In-Person Regular Board Meeting of the Bridgeport Board of Education Monday, June 9

001big one. All right. Good evening. This is a call to order of the uh Bridgeport Board of Education regular board meeting. Today's June 9th. It is 6:40. Our apologies. We um we're having a reception for students downstairs. That's why we were a couple minutes late today. Um but we do have a quorum. So, we will get started. If you could all stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Christian Baptis Aisha Casemir Marita Sam Himenez Mr. Will Medina here. Miss Jennifer Perez present. Mr. Justice Suckle present. Mr. Robert Traver. Mr. Adrian Watson. Present. We got it wrong. Chair. Thank you. All righty. Um, we're going to start with student

002representative reports. So, if you guys can come to the podium if you have reports. Did you guys prepare reports today? Yeah, you come to the podium then. All right, good afternoon everybody. My name is Audi Laswan and I'm the representative for Harding High School. Uh, as we are reaching the end of the school year, we have lots to report. So, our medical magnet ended off the uh with a commemoration ceremony as well as our annual medical magnet banquet on May 15th in which numerous members of our medical magnet have were celebrated for outstanding achievements and exhibitions of academic excellence and leadership. Uh I would like to thank the board members who took the time to attend that event and I hope you enjoyed it as well. Um our seniors did have an amazing time during

003our prom at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale. um that took place on the 22nd of May. Uh we have commenced our end of year activities on the week of 5:26. During those days, we had our NHS induction ceremony celebrating the returning and new members of our national honor society, our annual law and public service um fair, and our medical magnet health fair. Uh we also had our field day on Friday 5:30. Um, our students did have an amazing time and even pulled a little fun playing fun prank on our principal Thompson. That was fun. Uh, lastly, our senior uh we wrapped him inside some little w what's it called? Confetti wrap. Oh, okay. It was cool. It was like just to trap him in while he was doing a video, but it was

004cool. Uh lastly, our seniors have finished their final examinations for their classes and are prepar beginning practice for the upcoming commencement ceremony on Friday the 13th. Um the underassmen have also begun their final examinations as well and will be in conclusion tomorrow. To quickly finish this off, I would like to thank you guys for this opportunity of being a student representative. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening board members. I am Don Moore Estapo, junior representative for Fairchild Wheeler IT. Our seniors have wrapped up their final exams and projects this past week and are currently practicing for graduation in the outside area of the campus. 100men have also been developing some projects that have a potential to be science fair and a capstone projects. We have seen RC cars with sensors, accuracy of kinematics with measuring

005sensors, and research on how different groups react to different products. Other projects that students have made were networking to develop a school-based supply closet for families in need, the development of a bilingual tutoring program, which will become a club. Students will writing letters to their legislators to advocate for a variety of issues, and developing podcasts that cover a wide variety of social issues. We had our annual film festival on May 13 on which we showcased the films our students film uh in film classes made. Students had a chance to walk on the red carpet and some were presented awards for best director, best actor and best editor or best film. For the first time in our film festival, we had animated shorts submitted by our graphic design classes. This movie uh the movie posters promoting

006these films can be observed throughout throughout our throughout our cafeteria and black blackbox entrance. Our annual multiculture night was held on May 22nd. We had we we had many students and teacher performances such as Vietnamese lion dancing, traditional Chinese ter ceremony and student band playing Mexican music, Philippine games, and a student dance competition. On Thursday, June 12th, we will be holding a club fair across campus. All of our clubs will be set up in the cafeteria during the morning and students will have the chance to learn about our club offerings. We we have over 30 clubs in on campus and hope that all students can find something that interests them and join next year. students will uh in addition to all our clubs and projects being displayed, some community partners will be here to promote

007their programs. The list includes Karee Youthful Impact and the Bridgeport Public Schools athletic department. On the June 12th, we will have this um clubs and we'll actually have our balloons and satellite. We have a big balloon in our balcony. I don't know if you guys know the balcony of Child Wheeler. Uh and it has some satellites. We'll be actually having that balloon set up and it will go up and we'll be able to see all of the results with the satellites from our satellite design class. This has been a wonderful year for our school and our students. We have devel so much academic and culturally. Thank you so much board members for this awesome opportunity. It was great having you guys. Thank you. Okay, this is on, right? Yes. Okay. Hello, my name is Christian

008Bea and I am the representative for Central Magnet and this is going to be one of my more shorter memos since we I feel we closed off the year pretty nice. But some things I wanted to just reflect again are that graduation is still on for Friday, June 13, and central is set to go at 6:00 p.m. And rehearsals, they were today and are occurring tomorrow for the seniors. And for what was recently for National Honor Society, they had their induction ceremony and the gavl was finally passed over to new leadership and they will lead the next year's chapter. And there was also a celebration last week which was celebrating the top 25 seniors and recognizing especially four top juniors. And when I'm speaking personally about this, I'm proud to say that as one of

009the juniors, I received one of the awards called the Harvard University Excellence Book Award. And that is same thing and that was awarded to a junior who is in the top top uh four percentage of his class and also contributes to service inside and outside of his community and that was given to the Harvard University Alumni Association of the New Haven basis. And for sports, we can say that the boys volleyball team that they are still in good standing and at the end of the school year mark, we have them placed at 25 at place 25. And I find that's been very good, especially one with one of our strikers having a great ratio and being allegible for the top player of the week for the Ruden Sport and Senior Palm. That also went very

010well and I found it to be eventful from what I've seen. And the last thing we did to celebrate our seniors who've gotten to their chosen universities, we had a day of celebration and accept acceptance and we welcomed our new officers which will lead our year into the acceptance day and planning future proms. But other than that, the year went very well and I was very proud to have served the board of education as center of magnets representative. I thank you all for having me and I plan to hopefully report again next year. But I wanted to thank you all for the opportunity again and for just how wonderful it was to be here. Thank you again. Thank you. Good evening board members. My name is Danella Gomez and I'm a junior at Fairchild Wheeler

011Biotech. We are finally approaching the final week. So, our final exams are this week for our junior and our senior class. And speaking of seniors, our senior night is tonight on Fairchild Wheeler campus. Also, two weeks ago, we did a campuswide seal of biiteracy test with the highest number of students partaking in this test in all of Bridgeport. We also had our multicultural night on May 22nd. students and parents came out to rep their culture and to have fun. Also, this Thursday, we had our very own superintendent, Dr. Avery, come out and visit biotech, and he was a judge in our animal science Shark Tank presentations. After the school year is over, STEM CAM for incoming 9th graders will be beginning on June 23rd and ending on the 26th. Also coming next year, in addition

012to the honor society, we'll be having a Spanish honor society for our top Spanish-sp speakaking students. I just want to take this last moment to thank you all for the opportunity to be able to form the board and to advocate for my school. I look forward to coming back next year. Thank you so much and have a good night. Thank you. Any others in person? Because we have one online. Okay, we'll go to Ashley online. Hi. Um, hi. My name is Ashley Begford and I and I'm a junior in French traveler era. Um, as underassmen, um, we're we're in the home stretch of our school year and halfway through our final exams. We have selected our courses for next year and are excited to finish up this year and get to summer break. Our seniors

013have finished their exams and are preparing for their big day on Friday. Tonight, actually, as we speak, our campus is hosting a senior night. All seniors are being celebrated for their accomplishments of graduating and some are receiving special recogni recognization and honors. Rafa prizes and delicious food are also helping support a fun and celebratory evening. Thank you for supporting our school and campus and for the opportunity for to represent for a child with an arrow. I look forward to have fun on Friday on at graduation of f on Friday afternoon. Thank you. So at this time we actually want to um call up our student reps because we would like to honor them with certificates this year. Um these student reps have um been at majority of our board meetings and and representing their schools

014and showed us uh or told us about different activities that are happening um in their schools and just different issues. And they also um I just want to thank our student reps because they gathered uh friends with them and they came up on May 9th. May 9th I believe um to the capitol and um for student advocacy day and um there was at least 40 there was a busload um it was overflowing I think. No, there was a big bus bus bus load of students who came up there and um and not only um speaking with the the legislators, but um we know had one student who um he's not here right now, but uh he he spoke um he was one of the first student speakers um uh in front of a room of

015150 people or more. It was a it was um they packed us in there, but um our school, our district represented and had to do with these students. Um, and we do want to thank them for that and just um just all their work this year. So, um, the board members, you guys go down. I I'll announce the names and they're in order, but want me to do it? Okay. You can even do it down here. Yeah. There we go. All right. All right. So, the first student we have from Central High School, Christian Bea, who's over here, and Adrien Holloway from Central picture. Um from Harding we have um she's not present but Samantha Montes uh Quartzo and then we also have Arian Lachman. and congratulate him. He's a senior graduating this year. I

016won't tell all his plans, but he has some good things coming for him. Um also, um we have Bassik, um Asha Whitner, and um from Basic, we have three, um Shenoi Clark and Audi Badia. Um Arrow, she's online, was online. Ashley Beckford, congratulations, Ashley. Um, you're online, but we're here. We see you. Um, and we also have from Arrow and Marie Kaisy Kazi. Um, from Infoch, um, Estabo Martins. And in person, we have Geronimo Greppo Mart. From Biotech, we have uh, Touab Agrid Nan. And in person, we have Daniela Gomez. Um, and I'm going to announce the other four um, who are not in person today, but uh, Kashani Allen and Esleie Mercedes from BMA and from Aqua Paul Andra Bentacort and Brian Almeido Tail. So, we just want to thank them. Um, congratulations. And

017if your parents want pictures, your Yeah. Parents, if you want to take a Sure. We'll move on to the public comment. Um, just rest. You're all set. Hi everyone. Um, do I have to say my name? Like I'm Jess Russ. Um, as the school year closes, I want to reflect, not to assign any blame, but to speak the truth. Because without truth, there's no trust. And without trust, how can we rebuild? Let's talk about what really had happened. This year opened with a party, a live band, DJ, a guest speaker. Tens of thousands spent in one day. Meanwhile, real issues were already burning. That same month, school start times were changed with no notice. Families and staff were left to scramble. Then came the protests. The teachers stood outside city hall begging to be heard,

018asking for stability, for dignity for their students. By winter, it was clear the system was unraveling. Superintendent left with a golden parachute and left behind a mess. A mess. And let's be honest, that mess didn't just happen. It was allowed to happen. Enabled by failed leadership and protected by the board's majority, especially under the former board chair who not only ignored the signs, but helped silence the people raising them. These weren't just mistakes. They were egon ego-driven choices made without transparency, without community input. And when it all crashed, when the layoffs hit, when students and staff suffered, those responsible deflected, stayed silent, or stirred up the drama. I've watched every meeting, CE included. The shade, the pettiness, the personal digs. That's not leadership. That's dysfunction. And let me say it clearly, you don't get to

019disappear. disappear during the fire and come back to critique the ashes. If you're not here for my kids, step aside. But I want to thank one person who did show up, our acting superintendent. He stepped into chaos. He didn't create. He didn't run. And he rolled up his sleeves. He brought calm. He's listening and he's leading. And we're told next year will be different. I hope that's true. But it also needs to be more than a promise. Next year we need real community input and the decisions that are affect our community. Not after the fact, but before they're made. Let's let it be less petty and more purposeful. Less drama, more unity, less ego, and more kids. Because I don't care about the politics, praise, or power. I'm here for my children and the children

020of Bridgeport. And I'm going to keep showing up until they get the leadership they deserve. Thank you. Thank you. Um, that's all we have for public comment. Um, we're going to do points at the end. The privileges, [Music] um, approval of minutes for the special meeting May 19th, 2025. Is there a motion? Anybody? Motion to motion to approve the meeting minutes from May 19th, 2025 special meeting. Second by Mr. Medina. All in favor or any debate on that? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? That one passes. Um, regular meeting May 27th, 2025. Moved by Mr. Medina. Is there a second? A second. Second, Mr. Sakalic. Any debate on that. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right. Um, next item is the chairperson's report. Um I'm going to

021give an update on our last uh training which we had um the last of the six required trainings um was held last Monday um at oh right here in Harding. Um we discuss we had a special guest speaker Chris Hin um who um helped us really um he was really great um uh facilitator but the training topic was on community engagement and um just improving our communication as a board with each other with the community with the the superintendent's office. Um you know one thing that stuck out to me was listening more and talking less. Um that's something hope we practice. Um uh we one thing that we will be that will come out of these trainings there's a few things we have a whole action plan that um we provided to the state but

022um over the summer we will hold um four forums community forums throughout the city um at locations to be determined um and that's going to be run by the board and um Chris really gave us some um good ideas on how to host these forums and really make them interactive for the community and and and um less about us, more about you, the community. So, um uh we want to make sure that um those are held throughout the month of July most most likely. And we will have a survey that should come out um by the end of the school or that's next week. The survey will be coming out this month um throughout the summer and the focus of that will be on the vision that uh we want the board to take for

023the district. Um and so um to that's all going to be coming out this summer. So um you know just because we don't have regular board meetings um we will be um meeting uh to really uh finalize these action plans um for the district for next year. Um my the other thing I want to report on is just um or not really report I just want to send a thank you to um all the staff in the district um you know from the classroom teachers but um those that I know the board works personally with um here the Dr. Avery um for just um you know really um stepping up in the last 6 months um seven months um in in trying times and so we do want to thank you um for your leadership

024um I know there's times that the board hasn't made it easy for you um and and also that you know just the circumstances that hasn't been easy for you and and so we do want to thank you for your leadership and with that I want to thank your your your staff um I know we put a lot on uh your team. So, I do want to um acknowledge that and thank you all for your um hard work and and just all that you're doing um behind the scenes. Um you get a a lot of uh lot of uh requests from us and uh so we want to thank you um and uh I know the team's right here too. Thank you guys um for your work um and our IT guys. I want to shout

025you guys out. That's it. just one clap for you. Um, but thank you guys all for the end. You know, we're I know we'll have more meetings this this um coming up. Um, but those are special meetings and this is the regular end of the regular board meetings for the school year and just want to acknowledge the work you guys are all doing. Um, and so moving on um we're going to go to committee referrals. Um the finance committee met last Wednesday. Um and many of the items on today's agenda um stem from that meeting. Um we'll be discussing um uh some possible um uh eliminations um and some other budget gap closing measures um that that'll be talked about later this evening. Um there's also an RFP um and Mark Anastasia is here. He's

026going to speak to that a little bit. um and um some contracts that need to be pushed through for um some repairs that have to happen before the end of the fiscal year. And then um we'll also talk about the operating budget for um 25 26 school year. Um finance committee if if we need to meet next week there there'll be a meeting on Monday um if we need to meet. So I I think that's going to probably happen. So just finance committee members Monday um most likely 6:30 um 6:00 6:30 I I'll have that to you guys the committee members um by by Wednesday I'll let you know the time. Um and with that said uh whatever we we move on Monday or any following things we will have a special board meeting to

027approve anything that comes up at the finance committee. So that will um mark uh board members just hold hold Wednesday of next week the 18th on your calendars just in case we have a special meeting then um any referrals slic yes I referred this before I think I referred it twice already we need to create a list of board priorities of cuts to be restart re rescended in the event of additional funding and looking at the state of the budget and being in flux. Any additional cuts that may be may need to be made also needs to be in the board's purview. It needs to be discussed at the board level before it's brought to the board in whole. And the second referral is same one I referred before is a legal opinion on the

028cities of Bridgeport's attempt to circumvent the MBR. Thank you. Any other referrals? Um, instruction support services committee, Mr. Chabber, um, the ISS committee met on uh, the 28th. Um, we uh, a number of the items we discussed at committee, the hill literacy. Um, we also added the um, uh, couple items to our agenda which are on tonight's agenda. Um, the Buddy Jordan Foundation. Um, uh, so we'll be going over those tonight. They were approved and moved on to the full board for a vote. Um and uh we finished up discussions on um uh our review and plans for the next year on uh what we thought were disproportionate uh suspensions among sped and uh boys uh black and brown boys in our uh among our students. And so we discussed steps that we wanted to

029see taken in the next school year that we hope will help reduce that. So we discussed those steps and tried to solidify that. Um and we're hopeful that in the next year we'll see some improvements in those areas, but there'll be some professional development and those steps taken. Um and um um we then took a final review of the pack PTSO spending and why there was some money not spent and what we can do to avoid that in the next year. Um and took a final look at the ELA benchmarks and what that told us uh about hopefully what happens with our test scores which we won't find out about until the end of the summer. Um so that's what we went over. Um, and some of that stuff will be on the agenda tonight.

030Thank you. Um, policy and personnel committee. Wait a minute. Yes. Sorry. Um, we could take we do referrals. Yeah, I was going to say there's the possibility of a special meeting. So, if there's any referrals, seeing none, um, policy and personnel committee. Thank you, Madam Chair. um policy and personnel did not meet since the last uh board meeting, regular board meeting. We are due according to our schedule on uh this Wednesday. Uh we did handle uh all the mandated uh uh mandated policies that we wanted to get in according to the state. Uh Mr. Saki and I are working to just double check those and everything. Everything else should be in your hands for the full board as far as reads and then we'll be tackling um some of the other ones that are been

031suggested uh that we look at. Um Mr. Jody actually sent a few uh for us to look at to uh consider uh considering all the uh committees and how to handle them and things like that. So, we're going to be looking at those for the near future. And um I'll take any referrals because we might have an emergency meeting. I'm not sure. Thank you. Special meeting, Mr. Treyber. No, Miss Estra Jimenez. Um, in March, I referred some contract language for to mitigate any potential um to um it was contract language to um allow the chairperson to approve all contracts to secure that anyone who has a contract with employment um to have it approved by the chair to secure that anyone with a contract understands that that contract is contingent on available funding. So, I'd

032like to re-refer that to the policy committee again, please. Yep. We'll continue discussion. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Mr. Sakalovich. Uh, yes. I don't know if this should go to the policy committee or probably to the full board, but I would like to refer to superintendent's evaluation. We're coming to the end of the year. Um, and I know he hasn't been to here just a year yet, but state statute dictates that we got to do it by a year and I believe he's got some contractual language we need to get on top of as well. That's going to be before the full board. All right. That's in the works. Um, thank you. You'll hear about it this week. I'll send it to you, Miss Chair. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, what am I going

033to say? I know it's a protocol. It's a policy. It's a process. Let's put it this way. There's a process. I don't want people think that we're going to do this tomorrow, but um, Mr. I would like to you bringing in your committee in trying to see we can work together about the conflict we have working city people with the board education or people from board be you know working with the city I know it's a process it's a policy it's a charter thing you know policy we can talk about all that because I would prefer that situation stop it's a lot of conflict it's a lot of drama and I would like to see city people city people and boy it's a process I'm not talking we're going to do this thing tomorrow but

034we can work it you in the summer that and contact people to see what we can do. Thank you. Thank you, M. I'll take a look at that. All right. Um the facilities committee has not met. Um we just uh we did discuss some contracts through the finance committee. So that's um uh there's no upcoming facilities committee meeting scheduled. Um any contracts will go through uh finance next week. Um is there a referral, Mr. Sakalic? Yeah. Um, we really need to start discussing the facilities master plan because right now it's just a proposed plan. We need to develop a framework around a possible acceptance or revision. Create a timeline for traffic and transportation studies, potential redistricting. We need to get on this sooner rather than later rather than having something dropped in our lap at

035the last minute to say approve or disapprove. Failure to plan is the plan to fail. Mr. Chabber. Yeah. Excuse me, Madam Chair. Um, my understanding from uh the notice that was sent out on Parent Square late Friday is that we are having meetings Thursday and Friday, I'm sorry, Wednesday and Thursday. Let me be clear at Edison and Hall to continue our outreach to discuss the plan with communities. So, I don't know how we can start trying to finalize the plan until we continue our community outreach. Um, and that's really critically important. Our initial efforts to reach out to the community and get community input were not sufficient. Um, and so we do need to continue to the discussion with the community. Um, as I've been saying for months since the initial output outreach which got

036us all of probably 20 or 30 people at most. Um, so we're meeting in the schools at Edison and Hall and I'm hoping that we're going to then follow up with that, uh, depending on how those go. Uh, and continue to do more discussion with the community on the plans. Um, so I I think that we need to continue to try and talk with the community and see what questions and ideas they have before we try and finalize or formulate a plan. Um, so I I I'm I I'm happy to see we're doing that now because that's really the most important thing we need to do and consistent with our our policy is to reach out and talk to the community. All right. The CA report, sorry. Thank you. Um yeah, tomorrow there's the legislative

037wrapup up in Harford. Some of us are going up um tomorrow. And then um then we got the Cape Convention coming up. Um anybody who's been assigned a delegate, you need to get up there a day early to put in to vote and represent Bridgeport. Madam Chair, if all the delegates are not able to make it, be sure to please assign a delegate so Bridgeport's voice doesn't get diluted by not having a vote. Can you say what day? Um no, I can't because I didn't prepare for that. It's the the 20th. I think it's the 24th. Thank you. And then um I don't know. I'll I'll send a date via email. I didn't catch the date. Um and then there's also a leadership conference on August 7th at I forget where it was. Um August

0387th is a leadership conference. It's for new board members and leadership. The me and Mr. Benahan and a couple of us won last year. was pretty nice. Uh, so that's on August 7th. That's all I have. Okay. Um, we're going to Dr. Avery. Superintendent's report. Good. Good evening everyone. Um, my superintendent report is going to be short and brief this uh this evening. Um, but I would like to um, you know, as we close out the 2425 school year, I want to extend a sincere appreciation to staff, students, families, and just the community in general. Uh, we've had a very eventful year. Uh, you know, seven, eight months with me as the lead uh, for this district. And I do, I'm very, very appreciative of all the work, hard work that has been put in

039to get us where we are. And so as we end and finish the school year, uh we're we're doing it with momentum and with with excitement as well. We have a few more days. So I'm just going to highlight a few things as we close the the year. Uh the districtwide math beat at Sacred Heart. Uh I know Mr. Planis is out there. I want to I want to send a huge congratulations and thank you to him. So let's give him a round of applause. Um congratulations to all the students who participated in this year's math math meet. Uh this district-wide academic competition brought together middle school students uh from across Bridgeport uh to showcase their math skills in their school spirit. So I think we have a few that that that are here that's

040going to um uh come up and just kind of uh kind of showcase what they've what they I think they have their they have I know they have the shirts on so they can showcase that a little bit as well. So come on up to the front. Um uh and I'm going to recognize some of the top uh individuals uh that's with us today. Uh the top school, first place was Black Rockck School. Second place was Multicultural Magnet School. Uh third place was Geraldine Johnson School. And it's all it's all about improvement, right? is making sure that we get, you know, the kids to kind of just take a leap and get out there and do some things. But the most improved school in the district is Park City Magnet. Made a significant leap from

04118th place last year to fifth place this year. So, congratulations on that. Uh, and then we got the top performer, seventh grade performer was Christopher R at Black Rock School. 14 out of 15 points. So, congratulations there. Uh we have our eighth grade David C from multicultural magnet schools 13 out of 15 points you know um also David earned this distinction for the second year con the second consecutive year for outstanding achievements so we want to thank you for that and then we also have honorable honorable mention um Battalia and Hooker school each improve their ranks by 11 places compared to last year's competition so that's a testament to Tito and your staff. Uh the math focus has been a huge part of why we're, you know, doing, you know, academics for for students. Math

042is a key, you know, component in everything kids do in uh in life these days. And so when you go into uh you know, computer and engineering, sciences, all those things that is the basis for that. So I I applaud you and your team uh to keep the focus there. students, you know, you know, take us to the next level, you know, give us challenge challenge us a little bit to challenge you a little bit more as well. So, let's give them a round of applause, guys. Thank you. Also, we have uh I do want to celebrate uh Wednesday, June the 11th, we have a celebration for our teachers and administrators. We're going to have a small little lunchon uh on the 11th. Uh and we we're inviting the board members to to join us.

043Uh more details will be coming in an email for you. Uh this is just really trying to make sure that as we close the year out, it's a half day PD day that day. So they'll be uh with kids in the morning and then they'll come and have lunch with us in the afternoon on the 11th. Uh just an update for everybody out there. Uh last day of schools, uh please note that the final days are different. Uh on June 17th uh that is the last day for all schools except Harding High School, High Horizon, and Multicultural Magnet. June 18th is the last day for Harding High School and High Horizon. And June 20th is the last day for multicultural magnet schools. And these schools had to had for some odd reason either weather delayed

044or or incidents happened in the building that they had to they had to suspend school for those days. But these are the makeup days that they have to be able to do. Uh in addition to that, high school graduations are Friday. We're very proud of our class of 2025. All graduations will be held in the same day. So, uh please make note and it's going to it's going to be at the Kennedy Stadium. That's at Central High School. Uh Bassik High School will kick kick the morning off at 8:30 in the morning. Uh, Bridgeport Military Academy will be at 11:00 a.m. Harding High School will be at 1:00 p.m. Fairchild Wheeler uh, campus would be at 3:30 p.m. And then Central High School would be at 6:00 p. p.m. on Friday. So, we have a

045full day of of engaging uh, these uh, the class of 2025 at all our high schools. So, we would we invite the the community to come out to celebrate with us as well. uh and we wish the the class of 2025 the best of luck. In addition to the uh one of the I mean uh Mr. Traver mentioned uh about the community forums. This is all about the facility study. You know community we need you to come out and talk to us a little bit about you know the proposed you know facility master plan. Uh we want families and members to kind of give us an input. So we we will have uh a couple of meetings uh June the 11th. Uh we have uh at H Hall School, that's 209 uh Claremont Avenue. June

04612th, it's Edison School at 115 Boston Terrace. And both of these meetings will be at 5:30 to 6:30. So we want to make sure that we u come out and support that just to really have a discussion community about things that are going to be happening or that are going to be proposed to happen. Uh and then my last event is we're we're really looking for, you know, um uh additional teachers across, you know, Connecticut and in Bridgeport. We have uh open interviews for teacher recruitment uh for we have summer open interviews. And so what we're going to be doing June June 26th, July 10th, July 24th, August the 7th, August the 21st, we're going to have open interviews for anybody around uh the Bridgeport area that is looking to have a teaching position. Go

047to our website. We have a very robust um um opportunity to engage in this in this district for jobs in the district. So again, uh, June 26th, July 10th, July 24th, August the 7th, and August 21st, 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. Uh, come out and join the Bridge family. And hold on, one more thing. Okay. Um, and that's for any position, he's telling me, not just teaching position, custodial, cafeteria workers, anybody that is looking for a job, please come and engage us and see what we can do for you. Thank you. Any um questions? Mr. Kick, Dr. Avery, you want to go first? One one more thing. Yeah, I do want to let the community know that the legislation the legislators finished their session last Wednesday and one of the things that uh my staff and

048I are doing is trying to unpack the meanings of all those bills that was passed. Uh there's a lot of misconceptions about the dollars that the district is receiving and before I got get in front of the community to tell exactly what those numbers are. I needed a little bit more time to really understand those numbers, making sure that they're accurate in my mind, uh and the CFO's mind to so that we can have accurate information given from the um the board of ed. Uh you may be hearing all kinds of different things about how much money the district received or didn't receive, but we want again we want to make sure that we we we we take our time in interpreting and unpacking those bills in order for us to get the right numbers

049out to this committee about where we stand uh with uh those legislative moves. So yeah, more like a comment slashquest. Um, yeah, the public right now they're seeing a lot of cuts, a lot of staff removals, and I don't want them to think that means that we don't need employees. We still need to keep hiring employees because every year we have attrition, but we still need to replace employees. So, more employees will be leaving than we'll be um excess. So, we're still going to need to fill those positions, and those positions should be secure. Thank you, sir. Mr. Jamra Jimenez. Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot I had to turn mic on. Go ahead. Quick question. So, um Dr. Avery, when do you think that we can expect something? Um, when can the public better understand

050or can the board of education um can we articulate the actual funding that was received and what that impacts or how that's going to impact um the upcoming school year? Absolutely. I think one of the things that we're going to be doing is so uh I think we're going to have that a finance committee meeting next week. next on Monday, we should have some final details of of of what that's going to look like for the board. I think my my plan is to be able to give the board some talking points as to what that is so that you can have some clarity and some some consistent conversations when you're having those engagement conversations with the community as well. Uh so I think as we as we take it to the finance committee on

051Monday and then then a special call board meeting on the 18th, we'll be very clear as to how and what uh we're going to be doing. So it just just a couple extra days. Uh and uh I'm getting some final numbers from the state and from CABE uh regarding what what those numbers are. And I just want to make sure I'm clear. Uh there's some still some interpretation of some of the bond legislation and how that works and how that impacts the budget as well. Uh, so there's just a lot of little moving parts that I want to be clear before u I I I publicly get it out there for to you guys. Sounds good. Thank you, Mr. Traber. Yeah, I want to reinforce what Dr. Avery said. My my understanding is that anyone

052that thinks they understand what was passed doesn't. Uh there are a few people that probably do, but um the initial budget that was passed on Tuesday, I believe last week was fraught with problems and then they tried to repair the problems in the bond bill which was passed on Wednesday into Wednesday night. And if you've read it, um I have a copy of it. I've read it. It's It makes your head spin and people are reading all kinds of things into it and nobody really seems to understand exactly what it means. I know I I saw uh Nester at a BEA retirement function Thursday night and we all sort of agreed including the mayor's office. Nobody really understands what it means and the people that do understand are exhaust were exhausted Thursday and Friday and

053into the weekend. So people are reaching out to them now this week trying to say uh can you explain it to us? So everybody's trying to figure out exactly what it means and it's confusing everybody. So I think this week there's people all over the state trying to say uh can you explain this to me? Uh and that's what's sort of happening this week is everybody's trying to make sure that they are reading it correctly or understanding it correctly before they start making plans. Um, and you may see uh the city of Norwok is in in complete chaos. Uh, the mayor, the state senator, and the board of ed there. Um, I heard driving up to this event Thursday, the mayor of New Haven and his superintendent. So, I think this sort of confusion reigns

054throughout the state uh as to exactly what that bill and they were using the bond bill to make up for mistakes in the original budget bill. So it's it's it's chaotic for everybody. Um so I will support what Dr. Every's saying. Uh it it needs to be we need to be careful not to misstate what's been passed and and confuse people. Uh and we can't go forward and pass a budget that's not based on on accurate information. So, we just need to be careful and proceed uh cautiously to be certain that we're acting on accurate information. Thank you. Um we're going to go to new business. Um the first item on the agenda is discussion of possible action on the Hill for literacy uh for school year 2526. Good evening everyone. Thank you for the

055opportunity to present a proposal for a contract with the Hill to renew our partnership. Go to the next slide. As you may remember, the Hill was here in 2122 and 2223. And this contract we're proposing with a joint venture with the Connecticut State Department of Education to move forward into 2526. Uh as a as a side note, the Hill supported us with our early reading success program that starts on July 1st. They were trained the not only the summer school teachers but also coaches that we have brought in to do the summer work uh to the extent of 47,000. In addition, this total project for 2526 is 801,000. Of that amount, the CST is funding 364. We're there uh our portion would be 437,000. The difference between the two amounts is that the state is

056funding all of the educational, so all the professional development of teachers and principles, working with the district leadership team uh for literacy and the costs that we'll be paying for our uh uh coaching one-on-one in the schools with principles and teachers. I'd now like to introduce you to Miss Darcy Burns who will give a little more details about the program. Hi, it's good. It's nice to see everyone in person. You can love this. Um, so Hill for Literacy, we are uh proposing to uh reinstate our partnership as Dr. Hughes said. Um uh the overview of what we'll be doing um is um again reinstating um the district-wide literacy model K to6 with a focus on assessment. So supporting um the all educators and administrators in using data to make decisions at the district, school, grade

057level, classroom, individual student level. We will be providing um training and coaching in the implementation of the current uh programs in a tiered instructional model. So the wonders core reading program um ECRI and other interventions. We will also continue to provide pro professional learning around um linking these programs and implementation to the science of reading. Um as well as providing ongoing implementation and training so that the teachers have the tools and skills that they need to to implement all of the programs to their fullest capabilities and then also engaging families to support literacy at home. And all of this is wrapped in in leadership. So ensuring the fact that we're putting leadership systems and structures in place that will support this model, build capacity in the district so that this model will stay in place

058forever and and not just a temporary um literacy model. So we are looking forward to this and um have already as Dr. who said already have gotten the ball rolling um with this work um with summer school um kicking off uh this summer and then um we are diligently working on um potential plans for the school year. Thank you. Do you want to show anyone has questions? Okay. Any questions or any motions? Miss Cassmir. Hello. Thank you for your presentation. Just a couple of questions. Sure. Uh do you subcontract your services or will you be doing the actual No. Will we um so we had assembled um a team of facilitators to support um Bridgeport when we first started our partnership. And we were even though our partnership, you know, ended abruptly, we were able

059to keep that team intact and assign them other places. And so we reassembled that team. And they are um you know, again, Hill facilitators who were here before and now are um will continue to work um in the district. Those facilitators, are they subcontractors or No. Well, they're employees of the Hill. Yeah. And they're all can Connecticut based. So yeah. Um. All right. And how do you measure student improvement? So we um use your assessment tools. Um so um particularly your dibbles assessment um is your universal screener and progress monitoring tool. And so we um help to organize the data so that we can see at a district level, school level, grade level and and classroom level and and individual student level as to as to how how the students are are responding to the

060instruction. Thank you. And how does the program support the retention of teachers? Um well I mean so we we spend a a great deal of time building the the skills and leadership and um teachers ability to meet the students where they are and bring them to the next level. Um you know through highlevel training and professional development. Um and also when teachers start to see success with their students, we we see students happy are teachers happy in their role and retention there because of the right of the impact that they're having on their students. Yeah, that'd be great. One thing I'd like to add is prior to engaging in discussions with the Hill, uh Dr. Avery had us go and talk to our principles. We talked to teachers and they were there was a unanimous

061uh agreement that they the teachers and principles wanted the um the hill back in in the district that they felt that when they left in 2324 that it was a it was early. it was actually it was earlier in in in 23 when they left and they they felt uh that bringing them back would really help support their success with their students. So we we did as much groundwork as we could prior to uh beginning these discussions and it they seem very favorable. And um my last question is is this part of the McGraill textbook adoption? Um sort of. So it's not a part of the adoption but what one of the things that that we do through this partnership is is help teachers to implement that program wonders in the context of the whole

062literacy model. So we um provide um training in how to enhance um that instruction particularly in small groupoup instruction um around the foundational skills in in in K to2 and then also helping teachers in grades 3 to six take those materials and differentiate them to meet individual student needs. So you were involved since 2021 until 23 or were you before 2021? We were we've been involved in Bridgeport here and there for a while because Bridgeport has been part of the Connecticut literacy model and participating in statewide training. We also um supported um a a few schools directly through that. But it wasn't until 2021 that we had the full K to6 model in in place. So So Wonders was already adopted in place, but but our you know the the the support that we provide

063is to help the district and the teachers implement those programs. Yeah. Because important more effectively. Yeah. for it's what's important is for you know for the program to be reputable researchbased with proven longitudinal results outcomes at the national level. So that's kind of where I was going with that. Yeah. Um and where are you headquartered? So we're we originated in Boston as part of Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in 2001, but we um have been directing coordinating the the Connecticut literacy model since the beginning, so for 12 years. So we've built a team originally when we started we all lived in the Boston area, but now we we have about 10 facilitators who actually live in Connecticut. So we over the last 12 years have built a team of of literacy leaders in

064the state. Um and then uh the other half of our team live in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. So yeah, Miss Er may those are good questions. I have two questions. Um is there anything is there anything like this already implemented in the district? So I'm thinking about this more from a financial perspective given our situation. Is there any type of duplicate type of would this initiative duplicate something we already have? Not really. Back when the hill was here in 2122 and 23 they did a very intensive training with our K3 teachers. The intent going into 23 24 was that they were going to expand that because we know that we've got those those intermediate grades where our students are still struggling to read and those teachers are not always familiar with the foundational skills that

065are necessary to get our students to our to that level. So what what this work is doing is we're take we've cohorted the teachers including our special ed teachers that we've got the new teachers coming in. They'll have a little separate mini training. The cohort B are teachers that were hired in 22 23 and 23 20 22 23 23 24 that didn't get this training back the K3 level and then branching off into 46. So it's really a smooth um extension of the work that they had done. They're using all all the materials that we already have in place for the foundational skill work and really um working with our teachers for small group instruction. Thank you. And my last question is, is there something like this already that the state has that that we

066can use and minimize our costs? That's a great question because this is a joint venture with the state of Connecticut. Awesome. Thank you. Is there a motion? Mr. Chabber, I move that we accept the Hill for literacy program for the school year 2526. Is there a motion? Is there a second? I'll second. Mrs. Salic seconds. Make a motion. Do you have any debate on that? No. Uh, Mr. Medina. Yeah, I just want to say uh thank you for your presentation. Thank you for knocking out of the park uh even with those tough questions and thank you for making a commitment to Bridgeport uh because like you said, you built capacity here and you went out and got them uh back and I I don't know how you did that, but I just want to say

067kudos to you guys for getting those same people back because we're we're one step two steps ahead already by you guys getting those same people back to just hit the ball and roll it. So, thank you for being part of that movement. Appreciate you. Mr. Traber, do you have anything? No. Seeing no further questions, all in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Miss Came closes. Any abstensions. All right, that passes. The next item on the agenda is uh Thank you. Um the next item on the agenda is um discussion of possible action on the Buddy Jordan Foundation. just click the mic for me. You're all set. Thank you so much. Good evening everyone. Thank you for your time. I appreciate that. This evening I'm here to speak with you on the Buddy Jordan Foundation and

068its partnership that it is looking to build with Bridgeport Public Schools. They've been working in our community for the last 20 years with a focus on mental health. and in the last 10 years in the community and for the last five within our schools and across our schools for boys in recognizing trauma working towards healing and creating a safe space for these young men to feel seen and supported. Mr. Jordan and Miss Noel are here tonight to share with you and the board the proposed mentoring partnership boys table in nine of our schools for the 2526 school year for your consideration. Good evening everyone. Good evening. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to present to you all about um Brothers Table in particular. Um and as Dr. Fagga mentioned, we've been um

069very blessed to be able to do this work, specifically Brothers Table for the last 5 years in the community and the last year partnering more strategically with schools because the boy just weren't coming out so we wanted to go to them. Um but I actually want to first start by saying how proud I am of the fact that um this program actually was first realized in response to the work of this board over four year five years ago actually um when we had the ad hoc great city black and brown boys committee subcommittee or uh what was it called the um the ad hoc committee that this board basically calls for a group um to look at what is going on with our boys and what can we do about it. Um and following a

070community conversation that was held at Caesar Battalia where nearly 300 community members came out, mentoring rose to the top among this group um as effective research proven strategies that our boys are in desperate need of throughout the district. So Buddy Jordan Foundation took this call to action very seriously and since then and as a result of that we started Brother's Table to serve the middle school age primarily at first the middle school age um boys fifth through through 8th grade um and again as we've mentioned since have grown um to also include the high school but next slide so just quickly I'll um quickly go through this um so again the B Jordan Foundation was founded over 20 years ago um and specifically to address trauma that groups face as a result of exposure to

071violence and stresses unique to urban communities and as a and we do that in different ways. Next slide. Um we specifically do that through our um mental health program. So our um for adults where we have um online um uh mental health and yoga program for um the adults. We have um our brother's table where we work specifically with the boys. And then we have our drama program where we help kids um use drama and creative um outlets to discuss those um p you know to to go through those pieces that mentally um to provide relief rather um for mental stresses and different um things that they go through. Um so brothers table specifically um focus on three pillars brotherhood mentorship and community. Next slide please. Next slide. Um, and our objective is really straightforward.

072We want a boys to feel safe to share their thoughts and their feelings because we know when they do, they're less likely to engage in negative behaviors and do things that will further that will negatively impact their lives. We want them to have a trusted adult, a trusted male adult who they could look up to. We want them to feel part of a community so that they can stay safe in the community rather than creating their own community and doing other things. And we want them to have a positive outlook for the future. Next slide. So since starting again, we've been um definitely um blessed to do the work over the last five years engaging over 75 adults, male adults throughout the community. This past year, we had a really special relationship with the University

073of Bridgeport basketball team where the whole basketball team came to a number of our um uh sessions. Um and in fact, sorry, they adopted um Harding as one of their schools where they came with us to all the sessions at Harding. Um and we are uh and this past year we were in three schools in part or had three uh groups in particular, sorry, two at Dunar. So a fifth and sixth grade program at Dunar, seventh and eighth grade program at Dunar and we ran at and we ran our program at Harding High School and we were there um about twice a month um for the whole school year. well for nearly the whole school year at all those schools. Um and we are slated to start with the lighthouse this summer where we'll be

074at six schools providing weekly sessions um Madison, Marin, Reed, Battalia, Columbus, and Curial. And as Dr. Fega mentioned um we're looking to um expand to go into nine eight feeder schools and into Bassic High School next year while continuing our relationship with Dunbar and Harding. Next slide. And we do this in a group based a group mentoring a group based mentoring program. So we bring um uh we're going to um we're starting partnerships with the colleges again expanding what we have with University of Bridgeport and other um universities and we bring groups of men to our sessions where our boys can both again foster the brotherhood but also the community piece. Next slide. And lastly I just want to talk about just what we kind of go through with the boys. Um so in a

075year um we go through the cycle of brother of brother's development which um includes personal exploration um the who who are you um personal development what do I like to do what how can I do that better what do I not like how do I avoid that care for others how do we extend that to other people sense of responsibility what does that mean from a male's perspective and then sense of purpose who am I what am I here for so that's a cycle we go through with the boys um each of a module has about five to eight sessions. Um and uh it's been a powerful year at Harding. We just wrapped up this past um week at both Harding and Dunar. Um and we are excited to continue into the summer with Lighthouse

076and hopefully into the school year with all of the um Peter schools in Bassic High School. And with that, thank you. Thank you for presentation. Is there a motion, Mr. Medina or Mr. Trey? Sorry. Um, I move that we approve. Oh, sorry. I see you now. Yeah. Good. I move that we approve the funding for the Buddy Jordan Foundation. A second. Okay. Miss Casemir, uh, as the maker of the motion, do you have something? Okay. Okay, I I'll defer to Miss Casmir for Miss Casmir. Sorry, mic. No, just one question. Um, what does your screening process look like for the group facilitators and the mentors? I love that question. Um, yeah, so we have um a licensed social worker that um trains our facilitators. Um, and while the facilitators may not be licensed social workers,

077it is overseen by a licensed social worker. Um, and that's and we go through uh quarterly trainings. Um again it's our first school year so we are excited to go through another school year where we have all the trainings um but that's who provides the oversight. What does the screening process? Oh go. Oh sorry yes yes yes. So yes yes yes abs sorry absolutely yes. All our mentor well the the facilitators um go through all the background checks. they do go through the training that I started with um to make sure that they are aligned with how we're trying to do it and what we're trying to do. Um we do have an application process obviously and an interview process with both the the team and the board members um and with the schools. We

078do work with the principles to make sure they're comfortable with the facilitator. Mr. Faber. Um, this is a program that I think has uh proven itself over the years um in its value to our city and it's particularly uh this was as I reported earlier added to our agenda um uh at our last committee meeting. Um and um as I listened to what they do, it was particularly uh appropriate given what we were talking about with regard to the suspensions um among uh black and brown boys. Um and so uh what the work that they do to expand it uh which we're going to be we're proposing to do here is very appropriate. But I want to defer my comments because it also was something that Mr. Sakalavik was involved with as was mentioned earlier

079on an ad hoc committee years ago um which was part of what became the DEI committee the diversity equity and inclusion committee that was abruptly eliminated. Um so I want to defer and let Mr. Scaliv speak to his experience on that. Thank you, Mr. Trey. Yeah, when I walked into that meeting and I saw you guys there, I was so happy because being in on with the inception of the program and sitting through some of the men, I didn't mentor anybody, but I did sit through the process and saw the children engaging and all of that. And this this was a very important rung in lowering those suspensions because when you have a positive ro role model that looks like you in the schools and somebody who's helping somebody you could talk to and trust

080even if they may not look like you is quite helpful to our students and you guys have done this before on a shoestring budget. It's another sho string budget from what I can see. I can't recall the amount, but I know it's a lot of bang for the buck. Even if it has a little bit of incremental change and changing these children's lives, it's going to be awesome. I'm glad to have you back in this district and hopefully we could expand even further after this year. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Benahan. Thank you. I just want to know um this program has going to be funding and how much going to be the cost? Yes. So this um program will be funded through our title 4A which is built to support mental health and safety

081and in schools. And how much it's the the total is it going to be each school? Is going to be a total or is it going to be separate for each school? It's a total for all nine schools. And do you know the total about how much going to be? It is uh 81,250 I believe. Okay. And you said title title 4A. All right. Thank you. Yes, Mr. Medina. Thank you. Um, sorry I missed your last presentation. I had to abruptly leave the meeting, but you did definitely mentioned that you had UB going in that UB kind of like adopter Harding. So, a little side note or homework. Uh, Secret Heart University is right around the corner. Uh, Central High School is right around the corner from them. If you need any help, please let

082me know. I'll be more than happy to go advocate and help you guys out. Um, I have my card for you that you know. I love that. But that's that's our focus this summer is to get into those other colleges. So, thank you. Let's go, Mr. Traver. Yeah. I just wanted to finish by saying that um what got me started in this state was working with juvenile delinquents in New Haven over 50 years ago. and one-on-one work, group work in the community is absolutely essential. And the mentorship program is a part of that that we were doing back then and continue. And I spent the last weekend at a 50th reunion talking to people who are doing that still in the community. And it's just critical now. We need to get more money so that

083we can expand these programs and provide more opportunities for our students and our children in the community. But this is just the more we can do this the better. So I thank you for what you do and hopefully we can do more in the future. Thank you. I'm seeing no further questions. Um we'll take a vote. All in favor say I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Mr. Benahan extends. Um the next item on the agenda is Thank you. Sorry, got passive. Um, it is the discussion and possible action of the grievance 2893. Um, that there's been an agreement made already. So, um, Dom, you want to go to that? Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh we just ask that this matter be tabled uh as we work on a tenative settlement for this grievance. Is there Mr.

084Sakalic? Motion to table grievance number 2893. Second by Mr. Chabber. Um all in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right. Thank you. Thank you. Um Mr. Mr. Kick, did you have something or no? Okay. Um the next item on the agenda is the update on 8 to9 central office staff positions limited in the fiscal year 25 to 26 um for the proposed budget. Um this item does qualify for executive session. Um is there a motion for executive session? Motion made by Mr. Treyber second by Mr. um Benahan. Um Mr. Mr. Treyber make a motion. Do you have anything? Mr. Sakalic, do you have something about the think of this? I'm just efficiency. Oh, microphone. Sorry. Put your mic on for me. Sorry. Thank you. For the sake of efficiency, are we going

085into are you should we do both? Yes. You want to make it for both? I want to make a motion that we go into executive session for items D and E. Uh, you have to take back the original motion, don't you? Pardon me. Technically, you have to take back the original motion. Well, since I have my mic on, I didn't think it was on the record yet, but All right. Um, I take back my original motion. Um, Mr. Benahan, do you want to take back your original second? Mr. Ben, are you taking back your second to remake it? Yeah. Okay. So, now I make a new motion that we uh go into executive session for items D and E. Is there a second by Mr. Benahan? Um, any further discussion on that, Mr. Savvik? I

086just turned all Sorry. Go ahead. Yeah, I disagree that this with the assertion that this item is qualified for executive session. We are not discussing individual employees. We're not discussing their performance. We're not discussing their employment. We are discussing budget cuts and eliminating elimination of positions. So, this item, in my opinion, does not qualify for executive session. And we should not be going into executive session to discuss positions. We're not discussing people. We're discussing positions and the budget. So, I don't think either one of these qualify for executive session. And I'm sure the Freedom of Information Commission may agree with me as they often do. Any further debate on that? All in favor say I. I. Roll call. Mr. Sakovic would like a roll call. Miss and also if I may, we've got a city

087attorney sitting here. Maybe he could give us further guidance through you, Madam Chair. Mr. Dan Anastasia. Hold on just a second. If I understand correctly, um this is not as was summarized by uh member Sakolic the um matters involving individual named employees. And the reason why that's significant is because if you were to vote to go into executive session concerning an individual impacted person, they have a right to have notice so they can be here and object to the executive session. They can't require matters be heard in executive session, but they can require they be heard in public session. To be honest with you, I'm not aware of um and I could be corrected by any member of the board, including or the superintendent or uh Nester, but I'm not aware of any justification for

088discussing budget matters in general in executive session. Uh again, if you're going to be talking about specific individuals and their jobs, that's one thing. Sometimes they're almost um identical. In other words, if there's only one person in a particular position, people can draw the conclusion as to who you're talking about. But then again, that person is the one that's entitled to have that discussion in public session, but they have to get notice of that. I don't know what kind of notice was given to any impacted employees here tonight. Um, if no notice was given, raises a question as to whether it's appropriate to go into executive session. I don't know how you've handled this up to this point in time. I know you've discussed a certain number of layoffs and other uh employment matters including

089uh issues of contracts. Those people have all been my understanding notified and had an opportunity to require the matter to be in public. So I'm a bit of at a loss on the facts. Um, so you'd probably have to give me more information if you want a definitive ruling as to whether this is appropriate for executive session. Anybody have any comments, Mr. Chamber? Um, can we get some more facts? to the chair. There's some of some staff have been notified about, you know, positions and some some staff have not been. So, it's a combination of both due to the fact that one affects the other. Uh, and a lot of these positions are one single positions as well. So, it's just more of trying to understand the organization for for the for the most part.

090Not necessarily I know the first agenda item is not anything to be voted on. It's just more of a conversation about the whole entire thing. I'll take a quick look at the FOI, but I'm not sure that there is an exception that simply says because we're discussing budget matters or uh potential budget cuts that we can go into executive session. I know the city when it adopts its budget does it in public. And you're talking about, I presume, making some policy decisions regarding budget cuts. Now, what again is the purpose of going what's the purpose of going into executive session tonight? The proposed purpose, Dr. Avery, really just to kind of just to have a discussion with the board regarding, you know, next steps of all the impacts with the district and the things that

091has happened on the financial side of the district. So really just really making sure that that's a clear pathway moving forward. Uh making sure that it's you know when you talk about certain um positions that's going to be moved or eliminated, we can have a direction of which ones are going to be make the the major impact of that first. Uh and so that was really trying to kind of get a direction and then coming out and being able to talk a little bit about that. All right. So now I'm just popping up the FOI statute because now we're sort of at the other end of the spectrum on this. It's not so much that you're impacting individuals. The question is does this type of a strategy discussion qualify under any the exceptions that allow

092you to go into executive session? And I I want to pop that up for a moment. I don't I can't think of any off the top of my head to be quite honest with you, but uh hold on. Executive sessions meeting discussion concerning discussion concerning the appointment, employment, performance, evaluation, health or dismissal of a public officer or employee and this is the one I spoke about provided that such individual may require that discussion to be held in an open meeting. Well, you can't do that if you don't give notice. Uh then another exception would be strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims or litigation. You're very familiar with that obviously. Uh matters concerning security strategy or the deployment of security personnel. Um that's clearly not applicable here. Discussion of the selection of a site

093of a lease sale purchase. uh where you'd be talking about value and that doesn't apply. And then there's a catch all discussion of any matter which would result in the disclosure of public records or the information contained herein described in subsection B of 1-210. So now we're going to drop down to 1-210 subsection B. Um, and that's quite extensive, but there again, I don't think there's any one that's going to fit with your needs here, but we'll look to the chair. I think one of the clarification I need to make is that we will be discussing performance of staff. Um and so that is part of the conversation that we'll be having. But in lie of of time, I am going to request to the chair uh that we table this item until we get

094a legal opinion on both items. Okay, that certainly works for me. I was just going to say that if to the extent you are going to be discussing staff performance, the individuals to be discussed will need to be provided notice so they can exercise their right to require the discussion be an open session. you know, um I guess the other thing for what it's worth going forward when you identify something on an agenda that you believe may qualify for executive session, you probably should should try to ID in advance the um section on which you're relying because although section 1-210B lists a host of things, I I mean, if you just give 30 seconds. I'll zip through them. See if anyone jumps out, but I don't see it. Um, personnel with medical files, records of

095law enforcement, strategy and negoti question, real estate appraisal, personal worth, records, strategy and negoti strategy. Now, I don't know whether you're doing this uh statements of strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining. I don't know if any of this discussion is going to be touching on collective bargaining matters, but if it is, those would be appropriate. tax records, names, addresses of students, uh, investig [Music] one of the things that we're going to be strategizing on the reorganization of the district. That's really the the the focal point of these two items. And so if that if that gets me to um a liable, you know, um notice that curiously enough is what was being whispered into my ear. I don't see, however, where that applies unless unless you were to try to go into executive

096session with legal counsel to discuss reorganization of the district as part of pending litigation. Now, you do have a pending I don't know if it's really litigation, but you certainly have a pending relationship with the state uh ongoing in terms of the efforts by the state to uh uh provide assistance is the way I'll put it. So unless this is a hugely time-sensitive matter, maybe we could try to craft something on that line for an upcoming meeting and and perhaps provide appropriate notice and a statement as to what we're doing. So you don't get caught with the someone filing a complaint with the FOI commission under the argument of uh asking for them to revoke any action you took because it's the fruit of the poisonous tree. That's the last thing you want. So if

097you have you appear to meet fairly regularly. So, if this can wait until your very next meeting, we can provide better guidance in terms of how you might be able to craft an agenda item that qualifies at least in part for executive session. Perfect. I'm sorry I can't do more tonight off the cuff, but that's the best I can tell you. Um, Mr. Chber, Mr. Sakalic, you withdrawing your motion? Is that what you're saying? There you go. Sorry. I'll withdraw my motion, Madam Chair. Mr. Ben, do you draw? Okay, Mr. Benham withdraws a second. Mr. Sakalovic, I make a motion to table items 11D and 11E until we get further items. Second. Second by Miss Casemir. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Sounds like the eyes have it. Um, moving on.

098Um, um, Mr. Estazzi, you're here too, but, uh, discussion of possible action on the RFP for BBOE Legal Service. I know, uh, Mr. Pyres is going to speak to that. Want a motion? Oh, can you turn your mic on? All that. Good evening. This item is the uh requesting you to approve the issuance of an RFP for legal counsel for the board of education. The contract for our legal consent currently expires on June 30th and we are seven years into their services and we need to put it out to bid. That's the uh the request. Okay. Um I'm going to let Mr. Nastazi speak. The city attorney's office um came to the meeting today um uh and so they asked to speak to this. Thank you again, board members, uh, for the opportunity to address

099this matter. I'm representing city attorney Taiisha Toms tonight because she had a, uh, conflict this evening, and she has devised a plan, frankly, to minimize the board's expenditure of funds for outside legal counsel. And the way she's committed to doing that is by providing the maximum amount of legal services inhouse through her office to the board, which I know many board members have been clamoring for longer than I've probably been city attorney. Um, therefore, in our opinion, respectfully, the current RFP is substantively too broad and too long in its duration. And we would respectfully ask this that the board table this matter tonight to allow for further discussions between the city attorney and the superintendent and his staff for the purposes of submitting a revised RFP that better recognizes that you ought to have standby

100legal counsel on an outside basis available but not utilized routinely as perhaps has become a bit of a practice and therefore a significant budgetary expense. So, uh again, I don't think and we recognize the time limitations, but frankly, if you unless I got the wrong draft, the particular draft that I saw called for responses coming in by July 15th, but a contract starting July 1st. So that unless that was revised, that doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense. There's also a significant amount of repetition in the RFP and some conflict between it appears that you're looking to the way it's drafted now. You're asking for significant proono services which are only going to be provided if you're committing to affording a substantial amount of per hour payments to a law firm as opposed to trying

101to again save your money by having more heavy lifting done in the city attorney's office. But this has to all be by agreement and as a consequence I think again you meet regularly. Um as far as services disappearing as of July 1, never a risk because the city attorney can always hire someone even if the contract were to expire. But the goal is to get this out and certainly get it up and running prior to the commencement of the next school year. But we're not looking to advertise for something that is going to end up costing the board money for services that could be provided inhouse. So I think uh again uh the idea is to have a better dialogue and we're ready and willing to do that. So that's the request that you table

102it tonight. Thank you Mr. Traber. Yeah, I'm confused by this. This is boilerplate language that's been used for years. It's my understanding. It is. It is to So that's all we're doing is putting it out. I mean, this is normally a five-year contract. Well, that's another thing. It was it was put out uh it was extended two years ago and because of the transition of super superintendent is my understanding. And uh then it was extended another year last year for reasons I don't know because we weren't being told things last year. Um but now we're trying to put out a contract to see what's out there. Um we certainly are with you about minimizing expenditures. Uh, I've yet to see, but want to see how much we spent last year because we were overly dependent

103on having a outside council sit here and answer petty questions about all kinds of things that we could certainly avail ourselves of. And I know uh the city attorney has recommended that we have a a uh a dedicated city attorney who is available to answer basic questions that we can handle 90% of the time in house, which makes a lot more sense. I agree with you. But I don't know why we don't move forward on getting the RFP out there to find out what's available in terms of counsel. And as far as I know, and I I I I um uh I've spent a few decades um negotiating um before prior to coming on this board, both in Bridgeport and in other districts around the state. Uh it is normal practice for a board of

104ed to have outside counsel because of the teacher negotiation act. Um and um so that would be the primary reason for having outside counsel um and so I I think that's the reason we were feeling the need to move expeditiously um to get that going and I I sort of given its boilerplate and given we have a contract coming up this fall to move on that now unless there's something wrong with the boilerplate language. That's sort of what I'm trying to get understand there. um, Attorney Anastasia, uh, what it was you were referring to is wrong with the boilerplate language. Well, um, I think a couple of things are wrong with it. Number one, I think it's and while I agree with you, it may be similar to what certainly has gone out in the

105past because it it worked off of the format previously uh, that goes back to I believe before 2014. But if you read it, it calls for expertise in a whole series of areas that I'm not sure you're looking to engage people with. For instance, I don't believe I could be wrong, but I don't believe your outside council has regularly engaged in labor negotiations for contracts, collective bargaining. If I'm wrong on that, I'll stand corrected. But I personally went through I'm sorry. They do. That's exactly what they do. Okay. Then I stand corrected on that. Um if you're inclined to approve this tonight, if I if I may, council, um that the teacher negotiation act is one of the more unique labor laws in the state. Um, you know, in my experience, it was not unusual

106to negotiate against a labor relations department, uh, municipal employee or council from a city, from a municipality, uh, with regard to MERA or, um, the NLR, but it was unusual to negotiate with, um, with without some sort of lawyer from a private practice when you're dealing with the teacher. negotiations act. Um, and so the TNA has always sort of brought out the private council, if you will. Um, I've not often seen a city attorney or a city labor relations rep sit down at the bargaining table to represent them. And so, it's a unique and rather uh arcane law. Um, and that's where you really do want to have outside counsel because it's because of its arcane nature. Um, so I I that's that's not something that most lawyers are familiar with. I can I can

107accept that. Having said that, um, I have to be honest with you. I went through the RFP myself and have about 17 suggestions for modification. So, if you're inclined to move this quickly tonight, and I'm not sure you need to, but if you're inclined to, I would ask that you uh approve it in subject to revisions so that it's posted in final form that's satisfactory to the superintendent, the board chair, and the city attorney because there's clearly there are some items in there that need to be addressed. um such I mentioned one which are uh the dates. Um there's a there's a number of other sections where there's some conflicts between uh responsibilities. There's a section that talks about payments being due in 45 days. I think you'd probably want to extend that to 60

108days to be on the safe side. Um there's a lot of uh sort of housekeeping pieces that apparently we haven't had a chance to uh go over with board staff. Um so if you if you're committed to moving it quickly, I think you need to at least do what the city council does regularly, which is approve something subject to final form that's satisfactory to certain parties. In those instances, it's usually the city attorney and the finance director or the CEO. Here, it would clearly be the board chair, the superintendent and his staff and the city attorney. But I also don't know that the better route wouldn't be, frankly, to table it because um another issue that the city attorney was concerned about is approving a 5-year contract as opposed to, for instance, a one or

109two-year contract with one-year options at the board's option. So, you don't end up having to terminate a contract, but rather you extend it at your discretion. minor things like that, but little housekeeping cleanup. Uh, and I think we could probably refine this thing relatively quickly if there was a sitdown. So, I don't know when your next meeting is to be honest with you. Uh, but we have one item that's coming back on the next meeting. And I would suggest that the the quicker, more expeditious way to deal with this one would be to treat it the same way and afford the city attorney the opportunity to present to the superintendent in person. May I ask when the city attorney got the the the RFP? Um, I can't answer that. I do know that uh I

110do know that Deb Garskoff, who's one of the uh associate city attorneys, was working or I believe was involved in the process because she consults with the and is the lead attorney for the board of public purchases who ultimately post these things. But listen, uh I think the goal I also would say that this um city attorney Toms reached out to me on Wednesday. Um that's when she found out about it through her through the office. So um that's what to her what she said to me. So well, if there's any concern, it's obviously a high priority for the office and as I said, if you were to table it to your very next meeting, we would commit to having whatever input by that time. so that we're not holding things up. But you're not

111you're not making a uh a July one date in any case since the uh responses and the version I saw aren't even proposed to come in until July 15th. So I think tableabling it for one meeting, keeping everyone's feet to the fire is not a bad thing. And uh we're committed to uh communicating with the superintendent and whatever key people he's assigned to it. Um, we've worked with them in the past as was pointed out by Commissioner Traber. So, that would be the request. Mr. Skull or I'm going to order Sakalic. Yeah. Yes. Uh, this question is for Mr. Pyres. Sure. Under this RFP, how many hours are we required to utilize? I don't think I understand your question. Are we required to use a certain amount of hours from the outside council? No. Are

112we bound by an exclusivity contract? No. So, we don't have to use them. We could use other people. So that basically takes care of the city's attorney's things of over overusing them. We will not be overusing them because I would love to use the city attorney for anything and everything we have and so would the majority of this board. My concern with postponing this is because I don't know if everybody knows this, but there is a city charter revision committee right now that specifically names the board of education and corrects for a shortfall in the city charter that just mentions all other departments because there's been talk in the past of the board of education needing to get permission of the city council has never been resolved. So they're putting new language in the charter

113revision to try to get that approved with the board of ed specifically named in addition to the city council and this. So my concern is the city may be no disrespect to the city moving to do something on their own or try to usurp us and as you know there's some conflicts between the city and the board of education. For example, I just made a referral about the MBR. Is the city going to def give us a lawyer to defend us to defend them or defend us? And that's a conflict where the board has to do. Every time we have a case that had involves education law, the superintendent will have to reach out to the city attorney and then they have to go find an attorney to handle that particular avenue of um expertise

114that we don't have. If I could just answer that piece by charter, if there is a conflict between boards, commissions, city council, employees, etc., the city attorney is obligated specifically in chapter f uh chapter 7 of the charter to engage outside council to represent one of the parties so there is no uh conflict. So, we would never attempt to represent the city uh and the board where there's a dispute between the two parties. So, who chooses? I don't think that's the issue. And who chooses that outside council? I'm sorry. Who would choose that outside counsel? Well, whenever the way we've always handled it in the past is when selecting the firm for the board of ed, the city attorney participates, as you know, in the selection process to make sure the party's qualified, but there's

115a panel much larger than one or two representatives from the city attorney's office. And as long as the respondent is qualified, it will be determined by the selection panel, not by the city attorney directly there. Now, um, and that's because it's your funds. And this is very much the way it's done with the WPCA as well. We went out and engaged outside council for the WPCA. We sat with them, but recognizing it's their money. as long as they're hiring qualified attorneys, then uh we have no reason or role to uh dispute that. As you'll also know that the prior agreements have always been countersigned by the city attorney as well as either the chair or the superintendent or both. So, it's sort of a joint process, but there's never been an attempt to foist some

116firm on the board that they're not interested. Same thing with the city council. There were three or four occasions where the city council had a dispute with the administration. One I remember was on uh the budget process. Another one was on a major development where the city council wanted to get a second independent opinion. What we did was we sat with I was the city attorney at the time. We sat with the council president. We interviewed a number of firms and at the end of the day the council president selected one of the qualified respondents. So again this is not a power grab by any means. This is a recognition frankly that probably we have not held our own feet to the fire over the years to make sure that the board is spending as

117little money as necessary on outside counsel. And this effort again is an effort to assist, not seize power. It's an effort to uh act responsibly. And I think in order to do that, we need a bit of a opportunity for the city attorney personally to get her hands onto this agreement and make sure that it's something we're all very pleased that goes out. And and for instance, we want language in there that makes it very clear what was just said that not only is there no express representation of any minimal amount of work, but we want language in there that that makes it clear that there should be no expectation of that either, particularly if we are asking for some of these proono services which could be um demanding on the firm. So again, I

118don't think tableabling one meeting is going to necessarily impact anything. And in the meantime, if something comes up that requires an attorney, uh, and it can't be done in house and the contracts expired, it would continue on for a, you know, an extra week or two. That's all. The goal would be to probably move the award date uh later into July, but definitely so it's in place and and people are available for your school year. So, I'm just reiterating I don't see any downside and I think it would be a sign of good faith and and assist in this partnership arrangement moving forward. Right. In my experience, most of the RFPs are very broad in scope and then when you sit down and start negotiating, you get the particulars down and what's what everybody does.

119You just cast a wide net to get as many bids as possible and then you negotiate afterwards and then you get the deliverables at the contract negotiate. That makes sense. That makes sense on a certain level, but to be honest with you, sometimes when you ask for too much, you're eliminating people or firms because they don't have all of the things you're asking for, some of which you may not need. For instance, I don't think it's any secret that there's probably two firms that dominate the education representation in this state. And you've had both of them. It's been Shipman and Goodwin and Burch and Moses. I think between the two of them, they probably do 85 to 90%. And then there's a smattering of others who I'm not saying are not qualified, but the more

120you ask and the more you demand, the less likely you're going to get more than just two respondents. So, I think it might be more productive to make sure we're only asking for things we need, right? Yeah. I have no issue with the city going forward as searching, but in the meanwhile, I think we should have our own firm and respectfully, I think we should move forward with this RFP. That's all I got for now. Miss Cassmir, attorney, don't leave yet. So, um, I just want to ask you one question. Um, let's say the board decided not to go with this and we decided to rely on the city attorneys. If there is a specific issue or problem that comes up centered around special education, labor, and then you guys would ha you as a

121city attorney's office would have to go to another attorney who has experience in that area, who would pay for that? Well, number one, any payment for outside lawyers would be from the board. But we are not suggesting that you forego having on hand stand by outside counsel to supplement in those areas that we cannot perform either because it's a particular expertise as Commissioner Traber has spoken to or because there's a conflict and no attorney including the city attorney is interested in creating and providing representation that's going to result in a conflict of interest. The goal again is to use outside counsel strategically when it's to your benefit and it's clearly to your financial benefit to minimize that usage. The best way to uh do that is for the city attorney's office to assume as much

122as it can and the best way to um engage that is through a partnership arrangement. But again, I think it's productive to have standby uh outside counsel so you can tap into it on short notice as needed. Not that every time something comes up, you got to start calling around and seeing who'll do it for what. No, I don't I don't think that's what's being suggested at all. And that's not the way it's been done in the past. The goal is to, I think, tip the seesaw a little bit more so that some of the sands flow towards the city attorney's office and away from money coming out of your pocket. Mr. Traber. Yeah. Um, you you can you can relax a touch, Mr. Um, I it's my understanding that with the city attorney, we're

123talking about trying to have a member of the staff there who is more focused on the board of ed than normal. And I think that's a great idea. Um, and that would uh mitigate some of the expenses that we've had in the past. I think that's a great idea. Um, Dominic, when does the administrative contract uh expire and when do they need to begin negotiations? The summer. Okay. So, under the TNA, there's a really specific window for negotiations. I mean, it's not unlike any other negotiations where you can, hey, we can start next month and we can extend that and we can extend that and we can extend that. It's like you start bargaining and I I can see Herman shaking and I can see Becca's head shaking in the back, the staff from the

124BEA and CA. Um, you have so many weeks to negotiate before you get into mediation. You have so many weeks to negotiate before you get into arbitration. It's like that and then you find yourself in binding arbitration and it's done. There's no messing around with the timetable. It's really unique. That's what I said. Um and so we don't have a lot of time to find somebody who's going to do those negotiations. Um and so that's why we need to get somebody ASAP and we don't have a lot of time. Um if if we start negotiating this summer, that means in August, that means we need to begin to sit down and plan that strategy um to negotiate over the summer. Well, I can guarantee that if it's either of the two major firms, they would

125be prepared to do that instantaneously. Agree with you about that. You know that. Secondly, I think they've probably both had experience with this district in doing just that. Um, so I don't think there's any problem because again we're talking about a week, two weeks at most. I don't know again when is your next meeting? We're going to have a special meeting next Wednesday. Okay, then give us until next Wednesday and uh we'll uh meet with the um superintendent staff before that and hopefully be prepared to come in with a joint recommendation. I think Taiisha I guess I guess then just explain to me sure what the question that I heard earlier what's the difference between putting out the RFP as you have it in front of you can I it it's not it's the it's

126the city attorney's office would like to collaborate with us per our bylaws when we see when we seek out a new um attorney we should be consulting with the city attorney's office they were they did not they were not consulted on this so that's what They're requesting that we just take a step back for one week. Yeah. And I don't want to I listen I I want to be clear here. I want to make sure I didn't overstate anything. I am not pointing any uh fingers at anybody on the board saying they didn't collaborate with us because I think there was clearly some collaboration with Deb. As the board chair, I did not collaborate. So per the bylaw, I'm supposed the bylaw. for the bylaw it says that the chair should be the one reaching

127out. I did not do that. Mr. Dr. Avery, sorry. Okay, but I didn't finish my question. The doctor has a point. Our our initial conversation was to we we had a discussion about that, you know, but we did not bring that to the full board, you know. Uh the the RFP that was presented was presented to the uh city attorney's office. It was there for a couple days, you know, and then all of a sudden, everything changed, right? Uh Mr. Pyrus did everything he needed to do to inform the city's attorney's office regarding the RFP. Uh we knew that they were we're on a timeline. We wanted to make sure that we got it out. This RFP had been drafted the same one they had last year, did not execute it because they did a

128year extension. So everything that we've done is exactly the way it should have been done you know and people's interpretation is different I guess uh you know the partnership is the partnership and some partnerships are stronger than others uh and so that's where we got to get better I guess you know you can blame the superintendent I guess you know we're not we're not blaming anyone but this has now reached this has now reached the desk of the the city attorney and she has respectfully asked that if she's going to be partnering with you to save money for the board that you grant her a minimal time period in order to weigh in on the RFP. Uh again, the the benefit of the goodwill, the cooperation, all parties being happy with what goes out and

129clearly there needs to be some cleanup on the document. And again, that's not criticizing your office because that should have come previously probably from our office. So again, this is not a blame game. This is saying we have woken up to the need. It's reached the highest level. And when you have the department head, city attorney saying I want to help you. I think it's foolish not to afford her that minimal opportunity. Thank you. Mr. A, you want to finish your comments? I just wanted to finish my question which was so you're saying it's better to fine-tune the RFP than to just work it out in negotiations with the bidder you choose. Yeah. Because amongst other things as I said the goal would be to make sure that we're not limiting our outreach to only

130two firms. Okay. Because I was going to say as you correctly pointed out there really are two major players that dominate the state and there not a lot of other biders out there. So I wouldn't a broader RFP be more likely to attract you're saying a broader RFP would be more likely to dis to to chase away any other biders. Ordinarily I would agree with you but I think in this area where you're saying you have to have expertise in six or eight or 10 different areas. some firms may look at and say, you know, we're really good in labor law, but we know nothing about uh special education, for instance, which I know is a piece of this. Um, so you want to make sure you're crafting it to attract as much as you

131can. And then you go through the interview process. I can't even guarantee that you would get bids from the two major firms if I recall correctly. And uh one of the two major firms I think declined to participate the last time. Um so we want to make sure we have competition. The goal is to have competition so that you have leverage when you negotiate the terms. But the look at both of these major firms if it comes down to only them are so experienced in having done business with us in the past that the negotiations with them once we issue the RFP and get the responses and we could even shorten up the response time perhaps that's going to be a one-day negotiation because they know what you're looking for and they know they've done

132it before and and they know what the marketplace bears. So, I don't think it's going to be a This isn't like negotiating to build, you know, an arena or a ballpark. This is to negotiate a contract with parties that have already negotiated in the past with you. So, again, at the risk of repeating myself, we're not asking for much. We're asking for a little bit of time and if we have to shave some of the uh reviewing portions in terms of shortlisting and interviewing, that's where we can pick up the last week if that's what it comes to. Mrs. Kick, I forgot. Go ahead. eight. Yeah, I I just pulled out the bylaws and I think you um misinterpreted number six. You have the authority to act as a representative for purposes of consultation with

133legal counsel. May authorize us to consult with legal counsel as he deem appropriate. Um chairperson will distribute all board education. Norwe says that the board chairperson is responsible for communicating with the city on any RFPs. if there's something that exists, if you could point that out, that would be appreciated. But seeing that that doesn't, I would like to make a motion to approve the RFP subject to what was that called? Final F final um updates, final updates. So what I had said, if the board was insistent upon not granting additional time to have a substantive discussion with the city attorney, at a minimum, you would want to approve the RFP subject to final form satisfactory to the superintendent, the board chair, and the city attorney. All three. But that's that just to be clear that's

134not my preferred request. Thank you. I don't forgot. Subject to final form as approved by the superintendent, the board chair, and the city attorney. Is there a second? Any seconds? Second by Miss Mr. Mayor Gimenez make a motion. Do you have any further debate? Any other further debate on that? Um, all in favor say I. Do you have a Do you have a question? No. No. This is All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Say no. No. Any abstensions? Eyes have it. Thank you for your time. Um, next item is discussion and possible action on the following contracts. We have the um BMBB 037255 JFK campus painting of swimming pool room and ceiling um P23 PSX 0043 Holland school restroom first floor and um we'll stop there cuz um that's facilities. Um I had

135to turn your mic on. Can you just click the Good evening. I'm not sure if you could hear me. Okay. Um, tonight we're presenting two projects for review and approval. Um, both projects are capital funded. The first project is the JFK campus painting of the swimming pool ceiling and walls. We put this out to bid on the city's purchasing portal. We had four contractors attend the walkthrough. Two contractors submitted bids and the lowest bid came in at $99,996. If approved, this project would start this summer and be finished before school began. Is there a motion? Move to approve the uh um item uh section G1 BM. Do you want the whole number read? Sure. BMO37255 JFK campus painting of swimming pool room and ceiling. Seconded by Mr. Ben. Any further uh questions? Um all in

136favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The next one is the Holland school restroom first floor. Thank you. This project was um we used a state contract but we reached out to several contractors on the state contract to attend a walk through to bid. We had three attendees, one submitt. The submitt came in over um budget. So this summer we propose doing the first floor at $88,788. This will be renovating the bathrooms on the first floor. Is there a motion, Mr. Chamber? Move to approve item G2 um P23 PSX0043, the Howland School restroom first floor. Is there a second? Second, Mr. Medina. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Next item. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good night. Um, next item, Mr. Py. Relay Hub, student Medicaid billing reimbursement. Relay

137Hub. Relay Hub is a processing agency that will process our Medicaid reimburseable claims for all students that that receive services that are Medicaid eligible. The uh the goal of this uh service is to maximize our revenue that we uh receive from Medicaid. They're um they're the most experienced firm in the state. They represent over 100 districts and they're equipped to uh to do the best job for us. Thank you. Is there a motion? Move to approve Relay Hub student Medicaid billing reimbursement. Second by Mr. Benahan. Any further debate on that? All in favor say I. I. Any oppose. Any abstensions? Thank you, Mr. Pyus. Thank you. Uh the next item on the agenda discussion of possible action of the fiscal year 2526 operating budget. Madam chair, uh we are requesting that we table this item.

138I think we're going to have uh we just need a couple more time days to kind of work through um unpacking some of the legislative uh billings that came through and then we will bring back to finance committee uh I'm thinking proposed date is going to be on Monday. Uh and then a special call board meeting for the 18th. Uh and then we'll have everything lined out uh along with some of the other items that we uh uh tabled earlier in the meeting. Mr. Benahan. Yeah, Madame Chair. I make a motion to um table um little H. Yeah. Yeah. H on action of the FY2526 operation budget. Second, Mr. Scalivick. Any further questions on that? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Um there is a point of personal privilege or point

139of privilege from Albert Benahan. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um uh first of all, I have to say um the uh board members and everybody went to the claim memorial May 29 about the um the show of the students. It was phenomenal. When people say that um our students are failing, that the students not prepared, that the students not ready, um you're wrong. The show was amazing how they did from the high school, uh the prek, the little one was amazing. The presentation, everything. I have to say thank you so much to Dr. Henry and the team. It was beautiful. I take out my hat for her and for all the team. It was amazing and I hope we can, you know, we can see it again. Um the second one have to say thank you

140for Miss um Miss Kari Rosha um and her team too. I believe Miss Jan Haron and uh was another person. Sorry I forgot her name because we have um May 31st we had the community restore fair high school. It was beautiful parents came out a lot of information for the community and the team did amazing job you know thankful exactly including um Tim U Mr. um Jan Carlo um Olivia was there everybody they do um something great for for Bridgeport um the other one was a June 2nd the teaching um celebration excellent it was beautiful um we have it here in Harding High School and I take out my hat for everyone thank you for everyone did the service work so hard I know it was not easy um and they never give up and

141I have to say thank you for Dr. FA for everything and your team. You know, you did a amazing, you know, um event. Thank you for everything you did. Um June 5th, we had the BA Grovening um retirement with all the staff and it was beautiful. Um the staff was very happy to see new board members and Dr. um Avery and Dr. Saki and then all the whole cabinet and I as I say I take out my half of them. Thank you. I know some of them they say we're going to vacation but I don't think so. I think so they're going to come back working with us so many years 25 30 35 years hey my respect when they can do they can go another city they stay here in Bridgeport public school to

142you know to help our students and everyone and um last one is I have to say June 8th yesterday um in Cis Park the Dominican um collision they did amazing event for Bridgeport when I said Bridgeport I was there and everything I see was preach for students they did something phenomenal for our community some information um and as I say I was there um seeing what all the students Mr. Benahan over here Mr. been around over there. They asked for a lot of board members. You know, I tell any son that you know some people have to do with the family. But I have to thank thanks for um the president for the Dominican collection um Miss Ramona Santini uh the secret director who um Jonathan Sto and another team they do something very nice

143for Bridgeport and like I told you it was Bridgeport students there you know and parents were very happy. So I want to say that for the record I know it's our last meeting. Thank you for everyone. God bless you all and remember never give up. We always had to do um also the Junth sorry the Junth I know I was there with Dr. Avery um and another um John Carlo and everything it was good it was amazing um and to tell you true it was the first time I the board of education was there right Dr. and it was happy to see Dr. They was happy you know to see a lot of people. So they we enjoy very good especially the 100 girls leading they did amazing job too. So it was a lot

144it was a lot thing you know this week I'm telling you bridge was always on top like I said we never going to give up and like I was I said the only person that can stop me is God. So thank you everyone and God bless you all. Thank you madam chair. Mr. Mayor Gimenez, I have a point of privilege. I just wanted to um mention about the vision that we have to submit to Dr. Avery and then our communications department asked us each for our bios for from the board members. So, um just wanted to make sure that that got in because that was request that was suggested as part of the cape draining. Yes. And also, um, I know some of the, uh, uh, uh, board members who need to take their picture

145for the website. Just make sure you reach out to John Carlo or Tim on that. Um, and get your bios in for them. Um, any other matters? Is there a motion to adjurnn? Seconded by moved by Mr. Red and seconded by Miss Cass. All in favor?