001Welcome to this long time board of education meeting November meeting. Um we'll call the meeting to order at 6:00. Um will we rise to say the pledge of allegiance? Oh my gosh. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Briefly read our um admission statement. Board members, I do this every if you haven't seen that before, I do start every board meeting. So, the Volunt Board of Education's mission is to provide our students the skills essential to reach their highest pot potential in a safe environment for learning as they aspire to become responsible, respectful, and civic-minded members of society. We commit to help educate, challenge, and inspire each child to excel
002as lifelong learners who can adapt constructively in an everchanging multicultural and technological world. Great. So, one of the the largest things we'd like to do is welcome our newest board elected board members, um Sue and Sue Miller and each other carve. So, congratulations on your victories. Welcome. We're very happy to have you join our board and help with our um mission of improving and bettering the experience for all of our students of town. So, um, with that, I just a little >> and reelected. >> Oh, sorry. Congratulations, of course, as well. >> And, um, just Rachel, we're excited to have you. You've had a few children in the system. You've worked at elementary school for 13 years and had, um, lots of experience seeing all the different departments. So, and and now you're in your
003new new positions. you've seen how other um administrations work and and kind of operationally. So, we're happy to have all of that background with us. And uh so you've had so many so many experiences with us. You've had your children in our system as a parent. You've worked um worked for 31 years. Yes. Wow. at um in different positions, PA in the front office and um so we're super excited to have you as well and all of your experience and dedication to the town as a as a town member. >> Thank you. >> And um I wouldn't go without um saying regretfully that we will miss Sarah Thompson who um was a board member since 2021. Um she had so many key contributions to this board. Uh a a very um committed town member and
004parent as well. Um she helped on our transportation committee, our curriculum committee, high school choice committee and had great contributions as well as actually a huge role in helping us through the um superintendent selection. >> She did well. She did good at that. >> Selection process for sure. She put Scott through the ringer a couple of times. So that was yeah that was always um you know we will we will miss Sarah but we we know she's leaving in good hands and we always have her as a resource to our school. So um with that I will um we can take a quick roll call I think at this point. >> Okay we have Kate Bella, Megan Wixs is here. Kathy Grant is here can't make it tonight. Uh Valerie Musciano is here. Susan Miller
005is here. and Rachel Ricard. Suzanne Sue also present Scott Federer, superintendent, Amy Safalto for our or principal. I almost said president Roy Johnson and director of student services. >> Thank you. >> House. >> So this is our annual reorganization meeting um and with the election of officers. So this is our point where we um we nominate um via the normal consistent rules of Robert's rules of order um regarding nominations. Uh they will come from the floor from the board and do not require a second. After nomination is made, the board will be asked two additional times if there are any other nominations. When it appears that no further nominations will be made, nominations for that particular office will close. Once a nominee has received a majority vote, that vote will prevail. >> Okay. So, I
006open >> I'd like to nominate Kate as chairperson again. >> You got to open the floor for >> open the floor >> for the board chair and then K. Okay. Sorry. >> Then you ask another is there are there any other Any other nominations for board chair? >> And then again, sorry, stupid. Are there any other nominations for board chair? >> Technically, that's what you got to do. >> Is it three times? >> That was the third. That was the third. >> Um, hearing none others, we will go to our vote. >> Okay. And there's ballots in front of you. >> There's ballots in front of us. Just choose the one that says for board chair or chair person it says at the top and cast your >> I go around and there was six
007votes. for Kate Boalant. So all in we can do a motion. >> Votes of confidence in the role. >> Try my best to serve you all. >> We need a motion to >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Sorry. >> We have a motion to uh confirm me as board chair. >> Close nominations. >> Second to close nominations and accept me as board chair. >> Kathy did first and you second. Thank you so much. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Okay. Next. >> So, next we have um opening the floor for nominations for vice chair. >> Anthony. >> Okay. Okay. Are there any other nominations for vice chair? >> None heard. Um any other nomination for vice chair? Did you hear that? The third time. >> Okay. >> None heard. Um we uh
008nominate no other nominations. Um we're called. We will vote on paper ballot in front of us for vice chair. Nice and easy. Thank you. Okay, we have we have four votes for Megan, one for Ara, and one for Val. So, >> one for who? >> Val. >> Oh, all right. >> But that's enough for the >> Yeah. >> motion. >> Okay. You got to speak up for the old lady. All right, we need a motion to uh close nominations and elect it Wix as board of education vice chair. Second. >> All in favor? I opposed. None. Motion carries. Congratulations on vice chair. >> Welcome. Should be my sidekick. Okay. Um and then our final nomination uh we will do um open for the open the floor for nominations for board of ed secretary. >> I'd
009like to nominate myself for secretary. >> Yeah. I take Megan's nomination. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, we've got those are two nominations. Um, are there any more other nominations? >> Are you able to come into school in the middle of the week? >> I don't. Okay. You have to check. I'm aware. Okay. >> And Megan, you're nominating Kathy. >> Okay. I'll ask again. Is there any other nominations or secretary and her um cast on give her Don't ever. [Applause] Okay, so we have five for Kathy and one for Val. A motion to close nominations. >> Oh, sorry. No, that's Kathy Grant as board of education secretary. I make a motion. All in favor? I any opposed? Heard motion carries. Congratulations. Thank you for the work of whoever wanted to do that to
010sign checks and call the secretary. That is one of the harder ones because it requires a lot of running in time in the building. and clarity on here a lot already. All right. So, that was that piece of our um board business. So, nominations and elections of officers, we can um call the regular meeting to order. Okay. Call the regular meeting to order at now 6:12. And with that we will um move to our consent agenda. >> Oh public comment. Sorry >> no public comment but you wanted to add an item to the agenda. >> Is that what you want to do then? >> Yeah. Usually we do at the beginning >> the agenda to new business to add the learn proposal. >> Okay. Motion to add motion. >> Second motion to receive um the
011update on alarm proposal and item number new item number one for the business. >> All right. >> Great. All in favor? Any opposed? Heard. Motion passes. Okay. So no public comments um no correspondence and we added that to agenda. We can move to consent agenda. Do you have a motion to um approve the consent agenda as presented or any questions on that motion? Second. All in favor for approving the consent agenda as presented. >> I any opposed. Motion carries. We can move along to our reports for section. The superintendent report. Yes. >> I want to reiterate welcome Sue Rachel and congrats now. Another four years. That'll make it nine. And uh I understand Val are a big Jets fan as well. >> Nope. >> Um so yes, >> but to those watching tonight, we do
012know the Jets are playing Patriots tonight at 8:00. >> Um I had really the honor of coming uh on Tuesday to an Avengers Day celebration and What a what a fantastic event and um so great job Amy that you do with that and next time if you could join the choir was all >> but I mean it's really great event. I think we're about 30 or 40 veterans. >> Yeah probably yeah probably 30 >> and Joe Joe was there. >> Um it was it was great. There were some of our former students were there. >> So so that was really neat. >> Just a great event. I was saying when I when I said a few words that it was surprising that we were open on Veterans Day until you see like what it means
013to be open and then to have that celebration time. That's kind of makes it worth it. So pal is your school open? >> No. So you know it's it's it's pretty cool. You know it's different that decision decides to do that but it seems to be a positive really good thing. So this is great. So good to be there. Um quick reminder, next meeting is going to be budget, budget, budget. We'll start um putting everything together. Um also also going to be going to be reaching out to Brian. I just left me and getting that rolling. Um he's new, I'm new. We both get a chance to kind of be new together, you know, and uh work through all of that and build that relationship. Um, on top of that, we're also going to be
014calling uh K and I have been talking about calling a buildings uh building committee meeting as well. Um, we do have meets plus we want to go over there was a big meeting in May. We want to give an update on where we are since then and see what new projects are are looming and all that. So that's all uh coming down the pike >> and asbestous is done. Yes, >> is completely done. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. Sorry, just kidding. >> As far as the planning perspective, Um, we're doing we're doing a very small little project right now where we the two hallways I don't what's the wing? >> The early childhood wing. >> They just needed it's an original >> flooring in the in the vestibules. >> And that's where all
015the that's where everything gets captured in the vestibules. So, what we're doing, we're ripping that up. We're putting we're sealing the floor, putting another layer of seal down, adding a whole new carpet to it, and then we're also adding another removable carpet on top of that. And that way in 10 years, you throw out that one carpet, cost you $250 to replace that carpet instead of, you know, they're doing it, I tell you, doing it $1,000 per spot, >> right? >> That's not that was not I was shocked. Happily shocked. usually get very bad quotes for, >> you know, any kind of work, but they're doing three different areas with all that work and that will really we there's a smell down there that happens on certain times. So, Brian's assessed it. We brought in
016DEF to look at it again and I think they're working well with us. So, it's it's a good plan. So, that's budgeted. It's not you don't have to worry about that, but just let you know that's a little project that's happening right now. Um, everyone's favorite all hazards plan has been submitted. So, we can rest. It's submitted. Um and and my favorite topic is transportation update. What would a meeting from me be without a transportation update? Um as if you have kids in the school then you know you're getting these emails sent by that lovely lady over there almost on a daily basis at this point telling you the changes of the day. Um it's frustrating for everyone. There's no question. It's frustrating for the schools, frustrating for the families. um yet everyone seems to
017be used to it and that's a part I'm not. >> So it frustrates me because I'm not used to it and I don't accept it and I'm not okay with it. So I'm just being blunt about that. So uh my goal is to figure out a way to fix this. We can't be in this situation. It's not okay to do this. So to our parents, I apologize. To our staff, I apologize. Um but we're going to be working on this dedicated time to figure out a better solution to what we're trying to do. So, we're looking at that and talked about every day pretty much. Right now, we're down two drivers. Um, Jess resigned. You're adopting my resation tonight. And we were already open a position prior to that that we can't fill. Uh, we
018we do not have a competitive rate. We're not getting any applicants for van and we're getting no applicants for drivers. We have both a van opening and a regular bus driver opening. And we have zero applicants. And we've had zero applicants. Since I've been hired, there's been zero applicants. And before I was hired, there were zero applicants. So that's difficult. Within that, we're still going to try to figure out solutions that if you're not involved, they change every day, which it seems is almost the practice of this this year. Amy has shared that hasn't been this bad before. So being down two drivers is very difficult. >> So we have to figure out a solution for that. >> Excuse me. >> Sure. That being said, Gi will also be leaving probably by the end of
019the year, if not sooner. He's been that's been known for a while that he's planning on retiring this year. >> GG. Yeah, >> I may be wrong, but >> well, let's let's we don't try not to >> bring up a staff member. But >> yeah, I think realistically in general, we shouldn't be dehabilitated by a bus driver getting sick to Scott's point. Like >> people get sick. You're allowed to be out of >> It's not drivers being bad. It's the reality, >> right? not being, you know, higher to be able to figure. >> This isn't a critique on drivers. Absolutely. It's a reality of being down two. >> Yeah. Just figuring out what our future students like one sit with in >> whatever it is. Yeah. >> And we've said this for I mean you're
020blabbering the point, but this has been a topic we've you know I know it's been it's been urging Yeah. >> For me for me it's it's new. and the the seeing how we're how we're forced to deal with it >> is new. >> So, >> we appreciate that you you certainly have, you know, it's it's not right. We should not be used to doing this and you should not be having to send out a message every day >> to, you know, tackle. It's it's just >> people have become I think it's just we it's a general the way it works. Become numb to a constant situation and I'm not numb yet. So, So, uh, I'm I'm committed to not being here for much longer. >> Come out, right? >> I'm committed to the district not
021having a transportation problem much. [Music] >> No, we'reing the issue with your sustaining with >> That's it. I'm out. >> I know. >> No, I was told I have to do 21 years. >> I have to do that by a year. Is there an option of consolidating runs permanently or is that not? >> So the answer is that is absolutely up in the air as a question. So what I what we have to determine is Amy and I talked about well it's another day that ends in Y. So we talked about it today and um one of the things we had to look at is if we just scrap the whole thing and we said we have nothing and then you start by building the routes and you build the routes thinking you have no
022existing rules and then you see what you can do and then you then you apply the rules and see if that works. So, um I'm not sure if there's if it's law or hope that we keep a route under a certain amount of time >> in board policy. There's a board policy about >> so routing. So, we would just have to go back to the policy. I'm thinking it's 40 to 45 minutes. Am I right? I think we looked this up before we went through the whole transportation thing. So, there's a policy >> after we spoke I spoke again with Ann looking at the scenario. So, to your question, if we consolidated four And remember how this works. We go around the school. We go around volunteer. We pick up kids. We went over here.
023That's the first thing that happens. >> How many buses do you need to do that? Let's just say that we could do that with four. Let's say we could. Let's say it was a 54-minute ride and we changed the policy and the buses have room and we could do it. The problem, the question we have to ask is how many buses do you need to get kids to high school? And if the answer is five, then there's zero cost benefit to knock it to four runs. >> So you've made a leap already with Ellis and Marine, right? That's a big deal because that's two independent buses that we use drivers for to do that to bus equivalent. I think it's like seven, six or seven kids total are taking two full buses. >> Again, nothing
024against the kids, they're just doing what they're doing, but that's a reality. So, if you need five buses for high school, you don't bother with the other because you have a two-hour minimum for a driver. So, you you would you pay them two hours to not work. So, there's no value in that. If that's the case, if there's a way to Val's question, if there's a way to combine routes for high school to get that down to four, then you can consider the second part. The other part you have after that is um the timing of high schools >> and then out of district placements. All of those things contribute to making it a difficult scenario to get down to much lower than probably five. So, if you go down and you own five across
025the board, then five drivers and a six sub spare driver, um you'd be in good shape and you've been there before. >> Yeah. >> Um so, we are looking consolidating officially to five runs. We started the year with six, but we're we're kind of there. The problem if you consolidate to four also is if you have one absentee that day, you can't consolidate to three. >> So you always have to build a model that leaves a cushion. So the trick is to get us solid at five, have a spare, and have a really good plan for a bad day that doesn't require anyone to start thinking about it. That was my conversation with Ann this morning was I want plan A, plan B, plan C every day. You should just be able to hit a
026button. Boom. The the email should go out to the parents. It should be no no confusion. That's it. So we have to get there at a minimum now. That has to be now. And so that's going to be the immediate work on that. But you know this is this is a challenge. It's it's a certainly a challenge situation. I shared with you in a previous meeting that you know I've had the very good fortune to meet with superintendents in similar type districts Bajra Salem you know the districts like that that are all local area to us >> and this is a challenge transportation is is is is a challenge it's a tough thing um so just want you know it's on the forefront remains on the forefront till I'm feeling it's in a better place
027I want to share one more piece about transportation that has nothing to do with But it's coming down the pike and you probably know this about this, but there's a there's a law on the books in Connecticut right now that puts volunt zero emission buses by 2030. Electric bus today cost about $400,000. So yeah, uh Cave and CAPS are both working with legislators to challenge this because this is not remotely feasible. >> Excuse me, one question. The only way you can get to zero emission is with electric >> electric or they say the propane buses. >> Oh, all right. >> Well, I'm not going to go down a blowing up rate, but I'm just going to let's just stick with the fact it would cost us about $3.6 million. Exactly. >> And then every 10
028years another equivalent of $3.6 million. >> So it's not possible. There are grants and we probably would qualify to get a grant to do some all possibly, but then you're dealing with infrastructure. You possibly get a grant for infrastructure, too. Um the the biggest deal though is sustainability. There's different issues with it. There's mechanics that are needed to to do it. There's infrastructure in the town. even if we could put the infrastructure the town handle >> charging you know 119 vehicles I don't know it doesn't seem reasonable and um in 2030 I could see myself filing said just tell me what the fine is >> I'll just take the fine >> and we're not doing it I mean I don't see an avenue at this moment but I'll keep you posted I'm I'm not all
029that concerned because I just don't think they could possibly >> deliver on this I don't know when this came in probably a few years be back. >> Yeah, it's been it's been >> but 2025 ordering like the number have to be order. >> We can't get buses now. It took forever. Never get them. >> I feel like they were talking about that with cars too, but they reversed that like in the last year or two and they reversed. I totally like it. I had to be hydrated or whatever. But they reversed in 2030 and that kind of got >> I'm only mentioning because it's it's technically the 2026. >> Yeah, >> it's four years away. We just bought four buses that are not zero emission buses >> and we need one or two more. >>
030We need we need more buses. >> We need at least one more bus, but that's a different story for another day. But uh for as far as my report goes, um it is now 6:30 and the game starts at 8:00. game starts at >> well your comments. I mean we we >> I'm done for now but I do I'm going to come back and do business to talk about. >> Okay. >> This this is actually going to be a longer than normal meeting. >> Any questions for Scott on what we have discussed >> thank you very much for that and we'll move on to the principal report. >> Really the only update I have is the trimester closes soon. So if you are listening and your child needs to work on their work by the
031end of the trimester, please do so. Um it will close on the 21st. So we are already um 60 something days in. So that's you know as Jackie would say oneird of the year, you know, already done. Um we do have a couple upcoming things. So this Friday night is movie night. PTO is hosting. Um we are doing Last year we did a gingerbread breakfast with the gingerbread houses. However, the gingerbread houses were that was an epic fail. If you attended, you know what happened with those gingerbread houses. >> So, we decided not not to do that. So, now Melinda wanted to change the name of it cuz now we're doing cookies. So, it's a snowflake breakfast. Snowflake cookies. She wanted it all to match. So, um YSB Rec Commission made a generous donation um
032and PTO. So, we'll do that on December 6th. So, that flyer will be coming out so people can sign up and do that again. And then um we will do in December our famous little Santa shop there shop, whatever you want to call it. So that is underway. That's huge um for us. We do have our eighth grade parent left, but she's going to come back and help um a couple new moms come in and really like take that over in the inventory. So that'll be good. Up and coming. Amanda posted already both concerts, so the 10th and the 17th. So those are Yep. two separate. So the little one is on the 10th, the 17th is the big kid concert for music. Um we've had a lot of different things going on, a lot
033of trips. So we've done all our high school visits. We've gone to those um up and cominging a couple of our grades potentially going to NFA to see Alice and Winter. They invited us to come. Um Grisel would come and do their performance at school. Um sixth grade is doing an Eastcon grant right now. So, they're working on STEM um and a couple of other things. So, that's a really cool grant program that Eastcon typically reaches out to us because we're always, you know, willing to go. We own our own buses, so we have regular transportation um hopefully. So, that is something that is um coming for them in the next couple weeks. >> So much. >> There's a lot happening right now. >> Well, I think uh It's a lot to to take in
034and I know we just did conferences and all sorts of things. So conferences good update for during election day and um hopefully all the parents did get the right feedback to get those grades in order for the marking period and all of our we are working on. So learn is working on um power school for kids in five through eight and parents. So, if people don't have that information, just email me and I can put a ticket in or a code in. Just an ongoing process. Um, getting the kids access. I can't see their passwords because they're encrypted. So, I can't help them, but I can help parents at least get in because I have their username password. So, people need that. Just reach out to me and I'll get you that information. Um, yeah,
035just from personal experience, I know I have like one on app and one on, >> you know, PC only, just with two kids and I'm okay with that, but it's, you know, people might be just like giving up if they don't. >> Exactly. You have to do a whole registration process when you get that information and like people won't realize that. So, it's a couple of checks involved. >> Okay. And all school lunches are going okay. There's a getting all of our checks in our track stuff. >> I do want to I do want to add that we had a guest chef today. >> Um we did guest chef, Miss Amy Stfa today. >> She's actually the third chef. >> That's why we weren't having breakfast cuz I don't know how to make the sausage
036and all that stuff. So >> unfortunately, yes, Mr. was quite quickly. >> At least you're not fires. >> Does he know that? >> Exactly. Exactly. >> It was good. Somebody said, "I just love the pizza." You made like frozen pizza now. So >> take the compliment. >> I did. >> Great. Well, thank you. Any more questions for All right. So, director of student services, >> you have my report with the data and a brief statement about the loss links testing. If students um live in a home where there are other languages spoken, um we're obligated to provide them with a lasting step. Um it's administered the window is uh uh January 2nd to March 7th. Um we have about nine students who take the test and pass it. They don't have to take it again.
037Um Amy and I had conversations about those youngsters. Uh none of them need support in their English language learning that they're not already receiving uh through uh regular education. Um, special education is helping uh, one student, but it's a, you know, it's a it's an obligation, but it also reminds us to make sure that the youngsters who come from homes where they're they're learning two languages or the parents primarily speak one language and the kids come to school and speak English. The kids are doing fine, but we have to be in this assessment. Uh, one item that I I failed to put on the on the report, uh, we become aware of a grant that's available to our community for special education. And, uh, recently we be became aware of how much we have. It's
038a little over 16,000. So, we're in conversation about how to use those funds. It's very restricted as what we can use the funds for. It has to be new stuff. We can't use it for any tuitions or up or second party payments. If we want new materials or add to our staff in some way briefly, the funds have to be spent by u July 1st and uh we've been having conversations about how best to utilize those funds. >> I have a question. Um, >> can that also be used for training? >> Yes, but we can't buy the training. We could pay people time to take the train, but we have to be careful, you know, how we spend the dollars. >> Thank you. >> I talked with Chris Chaplan. Um, they have a much bigger
039grant because they're the biggest school district. >> That's correct. principles hired a couple pair of professionals buying some curricular materials and spending a significant amount of money on technology. >> So one thing is we find that this technological help have help some students that may may need iPads and grant for that figure. Quick question on your numbers. I notice between October of last year and November of this year in the high school, you almost you have almost half of the kids in the 504 um than you did last year. But it looks like two you have two new IEPs or maybe two transitioned into an IEP. >> Is that like through graduation attrition? Is that people like what is the what what are you seeing that? Well, the um the 9 to 12 includes 12
040plus. Those are those are youngsters in transition. So um typically for the most part students with intellectual disabilities will be serviced by their local community to the school year they turn 22. So when the students move from high school to the to transition then uh their their IEP goes along with them. Okay. >> So, but okay. I don't know if I'm reading it correctly. So, you had in 2024 you had 14 on an IEP and 16 on a 504. >> Yeah. >> You're saying that the four under 12 plus is included in that 14 number or or not. >> Yes. >> 504 is probably due to two factors. Graduations. >> Okay. And then students um frequently have students leave the need for their 504 when they're working through high school. So that that's why that
041that number. >> Yeah. It's like you can see that it's it's dropped like one or two, but from last year to this year it's dropped by like seven. >> It seems just a little different. So, I'm just like, are you seeing the high school still be supportive of the children that need for? I mean, we just >> I we have no disagreements with with them about whether they honor or uh create them when they feel necessary. Both things are happening. kids are are uh not needing them any longer or most often what happens is they frequently more frequently have those students with ADHD. They have a lot of difficulties with when they're young with uh functional uh uh executive functioning issues, but as they age, mature and learn who they are and what they need,
042they start taking care of themselves, so to speak. and the need for adults to tell them to organize your books this way. Make sure you listen to the teachers and when things are due and and then um we get to a point where the staff will say it's not needed anymore or the parents will say the child doesn't need it anymore and uh those kinds of things. I haven't kept track by who's in the numbers. You know, we can do some research to find out. Rhonda keeps a spreadsheet she updates every week. >> I just know we've had a little bit of trouble in years past regarding high schools with the I just wanted to make sure that you're not like running into particular high schools that are not accommodating. >> I had one today
043with a high school student and u students doing extremely well. They're honoring the uh the um the accommodations really well taking, you know, one of the questions we always ask at a manual review is what accommodations does the child have? What are they using? Do they need anymore? And uh in most the high schools, the counselor, the guidance counselor, school counselor will have reports from the teachers answering those questions. And so it allows the team to uh synthe synthesize those into either verifying that particular ones need needed or need to be revised or any other questions. Good to get an update there. So, thank you for that >> and all our administrators. Um, we can move on to old business at this point. Right now there's just one um item of old business and this
044is the second reading of policy 4,000 spot one um 4200 spot one and 5145 together but it's the title policy and sexual harassment policies all in one. >> So we said that this is basically just states requirement. We've gone through it before and um we've obviously Megan and I have looked at it and gave everybody the opportunity to look at it the last two months. So I think we are on the same page of where this is at. Do have a motion to accept a second reading and approve policy. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? I >> I know you two members have not had the opportunity to look at it but uh the board has um gotten this one. So all in favor I any oppose? Not heard. Motion passes to approve. Moving
045along to new business. We can start with our new item number one. So, I don't know if you got a chance to read. I'm sorry you got late. I need to get some information and numbers together before I send it out to you guys. Um, not really new information, just the idea we want to improve our expertise in the business assignment side. And to do that, um, I was speaking with my colleagues and they mentioned that learn is a real Michael Belvin is like the guru for this. is on the work and um he's working on the learn side to help uh districts with this kind of support. So looking at it of course not to add a major expense. So when Crystal um took the new job at town and opened a void um
046couple things happened. We posted we did find an excellent candidate in Kirstston who's doing a great job that moved right in and is doing it. Uh but what we did to help with that transition was we broke the job up and we only only took part of that job to be that job. So the hours were reduced and uh the payroll side of that work a few other things were moved over to so that that left um as you saw the math on that that left a basically a chunk of change. I did the math a little. It's actually a little bit more savings than I put in here. Um, basically what we're able to do with this, which was part of the model, was to help bring in a true business manager who's done
047this work. We can come in here, look at what we're doing, get, you know, Darina and myself, our office real stronger on the back end side, you know, questions that we talked about budgeting during the interview process and all that. Budgeting is different. Budgeting is not backend finance. They're not the same thing. Budgeting, in my opinion, is is the easier side. The the dealing with the state, dealing with their requirements, dealing with the grant craziness of grant writing in in any state of state you're in. Um, and the other part is what what is after that we don't know. That's probably the biggest one. The one I've used before was e-ate that you know we've never gotten rate. Eate is somewhere between our size probably 8 to $10,000 a year. We've never applied for rate
048and it's not a grant you could lose. >> What kind of break? >> It's called e- rate. It's a techn protect. >> Okay. >> And you basically just get it. It's not a thing. So personally my concern is I don't know what I don't know. I don't want to miss other opportunities. We'll of course do rate this year and if we haven't missed it and learn is gonna help us with that as well. Um on my wari side we already talked about that. Um we we need to have be really sure and positive that we are maximizing everything we can do and for this year we can do this without spending at all and I think that's a very viable intelligent use of spending. Uh I I I basically say this is the way you
049spend money to make money. This is that primary example of that. And um I'm not saying we need it past the year. I have no idea. Um I think I did put it here. We are the only district maybe anywhere that has no business management. So kudos to Adam. I will give it to Adam. >> He made it very cognizant that he was the only one that wasn't >> again the work isn't the issue for me. I I really this is not about even that's honestly not about conscience. See this without saying this it's not about me. I know what I know and I don't know what I don't know but I know there's a lot I don't know about the backend work of Connecticut business finance. And why would I know that necessarily? Um
050most superintendents would not know that. I was never a business manager in New Jersey either. Right. So, um, again, kudos to Adam for being able to for to know what he knew. Um, I want to make sure we know everything and I want to make sure that, uh, we're delivering that package to our physician and, um, so that's why I'm recommending this. Uh, I would give Learn a huge kudos because they, you saw the package. Um, the ability to pick up a phone and have a an expert on the other line about finance for Darlina and myself, Dee, that's huge. We have that with Cave De calls picks up and calls Cave a lot. >> It's free and you can do that. >> Um, but that's not this. >> Now, I'm a member that's policy.
051>> I'm a member of Casbow, which is the business organization Um, but it's not the same as what we can get from this and having someone again it's not a ton of time. It's 16 16 days between, you know, basically approval and the end of the school year. Um, but I think that's enough because it isn't guarding the whole thing. We don't need help budgeting. Uh, we don't need any of that. We need to know what we don't know. And that's the basic cell to why I recommending this. And the package is uh in front of you. What was 16 days? >> So the the business manager would be on staff 16 days. >> Oh yes. Okay. >> Yeah. And the other the other 128 hours is our ability to call a different different person
052to get support that way. >> So it's a tremendous the going rate for a daily use of a business manager is more than 750 already. >> So this is already a good deal. And you can see why. There's a grant for $4,000 and then a removal of the administrative fee. So I think learn is getting nothing and I'm good with them getting but um they're they've been good to us on this and I think it's a package I highly recommend and again this is not not saying this is something for that you need to hire a business manager. I'm saying this is gonna help me at least be able to give you my best on what you do need and I'm hoping it's nothing more than this. >> Yeah. Just one. Will they write the
053grants for you or just tell you what's available? >> No, I don't need someone to write the grants for us. It's it's it's support with the grants support >> but not like here's a grant, go do it for we're not looking for someone to take work off our plates. >> It isn't that. This is an expertise bill. >> This is some work we could do and make x number of dollars. >> Yeah. Mike, tell us, you know, there's like, you know, I was on the phone with Mike, >> Mike Belvin. He said, "Stop, you know, there's a grant. It's called the drip grant." I happen to know about that one. It's good. That's a $40,000 grant. The funny thing about that particular grant is no one has any idea how to get it. Like there's
054no nothing. But we've been told how much we're getting. Really interesting way to operate any form of function. Here's how much you're getting, but maybe you'll get it June 1st. And if you do get it June 1st, you don't know how you're going to get it yet. So, we're banking on that because I got a $40,000 HBAC project I need to do. So, you know, if that grant is real and we find out that is real, that's going to be a big deal for us, you know, and then there's another HBAC grant coming out, which we don't know anything about yet, except there's an HBAC grant that's floating around out there. Those are the ones I know about. There's probably 10 I don't. And there's, you know, and I'm reading as much as I can
055from from Caswell and they send a ton of stuff all the time, hopping on webinars when they can and all that, but it's not the same like having someone who has done this for their life. This is what they do. I think it was >> and they do it for other schools about their parent. >> Yeah. >> Well, we'll be getting someone who was a who did this work in school. >> Yeah. That's was their job and they either retired or they're Yeah. I I talked to my colleagues also who some of them have part-time business managers, some of them have full-time business managers. The makeup in all the schools is just different for whatever number of reasons. I don't know what that is, but um you know, here it worked here. And I'm not
056going to say it's not going to continue to work. I just want to make sure. So that's kind of my take on it. And if you guys are open to it, I would ask for a motion to approve that proposal. And um we'll get started. But that's as much discussion as we >> need. >> I work. So at what point do I >> So just so you know that Rachel will have a would be a conflict of interest. So if there is a motion, Rachel will have to recuse herself. She would not be able to vote on that motion at all. Um however, there is no conflict in Rachel being on the board and us hiring company. Um whatever. Do you guys fill out ethics forms every year? A a um >> do that here?
057>> No. >> It's not a kind of good thing. >> So, New Jersey has an ethics form. You have to fill out every year and have to disclose any business relationships you have if you're a member of board or member of senior staff that tells the public that hey, just so you know, I work here, right? But you don't get learn doesn't get we already are in partnership with learn before Rachel was on the board. >> What you always are looking for Rachel then on the board and then propose the idea. Hey, why don't we hire >> my company >> who does this? >> No, this is not this is actually me actually reaching out to learn. >> Yeah. Um but in this case the safest thing this kind of conversation we have once before
058the safest thing well in this case this is ironclad a conflict as it gets. >> So this this would actually be an ethics violation for >> right >> in favor of this against it would be weird >> but in favor of it would be an actual ethics violation. >> So when you hear someone recuse in this particular case Rachel is disclosing to you directly that she works with this company >> and but will not be working on our case. We had a conversation already with Lauren's leadership. Yeah, >> I brought that up specifically and as much as I would love to have Rachel working on the case knowing her skill set, she is not able to and will not be contributing any way to any of the any of this proposal or the other proposal
059which we already work on which is the tech stuff. So >> if there's a motion, make sure your refuses. >> I'll make a motion. I think it's actually a great idea. And I I think I am hopeful that they might even like have templates for you like, you know, in order to get the grants. But I know one of the things that Adam sometimes had difficulty with writing it was some of the grants had to be very specifically written for certain, you know, in order and it made his it gave us an advantage, right, when we were putting in the things that were for. So I think having that resource is I mean definitely I think it'll it'll make itself it'll make us the money that we're putting into it for sure. So I will
060gladly step in it. just my yeah um I'm in agreement. I think it's it's part of our our board's um you know our initiative is is to make sure that you're successful in this role as you support our school system and the transition process and I like the fact that this is you know a son of permanency thing that we're just trying to fill in a position that will you know take away from your time or or your abil It's only going to enhance the the opportunities for our kids and and um the resourcing that we can do to help our budgeting needs to degree. >> Not looking to lessen the learning just making sure we're doing the best we can. >> But the good thing about the the budget that we do have is
061when you you know even during co and things like that bringing in 100,000 that like that's a pretty significant chunk of change for this size of a budget. out anywhere we can find those grants and things. That's really important. >> We had uh two two motions. So, we'll take a vote. All in favor to approve the um the business relationship with um learn and town school district. For the purposes of this um endeavor, this this business management endeavor, >> you said I I >> any opposed. >> None heard. Motion carries. >> I got heard by Rachel for the record. Okay. All right. Well, that's exciting exciting opportunity. Thank you for that. And now we can move on to um our next policy that is uh the first reading for the schools school safety. It's kind
062of a conglomerate of a bunch of different school safety. >> It's really this happened so often in policy. uh for some reason they're just combining three policies into one. There's no real these are all policies that exist already for us. There's nothing here that a process change. >> Yeah. My only question when kind of briefly looking at it was um the requirements for meetings for these type of things and I think there was a monthly um notion there. So we can kind of think about that look at that and you can get back to us on your thoughts on usability there. All right, we can take a look again and then the second reading for next month. Uh item number three is the 2026 schedule of meetings for the board of education. We have to
063um do this every year and submit it um to the town. So it's it's pretty um standard course where we just list out our our meeting dates. Um, it's kind of a quick look sniff test. If something jumps out at you right now that says it's glaringly a bad day, let us know. Speak up. I just want to point out I did ask for the January meeting to be moved to the third Thursday instead of the second. So, if that's something that you'd be comfortable doing, it's I'm going to be planning on being 15. >> So, it would have been the eth. But so this is reflective of that request >> for me anyway. >> Thank you. That's >> on the 12th. Is that um I'm just thinking about presidents whatever the holidays are that
064roll into that. Um we have the next day off or >> the Monday? >> Monday prior. >> What about the long? >> It's the one after it's the 16th in February. Are you talking it's the 16th? >> 19th. >> Well, usually >> Yeah, that is that week. >> Yeah. >> Just stick with what we have for now. >> 16. Any other thoughts on dates? I >> think we probably need to revisit like in July and August dates too, especially with people being out of town. >> You can always cancel a meeting, but just they like you to just put them on >> and then you can cancel them later. It's better to have them on the town books. >> That's my recommendation. >> Yeah, I'm comfortable with that. We we've had a first sniff of
065it and then we can always bring a backup if we need to. We're pretty flexible on that and um as we knew around budgets using >> um so do we have a motion the board to approve the schedule meetings motion and authorize us to submit to the town hall as second. All in favor >> I any opposed heard passes. Okay. So the next item of business is committee preferences. So um this is an annual kind of review of what we currently have. We have two members that are no longer um on here. So we do need to make some adjustments there. Um and any type of areas that you you know especially the new members if you're interested in in any type of area you can probably let let me know and we can go
066forward. We don't we don't need to make determinations this meeting. >> No, it's just initial discussion throwing it out there. >> Yeah. So do you have thoughts on the our committee? Is this is your first >> I do but I was going to let it ride. I started I've started to play with it and I think there's some things I don't know yet and I think I was I'm going to be recommending some moves that might not be good. So I pulled back put DV through some some mass confusion doing this. Um but I had drawn some charts and I was ready to make some recommendations and then I kind of found that I might just be off base. So I pulled back from that and I feel there's too many committees that are not
067necessarily they don't meet very often. There's a just seems to be um a lot of stuff that goes on paper that doesn't produce that much from what I can see. But I could be wrong which is why I thought let me live it for a year and see and then maybe come back. I do have a few maps out of I think makes sense, but it's not hurting. Nothing's nothing's broken. I think after I start I realiz I don't think it needed a different touch just is that our conversation was D. >> Yeah. I mean, it's kind of like with the with the bus runs. We're trying to just consolidate. >> I want to change it. >> Just consolidating and making it >> looking for efficiencies and productivity where >> but in time it's no
068rush. are feel like they're producing maybe on a regular basis. Having a committee that meets twice a year or maybe or maybe not you know building committee for example I think I should meet everyone who wants to me that is what should be happen that should be a strong relationship a strong partnership and you know we were in transition as soon as I got here. >> It wasn't very long after I remember sitting on a meeting with Tracy said, "Oh, by the way, >> and then Julie, oh, by the way, so now that's kind of transition's over. I think it's time to for me to do that." So really, I think focusing on the relationship building with um all the key people in the town that that'll make us stronger is probably more important than
069worrying about if we should look at committee structure. a moment. >> Sure. >> And some of this, you know, derives from policy and or, you know, bylaws and and we can visit that, too. So, if there's something that you're seeing pop up that >> or DD is looking at and say, well, this ties directly to >> sort of policy that the states >> forced us to do. >> You have an indoor air quality policy. You have a safety >> policy. Right. Right. That all can be combined is something that makes sense. >> I I think so. Yeah, I think so. But because of that exact reason is why I stopped because maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they have to be independent. Maybe that doesn't make sense. >> So I didn't want to make a recommendation to
070the board that actually put the board in a worse place by accident. >> So I figured I'd live it for a year and assess it. I'll be able to come back with a a more solid recommendation. But more >> I think too like making sure that when they meet like everybody knows that they meet >> um has been kind of one of the frustrating things where it's kind of like you find out that that particular committee meeting met after the fact and you're like well I was available that day >> you know but they made the assumption that I wasn't and >> so just kind of making that everybody's involved >> or communication. >> It comes down usually with committee and this happened in my last district where those are committees and they just never
071met and then when something needed to happen there was nobody really to support the ideas. The ideas of committee meetings with boards and other key stakeholders are that there are people that really understand the topic. >> So when it gets presented to a board or a community, it's not a person doing it. It's a group of people that have really invested time and energy into it. Policy is an example where you know you have two of your board members are investing their time in the policy and make them really do that >> and they read the policies and they give feedback on the policies and then at least you know when the policies come. It's not it's coming with two board members who spent the time and energy looking at that. >> All committees should
072function in that way >> and that was the concept of the building committee. if we have HAC work to do, let's bring the building committee together so they understand they might have expertise and other things to offer for those issues. So if we don't have regular meetings for committees that exist, I'd rather not have committees because that that's a false narrative and I don't like to do that. >> So I think often building meet with the town. >> Yeah, it's a it's been like since it's been since co because of all the grants that we've had to kind of review and try and implement >> the pavilion building, you know, it was just like just since co we've had regular building building committee meetings and that's been very efficient and kind of the most like
073expansive very very solid >> and I feel like I mean when transportation we've had some discussions there we know the group it's it's easy to get the group together and you know we got a lot more comfortable last year you But it was it I love that we do have assignments and people and if if the it matters you know unfortunately like if it matters everything matters you know it's not that that doesn't matter but like to your point I know I'm like on almost every committee somehow or de facto can join so I'll get something through and I'm like oh I've got something going on there but I don't think I'm on that committee so I think I'm just getting that because it's >> and then and then I'm like oh I'm the only
074one on I look back I'm like, "Oh, did anything happen?" >> That is in the end it was it's an overwhelming document. >> Yeah. >> To look at hundreds of hundreds of names and committees on both sides and there's a board committees over here. There's other committees over here. There's another backpeding system. I didn't need to it wasn't a broken system needs to be fixed. I guess I was just applying my my head to it and I realized that was inappropriate at the moment. Let it sit, move it forward, let it work, and then we can we can >> Yeah, you're probably not wrong. Like the indoor air quality could probably be with building committee >> probably >> because if you need to fix your indoor air quality, it's going to require >> and if
075you looked at my my little list that is >> that one. >> Yeah. Like some of those things just go under one thing under umbrellas. We have an umbrella committee called operations committee, >> right? >> Operations meet >> and that's all of the committee is pretty well done. Mostly stuff is done. It's ongoing but obviously moneywise. >> So there there's just so again I know I'm belaboring it just the idea of limit for the year. >> Yeah. So for things that that do matter I know we have a negotiations meeting coming up. So >> um and Chris was on that. Is there anybody jumping up to join us >> negotiations? >> Rachel, >> thank you. Okay. Um, >> and can I just ask Sarah had replaced me on the transportation, so if you wouldn't mind
076just crossing me off, but somebody I I don't know. >> I was on there at one point in time. So, >> well, that is always during the day. Well, so we'll have to either figure it out or we'll do it. >> Yeah. Aren't you on transportation? >> As long as you don't have more than three, you're not >> We need down there. >> I'm interested in the school safety. Um, so she wants that. So Sue wants school safety. I'll come off school safety. >> I mean, I mean, you're willing to be on it. >> Yeah. And you attend. That's great. Okay. >> This one. >> Mhm. >> Not this one. >> I know. There's two with the word safety in it for me. >> I know. school safety. >> Not the not the indoor air.
077>> You're talking the school safety committee. >> There's nothing. >> You can cross off the >> Rachel's deacto. >> I don't know what you mean about the soldier. I say they're ugly. They don't give us nothing. They cost us money. >> Meeting a journ. Yeah, actually >> it was a $9,000 bill to have absolutely >> I know >> they cut those trees down and I had a first grade classroom and we would watch out. >> It was very sad. >> It was like the Lorax chopping down. >> There were trees there. >> That was a whole forest. >> And so we used to watch and they came in the >> We were very depressed. the awful gym equipment at the end of our playground. >> Yeah. >> From the 1940s. >> Anyway, so but there
078was there was there was straight line of trees before. >> Yep. >> Yeah. It'll be like the town garage and everything. >> Screw my back. >> If you ever need another eye for policy, I'd be willing to read with everybody you guys. I know you guys do a great job together. >> As long as you don't have four, >> but I manage it. >> No, as long as you don't have >> four members. Okay. Yeah. I thought you had four committ. >> So, you want to go on the >> the >> policy? I'm just saying >> make it up to three people. You saying? >> Yeah. >> They need another set of eyes. Okay. >> Because that one everybody has a chance to read it. So yeah, like the first cutter. That's great. >> Um,
079but getting back to Sue though, I feel like what was the one that she might want to >> She said school safety committee. >> And I would also be interested in the youth service. >> In what service? >> Yeah, that would be great. >> Zoom meeting next week >> because that was Chris. So that >> Chris is remaining on it. He wanted to as a >> so. >> Okay. >> Well, I think with safety I think we're going to re revisit that anyway because we might have to consolidate but we'll you know between whoever's determine that. So that will just kind of table but we'll know that interest >> is there also a high school committee >> that on there >> that's great right um we can add it as something >> kind of align
080with transportation Yeah, we had it aligned to that but then it was we have an inbuilding committee that but that's junior high school and high school transition >> transition and things we don't have a committee for that >> Jackie used to do most for all the visits and >> but I think what you're thinking of is really >> Sarah was involved last year. >> Yes. I think what they did was they had the in school committee and they pulled Sarah volunteered to go like into it for like that talk >> and then like if there's like if Ellis comes off the lottery that conversation like there would be another need for like talk. >> Yeah. >> But like on the regular she wasn't attempting. >> Yeah. Like that wouldn't be to to kind of do
081the transitions for >> but she did do business like the weddings and stuff. >> Yeah. We always have a board like usually I'll go over those. >> Um >> and on that point we say um so we might have a school visit is it ledger I believe >> ledger ledgers will come here to speak to the board. >> The other parts of all that mostly we reached out to all the schools >> and uh for the most part they are it's a tough time for them but they're also doing things already with our kids and our parents. A lot of them were like, "Why don't we invite our board members to those events rather than have them come just talk to the board? They're going to do these bigger events and then let you guys
082know when those events are if you want that." >> But Ledger would be good to come here because they're new to us, >> right? >> Yeah. So, let them come here. >> Um, and the other ones we're we'll revisit with them. We we have emails out to all of them. >> So, you jumped on board. Mhm. >> Everyone else is like, "We're too busy." >> It's crazy. We have seen them. Yeah. Interesting. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Good. >> And so, um, and they do an initial, so kids are already applying there and they'll interview them right away and get them feedback right away. So, they're due by December 1, the first round. So, kids have already started applying. So, they'll know soon. We'll have a general idea thing how the lottery has been going for
083the tax schools. That's going to be >> we don't know for this coming year. >> Yeah, that's going to be the big one that could affect our budget. >> Excuse me. >> All right. So, we have a good start on committees. That sounds good. Um we'll just continue to revisit that as we as we move along. Um item number five is personnel. Um so we did receive the the um resignation letter in a pocket. >> Correct. >> From a bus driver >> Jess Miller. Yes. Um thank you Jess for your time here and dedication to our our transportation needs and our kids here. Um, hate to see anybody leave anytime, but um, especially on transportation, but I um, hopefully I love him new endeavors. >> Do we know what she's going to do? >> Did
084she ask me with a team? >> Well, so so we don't I didn't know if she provided any feedback. Thank you. >> So, it's one motion to access all of the personnel >> and then you go through all each of the individual through the one motion. >> Mhm. >> Was it one? >> And then we have um a motion to appoint boys basketball. Is that >> looking for it? You're on. >> Thank you. Um, so Nate Lazurk as head coach and Ed Duncan and Joe Miller as assistant. >> I'm gonna I'm gonna say >> so Dei, we're going to make a little change here. >> Okay. >> It's emotion. >> Mhm. >> It's five instead of bullets. >> Mhm. >> It's going to be five A B. That would be in this case B1, B2,
085B3. >> Okay. >> Because Sue is going to recuse herself. Yeah. >> On B1. >> Yep. >> Yes. Absolutely. >> Okay. So that's why you label them that way. >> Okay. >> So there's never a confusion. Never wants to challenge somebody on something. >> Yep. >> You're always protected this way. Is this board protection? This is nothing. >> Yeah. >> Else but more protection. >> Thank you. >> I mean I would love to go through each one. by name. >> You're still going to go through each one by name. You can still do that, but it's only one motion. >> I mean, a second on that each time. >> No one ask for a name. >> Ask three times. >> Three times. >> In fact, I like one separate for Nate, one separate for Ed,
086then one separate for Joe. >> That's what I was saying. Okay. But is there do I need to say numbers or any letters? >> You do not. You can just go through it just like you normally do. >> So a motion to um put the following coaches and assistants in their respective sports. I will include them. Boys basketball coach Nin and Joe Miller as assistant coaches. The girls basketball head coach Stephanie Merchant as an assistant coach and cheerleading Darlene Ranger head coach. and me in as head assistant coach. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I Any opposed? >> I recuse. >> Yeah, >> you on all except abstain from in this case 5B five. >> I'll get it. >> Yeah, >> she knows what I'm saying. But you're so you're fine with all
087the other ones, correct? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> So you would be a yes vote for the personnel agenda except abstain for >> where that joy is. >> 5B one. >> Yeah, you're good. >> None. Okay. Motion passes on the personnel. >> Great. We should have prepared for that one. Um, okay. >> That's fine. >> We're going to change that area for the future. So, >> yeah. So, um, that is it for uh that piece of business and then we have the upcoming meeting info. Um, the next meeting is December 11th. Can't believe that. Coming up. Um and just a reminder that the the cave caps convention is next Friday, Saturday. Um so for those that are interested or have signed up, that's just for your knowledge. And um yeah, I think that's that's what's
088on the agenda. >> We will have a uh an executive session tonight. Um so um we will need a mo a motion to move into executive session inviting Scott superintendent Scott better for purposes discussing employees in relation to their employment performance and evaluation and possible action including disciplin dismissal per CT statute number one-26 motion >> second in favor I >> post none. >> Motion passes. >> She going to shut off two minutes.