001Stop. >> Yes, you can. you can begin and just speak very loudly because we'll be able to get everything online. It may be hard for the audience. Thank you. >> Good evening. I call to order the meeting of our board of education a regular meeting. It's a Monday, July 28th, 2025. Mr. Wilh, you lead us in the pledge of allegiance. blessings for all. Thank you. As we enter into public comment, uh, one note is that as specified in article five of our labor agreement with the teachers union, uh, they have a right to speak on items on the agenda for the request to do so. So the last speaker in our public comment will be the union president and at that time the minute limit will not apply. Welcome to the board of education regular
002meeting. Regular meetings are at times with boards to conduct its business. As a board of education we are here to set goals, listen to reports of superintendent, approve budgets, contracts and personnel appointments and make policy for the district. The board may hear public participation for up to 60 minutes. Public participation shall be limited to a maximum of three minutes per speaker. One speaker cannot yield their time to another speaker. There will be no responses this evening to any questions or concerns raised. They will be referred to the administration for review. As adults, we serve as our students. Please be respectful of people. We ask speakers not to make defamatory comments for use of abusive or vulgar language. Dr. White is ready for public comment. Adop and just uh to let everyone know we are um
003working to help make sure the people online can hear us and that also we can hear them. The setup is a little different than previous. >> Our first speaker is President Hul. My name is I would like to thank Dr. um such as all those times or whatever you think it was. I would also like to thank my name that was so nice. Um My top is both intelligent for Dr. last one and collaborate. As a material, I tend to follow but I do collaboration and I will continue to say that um engagement parent engagement engagement with regard to of We are not going to accept it. I walk away from you. Father without soft back I have done so vertically to his soul when he has also as I looked at I see by
004the numbers but what I did see was that there were many schools that were listed as a other state that could be heard Imagine how children are educating children do not get competition do not do anything called good schools or bad schools and to add insult to injury Rogers has been closed because it only had 130 plus students almost over 100 grand for 35 five students while I um I'm having a problem with that. I would have supported that was the mandated that tens of millions of dollars spent on outside behavioral behavior. Millions of those who could be brought back to the to the district and thought are well qualified special education. Many of those very conducted the audit lack transparency and oversight. It has an ability to fall for a and I support it.
005Our next speaker is Mike Bones. Good evening everyone. and doing well. I um say because um there has been an issue with um members getting to pay for the um arbitration award that we handed out and um some of our vendors who had resigned under that particular there's one member who resigned on April 25 and she had stopped for over four years. She was a full time st and then told me she with me that she um eventually resigned and now told and to run around thinking that because she resigned she died when she was working all these years. Um the award was retracted to the uh acre I mean divide 202 and she worked in 2023 2024 I'm sorry but this was this is not a negotiated contract that was negotiated and we had
006decided only it was all effort for this award to pay the warrant not negotiated a more so I don't see why Um the board meeting and and today the board has spent which I never knew the amount which I would really like to know a lot of fun attorney. So why could the attorney got more that needs to pay to xy no and it is that that's not done without the board. Okay. Bye. Take us to work. I would like to know what our contract. So, thank you very much. Our next speaker is New Haven Leon. Please state your full name. >> Um hello. Can you hear me? I am Nancy Han. Um good evening everyone. Um I'm a rising senior at Wilber High School and a student leader at New Haven Climate Movement. Thank
007you for the opportunity to speak tonight. I would like to bring to your attention House Bill F 500 uh 5523, which appropriated $350,000 in funding to the New Haven and Hartford public school um boards of education for the purpose of purchasing youth bus passes last school year. Each city received $175,000 in Hartford. This funding was used to purchase bus passes for several high school and a study was done simultaneously to evaluate the impact of the free bus passes on students social and academic well-being. This data is essential to an ongoing statewide push for free bus passes for all youth. Um, Olu, um, who is a student leader from Hartford Public Schools involved in advocating for the bill, is also in attendance tonight and will speak shortly about her positive experience with the free bus pass
008study. Back here in New Haven, it is my understanding that the transportation director, Mrs. Squallo Coleman, is in charge of implementing the bill. New Human Climate Movement would like to request a meeting with Miss Coleman to learn about how the bus passes were purchased, distributed, and tracked and to talk about any future plans to increase the availability of free bus passes for New Haven High School students, especially in light of a new bill that appropriated $4 million to reduce bus fairs for youth by 50%. Furthermore, we would like to request an update from Miss Coleman on behalf of clean transportation communities of southern Connecticut about progress towards school bus fleet electrification. At New Haven Climate Movement, we are passionate about free bus passes because we know that giving students access to them will not only
009reduce chronic absenteeism, strengthen academic performance, and support students involved in extracurricular sports and after school jobs, but it will also encourage young New Haveners to embrace low transportation, low uh lowcarbon transportation options. In a state where the transportation sector contributes nearly a third of all greenhouse gases, we know that by increasing youth awareness of the impact of our transportation choices, whether that be through creating climate art or activating for free bus passes, we are taking a significant step towards healthier, happier communities. We hope that you can support us in this mission. Thank you for your time and we hope to um look forward to hearing from Miss Coleman. Thank you. Our next speaker is Natalie. Please state your full name when you come on. >> Hi. Yes. Can everyone hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >>
010Okay. My name is Natalie Ellis and I work for Roberto Clemente in New Haven Public School and I wanted to speak on um well I'm going to touch base on what Hiklas spoke on with the retrop pay for the Paris. So I'm I'm one of them. I'm not sure if I'm the only one but I have not received my pay. I was employed when that award was granted to the Paris and I feel like I'm I'm very disappointed right now because I feel like I'm being penalized because I resigned and I was employed during the time that the award was granted. So I feel that I well I know that I'm entitled to the retro pay. I've subbed from I'm I'm not saying I subbed a day here or a day there. I was a
011sub from day one to the very last day of school to where I had to pack up the classrooms. So, and I've been and I've done it for years. We've in our school we we've gone years without a teacher and I was the one who was controlling the classroom. So, I had to become the teacher with no help. So, I feel like I know I'm entitled to that pay. I was employed when it was granted. I was um there full-time. I so happened to have resigned a few days after it was granted, but I but mind you, I was still there. I was still a full-time employee when it was granted. So, I know that I'm entitled to it. So, with me leaving a few days after is irrelevant. And for me have to wait
012so long. It was granted on July 3rd. Here it is. Jul it's July 28th. We're going to be hitting August soon. And I've been told that I have to wait for the board to decide what to do. The this is like the the third meeting or the second meeting since July 3rd and I'm still haven't receive they can't do anything until they get the go ahead from HR. So I just want to know what is the hold up? Why am I not getting my retro pay? Cuz I've been years and I part of the um contract it was awarded. So I feel like I needed to be released ASAP, you know, like after board me, you can go ahead and give so a can give the okay to payroll can send me my money and
013that will go through soon, sooner than later. Thanks for um giving me the opportunity to speak and express my feelings. >> The next speaker is Adrian Hawk. Adrien Hawk, you may begin. >> Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Good evening, BOE members. My name is Adrienne Huck and I'm a co-founder of the New Haven Climate Movement and the New Haven Public Schools alum. I also lead the climate justice schools initiative and NHCM program also funded by the city of New Haven. For the last year and a half, NHCM has been heavily focused on advocating for and promoting alternative transportation methods. We were very excited to hear about the passage of House Bill 5523 in the Connecticut legislature last year, which appropriated 175,000 in funding to New Haven and Hartford public
014schools each during the 2024 2025 school year. Advocates at the organization Transport Hartford negotiated with the state legislature to have Hartford public school share fund 31-day passes to for 56 students on an opt-in basis across multiple schools. These passes allowed high school students unlimited free bus rides at any time, not exclusively to get home after a school sanctioned program. This was highly impactful for students, helping teens get to their jobs, commute to school, attend enriching programming, or meet up with friends. Despite our outreach and research, we have not received clear answers about how that $175,000 was spent in NHPS and the process by which students across all high school. >> Can you pause for a moment, please? >> Could you repeat that? >> Uh, we're asking you to just pause for a moment. You >>
015can continue. >> Okay. background noise. Um, it is imperative that we see the same level of transparency and better promotion of the free bus pass program here in NHPS. As a student commuter who uses CT transit almost on a daily basis, I understand the realities of getting around to school, work, and other events by bus. From ages 14 to 17, I was privileged to never have to pay out of pocket for bus fair. Several high schools like my alma mater, my college business academy provided these two-hour bus classes to students who stayed after school for clubs and so did several other programs I was part of that targeted NHPS students. This opportunity allowed me to fully participate in extracurriculars and work. Overall, I want to say that free bus passes are a win for equity
016and the environment. We would like to request a meeting with transportation director Miss Tala Coleman to learn more about how these bus passes were purchased, distributed, and tracked. We'd also like to discuss a potential increase in the availability of free bus passes given the recent passage allowing for half price bus fairs for youth. Thank you for your time. Our next speaker is Olawas. Hello, my name is Olu Olubard and I'm a Hello, my name is Ola Olubard and I am a rising senior in Hartford Public Schools here to testify on behalf of the importance of provisions for young people when it comes to public transit access. So, as Adrian and Nancy were able to discuss earlier in their testimonies, uh, House Bill 5523 allocated $175,000 each to Hartford Public Schools and New Haven Public Schools
017for the purchase of free bus passes. And that program was in place at our school. And so that money was able to support 506 students throughout the school year with 30-day city bus passes. And I want to attest to the importance of legislation and measures that address gaps in transportation access. So in Hartford public schools for students who live within five miles of their school's building, they're not eligible for district funded busing. And so we have a lot of young people who depend on public transit to attend school and to engage in extracurricular activities or just to get a job and do all these things outside of the school day. Um for the young people who don't have access to like their own car or private form of transportation, the the city bus is how
018they're able to n um is their primary form of mobility and it's the way with which they engage with their community. But when we don't address the barrier of costs when it comes to young people and their access to transportation, we essentially exclude them and we let these barriers um undermine their connection to these important institutions such as education, employment, and just community as a whole. So, I'm just here to advocate for measures like this to be expanded statewide because the need for free city bus passes is everywhere. Um, it's it's just simply not fair that a young person who lives within the two-m radius of their school would have to pay the 140 twice a day, two, three times a day just to be able to make it to sports and and do the
019things that their peers are doing, but we're privileged enough to have access. >> No, no, no. Okay. Thank you. >> Speak Leslie blocks up. We're at home here. I don't know how to call our best recording will work. It's just not yet. >> Good evening. Um I was just checking with Dr. way because people at home can't hear us and we can't hear people on Zoom. But you will be able to hear it on the YouTube recording, just not on the Zoom. People who go back and YouTube recorded um for my name is Lesie. I'm the New England parent, New England teacher, and the president of the Federation Teachers. Um thank you, Dr. for um uh naming the contract laws that allow the federation to keep on agenda items. I want to start off with
020some senses and uh some of the gloss as they say uh when it comes to board agenda. Um so first and foremost, it is so exciting that three of our members Federation teachers are being recognized for their excellence and their efforts contributing to our New Haven public school community. and I know they're going to be recognized later. Um, but just please know how much your union cares about you and respects you and how much this whole community does as well. And I'll say the fanfare uh for the team. Um, but I just wanted to recognize that since we're all so grateful and uh admire the work that you all do. Um, I also want to highlight um two items on the agenda that are about extended school hours um services and 21st century learning grants.
021These items and these programs are crucial for working families in New Haven. And I think it really shows the values of our city that we prioritize after school programs for our working families and children. Um and and let's look at this in the context of what's going on nationally. Two weeks ago when I was at this podium, I talked about the $7 billion that the Trump administration was withholding. And because of public pressure, because of work across this country pushing back on those propelled funds, those funds have been released. And we know that cities like New Haven will benefit from those funds being released. So let's remember the power of the collective and the power of resistance as we continue to fight back against an increasingly authoritarian regime. Um I also want to highlight um
022uh New Public Schools collaboration with Iris. Um it is now public news uh that one of our students has been detained by ICE here in New Haven. I'm not breaking that news. That news uh was made public today. Um and I think by collaborating with organizations like Iris and other coalition uh members of our coalition um this is going to be critically important because we know that federal ICE agents are going to continue to target our city in larger numbers. Continue to target our community, our students and their families. And when you as a board highlight the our collaboration with Iris that is sending a message that we take care of our community here. So I want to recognize that strength. Um similarly there are items on the agenda tonight about collaboration with mental health
023professionals um and support to get uh a social work intern program at Metropolitan. Uh I used to work at Metropolitan before I was elected president of the union and I can speak with fidelity direct experience how valuable that program is to quickly meet with students identify their needs turn them around and get them back to class which is what all of our shared goals are making sure that students are available and engaged in the learning. So again I want to highlight the port of Ed here for investing in these collaborations which are critically important for first and foremost our students mental health and then so they can access the academic work that that's our charge um as uh native teachers. Um I also would like to highlight some concerns uh this evening. Um so when
024we look at the personnel report um we see that we are still stuck in a cycle of hires and resignations. Hires and resignations. You know wondering about the data is while we have 18 new hires we have 16 resignations and retirements. So there we're you know we're netting two. we are can't get out of the zone um of not being fully staffed. We are stuck in that zone and we don't have a recruitment problem. We have a retention problem. So like I want to get into the why of that. Is it because of salaries? And I want to highlight that people new to the district are making significantly more than people who have dedicated years of service to our city. Now that is the way that the contract was negotiated. I'm not disputing that. However,
025I do want to highlight that NHF brought forth a proposal to management several months ago to address this in the name of retention and save the city money at the same time. We can cap new higher salaries at the equivalent of what they would make if they had started their career with us. And the district rejected that proposal. The NHFT is very much on board with you all in trying to save our penny. And it was frustrating that that opportunity to save was disregarded and we were not able to move forward with solution that would honor people who dedicated their lives to this city while at the same time offering competitive salaries to new heights. Another question about why we have a retain uh retention problem is it because of our facilities. Another item on
026the agenda highlights that we have a contract in Tucker because 11 of our schools still don't have functioning AC. So, I'm glad we have the contract in Tucker. However, we know the stress, the uncertainty, the disruptions that happen when AC breaks and we know it interrupts the core central work of students and teachers which is academic learning. Uh that is that is central to why we're all here. Also, there's an award for mold and asbestous services. That's good. And it highlights. We are still dealing with mold in our buildings. And we need to get out from the reactive and back to the preventative so that our buildings can be safe, welcoming, and well-maintained for everyone who comes into them. I'd also like to answer the question, are we having a retention problem because we have
027an increasing amount of itinerants in our district? It is becoming increasingly common for New Haven public schools to hire new people and put them into itinerant roles, which means they're not assigned to a building. They can be moved based on the needs of the district and kind of creates a separate job class for those people. And I think we all can agree, people apply to work in New Haven and want to work in New Haven because they want to be connected to a community and a school in New Haven. Are we having a retention crisis because we still lack transparency when it comes to the overhead budget? As of this afternoon, there was still not a 2526 budget posted on the district website. and our district is spending precious dollars close to $150,000 of capital
028funds on shortterm fixes. So, we can all agree in this room we need a chiller in John C. Daniels and and yes, okay, that's on the board agenda. However, it's a short-term fix of precious funds rather than a long-term fix that's going to ensure we can keep our teachers because they're working in buildings that are safe, welcoming, and well-maintained. I also want to highlight three items on the agenda and they you know philosophically they raise um uh a question for us about the purpose of school and and what we are doing as the human beings and who lead our school. So, we have a a proposal for an agreement with securely um which will provide a monitoring system for students who are doing their work online in classroom. And I'll be real, many of my
029members value this program because it supports them as they're monitoring students online. But again, if we are in person, what can we do to make more of our learning engaging, relevant, and handson for our learners and avoid having to invest in these surveillance systems. There's also similarly a a purchase order for your approval that also is about surveilling and documenting behavior. And again, I know that people in this room use that system, but it begs the question, when when and how can we shift to more human- centered systems? Um, one more piece on this topic uh with respect to the AI policy. And first, I want to recognize Miss Red Hands because there has been real collaboration between central office and um teachers when it comes to the development of the AI policy. That has
030been because Miss Red Hatens valued the voice of teachers at the table. She made the table bigger for more teachers to join. And our own Sonia Collier from co-op was just down in DC at an AI symposium um to to sharpen her ideas and bring them back to the team. Um so that is all a good thing and and we can't put our heads in the sand about the reality of AI. But I also, as a mother who wants to leave a planet where people can survive on it. And as a supporter of racial and climate justice, I'd be remiss if I didn't highlight the reality of environmental racism and the impact that data centers for AI has on neighborhoods where black, brown, and working-class people live. How can we bring restraint to AI to
031our work with AI? I'm not saying pretend it doesn't exist. We will use it sometimes. But how can we bring restraint before we default to AI to edit our work, to revise our work, to tell us what to do next? Can we remember our own agency? Can we remember the brilliance of our children and pause and work through discomfort? Because the only way we learn is working through discomfort and then model that for our students and our colleagues because research is emerging. the negative impact of check on students and academic outcomes on their resilience and on their ability to retain information. So it's it's two things can be true. We have to do AI work and we can model restraint with these kinds of programs and I'll end where I began uh going back to
032strengths. So I highlighted concerns about over reliance on computers and surveillance program about short-term fixes about det from buildings from our community schools and I think those are not the solution to creating human- centered schools. We have incredible teachers and educators and leaders in this city. And I think when we think about solutions, we want to think about paying parents a living wage. We want to raise the wages for starving teachers. Senator Markley and Senator Sanders in DC. Joe's proposed starting salary at the federal level, $60,000 teachers, $45,000 to Paris. Let's work with them to make that a reality in New Haven and beyond. We want to work in a city where all educators are assigned to a school when they are hired so they belong to that school community. So students and families know
033they're a part of that community. And we recognize that staffing and enrollment needs might require a change, but there's involuntary transfer language contract to address that. And lastly, let's continue to work with community, invest in relationships so that we can make sure our schools are safe, welcoming, engaging, and relevant, fully funded, and fully staffed. And in closing, our community will be rallying tomorrow evening at Standelary Park at 5:30 with New Haven Rising to call on the state of Connecticut and Yale University to prioritize working families over billionaires and make sure that our schools can have the resources that we know they and to make sure that we can continue to protect our democracy and create a Trump budget. because we know the attacks are going to continue. And in closing, I again will ask the
034board to remove the democratic limiting rule of 60-minute public comment. I recognize we all speak tonight because it's very hot, but at some point we might have more than 60 minutes of public comment in the name of democracy. I invite you all to consider removing that rule that is only specific to the board of education. Thank you for the time. Congratulations to our members who represent us so well. looking forward to celebrating tonight. Thank you. >> Next from our agenda on the action items. First is the approval of the special D minutes. Any discussion? See none, we'll vote. Dr. Jordan, >> yes. >> Mr. Bo, yes. Dr. If down there is joining online Mr. >> Yes. As well. That motion carries. Next is the approval of the minutes of July 14th, 2025. >> Mr. Sure.
035>> Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Seeing none. >> Yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Mo. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> I'm a yes as well. That motion carries. Next is the approval of the property damage release. for Westville. Attorney, will you please come present this? >> Thank you. Thank you Mr. President district school. And some people may recall everything and then insurance company. They told me it's $14,000 when that's been done. for appreciation. >> Thank you, Attorney. Is there a motive to prove the property damage release? >> Thank you. Is there a second? I second. Any discussion? Seeing none will vote. Mr. Boox, yes. >> Dr. Joiner, >> yes. Mr. W. >> Yes. Mr. Al, >> yes. May Aler, >> yes. >> I'm a guest as well. That motion carries. Thank you. No.
036Next on the agenda is the personnel report. Dr. >> Thank you. [Music] and teacher teacher. Thank you. Is that a second? Thank you. Second. Any discussion? We certainly celebrate and appreciate our retirees. will vote. Dr. Yes. >> Mr. Vox, >> yes. Mr. Bald, >> yes. >> Mr. Mayor Aler, >> yes. >> I'm a yes as well. That motion carries. Dr. Thank you. and um um thank you for allowing me to take this moment to acknowledge or um three amazing teachers who have been selected as our finalist to represent the um teacher of the year public school. I do want to take a moment um to highlight each of them individually and then I'm going to be asking for more than one from our department to come up and so first present you Lauren Lauren is
037Lauren Lauren is a teacher with 15 years of experience in the education field. Some words include dedicated confident and community creating supported engra [Music] later known as west was installed in art city. The experience of working alongside his staff with a strong empathy and impossible emotional learning, strong practices and adult mind profound shame for adult. After six years of special education, you learn transition to generalation where people can gra since joining the less school in 2021. She has continued for involvement in effort while embracing professional development opportunities that entails her passion for learning about and implementing best practices in her classroom. Lauren strives to create a new faith, a welcome faith where her students are encouraged to take risks, meet high expectations and experience beautiful self, he will spend time with her husband and her
0382year-old girlfriend who is with us today who is full of energy and he's waiting over participating to mommy. His curiosity and um perseverance in my ear learning will always be joyful, hands on and to wonders. She inspires her daily to be servant for her kids and still confident in them. Congratulations again. Glory to our teacher finally. Next I would like to present you Christina the first teacher at school in the public school of course from 21 year tenure. part of school. She taught a variety of grades in the first, second, third. >> It is evident every day that she values the opportunity to instill skill in her students from academics to social development. When you visit the CN classroom, you will appreciate the care provide welcoming provides safety and comfort for all students. Christina understands
039the importance of building strong relationships not only with her students but also with her family. Developing these connections and teamwork that open benefits children in countless way through these relationships is very able to support each student unique learning every child and supported by the right publication sharing a goal instructional strategies In a nurturing class environment, we see our strives to create our balance. So every student behind will see a positive and leading state with conversation, collaboration, handsome learning and feel safe. It has been an honor to bring my dedication and compassion the hundreds of students I taught. I look forward to many more years in the in the school. Congratulations. And last but not least, I also want to present you Charie Gonzalez. Charlie Gonzalez, a Spanish teacher of working school. She holds a bachelor
040arts degree in English literature from Pace University and an MBA from form university's graduate school of business. She has been a teacher in the district in 2014 and and a worker since 2017. Shirley is a member of the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers and currently serves as a restorative practice mentor at her school utilizing restorative circle to foster a sense of community among teachers and staff and students. Sh is a strong advocate for equable access to learning all. If you visit her class, it is evident that she strikes creating a classroom environment where all students feel welcome by employing a holistic compassion approach for teaching that considers the unique trait and diverse learning abilities of each student. enables all students feel successful with practice and adults of other missions to provide the students with fair
041opportunities to engage the curriculum in the surrounding community. Charlie consisted consistently expressed her gratitude for being a member of an amazing school district in place of position and responsibility as an educator. She said, "I must advocate for my students need both in and out of the classroom and serve as a champion for equality. Academic excellence continuous improvement recognizing our teaching based on influence generation. Congratulations Okay. >> Mic everyone. First I want everyone to give them a great round of applause to our fabulous athlete fighters. Yeah, thank you. So, this is no easy task. It will begin. We have three great amazing teachers here in New Public School along with so many more. And so, it is our pleasure to announce the New England public schools teacher of the year is Miss Shirley Gonzalez. All the
042finals will take a picture. Leslie, if you don't mind coming up too and take a picture with the finalist and the winner. So, congratulations. I want to give Miss Gonzalez opportunity to say a few words. Congratulations. >> Yes. No. >> Thank you all. It is an incredible honor to be nominated teacher of the year. I teach in a district that has an amazing talent pool. And if you have any doubts, just ask the neighboring school districts that are coaching our teachers. We have such wonderful, highly trained, artistic, energetic, passionate teachers. And I just want to congratulate Lauren and Christina as well. I want to thank uh Dr. Negro, Mayor Heler, Leslie, uh Mrs. Evings, my principal, and my amazing 718, Mr. Jones, Miss Bean, uh, Mr. Short. And I want to thank my family for
043always supporting my endeavors and for being there at night when I get home to tell them stories of all the countless things that went on in my classroom. And I'm just really blessed and incredibly honored and humbled. So, thank you so much. Would you like something? Can't find Can you hear us? >> Miss down. We're taking a picture now. So, smiling to kind of taking a picture with the teacher of the year. Thank you. It might Hey, That does complete my personal report. >> Thank you very much. Next action items. The finance and operations committee. Mr. Vog before I begin. Is there anything like separately? Hearing nothing. Um I will go ahead and make the motion. I move that we approve the three abstracts, the oneou 10 agreement, one three purchase orders and three contracts
044that second. >> Thank you. That's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Seeing none, Mr. Mo? Yes. May Al Joiner. Yes. Miss Downer. >> Yes. >> Can you hear me? >> She said yes. It's bad. The sound is bad. >> Thanks, >> Mr. That motion carries. Thank you. So as two weeks ago, we had active very well. Well, we have approximately over 150 around that benchmark where we have donated clothes. Most of the clothes that have been donating are gone. There's still some left. Um, and I also want to talk to the public about something regarding the AI problem that um, it's going on. So, in the presence of an AI checker, um, most of the time it'll be inaccurate. Mo like if it's like plainly copy and paste, sure. But if it's like written down
045and then make it to your own words and that sort, it won't be hidden. But um there's no definite AI checker. Some people who write well without AI still get flagged no matter what. So I just want to touch base on that. And since AI is never going to go away, it's going to be increasing. We should at least teach the students on how to use it viably. than than um making that a consequence because it will be used even if you try to lock it down. There are many other models to use. And lastly, um, as the the mission statement that I said before two weeks ago, um, right now I'll be working with central office to hopefully bring more programs to the district, enrich programs, one that get you job placements hopefully because
046most of the time um, as a like if you're graduating from high school, you get into college and to see how much you owe, you're definitely going to need a job. And so securing that by adding programs that either have on job training or certifications, that sort of thing, will alleviate that. And lastly, I want to thank the people from New Haven Climate Movement for being on Zoom in regards to the bus pass situation, which I do encourage for it to happen as many programs, as I said before, are currently happening. You will need transportation. And how are you going to get that transportation? Because I'm pretty sure no one is going to be paying $500 a day for a bus and people don't arrive. So you might as well rely on public transportation which
047is less cost and more um more easily accessed. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Any discussion? >> Thank you for your report. >> Superintendence report Dr. McGro. >> Thank you again. I do have two reports um today. Um assistance mechanics will be um helping me with those. She comes up to the podium. I do want to thank um her summer program lead. Jennifer K, Jennifer, Kimberly Phillips, Tracy Pop, Dina Nolino, Rosin, Dr. uh Reebok and of course um teacher red hands for the uh oversight of our summer learning experience. Um today we want to take an opportunity to review and end the program uh report. it literally just ended. Um so the data is right off the right off the press as they say is also um to extend an invitation to our somewhere
048um part region which is happening tomorrow morning at 10:00 at the Metropolitan Business Academy. So with that, I believe um assistant superintendent red cannons is ready to go and we're going to walk you again through what exactly happened during s summer learning program this year in our district. >> Good evening. Thank you once again for the opportunity to come before the board. Um as Dr. Negro stated our summer program just ended for most of our programs on Friday and our high school program will end uh tomorrow. If we can go to the next slide, Dr. Dr. White. Um so our summer learning program consisted of six different our summer learning plan consisted of six different programs impacting our students in K through three. a special program for students in 68 targeting students who have had
049uh trouble uh coming to school consistently and we felt that needed an opportunity to reconnect with staff in a less stressful manner than the regular school year. Uh I know that program targeted students in grades six to 8. our extended school year program, which is a program that is required uh for students that have individual visualized educational plans. That's part of their plan. Um our English learners academy for students at grades 9 to 12, our high school credit recovery program, which allows students to earn credit, high school credit over the summer, and our dual credit programs as well. And so all six of those programs consist of our overall plan. They're part of our overall plan to provide a focused, coherent, and high quality summer learning plan to advance learning. As Dr. Negron stated, uh
050we have several program leads throughout the summer uh learning plan. Dr. White, if you could go to the next slide. Um and all of those leads, as Dr. Negrron acknowledged them. Uh but please know that this team of folks have been working since January to put together our summer learning plan. So it takes time uh to really put all all the elements together in order to see the plan that you have in front of you. And trust me, even though you have the program leads listed, there are still other folks that are also working to make it happen. Um, and we're definitely thankful to all of our program leads, but our building leaders and our curriculum uh leads as well. Uh, the academic team plays a strong role as well in building out our summer
051programs. So, our K3 program, our summer learning academy. Next slide, Dr. White. Um this whole program is focused on providing a joyful experience uh for our students uh to spark curiosity and reinforce foundational skills. What we did that was unique about this program in the past uh recognizing what our budget constraints are. Uh we actually hired our own physical ed teachers, our own art teachers, drama and dance and theater. Um and so although that cut out some partnerships that we've traditionally had over time, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive uh to utilize our own teachers in the program and so that is something that we will do as we move forward. Um students really enjoyed those experiences and over the last week and a half there were several celebrations at our K3 sites as well. We
052were able to service six schools, 579 students total in our K3 program. In our extended school year program, uh it consist our ESY program was located in four different schools uh with over 334 students served. Uh our students experience uh activities in reading, writing, math, uh daily living and transitional skills as well. And this is K12 for our students in K12. Our strength and self-efficacy based student support program. This is all about reconnecting. That is the focus of this program. Let's reconnect with our youth. Let's ensure that they have a trusted youth that they can go through to throughout the school year. And it is our plan to continues those connections with the staff that they made over over the summer. Uh we had one school, we housed our program in one school and they
053were able to service 93 students and they experienced graphic arts, social justice, sports and recreation, a few culinary lessons and spoken word. Uh we also were able to uh have a field trip to the Maritime Center. Our high school English learners academy. This program is designed for newly arrived students into our country to help them improve their English lang language skills but also provide them with an opportunity to get acclimated to the American K12 educational system. Um so this program is vitally important. Uh we held it at one school and there were 31 newcomers served uh throughout the summer and and as stated we focus on literacy, art, business. Uh we provide field trips as well um and SEAL connections. our high school credit recovery program. This program was housed at three different schools, Hill
054House, MBA. Um, and it says Wilber Cross, but it was actually housed at New Haven Academy because as many of you may know, over the summer we uh actually shut Wilbert Cross down so that there could be a deep cleaning at Wil Cross this summer. And so in our program total uh we were able to service 750 students uh in our high school credit recovery program. Students are able to earn two credits. Uh it is staffed by certified teachers. Um and the curriculum is aligned to our district standards. Uh this program is vitally important because it helps students get get back on track so that they can graduate within four years. Um and so and as you see at each individual school and MBA MBA the MBA program actually has students from all across the
055district um that do not attend Hill House and Wilma Cross. Hill House and Cross run their own programs and MBA takes in all the other high school students. Now there are times when Hill House or Cross uh we'll take students from other schools if there's a teacher teaching a particular subject area and we were not able to find a teacher at another school. So for example, we needed an extra English three course um and so students from Metro went to Hill House uh this year and was able to take courses there. So we try to find efficiencies where we can't um when it's comes down to staffing for summer school as well. And you see different program highlights for Wilcross. Uh the sanctuary kitchen, no surprise, of course. Um they partnered with us to build
056economic opportunity, intercultural understanding through food. And I say no surprise because we know Chef Bradshaw is over at uh Wills uh IKEA. And we also had a in a New York City excursion. Uh some of our partners for MBA included Teach for America, Job for uh the armed forces as well. So during uh lunchtime, we'll tend to bring in different uh partners to talk to our students about opportunities after high school as well. Our program highlights for health. You'll notice that we had over 15 students receive at least 10 hours of community service. So we part of our graduation requirements is for our students to earn community service hours. So where we can find opportunities to embed that either throughout the day or after school, we do that for our students as well as part
057of the credit recovery. And Yale New Haven Hospital is a vital partner at Hill House. our dual credit program. And so, as you've heard often around our dual enrollment and our opportunities for students, they continue throughout the summer. This summer, we were proud to be able to enroll 120 students across multiple programs and sites and the programs are listed below. Um, I'll highlight our Schaefer program at Yale. Schaffer program has been around for a long time. uh two we were able to have two students uh pay for two courses plus room and board for five weeks for some students. We also have the SCESU career theater journalism and digital photography, our summer business academy, summer future educators academy, biotech boot camp, SCSU college courses on campus, our CNA program, and our start talk summer Chinese
058immersion program. So, we have had a very very busy uh summer um in order to provide opportunities but be fiscally responsible. I'll end with letting me know one of the uh I guess one of the tasks after the grow task we went this summer was to be able to provide a robust program but ensure that we keep some of our schools closed. And this is the first summer that we were able to 21 schools offline um including Wilbur Cross, which is critically important and vital as we look at the operational side of the district to be able to ensure that our schools are up and ready for the um upcoming academic year. and we'll continue on that path of ensuring that we provide robust programming but also keep in mind the operational side of of
059the house as well. So that concludes my report on service. Thank you. >> This is Brad Hannings. Any discussion? Um, I would like to say an update about the current name program. Uh, in the first time, the first time ever in Excel Academyy's history, we as students were the first ones to get over 90% as a final grade. >> That's it. >> Congratulations, Mr. you know, I'll be very brief and say that, you know, thank you for the presentation. It was great to hear about these successes and also the creative thinking that goes into keeping buildings offline, possibility of deep cleaning as well as, uh, potential cost savings, uh, energy cost so that the creativity is phase of our budgeting and very much. Thank you, Mr. Also just wanted to uh appreciate the financial responsibility
060paired with still providing robust programming and opportunities for our students. Um sometimes learning law school in the summer is a big thing and lack of motivation and coming back to school. uh and I appreciate uh and just note and acknowledge the opportunity this creates to keep momentum going and even to raise it as students come into the new year. Um and as well thank you for your note on hiring our teachers to do some of the instruction and just the positive feedback against that was wonderful. Thank you. Because now for the second update do want to um share with you the draft of the artificial intelligence policies as we know AI isn't around us and like any other technology it is very important because the policies inform purpose and sort of um you know guidelines,
061permitted uses and of course oversight. So I want to thank um the committee of teachers, principles and central office staff for de the development of this um draft that you're going to be um hearing about today. And again this was another task that I had given assistant superintendent and in a matter of months she had um already writing to to come forward. So again today we're bringing you the first draft but we wanted to take an opportunity to walk you through the process as well. And with that I'll um turn it over to assistant superintendent Brad Hann. I have to admit I get excited when folks talk about artificial intelligence and AI um because it's here. It's here. We have to embrace it. The opportunity for our staff and our students uh and I'll walk
062you through the policy, but I'll spend some time on how we develop uh the policy. I think that's critically important as AI is such a hot topic um in many educational circles. uh across the nation and the world. Um and so as we look at our path to excellence, uh AI really ties into our of course our priority around teaching and learning, but it also ties into operational efficiencies. And you'll hear more about how I believe it can make us more efficient as adults working in in the district. So, our policy committee, I just want to shout them out. Our first meeting was on April 30, as Dr. Negro said. We were sitting at a conference in in March and we were just talking about it and, you know, just dove right in and said,
063"All right, we're going to do it, doc." And uh our first meeting was in April 3rd. And this core group of staff that you see before you, teachers, administrators, central office administrators, our IT department, they were with me every step of the way. And in the group um there were some that felt we don't need to use AI at all and some that was willing to jump in varying levels of knowledge of AI but all were committed and as our president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers stated all recognized it's here as our board student board member said it's here and we have to address it. So, I just want to shout out the committee because the committee was awesome and if it wasn't the summertime, they would be here uh with me. I
064would have invited all of them to come, but trust me, they put in a lot of work and we we know we still have a lot of work ahead of us. So, our action plan um our action plan, I think you all know by now, you know, I'll put an action plan together and folks will be like, "Are you serious?" Yes. and and and we're going to get it done and we're going to get it done together. So, as stated, our first meeting was April 3rd. We held a series of meetings as we um uh convene the AI committee. Uh we had to conduct research on sample K12 policy. Believe it or not, uh there are policies out there, but they're very loose. And we looked at even our cave policy as well to see
065what guidance can we receive as we look at sample policies and we were pulling information. I'm excited that uh President Blateau said that one of the committee me members, Miss Kier was in an AI session during their most recent uh NHFT uh kabini because I know that's knowledge that's going to come back to the district. So that's awesome. Um, we also presented a draft AI policy once we felt comfortable to the office of academics because we wanted to make sure the office of academics felt comfortable looking at it from the lens of their particular content area and how AI can be leveraged and so they provided us with feedback. Um, we presented a draft policy to the SAA and the NHFT. Um so one of the things about this committee when we started the committee
066I immediately contacted vote presidents and asked them to send members that they thought would like to be or would like to engage in on the AI committee. Um and I also selected some members myself but we wanted to bring it back to the unions for them to vet the policy as well and get feedback. Um from that they g they they gave us their feedback and then we presented the draft AI policy to administrators uh at our end of the year convene. Um our administrators it was a great activity. We worked for about an hour. Um some administrators have never used AI at all. Never used chat. They never used Gemini. Um, and there were others that were a bit more experienced and have used it in some communications such as email. Um, and so
067that was a good a good conversation. Then we presented on June 18th the policy to the teaching and learning committee uh for vetting by Dr. Joiner, Dr. Bonitez uh to look at the comm uh the policy and give us any feedback or questions. Most recently, the policy went before the governance committee on on I'm sorry. On June 25th, uh July 25th, I have mosquitoes all over my face. So, I apologize. July 25th, uh the policy went before the governance committee and now it's coming before you this evening at the first reading uh of the policy. So, a lot of work went into developing the policy, vetting the policy, putting it back and forth. And so, now I will go over the different components of the policy um and and the high level. I know you
068can see it. So, section one of our policy talks about the purpose and commitment up front. We're aligning any tool, anything that we utilize at NHPS to our portrait of a graduate. Uh because that's what anchors us at NHPS. Um and then you'll also see that AI serves as a tool to support learning, but it will never replace never replace the essential human capacities, critical thinking, creativity, communication, empathy, and resilience that defines our graduates. And we felt it was upfront to talk about the human touch upfront because that's always a concern, right? Um I think president president Blackau talked about a human centered approach. Um and this is where we want to uplift that we're constantly talking about the human touch and AI is just an instructional tool. Um nothing more than that. Um AI
069can learn from data and improve over time. We know it. As you continue to talk to AI, it improves over time. It gets to know your voice um and the algorithms become more uh like you. Uh so we know it can be in a form of software or physical machines. Um AI can generate new and original content such as text, images, videos, code, music, data, and other content. However, it's crucial to ensure that AI when used by students and staff is used responsibly in the school environment avoiding pla plagiarism, prop propagation of misinformation, bias or harmful content. Um, and we need to say that upfront, right? because we recognize there are biases within AI. As we look at the general guidelines for AI use, ethical responsibility, uh, privacy and security upfront, we're talking about adhering
070to educational rights and and a privacy act, FURA, uh, COPA and ADA because that's critically important. uh that we make sure whatever AI tool we utilize that it's in alignment with our privacy and security guidelines. Uh we know the general guideline that we still want to promote critical thinking. We have to ensure that there's equitable access. So for if a stu if a teacher is saying that all of her students can use AI, they need to make sure that all students have access uh to the tool. uh and not just some uh digital literacy and informed use as well as accountability. Accept responsibility for decisions influenced and supported by AI. We should challenge what we see AI generating, not just take it at value and know that if we do take it at value without
071questioning it, it may very well be flawed. Just like with any other research you may do as well, staff use of AI. The reason why we knew we needed to put a policy together because we knew our staff was already using and inadvertingly the staff may be using tools that's collecting data on our students. Um, and we know we need to protect uh protect their privacy rights. We don't believe our staff using it in such a way intentionally but unintentionally on the background. We know AI is constantly collecting data and so we know we needed to put guidelines to say hey you can use AI but we're going to do it within guidance within NHPS right so staff may leverage district approved AI tools for instructional and administrative enhancement while maintaining the educator central role
072in the process so I have the board student board member has to stand up I don't know how >> I just to add about specifically charts itself. In their terms, I mean it is dangerous but in their terms it said that they can use whatever data was used and be used against >> and thank thank you for that and that's why we want to make sure it's a district of AI too. Um, so we also want to give staff permission to say it's okay to use well. Here are some ways where the operational efficiencies come into play. If you want to use it for lesson plans, if you want to use it for research and content creation, as a communication tool, for a newsletter or email, um, that is perfectly fine. Uh, feedback, you can
073actually use it for feedback. um as well uh instructional practices. If you want to create assignments and and challenge students to integrate AI, that's appropriate as well. Keeping in mind that we want to make sure there's equitable access for all students in the classroom. You could use it to help scaffold lessons um as well. And you see another com um comment on equity, access, and collaboration. So we want to provide guidelines for staff so that they know it is okay long as you're using district approved AI tools and it is working on that. Um then it's appropriate to hear some appropriate usage story because we want to look at how do we save teachers time? How do we save teachers time? Leslie uh president Blackto talked about retention. I think this should be part of
074our retention toolkit when you can go on and put in a lesson plan or a unit plan for the week and ask it to generate questions for you on multiple levels for students. This is how we address retention. We've heard stories of teachers talking about utilizing AI to help prevent teacher burnout as well as keeping them in the educational field. This is how we have to lean into AI in in our district and I I truly believe it is possible um as we learn more and more about the tools that are out there and how we can leverage them. So student use of AI we also know we have students using AI as our student board members stated right and so we want to say it's okay if you're using it but please understand you
075only use it under teacher guidance. the teacher still is in charge of their classroom. So if a teacher says it's okay to use it, then it's appropriate, right? And if you use it at any time, you need to disclose that you have used AI to assist you in whatever assignment that you may have because we want to keep in mind academic integrity and make sure that we're um aligning to our ethical standards as well. Right? AI is us used as a tool to support but not substitute the actual classroom teacher or critical thinking skills um and sustain effort. So some sample permitted uses for student right it could be used as academic support to give feedback. I've used it. I've had to give speeches. I put the speech in. Hey give me feedback. Am I
076am I hitting my critical point right? AI has given me great feedback on that research assistance. My own son, I shared with the administrators. I saw him download chat GPT. I got family link on my phone. I went home. I said, "Hey, why'd you download Chat GPT?" He at that time he was 11. He said, "Mom, I was looking up animals. I was doing some research on the animals and I had to pause and say, makes sense. You want to be a veterinarian." He's using chat GPT as a tool like you would use the internet because that's how our kids are thinking and that's appropriate uh for him to use so I didn't take it away just so you know um creating project it can give a jump start it it helps you with brainstorming
077sometimes that you're not starting at home base maybe you're starting at first base but you still need to continue to ask questions you still need to have that on back and forth conversation and it still needs to be under teacher guidance. At the end of the day, it could be a study assistance or help with project management. How can I create a timeline to create this pro to finish this project, my capstone project, right? I have until the end of the year. We can use it for project management purposes as well. Students will learn how to responsibly use AI. So if I'm a teacher in a classroom and I say I want you to use AI, it is expected that the teacher then show students how to use AI in this classroom responsibly. Of course
078we talk about academic integrity as well as prohibited uses, right? Academic integrity, right? It's the commitment to honesty, fairness, truth to to be trust, respect, responsibility and courage, right? That's just simply disclosing that you have disclosed it just like you would if you went and and conducted research and you went into a library. I know most people don't do that nowadays, but if you picked out a book and conducted some research, you have to site your sources. And so you would need to site AI um as well. Keeping in mind prohibited uses for any discriminatory content. anything comes along that you see that's discriminatory in nature, flag it for your teachers, flag it for your administration so that we can be made aware of it, right? And you only can use approved tools. So whatever
079the district says are approved tools. This part I think is probably one of the most important components of the the policy is the legal and ethical compliance. I talked about adherence to FERPA, COPA and ADA and other relevant regulations earlier. We wanted to be explicit again so that folks understood how we expect AI to be leveraged. AI platforms must adhere to all federal, state, local laws regarding data privacy, accessibility, and educational tech standards. We have another section explicitly on data privacy and security and then educational value as well. Right? So AI must not create or reinforce inequities. That's where we're talking about equitable access as well. Right? We don't want biases based on SCES or disability or language proficiency or language. And the committee felt we needed a strong statement. Finally, this work will not
080end with this policy. So, the work will not end with this policy. Our technology is involving, AI is involving. And so, we have a commitment that as we move forward, we're we will have an AI committee of staff, students, parents, and community members to guide the integration of AI in NHPS. Um and we will continue to have uh this committee meeting throughout the year. You'll hear a little bit more about other task forces as well. The um we we truly believe through collaboration and thoughtful review the AI committee will help create a future ready learning environment that empowers both students and educators. And you can see uh some of the sources well the sources cited that we use to pull information for this particular policy. Finally, our next step of course the recommendation is coming
081for you today um through your first reading for approval to the board of ed. Um as I stated there will be subcommittees um calling them task forces. There's a policy and ethics that's the main committee but teaching and learning student digital citizenship operations infrastructure and structure and procurement communication and stakeholder engagement. President Blateau mentioned initially when I sent the policy to her, she came back with a list of questions and uh I responded to her and we had a conversation. Um and immediately she said, "You're sounding just like our AFC Connecticut representative." She said, "Would you mind me connecting the two of you?" Absolutely not. We held a meeting um and now AFT Connecticut is partnering with us to deliver professional learning uh to our teachers and our administrators uh over the next year. We
082also have Google as a um partner and they will also be delivering professional learning uh to our teachers as well because we do believe we need to train our educators and how to use AI responsibly um in order to for it to trickle down to our students. Um, and I will utilize the Google GSP educational innovation fellowship uh that I have uh to learn more about AI integration in the K12 setting. As you can see, I've already leveraged it and leaned into Google partnering with us uh already in the district, but we are excited about where we can go with AI and how it can imping across. So, thank you. Thank you very much. Any discussion? >> Mr. Wil, I just want to say thank you for this presentation. I'm extremely thorough. I'm involved in
083a lot of AI related educational initiatives things that you see where I work you all the things that we're also looking at and thinking about policy around very thorough first steps. Thank you. of the discussion. I appreciate you outlining the process um in addition to having a draftable policy to present all the conversation and collaboration that happened to vet the idea and to come to the table and put something together and go through various iterations. Um so thank you for one conducting it and two uh including that and giving reputation for how this policy came together. I think that's very important to know the stakeholders the collaboration um and um bringing everyone to the same page and having all the different stakeholders involved. So thank you. Thank >> other discussion >> Mr. Wes. Yes, I
084I'll just echo the thanks that that um been expressed already. It's apparent that there's been a lot of thoughtful discourse in putting this together and uh and again bringing together so many different um stakeholders put together is terrific. It's a wonderful uh start and uh I look forward to hearing more about uh how not only this policy develops how the committee continues and changes policy. Missile say involved with the tech topic about the not really. So I policy uh some programs offer students but in the draft itself That's something I um what I would say is that's why we talk on equitable access because we want to make sure if we leverage AI in the classroom if the teacher says that a student can use AI as a tool to assist them in the classroom
085that all students have access. We don't want you to rely on yourself for that. We need to be providing the equipment and the app on the equipment that will allow you to use it. So that's where you see the access. Are you able to do that discussion? If the teacher is providing allowing students to you leverage AI not so you brought up um the interaction passion with you and your son. I'm wondering if the committee uh began a conversation on engaging parents and families with how to navigate the use of AI in education with their children. So part of that work will be through the subcommittees, the task force. We we talked about how we engage families because we also know parents are entering into this when we are set up with these as well.
086So we want to make sure we're honoring their voice. And so we are we one we will be soliciting parents to the task force but then two communicating out to parents that we are also leveraging AI and it sort question. Did you at any point use AI in drafting or editing? I wasn't going to ask that. >> Absolutely. Dr. Joiner said it during TNL. He said, "Hey, you probably use AI." Yes, we did. We absolutely leveraged AI, dropped some documents in, and we wanted to make sure we were hitting all the major points um that we needed to in order to have a policy that covered us on every end. and our IT department at the end um actually did another document review before stamp of approval on on the draft and it was it
087was ran through AI as well. Thank you. Mr. Al on this topic on AI this topic. >> Okay. Um is there a model that the subcommittee approved fast? >> So our IT department is working on that right now in collaboration with the city of New Haven uh looking at different tools that we could leverage but before we announce any tools we need to have a policy in place. So um that is why it's our it was always our hope to have policy in place before we go back uh to school and then our IT department is working in a few days. >> Thank you Dr. >> Thank you so much. Thank you, M. And for the president's report, I'm scheduling us to have our required superintendent evaluation for the 2024 2025 goals. And my new
088period In the August 11th meeting, uh we will have an executive session to do the superintendent evaluation and then we will continue at each board of ed meeting until complete and I will send out our standard superintendent evaluation rubric in advance to guide our thinking. Any discussion? Next uh teaching with President but yes just a confirmation that next meeting will be at not at this will be at King Rob. Yes. Thank you. Our next board of ed meetings will be held at King Robinson beginning with our August meeting. Thank you Mr. Wilcox. Next, teaching and learning report and facilities naming report. Dr. Joiner, >> I'm going to try to time myself. I'll give myself four minutes to do this. I think we can do both comments for three or four minutes to be able to
089do it before. So, I'm starting now. First of all, I was really fascinated when I read the article on Abandela when he made the comment about um Glorian classroom and I would say he's spot on and that's one of the flaws in our teaching program. There's also a flaw in how college professors teach. Often times college professors get a great deal of attention and notoriing is not teaching. It's giving out information. And when I taught the methods class at college level, I try to help my students understand that there are three things that should characterize effective teaching. learn that we should proceed with questions and that in order in order to get the right answer we have to ask the right question and so I urge them all to learn so we should also teach
090so mastery whereas most of the programs in teaching prep based on B which is really an inappropriate concept to use on people and has been used across time to put certain groups of people at the bottom and often times they remain there. It's like they're undergoing group achievements and that the best way to determine whether or not student has learned have learned something project that is a student should have to produce a project that integrates all of the skills content that they learn in a particular class that we should teach them. Um, I doubt you were right in that. But if you think some of your high school classes will want to wait till you go to college, one of the one of one of the embrace of that is that you'll be probably after
091your first two years involved in classes where you have a great interest and that's the other part of teaching and learning. The three most important factors related to us in teaching and learning is what I call in my classroom the great I am. Interest, attention and memory. And these are scientific facts that whatever a student is interested in, they will not only learn that in classroom but they will learn that outside of class. And attention is not sustained unless it's pointed toward an area of interest. You can test out for yourself and of course once you have a regular interest you pay attention then it's stored in the various parts have got a member and so on. I'm glad to share some with you. I'd also like to take this opportunity actually to be a
092member uh if I'm on if I'm the chair of the teacher learn committee I would like for you to be a member of that committee because we need more and uh I basically get a lot of my information from my grandchildren and my grand what's going on with speed I'd like to take the last part I only have 45 seconds left to quickly tell you how pleased I have been with the leadership of the teaching and learning committee. Uh we have a group of content area leaders and a group of assistant superintendent. And I don't care what anybody says, you cannot have an effective education system unless you have the kind of logistics that the personnel department provides and the various departments provide as well as the assistant superintendent. non assistant superintendent have a workload
093that would be one of the large school districts in the state. The average school district in Connecticut is less than seven schools and our people uh have doubledigit responsibilities and no one should be questioning uh the organizational we've had to run an effective school system. So real quick, the committee had a ramp response as you can see in the report that they gave in such a s short time. There's a level of thoroughess on part of them. They are ethically responsible. They are evidence-driven. They are collaborative as as you saw the work union so uh the use of the democratic process. Everybody's somebody in that meeting. uh they're actionoriented and they recognize that policy evolves over time as we learn more about the content area for which we're creating policy. So the policy that exists
094now will have to be modified and changed and they also accept in my model of top down bottom up policy m you have to start where action occurs rise up create policy and see how that policy gates or deter people that are faced with the actual action to do that work with. So you have to protect you have to build a circle around the world and policy has to be legally and morally compensible and uh I don't know what you write your dissertation on uh miss red but the work that you've done as a leader of this committee is really great spot for a dissertation on actionoriented policy real world uh policy and some so and then one one last thing on AI. AI has a lot of biases is generated on the work of
095other human being. I asked it to summarize something I had published and it got wrong. It got some stuff right but it got a lot of stuff wrong and uh and I've asked other things about other people I know that published and and it got stuff. It's almost like what we should call Philip puzzling bustering when you don't really know the answer you just keep talking around it and because you said so much oh tell idiot full of sounding fur signifying nothing but some people are are impressed by that I went over a little bit I apologize but that was my thank you Dr. Any discussion? We don't have anything. We got some bills, but we might have to look at that policy as well because it's not working as well as government participation. Thank
096you, Dr. Joiner. Next, Head Start report, citywide school building committee report, finance and operations report, Mr. Wilcox. All right. Thank you very much. Couple things on the Head Start front. Uh, one thing to let you all know is that Head Start was informed that uh that they're banning they refer to as illegal aliens from accessing taxpayer funded programs including Head Start. We're going to be receiving guidance from the office of head start um consultant that we worked with shine group that we worked with to do various head start reports etc. They anticipate litigation and uh interprets the head start act to not impact currently enrolled students. So more to come on that as um federal government continues in their stress ways in this area. Um the other thing just to let you know uh one
097big change is the early head start Connecticut. So uh we now have the head start supplemental and the school readiness classrooms are being kind of pulled together by the state. They'll be directly funding the um some of these classrooms. You might remember we were a pass through for these in the past. we will not do that any longer. So we are now just applying for our own state funding for those programs. So that's going to be one of those changes that's coming up. And then the other thing on this state instead staff is working hard to fill our classroom anticipate classroom will be full again for the head starts. And finally we did the review and discussed uh the various things related to fashion the plans that we discussed in previous meetings. We had updates
098on all that and start as far as citywide um report on that we next meeting on August 14 and finally finance operations. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Seeing none, the governance report, I know it has the first reading of the AI policy draft. >> That's essentially it. Uh we met on the 24th um and uh review this AI policy. It's now first reading. >> Thank you, Mr. Suarez. Any discussion for the food service task group? Uh we will meet again next month and right now the collaborators are working on the break between when summer programming by the district ends and when the school begins its lunch program again. Any discussion? Next, I move to enter into executive session pursuant to Connecticut General Statute 1-20006B and 1-210B to discuss the implementation of the arbitration award for
099local 3429. Is there a second? Thank you. Uh move this second in is coming in. >> Dr. with us. >> Thank you. And the attorney attorney Sierra McDonald. >> Thank you. We will vote. Dr. Joiner. No. >> Mr. Boox. Yes. Miss Der, >> yes. >> Mr. W. Yes. >> Mr. Aler, >> yes. >> I'm a yes as well, but now I'm in subject. How are you? Yep. Everything's open. Thank you. We have returned from executive session. I move that the New Haven Board of Education implement the arbitration of board to only retroactively compensate active employees who are members of local 3429 and those employees who are retired on form June 30th 2025 and covered by the July 1st 2023 to June 30 2027 agreement. been moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> None for both. >>
100Yes. >> Mr. Rohawk. >> Yes. >> Dr. Joiner. Yes. Yes. And Paris. Thank you very much. That motion carries. I'll second a motion to adjourn. >> Mr. Chair, I move to the meeting. I second. >> Thank you. Move and seconded. Dr. Jordan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes. Mr. Wilox. >> Yes. >> Mr. Aler. >> Yes. >> We are injured. Thank you.