Weathersfield School Board Meeting - August 12th, 2025

001Call to order the Weathersfield School Board meeting for August 12th at 6:31 p.m. Let's start off with the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag >> of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands to nation under God, indivisibley and justice for all. Okay. Um, John Erison has something that he'd like to read to us. >> My wife was cleaning out the library at the D Foster House. They have many stacks of oldtown reports. I'd like to read some excerpts from 1871, the superintendent of schools report. Only read little pieces of it. We had at that time we had 13 school districts, 13 uh one room school houses. >> Just in Weathersfield. >> Yeah. >> Oh, wow. >> District four, uh, Miss Ella Martin of North Springfield kept

002the summer term. No whispering was allowed. >> District five, the winter term. Miss Eliza Fairbanks of Springfield. This school was full of trouble from the beginning. The teacher failing to enforce strict discipline and although the school was not first class, it might have been more profitable by the cordial support of the parents. District six summer term taught by Bell Eaton. The school is well instructed but discipline was much too mild. District 8, Letty Bower, 34 students, it's all in one room, some of whom are under four years old. It may do the children, it may do children of four no good, no harm to send them to school. Neither does it do good. The school is not likely to benefit from their presence. District nine. The winter term, Alonzo Harlo, whose mild rules in regard

003to whispering and unwillingness to administer physical reproof were taken such advantage of by the larger pupils that he resigned in the seventh week. I had to look up the definition of reproof and the the best one I come up with was the biblical term that was atonement of your sins. uh district 12. The summer school was well conducted, no doubt profitable, but the winter the teacher was unable to govern the school of lost all control of it and it closed in the 10th week. And on the last page, in view of the fact that whispering is the greatest evil to be combed in schools, a request was made to the teachers of the summer schools to send for publication the names of such school scholars and did not whisper during the term. And there's a

004list of all the kids that did not whisper. >> Whispering. >> If only that was >> what we had to do for discipline. >> Thank you. >> Um, okay. Uh, up next we have any changes or additions to the agenda? Okay. Um I don't know if anyone did any board engagement. I mean it's summertime so I don't think there was really anything to be done. Uh if anybody has anything speak now. Um then next we have the approval of minutes. Uh we have three of them to do because we had a special meeting and a board retreat. So um we have the May 13th meetings. I'll take a motion to approve May 13th meeting minutes. >> So move. >> John made the motion. Is there any discussion? Anyone? >> Okay. I'll guess I take Can

005I just do a voice or since there's two online I have to do roll call? >> Roll call. Okay. All right. Uh Vincent, >> yes. >> Darl, >> yes. >> Megan, >> yes. John >> I >> and I am also an I. So that's unanimous. We approve the minutes for May 13th. Next up we have the minutes for May 20th. That was our special meeting. Um so uh we'll take a motion to approve those minutes. >> So move. >> John made the motion to approve those minutes. Is there any discussion? No. Uh, Vincent, >> that's yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Megan, >> hi. >> John, >> I'm also an I. So, those are approved unanimously as well. And then we have our meeting minutes from our retreat um on June 10th. I will take

006a motion to approve those minutes. >> Move to approve. >> Okay. Don made the motion to approve. Any discussion? Hey Bener, >> that's yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Megan, >> I don't I'm also in I. So that's unanimous. So we're all done approving all the minutes. We're caught up on our minute approvals. Uh do we have We don't have any public participation. Anything online? Uh, no. >> Okay. So, we'll go back to the administrative report. >> Over to you. >> Sure. >> Yeah. All right. So, it's the leader learner report for August 12th, 2025. So, we'll go ahead and start off with our mission statement. The mission of Weatherfield School is to prepare and empower students to be leaders with a global vision by helping them develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration skills, and creativity.

007Um, we have a PTO report from our new PTO president, Jessica Brown. So, I saw Jessica in the audience online. So, Jessica, if you want to take over. >> Hello. Thank you. Um, so yeah, as Brian said, we have sort of had a little bit of a changeover on our executive board of the PTO. Uh we had our annual meeting in June. Um Meredith Kelly departed as our vice president of the board. Her children have moved on. So um she was with us for a while and we really uh want to thank her for her years of service. Um with that we reelected our whole new board. Um so I am now president. Jamie Richardson is now uh vice president. Carrie uh Juel remained treasurer. Um and Lizzie Craig has taken over for secretary position

008which used to be Casey Dillingham. So, sort of a a fresh new board on board. Um, so with that, we did end the school year providing the Kona Ice for the uh field day um and volunteers. So, that's one thing the kids look forward to every year for field day is Kona Ice. So, um we were happy to provide that again um this year and hoping to provide that again next year for them as well. Um, otherwise we um have been deep in the trenches planning for our 4th annual paw drop that's coming right up on Friday, September 19th. Uh, we've been busy all summer working on that. Um, we have some great vendors and activities returning. Um, but also some new exciting activities and vendors uh, planned for this year, so we're excited for

009that. Um, and then I think the new swing set was delivered. I haven't made it up there to see if it was installed. Uh, but I do believe the new swing set that the PTO uh purchased has been delivered to the school. So, that's very exciting as well. >> Yes, it has been delivered, but has not been installed yet. Use our growth mind there. >> Nope. That's awesome. At least it's on the property. So, that's great and exciting. Um, we look forward to having that installed for the kiddos. Um, I know that I'm on the agenda for later to talk about um getting approvals and motions for our upcoming fundraisers. I don't know if you want me to go through that now or wait until my turn on the agenda. >> I think should go

010over them. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Perfect. All right. So, um we're looking to host a handful of fundraising events for the coming school year. Um one of the events that we hold every year is our apparel apparel sales. Um, in the past we've done that in the spring and fall, but we have partnered with Clever Cow Design in Springfield, and they have created a store that's open 365 days a year, so anybody can go on at any time and order apparel, which is great. Um, but we will do sort of some push sales in the fall and the spring. Um, so for back to school, um, and then again in the spring, um, when we do those, we do allow folks to have that delivered to the school versus needing to go pick it up

011or get shipped to them. So, um, we have that. So, apparel sales, um, again, that's sort of all year. Uh, October, uh, date to be determined still, uh, but we are hoping to host an adult bingo night. Um, this will actually take over for our adult comedy night that we normally have scheduled in the spring. We're going to switch that up a little bit. So, we're looking to host bingo in October. uh November 23rd, which is a Sunday, we are looking to host our make it and take it event, which is a free event that we provide to all the kiddos in Weatherfield School. Um and surrounding communities come to that as well, uh which they get to make their crafts and take them home for gifts for Christmas. But with that, we also host

012a craft fair. Um and we do, uh have vendors pay for their spot there, and we do a little raffle there. Uh the week of December 1st, we're looking to host our holiday shop, which is where we set up on the stage and all the kiddos can come and uh shop for their loved ones or friends or or themselves. Um and for that whole week, we have that set up during their lunchtime where they come and shop uh for the holidays. February 7th, we're hosting our family dance, which we host every year. Um, so that's for K through five and their families can come and uh join the dance for free. Uh, the only thing we really make money off of there is we sell carnations. Um, so pretty much that is a free fundraiser

013for um, our students. Week of February 9th, we want to host our second annual coin wars. Uh, we did that last year and had great success and our kiddos loved uh, checking to see what class had the most coins or money in it. Um, so we're looking to host that again this year. And then on looking again forward to next year, next September 18th would be um our proposed date for our fifth annual pod drop um that we'd be looking to get approval for because we do start working on that um starting in like June. Any questions? >> No, sounds great. Okay, thank you. >> Thank you, Jessica. We appreciate it. Look forward to working with you. >> Thanks. All right. So, next up, um, Vince, I'm not sure if Carrie is able to do

014a report or not. I didn't check in with her, but I can give a brief athletic report if she's not there. >> Yeah, I don't think I don't think she can do that right now. >> Okay, no problem. So, athletics, uh, the signups have been up and ready to go and we're looking forward to supporting soccer and cross country for the fall sports and our sports program is continuing to grow. So, we appreciate all the hard work everybody's been doing with sports. So, thank you very much. All right. So, student perspective. So, we did send out our um we sent out interest sheets to students to incoming eighth graders to become our next school board rep. So, those went out and so we will have the kids um some of them turned them in. We

015did say that we'd wait until the school year started just in case some kids change their mind. But, um we had about 20 kids that actually requested a a form which was pretty amazing. Um and so it is a larger class this year. So, we'll have a lot of students if they turn them in to go through the interview process and pick out the right student to hopefully be part of our school board. And I know our next school board meeting is scheduled for September 9th. So, hopefully we'll have somebody in place by then. Can't guarantee it, but that'll be our hope. Um, if we get those back right away and just remind the kids those first few days of school. Um, we also had during the summer time, we had our third annual steam

016camp which has been Yeah. Third, no, fourth annual. >> Oh, wow. Yeah. >> Yeah. because this is my fifth summer here. Yes, the fourth time. So, pretty awesome event. Um, it was four weeks again. It runs simultaneously at the same time that our summer academy runs. Um, we had 46 students. That was up from 33 students last year. We have average class size of 33 students or a max class size of 33 students per week. So, we allowed students sign up for one week or the other instead of they didn't have to sign up for the whole deal unless they wanted to. Um, it's a pretty inexpensive camp for parents. It's $150 a week. So, it is all funded through pause and through um donations from parents. If parents can't afford to go or need

017some financial assistance, we allow that. They had four different theme weeks. Harry Potter was the first week. Then they had a dinosaur week and the dinosaur diaramas are up on display in the front case. They also did outer space and then they finished up with Pokemon. The kids did many, many different activities throughout the week, which was great. And I know some friendships for games from the students and they did have a lot of fun. Um, I was able to check in on them and see how they were doing. And they just did such a great job. So, a special thank you to Lyanna Robinson, Terara Smith, and Crystal Serell for all the hard work that they did. They plan it all. They sell they run it. They take care of everything. It's amazing how

018they do it. Um, and then also a special thanks to Ian Rose and Carrie Jacob from our Windsor Southeast Supervisory Food Program for providing both breakfast and lunch for the kids and snacks. So, awesome event and I know kids were all excited about it already for next year. Um, so summer updates information went out to families to let them know about their classroom placements. Um, that's something that we changed a couple of years ago. So, our K5 students all got a notification and a letter from their teacher wel in the main welcoming them to the school year. So, it went out on August 1st. So, parents should have gotten all of those. If they haven't gotten them, then please contact us because something happened with the mail. We did have a couple here and there,

019but we we got them taken care of and got those out for families. And then sixth through 8th grade know their basic schedule and then they can also hop on power school to see it as well. Um and then we do have our welcome back barbecue and open house on Monday, August 25th and that's from 4:30 to 5:30. Dinner will be served from 4:30 to 5 and then classroom visitations are 5 to 5:30. So, it gives families a quick snapshot, gives students that opportunity to see their classroom before they come into school and helps alleviate a lot of that anxiety both from the students and the parents as well as the teachers too. Um, and then we're also the pilot school this year. If we're going paperless, that's okay with enrollment process. So, anything that

020needs to be updated on the enrollment, parents will do it all through Power School. So, we are going to be completely paperless. That's because of the amazing work that both BJ and Carrie do in the office. They said, "We're ready for it. We can do it." and so they're taking it on to be the pilot school because we're we're those trailblazers here at school. We appreciate that. Um some of the summer projects that are going on are could show staff did an amazing job again with cleaning the school. Um our school was ship shaped as usual. Um and even with summer with our steam camp here too and having that added pressure of having that here for four weeks and maneuvering around that school looks great almost ready to go for students. um students will

021be here in two weeks. Um they did some classroom modifications. We changed around a couple rooms a little bit to make them better out for students. So those are getting finished up with projects as well as redistributing furniture. I'm one that makes wants to make sure that the furniture matches in each classroom. Um I'm a little particular that way and we need to make sure that things and we have the actual we have all the actual desks and chairs. We want to make sure that they match and so they look uniform. Um and then we um have had the opportunity to get some new bulletin boards and redistribute and move around some of those that we have so that we can showcase students work on the hallways and in the classrooms. And then also removal

022of obsolete equipment. So we've had some things on the walls um like TV mounts. We don't have TVs, we have boards. So we've been removing some of those things to get them so it's cleaner, sleeker for the students when they come back in the fall. Right now, our enrollment for elementary level is 160 students. Middle level is 81. So, 241. So, we're staying steady right about just above that 240 student mark, which is a good way to start the year. Um, safety drills. We're going to be sending out a tenative schedule. We'll go out to all staff so staff knows when the safety drills will be and we'll be following the um Vermont guidelines of doing our fire drills as well as our intruder um safety drills that way. And so staff will have an

023idea and then we'll notify families. We're going to be doing a drill the following week. We'll say, "Oh, families." And put in our newsletter saying that we're going to be having a drill, a fire drill, so please talk to your child about students for fire safety and such. And so we do all the drills um to make sure that kids can evacuate the building quickly and safely, but also not to make them scared either, but to make sure that they know that they take it seriously. All right, here's our spring data report. I'm going to go ahead and share that part right now. Okay. So, our students our schoolwide wise 100% of students will grow in reading and math proficiency. The percentage of other field students will increase in math proficiency from 50 to 55%

024is measured by the STAR assessment by June of 2025. And the percentage of Weathersfield students will increase in reading proficiency from 61 to 64% as measured by the STAR assessment by June of 2025. All right. So this was as of um June 6 or June 9th, sorry. Um so our spring and our winter, if you can see that. So the winter one is on the top and so we had 63% of our students 63.43% 43% that were um above the benchmark in reading and then in the spring we went to 64.29. So we had a little jump heading in the right direction for sure which is great. And then this is our star early literacy. So this is students in kindergarten through 2 grade. Again we made we made a pretty significant jump there. We

025went from 50.98 to 55.1%. So a little over a 4% increase which is great for star reading for early literacy. >> The test also increases in difficulty. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> And then star reading um grades two through five.88 to 61.47%. That again is for reading. So um star reading grades 6 through8 we dropped a little bit. Went from 73.97 to 69.44. Um, we were looking at that trying to figure out what it could have been, why it could have happened. Like Christine said, the test does increase in um, difficulty. Also, it could be testing fatigue at the end of the year because this is going after BTCAP, everything else that we have. Not trying to make excuses, just trying to figure out why it it dipped a little bit in there.

026So, um, it's something we're going to look at, make sure that kids are taking the test seriously as well. Um, as a middle school student, when I was one, I didn't always take everything seriously, but we're also just looking to see what could possibly be why we had a slight drop there. And then we'll go on to math. So 55.22 to 55.07. So had a slight drop in math overall, but >> but about the same because you're going to plus or minus that. Um, in math star grades, star math grades 1 through two, we went from 46.81 to 51. We had an increase. Um, grades 3 through 5 had a little bit of a dip. 56.79 to 54. And then, um, math grades 6 through eight basically stay the same at 58 58. So then

027if you go into demographics, we break it up. So um free and reduced lunch eligibility. So our students stayed in um star early literacy for free and reduced they stayed exactly the same 35.71 in both winter and in spring. where in um star early literacy non green reduced we went up by about 6%. And then um star reading 57 to 62 and then 67 to 65. So our star early non pre-induced dropped a little bit. Um math comparison three and reduced 39.74 to 48% and then from 67 to 58 that took a hit right there. So Mrs. Humeler and I were taking a look at that trying to figure out why. So we're going to be diving a little deeper in that data. Um students and IEPs 31.25 in spring 37.25. our students and IEPs

028were improving in that one. Same thing with star reading. They're getting there. They're meeting their goals. And the same thing for students in math. They increasing as well for students in not sure why some of the discrepancies we can guesstimate and see. We can go back and break down the data a little bit further. This is just a snapshot right now of the data, but we can see why they did it. See if there's anything particular so we can really dive a little bit deeper into Megan. Were you gonna ask a You look like you're start ask question. Sorry. >> So, um, how many students is it down by? So, like from the top to the bottom for I guess that largest jump >> which means >> you know our numbers are students isn't that

029high. So, when you look at the percentage, what is the >> like three students? >> Like three not very many. It's not very many students because that that's one of the things when you have a smaller group of students obviously your numbers are going to one or two students having an off day doing whatever can really change your whole dynamics of what happens on the test. >> And then how to compare against the state benchmarks. uh Weatherfield I think is above the state and reading and map and I think across the SEO >> I think I think I think still I I can't remember exactly where Hartland landed but um >> yeah definitely left >> definitely not so >> so it gives us some room to work on some things take to look at it

030and see and dive a little bit deeper into where we're going and teachers with the help of Christian will take a look at that data and see where we can go next. >> Probably you cut back on whispering. >> Yeah, >> it might be the whispering thing. So, >> you're having a talk about that conversations about it. Okay, so go back here. >> Any other questions on the data report? >> Any questions? >> Is this posted uh available? Um it'll we can put it in on our minutes. >> Okay. I I would find it helpful if it would posted before the meeting. So at least take cursory look at at things like that before the meeting. >> Absolutely. >> This test match the curriculum progression. >> Yes. >> Okay. So what we teach is aligned

031>> which is nice. It's never going to be perfect, but yeah, it it is aligned fairly well to what we're teaching as far as >> All right, >> you're just kind of confused. >> okay, there we go. >> Okay, so the next thing on my list is our school continuous improvement plan. So, this was done up because we are we do receive title one school funding. So, we're a title one schoolwide program. Um, we took a look at all of the data. Um, this is something that we had the help of Christian Hubner as well as Bridget who is our curriculum director. Um, we took a look at all this information, plugged it in together, and were able to come up with our improvement plan. Um, it's 11 pages, which isn't bad compared to what

032I'm used to doing. in California, there were like hundreds of pages. Um, so we went through, we had some parents that also participated as well and caregivers. And then we did have a student in here too. She wasn't listed on the initial one, but um, we had one of our seventh grade students that gave some input as well on the overall plan. >> And this will um, I don't know, the states changed so many times. We used to have an SUI continuous improvement plan. Uh it was a two-year plan, then it went to a one-year plan. Schools would still have to do their own schoolwide plans. If you're a title one school, you have to do a schoolwide plan. This year, each school has to have their own continuous improvement plan and it will take

033the place of the schoolwide plan. So, >> so there's no ICU plan. there's still they're all aligned because we um Bridget has to do a data inventory to come up with where we need to show growth. Um and so she did that prior to the teams looking at, you know, where the goal goal area should be, but they're they're pretty much aligned, which is important in terms of what we're going to do for professional development and how we're going to use that time with teachers. So there's consistency across the SU. Brian is going to just go over kind of where the data landed. These have been vetted by the AOE. No, preliminary preliminarily approved. They can always be updated with the changes. So, okay. >> All right. So, we established goals in this. So, 100%

034of our students will grow math and reading proficiency. Um, we're looking at the STAR growth report, classroom based measures, and unit assessments. Um, in the middle talks about our evidence-based strategies, ways we're going to get there. And then these are the tools that we're going to do on the right hand side as far as using our CIA director, instructional team leader, interventionists, professional development, um all those different ways of getting their leader in need, title one, title three fund, title two funding, and then of course our local fund as well. So our overall goal is to have 100% of our students grow in math and reading proficiency. And our second goal is the percentage of Weather Weathersfield students who are proficient or above in the Star Reading Assessment in grades three through eight will increase

035from 65% in the winter to in 2025 to 70% in the winter of 2026. So 5% increase, which is a pretty lofty goal, but I think it can be that. I know it can be met. So same type of thing. We're going to be some of the tools that we're using here to be able to get there for our students. >> We are we are going to measure winter to winter. I think that's a better measure. I think like beginning of the year's oftent times some summer slide and you know being in school and working with teachers and interventionists until the winter gives you a better picture than the fall and the spring. So we will we'll see this again in the winter. Yeah. >> Percentage of other field students who are proficient or above

036on the STAR math assessment in grades 1 through eight will increase from 54 in the winter of 2025 to 60% in the winter of 2026. Same type of thing how we're using it. One thing that um might be a change for some teachers, we're really going to um implement a spir spiral review of math so that the beginning of each class the students are working on um skills that they've previously learned just to bring them around and and continue to practice them which um you start that at the end of the year. >> We did. Windsor Middle started it at the beginning of the year and um their scores jumped considerably in that. So we believe it's going to make a difference. So >> um do we have an equity goal by the winter of

0372026 performance gap on STAR math will decrease by 10% for students in free and reduced lunch and their nonfree and reduced lunch counterparts. We'll be using our interventionist title one funding to do that. Talk about the spiral rule. Yeah. >> For fluency in grades K through eight, just that Christine just mentioned. >> Okay. And then we have a culture and wellness goal. Create a culture of attendance by ensuring students stay connected to learning, feel a sense of belonging, and get the support they need. the percent percentage of students that are chronically absent will increase from 15% in the winter of 2025 to 10% in 2020 for the winter of 2026. So we'll be using some of the tools we have here. We have our leader media team obviously family engagement. We have school engagement coach

038um homeless school coordinator. We're going to start utilizing some more of those suide um resources that we have to be able to make sure we're decreasing our amount of students that have um chronic absenteeism. Make sure the kids are here in school because if they're not here in school, they're not going to be guarding. >> Okay. And then percentage of K3 student Weatherfield students who demonstrate proficiently according to the middle of the year dibbles which is another screening portal we use to to be able to see how students will do with grading will increase from 56 to 62% in the winter >> and that's based on the law F1 139 we have to we have to do that we have to have screener and notify parents um and students are in need of support. Then

039we do a regular progress monitoring. >> Yeah. >> See what we're doing. >> Any questions? >> It's a good plan. >> All right. Back to you. >> All right. Leader and me um had some great opportunities so far with leader and me. So we had two of our new staff members that are train that attended the um leader and me training that we had on July 21st and that was a regional training that was offered to us by Franklin Cubby. So we had not only two of our staff members that were there um I I was there as well as other people within our SU and then other surrounding schools that were are becoming interested in leader. So it was a great opportunity. Today we met with our lighthouse teams to be able to talk

040about the goals that we would like to do for next year to further expand leadership here at the school with our students and our staff. Um and it was a great opportunity today for our teams. Our teams are super excited afterwards. And then we have an additional training on Thursday with um the seven habits for new staff members. We'll be able to make sure that everybody is able to be up to speed later >> which Brian is leading. Brian and two other principles and your district coaches. So, >> I was there this morning. Was a really >> good feel in the room. It was um good, honest conversations and some good directions. So, just a shout out to Brian and >> thank you. >> Yeah, >> really excited. Our team is really excited for Weathersfield

041and they came up with some great ideas and they're lofty goals, but I think you'll be able to accomplish them. And one of their goals is to become I know it's really small, John. Um, and then one of their goals is to become a um a lighthouse school, which means that we're one of the elite schools within the winter system. I'll read those off because they are small. I didn't realize how small they were until just now. So, uh, next Monday and Tuesday, we have our new teacher orientation. Um, and so that'll be happening there. Um, August 20th and 21st, we have teachers back in the building. They have to be here by those days. And those are teacher prep days. On the 22nd, we have our welcome back for the SU and professional development

042day. on the 25th. We also have more professional development for our our staff as well as our welcome back barbecue for our community and classroom visitations. And then oh, building base day. I forgot to name a um building base day will be on August 26. So that's when I get the teachers and the staff here to be able to go over all of our plans for Weathersfield for the upcoming year. Um and all the fun activities we'll be doing there. August 27th, first day for all students. August 27th through 29th. Those three days that we have um the first three days of school, we have all kindergarteners. We started that a few years ago where they all do sort of it's a slow roll out. It's a soft opening um where we have them just

043go for an early release day. So they get come to school from 8:00 to 12:00. Parents pick them up. That way it gets the students ready for the following week where then they come to school for full days. and then finally five days a week after that. So the slow full slow full roll out for our kindergarteners as well as the kindergarten teachers. Um September 1st, Labor Day, no school. September 9th is our schoolboard meeting. And then September 9th is our PTO college drop annual mentioned earlier in her report. All right, and that is good for me. Does anybody have any questions for me? Thank you. All right, here I go. Then next. Okay. Um just a couple of exciting things that have happened over the summer. Um we did run another successful summer academy.

044Um as you know we funded it for past three uh prior years, three I believe with ESR funds. Those ran out. They're over. So this year we funded it with Medicaid money. Um as long as Medicaid stays intact, we can probably do that again next year. But if we get signs that we won't have those funds, you know, we may have multiple conversations. Um, it's a wonderful program. We had about 88 I think we had 88 students sign up and it's summertime, so our average daily attendance was around, you know, high 70s. um as people take vacations and it's not many kids make all four weeks, but um we did uh another year of um Wednesdays were field trip days. So the kids um they're there Monday through Friday, but Wednesday they're out and about.

045Um they went to the climbing wall, they went to Stores Pond, they went to um they did a Sunbe Cruise, they went to Echo Lake, I believe. So they've they've had a lot of good experiences. Um, lots of happy faces and some of them are sad on the last day, some are happy, some are sad. Um, we held a responsive classroom training this summer for staff. We used some carryover title funds. Um, didn't want to lose them. So, we um asked if there if there was interest with staff to run um responsive classroom. We haven't done it in about eight years. I think it's been a while. It's a wonderful training. We had 28 K5 staff sign up and two central office staff who participated. We do have some ongoing consulting during the year, but

046it really um I I did the training when I was an elementary teacher and it was probably the best training I ever did. Really, they don't teach you how to um manage a large class of children in teacher college. So, responsive classroom really helps you hone those skills. So, um, I think with, uh, you know, we're working on some discipline stuff this year, and I think that'll really help our teachers have a leg up. Um, leadership, as Brian mentioned, we did have a regional training. We had, um, five of our new staff attended. I believe we have another one, um, on the 14th. O'Brien is excited about that. And another five, I think another one signed up today. So, six new staff, which is great. And we don't have a ton of new staff this

047year. So I think most of them are going to be trained. Um and we had our lighthouse meeting today and and again it was it was really fabulous. A lot of good work, a lot of colleagues and it's nice when they when the staff came in this morning I just watched and oftentimes when you're at a training you go sit with the people that you know and are most comfortable with and they were all spread out um amongst the different schools which which was pretty exciting I thought. um curriculum materials. I know this has been a little bit of a um hasn't been as organized in the past. This year, uh Bridget Ariel, the new curriculum director, and Wendy Moody, her assistant, they did uh an inventory in the spring and the summer. What do

048we already have on hand? We don't want to waste money or um paper printing. So, they did a they did a whole inventory, used the numbers, uh surveyed staff to figure out how many, you know, digital or paper copies of of um supplies or resources they needed and then did the order. So, the orders are in, they're delivered. The hallway at the central office is empty. There's more boxes of books and so teachers will be ready to start, which which is important. One of the worst things as a teacher is not to have the materials you need when you start the year. So, just a shout out to all that the work that they did. Um, the ad AD team has been um spending a lot of time together this summer, probably more time than

049we have in the past. We we spread out, we often do a retreat and we did a retreat, but um we didn't do, you know, several days in a We spread out the time over the summer and we worked together a lot of work on our behavior handbook um and our behavior matrix which which really guides administrators and teachers and and parents and students around what the expectations are, what you can expect to happen if you're not meeting those expectations and you know what you can expect to happen if you continue to struggle with you know particular expectations. So we aligned on that. We created some presentations that we're going to um present to students when they come back to staff um during the building based in service day and and also community. So um

050it was a lot of collaborative work. We feel good about it as you as you heard John reading about discipline back in 18 what was it >> discipline is still hard in schools today and and it's something that we're always working at. Whispering is probably the least >> and whispering is probably the least of our problems. But you know, school is a place where you're supposed to make mistakes and learn. And so, but we want to be clear about what the expectations are so students can rise to the occasion. Um, we are doing some work around HH um, which is hazing, harassment, and bullying. There is a new policy in the works. I don't think it's going to be ready for the start of school, but you know, we do have a policy in place

051and we're just refining, making sure that every step to that process, um Tracy Price, our our coordinator, our director of diversity, equity, inclusion, helped create a flowchart so we aren't missing any steps along the way. We have a training tomorrow with uh Heather Lynn who is our lawyer and who's wellversed in spent her think 20 year 20 years in the realm of HHP in Vermont. Um so we have a three-hour training tomorrow with her with our designated employees and our principles. So there are people in each building who receive reports. Um the administrator has to determine whether or not to open a case. Um but the designated employees can help with the investigations and so they're going to join us. Um many of them are going to join us tomorrow. Um we've been updating our

052handbooks. We're just about done. The last one uh been working on our welcome back presentations and just doing some systems work um around our schedules and um chronic absenteeism Brian mentioned as one of our goals. So we do have three school engagement coaches. Those are new stipended positions this year that are WSCC team which is whole school whole childhood community um team which is a an SU team with community outreach. So there are people from Mount Scutney on that on that committee and they've been working with us but came up with um school engagement coach positions funded out of what's called EPSDT money. So, it's not budgeted money. It's um and these individuals applied and they are going to be um proactively working with families and students who struggle to come to school and not

053in a punitive way, but in a helpful like what can we do, what's going on, what's getting in the way. So, you'll hear about that that's new this year. Um but we've been working on kind of those roles and responsibilities as well. So, we've been busy but been good. um an updated financials was on here. I did Larry is on vacation, but um I did reach out to him and so I I we reported last time that we're expecting a we were expecting a pretty big deficit in special education. So as of now, um nonsp special ed SU budgets pretty much straight on um or right on which is great um not over or under budget. special ed. We're still waiting on one last uh revenue check which will arrive in September. Larry's estimating between

054a three and 400,000 deficit. Um that's worst case scenario. Um I talked to him after I talked to you John. I called him to see if he had any updated information and he um he said there that's probably worst case scenario. It might be a little better. you might have some fund balance you can apply. So, not as bad as I think I recorded what 1.2 million at one point or something like that. >> That was scary. >> So, not as bad as um we originally um expected. Um I I will say that Jennifer Jen Hol, our new director of student support services, has just been on uh on fire, I should say, she got here. she started July 1 and she just has so much experience in special ed. So she has these wonderful

055ideas and she's she spoke to us about um a guide for um determining pair professional support. So oftentimes when you're in the meetings with parents and teachers and it's it sometimes they're difficult meetings um and and everybody wants what's best for the student um but but we don't have guidelines or we haven't had guidelines to determine what um what the criteria are for a student to receive parent professional support. So having guidelines around that will help and so she's bringing those to us. She also is um brought a fade plan to the table, which is when a student goes on an IEP for extra support. Um it's really good to have a plan to fade the support away so that the student can become an independent um learner. And so that's that's a new idea

056for us, too. But I think those things will kind of help us stay stay within our special ed budget in the future. Um the only other update around finances. So there's that. Obviously Weathersfield pays a portion of the overage, not all of it. Um the I briefly asked Larry about where Weathersfield ended the year and we haven't had the audit yet. That's late September, early October. Um but he's thinking it looks like right now you are the Weathersfield budget is $68,000 in the red um a deficit and I said >> does that include >> no that's that's separate and I was like tell me where that why that is and so when he looked and again he's on vacation but looked briefly which I'm grateful for. Um so it looks like when Ed who used

057to do the local budgets prior to this year which would have been you know this budget um the healthcare line was over so that could mean um different people took different plans and and that wasn't accounted for in the budgeting. So, and some of it is the the gym floor which comes out of the general fund and the capital reserve fund credits back but not until the next year. So, in the 26 um yeah 26 budget get your straight that money will will be reimbursed but it's not in the actual year that it's spent. You approve it in that year and then it's so that was what 30 >> 30 something,000. So >> we can look at >> Yeah. So I just wanted you to have that information >> as um we move forward. And

058if you want more detailed results on that is happy to come. He's just not here right now. So um okay. So I have um I sent you the board survey results. That was part of the what we talked about looking at um during the administrative report. So you have them. I I if you're here, you have to complete the copies. >> And I know sometimes we use these to to set goals for the year, board goals. And you do have two draft goals that can be updated, changed. I haven't approved them yet. So, um, >> could we go over this with the board goals? >> You want to wait until there? Yeah, we could do that. Hold up on it. That makes sense. >> And then I think that's my last slide anyway. So, yeah.

059So, that is um the admin report. Any questions? Any board members? >> No, we're good. >> Stop sharing. And you are handing it back over to you, Andy. >> All right. Um, so up next we have um items for discussion, followed by motions if needed. Um, so we already heard about the PTO fundraiser. So I guess we'll go right into a um a motion to I'll take a motion to approve the U PTA PTO fundraiser list. >> Move to approve. >> Okay. >> As presented. >> All right. Um, John made the motion to approve. Um, is there any discussion? Anyone have any comments on any that we heard or questions about it? Okay, I'll go around and take a vote. Vincent, >> yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm also

060an I. So, that's unanimous. We approve the PTO fundraisers for FY26. Um up next we have H454's impact on boards which I guess I'm passing it back to you. >> Yeah. Yeah. So um H454 is now act 73 signed into law by the governor is act 73. >> Act 73. Yes. And um as you probably heard Yeah. You know I don't have a ton of report because there's a lot that is in the works. Um, so there's a task for one of my favorite little gifts to get. It looks >> No, I was I had a um a >> slideshow that Yeah. popped into that. Um so there is a um task force for setting boundary lines um the redistricting task force that has a charge of um reporting back to the legislature in late

061December up to three plans for redistricting. One of those has to include an SU model. Alongside of that, there's another task force that is going to be working on the role of school boards, which um John, is it okay for me to share this applied to be part of that um that committee? >> Maybe. >> Well, you got I I I have a meeting to talk to somebody about you. >> Yeah, me too. >> So, you know, honestly, we don't know the role of boards until that committee completes their work. Um there's also the future um the future of commission uh on public education. The commission on future of public education has morphed into a committee um and they have a charge as well. So really there's a lot of unknowns and I think things

062are likely to change a little bit as we go along. I was in a meeting last Thursday with um Secretary Saunders and Jill Brings Jill Briggs Campbell her her deputy um assistant and they were um talking about the there's some special ed um research that has to happen as well and they have to bring back some information to the legislature on a plan for special education and funding and uh I think it's in in three years maybe. But they talked about um the graduation requirements which are due back to the legislature in I think December and they're going to ask for an extension because it's just not enough time to to do the community engagement and get feedback from from teachers and students on what those need to be. So it's just a moving target

063right now and I'll just keep you updated with what I what I hear and learn. One thing that I'm curious about is what happens to each school district's um like things that we own like this building. >> Yeah, good question. >> Like the H Nipples >> thing. I mean that because that is written in >> that that's supposed to be for Weathersfield students. >> So it shouldn't really be being taken over by the state or by a larger school district. >> I mean they're great questions. I don't I don't know the answers. I mean I have questions like what happens to our teacher contracts? what happens to the building we're leasing and have a you know fiveyear lease on you know all of those questions um they're big questions and they're going to have to

064be answered you know before my biggest or significant concern that I have is that they had charged AOE with an enormous amount of work to do in a very short period of time and traditionally they haven't been their normal work done and now we're asking them to do all that so I got a feeling that that there's going to be a snowballing effect Yeah, >> things that aren't going to get done on time. And the legislator's famous for kicking the can down the road and extending deadlines. >> I mean, I know the redistricting task force met. I listened to their meeting. It was like a three-hour meeting and they set some goals and they were introduced to some software that can help them look at different districts and, you know, draw the lines. Um, they've

065got, um, I think five or six all day meetings coming up. Um I mean we've got a lot of work to do to figure figure out the recommendations. We are um the Southeast Superintendent group which we meet regularly. We're meeting with um Chelsea Meyers. She's the director of the Vermont Superintendent Association just to brainstorm ideas to share. and will at our SU board retreat on Monday on the 18th. We we're going to talk about talk about it a little bit more, but um I know the funding formula is not going into place next year, not until the districts are all figured out, but the class size minimums do take effect next year. So, um Larry and I were talking about uh a way to figure out if we're going to be in compliance with the

066class size minimals. I think we're gonna be okay, but do some work around that. So, >> yeah. >> The other one thing I wasn't particularly pleased with was the representation and as usual, South Rour seemed to be a little skinny on representation, but then >> yeah, >> everybody up north seems Yeah, they kind of forget that we're we're down here. >> I know. I know we do. Um, I do have the names of the people on the redistricting task force. I can send them to you all. So, I'll do that. We do have um Jay Badams who was the superintendent at um Hanover. He just retired. So, he's one of the one of the retired superintendents on the on the task force. >> With the list, can you include like who they like information where

067they come from? They'll >> send it to you. Okay. Yeah. Any other questions about act 73? >> Okay. We'll move on to um C which is the staffing decision. Um do you want to present a little bit about that? >> Yeah. So I gave give you all a um a list. So we did develop two different schedules. Uh >> the top one obviously is with the Friday not being in place and then the bottom one is where we're utilizing that additional 20% throughout the week and plugging them into higher profile or higher um enrolled PE classes and such. >> Okay. So this is just this would be the schedule for the librarian, >> right? Yeah. So we did two schedules up because we always like to have Yeah. >> one or the other just in

068case. So, >> uhhuh. >> Um, so there would be obviously the increase in the person, but it that person the librarian would be distributed across the week. So, it's not just a couple PE classes. She'd be in six PE classes to help out. >> So, you changed your schedule with the library. >> Yes, we gave both. Yeah. So, and the nice thing is one schedule pretty much mimics the other. We only had to make a couple adjustments. So right now teachers all have a tenative schedule of the one without the library here on Friday but if we had to switch it we would only affect a couple of teachers prep time which they're aware of that possibility. Um so uh so we can either ask questions now or um we could take a motion to

069approve um and then have discussion. Um I guess I'll take a motion to approve and then we'll have a discussion. Does anyone want to make a motion to approve increasing the FY26 bud FY26 budget by $15,000? I'll move to approve so we can open the conversation. >> Okay, John made the motion. Um, so, uh, I guess does anyone have any questions or comments they want to make regarding this? John, >> the wording even in the um agenda, it says increasing budget by 15,000. You can't increase the budget. voters voted x number of dollars and that's it. Um I cannot support this until I see the line items that are going to be deleted or or modified to make up the 15,000. Uh we already heard that we're going to be looking at significant red ink

070to make up at the at the special ed fund and pro and some red ink in our own budget. Uh I can't support it. I'm sorry. >> Anyone else? >> Did you get any further feedback from the teachers who requesting this on when we last left it? I know this part wasn't figured out. Um, they seem to like the idea. I don't know if they were sold on it. Is this significantly better and what they were looking for as far as feedback goes? Yeah, I did get some feedback from the ones that were affected. So, especially our PE teacher, obviously, um she was happy with having the increase because it would make her job even more doable than it is now. Um it would ease off some of the more, you know, highly impacted PE

071classes um and give her some more opportunities to breathe throughout the day. Does anyone have anything? Do >> you see any avenue uh short of short of adding money that accomplish what we're trying to accomplish? >> Um right now with our budget and we already made some cuts beforehand um before we got our budget passed back in March. Um there's areas that we can always try to skimp in and try to be, but with rising increases and everything. Um as far as health care, as far as cost of teachers, um I don't see any items right now, right off the top of my head. I mean, I'm sure as we go if we went line by line, we could find some money, but I also would not want to finish in the red. So to

072try to be able to show up and be positive as much as possible. I mean, there's always cost ways of fixing this problem like getting the upper class students to help out with the transitions or someone else on the staff to help out with the transitions. >> We could try to utilize some of our support that we have here at school already. We do have one locally funded parah that possibly could go in and help out on some of those transitions as well. Um because she's willing to do what we need her to do obviously because that's part of her job. Um that would be one way to do it. Um it's >> is the high school tuition numbers, the number of pupils uh where we budgeted for or above or below spot on? >>

073We're about spot on still, right? From where we budgeted >> because we did I mean we had we always see those trends where some schools you know we get more like this year we had more students that went to Windsor compared to some of the other schools and Windsor this year was a little bit cheaper than some of the other schools. Um we had 22 kids that went 21 kids right around there, right? 21 22 kids because a couple of them Yeah. >> that went to different schools. Um and we lost about the same number. So that was sort of a wash at high school tuition. >> Plus all of our receiving schools can adjust their numbers in December, >> right? >> Which not much you can do about it either. >> No. >> Christine,

074was there a cost savings? And if so, do we know how much with um reinventoring school supplies? I I'm not sure that that would be 15,000, but is that an area that could help in this case? >> I mean, we could probably save a little bit on supplies, but we don't >> I'm sorry. I mean, when you went through and inventoried for what you need. >> Yeah. Yes. But that's that's the SE budget. So, all curriculum materials are bought through the curriculum department. Yeah. So yes, at the SU level which benefits leather shield long, >> but locally locally I don't your supply budget's not not um huge. >> No, it's not huge. We we've trimmed it >> over the years. >> Um Vincent or Sarah, do either of you have anything you want to say?

075>> Okay. Um, I would like to just add um to what John said. I don't think that it's prudent for us to increase the budget at this point by $15,000. Um, we are already, as you've seen, in the red. Um, so I know that healthcare costs are going up, I believe, 19% for next year. >> Yeah. Um, our eighth grade class is large, so our tuition will be going up next year. Uh, it's hard to take things back once you've given them. So, if we did 15,000 this year, next year we'd have to just take it right back again. So, I don't really see that it's good to do. I don't, you know, to get her used to having an extra person there and and then take it away from her. that seems like it'd

076be better for us just to figure out something that we can do that doesn't cost to help her with her transitions. Um, so that that's my opinion and I plan to vote no May. Um I apologize if we asked this already from last in May, so jog my memory, but um what did the what does it look like for um for PE teachers for the other schools in the SU and Windsor >> in terms of scheduling >> in terms of numbers versus Right. So we're at 240 with one gym teacher. What does it look like everywhere else? Um, so Hartland has one gym teacher for roughly the same amount of students. Um, Windsor has a elementary PE teacher for K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K

077K K K K K Five and then or PreK5. Um, and there's another full-time teacher who does middle and high school. So there's two for roughly double the students. >> Okay. If there are no more comments, we can take a vote. >> Vincent. >> I'm a yes. Sarah, >> am I Yes. Megan, I can't have any more comments, right? I need to know. I I think this is where if we could figure out after we did the budget committee, if we could make that part of it and look at it, I would be a yes. But um as it stands with what we're going to be in the red on um we have to be a no. >> John >> and I'm also a no pass. >> Um okay. So now we're back to board

078goals for FY26 of regular survey. Yep. So, um hopefully you all have it. Sarah, I sent it electronically. I don't know if you got it today, but um or yesterday when I sent it. >> Um would be helpful to come up on the screen. >> Um I guess for the people online that might not have it's this that we're talking about it. other people at home. >> Yeah. >> Although they might also not be very interested. >> That's okay. >> All right. Let me share my screen so you can see it. Okay. So, this is a survey um board members take to um see how they're doing in the areas that they are responsible for. is to monitor progress and I know it's hard sometimes for new members to take it because they don't know

079the answer. So Megan, thank you for taking it. >> Not sure. I'm not sure. And that's okay. Um and it's really just a check to see um where you're at and to help bring goals for you for the following year. So um the the first um area is monitoring progress toward the vision and assuring accountability for um results. And uh I was um comment by a couple board members that it would be easier if the strongly agree was green instead of a strongly disagree is green. So yeah, >> when we're looking at it um >> yeah, it's kind of the opposite of the way you think in your head. Yeah, green is go. >> Yeah. So, red is agreeable, purple's not sure. Um, yellow is disagree and blue is strongly agree. So, anytime we see

080a lot of green or um that I guess it's an orangey color, you know, it's a it's a it's a pause to think about. So, the first one is the bo the board regularly evaluates progress toward meeting established school goals related uh specific to student learning. And there was kind of a mix on that one of agree and disagree. >> You make that a little bigger. >> If you can't, that's fine. >> I can share. You want mine? And I can see it. >> Yeah, it is hard to see >> here. I have one more. Thanks. I don't >> do you want one extra? >> There you go. So um so there's a little bit of um inconsistency on the board's um perception of that goal. Those would be um just thinking quickly when when

081Brian does his data reports, those are the some of the goals specific to student learning. Um the board regularly evaluates performance in meeting established board goals. So there was a strong disagree disagree and a one agree and one not sure. So those are the those are the goals that you set annually and um are you checking in on those? Um the board assures adherence to policy. There's strong agreement on that one. So I don't think you need to um think deeply about that one. Um the next area is develop, adopt and monitor a budget to support the vision and assure strong oversight of district finances. Then the first um the first uh question was the board adopts a budget that focuses on programmatic priorities. There's um mostly agreement on that one. One one board member

082disagreed. The board develops broad budget parameters and expects the administration to create line items. Again, there was a split on that one and an unsure. The board engages the community in setting budget priorities. Um, there was more agrees, but one one strongly disagree and one unsure. The board is attentive to the district's ability to pay. There's full agreement on that question or category. The board assures that internal controls are in place to protect public funds and that was or agree and one strongly disagree. Um like to dig into that one a little bit if the board is willing because I'm curious about I'm curious about that one. Um the board carefully monitors expenditure reports to asssure that the um administration is addressing issues with revenues and expenditures. There is some agreement and some disagreement. Um

083the next category was engage the community in supporting the education of students. The board engages the community meaningfully in understanding changes in into the education system needed for today's learners. um some agreement and some disagreement and that's something you've talked about as a board engaging the community. So >> yeah, >> when monitoring Yeah. When monitoring progress, the board examines district data by gender, race, and socioeconomic status to measure the success of students. That is something we're definitely working to try to do when we report data, student data. But there was some some agreement, some disagreement, some unsure. Uh the board keeps the community informed of district performance. Some agreement and some disagreement. Little disagreement and some unsure. The annual school budget passes on the first try. Full agreement on that. Very fortunate. Meet legal responsibilities.

084The board stage out of staff and student issues which may result in quasi judicial hearings of before the board um agreement um three people agreed and two people disagreed. The board handles quasi judicial hearings in a fair and orderly fashion and arrives uh at clear and fair conclusions. I think we had one. Well, there's agreement on that. Um, but I'm sure the board handles collective bargaining responsibilities effectively, seeking to find the proper balance between assuring a highly qualified and motivated workforce and recognizing the taxpayer ability to pay. Majority agreed um a disagreement and an unsure. Under operating legally and ethically, the board adopts and has signed a code of ethics that outlines expectations and commitments. And yes, you all do that. Board members respect the fact that they have no official power outside of the

085actions of the full board. There's agreement on that. The board adheres to the open meeting law carefully follows statutory guidelines for executive session. So there was um mostly agreement but one disagreement on that. Board members are respectful to other board members, administrators, staff and community members. 100% in agreement. um board members have the information needed to make informed decisions and understand the potential impact. So um some people disagree with that. So something to work on. Regular board meetings are efficient and generally last no more than one to two hours. >> How' we end up with that amount? >> I don't know. >> Somebody that's okay. Um once a board decision is made, dissenting board members respect the board's decision even if they continue to disagree. That was agreement and and I'm sure board members annually

086participate in board development activities. So that was majority of agreement on that. Board members understand that they are community trustees to ensure quality education and that taxpayers get a great return on investment and that they are not operators of the school. majority of agreement over there agree with. So are there any areas that um really stand out that you want to address and I can Yeah, John, go ahead. >> A lot of these pie charts have purple not sure that was me. I was up to the board. I had to develop an opinion. So I think you and I >> that's very fair >> because there's only five of us and if you take cash you could >> yeah it's extremely tough uh the first year >> it is >> to answer this survey especially

087since you haven't even been here for a whole year yet just started in March. Yeah, comes out >> helping each other. Yeah, >> I will >> I can read the draft goals that you came up with at the retreat and maybe that um maybe they align with some of these areas where >> Yeah. And well, you did want to dig into the I don't know if you want to see who was >> that we protecting public funds. Yeah, the um which one? >> I don't know if anybody wants to fess up, but >> No, no, I no I don't want anybody to pass up. I just want to assure people that we have procedures in place um internal controls or basic accounting practices where you know people are coming and signing off on everything that's

088paid out. Um we have um checks and balances within the department, the business department. So, if you're, you know, you're not able to sign your own checks, there's all there's all kinds of actual controls that we have to follow um to make sure that there's no uh that everything's actually on the up and up in terms of finances and money. So, I was just curious and I don't know maybe maybe board members don't know that that's in place. So, >> maybe >> yeah, static. Uh what was the what was the question? >> Something about internal control. as the board assure assures that internal controls are in place to protect public funds. >> Yeah. >> But yeah, it's probably just in lack of >> Yeah. knowing Yeah. what happens behind the scenes. >> Yeah. >> In

089terms of the money and how it's um everything's accounted for and paid out and you know signed for. So yeah, we have we have internal controls that we have to follow and we do. So, but let me read you the goals just to remind you what you set at the retreat and to see if they align with any, you know, if you want to make any changes or add anything. So, the first one was to increase community outreach and engagement. Each schoolboard member will attend at least one community event per year and provide a brief report at the subsequent monthly board meeting outlining their engagement activities. Additionally, the designated schoolboard liaison, which is John this year, will request that we be allowed to present a short update from the school board at a select a

090select board meeting monthly. So, I think you've done that since >> Okay. >> Um, did you go to one recently and do a little report? >> Pardon me. >> A select board meeting. >> Yeah. >> I gave one. I didn't give one this month because we didn't meet the month before. >> Yeah. Yeah. So that was your um community engagement goal. And then um you had one around budgeting which was by January 2026, the Weathersfield School Board will ensure transparent and inclusive budget planning process that reflects stakeholder priorities by um making all board meeting links and materials easily accessible on the district website and the newsletters throughout the budget season. having each board member attend at least one budget advisory committee meeting between October and January. Include a budget advisory committee report as a standing

091agenda item at each board meeting in October and through the budget season. And um the last bullet point was communicate key budget information clearly and concisely through the published budget book. So, those were your draft goals and I don't you want to discuss any of the feedback in the survey to impact your goals and adjust them. >> Does anyone have anything? >> One thing I'd like the board to consider. Um I I know we got a bond payment this coming when we got two more. The one in the current budget we're going to be working on and one more after that, >> I think. So, >> okay. >> Yeah. where where I'm going with that is that when this I think it's three >> 28 >> so three right >> okay I'm a little bit

092prematurely sure but um when this building was built LED technology was just starting to um mushroom and as I walked through the building and we're still on fluoresence um and we don't have much for controls uh automatic controls >> and I sent a note to Jim Taff, but he didn't respond. I'd like to start the process of looking at upgrading the lighting to more efficient. I I did look at the electric bills when I was going over invoicing and um because of the setup with Nor Solar, right now we're putting money in the bank because there wasn't much going on, but uh and the one I was looking at was June. No, it might have been May. Um, we're saving about $1,500. Okay. Times 12. That's pretty good >> considering the fact we don't have

093any investment in in the system. >> But nonetheless, u our consumption um is the kilowatt hours are going to continue to go up in price and all the fees that you see on your home bill also go up whether or not you're getting credits or not. uh it's based on the amount of kilowatt hours you use the storm damage and I think there's four different lines they add on and uh so the more you get your kilowatt hours down the more those fees go down so so it's not just um anyway I think it's well worth looking at and developing a plan >> did we ever get a follow-up plan for facilities on uh cost for what needs to be upgraded Yeah, >> um Larry and Jim are working on that. Yeah, they'll bring that

094back. Y >> we have a capital improvement fund, right? Any ballpark. What's in it? >> What's that? Like 340? >> I'm not trying to jump on the spot. Yeah, it's something. >> Yeah, it's three something. >> Okay. It's building also reaching a point where things are going to start to wear out. We're already seeing that with some mechanical systems. >> Yeah. >> Well, I'll put on my list to talk to later about lighting and um >> so we can save money. >> Yeah. >> And and keep that in mind. Maybe we could bundle it with one of the maybe Windsor and Ireland. >> Yeah. >> To get a bigger a more advantageous price. >> Okay. Sarah or Vincent, either do you have any comments on the board goals or the board survey? >> No, I

095don't think so. >> Okay. >> Um Okay. So, I guess yeah, >> those are the are the goals. They sound good to me. >> Everybody Well, do we need to vote on that or >> um I don't think so. I could put them on your um I'll have Lori put them on the agenda so you can see them regularly. Sure. checking on them >> for March. If we turn over the board, it may be a good idea um to just go through the goals. >> Yeah. For the new people run through. >> That's a good idea. >> Um SU budget representative. So, we need to pick somebody. >> We need to pick somebody. >> Yeah, I think Sarah Sarah did it. >> Sarah did it last year. Um, do we do we have any volunteers

096for this year? Are you volunteering to do it again or Vincent or John or Megan? I can't do it. But any >> this is on top of the our rental representation. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, this was it like one meeting a month between October and December. >> It's No, it's um it's No, it's for the SU budget. So, I think they start in September and go through October. Yeah, I can I can speak to it. We we would meet on like Friday mornings, so it's a little um during the day because obviously it's when Larry's uh working, but um we would meet like Friday mornings for about an hour or so, 45 minutes to an hour. Um we we did what probably three of them in September. >> Yeah, I think so. >> Because he

097at least three or four because he likes to have everything ready for October. So, I mean, I would gladly do it again. Um, but I also would love for someone else to be involved too if they can, but if not, I would be interested again. >> They're remote if that helps. Yeah, >> throw my hat in the ring if nobody if Sarah wants to bow out for this year. >> It's pretty informative actually. >> Yeah. >> I'd like to do local again like our Weatherfield bun. So I know that is coming to talk about um and again I think that's open for all of us to attend at least one. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> You want to be on the BC the weather scale? >> Yeah. I don't think I can be on it

098but I think I can go to it. Yeah. Will we go to one meeting and I mean you could go to more if you want. >> Yeah. >> As long as not more than three of us show up, right? Or not more than two of us show up to any one meeting. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, okay. So, um, so John has offered to be our SU budget representative this year. Um, do we have any other nominations or volunteers? Sarah, you you will bow out or you want to be up for nomination as well? >> That's up to you guys. I like I said, I'm happy to do it, but if John has real interest in it, then that's fine, too. >> Okay. Um All right. So, uh I'll take a motion to to make a

099nomination if somebody wants to nominate someone officially. >> Um I'd like to nominate Sarah just for continuity year over year. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other nominations? Hope the local one. >> I think John might be too busy for us anyway. So yeah, hopefully because I'd love to have somebody local on that um task force or not. Is it the task force or what's it called that you applied for? >> Voting. Okay. So um so you want to make a motion or nominated. Yeah. Yeah. So, Megan's made a motion to nominate Sarah to be our SU budget representative again this year. Um, I guess we'll go with the roll call. Vincent, >> yes. >> Sarah, >> yes. >> Megan, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'll also be a yes. So, that's

100unanimous that Sarah will be our budget representative for sure. >> Excellent. I will let >> and and that involves a little extra this year because she's supposed to then also report back at our meetings. I think we did tried to do that last year as well. Yeah. >> But uh yeah. Um next we have the emergency operation plan which I believe Brian's going to go over. >> I'm gonna go over that. Um Vince and Sarah, I did not send you a copy. I forgot to send you that. I sent you everything but I can give that to you. So we're just going to take a look at it. Um, one of the things that we decided that we needed to update this year was our emergency operations plan with the new um, police force or

101sheriff's department and new police chiefs or chief um, merging to one. And we thought it was very important to be able to go over that and update it as a great time to do it. So, we spent some several days going over it, taking a look at it, seeing how we could streamline it, make it sure that it was the most effective way to keep our students and staff and our community safe in case of any type of emergency. Um then we did meet with uh Chief PMPO and our um Windsor County Sheriff um to look over it and they've reviewed some of the plan and took a look at it. I'm also going to be meeting with our town manager to keep him in the loop and a list of other people. We're going

102to go over with our staff. We'll um review things with the students as well. Um Christine's taking a look at it now as well. >> You guys Yeah. >> Yeah. And it's pretty I mean it's just streamlined. Um there was lots of um repetitiveness in there, so we just made it so it was a little bit simpler to read, simpler for people to follow. Um and then we'll be going over it with our crisis management team as well as our bus coordinators coordinator to take a look at it because it doesn't fairly like um we shouldn't be sharing this with people, >> right? Yeah. Because this is our emergency plan. There's it could be a number of things from fire to >> you know poisonous gas in the area to God forbid a shooter. So

103those things, so this is how we do it. Um, we are working very closely with both our fire department and our our sheriff's department to go over drills with them as well. Um, and have them manage it and make sure that our staff is well trained. This does follow follow the Alice protocols. Um, so the staff is aware of that and they do do they do go over Alice training every year. One of the things that they have to do. Um, and the important things is that when we do have to evacuate, the kids know where to go and um, if they don't, like if one area is blocked off, where the next area that they can go is. So, we went over quite a bit of it and really just made it clear and

104concise for everybody to be able to look at. This is one of the building based days. I'll be going over the staff as well. >> How long does it take to get buses here? It depends on where they're at. Um, we have local bus drivers that are fairly close as long as they're in the area during the day. I would say 15 minutes um that we could get buses here, but we have evacuation sites of where we can go where we can walk to safely to get away from the school if there is a potential danger here at the school. And we have several of those sites set up and we may just show up someplace with 241 kids. or any number. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> What is the new bill requiring uh

105cardiac training? >> It's it's a um it's the new it's a new bill. It's new law. >> I know we have an AED >> near the office, >> right near the gym. There's one at the gym too. >> No, there's one in the right by the gym in that hallway. Okay. So, we have an AD there. We actually have a sign. There wasn't a sign there. So, that was one of the things. We also met with a state fire inspector as well who went through the entire building and gave us some things after we talked when we had two chiefs. We talked them. They walked through with us as well. And so, those are were going back through our inspection report to fix anything that they felt needed. because without having read the bill, I'm

106not sure what level of training is being required by the bill. >> I sent it to our nurses just to get their feedback. Um, so we could problem solve, look through it, >> everybody or a team. >> I sent it Well, I sent the legislation to the school nurses to get their feedback. So, what what do we do? But, um, I haven't heard back yet because they're >> Okay. >> Can I answer a little bit on that? Yeah. >> Um, so we have all of our PAS employees are trained um in heart saber CPR and there's probably uh seven staff that are trained in hearts. >> We may be well on our way to being full compliance, >> but >> yeah. >> Okay. >> Any questions? And then Sarah, I'll make sure I get you

107guys copies as well. Okay. Um, do we need have any need for executive sessions tonight? No. >> Okay. >> Uh, so setting the next agenda. Our next meeting is September 9th. >> Yes. >> At 6:30 hybrid. >> Yes. >> And um, we'll have a board engagement check-in. board engage engagement check. Yeah. Um >> good opportunity to do that is on August 25th from 4:30 to 5:30. You're welcome back and classroom visitations. >> Yeah, >> everyone is invited. Or if you'd like to come to our building base day on the 26, you're more than welcome to do that. Staff would love to see you there during the day. >> Pop in. >> No more than two of us the same. >> Yeah. I mean like at a big event like that, it's a little different. As

108long as you're not talking, >> just don't talk about >> I just want to um kind of line us up uh for transparency and success with the budget. I know we'll probably just have gotten well maybe probably won't have a first meeting suide but um do we have a schedule yet Christine um to make sure that we are getting hopefully our budget earlier like we talked about Amory >> yeah um >> I just >> I will >> I know we got to get rolling first but I I know it comes fast it's like October in November we we just want to >> I want to be on that >> Larry is just waiting for um who the members are going to be on that um committee to help him and then he will send out

109I mean he's pretty proactive. He'll send out dates, make sure they work for people and then um >> and then we can go from there. >> Going to start um because that was a a thing too is just making sure we have our presentation before we're voting. >> He'll start in September. um like he did last year. I think that um the SU budget as I recall, Sarah, correct me if I'm wrong, was was done and ready. It was the local budget that we were waiting for. And I did talk to him about this. We were waiting for the tax letter before he could do the final numbers. But I've asked him for this coming year, just preliminarily, we need to see line by line where things are. even if we don't have that um

110final number earlier so he's aware of that um and I can have him outline his schedule and bring it back to you all so it's so it's pretty clear >> yeah I'm not so much worried about the SU one because he's he does get that one going rolling I'm talking about like >> the lo our local like BAC making sure that we're lining up their meetings with um our presentation sooner than the month we vote >> yeah do we want Do you we want to recruit BAC members starting like now? >> Probably right away. >> One of our first couple newsletters to go out there. I think we do have some returning people that would already like to be on. They've already reached out to me. So, we've done some of that leg work already.

111>> So, we'll put on the agenda BAC recruitment >> and meeting dates next time. >> We have a >> Okay. Yeah. I don't think there'll be much of an SU buddy buddy budget committee report, but we could announce the dates of the meetings next the next month. >> Yeah, maybe I'll have that information and then maybe if we just do September, October, like each month we kind of figure out where everybody's at with our budget meetings locally and that way we stay on >> schedule. Yep, that sounds good. And then can we look for the line items for like our actual sources budget that for this last year that we can do in advance to see like which categories like over or under just because those are easy tweaks that we don't need to wait.

112We do a lot of that in BAC but >> in the local budget. >> Yeah. When would you like that to start working in the >> When can you >> I think I think his plan is I mean he he does the SU budget first because that informs local budgets because you know the assessment of um the SU assessment and then once that's approved even before it's approved he'll start preliminarily early on the local budgets and he does that by he meets with DJ and um Brian and the BAC he starts helping um work on those local budgets which is line by line >> yeah we don't have like a running P&L by line item >> I think you can do a comparative budget report on it >> yeah prior year audited this year so

113I'm writing it down so I can >> just like start looking at >> prior to meeting >> next, you know, we got some more, you know. >> Yeah, >> I think it's gonna be a hard budget. Yeah, Sarah, >> the other thing is um and I don't know if we want to kind of mix it with this season because it's already stressful, but um I think we should also stay on task with Jim and Larry about any capital investments like getting ahead of our um systems. Um like Jim Express, we're gonna, you know, it'd be nice to stay on top of that. Um, so maybe I don't know if we want to wait until after this, but maybe some discussions or their report to really actually start discussing that um to see, you know, how

114we move forward with that or prioritize um the boiler things like that that he was talking about. >> So you need that prior to talking Well, it's part of your budget discussion >> or I'm thinking >> Yeah. Yeah, >> we could um at our next meeting talk a bit about uh what our budget priorities are. >> Good. Yeah. >> So, you have some idea of what we're looking for. Is >> that it? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And um I'll put update on the facilities plan. >> I'll I'll talk to him and see if he'll have that ready. >> Okay. >> I just have a quick question. Um, Amarie, would you be asking us to come to that meeting with like what our priorities are or are we going to like hash that out together in

115the open meeting? >> I mean, maybe come with some ideas, but uh yeah, I think it's more of just kind of talking. >> I mean, that could just go on forever, right? So, >> yeah. So, maybe Yeah. >> kind of hone in on what we all kind of are in agreement with. Um, >> so wait, I I think I miss I missed something on from the virtual, but so we need to come to the meeting with some of our ideas regarding priorities >> and we're going to put them together. >> Some of what your priorities are like where okay where you think we should be focusing if we have to make cuts or if we have >> you know whatever, >> right? And so then how are we as a board going to come together

116on the final list of priorities that we I mean what's the mechanism for that? >> I guess we can take a vote. >> Yeah, we can vote. >> Okay. >> Um yeah, it would be helpful information to have going into that process for sure. >> Okay. And and it can be varied too like we can say like you know this is for like an a year budget if the numbers really come in terrible and we have to and this is like a dream budget and here's >> but uh just yeah and not like not like a fully fleshed out budget but just like you know we >> you know my goal is to really make sure that we keep the teachers and if we have to cut back other places >> cut back there or

117if somebody else really thinks that we have that the facilities is the most important thing. I think it's just good to have them have some idea of what we think is most important >> be really helpful for >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, let me read this. Make sure we got it all. Uh board engagement check-in >> and under the admin report, we'll have an update on the start of school, have hopefully an update on facilities plan. I'm going to talk to Larry and Jim about that. Um items for discussion or action. We've got the budget priorities, SU budget committee, any updates we can share Sarah around that maybe a timeline and BAC recruitment and meeting dates. >> Got it all? >> Did all you had a couple extra ones in there? >> Oh, I did.

118I guess I just didn't get them all down. >> I have written some of them down already. I'm not sure I got them all. >> You can compare notes at the end. Okay. Um All right. Uh so if everybody's good, I'll take a Anybody have anything else they want to talk about? Okay. Um I guess I'll take a motion to adjourn >> to adjurnn. Move to adjourn. All in favor say I. >> I thank you everyone. Good morning.