001board meeting December 15th. Are there any changes addition to the agenda? Um I am going to sort of put one in. I'm going to ask in the administrative report if um the curriculum coordinator can go first >> in that or is >> just me tonight. >> Huh? It's just you. Okay. >> It's just one just me. I'm I'm here as a friend. She's just here. [laughter] [laughter] >> You were just telling me that your cut off was >> um any changes, additions. >> Okay. Um approve a minutes November 24th, 2025. I'll take a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Second. >> Thank you, John. Uh, discussion. Um, fantastic minutes. >> Good looking minutes. >> Yeah, I was I I I read through them before I came and wow, concise. >> Very. >> Okay.
002Um, all in favor of approving the minutes, please say I. >> I. I just need to abstain because I wasn't at the meeting last month. >> Okay. All post say nay. Any more abstensions other than Sarah? Okay. Um public participation public comment is not legally required but we believe it is fruitful for us to hear from our community members about their concerns over issues through these meetings. our board model for our students how to conduct public discourse and that the board and members of our community can approach controversial issues in a civil and constructive manner and can demonstrate mutual respect. Having said that, please note that the board is here to listen. Public comment period is not designed for discussion. Please start by identifying yourself and what town you reside in. Any announcements? >> We
003had our play. >> I was gonna say there the play. >> Yes. And it was wonderful. >> I saw you there. >> Yeah. >> You too. >> Through the many years of education, I have been through uh many um Christmas shows. I have to say that the Albert Bridge show was was very nice and very impressive due to the fact that they have a new music teacher only three weeks. And I I really want to point out the fact my excitement that um the SU has a music teacher that has a jazz background and so very excited uh about that being a jazz musician myself. Um and so and it showed it showed in his conducting >> that sort of feeling. >> Awesome. Any other announcements? >> Okay. Policy discussions followed by uh followed by
004motions. There will be no motions tonight. We have a whole new um D23 selection of the access to instructional material. Um, or my wife always picks on me how I pronounce material because it's odd. Um, this is just really boiler plate and I'm confused why we need it, but uh, it must be for >> It's recommended. Yeah. Um, >> yeah, >> this is the one. Sorry. >> No, go ahead. >> Well, Bridget, uh, I was doing [clears throat] a little digging because this is right up her alley with structural materials. >> We we found a more robust policy um on the Mountain View website. So with your permission, we might like to add some changes into next month and bring it back with all of you. >> Yes, >> it won't be exact the same,
005but taking some some of their good stuff and having just a just a note, it's it's access to instructional material, but both this current policy first draft of ours and Mountain Views is really also about instructional practices. Yeah. >> So we may just retitle it in our next round if that feels okay. Well, especially if adding some may clarify what the purpose of this is. >> Yeah. Perfect. >> Okay. D24 special educations revised and recategories from required D7 to recommended D24. Um, this is a first read and reading through this my guess it's to well the only thing that I see changed that well the red line the manual can be found in Vermont agencies of education website. >> So it's basically saying you're going to use the manual. Am I reading that different or
006and we're gonna follow Burpa? No. U that we will follow >> uh state education agency uh free appropriate public education and individuals with disability and education act. clarification on it. Be interesting to [clears throat] our director of special ed. >> She's online. >> Okay. Online [clears throat] >> and our director of special ed has any comment on this? >> I do. Oh, good evening. I'm sorry. [clears throat] Multitasking. I do not have any comment. Um I'm just looking at it unfortunately right now. Um, and this is a required policy. So I there's really no room for discussion. >> Okay, I kind of thought that >> vote. [laughter] >> Well, it's now it's not. So Lor's noted revise and recategorize from required to recommended. >> Um, where do you >> on the agenda? But if you
007have time to look at it, Jen, it'll be on the for next month. And >> y I apologize. I didn't see that that was on one of the um policies we're looking at. I'll take a look at right now. I my recommendation would be to adopt it whether regardless of whether it's recommended or required, but let me just take a closer look at it. >> Well, that's the purpose of approating and we can get input from everybody. >> Thank you, Jennifer. Um, we go back up. This is interesting. B21, distribution of nonchool sponsored literature. Um, in short, this make sure that we follow the first amendment. John. >> Yeah. I question why this is being bumped to the supervisory union uh superintendent when it seemed like could be handled at the district level much easier
008and cleaner. >> Well, the because um before your time, John, and when we redistricted Atlanta Scutney um we decided to make our best effort to have all policy at the SU level. Um, but I don't think that's your question. Your question is whether or not this whether this would be overseen by the superintendent >> as opposed to >> that seems okay >> that seems excessive and it from my perspective if someone wanted to come in and distribute something for a food sale at Weathersfield school it certainly doesn't need to be bumped to the SU >> in the super she emails it to me every time J says can I put this in the newsletter >> yeah issues. So good. >> And so basically um it would be the responsibility of the superintendent to create the
009procedure on how the principles would follow this. And so that's why it is falls on the superintendent. And so that if it is the superintendent's desire to put in a procedure that includes um steps for principles to contact her >> um or or whatever that procedure is um by law the superintendent is the one who helms that responsibility of creating a procedure and making sure the procedure is followed. Um and so >> this the >> is this the first reading? >> Yes. >> So there is a current policy which Lori wanted me to share with you. There are so many changes. Yeah. >> That she couldn't to to rewrite it in red and yellow would have been a whole thing. So that's why it's not colored. >> And I'll just point out too and I
010think even in this policy because I I I hear your point John um under three on the last page it does outline the superintendent or designate so even at a policy level it's >> identifying that they can be delegated down to the local administrative level but no I think that was that was worth >> worth coming over >> coming through >> and so with this as we move forward with this policy um as it is really a complete redo then I think this would be a great opportunity to clarify with a clear procedure >> so that if >> because John I think you have a great point for the most part um all distribution most distribution is just going to be fairly um benign I guess would be a way to put it Um, and
011this this policy really is more to make sure that the rights, at least from my first reading, the rights of um the community and students are um follow without becoming interfered with self. It's kind of one of those things and Christine probably remembers when you take your school law for your principal license, it kind of follows, you know, separation the state, which really isn't any constitution, but you know what what can students do when uh distributing material? Jennifer, >> yeah, special. Yes, >> I'm still hung up on on special ed. Okay. I wonder why. >> Thank you, Jennifer. Um, okay. Any other discussion on um E21? Okay. D3 alcohol and drugfree workplace. Um, some minor changes but uh good changes at least I hope so. the changing of um some wording basically making the last
012part in addition employee who violates the terms of policy will be subject to discipline disciplinary action um instead of specifically laying out the options it they will be subject to disciplinary actions Yeah, the other I could jump in, Bill. The other thing I'm seeing that I think is is good is the and it's it's a small change but a meaningful one. Um changing maybe asked to maybe required I think uh >> where >> I think that's the word. Uh it's the the highlight on the last on page two. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And that I mean that that >> yeah it's a good thing >> I think it's also a little less slightly less prescriptive too after that also good >> any other discussion confuse me more than anyone on board and superintendent relationships. Um
013I I definitely need to read this more carefully next time. Um just sort of lays out how the board will work with the superintendent. >> There's only one change. >> Yeah. >> At least in >> Yeah, >> it's the only change. >> Okay. Any discussion, comments? Okay, moving right along to administrative report. >> All right. Pretty succinct tonight. Uh So, um, I wanted to start by showcasing some great student engagement. As Bill as Bill pointed out, the ABS concert was fantastic and I saw the afternoon show uh so that I could see another show that evening at Heartland, but it was but they've all been very well attended and the students were um engaged and so proud to show off all the work that they've done uh to prepare and it's it's you know it's
014nerve-wracking to be on stage when you're performing but they all did a great job. So, we've had um H Heartland, Albert Bridge, and uh Windsor K5. The 68 performance at Windsor was canceled due to some bad weather um last week. So, that's going to be rescheduled for after the break >> through January 7th. >> Yeah. January 7th. And tomorrow night at Weathersfield is their band um performance and then Friday morning at 8:15 is their is their holiday concert. So, um, couldn't include pictures, but I know they'll be phenomenal as well. >> Did you see Mamame Mia? >> I did see Mamame Mia on Saturday, and it was, uh, fantastic. I I didn't take pictures because they say not to. So, I I I tried to follow that rule because I did get scolded by Jamie
015[laughter] Bernstein once. I was in recording and she's like, "You can't do that." I was like, "Okay." So, it was fantastic. Yeah. The the young adults did a really great job. Um, and it was well attended and it was there were some great um singing voices and it was fun and yes uh and you're you're uh lost. So it was really good. >> It was fun >> all around. Yeah. >> So it's it's a busy time of year but also really um exciting to see the kids perform. So, um, in terms of culture and student and staff wellness, I just wanted to share with you, I don't think I shared at the beginning of the year, we did a staff culture survey, new this year. Um, it was about 20 questions as I recall and
016we looked at the results as an administrative team and the areas that needed um, work or places where we could improve. who came up that the administrators came up with some um strategies. So, I'm just trying to pull up the and tell you what the top results were. Um so, out of the 20 20ish questions, the the questions that scored the highest on the survey were um reported from staff that they uh I feel like I belong at school. That one I said scored the highest. I feel proud to be part of this school. Also scored really high. I have positive supportive relationships with other staff members was one of the higher um scored questions. The ones that were um they were not super low, but they were the lowest of um the questions scored
017were uh there's a sense of trust among staff at this school. And the second one was, I believe that leadership listen I believe that leadership listens to and acts on staff input and I'm confident that adults at my school can have honest and difficult conversations. So administrative team went through a little activity to try to um determine some strategies that they could put into place that would address the areas of need. And so one of the things to build trust was to really promote culture building activities at school to bring people together to build a relationship because you don't trust people that you don't have relationships with typically. So that's one strategy that they're working on. Um the second one is be explicit about the decision-making process. So if you feel like you're not heard,
018um sometimes that's a case of okay, this is a decision that I want input. This is a decision we're going to make together. This is a decision that I'm going to make. So just being really clear about um being really clear about that with staff. And then the third one is use communication protocols to differentiate between listening, venting uh slash venting or solving and fixing. So when staff come to administration, sometimes they just need to get something off their chest. They don't need the administrator to do anything but listen and hear them. And sometimes um if you don't if you're not clear about that, it's hard to know. So the administrators, their goal is to, you know, are you here to vent or are you here to you want to work on this together? So
019just being clear about those things. So we'll we'll do [clears throat] the survey. Um we'll administer it again in the spring and see see if we've made some progress. Um >> yeah, it was it was good good activity. Um >> was is this in all schools? >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> We did it. Um all staff, so support staff and teachers and everybody everybody got the survey. Um, as you know, we've been um really spending a lot of time on budgets right now and Larry's Larry's been um a great asset and resource in that realm working with the principles and boards and myself and all all the all the players involved in the budget. So, it looks like our three local budgets are going to exceed the excess spending threshold this year. Uh, which is
020the first time for I believe Windsor and Weathersfield. Portland has been over in the past. So, Ann Marie Redmond was at a a lunch and learn with the VSBA and um last week and she reported that it it would be helpful to send a letter to your legislators to encourage them to really think about um raising the raising the excess spending threshold. So, uh, I crafted a letter, um, and boards are looking at that to send out. I know Weathersfield already talked about it. I think Hartland is in the works and Mosc it'll be on the agenda when we come back in January. So >> and question comment >> not not a question but I did receive um so I did send out our letter and I received a reply from Joe Major which was
021very encouraging. >> Oh that's great. >> Yeah I can forward it to everybody or if you want me well it's kind of long I won't read it but um he says he's going to be working on it. He he shares our concern and he's going to work on it. That's excellent news. It's good. So, >> good. Thank you. >> Sort of to to clarify, how has the threshold changed from last year? At this point, >> it's uh it's increased a little bit. I think um it goes up based on the >> indicators that goes up by >> Yeah. So, it's gone up a little bit, but um with all of the um drivers of the budget that are out of our control, right, we're not keeping up, right? Yeah. >> so if if governments aren't
022going to deal with healthcare, >> then >> yeah, that's one of the drivers. >> Yes, [laughter] definitely. >> Yeah. And I mean it feels like when this particular threshold came into place and correct me if I'm wrong here but my recollection is that this was sort of a stick that had to do with the budget situation two years ago >> it was actually in place precoid >> precoid okay it's been suspended right >> they brought it back >> that was when it came back though at that time and it >> I think you know to your point with the increase in healthcare costs with you know mandatory costs associated with special education I think you outlined in your letter some of the other ones too like general infl inflation. It does track, but wages >>
023tuition came up tonight. Like >> it went up it went up from 15,926 last year to $16,470. So you're talking about $500 per equalized people. >> You mind? >> Yeah, I can get you the percentage increase, but it's 15,926 last year is 16470 470. >> That's 16 >> 15 whatever that is. 15 926. >> Cool. >> Well, yeah. >> So, a little more than 3%. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um, no, I think it's it's a really great letter. I appreciate you putting it together and I think that it's it's just prudent that we do this and, you know, I I send it some other folks and encourage them to because >> I think even just >> like 4%. >> Yeah. >> It's a little little more than 4%. I think even just in a in
024a sort of from a a branding perspective, right? If we're calling an excess spending threshold at a state level, but it's functionally punishing districts for meeting operating costs, then it's not right >> doing any good. >> Yeah. So, yeah, the more we said it, I think the better. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Um, we have been working at our last administrative team meeting really brainstorming ways to promote our budgets and so we're going to work together on that. some some good ideas have come up already. Uh Larry's been working on a onepage flyer for each of the districts and and that will have just talking points for people um to reference as well. The principles, some of them are planning on either holding coffee talks at school or going to local coffee shops and being there
025to answer questions to engage the public. The board member, some board member, I think at Weathersfield, one board member has already signed on to go with Brian to do that. So, um, and then we're going to work with our communications, uh, part-time communications director, Brooke, on, uh, a video where we're going to highlight how our budgets reflect our goals and our strategic plan. We're going to engage students in that video. So, really show where where the money is going and what it's doing in our schools. So, >> um I just I'm not sure if it's the same for all I mean I'm sure it's slightly different for all the districts, but um I was talking to um one of the Weathersfield voters who came to me about the budget. Um they were concerned about the
02615% increase and that that's not sustainable. And I actually I replied to her, I'd looked back over the last um since FY20. So, um, if you go to our FY22 budget in Weathersfield, we were at 1.95 for a tax rate and, um, our FY27 will be 2.29. Um, which is a total of 17% increase over 5 years. So, that's a total of 17% over five years. Um, from FY20 to FY22, we had that's only two years, we had an increase of 19%. >> [clears throat] >> So, we're actually I mean I know it was it's a lot this year, but overall if you spread it out over the five years, it's really not that bad. >> Thanks, Amry. That's that's a good point. Mhm. Yeah. >> You know, at at at the SU level, um
027now that we're sort of over the hump of the merging, um discussion at the state level, I think it would behoove us to as an issue, and this may be a summer thing, to have a long-term a discussion about things that we might be able to do 10 years, 20 years. Um, I think you know that the I'm not sure the legislature or the governor will or even the AOE will start thinking about long-term plans, but as an SU there's no reason why we can't look at long-term plans. >> Yeah. >> I mean, there there's some buildings that are aging out. There is um shifting of population. And so, in 20 years, >> what is our SU going to look like? and what can we plan to come up and then spread those plans through
028communication to the the different towns and get reactions and >> yeah it's a great idea. >> Um so we've uh as an Marie I think she mentioned Weathersfield passed their budget last week. We've got two more um local budget meetings after the holiday break where budgets will be presented and hopefully approved. So, more to come. Um nothing really new to report on act 73, but I did want to just point out the commission on the future of public education met had their final meeting today, this morning. Their final report will be out on Wednesday. I have I read the draft report, but I haven't seen a new report yet. But and um draft calendar I unfortunately the timing didn't mind if I meet with the union tomorrow. So I haven't gotten their feedback yet. So
029I'll have to bring this back to you, >> but I did send out a survey um and I have the results to share with you. Uh we talked about um potentially considering late starts instead of early releases. So, we sent out a survey to the community and this is the we've got we've received 212 responses which is which is pretty good. >> Yeah. >> Um you can see there that a majority of folks prefer the end of day uh release. There were a lot of comments about I don't know how I would get my kid to school at 10 o'clock. Mhm. >> So, it is I know some districts are doing it. I think Bridget worked in a district that um did late starts, monthly late starts. >> Rivendell. >> Um there were some some
030positive aspects I think. And >> the difference I think for this like Rivendell it was a one K2 school. >> Yeah. And for us, the idea of like Hartland coming to, you know, wherever >> a physical location, >> I mean, they I could see teachers going doom doom doom and, you know, because they have to be back at their sites. Um, whereas when they get done with whatever they do in the afternoon, they can head home. Um, that's the only I just don't know how that would work for joint. I'm sure would work fine. The advantage of both Hartford and Rivendell is they're pretty much >> Yeah, is a little out there, but it's not >> quite as >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And I don't I'm not fully sure >> how they're applying those. I
031don't know if they're >> shifting between buildings on the elementary level or where they're meeting. It might be interesting to >> if they're doing building base. >> Yes. Correct. >> Yeah. And we do some of that on our early release, but um like this year our grade level teams come together. Yeah. So they've got, you know, the kids are dismissed at noon. They've got lunch and about some travel time to get to their meeting by >> 12:45 and then and then they start. So, um, yeah, logistically would be something to figure out, but >> I I I me bringing it up last meeting, I I definitely wasn't thinking it as a possibility for next year, but I do appreciate this. It really sort of clarifies. >> Yeah. >> And hopefully everyone understood what by me.
032>> Well, we put I said, "Oh my god, we did put uh current practice." So hopefully people current model figured it out. But yeah, Bill pointed out by monthly every other month or twice a month to you first. So, um, so that's where we're at with that. So, we'll bring back the calendar next month for hopefully for approval. And, um, and that's the end of the administrative report. >> Short and sweet tonight. Like, we were just together. [laughter] >> We were. Um uh items for discussion is a backup signer. Um >> I've read that backup singer. [laughter] >> So there is no backup signer. >> Okay. >> At this point I would suggest holding off until after the elections in March and then choose a backup signer. >> Okay. Um what are the requirements of
033the backup signer? So we can >> My understanding is it would be if John was unavailable. >> Okay. Okay. >> Good. >> So John is John is the signer. >> John is a signer. [clears throat] >> Okay. >> So not a not not a large requirement. You have to go to the bank and get signed up to be the backup signer. >> You go to the bank via backup signer. We get your signature on file. Yep. >> Uh if in case we ever had to do that. >> Yeah. >> John, >> what brought it up was when I went over to the bank to take care of the paperwork, the bank said, "Well, who's the second signer?" And they seemed a little bit alarmed that there wasn't one. So, that's what brought it up. >>
034Yeah. And then, uh I emailed Cindy and I said uh we thought it was Nancy as a backup sign for the SU. Turns out she wasn't. Uh they must have gotten confused about Scutnik. Yeah. Or whatever. And uh >> and I said Cindy, I said, "So it would make sense to wait till after March at this point." And she said, "Yeah." Okay. >> You know, we could always if John was ever unavailable, we could always have a special meeting before March. But >> Okay. >> Just I would just do it as part of your, you know, how you guys do your reorganizational meetings. I would just make it part of that. Okay. Makes sense. Thank you, Larry. >> Y >> we're looking into that. Um >> yeah, proposed executive session. Do we have an executive
035session? No. >> Okay. Next agenda. Um calendar. >> Yep. >> Um >> quarterly. >> Uh I think >> special report. >> Report. Is it Tracy's report? >> Jen and um >> No, no. I mean, is is Tracy's? >> Tracy is scheduled in February. >> Okay. >> But she's happy to go if you date is February, so it's kind of updated. It starts to feel too long in >> Well, we also have a lot for next. >> Well, we have quarterly and we have the special ed report. >> Yeah. Um, >> so February we've got CIA with data >> and the DEI coordinator diversity inclusion report. Next month we've got special ed for my report. So one of those do not skip. >> Elizabeth, >> thanks. I have my camera off because uh I have a
036wobbly connection, but um uh how do I go about bringing a policy forward? >> Do I just get it written up and bring it to you or >> your questions? >> Uh I think you would I mean you send it to Bill because he approves the agenda. >> Yeah. >> And then he tells me and then we put it on. >> Okay. So, but I guess the question is um do I bring the notion forward to bill or do I bring a proposed um policy to bill? >> I don't. Yeah. [clears throat] No, you would bring the proposed policy. It wouldn't need a motion. >> Notion. She's >> a notion. >> What's a notion? >> Like the idea of it. >> Sorry. >> You could bring either one, Elizabeth. the the you know like like
037anything the more flushed out it is the more likely that we get an idea of what it is. >> Okay. So, you can if you want to throw me the notion and then we can go back and forth and then uh um I mean I know we have four policies on the agenda right now but they're all pretty lightweight policy and so if it's if it's something that you know I I feel um we should look at there's no reason why we can't start put it on the agendas for next month. >> Well, it's it's uh I earlier this afternoon, I attended a a meeting that had to do with hazing, harassment, and bullying and the um agency of education was there and uh there were a number of other people there. Hopefully, there will
038be a story about it. But one of the um proposals, they had a they had a list of like six different um policies that they would like to see. they being a number of students um uh and I don't know people parent adults who work in this area and one of the policies that um so about I don't know six or seven students testified in this meeting and they they the predominant policy that they said they would like to see is one that requires uh mandated reporting of hazing, harassment, and bullying. And they had a whole bunch of different um kind of uh tied in concepts. Um and I think it bears discussion at our board um even before a policy is written. That's why I'm asking. >> Sure. >> It's an interesting concept, Elizabeth.
039>> Yeah. I mean, it's not the thing is that it's not something that could just be a policy. It would have to have really detailed and thought out implementation. um because it would require uh an understanding by administrators and teachers and students and families of what that is and uh uh uh what it would do and and so forth. Um >> yeah, >> and a lot of I think a lot of training as well. >> Well, the the training in itself I I struggle with getting uh in in my position, getting individuals in the education field that I work with to understand that we're required to report reported bullying and harassment, not just uh uh verified. And so even if the state and the federal government requires us to report reported bullying. Um so if
040there's if there's no finding, those still have to be part of the state reporting. Um and it's also has to be part of the federal civil rights reporting, but we're not we're going to continue with that. Um >> I I um >> what you're talking about you're talking about making it a um required reporting for of someone who >> sees it sees it. >> Yeah. And I will say that uh uh Nancy is um No, I know it's not an agenda item, John. I I will say that uh uh >> well it is an agenda item because we're talking about the we're talking about uh setting the next agenda. So >> that's why I brought it up. Um Nancy uh uh not Nancy Pedrick, what is the board chair's name in Hartford? Nancy uh >>
041Russell was also at that meeting and um [clears throat] she made comments about that same policy. So it could very well come to Hartford as well. >> But anyway, I think it I think it bears um discussion. >> Yeah. [clears throat] Yeah. I I think it would bear discussion just because it would also it might be better to incorporate it in a bullying policy instead of just making a separate policy or it may not may fit better in a separate policy. So, >> okay, Elizabeth, send it to me and I will let Christine know if we're tackle it next month or >> Thank you. >> No, you're welcome. Okay. Anything else on agenda? >> Act 128 public school choice. We have to set our numbers. >> Okay. So, >> you Yeah. >> Yeah. Let's get
042those mixed up. >> It's weird. Yeah. Yeah. Um Okay. Think that's funny. Okay, I will take a motion to join this meeting. >> So moved. Second. >> Uh, all in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose say nay. >> Okay. Thank you very much. goes out.