001So, I'm going to call this meeting to order. It is 7:15. Uh, we do have a quorum. All members are present. Uh, and I'm going to turn to Mr. Goodell. >> Just like to take a moment to uh to stand and have a moment of silence for Brian Julian who passed away last week. He's a 2025 senior uh at the Thank you. Um, please stand. Continue to stand. I'm just going to be open. Uh, we beseech you, Almighty God, to bless this meeting of the board of education. So guide and rule over our hearts at our and our minds that all our deliberations and decisions may be in accordance with your will and lead to the advancement and welfare of the community of Straford we serve. We can turn to the flag. I pledge allegiance
002to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. So for some of us our time is almost done. We have one more meeting left. Just for those of you who don't know, our next meeting will be a week earlier on the 17th and we will be holding it at Straford High. Um at that time, the outgoing board members will have an opportunity to speak um give their parting thoughts. Um so, uh that's October, uh September, October is great time of year, fall season, a lot of great things going on. uh last month I was very impressed with our ladies in their reports um how much is going on in the school in such a
003short time and I did talk to our superintendent if we could maybe find a way to because we don't know it on the board and I'm guessing there's a lot of people out in the public that don't know all the great things that are happening in our district in our schools. So I had asked her if there's a way through it or whatever it may be if we could stream it. We do have a communication that goes out on a regular basis, but send it out a link to all of our all of our family members so they too know what's going on here in our schools. And I think it's important that people know um all that you guys do and all that's happening in our school. So, um hopefully we can we can
004get that done. Um no stress. We're just going to make you a little more famous and you know, but don't mess up cuz [laughter] >> All right. All right. >> No pressure. >> You guys did an amazing job. So, you can hear me. I I believe in you. Um, all right. So, we're going to move into the public forum. Uh, our first speaker is Muhammad Abdi. So, you will have uh three minutes to speak and um Mr. Kennedy will give you a one minute warning. So, you can come up to the microphone here. Uh, Mr. Can you just make sure that that microphone is on? Can everybody turn [cough] [clears throat] >> that? >> Yes. >> Good evening members. I don't think I will need three minutes. Um this is my first time doing doing
005this. So we'll see how it goes. Uh my name is Muhammad Abdi. I'm a resident of Stratford for the past maybe 25 years. um all my kids went to school here. I would like today to request the board uh to give us a Muslim holiday at least once a year. Um most of the time I think the holiday next year will be around uh March, but it does come back 11 days each year. So [clears throat] I'm just here to to request the the board to maybe give us a consideration. Uh the neighboring towns like Stratford, sorry. um Bridgeport um uh Shelton I think uh Tremble have already passed this and uh the kids in those schools do get a one day holiday during the the Muslim holiday. So next year I think Ramadan will
006come around February and maybe March something like that. Um I'm just requesting uh the board to give us that consideration. So is there a special day or a specific holiday that you would prefer it to be whether is it part of Ramadan or >> it's at the end of Ramadan. >> Okay. >> Yeah. It's it's called Eid. >> Okay. So we have two of them in a year but we are requesting one. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right. So our next speaker will be Grace Byron Dominguez. Good evening, [clears throat] members of the board and administration. My name is Grace Myers Dominguez and I'm a senior at Straford High School. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight on behalf of the seniors at
007Straford High School about a tradition that has meant so much to generations of students and families in our community, the senior girls power football game against the for years. This event has been a celebration of school pride, teamwork, and community spirit. It's one of the few traditions that bridges generations, parents, alumni, and students alike. Ending it in a traditional format would not only disappoint this year's seniors, but it would also erase a tradition that connects our schools past and present. For four decades, it's been a moment our seniors look forward to as a right of passage that unites the community. We understand that the recent decision to change this tradition seem stems from from concerns over the behavior of a few individuals and notably people who are no longer students. But we respectfully believe that
008current students should not bear the consequences of others past behaviors. Instead of eliminating a long-standing positive tradition, let's address the problems directly and constructively specifically through the portion of graduate pillars of communicator, collaborator, compassionate and engaged community member, and solutiondriven problem solver. We propose putting a plan in putting a well, we propose putting in place a clear, strict code of conduct for all participants and spectators. Players can sign behavior agreements. Attendance can be monitored and clear expectations for [cough] cooperation can be communicated with strong consequences put in place. We can hold triyouts to ensure that the students who are who sign up are willing to be active constructive members of a team. These are reasonable proactive measures that align with how our district handles other extracurricular activities. And we're not asking the district to take
009this on alone. More than 20 parents have already volunteered to assist with supervision, logistics, and coordination to ensure the event runs safely and smoothly. We want to be partners in making this successful. In short, we're asking to not go backwards. We're asking to [cough] move forward responsibly. With structure, accountability, and community collaboration, we can preserve a 40-year tradition that showcases the very best of our students in our schools. Thank you for your time and for considering this request in the spirit of fairness, justice, and pride. [applause] Hi everyone, my name is Madison Vasquez and I'm a senior at Straer High School. Today I'd like to briefly touch upon the annual competition. It's a town tradition that has always been played between vanilla and Strawberry senior girls. A decision has been made this year to erase
010this tradition. It is unfair that the opportunity to engage with our cross town peers has been taken away from us. After all, bringing the town together should be cherished as an opportunity to connect with each other. Additionally, if the rivalry between Benell and Stratford has gone too far, shouldn't that apply for all sports? Shouldn't the Benell versus Stratford Thanksgiving football game be cancelled as well? This brings me to the question, would the same decision have been made if this was boys live football instead of girls? Personally, I was looking forward to playing against my vanilla lacrosse friends since I was a freshman. It is unfair that my classmates and I get privileges taken away from us based on the actions of others. For example, I'm second in my class. I'm the captain of two varsity
011sports and I'm the senior class president and I've never gotten in trouble at school. Why should I be allowed to play flag football? Please don't let few one-off incidences trust or crush the flag football dreams of all Straford [clears throat] Public SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS. >> [applause] >> MICHAEL MARETTI. MARETTI. [clears throat] >> Thank you for allowing me time to speak on behalf of the parents and the students of Straford Public Schools. The purpose of my time is to help maintain the long-standing tradition of the girls powder club flag football game between Strapford High School and Bedell High School. specific specifically the seniors. A little background um sports and athletics has been run uh within my spirit, mind and body. Uh I played pop or football for the Lord Elks, but it was uh four-year starter
012at Don Law High School and uh went on to division 3 Springfield College Pride. Played football for them. I hold a bachelor's degree of science, movement and sports studies. Uh a master's degree in holistic thinking and learning from the graduate institute. I was a PE teacher for 16 and a half years um in the North public schools. Uh when I heard the power to game may have changed formats, uh naturally I was upset. I'm a competitor. But here's my favorite part. I'm a girl dad, right? Um Marissa, my daughter, is currently a freshman. Um a stand out on the varsity girls soccer team uh as a goalkeeper as a freshman. Um, having two parents as teachers, she tries her best as a student, but um, another favorite part, Marissa loves her friends. She values that,
013right? From her freshman squad to senior that senior relationship she's made. Um, it it's one of her cherishable values. So, um, to this day, she tries to maintain friendships also with her friends from Vanell High School. So, that means a lot. Uh, why I tell you all this? Well, although my daughter will not be taking part in this tradition yet, um she soon will be. Um we do have a code of conduct for every athletic event and competition. Uh correct? Right. Yeah. For spectators, officials, even parents. And if we break that code of conduct, we may be excluded from the arena. So, um I would like to throw in my hat in the ring here and I'm going to volunteer as a coach um with my vast experience um and the collaborative effort between both
014the Allen Straford Pies administration PTO and PTAs even with the volunteer coaches. Let's have a sit down. I'd be more than extremely excited to bring forth my ideas um and keep this powder pup tradition going. but um safely and respectfully for each other. Um about 30 seconds. >> Thank you. Well, there you go. Thank you very much for your time. [applause] >> Our next speaker is Kathy Ross. >> Good evening everyone. I speak today in support of the senior girls at both Stratford [clears throat] High and Benell in favor of keeping the annual Powderpuff Girls flag football game as it is as it has been for the past 40 years. SHF senior girls versus Banel senior girls. If the decision to change the format of this year's game is based on behavioral issues that occurred
015in last year's game, it is unfair to punish this year's class for the actions of the students who are no longer here. All that's required is to enforce a strict code of conduct, follow through with consequences should rules be broken. This applies to both players and spectators. If the change has to do with the lack of parent involvement, I think we can just see from Mr. Maretti that involvement and interest is up and I believe other suggestions have already been put forth to remedy those situations. Um, I would invite everyone to involved to see that not every event needs to be a fundraising opportunity. Sometimes tradition, community, and unity across the town is more important. Honestly, it should take precedence more often than it does. On a personal note, I am only a freshman parent,
016but I speak today because within the past few months during my daughter's first soccer season, my husband and I were immediately welcomed by an amazing group of parents, both fellow freshman and upper classmen, and a community was formed. Supporting the senior players and their parents is my small way of saying thank you. We will be in your shoes someday and you are showing us that quintessential high school experiences like the powder puff game are worth preserving. Thank you so much. [applause] >> So I know Mr. Piaza is here representing our superintendent. Dr. Piaza is representing our superintendent. Um, but I would maybe suggest that you reach out to Miss Borges as well and and have a conversation, maybe share some ideas with her. I know she's very open-minded. I I don't know all the details
017of it. Um, you guys have a compelling uh argument, but I don't know the other side of it. So, I would suggest reaching out to her, offer some of your suggestions, and that [clears throat] might sway things. um my not my but I would say that you know she's she's very open-minded and is always willing to listen. So um and I would say probably do it sooner than later because I think you play Thanksgiving, right? >> Before the week before the week before. So yeah, don't waste any time. So she'll be out of town. She's at a convention until >> uh she's coming back Wednesday. >> Wednesday. and I'll share. I took notes as you guys were talking, but again, I would recommend reaching you as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. So,
018good luck with that. Um, and tradition is always important. That's what that's what makes a community. So, um, but it's finding safe ways and and respectful ways to do it. So, um, I sound like you thought it out. So, hopefully it works out for you. Um, we'll move on to our student representatives. Um, our first speaker will be great. Well, let's go with Juliet and Escos. [clears throat] [cough] >> Good evening. My name is Julia Tedesco and I'm honored to be speaking with you again tonight. I will begin by sharing important updates and developments within Ven's academic departments. Students in grades 9 through 11 are preparing for the PSAT to be given tomorrow, October 28th. Teachers are working with their classes using their STAR data along with class performance to help guide instruction and support
019individual students. In science, forensics classes recently took a field trip to an escape room as part of their work in using evidence, observation, and reasoning skills in their class. In English, Mr. Fiori students attended a journalism day at Southern along with Straford High students. High school journalism day is held each year to expose students to the journalism industry and working journalists. Miss Burner's AP literature class went to the Yale rep to see a state production of Norah Zil Herdson. Students gave great reviews. Miss Kamachia attended the CT council for social social studies fall conference in Harvard. Social social studies teachers from around the state gathered to participate in teacher le workshops. Miss Gamachi reports having new innovative ideas to share with her peers. Next, in the school counseling department, our school counselors are busy meeting
020with seniors for post-secary planning. Seniors should check in with their counselors about applications and paperwork. The 2020 2026 2027 FA is now open and small group support sessions with Miss Felia will be held on October 31st, November 14th, and November 19th. AP exam registration is in full swing, and students are encouraged to register for an exam if they're enrolled in an advanced placement course. The deadline is November 3rd. Next month, counselors will meet with ninth graders to review course grades, set smart goals, and discuss attendance, graduation requirements, and how to read a transcript. Moving on to our fine arts department. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the marching band of the Cal this Saturday, especially Superintendent Forges and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dioro and Dr. Piaza. It was a great night of music
021and celebration. For athletics, Nicholas Martino for cross country and Maddie Stanbury for volleyball were recognized as a Cobra's athletes of the month. Our boys soccer team finished the regular season with an overall record of 1024 which qualified them for the number eight seed in the CRAC class of state tournament. Finally, for our extracurriculars, last week the new Bulldogs and training group met with for the very first time at Second Hill Lane and Flood Middle School. Mentors and mentees spent time getting to know each other through a fun snack swap and get to know you activity. They're excited for a fantastic 2025 2026 school year. The women's empowerment club had the opportunity to share their inspiration station initiative at the annual domestic violence awareness month vigil sponsored by the center for family justice. They also look
022forward to participating in the CFJ's annual boo bash tomorrow night. Finally, last week Mr. Cavino accompanied several student leaders the first ever CIA student empowerment day where students had the opportunity to hear various panel discussions from the men of color and women in leadership tracks as well as attending interactive breakout sessions. Thank you to the board for the opportunity to share updates on behalf of our students. From all the academic and extracurricular departments, Ben know students are active and thriving. We're proud to be a part of this community and I appreciate your time and support. [applause] >> Next speaker will be Grace Myron. Good evening members of the board and guests. My name is Grace Marriquez and I'm excited to share what Straford High has been up to over the last month. On behalf of
023Straford High School, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Superintendent Borges and the board of education to their continued support during our NEAS consultation visit. The visit took place from Sunday, October 5th through Wednesday, October 8th, during which the visiting committee observed over 300 classrooms to examine our instructional practices. They also met with members of the board of education, superintendent, Dr. Piaza, SHS administration, faculty, and students. We are pleased to announce that Stafford High School met the foundational elements graded in eight of the nine areas identified by NAS. Representatives from both high schools and summer office recently participated in the Bar Foundation soft meeting visiting Salem High School in Massachusetts. During this visit, participants observed classes and coaching sessions and engaged in discussions with faculty and students regarding their instructional model. The experience
024continued with workshops on instructional coaching, coherence and planning, and leadership strategies to strengthen educational practice. The team were just inspired [clears throat] and eager to continue this important work. The special acknowledgement goes to our incredible be kind crew, art, natural art honor society, national English honor society, and culinary department for hosting an absolutely wicked event for our students. Maria and Michelle once again outdid themselves. The turnout was outstanding. The energy was contagious and the creativity on display was remarkable. The smiles, laughter, and spark of the evening perfectly captured the spirit of imagination and community that defined Sherford High School. Last week also marked our first spirit week of the school year, culminating in our homecoming football game and our first annual cultural celebration. There was music and vibrant displays of cultural pride with students wearing
025colors that represented their heritage. The homecoming game also served as senior night for the football team, the dance team, and the cheer team. We celebrated 31 seniors who have all dedicated themselves to their sport. Congratulations to them. The school counseling department has been diligently assisting seniors as they approach the November 1st college ification deadline. Connecticut State Universities have generously waved their application fees for students who apply by the state. Today, Paul Austin, the admissions representative from the University of Connecticut, visited SHS to support seniors applying to Yukon. The annual faculty versus seniors flag football game will take place on Thursday, November 13th at Penders. This beloved tradition is one of the highlights of the year and all of the with all proceedings [clears throat] benefiting the Todd Schultz memorial scholarship honoring a former coach and
026teacher who passed away from cancer. In the STEM department, the science national honor society recently completed its leadership collections and is finalizing its meeting schedule. Members are eager to promote a love of science through the SHS community. Our science teachers continue to model the portrait of a graduate agency of communication and collaboration as they design and analyze laboratory investigations. In the mathematics department, preparations are underway for participation in the American mathematics competition on Wednesday, November 5th. Our math team recently completed its first math of the season and continues to hold weekly practices to strengthen teamwork and problem solving skills. In the humanities department, students in journalism and yearbook recently attended Southern Connecticut State University's high school journalism day, where they participated in over 20 skill building workshops and heard from a keynote journalism professional. In
027US history, students have concluded their study of reconstruction and are beginning units on urbanization and industrialization [clears throat] in America, examining how population growth and city development shaped the nation. They are developing argumentative claims and analyzing primary and secondary sources to construct evidence based arguments. Finally, in athletics, we have several exciting accomplishments to celebrate. The boys golf team qualified for states for the first time in school history. Congratulations to Max Elman who was named to the all state team. The boys cross country team placed fish in the SBC championship and 13th overall at states with Dylan Asunion and Zachary Tul both earning all SBC and all state honors. The girls volleyball team qualified for the state tournament and will compete against Roswell High School tonight in the first round. Straer High School students are well
028on their way to a successful year. Thank you to the board for the opportunity to share all the amazing things going on at. [applause] So, I'm going to go out of order. Um, [clears throat] our next item would be executive session, but I see Mr. Gresco here. So, uh, instead of making a way down the hallway, I'm going to the opportunity to speak before we >> Thank you. Thank you, Joe Bro 284 Mary Avenue. First of all, thank you all for your public service, uh, getting on the board of especially those of you 10 years are going to be ending very soon. Um, I know what you're going through. So, uh, thank you for the public service and, um, thank you for allowing me to, uh, address the board, send my regular, uh, update from
029the legislature. My colleagues, the delegation are either have prior commitments or are working. So, you've got me solo. And, uh, on that note, um, I come here when things of importance are are happening. So, we are going into a special legislative session on November 12th. And among the things we will take up are a couple of um education bills that did make it through the process in Hartford uh in the 2025 session that ended in June. Uh they had a public hearing. They made it through committee. They actually passed the House of Representatives, but they didn't quite make it through the Senate. So, uh, with all of that information, uh, in a couple of tweets, they're going to be, uh, addressed on November 12th. Both of them are kind of lengthy. So, um, what I'm
030going to do is leave these, um, summaries with Teresa in the back so that if you want to go through what we're going to be addressing, things like, you know, the state seal of civics education, [clears throat] um, the plan for limiting smart devices in schools, kindergarten waiverss, a separate bill, uh, educator uh, certificate subject area endorsements, AIA education tool pilot program. I won't go through the details, but I'll leave them with Teresa. And then lastly, uh, legislators get notified by the Connecticut Science Center that, hey, we're here and have your students come and visit us. Now, I'll leave that with Teresa as well. I know it's it's a hall, believe me. I know it's an hour to get there. Uh, and with a bus full of kids might be not so [cough] easy, but
031it is a great place. And I'd like to also [clears throat] um advocate for and it has happened uh our Straford students heading down to the Connecticut Air Space Center down at Sakorski airport. Uh they uh will make themselves available and it's not so long of a trip. So thank you everybody and uh again thank you for those who are tenure ending for your service. >> Anybody have any questions? >> Say no. [laughter] Have a good night. >> All right. Um, that being said, next item on the agenda will be executive session. Uh, pending claim, [clears throat] Robert and Laura D. Lorenzo. I'll look for a motion uh to enter into executive session to discuss the pending claim with Robert and Laura with Robert Laura Duenzo. Executive session will include Kate Cherillo, Floyd Dugas, the
032members of this board. Um I will be recusing myself from this due to past interactions um with the I guess. Um so I look for a motion to >> and no move. >> Moved by second uh Miss Fidell, seconded by Mr. O'Brien. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passion. All right. So we're going to clear the Okay. I'd like to make a motion to return from executive session. Um there >> second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Um there will be no action from tonight's executive session. So we will keep moving with the agenda. >> Okay. So our next our next well we have a few items attorney's report uh we do not have this evening state legislators already gave the report Miss Rickert is at a conference so
033we have no report there are no presentations so we're going to turn on the next portion of our evening's events over to Dr. Right. I guess I can combine the superintendent and if you want um I'm going to spend this time. I just wanted to talk a little bit more about something that uh Grace actually touched on in her uh in her presentation, the uh the bar foundation for undergraduate convening that uh 12 of us went on uh this past week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Uh so I want to just get into that. I'll try to give the most thorough and concise uh at the same time uh review. Um so this past week our uh PG team participated in the annual bar foundation convening. It was in held in Newton, Massachusetts this year. Our
034project managers are are Dr. Graph and uh Jack Delipiano. Uh they they lead our team which includes department heads uh central office representation and teacher representatives. And this is alongside approximately a dozen other districts across uh New England. Uh just a little background, the Bar Foundation uh is uh we we get a grant through the Bar Foundation to do our work. Uh their mission is to transform public high schools in New England um uh towards excellence and equity for students. Our district has been collaborating with the foundation for several years. Uh they helped us develop our portrait of the graduate framework and we've now entered the critical phase of weaving the Pog competencies into all aspects of our instructional practice. Uh so what what they did this year they helped us uh we worked as
035a team but they helped us along uh to develop what they call a theory of change which is basically our mission for the year um surrounding our portrait of the graduate work. So I'll read you the statement. It's a it's one of those, you know, long statements that I'll try to simplify, but it basically our theory of change for this year is if we invest in continuous high-quality professional learning opportunities focused on task design and implementation of collaborative strategies that we believe educators will be able to facilitate learning experiences that foster growth in both Pog competencies and content standards. Now, simply put, we feel that we're if we provide educators with great professional learning opportunities centered on highquality lessons on how to integrate the PG competencies into their planning and their teaching with a particular
036emphasis on collaboration this year. Uh that's one thing that the uh the Bar Foundation really helped us do is to bring some focus. We originally had a a focus on all five competencies in our PLG and they're like there's no way you'll get anything done if you if you try to attack all five at once. So, we're focusing on collaboration this year because we felt it best tied in with uh the superintendent's goal of elevating student voice. So, we figured it matched pretty well. So, it was a three-day workshop. Day one, as Grace was getting in uh getting into, was a site visit to Salem High School, um which was a great visit. The Salem High School witches. We thought that was an interesting nickname. Uh they actually had a little coffee shop inside called
037Widget Brew, which we thought was very clever. Um but our team, we we value those the school visits the most out of all. Uh we do two others throughout the school year. We also have uh uh the involved districts come and visit us as well. Um and we'll share those dates with you in the future. Uh so you know about them. Uh but we got to observe their Pog integration in action. Salem High School is uh many years. I'm not sure how many, but a good five or six years ahead of us. They were part of one of the first cohorts uh to use uh the bar foundation. So, this visit um really allowed us to see what's what's ahead and where we can get to. So, we walked through their building, observed classes, spoke
038with teachers, spoke with students, which was which is always great. Um and learned about how that you know they made it through their implementation. Uh so it really helped us bring focus to our work and that we started with that because the next two days were really um were back at the hotel in our working groups uh working with our school group as well as the other districts um to to collaborate. Um, so day two and three, you know, really looked at examining that theory of change, making sure it's it's clear, uh, defining what our intended outcomes were going to mean for students. Um, how are we going to measure it? And really, uh, a large portion of the work was defining what our individual roles, mine as assistant superintendent, the principles as the leaders
039of their buildings and the teachers within the group, um, what their role in this work is going to be moving forward. So, um I enjoyed having uh all the different perspectives at the table. They actually encouraged us to invite extra teachers this year. So, we were able to add um a few teachers to the group. Um and um then it the closing session was with Sandy Little. Some of you might remember that name. She worked with our district uh earlier last year. Um and we're going to continue to work with her. She's an educational consultant. She worked with the entire group as a whole on planning with purpose. Uh, and I wanted to share uh, a quote that she used to sort of guide her work because I really thought I it really helped you
040give an idea of where she was going. Uh, it was an Angela Davis quote. Uh, and it was, you have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world and you have to do it every day. Um, and we discussed teacher mindset and the belief in student ability. And I thought that was, you know, was a really powerful way to focus the work uh, that we have to do. We talked about instructional coherence. Uh the word coherence came up multiple times in our discussions. Really being able uh as our group and as leaders within the district to help our staff see how everything fits together, our students uh and as well as the community. So we're really that's going to be a big focus of our work between the vision, between our
041NEAS objectives, between our portrait of the graduate work, helping everybody see how everything we're doing is working uh coherently. Uh so next steps uh following the workshop uh we continue to meet regularly our POG facilitating team um the next steps are we're providing a strong slate of professional development uh coming up on November 4th election day um tied to our PG work. We're developing classroom look fors in the areas of elevating student voice and collaboration. So, we're going to educate our teachers as to what is what the expectations are, and we're also going to educate our leaders into what we expect them to look for when they're walking through their classrooms. Uh, we're hopefully going to roll those out in November. Um, and we're going to develop procedures for both building and district level walkthroughs
042uh with the goal uh for that to be uh in the spring. Uh and also our goal, which we've talked about before at these meetings, is to create a three-year district strategic plan uh to sustain and advance this work. Uh the current plan we're under expires at the end of this year. Um and another exciting part of the work uh this time around, the bar foundation does focus primarily on secondary uh work. Uh we as a district are expanding um our PG team to include elementary representation. Now, Dr. Dioro joined us uh this time at the convening. Um and I'll allow her to speak to it when when she returns. Um but uh and we're also going to include coordinators uh Tamina Khan and Abby Owen in in future meetings in district to hopefully uh
043spread the word into the uh into the elementary school. Um so that's the information on that visit. The only other two things I want to mention and I already said it, you know, the election day professional development coming up on November 4th. Um we have a really diverse mi mix of both districtled and external um professional development. A lot of it teacher created as well. We gave teachers the ability to offer workshops. Uh so we'll share that with you. Right now we're developing a signup sheet that we're going to hopefully get out by end of day tomorrow, but no promises. Maybe uh Wednesday um that they can sign up for. The idea was to balance uh there is some mandatory professional development as there always is. We have to get certain things done, but we're
044trying to balance that with choice. So, so we're we're aiming to give every teacher if they do have one mandatory session in the morning um to give the [laughter] choice in the afternoon or vice versa. So, we're looking forward to an exciting day there. And then the last thing um is the academic integrity task force. Um I had sent out u information to all staff looking for people to to join. I outlined um the work that's ahead. Um I'm happy to say I got over 20 people responding to that. Um I also uh reached out to the board chair. You know, we we do expect to have uh board representation on that committee as well. Uh but we agreed to sort of wait until um the new board comes in and then we'll uh uh
045the first meeting is going to be in November, you know, probably towards the end of November. So we'll see how that coincides with uh uh the new board. [clears throat] Uh but again that's going to play a key role in shaping academic integrity standards expectations for all students across the district. Again we have a policy we want to update it because the current policy does not include anything about the use of uh artificial intelligence. Um so uh we're going to be monthly uh we'll probably do both in person and virtual and um the goal is to meet from November to June and have something in front of the board uh to adopt uh by the end of the school year. So for full implementation uh next school year and we'll continue to provide updates obviously
046at uh at all board meetings as to the work of that committee. That's it. >> Any questions for that? >> Just about the bar foundation. Are they uh open to schools throughout the country or is it just northeast or and how many schools are >> I believe their work and Dr. Graph you've been working with them longer than I have. It's international yet I believe. >> Yes. They primarily serve um there's different cohorts that they work with. So where in the um portion of graduate cohort which is primarily the northeast I think there are 13 or 14 different schools. I don't know if you recall a couple of years ago Mr. Delpiano and I flew out to Colorado and we visited schools out there who were working with them. So there's actually a trip to
047Idaho coming up in the winter. So they are nationwide. >> So we're really lucky to be part of that. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Extremely. I mean and their their guidance has been integral. I mean again to help us you know focus among all the other initiatives in a district you know we we have uh responsibilities and requirements for them deadlines for them to to get the work done and it really helps us keep keep focused and and and they do give us these opportunities when they see something if we're working on something that they see across the country they'll they'll contact us and say you might you know we have these opportunities and and they provide the funding to to uh send us there. So, uh, so it's a pretty it's a generous grant and
048and, uh, it allows us some opportunities that we wouldn't normally have. >> I have a question. I have a point of clarification. Um, I recently attended one of the mayoral debates and Mayor Laura Quitic uh, said you're no longer an alliance district. Could you just clarify and set the record straight whether an alliance district? And if you can't, maybe Miss Manini can talk to it. >> Sorry, feel free. Um, yes, we are an alliance district. I think there was some legislation earlier in the year where they were trying to lower the number of alliance districts down to something called priority districts um down to maybe 15, but we did not lose our um standing as an alliance district and we did receive our funding this year as well. Thank you, Miss Judy. Any other questions?
049I you know just for me it it's and I I don't say without it's not just you guys are all doctors right you guys have an amazing uh degree and education but to see that you guys are taking taking that and you're not sitting on your laurels but but continuing to grow and develop and become better ed better better educators better leaders I think is really amazing. It sets a really great standard and environment of excellence, but to see you guys continue that and and at the end of the day, it it makes our our school system better. You know, you guys can sit and say, "I'm a doctor. I I know it all. You guys just, you know, but you don't you don't you work hard. You continue your education. You continue to grow
050your leadership. You know, there's now an expectation within the district that everybody will excel and you guys are leading the way." And I think that's impressive. And I and I think that shows true leadership. Um, you know, I know in my business as as a as a builder, every year they change the field of codes. Every year I learn something new. I just So, but it's good to see that you do that. It's great to see that you're sharing that and it's great to see that you're developing an environment where everybody you're creating an environment where everybody can excel. And I I really think that's amazing. And and at the end of the day, our students will be the be the benefactors of of all your hard work and dedication. excellent on that. >> It's
051really great to see all the work that's still going into the portrait of graduate because I was on that initial committee 2019. >> Mhm. >> It was before co right? Yeah. It was 2018 2019 that we started putting together the initial rubric for the students and designing the the students involved designing the logos and the you know how it would be presented and how we would you know bring it to the school district and then you guys run with it and it's pretty amazing to see it come to so much fruition and >> I do hear a lot of staff refer to it as like sort of the north star you know that's what we're aiming towards that's so it is good that people feel that way. >> It's good to have a point of
052>> It's good to have that start. >> Yeah. >> Anything else? >> Mini. >> Okay. Um, we talked about this a bit in the finance committee meeting earlier, but I did want to just note that the fiscal year 27 budget development process was launched on Friday, October 17th. um guidelines were distributed to all the schools and departments and submissions are due by this Friday, October 31st. In addition, we did provide board members in their packets with a copy of the budget guideline handbook. And you know that after submissions, um Superintendent Burgess and I will review all the budget requests and the new initiatives [clears throat] and they are coming in. So, I'm pretty excited to review some of the um ideas, new ideas that our departments as well as our building administrators are um offering
053for consideration. Once we get all of this together, we will develop the superintendent's proposed itemized expit of expenditures for fiscal year 27 to be presented to the board in January. And this plan will support student learning. It will align with our board goals. and of course has always remained fiscally responsible. And speaking of conferences, last week I was fortunate enough to attend the Asbo International annual conference in Fort Worth, Texas. And this is a conference that brings together school business officials from across the country as well as Canada to share best practices and emerging trends in public education finance. These sessions focused on a range of timely topics including budgeting, financial and operational management, and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. For me personally, it was really reaffirming to see that our
054district is truly ahead of the curve in a lot of these areas, both with strategies regarding AI and in the strength of our budgeting and financial management practices. I'm also um chair of the national organization's SFO commission. So I had the opportunity to promote that professional certification and encourage other school business officials to pursue their certified administrator of school finance and operations. It's called the SFO designation. Um overall the conference provided valuable professional learning and reinforced our district's leadership, innovation, and sound fiscal oversight. So as much as I felt like I walked away with a whole lot of new ideas and information which is always invigorating, it also helped me to recognize just how far we have come here and that we are definitely heading in the right direction and that was very reassuring as
055well. So thank you for that opportunity. >> Any questions? All right, I'll look um and and your report covered the assistant as well. >> Um All right. So, I will look for an acceptance of the minutes from the September 29, 2025 regular meeting and the Octo October 15, 2025 meeting. >> So, moved by Miss >> Second by Mr. O'Brien. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion pass unanimously. Um, personnel assignments. Look for a motion to approve as as submitted. >> Moved by Miss Carol Fabian, seconded by Miss Angelo Powers. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Those are pass unanimously. Budget transfer. So during our finance committee um meeting we we uh approved a transfer of 1,8168 $838 $83821. Um it was a line item that uh it's it's
056within it it was all within the salaries line item. It was just a adjustment due due to salary reclassifications and new hires and etc. Um, so I look for a motion uh to transfer budgets within the object 100 to adjust for retirements, resignations, new hires, transfers, salary reclassification adjustments. Total budget transfer amount would be1,816,83821. Second move by Mr. Brian, second by M. Bedell. Any discussion? So this is just solely this is something we budgeted for. It was a dollar amount we had within our budget but it's just transferring within the same salary line item. It's just different positions. So this was no additional cost or whatever it was. So any other discussion? [clears throat] >> All those in favor? >> Actually we'll do roll call vote since Mr. Carol Fabian. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Bri
057chair votes yes. Motion passed unanimously. Um, so I believe we're done with finance. So, Mr. Mini, if you would like to go. I know your husband is here waiting to take you home in his chariot. So, >> thank you very much. [laughter] Appreciate that. >> Uh, next item, overnight field trip, uh, request, Yale model United Nations Conference, January 15th to the 18th, 2026. Uh, came from the curriculum committee with a favorable recommendation. somebody. Um so the it's um for hike um it's from January 15th um to January 18th of 2026. Um and the conference is a 4-day international relations simulation for high school students held at um Yale University's campus in New Haven. Delegates from all over the world interact through debate and diplomacy to solve complex challenges facing the world today. Um 18 students
058are interested in attending the conference. Costs have gone up. Um we have done this in the past. Um costs have gone up for the trip because there are more students interested in attending. Um the delegate fee for the conference has increased from 900 per person um students to $145 per person. Um and currently they we have about 945 400 942 in the bank with from last year and then the four contributes to the top 2500 different fundraisers throughout the year for this. >> Um it's just it's been a long-standing tradition at Stford High School. I know that they've been doing this for um over 20 or 30 years. >> Yeah, it's a great Would you like to make a motion? >> Make a motion. >> Motion by Mr. Kennedy. Second by M. Carol Fabian. Uh,
059any other discussion? >> Do you know? Um, I don't know if it's in there. How many students go? >> Um, well, this year there's 18 that are interested. In the past there's [clears throat] been less than that. Some years there's been more than that, but it's it's really grown in popularity and so there's more students interested. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? opposed. Motion pass unanimously. All right. In front of you, let me just make sure we had met uh last week to um do a I guess review the superintendent um and she had presented us with some goals. They are um too long to just read. So, but everybody had a copy. Um, and I had asked anybody if they had uh any comments, suggestions to uh bring it to bring it
060to the superintendent. And so is there any any amendments anybody discussed with her or is everybody okay? No. All right. Um, so once if and once these are approved, I'm going to ask the IT department to post them on our website and to uh send them out through uh districtwide email, whatever it was. uh so the entire district can be aware of what they are, what her plans are um and and if they feel it's appropriate to share evaluation uh the the points of evaluation that they shared with us. But I I wanted to bring it here um and and have it at the meeting so it could become public document. I want to share with the document like Mr. Piaza Dr. Piaza has talked about some of our new goals and initiatives. I think
061this is kind of a a north star as well um for our district where we're heading and what we're going to be doing, I think everybody should be aware of it and I think everybody should uh should be a part. So um so if nobody has uh any discussion or any issue or amendments, I look for motion to approve the superintendent's calls. >> So moved by >> Mal second by Mr. Kennedy. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? I >> opposed. Motion pass unanimously. Thank you. Uh number four, number five, credit card process. I talked about this a little bit during um during the finance committee. Uh it's typically this has to do with uh superintendent travel and some other small expenditures. It's the uh the board chair would go in and sign, but I'd
062ask just so we can so the entire board can be privy to all that information that moving forward any expenditures on that credit card be shared with the board. Um this the board chair or the finance chair whatever the board designates needs to go and sign the approval. the superintendent's travel has already been approved, but just to ensure the expenditures are realistic and does not put Miss Manini or somebody else in a in an awkward position trying to tell her boss that you know if they're not spending appropriately. So, um it puts us in charge of uh monitoring expenditures. Um superintendent. All right. Second read status. Um, so we'll go in order with these since it's a final read and and these first uh seven items, correct me if I'm wrong, these first seven items
063are all mandated by the state. Okay. So, look for a motion to approve uh for uh second read and adopt status 1312.3 and -6161.12. So moved >> moved by um >> Mr. Carol Fabian, second by Miss Pedell. Any discussion? >> Roll call vote. Mr. Carol Fabian. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kennedy. >> Yes. >> Corre. >> Yes. >> Angelo Powers. Chair votes yes. Passes unanimously. Uh 1312.461 61.13 collection development and maintenance. Second read status and final adoption. I look for a motion to approve. Moved by Mr. O'Brien. >> Second by Mr. Cormier. Any discussion? >> Uh, Mr. Gabby. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. G. M. Cory. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daniel Powers. >> Yes. >> Chair votes. Yes. Motion
064pass unanimously. I probably could have done them all together, but um do you want to take the rest of all this one or >> Sure, why not? >> Okay. Just expedite. So 1312.5 61 6161.14 library display and program um 6140 curriculum uh 6171 special ed 6159 individualized education program and 51 18.2 2 the educational opportunities for military look for a uh motion to approve all >> five by Mr. Carol second by Mr. Dell any discussion Carol Fagen >> yes >> Mr. O'Brien >> yes >> Mr. Kenny >> yes >> Mr. Cormier yes >> Mr. Angel Powers. >> Yes. >> Chair votes yes. The five will pass unanimously. Um so public complaints, this is for a first read. Uh there had been some discussion on that. Um and just the language. Do we have the new
065not in the packet? >> Um so we had changed a um Teresa. Do you have that language to change on that? >> It should be as a packet. >> It's not. >> It's page 31. >> 31. Okay. >> This is the Yale model. >> This next it's on the back. It's on the back. >> Where? It's on me. >> So, um I'll read through this just so our new our new general complaints policy. The Straford Board of Ed understands that on occasion a member of the public will wish to lodge a complaint. Such complaints shall be addressed and resolved as close to their origin of concern as possible. While members of the community have a right to petition the board of ed for redress to a grievance, complaints will be referred through the appropriate administrative
066channels for a solution. Ex exceptions will be made when the complaint directly concerned board actions or [clears throat] operations. The proper channel of complaint on matters related to discipline instruction or instructional material should begin with the teacher. If the complaint is not resolved at this level can proceed to the department supervisor, principal and finally to the full board of ed. Um there was a there was a a line we add added to um [cough and clears throat] >> this is M superintendent and there may >> what's that? You said principal and then you said and finally the board of ed and superintendent >> then the board. Um it uh it the the the last line should have been um if if the uh what are we using if the family member if the >> legal
067legal custodian >> if the legal custodian is unsatisfied uh with the resolution to the issue at this point they may proceed through uh they may escalate to legal proceedings um and and file complaints with the state. Um at this point, the superintendent is mandated to notify the board of uh such issues. Is that that's correct? Right. Yeah. >> So that would be that would be the whole of it. Um so I look for a motion to accept this first read >> as amended. >> Well, but first I I'll All right. So I make a motion to amend it to to include the final uh sentence as I read moved second by Mr. Bow. >> Uh any discussion? >> This came from policy with that amended part. >> Yeah, >> that came from the full policy
068committee with federal recommendation. >> Can we get a clean copy? I want I want to see it in writing. But >> this is only first read. Yeah, we're first. >> Yeah, we'll get it as a second read. So I look for a motion to accept as amended. >> So move. >> I'm sorry we might have done that right Mr. O'Brien. Second by Mr. Bow. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Look for a motion to accept as a first read moved by Mr. O'Brien. Second by Mell. Uh any discussion? >> Uh my only comment would be that uh if we could get a clear copy of this for our next board meeting. Just one quick comment too. I just on this one some of the references are the legal references Teresa are super old.
069Can we check with Cab if those references are up to date? >> I will. I know this came from CA but I will circle back with them. >> Yeah. I mean some of them are some of them are real old and I think they're super superseding. >> Or should we send this to Floyd? >> Either way the board's top. >> Yeah. No, let let's check with Cave if it's >> Well, this this is from Cave, so we don't need to check from Gabe because this was their uh I mean, we could ask them. Oh, it's their document. Yeah, >> it's their most recent report. >> Yeah, we can check. We'll check either way, though. So, so as So, we're we're taking a vote to accept as a first read. All those in favor? >> Opposed?
070Motion pass unanimously. So, we'll need to get the we'll need to get the um the language cleared up to include that last sentence. And then we will also need to um verify the uh the legal references for our final adoption. Okay. Uh the next one, 3171.1 non-lapsing funds. I don't remember where that was. >> That was to that was to um eliminate it's a cave policy, but it non-lapsing educational funds. Um, but it also includes um regional um regional school districts. All the all we did was take the regional the um the regional piece out which was the second half of their policy. Okay. >> Cuz we're not a regional school. We we just kept it um focused on our district. >> Gotcha. So on page 36 is the policy. Um, it was changed to
071include Straford in a couple of lines which are highlighted in red and as Mr. Cormier said to eliminate all of the regional pieces of the policy. Uh, so I'd look to for a motion to accept as first read. >> So moved. >> Second by Miss Angela Power, second by Miss Cormier. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I motion pass unanimously. There are no tabled items. Um I'm going to appoint the secretary search committee uh board of ed secretary. I'm going to appoint on that committee existing uh the remaining the the three members of the board that will uh be staying in addition to the four uh newly elected board members. I'm going to so that would be Mr. Angelo Powers, Mr. Cormier, and Mr. Brian and the next four members that will give
072you guys, if you so choose, an opportunity to um to start the process sooner. It'll be up to you guys to do whatever you want, but December is a really busy meeting. If you guys want to start the process, we had some applicants who we thought were um qualified and and ask them to to hang out. you might have to resubmit and ask them to do it, but it'll be totally up to you guys. But it'll give you the opportunity after the November election to start the process if you see fit. Um, I'm going to appoint Mr. Cormier as the secretary for that committee. Um, I I'll ask for a motion to approve [snorts] or motion. I I I made the motion. I'll look for a second. >> second by Miss Fedell. Any discussion? So
073those um candidates that we [snorts] kind of identified have been notified as >> Yes. I was told they would be. >> Yeah. >> All those in favor >> motion pass unanimously. So you guys have your first assignment. >> Um curriculum committee, Mr. Kennedy or Miss Carol? >> Yeah. Um we met a couple weeks ago. Um just information um sharing more so that um didn't didn't take any action on anything. Um but some of the things that we went over are the um preschool MTSS um system. Um I'll give a little background on it. Um Victoria Soil preschool implements the pyramid model of framework of evidence-based practices that support social emotional development in young children. Um this year CES has provided training for staff and will continue throughout the year. Um, couple of the other things
074that um, we talked about were the elementary report card revisions. I'll give a little overview of that. I think that's important for everyone to hear. Um, the revised elementary report card are scheduled to roll out. In the 2026 2027 school year, key change will be the shift from quarterly reporting to trimesters. Parent teacher conferences will take place before grades are issued. In addition, the common bake is being created to assist teachers in providing consistent and meaningful feedback and specialists will also be included on the report cards. Um the sixth grade report card may be modeled after the middle school format. They are also looking in at emails um emailing the report cards instead of going through power school. And then um that was really um the majority of what we talked about. Can I Yeah.
075Can I just mention one other I was not able to attend unfortunately, but I did want to mention the presentation by John Donov and Frank Peters. I know they presented a lot of the STEM curriculum that was again supported by the board. So I just wanted to acknowledge that they they presented >> And who are they? >> Uh I'm sorry. They are the STEM coordinators. Okay. >> Uh for both high schools and and middle schools. Um so they presented the revisions that took place for geometry, integrated math and grade seven math and then in science, human biology, environmental biology, biodiversity and grade seven science. So a lot of work was accomplished over the summer. Uh the reason why it's not up for any action is is again we talked about this with the language arts
076curriculum too is that the idea is to to not just write it and get it approved. We want to implement some of it and we refer to it as a pilot so they can make revisions throughout the year and then we'll look for final approvals at the end of the school year. Just so you know. So, so all that work did get done and it and it's and it's continuing to be re you know revised and reflected upon and hopefully uh by the end of the year they'll have the complete curriculum to for more approval. >> So the work is done and the research has begun. >> Yeah. All the work continues for sure is >> uh Dr. Kaza, [snorts] can you speak at all to the [cough] restructuring of elementary report cards? And I
077Sean mentioned that, sorry, Mr. Kennedy mentioned that um the sixth grade would be modeled after middle school now and um are we going to see letter grades in elementary school now? Like what what's going on? I have not been involved in the work, so I'll say that upfront, but I know yeah, that that is part of the discussion. >> Okay. >> Um and I know that's something that uh middle school teachers as well have have been pushing for. >> Yeah. >> Um so I I'll I'll defer and wait until Dr. Jorio's here, but I know that's part of the discussion. >> I' I'd love to hear those discussions. >> Anything else? >> Uh the other thing that uh they went over um I wasn't part of it, but I I'll read a little summary. Um
078Dr. Ariel will um give a presentation on the second grade swimming pilot. Um I'll just give a little um summary of it. The YMCA is offering a national program focused on water safety and swimming instruction. They would like to pilot a six to 8 week session for second grade students only. The YMCA has obtained a grant to cover all program costs. Um, as part of the pilot, students would um, receive swimming lessons twice a week with each session lasting 30 to 40 minutes. The program would be implemented at one or two schools, possibly Nicholls and Cox. Um, just do you have anything to add that? >> Um, no, it was a grant that the YMCA received and so they're going to begin it with um, as Mr. Kennedy was saying with piloting it with two
079schools and then expanding um to other elementary schools to service all of our second graders um you know living on a coastal town with water and um the tragedies that have occurred in our town recently um they want to make sure that our children are safe and know how to swim and that's another great example of community community partnership. Anything else? Finance. >> Just met. Move some money around. [laughter] Waiting for the uh we're waiting for the audit of the 2425 school year and uh that should be available to us in a couple weeks. >> Um and we've been given our march marching letters for for January. Yeah. >> So, yeah, once you've [clears throat] got Do you want to do you want to just >> Yep. We can go over. So, the the the
080board um not the board, the school system was delivered the budget preparation packet. Uh and um the timeline has moved up a little bit this year um so that there's some more planning time for the district in general and the board. So, the board will be presented a little early this year where it's usually the end of January. it'll be kind of beginning of January. Um, and allow a little more time to either work through it and or get it to the town with a little bit um get a proposal to the town with a little bit more um time behind it. So, hoping not to make it as much of a rush. The schools are responding well. Miss Van Dji is fielding a lot of questions um and they'll be building their budget over
081the next several weeks. Any questions? >> All right. School plant and planning. So, there was some discussion about doing the board doing a feasibility study to look at some long-term planning for um for our district. Um we've Miss Manini reached out to um the company formerly known as Slam to who had done our uh redistricting. They had given us a number that seemed reasonable. Uh Teresa is in the process of of setting up a present >> and I do have some new information. They are available on November 13th. >> November 13th. Okay. So um November 13th. So I am going to schedule I'm going to be cancelling our plan planning meeting on the uh 6th. I believe it would be scheduling a special uh board meeting on the 13th to get a discussion and presentation
082on SLAM. I've spoken with the superintendent. The information that they would provide would be helpful not only, I believe, to the board, but it would absolutely be helpful to the administration as they do some of the long-term planning. So, my hope is we can listen to what they say, make sure that what they're uh proposing is of value, that we initiate uh that that feasibility study, and then that information would go to the board and the administration, the new board and the administration to do as they wish. Um, I wanted to do it after the election so that the newly elected board can come and participate in that plan planning meeting. Uh, hear the information and and figure out their next steps. But it it's not only for the board, it's also for the administration
083and their their long-term planning and their goal setting. And I think one of the big things this new administration has done is to set some serious goals with some shining north stars for us to head to. And I think this will help us do that as well. Uh in addition, I am and I am I see Miss Gra Dr. Graph in the back. I am going to schedule a tour of Banell um with the uh new new board and the new council um to make sure they have an understanding of of what your needs are. Um it's been a process. Thank you. and but I haven't let it go and I have till December 10th to uh initiate as much as I can. So, um I wanted to do it after the election again so
084that um we can make sure that those who are involved now who want to take the walk can do it but those who are coming in will have that opportunity. So, I'll be inviting the the incoming council and the incoming board to take that tour and hopefully they can pick up the ball and I will continue to do as much as I possibly can throughout the process because I know that's a priority. So, um but once I I'll I'll reach out to you during the week and we'll schedule some dates and but it it I would want to do it sometime in November after the 13th. All right. Um, >> I just have a question about um that slant presentation that we just heard about on the 13th. Is there a cost to that? I
085know it's just a pre-presentation. [cough] Is there any [clears throat] cost involved in that? >> Not to the presentation. >> Okay. >> I think Miss Mandini has talked about the cost of the >> I just wanted to know about the presentation. >> Yep. Um, the town did not meet the policy review. Mr. Brian, >> October 15th, we had a relatively short meeting, but we did forward the two policies uh that we voted on earlier and there are subcommittees continue to do good work. Chris, you want to mention that one you're working on to identify those that are >> we're breaking up the the the policy book just so it so that each year we're doing about about a fifth of the of the policy um a fifth of the policy. So there's a 5 year
086will be a 5y year rotation of of um checking for updates not necessarily updating making sure that they that they're looked at at least once every 5 years. So any changes I made because we haven't found many that haven't been recruited in many many years a thanks for doing that. >> That is it. >> So yeah I mean the policy committee as we're hearing through the curriculum committee have been have been very ambitious and and uh over this last two years um I think even that the reviewing all the policies in the five years is a ambitious goal. There there was a lot of them there. There's a [cough and clears throat] and As you saw, six of the policies we passed today were mandated by the state. So you constantly have new mandates from
087the state. So you have to update because of that. And as things change like our discipline policy, our cell phone policy, our AI policy, there are new things constantly coming down the pipe. So it's an ongoing process. Curriculum continues to grow, policy changes. So it's uh imperative that that uh you know they take a proactive stance and and I think the policy and curriculum committee have done an amazing job over the last two years of of taking on that task. So I commend everybody here on this board for all their hard work. Um athletic review >> did not meet. Naming committee did not meet. Personnel committee uh did not meet. Uh CABE >> um the CABE uh conference is November 21st through November 23rd um in Mystic, Connecticut. I believe uh Mandela Powers and Mr.
088Cormier will be attending um and it's a great experience. you hear from other boards of education, superintendent um throughout the state and it's a great time to collaborate and understand um what's happening in every district not just in our own >> um just add there's also a one a one-day seminar for new board members that comes up in December I think it is mid December and it's it's after everyone's been sworn in but I think right [clears throat] >> so I just just people who were running uh for board that it's really a very important, very um informative uh seminar to attend and I'm sure we'll the the district will make sure that registration >> do you know the exact date or >> would you know it's always >> I can find out >> believe
089it's like December >> is it in that packet that we just got here >> it'll it'll be somewhere well this year but the I doubt it'll be the 20th that's the legislative package >> it may It may be right after expiring. >> If I can make a note too about the CAD conference, we just got word today that they're inviting us to uh bring along or to invite at least three students to uh a student leadership portion of that on that Saturday. >> Um the conference I think it's Friday to Saturday. Uh so we'll be identifying those uh student leaders to come. >> Do you know that date? Is it is it >> it's the 21st and 22nd? different. >> It's different than the new board conference. It's the K in this. >> So for
090new new for those running for the board, um you could probably go to cavec. They have a website and I'm sure they would have it there. If you're serious about your desire to win, then I would say go to that website, find out that date, and exit out on your calendar. It's an informative session and and worthy of going. So, um, yeah. Okay. Um, >> December 9th. >> What's that? >> December [cough and clears throat] 9th. >> December 9th. Okay. So, for all newly elected board members, December 9th, >> and that's at the Sheridan Hartford Hotel in Rocket Hill just >> um CES. Um, no updates from the meetings, but um, we really continue to get um, acclaims for our AI. Um, anytime anyone mentions AI, whether it's at any CS meetings or anything like
091that, they're always saying Straford is ahead of the game. So, kudos to us. Great. >> And that again, we've said it before, but that was a collaborative effort, you know, with staff. Mr. Kingston from the town came over, Ron Ang, we had people from the public, you know, Strapford as diverse it is that we have a diverse working population, some really brilliant people who were who were in the industry. Um, as I said, I was the I was the test dummy. I didn't know anything. So, if I could figure it out, then they figured it was good. Um, but it it was a great policy. We invite invited a lot of staff and and there was 20 plus people and and because of because of the collaboration between the town and our staff and our
092[snorts] our community um and our board members, we came out with a really great policy and as Mr. Kennedy said, we're we're being recognized around the state for our progressive movement on that. So, uh that those are just the great things that can happen if we all work together. Um building needs. So, No, that's >> U. Tonight we approved the minutes for five projects um five uh board pro five school projects uh that were completed over the last month. We've accepted those projects as completed. Um and by approving the minutes now that sends it to the to the town building needs committee where they will accept it and the town will be able to uh start the audit process and and get uh its reimbursement for those. We're in the process of finalizing Straford High.
093Um and hopefully we can have that. I was hoping to have it done this evening, but there's still a few pieces of paperwork that need to be completed. So, um, I may need to call a threem minute meeting, special meeting just to get that. It it's really just it's one motion. So, but anyway, if if we get it together, I'll I'll reach out to you guys something that's convenient for everybody. But it will literally be a three minute meeting just so we can move it along and hopefully if we can do that, then we can accept the minutes uh for that at our November meeting and then the town can start their reimbursement process. the state is still holding back a large chunk of money and there were some issues but um I think they've
094resolved them all. I think they you know had to do with contractors and other things things out of the hands of the town but um I think they've all been resolved at this point or or on their way. So uh hopefully we can get that done for them. So that's it on building needs. I mentioned our uh next board meeting will be at November 17th. It'll be held at Straford High. We'll be rescheduling the November 24th meeting just due to its proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday. Wanted to move it back. Um if we had to, if there was pressing issue, we could do a quick special meeting, but hopefully we won't. But at that meeting again, outgoing board members will have an opportunity to say to share their parting thoughts. Uh does anybody have anything
095else? >> I do. Good stuff. Um I had the opportunity to um meet with the team at Worcester um as part of uh all schools do it for you know to bring in the you know the whole team together from the school to discuss what's going on and what you know what could be better what they're hearing from you know the students and staff and um Worcester's got some pretty great stuff going on right now. Um it's not very often that our middle schools get too much kudos. Um but uh they they're on top of their they're on top of their game over there and it was great to see and great to hear. Um the students and the staff are responding exceptionally well to the cell phone policy. Um you know they're they're getting
096things done around the building. They're in touch with the town. They're in touch with, you know, the the safety departments and um, you know, first responder departments and they are, you know, making some great strides with, you know, student behavior and and things like that. Um, one of the coolest things that came to the table was the cafeteria staff and saying that they do something called display lunches. Um, and it's where they literally cook in front of the kids. Um, and I thought it was the coolest. I didn't know it was going on. I have a son there so he doesn't tell me anything. Um, but it was amazing to hear and I would love to see that kind of spread to some of the other schools if that's possible because I think it's really
097cool. I think the high schools probably see a little more of it with the culinary programs and stuff, but maybe it would bring some interest to some of the younger kids if they saw that too. So, just wanted to throw that out there. >> Right. and do [clears throat] promote our culinary program quite a bit. But that was pretty interesting. >> Mike, >> I have to mention that at least six schools will have veterans day events spread out on different days highlighted by Banell and Straford High's great culinary departments providing u lunches and uh so appreciated and we get more if you have a if you're a veteran, if you have a relative veteran, have them contact our schools to attend those events. Also, we encourage people to attend the November 8th Veterans Day parade.
098This will be the third annual parade on Saturday the uh the 8th. And look for 40 banners to go up on Main Street recognizing our veterans starting uh in public works will probably put those up the first week of November. >> Are we going to see you up there? >> I don't know if I'm not. [snorts] And I just want to say I attended a wonderful event put on by Straford SEPTA. Um that's special education PTA. Miss Cerillo presented on all the wonderful programs that we offer here in Strapford and how we support our students with exceptionality. So it was a really great event >> and a shout out to um the Benell High School marching band in the Cavalcade. Um, I've had the pleasure and honor of attending that for the last four years
099and helping to present awards and um, as always, a remarkable job. And I know it was not easy for our new band director to fill those big shoes, but um, second year down and, uh, holding on strong to um, an excellent program. [snorts] >> Well, it is >> 854. Motion to >> second.