June 22, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting

001to order. Today is Monday, June 27th, or 22nd, um 2026 at 7:15 p.m. Happy Father's Day to everyone who celebrated yesterday. We currently have quorum of all seven members, so thank you everybody for being here. >> [clears throat] >> Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and our mission of Stratford Public Schools led by Mr. Christopher O'Leary. >> I'll start with the mission. The mission of the Stratford >> That's one. >> The mission of the Stratford school community is to support the growth of the whole student through a challenging and inspiring education within a safe and inclusive environment. >> 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, [clears throat] with liberty and justice for all.

002>> Thank you. You may all be seated. I would like to start this meeting by inviting Mr. Ken K. to to the mic to share his Juneteenth acknowledgement that he shared on the um town hall steps the other day. >> Good evening. No warm-up. I'm just going to go right into [laughter] Um good evening and afternoon to everyone. Thank you, um Superintendent Borges, for having me. I appreciate that. And uh Jill, you know, always a pleasure. Thank you so much for asking me to come and speak today. Um to everyone on the dais, including uh Dr. DeOriol, thank you so much. Appreciate you guys and all the work and hard work that you do. On June 19th, 1865, more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston,

003Texas, and issued General Order Number 3 announcing that enslaved people in Texas were free. More than 2 years. Imagine that. 2 years of stolen freedom. 2 years of stolen dreams. 2 years of living in chains while liberty had already been declared. And yet we are gathered here because a people survived. We are gathered here because a people endured. We are gathered here because a people who were told they were less than human refused to believe the lie. And that is worth celebrating. Today we gather to celebrate Juneteenth not simply as a date on a calendar but as a testament to the strength, to the resilience and unbreakable spirit of a people who endured the unimaginable and still found a way to hope. Because Juneteenth is not just a day freedom arrived. It is about what

004happened before freedom arrived. It is about the mothers who prayed when they had every reason to give up. It is about fathers who held on to their dignity when the world tried to strip it away. It is about grandparents who carried dreams for generations they would never live to see. Imagine for a moment being told you were free only to discover freedom had been yours for more than 2 years. Imagine knowing that justice existed but it had not yet reached you. And yet despite generations of oppression despite cruelty and injustice our ancestors still believed a day would come. That is the story of Juneteenth. It is a story of delayed justice, but it's also a story of enduring faith. And when the news of freedom finally came, it came with tears. It came with shouting.

005It came with dancing, and it came with a lot of praying. It came with embraces that lasted a lifetime. A mother holding her child and saying, >> [snorts] >> "We are free." An elder falling to their knees and whispering, "Thank you, Lord. We are free." That joy echoes through generations, and it echoes in us today. Because freedom is not something won in the past. And that is why Juneteenth still matters. Because across this country, we are witnessing efforts to erase parts of our history. To remove books from shelves. To silence conversations that make some people uncomfortable. But let me tell you something. There is nothing wrong with teaching the truth. There is nothing wrong with understanding the full story of America. Because when we erase history, we don't change it. When we ban books, we

006don't erase ideas. When we silence voices, we don't eliminate truth. We simply risk raising a generation that does not understand the sacrifices that were made so they could stand where they are standing today. The story of Black America is not a footnote in American history. It is American history. It is the hands that built this nation. It is the soldiers who fought for freedoms they themselves did not fully possess. It is the voices that marched across bridges. It's the prayers whispered in churches. And my brothers and sisters, that courage lives in us today. Because we are the descendants of people who survived the unimaginable. They survived chains. They survived segregation. They survived discrimination. They did not survive all of this so that we could surrender to bitterness. I refuse to believe that hatred gets the

007final word. I refuse to believe that fear is stronger than faith. I refuse to believe that division is our destiny. Because if our ancestors could find hope in the darkest of nights, then surely we can find hope in this moment. Today, as we celebrate Juneteenth, let us honor those ancestors not with just our words, but with our actions. Let's preserve history not because it's comfortable, but because it's necessary. Let us teach our children the truth not because it's easy, but because it's right. Let us not reject the forces that seek to divide us. Let us reject the voices that seek to divide us. We've seen enough walls built between us. We need to start building some bridges. Because our ancestors gave us more than freedom. They gave us courage. They gave us faith. They gave

008us the responsibility to continue to work. And today, we celebrate freedom. More importantly, today we defend it. Today, we honor our history. Tomorrow, we make history. Let us proclaim loudly so that generations yet unborn will hear us. We remember. We honor. We rise. And we are still free. HAPPY JUNETEENTH. >> [applause] [applause] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. PUGH. I LOVED it uh the other day on Thursday, and I loved it again today. I hope you keep saying that message cuz I believe it wholeheartedly. So, thank you for coming here. >> Thank you. Thank you for having me. >> Thank you for sharing it with the Stratford Public Schools community cuz now you have been recorded. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, I'm going to pass to Ms. Borges. >> Yes. So, tonight I

009am pleased to introduce Mr. Steven Santoli, the new assistant principal at Flood Middle School. Mr. Santoli was selected through a highly competitive and inclusive hiring process that involved input from board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and district staff. From a field of more than 75 applicants, he emerged as the unanimous choice. He brings more than 12 years of educational leadership experience, most recently serving as assistant principal at Roton Middle School in Norwalk. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to student achievement, staff development, data-informed decision-making, and fostering positive school culture. His leadership and restorative practices resulted in significant reductions in student discipline issues, and he continues to pursue advanced studies in social, emotional, and academic learning. So, we are so excited to welcome Mr. Santoli to the STRATFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS. >> [applause] [applause] >>

010I DON'T TO MAKE A SPEECH. >> YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE A SPEECH. GET any of that. >> [laughter] >> We're just very happy to have you. >> I'm not happy to be here. >> Thank you for choosing Stratford. Congratulations and welcome, board. Um we'll now move to public forum. We have one public speaker signed up this evening. When you come to the microphone, please state your full name and address, and you have 3 minutes to speak. Mr. Fiorello, can you please announce the speaker? >> We'll hear from a recent Carol Fabian. I hope I'm pronouncing that right. >> They say it moves. You can pull it, you can and also pull the mic down. >> Yeah, you know how it is. Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> Okay? >> Yeah, okay. Good evening. Lisa

011Carol Fabian, 144 Wainwright Place. Many of you know me. I'm a long-time educator, a parent, a former member of this Board of Education, and someone who has consistently spoken up when I believe a process is not serving students fairly. I'm speaking tonight regarding concerns about the consistency and implementation of the National Honor Society selection process within the Stratford Public Schools. While this began with one student's experience, it is not an isolated concern. Over time, through conversations with families and community members, I have learned that questions about the consistency, transparency, and fairness of this process have existed for several years. I want to be very clear. At the outset, I fully understand that National Honor Society chapters have local discretion in selection beyond academic eligibility. That is not the issue. The issue is whether that discretion

012is being applied in a consistent, transparent, and explainable way that aligns with the four national pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Discretion does not mean different expectations for students within the same district. And it does not mean outcomes that families cannot reasonably understand in relation to the stated standards. National Honor Society is built on four pillars: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These are national standards. They are not intended to shift in meaning or application from one high school to another within the same district. Yet, families are left questioning how students who meet academic eligibility requirements, demonstrate strong service, hold jobs, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and show persistence and character are evaluated. And why outcomes appear inconsistent or difficult to explain across schools. As a district, we often speak about equity, removing barriers, and

013recognizing student achievement in all its forms. And I cannot help but ask whether our current process fully values students whose leadership may not be the loudest, whose service may occur outside of school, or whose path to success has required overcoming significant challenges and other obstacles. Leadership is not always a title. Service is not always performed in a school club. Character is not always measured by who is most visible. Sometimes leadership is the student balancing academics with a job. Sometimes it is the student who has worked twice as hard because of a disability. Sometimes it is the student who quietly serves others without seeking recognition. Those students matter, too. What concerns me most is that these questions are not new. They have been raised in different forms over several years. That alone suggests this is not

014a matter of isolated decisions, but a process issue that warrants a formal district-level review. As an educator and former board member, I have always believed fairness is not just about intention. It is about consistency in practice. Students should not experience uncertainty or shifting expectations when applying for the same honor within the same district. No student should have a different chance at National Honor Society based on how the process is implemented at their school. No family should be left trying to decide decode criteria that should be fair, consistent, and transparent. And no district committed to equity should be comfortable allowing long-standing questions about consistency to remain unexamined. I appreciate Dr. Piazza's commitment to reviewing the selection process and ensuring alignment across schools. I hope that review includes a clear examination of whether the implementation of NHS

015standards truly reflects scholarship, leadership, service, and character consistently throughout the district. Because at the end of the day, this is not about one student or one decision. It is about whether we are willing to ensure that the process used to select our highest academic honor is consistent, transparent, and worthy of the students that it's meant to recognize. And if we are not willing to ensure that consistency, then we should be prepared to answer a very simple question. Why should a student's opportunity for recognition change depending on how National Honor Society standards are applied within the same district? Because if the process is not being applied consistently across our schools, then the issue is no longer perception. It is practice. Thank you. >> Thank you. Student representatives, [cough] [clears throat] we have no student Student representatives

016tonight. They graduated. THURSDAY [applause] CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING me know that we had graduation on Thursday. Yeah. Um we also don't have our state Board of Education representative tonight, so we will move on from that. Presentations, there are none. So now we'll move to the administrator reports. Mr. Superintendent Spargis? >> Absolutely. So, good evening board members, staff, family, students, and community members. We gather for our final board meeting of the 2025-2026 school year. I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an extraordinary year for the Stratford Public Schools. This year our district continued its commitment to ensuring that every student have an had an opportunity to grow and we brought the portrait of a graduate K-12. Thank you, Dr. De Iorio. Across our schools, we witnessed students demonstrating skills,

017qualities that would prepare them for success in college, career, and life. Communication, collaboration, problem solving, lifelong learning, and compassionate engagement in their communities. We celebrated so many accomplishments. [clears throat] We continued improvement in student attendance with chronic absenteeism continuing to decline. Please come to school on your last day. We had strong academic growth in multiple areas. The graduation of Stratford High School and Bunnell High School class of 2026 with students earning scholarships to college acceptance, industry certifications, military appointments, and career opportunities. It was a beautiful night had by all. The expansion of innovative opportunities for students through the career pathways, thanks to this board and presenting a strong budget that is allowing us to expand those programs. >> [clears throat] >> Stratford's selection to represent Connecticut at the Day of AI in America's Youth AI

018Festival this summer. We're representing the entire state. Our AI policy has put us on the map and I am so proud of Stratford for that meaningful engagement and opportunities with students, families, staff, community members through advisory groups, community events, volunteer initiatives, district celebrations. I have seen throughout this whole year schools wrap their arms around each other, celebrate, support during losses and tragedies, and just come together as a community. There are way too many to name and we have talked about them all year long, but every single one is so vibrant and meaningful. So, I just want to make sure that everyone understands and knows that all those little moments matter, too. It's not just what happens in your classroom. This year brought challenges. We navigated those challenging situations together. Um we had evolving needs. We

019had budget pressures. Thank you, Pam. Um facility concerns, safety matters, >> [cough and clears throat] >> and the complexities that come with serving around 6,500 students every day. Through it all, I witnessed resilience, professionalism, and the dedication of our staff, our families, and our students. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, food service workers, nurses, counselors, and social workers, administrators, central office staff. Every success we celebrated is a result of the hard work and commitment that every staff member has to our students. I also want to thank the Board of Education. Your support, thoughtful dialogue, dedication to the Stratford community. While we may not always agree on every issue, our shared commitment to students remains the center of every decision we make, and I appreciated all of your efforts

020this year. And to our families, community partners, thank you for your trust, your collaboration, and your continued investment in our schools. Public education is strongest when schools and communities work together. So, finally, I want to congratulate our students. Whether they completed preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, or another milestone this year, we are so proud of you. Your accomplishments inspire us and remind us why this work matters. So, as we close another successful school year, I hope everyone takes time this summer to rest, recharge, spend time with loved ones, and celebrate all that has been accomplished. Thank you for a remarkable year. I wish our entire Stratford Public Schools safe, healthy, and enjoyable summer, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year. Except for do come to school tomorrow cuz you still

021have one more day. So, please make sure you're in attendance. And thank you again. >> I look forward to later calls. >> [laughter] >> All right. Now, we have the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Mangini. >> Good evening. I'm actually pleased to share with you this evening three key updates from the business office regarding our operations, staffing, and our year-end fiscal status. First, regarding food service operations, we do have an agenda item a little later this evening to approve the contract extension for our food service management company. While we can dive into the specifics during the motion, I just want to highlight again that this represents our final eligible renewal year under the current agreement. So, we will be launching a formal competitive bidding process next year, and it is strictly guided by um state and

022federal processes and guidelines. And on a related and very positive note, I'm happy to announce that our new food service director from Sodexo will officially step into her role on July 6th. She comes to Stratford with extensive experience successfully managing the National School Lunch Program within public school districts. And we're really incredibly excited to welcome her to the district, and we're hoping to invite her to a future board meeting so that you can all meet her as well. And finally, a brief update on our year-end fiscal activities. As we approach the conclusion of June and close fiscal year, our office is fully engaged in finalizing the fiscal year 2016 financials, including payrolls, accounts payables, encumbrances. And yes, we probably do about five payroll runs in the month of June. So, it's a very busy time.

023Um in addition, our team is preparing for the upcoming annual audit as well as compiling the comprehensive year-end state report, and that's due by the end of August. And while the school buildings themselves naturally quiet down over the summer months, it remains a highly intensive and critical period of administrative activity for us here at the admin center. Um that being said, we do try to sneak in a little bit of vacation as well. So, we're looking forward to some quieter times without all the demands from the schools day to day. We are able to focus a little bit better on what we need to get done, but in the business office in particular, um along with HR and many other um departments really do remain very busy, but we will get everything done as we

024need to and on time. >> Thank you, Ms. Mancini. >> Yes, you should get some rest over the summer as well. >> [laughter] >> Um our assistant superintendent, Dr. Diorio. >> Yeah, thank you, everyone. Good evening. Just a short share for for tonight. Um before we close out the school year, I wanted to share that this Wednesday our educators will come together for a full day of professional learning. Uh we'll kick off the day with a fun game show type of activity to build energy and celebrate another successful year before transitioning to a variety of learning opportunities. Um in addition to a required professional learning session for our whole staff, the staff members will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of workshops um aligned to their interests and professional goals. So, some

025topics will be around behavioral supports, um mathematics instruction, technology integration, and other instructional um practices. So, we're excited for the chance for them to have some choice activities. This is the first time that we have used an online workshop [cough] >> [clears throat] >> platform and offered this level of choice. So, we do anticipate there may be a few adjustments to make as we learn from the first time rolling something out, but we are excited to gather feedback from the participants and use it to continue refining future professional learning experiences through the work of our PDAC committee, which is professional development and evaluation committee. So, as we reflect on this school year, we're incredibly proud of all that has been accomplished across both our elementary and secondary schools. Our educators engaged in extensive curriculum work

026to strengthen instructional resources and ensure greater alignment across grade levels and all content areas. We are especially grateful for our curriculum writers who dedicated countless hours to this important task as well as to all the our teachers, administrators, and support staff who unwavering commitment has made a meaningful difference in the growth and learning of all of our students. So, on behalf of Dr. Piazza and myself, we thank the Board of Education for your ongoing continued partnership, encouragement, and support throughout the year. Your commitment to teaching and learning department especially has allowed us to move forward with important initiatives that will continue to benefit our students. We look forward to beginning the new school year by sharing our most recent state assessment results and discussing how those data points will help inform our priorities, celebrate our

027successes, and guide our work in the future as we continue striving for excellence for all of our students. Thanks for a great year. >> Thank you, Dr. Gerrior. Does anyone have any questions for Ms. Mancini, Dr. Diorio, or Ms. Borges? Mr. Collier. >> I have a question for Dr. Diorio. Um the the PD day on Wednesday, um is that more um colleague driven or or is or are the presenters hired? Just curious if this is is is >> It's a variety. >> It's mixed. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Some of both. We're using our own staff. >> crashed the system when we opened it. They were very excited to log on and everyone tried to do it all at once and then it crashed, so our director had to fix it all up and

028get it back on up. >> There's been some some kinks along the way, but that's to be expected with >> We did have a couple of presenters Chris that that backed out and couldn't do this date that were going to come for March for March, but we still have a good handful. >> Mr. Ferraro. >> Um this has come up with a few things. Um one was restorative circles. Some Some of us have been trained, some of us haven't. Um science of reading that we've learned about and we've just decisions about our policy and our curriculum. I was wondering if in the future we could invite some of these professionals >> That actually has happened in the past. I feel like it was maybe when Ms. Borkum was there, they came to our opening professional

029development. Um >> And we could definitely arrange that. >> My pleasure. >> I I like to rub it in. >> We can definitely consider that. Yeah. >> Ms. Temple. >> Um thank you all for your reports. As we as this is the last meeting for this school year, um I just I know that the ministry probably already covered me saying this before. As we go through these months and um think about next year, I always want you all to think in the back of your head, "And how are the children?" So this is the statement um that the East African Masai people usually ask about um you know, when they greet people. So, when I greet you in the fall, hopefully you can state to me that all the children are well, because that's why

030we are all here. So, I want to make sure that over, you know, at the PD on Wednesday, and then when we return, that we make sure that we focus on the children and that they get what they need to be successful. So, thank you. >> I loved that statement when you brought it up last year or so. Appreciate it. Um >> [clears throat] >> two quick things, just like updates that I didn't know whether belonged to my executive report or for the good of the order, but just to give everybody an update, um Kate Cerillo has completed her Title IX training. She's also going to be our home school liaison, um and now is officially fully taking over our climate and culture, um and SEL in the district. So, she is getting a title

031change, not a contract change, just a title change. She'll be taking on the title I had, which was assistant superintendent of staff and student services, so that's an update for you. Um and sadly, July 1st, um we'll be posting to start to try to replace Ms. Mangini, which is going to be an impossible task. >> you that you tell you can't. [snorts] >> We tried. >> I did my best. >> [laughter] >> We tried really hard. Really hard. Um but so, please I you're on break, but you'll see that posting go up. We won't be interviewing till everybody returns anyway in August, and you'll be part of that, obviously. You'll be part of that hiring process, but wanted to make sure that you didn't see that posting and not hear from me that we are

032going to start working on that succession plan. Um hopefully >> she changes her mind, maybe. >> I heard Ms. Mangini say he doesn't want to leave. You need to go back and you need to say >> He probably has, Chris. >> [laughter] >> But what I can say is she's been doing us a huge favor. She teaches a lot of the classes for the certification um that she does and she has been promoting Stratford and encouraging people to apply. So, you know, we had a lot of applicants for the AP position and I'm very hopeful that we'll get a lot of applicants here, too. So, those are just two I didn't know if they were going to be in the order of updates here, but things you guys should know. All right, any other questions?

033Seeing none, we'll move on. Thank you all. We'll move to the consent agenda. I'm looking for a motion to approve the meeting minutes from our meeting on May 26th, June regular meeting, June 1st special meeting, June 8th special meeting, and June 15th special meeting. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Fiorello. Is there a second? >> Second by Mr. O'Brien. Is there any discussion or comments on the minutes? All right, seeing none, we'll move to a vote. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. All right, so we'll move on to our personnel assignments. The chair will entertain a motion to approve the personnel assignments as presented. Do we have a motion? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Fiorello. Is there a

034second? >> Second by Mr. Cormier. Is there any comments or questions? >> I I do. Um, can you just remind us about the library media paraeducator and mission of positions? >> In the high school? >> They're not at what? At the At the both high schools. >> Yeah, so they're not eliminated, we made them full-time, so they're eliminated and then re-posted as full-time positions instead of 5-hour positions, um, based on NEASC recommendations. We want to be able to keep that space open all day long, so instead of a shortened day, so they're not gone, they're just re-posted as full-day. And they have to be because it's a union within the union, [clears throat] they have an opportunity to >> Are there any other questions? Comments? All right, seeing none, we'll move to a vote. All

035in favor to approve? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion passes unanimously. Our next item >> [applause] >> Our next item is uh any budget transfers? >> And there were none. >> And there was none from finance, so we'll move on. Our next item is the food service management agreement. Um Ms. Magione, do you want to present on that or what? >> Um as I mentioned, the food service management company contract renewal is in its final year to extend it. So, we are under really rigid guidelines from the state and the federal government on the entire process, not just the initial agreement, but each and every renewal. And one item is that the state provides districts with the maximum allowable change to our management and our administrative fees based on the consumer price index.

036And we were provided with that to go as high as 3.91 3.9% and our negotiations with Sodexo, we agreed on 1%. So, we are bringing this to you this evening with no other changes other than that increase, and we will tell you that the Connecticut State State Department of Education has reviewed and approved the contract as amended and presented. So, now at this point, the board simply needs to uh formally approve that um renewal. So, Ms. Borges can sign off on it, and you can finalize our year with uh Sodexo. >> All right. So, do we have a motion to approve? Mr. Cormier? >> I'll move to approve the renewal of the food service management agreement July 1st, 2026 ending next June. >> Okay. And it's seconded by Ms. Temple. All right. Is there any

037questions or comments on it? Seeing none, we'll move to a vote. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? Motion is passed unanimously. Thank you. Our next item is an overnight field trip. It was sent from the curriculum committee with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Fierello, do you mind presenting? >> Not at all. Um we received a presentation by two Stratford High teachers, Mr. Cavaliero and Mr. Holmes. Although this opportunity is open to uh students at both high schools. And it's not limited to students taking any particular class. Although there is there are educational opportunities that cover history, art, um they were pointing out modern world history as well as Renaissance history, um language. And this would be obviously an overnight trip. It would have the least impact on their in-school education because it'll

038be over April break. The only unknown right now is whether they'd have to leave on a Friday before that break or not, depending on what flight they can get. Um it's a tour run by EF Tours, which is a company that the district has used before. It's been around for a long time. Um it is an expensive trip. The although there will be some fundraising opportunities for the families of either school or both schools. We're informed that each student would be expected to pay $3,999. So we're trying to get in under $4,000. Just made it. Um the the same advisors have done a successful uh trip to Europe over the over the last time it was England and Spain. And I don't remember the it was and it wasn't two years ago. >> So, um

039no, in 20 I pulled a couple from history because we have gone many times and actually we've gone a ton of times, but I pulled two examples. So, in 2022 we approved a trip to Paris, France, Barcelona, Spain. And 2012 I pulled another example um where we this was a different form. We approved a trip Where did we approve that, Mr. Frank? >> Paris and Rome. There we go. Um and there was a bunch of other ones. It does and we have used the same company um throughout our trips. And so I did a little digging today cuz I had concerns that we hadn't done it in history and I wanted to make sure that we had past precedents. >> And although there will be some fundraising opportunities to defray the cost generally or individually,

040you know, there will both opportunities will be there. Um families were told this they should prepare to pay this full amount. There are opportunities to pay it monthly, so there's not one big chunk that comes at the end. Um we had some questions, but we did pass this forward with a favorable recommendation. I believe it was a unanimous vote from the committee as well. >> Provided you with a full printout of the answers from the two teachers of questions that you may have as well as their PowerPoint. Um and then speaking just as a superintendent, um I know you may have questions regarding cost, equity, safety, and but I do believe this trip offers meaningful educational opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom. Students will engage directly with world history, language arts, architecture, culture, and

041global citizenship through experiences that simply cannot be replicated in a textbook. The proposal includes clear academic attendant clear clear academic attendance and behavioral expectations for participation, structured supervision with trained tour personnel and chaperones, and extensive safety supports throughout the travel provider. Participation is voluntary and family funded, while fundraising and scholarships opportunities are available to help offset the cost. Ultimately, this trip provides students with a unique opportunity to broaden their perspectives, deepen their learning, and represent Stratford Public Schools as positive ambassadors on a global stage. I'll give you an example of one of the things I reached out today just to help my brain feel a little better about our students traveling so far away and making sure students are safe. So, it is one staff member for every six students. In addition, staff members can

042elect to go and pay for themselves so they can have additional staff members there. In my head, I was thinking um somebody wonderful suggested to me what happens if a student has to come back and and a chaperone has to escort them back. How are the students redistributed? How does that work? So, they do make sure they have a couple extra staff members there to make sure that there's always supervision at a one-to-six ratio. Um so, and I checked in a little bit on the refund rates and all those things because this company, although we have used them and had no problems in the past, if you Google them, have had other schools with reimbursement concerns. Um and I think those are all valid concerns. Um but speaking as a superintendent, this is a real-life

043experience and it is something that Stratford has had a history of continuing to support and do and I would like to continue to support and do that. Are there any questions? >> Ms. Zapata, I do have a couple of safety concerns. So, on the application for um this trip, it does say one um chaperone per six to 10 students. Are we going to be getting guaranteeing that we're going to get it down to one to six by the time the >> The company will pay for. So, they pay for the chaperone for every six students. >> Okay. Also, um just from like a medical standpoint, if there was a medical emergency, or do we have medically trained chaperones to go? Cuz I know in here it says um or the PowerPoint it says that they

044will be able to go free um like a buddy system, so they won't always be with their chaperones. In terms of medication distribution, um an emergency happens and they're not with their chaperones, do you have in >> In the past trips, they've always traveled with a nurse. One of our nurses have gone. >> Mhm. >> Um but in trips that we've had to Disney and Florida and other places, we've had parents go with students that have medical needs. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's why Kim added that extra to the field trip form so she knows. >> So, just to piggyback on that question, so if a parent was to go for a student with medical needs, the cost to that parent would be 4,700 and whatever >> [clears throat] >> $4,739 for the medical

045needs parent? >> That'd be my assumption. 399, whatever Mike said. >> No, that's the student rate. >> The parent is an adult rate to it. >> And then the >> chaperone rate, they wouldn't get the chaperone rate at $120. >> Unless they were an actual chaperone of all kids and not just their kids. >> But that's not an option. They couldn't be a chaperone to a group of kids. They can only be a chaperone to their own. >> I wouldn't say that that's not an option. They'd have to go through a background check system, become a volunteer, and there are plenty of parents that have gone on trips as chaperones. >> Is there any other questions about the field trip? >> Mr. Anshul >> I have a quick one. I don't know if I missed

046this or not, but this is both high schools or just Stratford High? >> It was extended to Bunnell. Um Mr. Aurilio knows about that. I was not at the curriculum committee when they presented, so >> Both of the faculty members are from Stratford High, but it is offered to both schools. I think presentations will be made at parents, you know, they they invite parents in at both high schools. >> Not that I plan to, but if I wanted to go as a chaperone, they would pay for the company pays for it? >> If you chaperone children and you are cleared and approved by us. >> Tempting, but >> How do you feel about being in charge of six six high schoolers? >> It also for eight days. In my memory of the Francis trip, >>

047[clears throat] >> competitive. >> [laughter] >> There were multiple applicants who wanted the same. >> Um I have some more questions. So, if they don't get the number of students that they need, is all the money refundable? To guarantee this rate of 4,000? >> Yes. Yeah, the company does guarantee the refund, and there was some information I think within this trip. >> Okay. And what would be the liability of the board if something did happen abroad? >> You have to be more specific. What something? >> Um medical emergency. >> That would fall on the district, not on the board, so superintendent, it would come back to me and what they would handle it appropriately and correctly. >> Yeah, if that's if there were liability as far as medical cost, there is insurance that's built into

048that 3,000 I think. >> And we have liability insurance as well, but anything that happened negatively isn't necessarily reflecting you as a board. If that's me as a superintendent running the district and taking a risk on this. >> Um pardon me if I'm wrong, um Mr. Aurilio, do We were shooting for 30, at least 30, to for us to be able to to to to have our own trip. If it came in up short of what they're looking at, combining us with another with another >> Well, they talked about certain parts of this trip where it would limit what choices they had in side excursions. They would have to join with another high school when they were constantly for instance. But, if if they hit that 30, then we are speaking of a separate students

049traveling to town, constructive than all students. >> I have one more. >> Yep, go ahead. >> Okay. In the PowerPoint presentation says that there's no guarantee that the students would have their own bed in every hotel room. In the past when there's been trips abroad, has that occurred where students have to share beds in hotels? >> Yes, that actually came up. The the two chaperones said that that had happened in >> Okay. Thank you. >> Are the rooms coed? >> No. >> I just wanted to make sure. >> No, that's a fair question. >> I have a question. >> Are there any other questions? >> Can you confirm the $3,999 included travel insurance? >> Yes. Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. I I was talking about medical insurance. Travel insurance about cancellation or you don't book it

050with us. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I was saying I took me a second to process. Cuz I had bought travel insurance because you're not sure if you're going to I don't believe that it covers the cancellation >> The other piece of this was about students being in good standing. If a student pays somewhat of this, maybe $2,000 worth, and something happens where they are no longer in good standing, their grades slip, or something happens, what happens with that situation? >> Then you're talking about two different entities the district is making the decision to impose the discipline, but all the money goes through the EF Tours. The district and the town are not involved in that at all. So, >> It would be a risk on the family, not on us. I just want to

051make sure that we're not going to be >> Can I just make a comment? The the concern of a of of a student being not being good standing, I don't think grades grades are something that a student is struggling with their grades, I don't think that would be a a deciding factor of them being able to attend or not cuz this trip does not even take them out of school at any amount of time. I If it were a discipline issue with that, then I could see that as as an issue, but if somebody's struggling with their grades, I think I I taking this trip away from them while they're while they're on April break would be >> I thought they said that in the presentation at the curriculum committee that I watched. They said

052they were following the athletic program's criteria. So, they are two of us. >> Two of us. Two of us. >> Okay. >> So, grades do definitely matter. Thank you. >> I just have another quick one if I can. >> Yep, go right ahead. >> Is there any sort of a like a final project or presentation or something that a student needs to do after they complete this trip? Is there any sort of a assignments or >> Well, I don't know if they were all required of all students cuz they're not all in the same classes, so I don't know what the accountability would be. Uh the advisors said there would be a presentation to us on the committee or could be us as a full board. I don't know if every student would be required

053to do the same thing. >> I think every student will be asked how this applies to their portrait of a graduate uh portfolio. And this traveling and doing these things that provide them with opportunities for the pleasure of it. >> I mean, this is an amazing opportunity, so it'd be great to hear something like that when they get back. >> Oh, we will definitely hear from them when they get back, but it might be a representative sample of them. They might not call us. >> Are there any further questions or comments? Seeing none, do we have a motion to approve the field trip as presented? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Cormier. Is there a second? >> Seconded by Ms. Temple. All right. Any other comments or questions? Seeing none, we'll move to a

054vote. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Okay, one opposed. Any abstentions? All right, motion passes. All right, we move to Okay. Our next item is another overnight field trip through the curriculum committee with favorable recommendation to the NCA cheerleading camp. >> Yes, this came before the curriculum committee. This is Bunnell's cheerleading um request. We're going to hear from Stratford High later on in the agenda. The uh Stephanie Falcone came as the advisor and talked about this trip in the August 15th through 18th. Again, not impacting school attendance at all. Um it she stressed the educational and athletic value and rigor of the program. And uh she's gone before. It's it's invaluable for the students and passed this with a favorable recommendation and unanimously as well. >> Okay, are there any questions about the

055field trip? You said they're going to Pennsylvania? >> Pennsylvania. Only this time. >> All right. No questions. Do we have a motion to approve the field trip to Homestead, Pennsylvania for seventh grade? >> This is seventh grade. >> For seventh grade. >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. O'Brien. >> Seconded by Ms. Gancho. Are there any other comments? All right, seeing none. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? Motion passes unanimously. All right, our next item on the agenda is the new curriculum for CEC, the Sea Around Us. Mr. Urella. >> I'm sorry, I cut you [laughter] off. >> That's okay. >> Uh this is an ECE course, um early college experience course in conjunction with UConn, and it was presented to us for approval to begin curriculum writing. Uh it's an

056introductory marine science and environmental studies course. Um we have it identified interest among students. It uh Oh, I thought one thing that I noted, if you remember our approval of a maritime studies course at Stratford High, this dovetails nicely with it. I just wanted to make sure they wouldn't be in competition, because I think they have the same, you know, target base, and it won't be. So, students with this interest um might want both the history and social aspect, but now the scientific aspect. Um it covers awareness of environmental issues, specifically, but also that transferable idea of scientific literacy. And so, pass this with a favorable recommendation as well. >> Okay. >> This is to be This is This isn't to be implemented yet. >> No, this is for curriculum writing. >> Start writing. >>

057Okay, are there any questions about this new curriculum writing? Seeing none, I'm just taking a >> make a motion to approve the writing of this curriculum. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Ms. Tancho. Is there a second? >> Second by Ms. Temple. Is there any other comments? >> I Mr. Field, Mike, I don't remember. Is this being offered This is This is being offered to both? Is this a strap behind right now because we we don't have the science I remember from from the meeting we don't have the science teachers. >> Right. We had to support >> Actually, as of then I don't know if we had hired any of the three outstanding outstanding unfilled positions at Banneker. I think by now we hired them. >> We have. >> And so, this but anyway,

058this is this is to write the curriculum. >> And then it would be the program of studies. >> Right. Okay, then. >> And then whether or not And and actually, yeah, I mentioned that to >> wanted to make sure that the intent is to have have it uh uh uh available to both. >> And and I mentioned that that might come up in people who are not hired yet in those interviews. And so, that that capability being advantageous. >> Okay. >> I just have a another if I can on Ms. Tancho. >> Yeah. >> What grade level would this course be written for? Would this be for seniors, juniors? >> Um I think it is open It was not open to freshmen, but I thought it was everything above freshmen. >> Yeah, 10 11 >>

059Any further questions? Seeing none, I'll move to a vote. All in favor of approving this curriculum writing? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? All right. Motion passes unanimously. All right. We have another new curriculum. >> We were very busy in curriculum this month, I guess. Cuz this is the last one here. >> [clears throat] >> Um this is about literacy. It is called content literacy. And when you think of literacy, you think of it as a reading class. But this is content literacy reading across the grade level and other areas. And it's been piloted already, and the proposal is to offer it at both middle schools. It was piloted at Flood, and now it's proposed to be offered at both Flood and Worcester. There's an identified need Um there are the students who didn't

060need extra support in literacy, and those who needed support in a Read 180 or other reading or literacy program. These are those students in the middle who are underperforming. Um they're below grade level on standardized tests. And a way to get them to read more proficiently in a non-fiction specifically in subject areas. It was presented by Mr. Jerry Gorman and Dr. Osborne. And because of this identified need and the success of the pilot year, the proposal is to expand it to both middle schools. >> Mhm. >> Some of the Some of the One of the things that jumped out at me during during that curriculum meeting was um the way that the way the pilot tapped into each each student's helping them find their their favorite niche, their favorite genre. Um where where before this

061they they they didn't know how to find their own a genre or or something that that they're they could really, you know, wrap their wrap their arms around. And kids who weren't readers who what left as interested in that. >> It's really helping us expand our continuum of service specifically targeted at our middle schools where we know we need to so that you know, we're always working with the students that are the lowest, and we want to make sure we're hitting all of those buckets. So, this really allows us to do that. >> And this would address both seventh and eighth grade students. I said rather optimistically, well, if we're serving seventh and eighth grade students at Flood, that means all the seventh-graders were successful. They won't need to. And if if they do exit

062the program successfully, then they can take a world language as well. >> Are there any further questions? Seeing none, I seek a motion to approve the new curriculum of content literacy curriculum. >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. O'Brien, seconded by Ms. Diancho. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? Motion passes unanimously. Our next curriculum is social studies curriculum 8 through 6. Mr. O'Brien. >> Sorry. I'm sick of my own voice by now. Uh Abby Owen presented this K-6 social studies curriculum to us. And as we've come to expect from her, it had a high level of detail. So, this is something that a newly hired teacher could implement very well, but an experienced teacher could also have flexibility to choose materials. There When you go into Atlas and you see what

063a curriculum looks like, you see you you can dive in and find the materials you need. You can find the standards that it reaches, objectives that you've got. It's very teacher-friendly to my eyes. And and I will also say through my years of working with elementary teachers and representing them, this has been long, long awaited. It's moved in a short short period of time, to say the least. It's It's high time that we have this detailed and this structure of a a K-6 social studies curriculum. So, this passed with a favorable recommendation as well. >> Any questions for Mr. Fierro? Seeing none, I seek a motion to approve the K-6 social studies curriculum. >> So moved. >> [clears throat] >> Moved by Ms. Temple, seconded by Ms. Diancho. All in favor? >> I. >> Any

064opposed? Any abstentions? Motion passes unanimously. All right. Our next item we're off of curriculum and we're moving to you. >> Here we go. This is my this is my voice now. It's my turn. >> On policies We have five new policies coming to the board for first read status. Um our first policy is 5342.43 food service charging policy. Mr. Cormier. >> Okay, so 3542.43 is um it's a state mandate. It's a new change in the state statute um in accordance with Connecticut statute section 10-215b and c the board hereby establishes this local meal charge policy to govern situations where student does not have money in their account or or in hand to cover the cost of meal. Basically, what this says is we cannot cannot um um deny a a standard meal to any students

065within um the district. Um there are a few other things that are changing with with free breakfast throughout the district and anyone eligible for um reduced lunch will get free lunch. What this is this we cannot we cannot deny we will not be able to we will not deny a lunch. We will not um do anything anything at all that could possibly stigmatize the student um up to and including not even sending letters home with the student with an invoice or bill if they have a if they have a balance. It is we will be dealing directly with the parents. Um it's it's it's a state statute. It's we made a few some minor modifications to it. Um but it's the standard reimbursable meal that they can't Um, we we will not be um our

066students. So, we can we can I'm I'm This is on first read, right? >> First read. >> So, I'm not sure if there are discussions to happen, I mean, you guys can If you guys want to read it, it's it's we can we can do it or we can try Somebody can move to waive first first read status on it. It's up to It's up to you. Um, if you want to just or or just pass it as as first read. >> Because it's mandated by state statute, I'm happy to move that we waive first read status and we'll simply vote on the policy. >> This managing is really appreciated if you guys will work on this today. >> Sure. >> I motion motion by Mr. >> Yes, I I'm moving >> Mr. Fiorello. >>

067I agree with the motion. I'll second it. >> Okay, second by Ms. Dancho. All in favor of waiving the first read policy? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? All right, so we waived it. So, now I accept the motion to accept the um, food service charging policy 354.43. >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Fiorello. >> Second by Mr. O'Brien. Are there any discussion on this policy? Questions? >> I I can just say I appreciate it. I don't I didn't want to imply by the fact that it's a mandate that it's a negative mandate. I do not like the idea of stigmatizing students. Or anyone who can't afford to pay for their lunch. >> The hardest for the for the for the policy committee, the hardest our biggest concern with it is it's a

068another state mandate that doesn't that's not funded. That we we are going to have to fund it. We're We're funding We're funding parts of this every year anyway. >> I think the challenge and the advocacy that should come from the board or from the community is right now, if you end up with a deficit because students have unpaid lunch bills, they can only be paid for by our general operating budget or by a donation. And I feel like they should be allowed to be paid for on, you know, unused food service equipment money. It should be allowed to come from other places and right now the state does not allow that. So, that's the advocacy that needs to happen so that it doesn't always come directly out of our operating budget or that we can't

069find a donor to cover that much. Anybody else have anything? No? All right, seeing none we'll move to a vote. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? All right, the board votes unanimously. It is approved. Next we move on to truancy 5113.2. >> So, this was a a We are taking to move our policy in a line of KASB KASB suggestions for truancy, what absences, what a mental health and wellness day is, district what district chronic absenteeism rate is, um and changing some of the things we we as a board, we as and each committee has decided in our in our policies not to use um parent. We are we and everything everything we we we write as we're revising our policies, we are changing um everything from to parents and or

070legal custodians. Um the way it was written by I believe KASB, it says it was from parents or other persons having control of such child. And that is it was it's throughout this policy. We have to remove that line. It was a little aggressive. Um but it's really it's just it just outlines um the truancy policy. It updates it um based on KASB's recommendations, but it explains what what what an absence is >> [laughter] >> between absence [clears throat] and truancy. Um So, chronic absenteeism chronic absenteeism is 10% or higher. Um A school chronic A school chronic absenteeism is 15% or higher. So, it's It outlines what truancy what absence and truancy is. >> I do have a question. Um number four on page 72, it says uh they'll notify parents and legal custodians enrolled

071in grades 1 through inclusive when a child does not arrive at school. Is there a reason we only do it up to 8 and not 9, 10, 11, and 12? >> I believe it's because 9, 10, 11, and 12 are notified through um um the district notification. Um It's It's automated. >> But if they are notified by class >> Yes, by each class. >> Okay, cuz it doesn't notice that here. So, I just want to make sure that it is being noted. >> Do parents need to opt in to that? >> I don't think for that one. >> Okay. >> But they get that notification. That's not a choice. You can opt in. >> I mean, since it's in the first reading, we can we can we can make a make a revision just noting

072that um 9, 10, 11, 12 is notified is is not notified through the automated system. We can add that in and >> I was just wondering if there was a legal requirement that it's not listed or wants to verify that firsthand rather >> All right. So, I >> Well, I'm notified if my kid doesn't If I don't call them, but I got That was before this. So, I just want to make sure that >> Right now I think Right now I think the notifications occur each period. They do. They do. >> I tried to do it >> [laughter] >> after the >> As a dad As a dad As a dad of a high of a high schooler and driver, yeah. >> 7:32 a.m. >> Yeah, ding ding ding ding. All day long. >> in

073the policy, so that >> Well, no, we should add that in. We're on first reading, so it's perfect. We'll add that in. We'll add that in for um August and we'll and we'll we'll we'll we'll second read in August with that included. So, so we need to accept it as a first read with the revision of item four. I'm just going to say I'm going to say all right. >> Yeah. >> With the with with the revision of item four and being um the notification of grade students in grades 9 through 12 through the automated attendance system. >> Yes. Okay. So, motion by Mr. Cormier. Is there a second? >> Second by Mr. Fiorello. Is there any other questions or comments? Seeing none, we'll move to a vote to approve the first read status with

074Mr. Cormier's amendments. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Cormier. >> So, it's all it's all going to be on second read >> Okay. And our next one is academic integrity policy 5123.3. Mr. Cormier. >> Um so, this this is the academic integrity policy um written with CABE's recommended CABE's recommended policy. Um we made some additions to it referring to the district's AI handbook that we that >> [snorts] >> that is has been written um regarding appropriate use of AI. Um it's it's said a student engaging in academic dishonesty will be subject to due process following the steps outlined in our in our handbook. So, that's on first read. >> All right. Is there any questions or comments on this? Amendments? All right. Seeing none, I

075seek a motion to approve. >> So moved for first read. >> For first read. Motion by Mr. Fiorello. >> Second. Second by Mr. O'Brien. And then any other questions or >> [cough] >> comments? >> [clears throat] >> Seeing none, I move to a vote to approve first read status of the academic integrity policy 5121.3. All in favor? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion passes unanimously. Our next policy 6141.323 internet and responsible use. >> Um another policy written with CABE's as written as CABE's recommended policy using their proposed language. It's internet responsible use filtering. Stratford Public Schools we have access to all internet at all schools. Um this policy just makes it clear professional [snorts] development opportunities are to help teachers integrate the use of internet in the classroom. Use of computer systems, software, electronic storage, networks shall be

076restricted to those users who have signed the district's responsible use policy. So the policy is is is read and and signed off on by every student and every um member of the faculty and staff if they have access to our network. So again that's another first read. >> All right. And I see the only change is on here is the we added the Stratford Public Schools. >> And be parent approved. >> Yep. All right. Otherwise this is a CABE recommended policy. >> Correct. >> All right. So do we have a motion or to approve the recommended first read policy of internet responsible use? >> So moved by Ms. Temple. Second by Ms. Dancho. Are there any questions or comments? Seeing none, we'll move to a vote. All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions? Policy passes.

077Our next policy is 6164.12 autoimmune deficiency policy. >> I just wanted to ask if should that be required to be autoimmune? >> The policy is the policy written as acquired. It's just written currently on the on the It's acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Um it's in accordance with the provisions of section 1019B of the Connecticut statutes. It is the policy of the Board of Education by during the regular school day planned and ongoing systemic instruction. Um Miss Miss Miss um Gramly. Um did did a lot did a lot of research and connecting with um the the our our nursing um supervisor our nurse supervisor about um just making sure that um we follow the the the policies and policies that we do with it comes to other other um sensitive subjects. However, this one doesn't necessarily

078fall under um the the the fifth grade. Yes. So it's it's it's it's >> It's a mandated policy and under this it's my job to make sure that I figure out an opt-out [snorts] system which we we already use and have, but we will continue to look at ways for parents to be able to access [clears throat] that. >> And I noted during the the meeting that the same issue came up with the curriculum committee when the health curriculum came before us. And we asked about that opt-out policies and it's it's already existing, it's embedded. Parents are used to it, teachers are used to it. And it seems smooth to my eyes. >> Questions or comments? All right. Seeing none, I look for a motion to approve the first read status of the immune deficiency

079policy 6164.12. >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Bryant, second by Mr. Fiorello. All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions? Policy passes unanimously first read status. Now we're moving on to the second read status status policies. Our first policy here for second read status is uh 4118.234 students with the psychotropic drug use. >> This actually this policy states that staff faculty is required to take a week. We are not allowed to um suggest the need for the need for use of a of psychotropic drug uh drugs with students who do with any of our students. It is not our our place to and and it's it solidifies what we've been following all along anyway. So. >> Okay. So any questions about this? Seeing none, we'll move to a vote to approve the second read and

080then the policy would go into effect for policy 4118.23. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Fiorello, second by Ms. Temple. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? Policy passes. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> All right. We made it through all the policies um for right now and now we're moving on back to a field trip. So uh we have a field trip to for the NCA cheerleading camp going to Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island July 30th through August 7th. It's uh Shepherd High School's varsity cheer and this did not come through curriculum, so they are here. All right, if you'd like to present. Thank you for coming. >> Everyone, um I'm Alyssa Ribeiro, the head coach. Um this is Jenny Ames, my assistant coach.

081Um so we are asking if it's okay if we take our girls to um the NCA cheer camp. Um it's different for us this year. Last year we went to UCA camp in a uh we were in cabins, this year it's on college campus. So it's um July 30th through August 2nd. Um so it's three nights um and it's the same curriculum as the other NCA camp that was approved, so [snorts] it's rigorous, it's all day long. It's really great for the girls. A lot of them are excited to see a college campus and stay in a dorm, which is an exciting opportunity we can give them. Um I don't know how much detail you want me to get into, but >> Both schools are basically doing the same thing, just in two different locations.

082>> Yes. >> Here's a clarification. You may not know the answer, but do you know if is there a reason why one came to the curriculum committee and one didn't? >> [snorts] >> Um I just thought we had to bring it to the board meeting. That was on us for not Yeah. >> Oh no, I'm I'm yeah, I'm not I'm not trying to >> Yeah. >> hold that over you or anything. I I wondered if there I thought there was some discussion that some field trips, because they were athletic and they were done repeatedly, didn't need to come by our committee or It's just It was just a misunderstanding. >> me. >> It was just a misunderstanding. That's fine. >> Yeah, that was on us. >> Fine. >> All right. Mr. Cormier. >> Um I've

083Are you Your anticipated number of chaperones is two, but you're looking at almost like 19 students going in. >> Yes, the varsity spirit ratio is one adult to 10 kids. So, we're right in the ratio. All right. >> I'm sorry. >> Any other questions? >> Anyone else have any questions? With money already submitted and students already planning >> on going on this trip? >> know that they have to pay for for it. A deposit was put down, but that was all. >> Okay. >> Just [snorts] to hold our spot. They're really competitive to get into. >> I just have a question as to why each school is going to a different camp. Why like >> So, we're going to Pine Forest. I'm actually allergic to pine. I've really suffered the past couple years at camp.

084Um, we also have a student with a health condition, not impairment or anything, but she has a health condition. And this is an indoor camp. And it's The other camp is in the Poconos. It's very remote. I think her family and also like you know, us as coaches would feel better like we're right in the middle of Newport, Rhode Island. We're in a city. >> I mean, I would pick Newport over Poconos. >> [laughter] >> Coming from a coach's standpoint, it's a lot safer. This camp we're only stunting on mats. The other camp we were stunting on grass. We were bringing towels to wipe feet to make sure that they were stunting safely. So, this has a lot more safety benefit. >> Yes, I You're You're making great arguments for this camp in particular, but

085I think there's a larger question that's not on you, but especially with our healthy rivalry initiative, the idea that maybe they could all go together to the same camp. It could be >> Well, as long as as long as we're going to the same camp, I thought we could maybe do a Yeah, we're going to learn the same routine, so I'm hoping we can do some joint routine at some point in the year. So, now we have the same dances and cheers. >> Something to think about for >> That's very nice of you. I didn't know that you were going to learn the same routine. >> How did all your fundraising go at Manasquan and at the football festival? >> The girls did great. They really My our captains this year are really taking, you

086know, their position seriously and getting stuff started, so >> I very much enjoyed the picture of the Stratford High cheerleaders with the Manalapan football players. >> Yeah. That was all >> Picture together and >> Yeah, anything we can do for the healthy rivalry initiative, we will draw on that. >> [snorts] >> Also, under fundraising, what's that first word before car wash? >> Oh, Snap-Raise. >> What is it? >> It's It's like a GoFundMe for schools. Yeah. So, you can you make donations online. >> Oh, okay. Oh, okay. >> It's approved by the the district. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> All right. Any other questions? Seeing none, I seek a motion to approve the overnight field trip student by Ms. Temple. Is there a second? Second by Ms. Kernan. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any

087opposed? Any abstentions? Field trip passes. Good luck, ladies. Thank you for your patience. All right. Our next one is to Our next item is to discuss the bylaw policy 9325.43 as amended at meetings via electronic communications. Ms. Temple, if you could >> Okay, at the bylaw committee held March 17th, we one of the bylaws that we discussed was electronic communication and really wanted to bring it to the board for us to discuss while you know, we believe we should have the option. We just don't want to set a precedent where people go so they don't have to come to board meetings. Board members coming to in person board meetings and only call in but also have that option. So figuring out what wording we wanted to use and wanted you guys to have some homework

088this summer. This is your summer packet. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> So as of as of right now for somebody to for somebody to dial in to attend a meeting, there has to be quorum in person at the meeting. If quorum is not established, the person dialing in does not count. Their vote will not count. The meeting will not count. What this would changing this would do would allow the person dialing in to count as part as part of the quorum. One of our concerns as we were discussing it and that's why you all of us should be should have conversation. What this does this opens up the possibility of should should the discussions be contentious and members are uncomfortable coming to a meeting they could they could effectively everybody could be dialing in instead

089of attending the meetings regularly. It changes the the requirement and and one of the reasons why we had the discussion why I brought up is cuz I know I know our neighboring district had that problem about 2 years ago where the members did not want to show up because it was contentious. We we might not be contentious for us right now but but it we don't know. We're we're trying to set up a rule for for the next boards. So, that was one of that was just that was one of our concerns and that we felt everybody should have a have part of the have a input on this discussion. >> I've got a follow-up question and I mean you can tell me. If this is CABE's recommendation, why are they recommending it? What problem

090does it solve? It's not a problem we've we've experienced here, but maybe it has in other districts. >> Right. That's exactly what CABE just stated, but it has happened in other districts where um you know, people just made the one they made a decision I guess after COVID, right? Um we were all remote. So, it was convenient, but um the downfall of that is actually people being able to stand up and say something in person. Um or just trying to use the virtual setting as an opportunity to uh Yeah, that's uh yeah. You know, being behind the keyboard and >> Yes. >> Yeah. Um and we want to prevent that, but we also want to make sure for our district that we set a standard. So, we don't want to sit here and just take

091CABE's policy. >> Right. Right. I agree. >> Um but we do want to tweak it. So, we want everyone's input on that. >> Right, because so often when we say it's CABE recommended, it's recommended wording on something that's coming from state legislation, in which case we don't have a choice in the legislation part and we you know, we welcome CABE's input. But in this one I was just wondering what's the trigger? What was the the second >> Yeah, from being in some of the chair meetings with CABE, other districts have had trouble with getting their board members to attend meetings that a lot of them are virtual and they're trying to encourage meetings to be back in person because for a lot of reasons, but most of all because we are publicly elected and the

092public should have input and it's very difficult to acknowledge that when you're on a electronic device, so. Um some meetings some districts run all their board meetings virtually. They do not meet in person, so. Um when we did do the bylaw revision last year, part of this what we wanted to offer was if someone couldn't make it in person, offering electronic system um if you were under the weather, which you just were, we would have been able to offer you the option of coming to the meeting. Um as someone that likes to attend every meeting and strives really hard to, I'd like to have that available. So, I think that I see your point and your perspective, but I want to make sure that we can have the nuance so that we can attend virtually

093when needed, but not rely on that as a >> So, we're having a discussion. We've got some summary to do. What's the next procedure? Do we as a board recommend it back to policy committee? >> Correct. >> To write it? Is that Is that >> Correct. >> Bylaw committee. >> Bylaw. >> I bylaw I'm sorry, I said that. >> So, my my concern with virtual presence at a meeting and you're talking about dialing in, um my preference would be if we do decide to do something like this, it should be something where you can actually see the video of the person. And uh especially when it comes to voting on policy, it shouldn't just be a voice on the phone. You need to see who that person is. So, I think if we do move

094forward with doing something like this, which I see the benefits of doing it and I also see other concerns with just why aren't we just meeting on Zoom every month then? Let's just do it that way. Um but I do think that if somebody is virtual, it needs to be and there's voting involved, we need to see that it is that person on a camera in a voice vote. >> Technology now we can use the box thing. The box thing. >> Okay. And I see like for if you just had that with no picture, that would not I wouldn't agree with that. >> We do have the bylaw right now in effect that allows the virtual meeting, so until it is changed, I think. >> Either that or somebody can attend virtually on a phone,

095but they just wouldn't be allowed to vote. >> Any other questions, comments, concerns? So we will bring this back up in August and then refer it back to uh bylaws committee. >> Thank you, Ms. Temple. The next one is also bylaws committee. It is uh 9124. Recording secretary and clerk. Something like that? >> This is a great one. Um I know we had a few AI policies come through and um for this policy, we're looking to possibly >> [snorts] >> um update it to state that we would use uh a recording device instead of a person um to take notes and then provide it to our board secretary um instead of having her or appointing someone else to um to be to take notes for us during our committee meetings. Um outside of the specific

096ones that we have to have it for, right? So that is roughly policy, of course our board meetings and finance meetings, right? Um and then the rest yeah, we'll just use our computer. >> Our board secretary would would would prepare the the minutes based on the video and the recorded transcripts. >> Yeah. >> I mean, the only concern with that was if um say it wasn't here, you don't have a person, we would need to articulate our name before speaking. And I know that a uh from someone who's done this in the past, usually the transcripts are going to be super long because every um and and so and so and whatever gets recorded. So, this is going to be a long transcription and may end up being longer. >> They they actually take those

097out now. Do they take those out now? So, your AI transcriber, you do need to say your name, so it is you know, you need to practice and say your name and then make your statement. Um but the AI transcriber will remove all of that nuance. They'll actually do a a full transcript and a summary. And will they make complete sentences as well? They won't They They're pretty [clears throat] cool systems, but my suggestion to all of you is that you possibly maybe approve to pilot it first. Let's try a couple of meetings, see how it works for your secretary to make sure it's coming in appropriately um for them. Give it a shot. Are there questions on this policy? >> I do have one. Thank you. The third paragraph, the board recording clerical appointment

098recording clerks for all committees. I just I do have concern about the climate, culture, and community committee cuz we are currently not recording um some of our discussions. We have students in it um who do speak about sensitive topics. So, I just wanted to clarify that we would continue to not record the C C C committee. >> Yes. >> Okay, thank you. >> And I'll just say uh something I asked behind closed doors, uh I always have a labor union hat on. Are we taking away an opportunity for current people working? I understand it's not all that coveted. It's not guaranteed to the secretary says, "outside income right now Um and the pay isn't such that that's that's going to make a break it." >> All right, did I need to add anything? >> Okay.

099So, as of right now, it's just coming forth from the bylaws committee for informative purposes only. Um are we looking to approve this tonight and do we have >> We're not looking to approve tonight. But, again, just like the past policy, we want you to add this to your packet for the summer to review and make any suggestions, just like um Kristen just did, and um bring those notes to because we will meet again in the >> That wasn't my I didn't follow up, so There's there's a few there's things that happen that >> Thank you all. We will be busy this summer, so I look forward to it. >> [laughter] >> Later in my day, not so early. All right, our next item is our next item is tabled items and we currently have

100uh the homework policy P 6154 is a tabled item. Is there anyone that would like to remove this from the table for discussion? Okay. All right, so at this time we will continue to leave that as a tabled item. All right, moving on to committee assignments, we have none at this current moment. And uh we'll go to committee reports. Curriculum Committee, Mr. Fierolla. >> I have nothing for to report. We already said that. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Any questions for Mr. Fierolla? I do. Next to the month, can we limit to five? >> [laughter] >> I'm not the only person that adds things to my committee agenda. >> Just teasing. >> Well, we're not pointing any fingers. >> All right. Finance Committee, Mr. Cormier. >> Um we were presented by Miss Miss

101McGinnity presented for us today. And we are meeting this prior to our board meeting and no change, nothing different. >> Great. Any questions for Mr. Cormier? Seeing none, let's move to planning. Planning, we did not meet. I had another obligation that evening. Our next meeting is August 6th. Um the next committee is the policy review, Mr. Cormier. >> Um our our June 17th meeting was a was a special considered special meeting because we moved it to accommodate the continuing at graduation for many of us to a few of us to attend. We submitted policies and some were in first reading, some some passed today. That's all I have. Our next meeting is August 19th, I believe. I believe it's August 19th is our next meeting. I'm sorry. I think it's not here. >> Jim, are

102you sure? >> Let's check it. >> Yeah, August [clears throat] 19th is our next policy meeting. >> All right. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Cormier? Seeing none, athletic review, Mr. O'Brien. >> In June 2nd, I was away for a very exciting day. Ken Pugh as co-chair chaired the meeting and Susan gave me the minutes and there was no quorum, so I guess you can't vote on anything. And when Ken is >> Thank you about the meeting. If you would like to, would you like to present this to me? >> He probably wants to. >> [laughter] >> It was so good. I don't want to push it. >> I guess the next meeting will be sometime in October on a date to be determined. >> All right. Thank you. Any questions? Seeing none, um we

103have personnel with Miss Temple. >> Uh no update other than the bylaw committee needs to come together and add an actual description for the personnel committee because it just states it and just names it and that's it. There's nothing else on it. Um so I hope that needs to happen in the next meeting in August. >> All right. Um Miss Zapata, CCC. >> So we did meet on June 16th. I did have to leave emergently. Um so Jill did run that meeting for me, but we had Wester um Middle School come to go over their climate survey results and I I think we're moving in the right direction um in terms of our climate, but then all the schools we have some work to do, but at least we know where we're at so that

104we can kind of build from there. I don't know if Jill wants to add anything. >> you said it right. >> Wester. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Um [clears throat] at the presentation I feel like um the committee was able to learn about some of the initiatives that they're doing at Wester and I think that some of them were very positive that I was unaware of so I'm really happy to hear about those. Um I look forward to uh when Flood comes to present to us that it's going to be >> We'll have all of our schools eventually get there. >> I just want to say that Wester has made some great strides because they used to be like the school that had the most out-of-school suspensions. Um so that change is definitely good. Um

105and really honing in on bringing students and and really honing in in that uh what is it? Wester discipline? >> The process is in the code of conduct. They've helped all of our schools reduce our exclusionary discipline. >> And we did have two new students join that committee from Hamden High School. They're hoping it was on a trial basis so that they could see if they >> I think they liked it. >> And so I really hope that they do enjoy so we can have both schools represented going forward next year. >> The student voice was amazing. They came up with some some great ideas that we weren't even thinking of as adults. So, I think having that student perspective in our meetings really helps to elaborate and I would love to revisit the student

106representation portion of our bylaws and maybe enhancing some of their roles when they come to present at the board meeting. So, that is on my list. So, maybe some more homework for us. So, thank you. Um and then the bylaws committee >> I mean, Miss Temple. >> Oh, we just talked about it. >> I want to get that on the seat. >> Um I have a few things we got to deal with this summer. Do you want to? Thank you. And then Miss Temple with CAVE. >> Okay, CAVE. Um they're special um office hours with a past president of CAVE uh Leonard Warthart every Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Um sorry. Specific Tuesdays, June 30th, August 4th, August 25th. Everyone should have received this email. >> Mhm. >> Yes. >> Yep. >> Okay.

107And and this is in regards to um talking about uh Blue Ribbon Schools, um Commission on K-12 Education Funding and Accountability. So, feel free to join those if you have time. Uh I talked about this last month as well, but if you have any suggestions around um submitting uh resolutions to uh the Delegates Assembly, that is due August 5th. Um and you should have received an email on June 9th in regards to that. Uh that is all for CAVE. Well, and then there's a conference November 20th through the 21st, 2026 and I'm pretty sure um Heather or Teresa or someone will let us know and sign us up. >> Yes. >> And in addition to signing you up, we're trying to um we have submitted proposals. So, we're hoping some of our proposals get selected

108and so not only will you be signed up, but you'll actually see some of the stuff Stratford presenting here. >> Awesome. Excellent. >> If we get it selected. >> [clears throat] >> Wonderful. Any questions for Kate? All [snorts] right, moving on we have CES with Mr. Powell. >> Yes, so we did meet a few weeks ago in which it was a special meeting and most of the time was spent in executive session. So, the superintendent of CES will be moving on. Um so, he'll just discuss how we are going to move forward. So, there will be um special committees that are formed over the summer to which we'll be looking for a new superintendent. Of CES. >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> All right. >> We're also um allowing CES to they they're celebrating I don't

109even remember how many years, but a lot of years. Um and they are holding their convocation at Stratford High School in the auditorium um to celebrate. They're a good partner to us, so it was a way for us to give back. >> All right, next is myself with the Liaison Committee. We did meet. Um and that's life I It's Carol Fabian who presented tonight. Um we had good dialogue about the capital improvement plan and where we stand with that. Still in the works uh but overall we had our first meeting with quorum, so thank you. >> All right. >> I wasn't able to attend. But I I cleared it [laughter] with you. >> No, I know. >> All right. [clears throat] And uh now we move on to uh good and welfare. Does anyone have

110anything for good and welfare? >> We have Mr. Powell. >> So, I just wanted to take the opportunity to formally recognize Johnson House Elementary School's administration, the Pinky Club, and the family engagement specialist surrounding this community. So, today we did have the honor of um being invited to the dedication ceremony for John's Garden, a living memorial honoring the memory of one of our past students who passed away tragically last year. Um with that, they they took an initiative plant, learn, and grow initiative that was inspired on a book that they had read in which the community had gotten together and made gardens in front of Johnson, and we were able to celebrate that today with John's family. Um it was extremely moving as a Johnson House parent, um the community there has is really something

111to speak about in terms of the way we all try to help each other out. Um so, on that note, I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy summer, and can't wait to see everybody in August. >> And I had the same thing, and she said it beautifully, um but I also want to thank all the donors that helped make that possible. >> Yeah. >> Um so, the community came together and the administration, but we also had a tremendous amount of town donors, and they are beautiful, so please go see the gardens cuz they are absolutely beautiful before the sun comes and burns the flowers. Go see them. >> All right, Ms. Temple. >> Okay. Okay. Um so, Access Educational Services has a STEM event for young ladies. It's called She Looks Just

112Like Me from July 30th through August 2nd, um and it's open to girls in grades 9 through 12. So, I'm saying this because I emailed um the two high school principals and um Mrs. Borges to send this out. This is a very uh this is an important program for young girls who are interested in STEM. So, please sign them up. Um want to make sure Stratford has a great presence. It will be held at the University of Bridgeport. They have a lot of different sponsors and collaborators for this. Um again, that is July 30th through August August 2nd and it's open to girls in grades 9 to 12. Thank [snorts] you, Ms. Temple. Anyone else? Mr. O'Brien. >> Let's see, where do I start? Um Johnson House flag was uh for uh needing a new

113one. So, thanks to the Veterans Museum and the people who donate flags to all the time, we gave a new flag to Johnson House. >> Very nice. >> And Ken, you inspired me to tell a story of two slaves from Stratford that I learned about when we opened the Veterans Museum. I tell the story all the time about Nero Hawley and Jack Arabin, >> [laughter] >> two slaves who were promised their freedom if they fought in the Revolutionary War. Jack came back, was given his freedom, and became very successful businessman. Jack was not given his freedom. He was a good worker. His captain did not want to give him up. But he escaped to New Haven, where he was captured. But a uh Yale attorney took up his case, won freedom for him, and I

114think several hundred other slaves. So, this is a great story I never heard in school, and I I repeat it all the time to the kids that come visit. And then uh we hosted, I think, 15 to 20 field trips this year. And my favorite thing is to write the check to pay for the buses. And we had three eighth-grade classes come recently from Flood Middle School, and they walked to the museum with a police escort. So, we didn't have to pay for that bus. >> Good one. >> And they got fresh air. >> But Diane, I agree. I think we talked about it. Promote it to all the schools to sign up for field trips. >> I just want to add a copy. >> Yeah. >> Um it's enslaved, not slaves. So, they were

115enslaved. >> Mhm. >> So, I wanted to make sure. >> That's what I actually meant to say. Thanks. >> Thank you. Anybody else? >> Yep. >> I I was thrilled to hear this from the Valedictorian at Memorial High School, so I wanted to say it here as well. Happy Pride. >> Thank you, and that leads me to where I was going to go. I have had the opportunity to attend a lot of different events here in the town. Mr. Fiorello and I were able to speak at the Pride event. We also attended the Juneteenth event. Um been all over to the graduations, all the celebrations, and I'm so proud of the town that we are in. And I just wanted to say that it's been a wonderful opportunity. Everyone that knows me knows I do

116not like to give speeches. But it's very nice to go to these events, so thank you. Anybody else have anything that they'd like to add? If not, I hope that everyone has a very happy summer and relaxing summer, and we will be back together before you know it. So, we have homework, so >> [laughter] >> complete your summer reading as well. All right, with that I'm seeking a motion to adjourn. Moved by Ms. Temple, seconded by Mr. O'Brien. All in favor? >> Aye. >> All right, thank you all.