BOE Meeting 2/19/26

001Okay, welcome everyone uh to the February board of education meeting. Uh we can call the meeting to order at 6:02. That we can rise to say the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. Okay, we have Kate Board, >> Megan Wixs, Kathy Grant, hopefully. All right, Susan Nuller, Susan, >> Rachel Ricard, >> here. >> Absent is Ara Kawara and Valerie Mushiano, but also present is Scott Fenner, Amy Sephto, Lloyd Johnson, and Darina Langer, and myself. State the board of ed mission statement. The Volunt Board of Education's mission is to provide our students the skills essential to reach their highest potential in a safe environment for learning as they aspire

002to become responsible, respectful, and civic-minded members of society. We commit to help educate, challenge, and inspire each child to excel as lifelong learners who can adapt constructively in an everchanging multicultural and technological world. not receiving correspondence or any public comment. No, but there was something right before that. >> And then um yeah, the rest of the agenda looks pretty um straightforward, but um >> do you want to add the agenda? >> Great. Okay. So, we're going to need a motion to add a an an executive session to this because that's not included. >> We do have to add a topic. >> Okay. A topic to negotiations to add to the executive session on the agenda. >> I'll make a motion to have >> negotiations. Okay. >> Thank you. All in favor? I I opposed unheard

003motion passes. We'll add negotiations to this. Okay. So, consent agenda. Um, has everyone had a chance to take a look at that? Do you have any comments? So, we make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Make a motion to approve that. All favored. Unheard. Motion passes. >> No, you're good. Just in time for reports and updates. So, uh, start with the principal of work. All right. Um, February was somewhat quiet, not but we had um spirit week last week and that was always fun. So we concluded the basketball and cheerleading season rally on Friday um which was great. You know, it gave a chance for the cheerleaders to actually perform because unfortunately there's no cheerleaders really locally anymore that um have teams at school. So yeah, and you know, it's kind

004of sad when I um coached way back um you would go to the competitions and we hosted before, but it's just it's not the same, you know, as it was. But it was good that they were able to showcase um you know what what they've done all season into your point. Maybe we maybe we could think about um I know I know it's just cuz all the other teams get a chance to do that kind of championship level, but maybe because there's so many high school mini kind of performances, they won't they won't let us not like actually perform, but like maybe do like a little >> school at the school like like maybe kick it off like kicking it off or the Valentine Elementary School >> takes us all season to PREPARE AND then

005they're all there but that kind of stuff. Um so yeah, so we wrapped up benchmark season um not season but benchmark testing and we met and we had our data team. So we do have um some students that will be getting some MTSS services um you know within their classroom or outside of their classroom with Mrs. Kelly. So um we've been working on that small number of kids which is great. Um it's just that HMH has like taken on itself now like after a couple years of having the program. So people are really much more confident in utilizing the program that um we bought our SR for an appropriate program. So that was good too. Um coming up PTO skate night is on Tuesday night. >> Yeah. Yeah. And volleyball was happy. I was like,

006I scheduled her on their schedule because last year they were upset. They couldn't come. Um, but PTO escape night will be on the 24th. March has a lot of events and one event that will happen on the night of the board meeting is going to be the family literacy night. So, um, we're going to start at 5:30, so anybody's welcome to come over before that. And that's where teachers come and they put on literacy and math activities. It's ocean theme this year, so that's something that'll happen on that. We have the PTO dance. We got a lot of things coming up in March. Um, I didn't list them because it would have been a lot, but stay tuned for that. Okay. And then it'll be like give a big shout out to the teachers that

007dress all their students in snow gear and let them come out with the snow. >> To have that on record because >> it's been a challenging year. I feel like with the snow now they're talking about snow. So >> potentially potentially. So >> they go out quite especially like pay through too. They I mean they can somewhat dress themselves >> and the kids look my kids have always bored anyway. So >> yeah I'm not in a single snow gear. So I don't know what it is happening in but I haven't seen a snow boot pulled out once. I guess I guess fourth graders just >> I was like just the thought of putting on gloves that are mittens on 12 or 20 students. >> Exactly. >> I'm glad it's happening. That's great. >> I was

008looking at just figurines that you know the kids are growing out of and stuff. I'm like, I should ask a teacher, you know, like all this stuff that they probably want like dinosaurs at. >> Anyway, yes. Cheers to that. >> Are you okay? All set. All set. >> Thank you so much. Um, we're doing okay healthwise >> today. Yes, today. Tomorrow we don't know. All we want to hear >> and yes, it'll be play season, too. You know, >> yes, the play's a lot of things happening. So, everybody buckle up. >> There's a lot of flu around. >> Yeah. out and always talk about >> news. Not going to be happy at all. >> Okay. So, remove the superintendent report. >> Yeah. I'll be quick. >> You want to do Lloyd tonight? >> Yeah. >>

009Lloyd. >> Oh, >> I didn't. Yeah. >> Sorry, Lloyd. Would you like to go Lloyd? And then we'll Sorry. >> A couple of things. Now that we know that where the eighth graders are going to go, uh it was help helped us to accurately budget for their needs for next year. Uh those eighth graders that IPS and um there's a new grant uh the special education expansion and development grant. It's called the SE grant and uh we completed uh that application uh this week. The grant amount is $16,49 and um we're using it primarily for uh technology supplies and equipment. Uh it isn't there isn't enough there to use it for staff. Uh there are some restrictions as to what you can use it for. So that that went in and uh we're hoping that

010uh when those things arrive some of them started um it'll enhance the program. >> Thank you. Great. >> When you say that they have determined their schools, have you have you guys received all of the I know you had mentioned before they were waiting on responses. Have all the responses come in? >> No, we have seven. >> Well, kids have to decide. Yeah, >> but we have responses from my school. >> The kids have to decide. >> The kids are not >> Oh, they've gotten more than one acceptance. So now they have to decide. >> So like they might be deciding between like Ledger and Ellis or Norwich, right? And you have like a 10day turnaround. >> How many kids that? >> Um I think there were seven for seven or eight for Norwich. Two

011were going to >> have stealing. Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just >> there. There are seven outstanding 23 students have selected. Okay. >> Seven have not. >> That's where we are, but I'll get to it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, my my report is going to basically be the budget and to say that all this discussion of snow stops now. >> Okay. Megan, you start it. Stop it. Actually, if you told the sister, there's no school on Monday. >> There there definitely is no snow coming Sunday. That's the fake news. >> It's Monday. It's coming Monday. It will come working this weekend. >> It will not be coming. And so, be prepared to be in school. >> And that is that is my current event news. Um tonight we'll be going over

012um the first pass of the budget so the board can see kind of you know how we're developing it and get feedback from the board and um then we'll move forward and continue the process. That'll be the first time a little bit deeper into it. Um as we go be a good time for questions as well. So, um, as you're listening, either jump in at that time or wait till the end. You hear what respond and, uh, hopefully you'll give everybody insight into what we're facing. Other than that, we're ready to roll. >> Yeah, >> I think so. >> Yeah. You want to business? >> I got to stand up because I have to stand up when I do this. Am I missing? >> Yep. Ready to rock. >> All right. So, the the way

013I chose to start this is just kind of outline a little bit of what goes into all this. And again, um this is my first time with you, so I'm not exactly sure how you want to hear this or like this. So, feedback is important. Uh and it's your first time hearing from me. Although I've done these things for the last 16 years, um I haven't gone on here, so open to whatever however this plays out. Um the current allocation today is about 7.3 million. That's what we're currently operating under this year. Uh that comes from grants, state and federal funding, how we make our money, and education cost sharing. So this is something that currently is in the news as a potential issue. Um, there was some testimony yesterday that was given. I chose

014not to. I'm not schooled enough yet to feel I could get up there and give some input at this moment, but uh in the future I would expect that'd be front and center uh challenge in the state if they're not going to give us any funding. But a lot of other people were doing that. Don't exactly um know if it's going to hit us or not, but we have to be prepared for that. I'm not expecting too much, but we'll see what happens. important number. Health insurance has an increase from the state of 15%. So that means what we take is every insurance package we apply 15% increase to it. What Darlina does and if please say hello to Darina. >> Um I'm not sure if all of you realize exactly what Darina does for

015the budget. Nothing. >> She just sits around and eats her pants. Darlina right now if you asked her a question of if you said to her Darina how what account pays for pencils she would then ask you a question of well the pencil's for this or this and then she would tell you the account number that's a massive skill set I just want to make sure you guys understand that um Del knows this and does this and is the first first part of rolling over this budget is Darene so important so thank you Um, thank you. >> But she refuses to like lower the cost of health insurance. >> So, just to confirm that's projected still or that's the actual >> We're gonna go with 15 for right now. >> Yeah. >> They're giving us

016a 12 to 15. >> Doing 12 would not be smart cuz then if it's 15, you're in trouble. If it's 15 and we have a little fluff at the end, that's better than being under at the end. So, as far as this goes, it doesn't if you look at line by line, you're not going to see a flat 15% increase because what also what Dina does is she knows what's happening as far as the insurance. If someone's retiring has a certain package, you replace that package with an expected package. All of those things happen. Sometimes it's in our favor, sometimes it's not. Sometimes someone who wasn't taking insurance might now take insurance next year for whatever reason. So, all of those things get factored in. It's not a perfect science, but it's pretty close. So,

017at the end of the day, it's a bad number, 15%. Yet, some districts reported as high as, believe this number, 40% increase in their insurance premiums for next year. We heard that number from a district. 40%. >> Crazy. >> Wow. >> I don't even know what you do. 40% is kind of call a day. >> But, thanks for playing. >> Yeah, >> kids stay home. Yeah. There's nothing we can do at 40%. Um, there are 30 eighth graders moving to the high school. That's important to understand. High school tuition increases for 26 27. Before everyone was here, we're talking with Megan and Rachel. The the concept here is when you're in a K8 setting, you're beholden to other people's decisions. If a school raises their cost, they raise their cost. We don't get to challenge

018that or say yes or no or say I'm sorry kids, you can't go to that school anymore because they're too expensive. Those things don't exist. So, our tuition is directly our our total cost is directly impacted by high school costs. It's important to understand. You'll see why. Uh we always deal with salary increases and this year we're in negotiations. So, I will ask for the board any questions tonight. Understand we're in negotiations this year. So, just keep that in mind. Don't ask questions that I put me in a position where I can't really ask answer them or expose anything about that. Okay? Just keep that in mind. Um, special needs, massive impact. We're going to talk specifically about that. Shared service, what that means is whether or not we do something with somebody else. So,

019we are an entity. We try to operate and see does another entity do what we do and would it be cost-effective and mutually beneficial to do that thing together whatever that thing is I'll talk more about that as we go um our fleet of buses last year you purchased four new buses that was a massive positive impact on your maintenance budget you'll see how I manage that in the budget um still looking to improve our fleet again next week talk more about that as we the districts I I call the fabric of what this district is is your class size. It is unique. It would be seen as insane by pretty much any other school district probably to see class sizes that we have, but that's who the district is and that's important. But it's

020a it's it's part of the budget process and I'm sorry about that, but um DA refuses to get that thing out of the way. um energy efficiency. I'm going to talk to you about solar. That was one of the things that was brought up to me when I first got here about solar. Uh and I'm going to present to you on on solar. You'll like what you see. All right. Now, whatever you're doing is not letting me move forward. >> Okay. So, we're going to play a little game. Let's see how we do. Anybody? >> Excellent. What percentage of the budget do you think that is? >> Correct. 100%. >> Good job everybody. So far and that is our district budget. >> Okay, here we go. Next question. What is that number? >> 10%. >>

021We're going to do a math remedial course. % >> 1% >> of >> the district >> 1% >> is the number. So when we talk percentages to people you know it's a 1% 1.1% 1.2% you have to understand what that number means and then what we don't have today is the mill rate. So, we cannot tell anyone right now what the impact of 1% is. We will, it's just not today. The town, as you guys know this better than I do, but the town will do that with us. >> Um, just not yet. >> All right. >> Again, >> this would be impressive if you get this one right. >> Thanks. >> It's 2.6%. 6% which is that is our special needs increase for next year. Now I want to talk about what did you

022just do? >> You did it. >> Oh, I didn't do that. >> Go back on. >> This is important. Now I'm going to talk about special needs tonight, but I'm not talking about in a way that disparages anything or anyone. This is our obligation both legally and morally. Our responsibility is to give kids what they need, not all the same. And what some kids needs cost more than what other kids need. That's the way it goes. So, I'm sharing this with you for a purpose. And the purpose is not to say there's a problem with this. It's a reality of a budget, not a problem. Is that Lloyd? How do I do anything to add about that? >> You're good. All right. Keep this in mind. 2.6% of the increase is just that. And almost

023all of that is related to high school. Almost all of it. Not all of it, but almost all of it. Anyone know what that one might be? That is what percent of the entire district budget special needs represents. 27.7% of our entire budget is devoted to special needs students. Now that might sound high but we have almost 20% of our students are special needs. So we can look at it that way too. So it's not crazy. Just these are factual pieces that I want you to understand. Anybody 9.58%. $65,000 >> and that represents just our special education tuition, regular ed regular school tuition increase. So that's not for outside placements. Those are for the three Wheeler, uh, NFA, and Grisswald. The increase for just special needs students is that >> go back. PA, we're stuck

024doing that. Is just that amount of money >> and that includes kids that are currently already in high school or just your eighth graders going into. >> So what we do is we take the existing and we roll roll everything over and then we add the new eighth graders going to 9th grade, subtract out the 12th graders >> and you come up with your new number. Lloyd's department takes care of that. >> Yeah. >> He provides that to us. Darlene and I were a couple hours yesterday just on this alone, just special ed alone yesterday >> making sure our numbers were correct and aligned with Lloyd's numbers. >> But that increase reflects the increase for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. >> 9 through 12. It's not just 92. >> Correct. >> At the new rate

025that they're at a new rate. Correct. >> Students, do we have any specialized students going to the tech schools? And then do we pay extra for them? How many? We have not going or we >> any any student goes to a tech school. The tech school owns the child and their expenses. >> All we do for them is provide transportation. We will have a PPT at the end of the year that documents the transition and then uh the tech schools take over. They were made an LEA a few years ago by the state law. >> Oh, do we have any volunteers? >> All right. That's >> because we're small. Because we're small, I prefer to stay away from any individual type student questions. I'm not trying to be >> it's just we're so small it's

026easy to pinpoint >> and that's really trying to avoid that in a public meeting >> if we can. >> I can answer those kind of questions in a >> second. That's a fun one. this >> savings of our budget for kids going into tech schools. >> Absolutely not. >> Ready? >> This That was good though. This would be our budget increase, >> not including our special needs. >> The reason I share this number, this is extremely important. This number Yeah. You can't say to me reduce it. You can't decide. I can't decide. There is no changing that number. That's happening. It doesn't matter what the town says. It doesn't matter what anyone says. That is happening. If at the end of the day there's going to be reductions made from what I'm presenting tonight, that

027is not changing. Which means anything that we're going to do >> is going to be reducing the $41,000 increase to even less. That will mean anything we're going to do is going to have a direct impact on K8 programming. I will tell you I don't fudge a budget. Darlina can attest the budget I'm presenting is the budget. If we don't like the budget or the town doesn't like the budget, if someone doesn't isn't happy with the outcome, then we have to reduce things like do less of something. It isn't go back and figure it out. It's just doing less of stuff. That's how it works. So, I don't know how it's all been done in the past, >> but that is just the reality of a school budget. >> Just the way it works and

028that could happen, >> how it's done, you know, it gets we refer to it sometimes as a roller coaster because, you know, you don't know exactly where everybody's going to go or what you're going to do. That's it. We know there's a hard cost. >> We get somebody dropping in in April or May. >> Well, that's the Well, and and we do have that sometimes and that happens, right? And so, um, >> this is nice to see this kind of concrete information. >> It's very concrete. It's very simple. I try to make it very, you know, easy, tangible. That's where we are minus the special needs. That's kind of where we are. And if you think about it, how are we only there? How is it only that with a 15% increase in health insurance

029>> with salary increases? How is it only that? >> Are we consolidating the class? >> Nope. With nobody's retired. Well, I'm going to talk about how we got here, but we have retirements. That's one way. Breakage, it's I don't know if that's the term you use here, but breakage is the term I've used where it's a higher salary, you're going to replace it with a lower salary, you get the breakage in the in the middle of that. Those things all get accounted for. We've had some good things happen and we've had some bad financial things happen. It's always seems to balance itself. >> We'll go through that tonight. >> So, this number anybody >> currently That is the overall increase that I'm presenting to you tonight. It's a 3.29 of which 2.6 is hard costs

030associated with special needs students that deserve every every penny of that money. So that's where we are. That's a higher number than I was hoping to be at, but that's where we are for today. All right. Um, >> I'm going to move it. Yeah, >> this top one or the bottom? >> Just all of it. >> Oh, I can get rid of that. >> So, >> I thought this was an interesting share. So, this slide is talking about like surrounding districts. You can see we're not the lowest and we're nowhere near the highest and the state average is actually 5.2%. Right? What this is is CASBO collects the information from all the districts as to where they are in the process. >> Go back twice. Go back twice, please. >> How'd that happen? >> I

031hit the screen. It's my fault. Just continue. >> So, the state average as of today, and no change, right? It's not going to stay at 5.2%. But where people are at this state today, anyone who's completed the spreadsheet is 5.2. We're in there at 3.29. That's what I put us in this today. North Stonington is the only high school that we have that submitted. So, I don't have Griswalds or NFAS. They have not submitted theirs on that document yet. I wasn't going to call them and I just let it be. But North Stington's at 6 point I think it's over six. >> Sorry. >> 6 point what? >> I can move it. >> Just tell us what >> 6.65. >> So that's where they are. They won't stay at 6.65 either. Just kind of give

032you reference points of where things are. >> One second. Okay. >> So how do we do all this? What happens? So this this concept is one um that we is really interesting and we've actually met with um Brian and uh Crystal to talk about where things could happen. So who do you who do you share services with? We can share services with the town and you can share services with other districts and you know all the small districts in the area are like us. They're all struggling financially. They're all struggling to provide. You know, it's tough to be tough tough to be small. What can you do? Well, you can look at things like transportation jointers. We can look and say, if we're going to be driving through, let's say, Grisswald to get to a

033private school, why would we not pick up all the kids from Griswald that are going to the same private school? They would either pay us or we would drop our kids at Griswald, let them hop on the Griswald bus to get to that school. Whatever it is, it's cheaper for both parties. And the outcome is the same. The kid gets to the school they need to get to. And that's one way you look at technology and is there a way to do that where we combine. So in my last district we had 14 buildings and one technology person and then you had subtechnology people. Well each of us have one school. How do you do that? Right? Can't really do that. So can you work together? Special needs for example out of district placements could

034cost over $100,000. One thing to look at over time is let's say that let's say you're all individual schools. So Sue, you're a school district and Sue school is going to handle K2 autism in her public school. And let's say Lloyd says, "Scott, we have a K2 autism student that needs to go out of district. Go over to Sue. Hey Sue, meet our kid. What do you think?" Sue goes, "Hey, we'll take the kid." And that'd be a lot less than $100,000 and possibly better because it'll be in a public setting instead of a private setting. So, it's those kind of designs to look at when you look at services. And right now, the superintendent in the area, we're all discussing these things and we're looking and seeing what's possible, what would make sense, what

035would better the program for cheaper money, um, and general operations. So, for example, uh, we received an email recently from someone who does propane. They actually do the town's propane. Now, the town has a small tank. We have a much larger tank. they get charged the residential rate. We would get charged the commercial rate. So maybe it makes sense for us to be one entity purchasing from the company and then reducing the rate for everybody. Simple things. They affect no impact to kids. The goal of anything with general operations is to reduce spending that has no impact to kids. It's easy to reduce spending by cutting staff. That's easy. Not fun, but easy. There's no thought process in saying we'll just do with one less. That's how you reduce a budget because most of the

036money is where in a budget, salaries and benefits. It's usually about 80% of your budget, not leaving much else to do. So, the money that you find is that way. The thing I've worked on for many, many years is this bullet. How do we reduce our general operating costs that has no impact to kids and still gets exactly what we need? If we could pay less for fuel, wouldn't you just say pay less for fuel? No one's going to be opposed to paying less for fuel. So, if we can, we should. And if that means joining with the town or some other entity, we should do that. And that's what we're looking at. >> As long as they fill it. >> Got to fill it. How come? All right. So, health insurance, as I said,

03750% increase, but it's not flat because I did also share there's a variable. The variable is who's taking insurance, what insurance are they taking. Now, we are Connecticut State Health Plan. I'm not sure the actual name of it. We currently don't have a choice. This is bad. You have to have a choice. At some point in some past time, we no longer have that choice. I've never seen that before. That's a new one for me that we would lose that opportunity. Now, I think we can do something with this anyway in the future, but as of right now, we couldn't shop the district. We couldn't look to join a co-op. We couldn't do anything that possibly could save us money because we are bound to stay in this plan. That means next year if they

038decide to raise the rates by 25% this board has no ability to fix that. That's not good. So I'm going to work on seeing is there a way around that but not for next year. It'll be the year after if we can do it. Don't know. But that's important to understand that this is not a good scenario for a board to not have the leverage to look. Generally what happens it's called you can change your insurance as long as you stay better or equal meaning if the co-pays can't change you can't change what access they have to doctors or access to medications none of that can change but whose services is allowed to be changed if you move from Etna to Horizon or what do we have Anthem >> that that part is allowed to

039change but we're not here. >> So again, we can't really shop the district and see >> that's bound by the plan or is it contract? >> Contract. >> Yeah, I think there's work to be done there. >> Yeah. >> Uh I think everybody would want to pay less. >> Yeah, of course. >> Everybody would want to pay less if they could get the same or better. >> We went to that when that started because it did give us a dramatic drop because we be in a small district >> and we had a couple of young people. That's correct. >> Once your experience goes through the roof, your choices are state or um what's a pool. >> Yeah, >> you you can't selfinsure here. The risk is too high. >> Really, the only pool we were

040eligible. >> And what generally should happen is you shop that. >> We can't shop it. But you would shop that and you would always throw yourself I call it putting yourself on the street and finding out is this the best deal for the for the staff? is this what's best for them? And sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. But it's always good to ask. Right now, we're we're good and we're we're going to we're going to manage it, but it is it would be nice to be able to work with the staff and say, "Hey, what do you think?" That's all. >> Yeah. Historically, we've never seen 15, >> but we've seen >> we haven't seen 15 historically. >> Um >> it's usually >> projected to 10 and then it would get it around Five,

041five or six. >> This will come in lower, too. >> The worst piece. >> I know. Everything's bad. I mean, the numbers out there are horrible. >> Yeah. >> Across the country. It's not a Connecticut. This is awful. >> Yeah. You can just see the trend happening. >> Well, the biggest trend I can tell you, uh, because being a self-insured district for the last 5 years, you can analyze usage. >> Yeah. >> And where the biggest usage is happening in all these plans is your GLP1s, >> the ompics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Those two things have shot through the roof and for fortunes on time. So it isn't those two things alone in my last district were in one year we raised the GLP1s by $500,000 increase in one year anti-inflammatories were a little under 400,000

042>> just those two drugs type drug classes not actual drugs like that versusia and things like that. >> Yeah. I mean, listen, people need what they need. So, it isn't about that. Absolutely. >> It's not this. It's not Nothing I would ever say would be to take away >> what people need at all. In fact, it's no good for an institution to have staff that stay sick, >> right? >> Not good. >> But you always want to do it in a way that's the best for the staff >> without without overly administratingly burping anybody, right? >> Yeah. >> Also, different different people have different health insurance needs at different times in their life. a family is going to need something different than a 21-year-old. >> And you want to also be able to offer options

043like if you have a young family or or not even young family, some people would prefer a healthy couple might prefer a very high deductible plan, >> you know, a a catastrophic insurance plan rather than a high premium plan. >> So, it's just good to have options for people. That's all. >> Um, ready for this? >> Yes. actual numbers in 2014 2015 your electricity bill was $63,573. Okay, guess how much your electricity bill is now. Well, I'm going to go to 2014, not 2024. So, 10 years later, who wants to guess how much your electricity bill is? >> No. >> Six figures. Okay. So, at least 100. What else? >> I was going to say talking about 180. >> Okay. So, you think it went up three times? >> Anybody else? >> No. >> Here

044we go. >> Oh, but Oh, yeah. But that doesn't include the solar release. >> Electricity plus solar >> release. That's excellent. That really worked out for us. Let's see what it could have been >> if you didn't do the sol 2014 same exact electricity use of 63 grand. Right? The number I'm going to give you now is using national trends year-over-year with a big bump in 21. 22% bump in 21. The other years prior on a national average was about 2.7% increase a year. That's what you'd be paying now if you didn't do silver. >> So, good job. I think people did not realize this. >> I was getting told this is a just a you know a mess. It's actually good. It has another I think we are 10 years out on the on

045the end of the lease. >> What you have to do with this though is you have to make sure it stays operational. So, the company is responsible for that. have to do it. So that means we have to always be on top of it to make sure that all the grid is working because if the grid doesn't work, then we owe money at the end and we don't get the savings. >> So Brian's on top of that. So right now we're in good shape. It's been a very positive thing to only have a $4,000 increase over a 10-year period in electricity. Your home isn't like that. If you go back and I know Dolina has her bills from like 1927, but if you if you go back and you look at your bill from 2014,

046look at when your bills now, I bet it's not even close, >> right? >> So anyway, I want to share this. It was very good news. And remember I we hired um learn to help us with this. Chuck uh the gentleman working with us, he went through all of it >> and he spent probably half a day analyzing this for us and helping us with this. So, it's great to do that. All right, here you go. As as the request, so here's what you're looking at. The first number, Griswald, six new students will be going as of now, bringing in the number for next year, taking out the 12th graders, adding in the ninth graders to 37. It's one difference from what it is this year. NFA is also one difference. The cumulative number next

047year is one difference. 28 versus 29. 11 of the kids. Wheeler dropped the kid because two are leaving, one's coming in. So your total Wheeler will be 15. LS Tech, two more going in. So um we lost four. So we dropped two at LS Tech. Four 12th graders correctly. Norwich Tech. Um I think it might have stayed the same. Norwich Tech, can't remember, but two new kids there. Leisured one new kid and one confirmed total. That's what we got. Now, there are seven undecided. Now, the reason it's important to know that is because some of those kids did choose Ledger. Some of those kids chose the tech schools as their number ones, but they haven't made the final decision yet. So, it's possible we're going to see an increase in these three categories. We'll also

048see an increase here, but you I I expect an increase here based upon the seven that I saw. I don't know where they will be, but there are kids that were accepted to like here and here and one of these. The kids left usually almost all of them had like two or three choices that they were going through. One always being one of the regular high schools versus one of the tech schools or the OA. >> Did everybody get into where they wanted to? >> I don't have that. I don't know if they got into where they wanted to, but a lot of kids got into a lot of places. >> No, there was one weight list maybe for one of the tech schools. >> Oh, we had two weight list. >> Two weight list

049I think >> for Norwich. >> Two weight list on Norwich Tech. But not bad cuz in previous years we had nobody like we rolled the dice and it just hasn't worked in our favor in a row. I know. >> So you have no marine science. >> So that's another conversation you would have to have. >> Probably like dropping an >> just transportation. >> Huh? >> Just transportation. >> Oh, >> marine science is dropping two kids. So next year the kid that went the ninth grader this year already should be under the impression that not going to have transportation very long but next year you only have two kids marine science. So we'll talk about that. That's where you are right now. Any questions on the high school? This matters because this is how we do

050the budget and each of the high schools has given us their tuition for next year. That's all been factored in already as well. But you will see that the regular education tuition is basically flat. Now the impact could happen from these 11 kids. We're not getting charged for next year. We're going to get charged for those 11 kids in the 2728 budget. So we have to figure that out how that's going to work out. That's the way and but the other schools don't charge that way. So but it's all factored in. Darlene took care of this. You're you're the number in the budget is the number not including these seven undecided. they did put in their first choice, >> but that could shift a little bit. If their first choice was NFA, but they then

051decide to go to LS Techch, for example, that will change the budget, but we can only do what we can do at this moment in time. That's why it has to be fluid. >> Can just refresh my memory? I think you had said it made sense to continue transporting to Ellis as long as we had two students going there. Is that what >> So if Ellis costs X and the transportation cost X >> well Ellis is completely free zero, right? >> So if it's free and you're spending let's say uh Griswald the the middle tuition school for us, right? Wheel is the cheapest set of FA is the most expensive. >> So two Griswalls cost you $27,000, $28,000. So, you factor in the cost of the transportation and determine, do you want kids to not

052take it? If they take it, knowing there's no transportation, the parents get a stipen for transportation. We owe the stipen up to X dollars, $6,000. >> So, a parent would have to arrange their own transportation unless we can we can still transport. So even if it's not, so let's just say we don't, you know, I think you guys undesated it as of date, right? >> Doesn't matter. A parent can still say, "I want to go there and you will pay me up to $6,000 to transport my own kid there >> because we're residents of Connecticut." Is that >> it's a Connecticut thing, we have a right as a state res >> up to 6,000 at the U mileage rate of the federal government. Right now it's 72 cents and change. >> 72.5 What a cat

053with that come out of it. Just kidding. >> So do you look at it from the perspective of how like when you're figuring out the cost of trans because we had always said like we would it would be like a moving target kind of thing. So do you look at it from the perspective of this tuition for Grishold or do you versus the cost of transportation versus the cost of reimbursing parents? You'd have to you'd have to guess. Would a student >> still go there? >> So, in other words, if a parent has no means to do it, >> correct? Right. >> Then $6,000 doesn't mean anything. Be enough money to get the kid there. >> Yeah. >> So, a parent who knows they cannot transport if you're not transporting >> will not be able

054to make the decision to have their child go to that school. >> Okay. >> So, it it comes down to us guessing what that outcome would be, which is kind of a hard that that that's a hard guess. So that where where where as a challenge um with transportation is you have three high schools, right? And so um you run a bus this way, you run a bus this way, you run a bus this way, then you have to run the other vans or buses to all these other ones, which is why I'm assuming you guys went into the process you went into last year in the first place to manage all that. Um, if Ellis LS Tech last year had zero. >> Yeah. >> So, these two students know they have two more years.

055They have two years of transportation and then that's it. >> Yeah. >> Then there's no more. The board can revisit, but as of right now, that would be it. And the board would then say, "Well, we're just going to not do that and we'll give you the money." And what could happen, just so you understand, is a parent could say, "I can't do that." Right. >> My kid's not going to NFA. >> Yeah. >> That's why you're that's where it gets tricky. >> Well, and I know there's been there's been talks particularly with the tech school with the lottery about towns having designated spots like, and I know that's >> it's not on the table. >> Yeah, it's but they there's just a whole lot of conversation the last I've heard. And because you know,

056Hentown residents pay state taxes. because we didn't have a right to have a kid at tech school, >> right? >> So, I'm just curious to see what happens, >> how it plays out. >> Yeah. >> Right now, you're you're you're in you're in fine shape for it. >> Yeah. >> You know, you you've you've protected yourself >> and that's probably the best you could have done at this point. >> It's good that we're getting some kids in there. >> That's exciting. >> And and like we said, if all of a sudden you get two, three every year, >> Yeah. >> it's going to probably pay to just transfer >> because then you'll have eight nine. >> Yeah. You don't want to lose those 89 kids going into >> you know $150,000 in tuition. >> Right.

057Right. >> So, you know, it's a balance. So, the fleet. So, in this budget now with the numbers we've shared with you, it includes buying a wheelchair access van and it also includes our fully upgraded radio systems for all the fleet. Right now, that's not good. It's kind of a mess. That's about 15,000 the new van generally um 75,000 was the last one we purchased. So maybe 75 to 80,000. We will be trading in two vehicles. Hopefully we get some money for those and maybe drop it to like 60 65,000. Lease purchase that over 5 years. You're looking at about a $15,000 payment. So right now that line went from 90 we have a $92,000 payment for the four buses we bought. >> And you'd add 15 in the budget process. But here's what happens.

058We actually get out of this all of that with a negative in our transportation because the maintenance drops significantly when you have five new vehicles. So this year our maintenance is less than half of what was budgeted because of that. So next year to fund this we reduce the maintenance to a realistic number for having five new vehicles. And that's how we're funding this. So that's the way you do fund it. You reduce your maintenance cost, keep a newer fleet. If you think of that for yourselves, you'd have maybe a more expensive, newer car, but you're no longer like, you know, when your cars off warranty at 36,0001 miles is when it starts to put at least all my cars do. They wait exactly till the minute after 36,000 mi, you have no more warranty.

059Then you got to start pouring money into it. And then you all decide at the same time, when am I going to stop pouring money into it and just get a new car? And that's kind of our look at this, looking at what we know the maintenance. So, we have a maintenance line. I've talked to you about that. And right now, we are at with the two new things we just added, we're under 40,000 spent on maintenance, which is a lot less than budgeted. >> We were kind of in um on route to purchase more buses, too. So, are are we holding okay with what we have? That's not >> so >> budgetarily I think if we go with at least one more vehicle this year we we we need we need another wheelchair van.

060>> We know that that has to happen. So >> yeah. So we could add one more but I don't know how much we'd be able to reduce in the maintenance. So it would probably just be an additional $25,000 to the budget. >> So that's how I would budget. If you tell me if we want to consider that, I would go back and throw another 25 grand into the budget, do a six-year lease purchase and fund it, which would be about what it would cost us to do one more month. >> That's good to know for evaluating what >> Yeah. >> So, the biggest work I think that we engaged in was the assignment of funding. And what I mean by that is a line by line review of the whole budget. Um, that's every line.

061Looking at every line. Um, me yelling Darlina about every half a minute. Scott, I'm still doing other work. It's usually what I get. And then eventually she does. >> Hold on. Our budget banter, I guess. Um, but we've gone through every single line to see the realistic nature of the line, looking at past usage of dollars, why these lines are the way they are. And we went through those lines. So, that resulted in some increases, but more decreases than increases. That's a big big reason why the budget is not 5% or 6% right now, because of that particular line of work. Um what it does is it it it puts a real cost to every expense. There is a little bit of fluff, but because you have to have a surplus, you cannot spend more

062than you have. So you still need places to account for the rainy day. And remember, we are opening a 2% non-lapsing account. At the end of this school year, rather than making purchases, we're going to put money into that account. If case of a rainy day, you will have a surplus of money in the account. So that's important to understand when you budget. That's really vital. So any questions about >> the money in that account can go to anything. It's it's protected for certain usage, but it's all academic usage. So, it isn't like you can say we're going to send Lloyd to Europe for his conference. He asked for to go to Lloyd. The answer is no. >> But it can be for most things in our budget. After that, we looked at our grant

063funding. There's different funding that we need to have to offset costs that come from grants. We're working through that process now. And we're assigning those into what's called a net budget. If you know you're getting I think Rachel's the first one that gave me that language actually. If you're get if you know you're getting $2,500 back from a grant to offset a specific expenditure, reduce the cost of the expenditure by $2,500. That way the grant funds the rest of it. That's how you should need to budget. So we've done that in only the few few places it exists. Doesn't exist that much. Not that much money but about 20 grand I think al together >> for those grants >> so far. >> But that's good. It's 20 grand that we normally would have budgeted that

064were no longer budgeted. Big part of this district I said is your class size. If the if you really wanted money, there's money. But I would highly suggest you don't go near that. That'd be my suggestion. You also have very low admin costs. Believe it or not, no one everyone thinks admin always, you know, take all the money. But when I looked around the other districts, we're we're short-handed if anything. I'm not saying we feel short-handed. I know you might, but I'm not I'm not suggest spend more. There's no new money in admin budget for next year. I'm just saying we're in good shape there. That's often a place people look to say stop spending at the top. You don't really you're not really doing that. So kudos to the board for always maintaining that.

065The shared service review talked about that already. Working with the town, I'm telling you, it's been fantastic. It's been absolutely fantastic. I the highest praise from Brian and Crystal so far. Uh we talk we're having lunch again next week. Open. It's it's been absolutely wonderful and we believe there's opportunities there um for both both the whole town to win. So uh I gota say it's been a highlight so far. Talked about rate before the budget does account for 30% reductions in all the categories that it accounts for. So how it works for us if if our internet to have internet in the district cost x it now cost 30% less. That's how it works. It's basically a coupon for the percentage of kids that are free. That's the number. So if we had 100% free

066lunch kids, it'd be 100% off. That's the way works based upon that number. So we just went in the budget and we chopped 30% off on all the categories. So it's free money. This is one we are not going to get rich. You used to you've done this before. You're not going to get millions of dollars, but we should be assessing our Medicaid reimbursement. You really should be. So, it's a pain, but there are companies, one company that specifically the charge is very minimal and they basically, it's kind of like we don't really do much. The company does it and they take a they take a piece. Medicaid's done the same way. There's some work to be done at the school level, but it's not like Darlene is going to have to go file. This

067company does it for us. All we have to do to make it sense is we have to net more money than we pay the company, and then it's kind of worth it. Unless it's so much burden of manpower and you get like $500 and you wouldn't do it. It might be that, but I'm unwilling to just say that. I want to do it and see what we get and then determine it. So, it's not budgeted right now. There's nothing budgeted for it. That would be a that would be a bonus, but worth doing. You should do that for every opportunity until you realize and district might already done it and determined that it wasn't worth it. >> Is that for the assess assessment for special education? Yeah. >> So, it just involves assigning every student

068that receives a service what they receive and then that goes into a formula and the formula gets sent off by this company and it gets collected. Again, if it's $1,500 for the company and we get $5,000 back, we net $3,500, it's still $3,500. >> So, long as you determine the cost of the manpower to do it was less than $3500, it's worth it. >> And again, the bus is a big deal. Like again, we're going to purchase a new vehicle, but we're not going to spend more money. That's that's good. That's good. And why do we do all this? All these. And we we even we have Sean up there. Got to take care of Sean. And we have some sta we do this for staff. We do this for our students. This is why

069we do all this work. That's why you sit at these tables. That's why you do the work, why you read the budgets, and why you do all this. Um and it's important when you do a budget to remember your why. So, and now I that's where I am for today. Open to questions. >> Will you have more information next time about the grants? >> About which grants? >> Just grants. >> The offsetting grants. >> Yeah. >> So, I mean, I have the information now. The the offsetting grants, the kind of grants that we're talking about. There's an adult education grant. There's a grant for transporting kids to magnet schools. There's excess cost grants. Um the other grants are all part of our budget anyway, like title grants. Yes. >> Already in there. Those other grants

070are not currently accounted for and are now accounted for in our budget. Those are the specific ones. Those come to about 20 between the three of them for next year. I think one was 52, one was 11, and one was under three. >> I'm confused with the question. Do you want to know how much the grants are going to be for next year or do you want >> No, >> I was just asking like for a general slide about grants like highlights >> like all of our grants. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Do that for you. >> I'm I'm assuming like I look at the social worker Yeah. piece of the budget. budget at zero, but we have a social work position or >> we have a $25,000 art grant. >> Yeah. >> That

071is already factored in to reduce the costs, >> right? >> Can we share that with the town? >> Not anymore. >> The art grant is our >> is ours. >> No, I mean the the actual person though the >> Yes, we share it with the town. >> No, we share the town doesn't No, the town doesn't use our social. >> Okay. >> We were talking about it a couple years back. We started that shared kind of service. >> Interesting. Yeah, that's interesting. >> Yeah, cuz there were like community type things. >> Absolutely. >> Community part time. And >> generally sometimes the town pays more money than we pay for the same service and those are the or vice versa. And that's where you want to capture the town shared service where they win or we

072win or we both win because if either one of us wins and the other one doesn't lose >> at the end of the day, >> everybody wins wins, right? Regardless, >> us winning and them losing isn't good. them losing and us to that >> win-win. Do it. So, as long as you identify those scenarios, that's what we're looking at. >> We still have the title one, >> the idea 611 619. >> We school readiness is not as good as it used to be, but we still use that. Um, the ARP, mental health, we use that. >> We only have two more years of that as of, right? >> Yes. No, next year is our last year. I'm sure they'll come out with another one, >> something else. >> Yeah. But they're much harder to get.

073>> We could do that though. We put together >> Yeah, >> we'll put together a nice lot of birds. >> Anything else? >> I'll climb by lining it over here. Don't worry. >> And we can do that. So, we can line by line this. I can go through with you some key lines right now if you'd like. >> Um, I figured you would give us highlights of what that would look like without one line. >> Yeah, because we have is it it's it's April at most. I probably have a dozen or so specific lines I've highlighted >> to see if that was of interest to you. Um, they're not highlighted in your packet. They're highlight on my computer and I could walk you through those if that's of interest or I could do that next

074time and give you a summary sheet. >> I just don't know how much >> maybe wait for that. I don't think something jumping out. >> We Well, we have to send our first draft in March. >> In March. >> March. When do you think you'll have the final on health insurance increase? >> April or May? >> Yeah. After the fact. >> Does the staffing stay the same? >> The global staffing. >> Yeah, >> that's all. U any staffing adjustments are factored in. But as of right now, there's no significant but we have to factor in our enrollment. So sometimes enrollment causes something. But nothing no staffing change that would impact what we do in any capacity at this moment. We but again we're not not done. >> Yeah, I I totally get >> so at

075this stage it's tough to answer that with complete uh but we have to continuously look at various things. Big staffing would only be if the board says I need to do that. We're not nor Amy, nor Lloyd, nor myself are or Brian are looking to say cut staffing. We might have to due to something, but we're not fully there yet. Come on now. This word improvement of instruction down negative 425%. Clearly, it's only grand. I know it's just the money, but uh >> it's always funny when there's like a $300 account that's down $100. >> Exactly. That's what I said. I'll be the first one to show you what your percentage. >> Well, but here but here's why something could be down. So, just to explain that when I talked before about the line by

076line, we actually looked and said, "What do we actually spend >> and historically spend?" >> Yeah. >> Versus just leave it as is. >> There were lines in there that were looking at it and going, "We've never spent that money." So, >> so let's just put it up. >> Why is it there? Let's put it back where we can use it, >> you know. So, we did things like that. >> Which I appreciate because generally broad, you know, probably as you approach the budget for sure. Like that's great. It's just, you know, and things that matter for >> Yeah. >> their instruction, you know. >> So, nothing with instruction was cut in any capacity. Zero. In fact, Amy asked me early on in the process, are you cutting supplies? And I said, "There's not enough

077money to cut supplies. I don't get enough money back to cut supplies. It just aggravates people." So I just, "No." So that's what I've done, right? Amy, you already sent all that out. No cuts for that. We didn't cut programs, nothing like that at all. This is a pretty solid rollover budget to do what we're doing today tomorrow. That's what this is. It's basically saying, "Let's repeat what we do tomorrow." That's really the budget process right now. And to do that, it would cost you 3.29%. If you want to change to what we do today, tomorrow, it's either it cost more or less. But that's the rollover 3.29% which I thought was pretty good rollover. Actually, it's a pretty incredible rollover considering how much is static cost. I have no choice about Are we are

078we saving anything? I'm trying to think of with the increase in our special ed costs wholly by the high schools, are we saving anything internally from a you know a >> so this kind of >> this budget includes an increase in power support for the K. >> Okay. >> Not a decrease. >> All right. So overall cost of special education is that final number not just high school. >> It's the whole thing. >> Got it. >> Um but no we didn't reduce. We actually do have a reduction in one way but a increase in another way. >> Teacher last year I think didn't we? >> Yeah we didn't do that. This budget to to Rachel's question does not include a K8 drop in teacher. It includes an increase of par support at this time because

079of a program we're looking to develop. So the one thing I can tell you about special education, the one way to you can't fix your cost tomorrow. However, if you ever want to look at how you can possibly possibly decrease costs, it's about building prevention programs, heavy cost intervention early on programs that cost a lot up front. You don't can't guarantee they will prevent a out of district placement. So for example, out of district placement is usually for a child that we don't have the means regardless of month funds to educate in a setting meaning they need a therapeutic environment. Usually we can't you know if a blind child moves in we can't educate a fully blind child here. So they're going to have to go out. So you can't prevent enough to control all

080the costs of that. But generally speaking, on a large scale, if you provide intervention programs and spend money up front, hire BCBA for behavioral support on staff. It's $120,000 position with benefits. Not guaranteed to save you money on the back end probably, but not guaranteed. So you can wind up spending 120 up front and still spend the $100,000 out of district type placement anyway. But it would be something to consider is looking at our our our early childhood support program. So next year we have a program we're looking to build that involves three of our three or four of our students. We believe that'll be the right program and hopefully that will keep the kids getting their education right here. Not only for cost, but it's great to keep your own kids, you know, educate

081them here. So that's kind of stuff. So, we did add some money into that for the K8 model for next year for a specialized program and we're still working on Lo Amy and I have a meeting at some point in the next two or three weeks on that with a out of district company that will help us build. So, if you don't do those things right, then you could lose those students to not be able to learn in this environment and that's where your costs go through the roof. So if you can keep a kid, it is our obligation to do so because number one, it's best for the kid and it is best financially, but it's mostly because it's best for the kid. >> It's just so hard with like such small class, right?

082It's like if we have matters, it's so much easier to justify that size. >> We were able to build in my last district because of numbers, >> right? >> To build um behavioral disorder classrooms. >> Yeah. Right. But and you should have seen what I out those classrooms with. One teacher, two RBTs, a parah, a dedicated social worker, and a dedicated BCBA to two classes. It's a fortune, >> but we had 10 tuition students for those two classes. >> So, it all makes sense in the end. >> We But remember I said about shared service, special ed, >> that would be how you do it. Sue, remember we use Sue as the model. She's going to be the K2 autism class school. So that means any participating districts who have K2 autism students would go

083through a process of selection into Sue school. Amy's going to have the MD class. So any multiply disabled students that are not a autistic might go to that school. And every district would win because they'd be in a public setting, not a private setting with regular education. you know typically developing students rather than only atypically developing students. It's much better scenario. Can't do it by ourselves because we can't. >> You can do it involve everybody who's interested and come up with a way to do that and then all you're spending is the the cheaper amount but the kid is getting a public school setting better than a private school setting. Unless kid is, you know, needs are too great for a public school setting and then that still exists. Doesn't change that. But you can

084create private school settings if you do this kind of work. We just can't do it by ourselves. >> There's no way. >> The end doesn't work. >> This doesn't work. >> We were discussing some of our, you know, the preschool especially, you know, just our numbers and whether, you know, who who brought it to, but we always >> kept the people with special needs to be, you know, they were all handled in town. you know, that would, you know, I don't know that that's by >> choice or like law or whatnot, but >> um it'd be great if there was some sort of community solution. >> Yeah, >> this is really helpful. Thank I like that presentation. it uh gets us thinking and um gives breaks it down in a rational way and and puts

085some numbers to percentages and >> try to make it simple. >> Yeah. >> The the the leg work behind each of those pages like I said if if the board would like at the next meeting generally speaking I do budget now for the rest of the time I would do a budget presentation of some form every meeting that's my usual way. So the next time what I could do is we could do grants. I could go sling grants and and a specific line item, maybe a dozen or so line items that are worth showing you specifics and that would be it. I won't go back to the whole thing again, >> right? >> But just do that and make it a couple slides and make it quick. Maybe 10 15 minutes on it. >> Perfect.

086>> And then that way you can have exactly what what Darlene and I are seeing every consistency pretty much every day, every minute of every day. >> Yeah. or even just the line item and just be, you know, speak to it. You don't have to, you know, give >> I'll just make it so it's organized and simple for you to look at. Going through all those pages is >> it doesn't we designed it differently on the back end >> with all my notes >> and stuff and colors everything has to be pink because it's Darlene. >> Sometimes some purple. >> We love pink. >> Sometimes I got purple. >> She needs >> blue and yellow. >> Glitter. I know the whole budget has to be glittered. >> Can I stop screen sharing? Can I shut

087that part? Okay. >> Good. >> All right, guys. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dave. >> You're welcome. Work on that. >> Have a great night, guys. >> You, too. You, too. >> Okay. >> So, old business. Um kind of a revisit to old business is the order of bed and superintendent evaluation forms. Um we only bring this up because we haven't really looked at the forms and agreed on maybe like the form or you know how we were going to do it at all is future work that we're going to do um with one another. Um initial feedback's been shared Scott and um and then You think I would? >> Yeah. And this is just a proposed template. This is like a finalized thing. It's just if we like the format and

088it's going to take a little more, >> right? So I think everybody was comfortable with the superintendent evaluation form. >> Um that's the feedback I got. Um, but we can also share if you feel otherwise. Um, but right now I think we're pretty comfortable with that. I don't think we need to approve it. It's just a general >> Yeah. >> You don't need >> Yeah. Yeah. Just a um speak up now for hold superintendent review the board of ed one. Yeah. Just read that one. This is the first kind of We made a couple updates since the last one may have seen to take a look at it. If you have any comments or thoughts or suggestions, send them my way and we'll we'll continue there. And that is that on the emails. I think

089the timeline is isn't that a June timeline for the June meeting >> usually. Yeah. >> Usually it's May >> Yeah. May June you guys could >> Yeah, because the the contracts are then they turn over at >> were effective June 30th. So due that you filed prior to that. So >> okay. >> Uh we have some old pol well not old second reading policy um updates the 1312 public complaint policy and form. Anyone else? >> Yeah. So, this was the one that we were talking about whether or not there's going to be like a supplemental hierarchy form. I feel like we >> there already is a form. It's just relating to another policy that you're thinking. Yeah, >> I know. Like, or you can just remove the form if you don't because the form does

090make it >> is this a preuncter situation? >> Huh? >> This is peruncter, right? This is like a >> the policy itself >> change something that isn't really substantive in any way. >> Yeah, it's just revising the policy form. >> They ce added the form, but that's >> we already for the actual media literacy which is what we this is confusing compared to the policy. So >> you think just easier to pull a form that's comfortable with that. >> Okay. >> And then Scott had mentioned because one of the things I brought up was just an understanding of like who you should contact in which situation like if you have a question on an IEP but it's related to a general education subject like do I copy both? Do I copy? Like what is the

091>> and then we talked about the the the command >> the sh command on the website. >> Okay. And so we did something interesting in one of my districts. It's costly, but every board member had a had a their card and on the back of the card was the champion. So when a parent would approach you with a question, >> you can of course talk to them. Sorry, I can't talk to you here. No, you talk to them, but then leave them with >> the chain of command rather than hoping they go to the website and find it on the website. It was really just for the board members to be able to have a closure with a parent who approaches them on a topic >> and gives them kind of direction. I'm not suggesting

092we do that. The concept of having chain of command >> being front and center is helpful. >> Yeah. >> Well, I just the reason I asked is like I said there's a lot of because we are so small there is a lot of overlap like if there if there's you know something occurring on the bus like you know do you notify your teacher? Do you know if like and maybe you can demo or kill maybe you would rather just triage it through Amy if they're not sure. >> I vote for all questions go >> I I actually do get all questions to I know where that is. It's funny. If you call my phone number, it goes to Amy. >> For real. >> I know the foring. I know how to number like a nice

093visual, but everything. >> I mean, I feel like people Yeah. >> website anyway. >> I've noticed a real problem, not me. >> I mean, do people go to the website? We just let them keep copying >> For the lunch menu, I'm supposed to Google that. >> I mean, Amy, you would know better. Is it I mean, I don't I don't notice any issue with uh parental calls going to the wrong place. But do you I don't >> No. And I'll redirect people sometimes. I'll say I really don't know. You know, you really do need to talk to the, you know, classroom teacher, transport you, you know, or I'll say, I'll feel who's for you just so you know, like if this happens again, call this person. We found that the most challenging issue was parents

094to board members and I'm board members. It's giving board members an opport, you know, the the tools to get them to the right person. I don't know how much of a problem it is when they call the school to get to the right. >> I call them meeting. So, >> me too. Me too. >> Call them out. >> I don't even care what the question is. >> Call your teacher. I mean, most people really do reach out to teachers quite I mean and in here I mean they really are good about asking first you know. >> Yeah. If it's not a problem we don't need to fix it. I just >> wanted to make sure that you're not cuz you have enough >> long just calling in. >> All right. So then I would like

095to make to make a motion to >> adopt as amended. >> Approve as amended without the form because we already have the form on the media literacy. >> So you're approving the policy. It's also removing the regulation and eliminating the form. >> Do you do you adopt regulations in Connecticut? >> They do. >> You do? >> Yeah. >> I think I asked you before. >> Yeah. It's okay. >> Okay. >> Was that in there to remove regulations? >> I'll write it. I'll write it. >> Well, it's all the regulation was all crossed out. >> Yeah. Oh, I see. It's noted. Got >> it. >> I'll add it in the wording. I'll add it. All in favor? I >> I any opposed? None heard. Motion passes. Right. Policy number two is 311 3171 spot one non-laps

096and educational fund. I'm good. But anybody have any questions or discussion on it? Second favor. >> Any opposed? >> And just so you know, um Chuck Amore, >> okay, >> is working on that. He'll be speaking I believe with Tony want to make sure that Tonyy's good with the way in which we open the account so that the town is fully aware. They are fully aware that's already done, but just that it's done in a way that everyone is working together on. So, Yeah. So it's Yeah. There won't be >> right hand left hand and Tony both Tony, Crystal, and Brian are all fully aware spoken to all three of them and uh it's just a matter of Chuck uh who's investigating that. He's here today investigating the process and he'll be reaching out to

097whoever he needs to reach out to to make sure that everyone's on the same page. All right. So, everyone's on board with that. No name. So, the motion pass. Okay. Um, move to new business. Now, these are first readings. 5114 suspension and expulsion due process. Um 6140 curriculum 6171 special education. >> They do have a second reading. So um I just didn't if anybody before this meeting had a any questions that we wanted to bring up, we can research. But if not, we can still do that. Any questions our way? Um, we'll revisit at second meeting second reading. Yep. Next meeting. >> Sound good? >> Can I make one comment? >> Sure. >> One issue I have with special head. >> Yes, please. says, "At the beginning of each year, the district will provide the

098student with a handout developed by the state explains what it means to have an IEP or a section 504. I want to do a little more reading because that's fine for older children, but I think to give a kindergartener a brochure to read carefully with with the family uh work on how the I was educated as to the fact that they need some texture. >> Sure. Yeah. >> It's a very delicate um issue and and when I read through um everything that's something that sort of stood out to me as a a possible issue. So I want to do a little more. >> So before the next >> it's buried in in something that talks about reaching age 14. >> Yeah. If what's implied is that all of these other things happen in the child

099support team. I have no problem. >> I just can you check on that and get back to me and bring it back to the board before the next meeting >> so that you guys are aware of that. >> Can you actually check that for Kyle? >> My question will be what are there options to the school to determine with in conjunction collaboration with the family when that >> you're doing you're doing PPT so you could even solicit the feedback if that >> once I know what what the expectations are. >> Thank you. Um something we already have a committee and they have a full framework right >> so it's prescribed courses of studies >> what It's a 614. It's just a >> 614. >> So, so what they've done is >> they've taken the existing

100already state statute and there's an adjustment made state level >> and they added these in. So, if you didn't do this, you'd be in violation of state statute. >> So, it's really these become I use the term preuncter. I mean, you can't decide to not include Puerto Rican Latino studies. >> So, like, do we provide CPR training currently? >> Yes. >> You have to be 14 to get >> But if we didn't, >> if we didn't follow that, >> we still have to do the policy. You have to adjust what we do. >> Screen for certain things. That's 3 guidance. >> Yeah. >> So they the the the full standards would show us where this is supposed to occur. >> Okay. >> They're just saying your your document has to show that you do it.

101>> This is it becomes some perunctry and you can't really say no. >> Those are my favorite policies really. You're doing this but we'll approve it. >> I know. I this one kind of got me because I'm like where's the regulation, you know, like where is that piece that's forcing us our hand to do this? Because it's usually it's like there's a mandated regulation right behind it that gives us like oh well they're saying all this stuff and so I I didn't really see that. Well, usually they don't send it with the K policy updates unless it's significant. But I can request to find out if >> they send that, you know, I mean, at least to us, we can kind of >> on the curriculum and the special ed or just the curriculum one.

102>> Maybe both. >> Okay, I'll throw it to the policy committee. >> Yeah, sure. Thank you. >> Yeah, we'll read that. We can go for the readings. Does not have the second either. >> Yeah. We do as much research as we want to or just say, >> "Hey, it's not a regulatory thing and we're not >> on your computer programming instruction. Is that true computer programming or is there like typing included?" >> Um, it would typing. So there's like So what we've worked on now because we did not Margaret position and we had we reinstated that library position we had. Um so she does pieces of that. We do do typing especially you know lower school because they type on um but they do do like you know computer searches, Canva like those types of

103things at least once a week. She did some coding too in the the past like as well >> and they have that opportunity now like we have um different coding like online space they can choose that computer programming >> yeah just the feedback from my own children I am not a you code I didn't know that Well, and >> well, that's my question. I'm just almost curious if there's been any evaluation as to whether or not that those types of things are better than focusing more on typing. >> Yeah. You just you need a person you would need a staff member. Well, I'm just like >> to do the coding piece, you know, like >> I'm talking about instead of instead of doing coding like obviously how to do a search, right? How to research

104that's important, right? Like primary sources, secondary, like I get all of that, >> but in terms of coding, that's really not an effective use of time versus >> Yeah, I don't think there's a lot of coding. They have coding kits so like science people can come in or coding online but like >> it's not what you're thinking like a class way more but the the way that they write it computer programming is doesn't emphasize what we're actually focusing on right >> and they're probably not funding it either >> just do these things but we're not computer >> I mean computer programming really like when you get in high school if you're interested in that I would assume >> becomes high school >> like it's an actual like thing I as a class. But >> yeah.

105>> A few takeaways with those pieces. Um um the youth service bureau um bylaw update, right? So um we were given that bylaw. So we just need to approve it as such so that they can carry it out. Do have a motion for the board to approve the service viewers bylaws as amended. >> All in favor? Opposed? Motion passes certification this one. >> That's also the authorization to for the sale of food beverages. This is something >> so I have to read this couple of motions. So we need a motion. Um for the health food option pursuant to CGS section 10-21 5F Welltown Board of Education votes yes to participate participate in the healthy food option and certifies that all foods food items offered for sale to students in the schools under its jurisdiction and

106not exempted from the Connecticut nutrition standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education will comply with the Connecticut nutrition standards during the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. This cert certification shall include all food offered for sale to students separately for reimburseable meals at all times and from all sources, including but not limited to school stores, vending machines, school cafeterias, culinary programs, and any fundraising activities on school premises sponsored by the school or non-school organizations and groups. All in favor? >> I do. We have the motion first. The motion. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I I opposed. Heard. Motion passes. We need a motion also uh for food and beverage exemptions. Paltown Board of Education votes yes and will allow the same allow the sale of students of food items

107that do not meet the Connecticut nutritional standards and beverages not listed in section 10-22Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2 of this Connecticut general statutes provided that the following conditions are met. One, the sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of regular school day or on the weekend. Two, the sale is at location of the event. Number three, the food and beverage items are not sold from a vending machine or school store. An event is an occurrence involves more than just a regularly scheduled practice meeting or extra activity. For example, soccer games, school plays and interactive debates or events, soccer practices, play rehearsals and debate team meetings are not >> someone wrote this. >> Oh wow. >> The state >> someone said I better write this. >> I mean wow it's meetings team meetings. The regular school

108day is the period from midnight before to 30 minutes. Location means where the event is being held and must be the same place as the food. >> All in favor? >> I I opposed. >> All right, that's enough of that. >> We didn't do the date change yet. >> You know what? We're not even at that point yet. No, not not officially. No. >> Okay. >> To to say it. >> She can read it. >> Yeah, that's that's F. >> It's because of um the town requested that. >> Oh, that's what was I think >> they had a deadline to meet. So, >> okay. So, um, there's a request to again to move our board of ed meeting date from 3:12 the second Thursday to 35. Um, I guess the town is requesting it because

109they need certain information prior to that date. >> I think budget >> I think the budget >> what did they want? >> We just move our meeting to >> We need to move it earlier because they need something that we need to do. I think it >> we need to do something on the 5th before they >> I don't know if it's approve the budget. Is it something related to that? >> They need us to move it. >> Yeah. >> It was about us approving something before their meeting. >> The meeting I think is on the 11th. >> Yeah. Which is the day before >> our meeting was >> ours was so mean to the capital project. >> The capital projects report that time too. Correct. When do they have to count? >> That's the

110first take. >> That's March, which is basically two weeks from tonight, >> right? >> So, >> yeah. >> This is the first Thursday of March versus the second Thursday. >> I know. I can't believe where I said you were going. >> Yeah. spelling B. Pasta dinner night. Literacy night. >> We didn't know it was a board meeting at that date. Okay. All right. So, um, does anybody have concerns with that date? >> Okay. Do we have a motion to move the next board of meeting up one week from March 12th to March 5th? Motion. All in favor? I not heard passes changer just starting without well I mean I'm assuming Belle is okay with it without there's there's five of us here so have to get sick not everybody get sick We'll just make sure

111to make that happen just like right after this hopefully so you can get it on their calendars or let us know if there's um >> okay so the school calendar adjustment if we need to do some adjusting to that as well. >> Well, we did have Tuesdays. We had closed for two days. So, we do have the issue of adding a few days back. >> Okay. >> That's an adjustment for this year's calendar. >> Um, do we want to get to March and then figure this out because we don't know what's happening. >> Yeah. >> Let's get there. Okay. Now, we have how many days? >> Four. >> Not tonight. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Cuz it might snow Monday. >> We'll see. school use request. >> Thank you foring. >> So we have

112the is it the town farmers >> and isn't it these for the town hall? >> Yes. >> Yep. >> Jim, >> two of them. Yeah, we need a motion just to approve the school use request from for the Vtown >> Farmers Market on Sundays this summer. >> And again, refresh my memory, the town hall is the one that's responsible for all the insurance stuff, right? Or is that us? >> Um, >> on this it says uh they have their own >> town and volunted for the insurance. >> Yeah, because it's the EDC. It's their commission. >> Yeah. all. >> Okay. Do we have a motion? >> Motion second. >> Okay. >> All in favor? >> I I any opposed? >> None heard. That passes. >> Okay. And we need a motion to approve the school's

113request for the town of Allah for the annual town meeting on 526, May 26 at 6 p.m. All >> second. In favor? I >> I opposed heard. Motion passes. >> Is that the Tuesday after >> it always? Does anybody know if they're doing a referendum? They plan on voting that night. >> They're not planning a referendum right now. >> Okay. And personnel, um, we have a few I'm going to give you a list of things and it's just one motion so you guys can be aware. >> Okay. Um, so it's a motion to appoint the following positions. Emily Nelson as head volleyball coach. Jennifer Surface as assistant volleyball coach. Sarah Cipher as head track and field coach. Angela Orzel as assistant track and field coach. Aler as drama coach. Kayla Ole as drama coach. How's

114that? >> Barbara Bosle. Barbara. >> It's Bosle though, right? That's the What did I say? Oh, that's say Barbara because that's her old last name. My father I do too. But I reject you rejecturing during a conference. I will get the correct French pronunciation because I care, you know. I mean I I have that situation. >> I got the bow right. I mean that's >> doesn't have my same like weird hearts to it. Most likely Okay. Um, so do we have a motion for all of those positions? >> Motion. >> All in favor? >> I I >> um discussion. Yes. >> I was just saying that I didn't put in nothing of resignation. There's not there's going to be more personnel motion. >> Okay. Um, well, all in favor for that heard for netting naysay.

115So motions pass on all of those appointments and thank you for your time and service to our activities. >> Okay. So we do have another um so we have a um another personnel item of the van driver resignation. >> Right. Um, so >> do we have to >> or do you want to just do another >> and is there a new nothing yet? >> They're advertising still for a new >> Well, the motion is just to >> just to accept her resignation. >> There's nothing else. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. So, no. um with regrets. >> Thank you, Lynn, for your time and always um taking great care of our kids in the band. So, um we will um accept the resation. >> All in favor? >> And motion passes. And that is our last

116piece, right? Um so we our upcoming meetings before we move to executive is um shift to March 5th and um May 26 is in our now in our calendar for seven for the town meeting and just our budget updates policy. Okay, great. So, we need a motion to um invite enter session and invite um Scott for purposes of discussing technology contract and negotiations for statue 126A and B. >> Second favor IO lock us down.