make this personal. When
059I go home, my partner and I do not discuss board ma board matters. He has nothing to do with the board of education. Yet the few have made it personal, even going as far as withholding jobs from him. All because I fight for the students of Watertown Public Schools. He is innocent in all of this. He is a very private person and I am so sorry. He does not deserve this. We deserve better. We deserve leaders who are present, who are human, who listen, and who are brave enough to admit when they've gotten it wrong. Leaders who see value, not in control, but in collaboration. This is not about tearing anyone down. It's about demanding the leadership we were promised. the leadership we need. It is about raising the standard, not lowering our expectations just
060to keep the peace. The RTC will endorse three people for board of education and three people for C town council next Thursday at the nominating caucus. Anyone else who would like to run will get nominated from the floor. All registered Republicans are encouraged to attend to choose your candidates. The meeting is at the senior center on July 17th at 6:30. Four years ago, I was nominated from the floor and brought an army. There is no doubt the RTC is not putting my name forward. They know someone will probably nominate me from the floor. However, I am not asking anyone to, nor am I bringing that army I brought the last time. I am leaving it up to the community. Do you want integrity in our local leadership that collaborates, or do you want backroom deals
061that further divide our community? Our student future is in your hands. Vote accordingly. Next action items. Adoption of items to be approved by consent. Consider and take possible action to establish a subcommittee to begin the process of naming the Watertown High School softball field in honor of Keith Barowski. Do I have a motion? Yes, Madam Chair. I move to establish a subcommittee to begin the process of naming the Watertown High School softball field in honor of Keith Borcowski. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Abstension. Motion passes. Consider to take possible action to approve policy number 4040. Do I have a motion? Yes, madam chair. I move to approve policy 4040. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Abstension. Move. Motion
062passes. Three has been moved to executive session. future agenda items and board member comments. Seeing none, it is now 7:48 and I would like to move into executive session to consider to take possible action for the board to appoint a permanent principal at Swift Middle School. Do I have a motion to go into executive session? Yes, madam chair. moved to um for us to go into executive session for consideration um for appointment of a permanent principal at Swift Middle School. Included in the meeting will be Christine Feresa, Jim Gamberdella, um Jason Malagudi, Christa Palumba, Lisa Fecky, Cindy Failen, myself, Elizabeth Wen, and Kareem Bella and Karen Hoski. Oh, sorry. Sorry, Karen. And Karen Hosking. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Highway.