Board of Education Meeting

001presentation. >> All right. Good evening everyone. We will call our regular meeting to order. It's nice to see everyone. Uh can we please stand for the pledge of allegiance? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Um, roll call. We are all here. It's good to see everyone. Happy Wednesday. Um, we'll roll right into public comment. >> Good evening everyone. The board of education welcomes public comment. Each speaker will have up to three minutes to speak. It can be it can be on any topic at the start of each regular meeting. A maximum of 20 minutes is allotted for comment on any item at all. And discussion of

002school personnel, individual students, or individual members of the board is prohibited. And with that, we welcome Mark, Mr. Mark Morash. Hello, sir. >> Good evening, Mark. >> Good evening. And All right. >> Yeah. On. Okay. Good evening. Um, my high schooler wanted to come and talk tonight, but he's studying for an audition. Not an audition for a show in our high school because our high school doesn't do straight drama shows. They do a musical, but unlike most districts, they don't we don't do a theater performance and a musical. Leaves a lot of kids out. Now, I know on the ask sheet there was, you know, an ask for $10,000 for a theater performance and also $7,500 to send those teachers off to conventions, which is strange, one side and the other. And I wonder if

003we funded the conventions but not the theater piece, if the teachers would give that money to do a theater piece because there's a lot of kids who want to do theater and chorus and other things. And if you listen closely, the next thing I'm going to say, you'll be able to hear the town gasp and probably a lot of people applaud. Because you have to wonder why when we're asking for money for a musical, it's not the director asking for it, it's the principal. And everybody in this town knows why. And I'm sorry, superintendent, for you're you're going to eventually have to deal with the drama that is the drama department in our high school. Now, I'm going to take a line out of friends and I'm going to pivot and pivot and pivot to

004the elementary school and something a lot more light-hearted. My fourth grader came home and said, "We've changed um indoor recess. Used to be they'd stay in their classrooms, they'd play on the computers, they'd read a book, they'd talk to each other. And I get it. We don't want our kids sitting in their classroom for recess." So, they were sent to what I understand is the gross motor room. And I guess there's a bunch of gear in there. I don't really know what that gear is. And he said, "We were put in there and we were given a couple of playground balls and that was recess." And then it happened again. And then that time they were in there and they were given nothing. I just go play. I mean we have imagination, we have tag,

005whatever. But it's comes back to what I said at the last public comment which is the culture of learning and how kids learn is as important. It's a part of the curriculum. Having an environment in which kids learn and feel comfortable and relax and don't have to hold going to the bathroom. Thank you again for dealing with that at the high school. The kids are happy to be able to drink water. But all of these things, it's not just what's on the page. It's what we do in between those moments where the kids are talking about what is on the page and what they're writing or what's in their computer. And it's important that we also examine those things so that we make sure that when our kids are seated, when they're standing, when they're

006coming in that door in the morning and when they're leaving, they feel like they're coming to a place that they really want to learn. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Andy, you done the next one. Sorry. >> Uh Andy Korea. Um >> so a year ago today, I was in TSO um asking for some documents that were being withheld for quite some time about, you know, protecting a central office administrator uh from uh vocal parents. I would try to drive change. Um, and when I was there, I pressed the central office administrator for an investigation report in which my daughter was harassed by two administrators. Um, and I'd been asking for that since uh September of 2002. Turns out there wasn't an investigation. Um but that uh interaction with that central office administrator a year

007ago today spurred a memo um dated March 22nd, 2025. Clarification regarding alleged reports. I got that on Wednesday. Took me 11 months. There are 24 lines on here. I counted 12 knowingly false statements. The knowingly false statements, the story behind them has probably a dozen knowingly false statements. I probably have a dozen emails validating that it's not my word against the administrator's word that wrote this these false statements. Now, the memo says that I'm conflating when my daughter was uh concerned that her math teacher was um trying to convince her boyfriend that he shouldn't date her and then explaining information that came out of her student record. I was um I guess confused by that between that and the time that my daughter was harassed um because she was showing an inch of uh bare

008midriff on picture day. Um she was cornered in her classroom by two administrators demanding she leave the room because she was disrespectful by stating, "You're on a no contact list. I can't talk to you. Please talk to my dad." She was in her social or her US history class saying, "I put on my sweater. There's no need to clear the room." So, apparently, I was confused. But in the multiple times that I asked for the investigation report, I was crystal clear and I've forwarded some of the emails that show the depth of clarity. Um, so I put in a Freedom of Information Commission complaint. I will happily withdraw it if and I challenge this board if you can address the issues which includes employment consequent like dire employment consequences and don't spend a dollar in

009legal fees doing so I am immensely reasonable. My reaction to this is very reasonable. >> I can see you laughing. I can see the uh board officer laughing. I'm sorry on the um it's three minutes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, doctor. >> Thanks, brother. >> Rebecca, thank you. Come on now. >> Good evening. My name is Rebecca Newman. Do you my address? 28. Okay. Brookfield. Um I'm the PTO president at Brookfield High School. I'm also the chair of the graduation committee. I'm here tonight to respectfully ask the board to consider keeping the current scheduled graduation date of June 20th along with the grad party that follows that evening. This date was announced months ago and since then families have made significant plans around it. Many relatives have already booked travel to attend graduation.

010A number of families have scheduled vacations immediately following that date that weekend. In addition, many families have begun planning graduation celebrations for the date of June 20th. When the date was communicated to us, there was no indication that it could change due to additional snow days. If that was announced, then we would have not made as many plans as we have. Because of that, families reasonably relied on the June 20th date when making plans. We understand that the district now faces calendar challenges due to the eight snow days. However, I'm here to offer possibly due to my knowledge of the calendar a workable solution. To my knowledge, the school calendar includes 182 days, which the state requires only 180 instructional days. Returning two of those extra days, along with giving up Good Friday, if necessary,

011could allow the school year to end on June 23rd. Under that scenario, seniors could complete their final exams exams earlier. with the exam schedule for underassmen. The 23rd would be a makeup exam day and the 22nd would be the last day of finals. Um we would have enough half days before grad party to set up as we usually do given the schedule. Um since exam days are only half days. This would allow enough times for family volunteers to plan for the grad party which is a large community event which requires significant setup. Three half days would be ideal. We can work with two half days. One would be a little bit challenging, but I want to emphasize that the PTO and the grad party committee have a very strong and collaborative relationship with the school

012administrative. Whatever decision is made, I am confident that we can work together and make it successful. whatever decision is made. However, speaking with many senior parents and families, the preference, the strong preference of senior families is to keep it on June 20 20th as originally announced. Thank you for your time and considering the impact of this decision on families in the district. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> All right. >> Okay. Uh moving into board recognition. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Yes, sir. [laughter] >> Thank you. So, I just wanted to take a moment. This is board recognition month and uh I just wanted to take some time in the short uh period in which I've had a chance to meet and work with you all just to thank you tremendously for the

013effortless amount of time that you continue to put forward uh to really lead this district. Um it is incredible. I see the commitment from you all in everything that we do. Uh whether it be chairing committees, um thinking very carefully about things like budgets, policy, facilities, um and and everything in between. And um and then when I hear you speak, it's really always coming back to so what do our students need? and and for that I just want to thank you so much for giving up your time uh to be here as often as you are and everything you do in between these meetings because I know they don't it doesn't just end here. Um it's a it's a thankless job at times and I think someone needs to thank you. So thank you so

014much for everything you do and I appreciate and value uh the work that you put in for this community. So thank you. >> Well, thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Much appreciated. >> The following people have written in >> written correspondent. Sorry, Aaron. Go ahead. [laughter] Jump in. >> The following people have written into the board since the last meeting. Selectman Bob Beldin, Andy Korea, two emails. Chris Hughes, first selectman Steve Dunn, Kareem Hilton, and Ryan Fuji. >> All right. >> And moving on to approval of board minutes. >> I move that the board approve the minutes for the regular meeting 21826. Second. >> All right. You want any any discussion on that? >> I just have a quick question. Yes. I mean for Monday night. >> No. >> Oh, >> they're not.

015They're on. >> Okay. No problem. Okay. >> Cool. Um any other discussion questions? Um all those in favor approve of board minutes say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? >> All right. Thank you. and back to you, sir. Superintendent's update. >> Thank you again, sir. >> Um, it's a rather lengthy update, so I I don't know if I'm going to read it all to readers. Um, but I I do want to highlight a few things that are contained within uh and just share with you some of the great work going on, especially in the area of teaching and and learning. Um, so I've had the opportunity to participate in the MTSS meeting, uh, facilitated by Deb and she does an amazing job, but it it was just so wonderful to meet the great group of

016educators that comprise that team and just to really get a sense and understanding of the areas of focus of implementation of MTSS that are currently in place and the things that they're, you know, working on and working towards. So, uh, that was fantastic. I also had the good fortune to attend uh a portion of the district professional development and evaluation committee meeting or PDK better known as and um in the great work that they do and what I thought was so wonderful that happens here in how it really is supposed to work is that it is co-f facilitated by educators um and so not a central office staff member, they're just there to support. And I thought that was fantastic because you don't see that in every district. And um and again just hearing um

017the areas that they're focused on in the professional learning that we offer for all staff uh in the ways in which they're trying to gain feedback about the professional learning offerings and what we do so we can continue to grow here in Brookfield uh was a wonderful opportunity for me to be a part of. So uh that was great and and the teachers that were co-f facilitating were just phenomenal. Um, as discussed during the board retreat that we just had on Monday night, um, there are uh, continues to be progress in in two areas of focus. So, the MTSS and special education uh, in the area of MTSS. Uh, Mrs. Various um, and I have been meeting and scheduled an opportunity to meet with a consultant from uh, CIRC. So, I'm sorry. We haven't been

018meeting. We scheduled a meeting to meet with a consultant from CIRC to really look at and talk about uh in what ways could we analyze uh where we are today and how can that help support our efforts uh moving forward uh in the area of special education. Um we've been researching and having conversations with Mr. role in uh regard in building principles uh about ways that we can aspire uh to offer different services here in Brookfield uh for uh students who have an IEP. And so we've been working very hard to really identify those ways um and coming up with um some good solutions to date and more to be able to share very soon with you. Um under business and operations uh just want to share obviously I think many of you you may

019be aware but the board budget was reduced by the board of selectmen from 4 uh86 to 4.41 or approximately $250,000. Um it's been passed on to the board of finance for their review deliberation and possible action. Uh members of the TSO staff along with board of finance subcommittee chair Caroline Cowles uh will be attending the next board of finance meeting to discuss our budget uh requests, answer any questions that they might have uh and be able to provide um you know whatever information we can to support us in that area. Um I wanted to make sure that you always are getting an update every board meeting on where we are with the BHS bathrooms. Um, so what I can share with you to date, so this will come up under my superintendent report every meeting

020until completed. Um, so, uh, to date, what I can tell you is we have five additional, uh, bathrooms that have been opened at BHS, um, thoroughly cleaned. And um and what we do want to make clear to everyone is that um thorough cleaning uh in toilet bowls um that maybe have been sitting for a long time still may have remnants of kind of staining in it. It is not dirty at all. It is thoroughly cleaned. We just want to make that clear that they have been gone through thoroughly cleaned safe and healthy. there just might be some like you know how you get some rings around you know the toilet and yeah tap water things like that so uh please use the open bathrooms and uh they're they're available and accessible now to our BHS

021students um so that that's step one right now step two we met earlier in the week um with some folks that I have listed in the report um to really talk about smart sensors and vape detectors in in the remaining bathrooms that aren't open and the reason why they're not open uh still is for safety reasons because of concerns around vaping and other shenanigans that sometimes occur in restrooms and so um we have options uh to be able to put in sensors that will help with that. Um so we met on Monday and we talked about um potentially looking at a company called is it Hilo or Halo? >> Halo. Uh and Halo sensors are the ones that we're looking into right now. uh we'd be looking to purchase eight of those, two of which

022would be reimbursed to us by Brookfield Cares. Um so we're very thankful for their support uh financially as well as a grant that we're running because this isn't just about putting sensors in bathrooms and, you know, learning about the not so great things that are happening sometimes there. It's also about vape education and and trying to help our students all the way at the middle school level to the high school level understand the impact of that on your health uh and the reasons why you might want to turn to alternative things other than vaping. So, we uh are in the process of um through Brookfield Cares um crafting a grant that we will submit before March 20th that would uh afford us $10,000, $5,000 for Brookfield Cares, $5,000 for the Brookfield Public Schools. We would

023use um some of that money at Brookfield High School, some of it at um Whiskaneer Middle School to be able to provide that vape education. Um so, we're running both of those things parallel. Um, so we're making, I think, good progress uh toward the reopening of the bathrooms here at um at BHS um with five already open uh additionally and and some more on the way. We don't have an exact timeline yet of when we would be able to get the vape uh detector sensors installed. We're still going kind of looking at different companies going out to bid getting getting uh good prices but also good install uh I guess um vendors who can make it work within our security that we have here because it's all got to connect. Um you know if if

024it can all be done by April April vacation over April vacation that would be awesome. Uh if not it might be the summertime. So we're still just working on that but that's where we are to date. That's a dramatic pause to see if there are any questions on that. >> Okay. >> Oh, well done. >> Uh let's see. Page two. Um um this di, you know, Casey does an amazing job and working very hard. So, she's involved me in a lot of meetings uh regarding our facilities and um everything from, you know, our bathrooms uh but to to oil heaters uh I mean to heaters, HVAC, roofs, uh everything in between and she's just doing amazing job. So, I've gotten up to speed on a lot of those projects, things that are currently out to

025bid, things that we're working toward, uh and really keeping us moving. So, I just think it's so important that we recognize the hard work being done there. Um, as you know in what was just kind of shared earlier in public comment, the last day of school is now Friday, June 26th. Um, and uh, more to follow on that when we have our calendar discussion of which grad party will be a topic and and one that we'll discuss and look into all of the recommendations. So, I look forward to having a conversation about that. Uh when we think about school climate uh engagement and uh partnerships, I just kind of put in here some of the great things that are going on that I've learned about. I'm sure there are more and and some that maybe

026didn't make the list, so I apologize if anything didn't, but everywhere from um our our musical groups doing great things. I just got my ticket for Thursday night. I can't wait to go see the show. Uh so really excited about that. um to the grad party and I know that they can always use uh donations, volunteers and help. You have a wonderful website. I was wholly impressed by that. So, uh please if you can lend a hand, they could use it and we appreciate what you do for our students. Um and uh in preparation of World Autism Day, uh which is on April 12th, uh Brookfield Septto is launching an accept acceptance campaign and you'll see that on the very back. So if you take a look, um so we always want to support our

027our our Brookfield Septto as well. Um and I am looking forward to and kind of just connected with uh the Septto group uh folks who run that and I'll be joining their next meeting. So, I'm really looking forward to that. Um, and then you'll just see all the wonderful accomplishments of our uh current sports and athletics that are going on right now. So, I'll I'll let you kind of look through those, but uh really have a lot of students doing some great things and a lot of teams in a great place right now coming toward the end of of winter season and seeing a lot of our teams either in um in playoffs right now to try to get to the conference championships and and a lot of individuals who are doing amazing things too.

028So, I just tried to share with you all of those. And I think one of the greatest accomplishments though because I think it directly ties to again I think everything around uh you know anyone who does extracurricular activities ties to our portrait of a learner. Um but most specifically if you kind of read the second bullet to the last the sportsmanship awards I was just um so impressed by Brook Brookfield High School continuing to receive the highest overall sportsmanship in the SWC. Um, so I think that is is a testament to to our coaches, our athletes, families, uh, and the great job they all do. Our D athletic director, just what they put together in the program, uh, to support our our young athletes. Um, being recognized for sportsmanship to me is the ultimate um,

029prize for being being in competition. So, I think that's fantastic. Uh, and with that, I'll pause and open it up for any questions that you might have about my report. I just wanted to put in a plug for um >> Go ahead. >> Sorry. Am I on? I wanted to put it in a plug for the Polar Plunge. Um because when you I mean you you have that u listed here and that's something that the community might want to know about. >> Um I was driving by uh the place where they do it last year and I thought it was cold last year, but this year they are gonna earn their money. So, um, if you would like to support the Special Olympics, it'll be on the 21st, as you say here, at 10 a.m.

030Um, yeah, at Katagan or right across. Um, so that that's a great thing to um support all the brave uh students and families that participate. >> I just want to shout out Emily for making uh >> Yeah. >> All uh what is it? >> I know. >> All I'm sorry, first team. All >> Wanted to make sure I got the title right. >> Just heard about that this morning. That was awesome. Congratulations. Well done, ma'am. >> That's what I thought you were doing. That's right. You beat me to it. >> But yes, that was very good. Very good. Any other uh questions, >> Stephen? You good on your report, M? >> I am. Cool. Very cool. Thank you, sir. Thank you. >> All right. Uh we will move on to subcommittee reports. Take it away,

031Joy. >> Okay. We met on February 12th. Um we had one public comment. Irene Korea spoke to having make sure we have collaboration alignment with the oil tank project and the new fields at WMS. Um she had emphasized that those two projects need to be planned in coordination with each other which was an important point to mention. Uh we reviewed the school duty reports. We got maintenance updates. Um I'm not going to read all of them but you can see them in in your documents there. Um CLES has some updates and BHS and WMS. And then we talked about the oil tank replacement proposals also. Um I'll emphasize those. I think those are at the top there. Um so funding has been secured for the high school. We have secured capital funding for the oil

032tank and that's near the cafeteria entrance. Uh design build project has been received in the amount of 543,000. Um there's about 500,000 in the capital plan and this needs to be a summer project or a project when school is not in session because some of the parking lot will need to be dug up and with skinnier the project is currently be considered. Um the funding has not been approved for it yet. It'll have to go to referendum and work in conjunction with the ball fields. But we requested 400,000 and we received a design build proposal for 421,000. So, the project's pretty straightforward and it's on the stage contract, so we don't have to go out to bid, but Casey recommends that we do put it out the bid because it's slightly higher than what we

033put it in the budget, put in for the budget. We talked a lot about the bathrooms, but we've gotten updates since a lot has happened since then. You received the spreadsheet, the amazing Excel spreadsheet Stephen provided us, >> like the colorcoded complete and progress pending. Yep. Um and we discussed a little bit about the solar and the roof replacements. Um but we did receive an update that Varie Safe Harbored their solar project we have until 2029. Um but we need to start sooner than later. So but there isn't such a tight timeline. Um and there is funding for the plans and our purchasing agents looking through the five to six bids for engineering services. And then we'll select a design phase to start with. And the board of selectment has accepted the request. >> Any

034questions? >> Anyone have any questions for Joy? >> Is that project starting for the summer though? You know, are you not sure? You said it was going to be a summer. We're not not necessarily this summer. You just said it needs to be Okay. I was just curious. >> Oh, Bel. I was curious. >> Cool. Very nice. >> The oil tanks this summer though, right? >> That's the one I was not sure. Right. >> Can I come? So, um, so we are we're going to go out to bid for that oil the oil tank project. Um, because the design build plan that we got is about 44 $43,000 over the approved capital funding on that. Um, I did um this is a pre a pre preview to next week's next month's update, but um we

035I did have a conversation with um Paul Czecho and Josh Flowers from the NBC municipal building committee. Um they um they did suggest that we do go out to bid for those projects. They also um recommended that we do a design bid build RFP for that. So we would put out an RFP for the design services and then engage with those services and then put out a second bid for the um the build part of that. Um and and their their thinking was that we may get better pricing that way. So we will proceed with that. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other questions? All right. Take it away, Emily. >> Thank you. Okay. So, the National Honor Society is hosting a blood drive next week for VHS students and staff, and they're collaborating with Red

036Cross, and this is the second one this year. >> What day? >> Um, it's the 12th right now, but it might have changed due to the snow day. So, um, I but I'm pretty sure it's the 12th. And next week, some of our spring sports have are having their preseason meetings. So, like I know winter sports are coming to an end. And the BHS spring musical of High School Musical is being put on next week from March 12th to 15th at the High School Auditorium. The shows are at 7 PM for March 12th through 14th and 2 p.m. for the for Sunday, March 15th. And there's themes for every night for the audience to be a part of. So the 12th opening night is Wildcat welcome where wear red and white. March 13th is auditions

037night. Wear a high school musical costume like you could dress as a jock or cheerleader, etc. Um, the 14th is get your head in the game, so you could wear sports and athletic gear and stuff like that. And the 15th is throwback show, so you can wear Y2K stuff. So that should be exciting. I hope everyone participates. >> A great idea. Shout out to whoever came up with those. Awesome. >> Well done. >> Um, so junior prom is coming up on March 27th and the spring pep rally is coming up soon with March Madness tournaments and that should be in late March. And I know this was brought up again, but Athletic Advisory is hosting the Polar Plunge Saturday, March 21st at Kanderwood Lake to raise money for the Special Olympics. So, please donate if

038possible. And so, 10 a.m. is the registration and 11:30 is the plunge plunge. And then those awards are after the plunge. Um, >> you're going to be plunging. >> Yes, I am. I'm going. I'm Yes. So, I'm excited for that. >> Um, and I know that the boys hockey has a states hockey game tonight. tonight >> and their girls basketball team had their first states game Friday night here at 6 p.m. if anyone wants to come support. >> And that's all I got for updates. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Emily. Congratulations again. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Career day. No, I didn't. No, I didn't hear about that. >> So, um the you said that the blood drive is on the 12th is scheduled for the 12th. >> Yes. Spring conferences. Aren't

039those half days? >> No, not just okay. Okay. Okay. [clears throat] >> Anyone else? >> Anything else family other than congratulations again? Well done. >> Great job for the calendar. >> Um that she can she wants. >> Are you are you leaving? Are you staying for the calendar? Okay. I just wanted to see if you >> Oh, yeah. I got the calendar. I [laughter] got I got things to do. >> I feel like you have >> love to hear student voice. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Cool. Well, thank you, Emily. >> Uh consent agenda. >> I move that the board approve the items on the consent agenda as recommended. New hires rehire. >> All right. Um any questions or discussion on that? >> Okay. >> All those in favor uh for the consent agenda, please

040say I. >> I. Any naysay? All right, it's unanimous. Thank you very much. And we will move on to old business. Our board of education 2627 adopted budget. I just want to say um real quick to start off, thank you to Stephen for the board retreat the other night. You really um exceeded my expectations as far as when you wanted when we interviewed you regarding the plans that you had. I really didn't think you'd be able to put it in as quickly as you outlined the other night. So, I want to give you the floor and outline it for everyone to hear some of the things that you you plan on doing and obviously open the floor up to everyone else for discussion as well. That's all right. Okay. Thank you so much. So, um,

041yeah, I think if if I could just set some context, um, you know, we had a board retreat, uh, the other night, um, and we had an opportunity to, um, discuss, um, some areas that we can continue to, um, build off the great foundation here in Brookfield Public Schools. Uh, some of those being and focusing on areas, uh, I would call them kind of four main areas. Um the first would be an investment in potentially pre kindergarten and expanding that uh so that way we can offer full day prek uh at CLES. Another area would be expanding our special education offerings uh for specific students with IEPs so that way we can uh educate our more students here in uh the Brookfield public schools. um leverage the evaluation system in professional learning as I spoke

042to earlier the great work that Ped's already doing kind of leverage that um to be able to accelerate that as well as continue um the evolution and alignment of our multi-tered system for supports which includes um what happens in the classroom, how our support staff support what happens in the classroom and outside of the classroom. So really building uh that strong system and structure uh for that to be um you know highly effective. Uh again like I mentioned met with that team and already seeing some great work there. So I you know the foundation is there for a lot of these things to just continue to evolve. Um so with that if I could kind of put even uh the background in context which I referenced a little bit in my um superintendent report you

043we we need to be aware of where we are today right so at this time uh the first selectman's office um has proposed a45% reduction to the approved adopted budget by the board of education which was 4.86. So that brings it down to 4.41% total or a reduction of approximately $250,000. So that's kind of where we are today. That has now been passed over to the God bless you the board of finance uh for their opportunity to deliberate and potentially take action from there. Um they can uh approve that, they can reduce it more or they can increase it. Right? So action can be any which way. Um so kind of that's that's where we are right now. Um and so what I would share is um some of those areas that we spoke about

044and focused on in the retreat that I just referenced, those four areas. Um they do take an initial investment. um the initial investment in staffing to make that happen, the initial investment in training uh and the inial initial investment in minimally resources. Um but we do have a lot of great resources here. So I don't see much there but particularly it would be staffing uh and training that we want to make sure that when we build programs we build them well and sufficient enough that they are programs that are really meeting the needs of all of our students. Um we would not want to put a program in place uh that wouldn't be able to do that. Um so so we would want to build them at a level that we feel highly confident and

045comfortable that they're going to meet the student needs. um to do that. I personally am still going to share that I can test a 4.86% budget that was adopted is a budget that allows for us to be able to do that. Um so I would wholly recommend that we we hopefully get that budget back uh intact so we can invest in our students here in Brookfield. Um if if we don't uh we will just have to look at maybe which which of those can we invest in that would make most sense with the finances that we get. Um that said um on February 26th I believe uh you all were provided with the electronic workbook uh that did provide greater detail into the budget. When I did arrive, I did hear that um there were

046some details that people were wondering more about or if it was available to get even more details than what you had. Uh and Casey does an amazing job with those details and I think those were shared with you then. So I guess um me and my team would welcome any questions that you might have about any of the details that you've had an opportunity to look at since that time till now and answer any questions that you might have not only about that but about some of the things that I shared with you from Monday night as well. >> Thank you. I mean I get I guess looking at the budget have you found any areas of potential cost savings like with you know like we were talking about after school activities like you know

047are there areas without severely impacting programs that can't be done outside of Brookfield schools but there are some that are duplicated. So, you know, are there cost savings? And I know that that's not what we were initially looking at, right? Because we're looking at $1,700 stipens, but $1,700, you know, times 15 of them can cover a parah. So, I mean, I don't know. Like, have you found any areas that we might not have seen or has Casey found areas? I mean, I just I don't know. >> So, I could start and then if you want to add in. Um, so I think um, in full transparency coming into the budget at this time of year is a is a challenge for a couple of reasons and it isn't um, to find areas to reduce a

048budget. Um I think when I consider reductions like that um and maybe to one of our um public uh who spoke earlier's um share about um things that we offer students that are extracurricular or outside of the school day. I'd always want to ask our families who may be participating in those things that we're saying could be potential reductions first before we go into a budget season to kind of hear what impact that would have because when we think about what we do with children, we try to educate the whole child, right? And that a lot happens in the classroom and during the, you know, hour six and a half hours or seven hours that they're there with their teachers, but it also happens for all of our other extracurricular programs that we offer. So

049before I were were to make any reductions in those areas, I'd want to ask and get and get that information from from our our cons our stakeholders, our families. Um, is the duplication kind of too much? Can we, you know, move in those areas? And I'd want to look at that first. I could say that could I I could easily say that we will not run those things next year and it would absolutely lead to a reduction in our budget, right? I just don't know what impact that's going to have on our students and students who >> wouldn't have those experiences >> if we didn't offer them. >> Yeah, >> that's what I don't know right now at this time in the cycle in the budget cycle. So, I would look for that for next

050year. I would do I would conduct surveys. I would absolutely ask. I would go even see these things in action that I haven't gotten seen yet. Not even the hoops team, you know, like I would I wanted I wouldn't cut the hoops team, but um I just want to be clear on that what I'm talking about here. So, do you know what I mean? Like, so the answer is yes. >> Yes. But and and and so that's the best answer I can give today where we are in the cycle. >> Yeah. And and I I mean I get that and and thank you for that because we were seeing one school with all their activities, right? So, you know, I think what's been so hard in this budget is stuff's been put forward, you know,

051as cuts that now are not cuts. So, or or not reduction areas. So, it's really, you know, it's it's been a long process. So, I just kind of look forward to, you know, a cleaner budget season next year. >> No, it's not. No, I'm just saying like we've thought areas were going away and now they're not. And we talked about math interventionists and they're not. So, it's just it's been a lot of back and forth. I just was specific of, you know, we saw areas where we have two students taking advantage of an after school activity. >> And I think to your point, the areas that we did identify through the process are still under evaluation as far as I'm concerned. Yes. like all of the areas that we looked at in the different reduction

052scenarios in my mind are now on your task list to review correct and to come back with >> recommendations. I I I would say that's mostly true, but you did say at the first um finance subcommittee meeting for the record that the MAP interventionists are not on the >> No, that's fair. >> Right. So, I just want to be super clear on that. But I would say the the other you know the other potential positions or program or you know things that we were considering right in which we I personally was having a difficult time making a finalized decision on those without you know the alignment and recommendation of a leader in place. So in my mind those are certainly one some of the top areas in which we should still be vetting out. >>

053Well and I think that that's something we talked about like at the finance subcommittee. I mean, I think we have to look at like athletic scoreboard, like what we're paying at each athletic event, too, and if managers can do some of it. >> I think for me, I can guarantee the budget process will look different next year than it did this year. That's one thing I can guarantee. What exactly it'll look like, you know, I think will be a partnership between many people that play into it. And it's going to start much sooner, I think. I mean for me coming in in December it definitely felt like not enough time to make these critical decisions in which we should ultimately be talking about throughout the entire year of discussions. So >> well to be fair

054and for clarification it does start in TSO in like October. It doesn't come right and it doesn't come it just doesn't come to the board until December. >> So that so are you talking about our process? >> I'm at the finance committee I guess. Sorry, I'll I'll specify in the finance committee. I would like to be having more of these discussions on an ongoing basis, vetting some more of this information out before it comes to like a budget presentation in December. I think it's [clears throat] in my mind. >> My only question, sorry, go ahead. >> No, I was saying our district is always one of the earliest ones and so maybe we could reconsider that we don't have to be the earliest one because there's a lot more thought into it. >> That's um

055Yeah, that's all by the town charter. Uh unfortunately we don't have any suggest that immediately [laughter] >> and with the timing of it it's it's sort of it's funny because you think we start >> we start so much earlier than most districts that we should be done a lot sooner but we actually end much later most districts also. So it's a very long process. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Interesting. >> But that has to do with the town process not correct. Um and and so you know internally um the process as we said start does start in September. Um I compile all of the workbooks that go out to the different buildings and department heads and and leaders and things like that. Um I give them about four weeks to compile their individual budgets. So, so

056while I'm doing all that initial work to to to put all these workbooks together and get the historical data um for them, um then they have four weeks and it's a little bit quiet for the four weeks in October because then those workbooks are due back to me um at the end of October. In that month of October is when I'm rolling over salaries. I'm working on our workbooks, you know, the business office, uh board of ed, superintendent, all those um budgets that are we're responsible for at TSO. um we're responsible for all of it, not just those ones, but but they the buildings and department heads compile all of their information in the month of October. Comes back to us at the end of October and then we take I it usually takes a

057couple of weeks to really then compile all of that into one uniform budget document that I work from from that point on. And >> I I'll clarify a little more. I didn't mean the detail oriented work. I would like to focus in on the strategic alignment of the budget to the plan in you know in in different forums in this forum in the finance committee forum right I trust that those details are being worked right but I think we need to be having year- round conversations of linking the the money to the outcomes >> to the mission >> and as the finance committee we had a hard time trying to look at the budget and tying it to the strategic plan. We just >> I think we have a lot of opportunity there >> for

058next year. >> We do. And it's great. There's an appetite for that. So, we'll make it happen. >> Um and and and I just Erin, back to your point, I would just also share that um you know, should it remain at the 4.41, we we will be looking at the items that have been identified, right? And so I I guess I just wanted if there was any if anything was unclear, I just want to be clear like we do know that there are some items that have been identified by the board and if we do have to reduce to that that we would and like I said that would be approximately $250,000. Um I would also say in the same line that I think if it's reduced a significant amount more, that's where it's going

059to get a lot more challenging. and and I do think innovative opportunities that could be potentially ahead of us and right before us would probably have to go on hold. Um and I'd hate to see that because I think they're opportunities that will benefit our students. And so, um, you know, I but but we're here to answer any questions about the budget or the detail that maybe, um, after looking at it for this period of time, you might have had that weren't answered, uh, previously. >> I have a question just to follow up to what you had just said. Can and if if the budget is further reduced, are you able to accomplish any of your initiatives? Like is there room within our current um where we are not necessarily within the budget but where

060we are within the schools to move things around or are you handcuffed with any reduct? like so the the initiatives of like full K prek or full day prek and the special ed um investments that we want to make to you know move that program forward and and in turn bring some of those expenses back in house right can you do any of that if the budget is further reduced or are we at a standstill I'm just curious so that we can know now like ahead of time where we're going to be at >> so here's where the variables come in right yeah >> so if you think about how all that would have to play out >> you have to hire all those staff half first and train them. So, you have to build

061the program sooner than later. Uh because later this month is when we go to recruitment fairs and when all these great things start happening and you want to get the best for these types of things or you want to be able to backfill if you have an internal person doing it with really good educators, right? The best investment we can make is high quality teachers period and leaders. Period. Right? That's the best investment. We are a human industry. So, that's the best thing we can do. So if you want to do that, you have to do that upfront. That's like coming up very soon. So now if you put all that money out and then the variable of maybe not getting the enough students in for the prek or not getting uh the students to

062return to Brookfield that we need. So it leaves us with no variability to manage that risk. We have no no risk management when the budget gets tighter and tighter and tighter. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> I have to think about that because I have to be responsible with the budget that we're given and and so I wouldn't feel >> I wouldn't know if I could be responsible enough with some of the other things too to be able to make all that happen and I would air on the side of caution with uh taxpayer dollars. >> Are there any grant opportunities with prek with that early childhood stuff coming forward? Is there any grant opportunities building special ed programs? I know it's not guaranteed, right? >> But I'm just wondering wondering

063long-term sustainability. >> So, more of them are for right now, like space uh in in materials and resources, things like that that we would be able to access more immediately, but we're pretty good with that. That's not our issue. It's more personnel. Uh and usually you can't offset. Um, we might be able to do some in the arena of special education uh through some uh IDEIDA or title funding like we could in some of the training through title funding. So, we could do a little of that. Um, so there's a little offset there. Um, you know, once you have a full day prek, you can apply for things like through the state like care for kids and other ways to reduce the funding for uh that that would be impacted for parents. Um, yeah. So,

064good question. We'll always look for those >> and and take advantage of all that we can. >> Anyone else have >> and we are in the middle of a cost analysis for all of those which I'll be able to share very shortly with you all. >> So then I guess my question would be to reiterate the areas to build on the prek special ed offerings leverage of leverage of the eval system multi-tiered systems of support. >> Correct. we would be okay at a 486 to implement your initiatives for >> correct. >> Okay. Just want to be clear on that that yes, >> which again goes back to you exceeding my expectations. So that's it's that's well done. >> Thank you. >> And actually before we move on, I think it's important that the community really

065really understand that >> one of the um primary budget drivers, one of them has been special ed costs. This is a this these are first steps to kind of slay that dragon of seeing which what kind of programs we can begin to build here and hopefully draw students uh back in district and provide them the services they need more um in a more financially >> huge cost savings. Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So that's that's where we want to be going. Well, and the bigger factor here too is in their community. Like we'll educate kids where they belong and this is where they belong. And to that point, I would like to say thank you because that is one of that was one of our focuses as a board as we went into interviews and

066it was one of the things we had tasked you with to come back with. And I think all of the bullet points that you know we sort of had in our head when we were choosing you have absolut way faster than I think any of us have expected have come to fruition. and your dedication and hard work to our school and to our community. Jumping right in, even attending meetings before you had been hired has really given us the confidence in, you know, uh, not only you, but in in sort of the the plan that you had laid out. You know, it's, as someone said the other night, we need to not overwhelm you and exhaust you too soon. But I know that I appreciate how forthcoming you've been and how you really have what

067you laid out to us is exactly what you've, you know, what you plan on delivering and and working with our um staff and our administrators right now to fulfill, you know, those those needs and those gaps. Um that it's been great to watch that in just the little bit of time that you've been here. So, thank you for that. >> And head first. You dove in head first. >> Could I respond to all that? So, thank you number one. Thank you all. Uh but but in all earnesty right now they're they're just really good ideas right and and I want to help them you know luckily I have a great team here and a great team in the schools that are really putting their minds together in TSO to to make these things happen uh

068so it doesn't happen in isolation but equally um I I just wanted to add also um you know to what Dr. their young blood shared that um and it wouldn't even just be, you know, about uh students who might return to Brookfield, which is exactly what we want, but equally um we have students either move into Brookfield or come up through preschool who are going to require uh a different type of program as well. And we want to be able to be that catch basin for our students to stay here um and not have to keep looking somewhere else. Um, sometimes somewhere else is the right decision, right? And that's great if if we have to, but if we don't, I' I'd really like us not to and and like to keep our our our

069kiddos here. So, >> and if that's the case, then outside towns or outside placements can come to us. >> Right. Yeah. >> Eventually. >> Right. That's what I mean. Eventually, >> build it. to make sure you can fund them. >> It will be it will be >> agreed. All right. Do >> you have anything else on the budget? Uh Caroline, did you want Are you good? >> No, I think I I'm good. I do appreciate all the specific ideas that you've been talking about since Monday. Again, I think that was what we were kind of lacking in our finance committee meetings when we were trying to evaluate what our true options were to kind of, you know, um reallocate funding, right, in in different effective ways. I mean, Erin, you're nodding your head. So, again,

070just [laughter] >> trying not to >> it's it's a really difficult it's a it's a difficult position. So, I do appreciate that. I mean, I'm 100% supportive going forward and uh we'll go to the finance committee or the Yeah, the board of finance, >> right? >> Next Tuesday. >> Thank you. >> Wednesday. Sorry. Wednesday. >> Correct. >> Joy. All right. Well, I guess we will move on to new business then, which is going to be >> lot of >> Yes, ma'am. Yeah. Can I um I just want to make a motion to um amend the agenda to include discussion and possible action on forming a special education subcommittee under the new business item. Tapped >> second. >> I'm sorry. You wanted to say that one more time or I'm sorry. agenda. >> Yeah, I just

071want to amend the agenda to um include discussion and possible action about forming a special education subcommittee >> on the new business. Okay. >> Did anyone second? I'm sorry. Oh, >> I did. I did. >> Oh, you did. I'm sorry. Joy second. >> Um All right. So, we have a motion on the table to add um discussion to uh under new business for the uh formation of a special ed subcommittee. you said right? Just want to make sure. Okay. Um any discussion questions? >> So um I think this is the first time we've been in this situation about like creating a subcommittee here. So how does that work? Do we >> first we have to vote to add it to the agenda? >> Yep. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. All those in favor of adding

072that to the agenda, please say I >> for discussion. >> Sorry. For discussion. I >> Any oppose. >> Okay. Cool. All right. It's been add to the uh agenda. Yeah. Um, sorry I >> should do the calendar. >> Calendar first. That works for me. So, as we all know, the school has at the the end of school has been pushed back and I just I'm just going to open the floor to everyone. I do want to thank Stephen and and actually have you start because I know you had laid out some options which were very difficult for you to come across and put together. I know. But there are some options that you have laid out for us that I know you wanted to discuss. >> Thank you so much. So, um I did provide

073everyone with this sheet which lays out some options as well as the calendar. So, you should have all that. Uh Lisa, I think gave prepared and gave all that to you and um I I prepared nothing. My team helps me with everything. So, I just want to continuously bring it back to that. They're a great group and uh God bless you. >> Offer offer me great ideas. So, um, so with that being said, what I thought would be important for us to do is really just number one, understand where we are right now. Uh, so we are, uh, extended out eight school days, right, from Tuesday, June 16th to Friday, June 26th. Um, and due to school cancellations, graduation was approved for Saturday, June 20th, 2026. So that's where we stand today. And so I

074I think as we look at these options and engage in the conversation, what would be important to ground us would be these guiding questions. What is the impact on student learning? So we we put in 182 days for a reason for student learning, right? What is the impact of exams at the high school and what is the impact for our graduates and other considerations such as even grad party. Those are all things to consider. Uh so with that I just put um the June calendar over uh to the right and what you'll see is the original date of the 16th there and then I circled the 26th that is now our last day and I just wanted to put what it reads there. I don't know if this is like for me it's really blurry.

075I should be wearing like readers right now and I'm not. So just going to be transparent but what that says is um that we uh only take away from April vacation if we go past June 30th. Mhm. >> So, we would have to make a motion to do some different things, right? And I just want the board to be clear about that. Um, I think >> I just I think my first question, my immediate question is does this have to does this include negotiations with the teachers contract? >> Well, the teachers would end. >> Well, I'm talking about April break or like if we're going to do >> Yeah. If we took >> if we took vacation >> April break is that negotiated item >> or any days in particular. >> Well, I think we're

076only talking about student days, right? Because teacher days would remain the same. I think we learned that last year. >> Sorry. >> I think we learned last year the teacher days. So, the teachers would still go 187 days. That's correct. >> So, this would just be it would the last day would apply to students only, right? So, sorry. >> No, no, there's great questions. I only remember that compar. >> So what we would do is we would have professional learning days for the staff when the students are if we if the students finish uh earlier than the 26th right now based on whatever decisions we make. And I would offer tonight up as as two options that we could go purely just discussion >> and make uh a vote at another time or we could

077discuss and vote. That is really up to the board. >> So >> can I ask a question on a scenario? Sorry. Go ahead. a scenario that's not on here. >> Yep, that's why we have >> Is there a way that we could have June 24th be the last day, so only go 180 days for students, but also keep graduation June 20th? Yeah, >> cuz that scenario is not on here. >> Mhm. >> Well, that's Oh. Oh, I thought that was Oh, that's right. That's >> No, this one is still This one's keeping the 182. This one is moving graduation only scenario one. >> Yeah, that's what I was looking for, too. >> Okay. Is there a reason that couldn't be a scenario or that wasn't on here? It just happened. >> It could be a

078scenario. >> So June 24th as the last day. So going 180 days for kids for students and then graduation remaining June 20th. >> I like that. >> With grad night staying. So then would that mean that scenarios one of moving the the moving up days to the week of the 22nd and the exam schedules would be different. Right? If we did that, it would that um keeping graduation on the 20th would be considerations of number one. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> And what does Okay. So, this goes to you Emily and Mr. Belanda. What is the two exam like how difficult is that two exam schedule? Like is that is that something that we need to consider? Is that >> Yeah, they've done it before. Okay. >> And I know that I feel like >>

079um Yes, they did do it when I was >> Exactly. Yeah. >> And so it >> it's not like an anomaly where Okay. >> And I feel like we have that schedule like in place like it was previously. >> Um but I feel like they could always go back to that and it was kind of a little chaotic with like the mixed classrooms but it I mean it worked out and people did graduate and I know that the students are very adamant about the seniors very adamant about wanting to graduate on the 20th. Every I walked into a few seniors and they were all like I asked them the question they were all like oh no keep it the 20th like no matter what. And I'm like, "Okay, like I understand." But then I asked

080about grad party. >> Oh, I'm hearing it, too. >> Yes. >> It seems like this this could be a a an opportunity to to maybe come to a consensus and float that and just make float an idea to the administrators and to other major stakeholders and see because we we meet again in two weeks. >> Yeah. I feel like it's way too early to I mean, we going to have a freeze on Thursday, knock on wood, that we don't have another day >> to worry about, >> right? I feel like we're >> that I know it's only the fourth of March >> this evening. >> So, could I could I make a motion to combine one and four to do a >> Wait, I still hold that. I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I just got question.

081Um, >> so since Lamont declared a state of emergency, the state department of education did say that they will issue a waiver for February 23rd. So, does that mean then we only have seven days, right? Hm. >> Does that qualify only if we've gone 188 days though, >> right? >> No. >> I read something about Oh, no. New York. Yes, New York did that. Yeah, you have to exhaust all your days. >> Sounds like homework for Stephen. [laughter] >> I mean, I found it when I when I Googled it >> last last week. But, um, >> it would Yeah. take us back to 23rd. >> So, then it would end on the 23rd. >> Yeah. >> Would be the last. >> I thought it was only if you'd gone to But then we also talk

082about >> Junth. Junth if you went beyond June 30th. >> What's that? >> It's not if you go beyond June 30th. >> No. >> That's right. >> So we'd have to petition with the state though. Still >> to ask for it. >> I mean the way it read it reads it says the state education department has issued a waiver for school districts that are under a state of emergency from the 180day instructional requirement. So we can we can >> that means that schools that are closed will not have that day off counted against the required number of school days. >> Is that the only state of emergency that we have? >> So far >> only that one snow day is the 23rd. Yeah. >> Shucks. >> Yeah. The big one is that >> and then

083Junth I know that's something we have to talk about too. >> Yeah. Have to have >> that's a holiday. We have to have act we have to have a if we're in school on the 19th we have to have um >> an activity or something like veterans >> which we'd prefer to do >> right absolutely >> keep that a school day and we'll make sure that we honor the >> Is there any way to take Good Friday. I know that people aren't gonna love that, but it's >> I mean, I think we're gonna have a problem with >> it could be >> I think we're gonna have a problem honestly. I think we're gonna have a problem with teachers at the end of the year, too. If they don't live in this town, their kids

084are out of school two weeks before they're teaching. I mean, I think regardless whether we do it earlier or later, we're going to have staff shortages. whether it's the end of the year or we're doing earlier to make up these days. >> I don't think so. I think this is actually going to make a really big difference. Um if if we're now at the 26th and and you know Joyce News is really welcome in this discussion. Um hopefully that'll stick for us. Um and if we >> if winter's over Yes. Yes. um three-hour delay, we we might be able to do it, >> but we could even if uh we had to have school on the 22nd, we could still keep um graduation on the 20th. >> I mean, >> correct. >> And Mr. Bland

085says he can make the exams. all the 20. >> He he he can you know I I had a a lengthy conversation with him prior you know to tonight and um >> you know we uh he can um I think you know you said it best. It's a little messy and it's not easy and you know it's uh more difficult but it's doable, right? So so he can make that work. Um uh there was a question about Good Friday. I I just wonder about that for a couple reasons. I it also doesn't say anywhere on the calendar that that can be an option. So I just don't know if it would kind of be permissible without the board the board revoting on a new calendar that has that in there >> um as a day

086that could be taken. >> What's that? >> And other bargaining >> and union contracts I'd have to look at [clears throat] too. I didn't look for that day because I wasn't thinking that day but >> it's just you look at it and try and figure >> Right. Right. I think it would be >> I think this feeds into like we need I mean I think we have to obviously deal with the calendar in front of us but I think we need to have discussions moving forward because this is the first time in a long time that we've had a winter like this but starting after Labor Day brings us so late that we're facing this with any snow days. So, I mean, I'm not saying that we have to do this now, but I mean,

087we had talked about, you know, building possible snow days in, maybe change the language. If we have more than three, we'll start taking from February break because we could have made up two, you know, at least at that point. So, I just think like moving forward after we get through this calendar >> that we look sooner. >> The good news is though, next year's calendar, we do start September 1st or 2nd because Labor Day is so so late. So we like next year shouldn't be quite as big an issue going till late in January. I mean that's for but yeah going forward. The only other question I have is if the seniors graduate on the 20th and then there's two exam schedules. Does the high school do the high school um not non seniors end

088with everyone else or do they end because of their exams earlier? >> They they would come back for the two days if they're >> so they so they would come back for the same. Right. Okay. So that's what I was wondering. They >> seniors don't technically end. I feel like the high school exams end school earlier than like CLES ends. Is that accurate or >> probably make the 22nd and 23rd makeup days. >> Okay. So then they would be >> they might actually have the exam schedule that that week prior, keep it that way and make the LA next two days the makeup days. >> Okay. >> Is what I'm anticipating they would do. >> And that makes sense. That doesn't complicate anything for I mean obviously the messy part of it >> it's manageable.

089I think uh from an educational standpoint some folks will say right you have so many days to get in the content and the skills that's what I'm worried about >> and you want them to take exams as prepared as possible so >> you know that's how many days of additional you know learning I know I know people argue that but we are here for teaching and learning so I have to >> well so to that end does it keep it is it for the purpose of teaching teaching and learning and for curriculum does it make more sense to keep 182 days. >> The other thing we have to consider too, it's 180 school days and 900 hours of instruction. So, right, >> we have to make sure we're meeting our 900 hours. >> It is

090right >> requirement too. >> So, all of our late starts and and half days. Good point. So that would be something that I would like to know from some of the instructional leaders is do we pigeon or handcuff the um teachers and the curriculum if we do cut the extra two days? I mean I know we always talk about cutting the end of the year but I know like as we talked about last year the middle of the school years you know like then they have to truncate those lessons. Does it feel like they're we're giving, you know, we're short changing them if we do 180 days? >> We can check on that. >> Okay. Speaking from personal experience, my kids being in high school, it is an issue. I mean, they they don't have

091enough time as it is to prepare for exams and now they're getting short changed. >> The AP exams are going to happen when they're already scheduled for, >> right? We have no we have no options for that. So, >> what do you think, Emily? Is that Do we feel like giving you guys two less days? Does that feel stressful to you as a senior? >> Um, in terms of like what your academic >> not, not really. I mean, I feel like it's definitely more distressful for the teachers, >> but I mean, they might just give you a a little bit more homework, but yet again, I feel like seniors, we'd much rather take the homework than the than the other day, the extra two days. But in terms of AP exams, yes, like that definitely

092hurts us a lot because a lot of seniors are taking those AP exams. But again, I don't think that those two days would mess up. Well, yeah, it's after. >> Yeah. >> So, there would be full days that week of the 15th. >> Yeah. >> And the full day 20 the 22nd 23rd. >> Correct. Well, the last day if the 23rd is the last day, it would be a half day. >> It would only be the last day. That's a half day. Right. >> The last day is always a half day. >> So, if we get that wave, we can finish on the 23rd >> and that would be >> Right. We'll look into >> which would be a half day. Right. Right. Right. >> Right. And if not, it would be the 24th unless

093>> Yeah. >> Okay. So, how does that work with the one consideration scenario one with seniors at 177 days? Like, can we legally do that >> or we make >> I don't think we can legally do that. >> If we do a one and four hybrid, would that change the considerations to 180 or no? We still keep it on. >> How would that Oh, is that because graduation is the 20th, >> right? We only give them Oh, that is something that I >> We just have to be aware of that. >> Yeah. Is it legal that our seniors will only have 177 days? >> It says all students experience 180 days in scenario 4. >> That's with graduation moving, >> right? >> So, the only I apologize. No, I'm not. >> No, we're not. Sorry.

094That's what I would think, too. >> Yeah. I mean, I think they'd be required to come back for the extra couple days. >> And if they don't require [laughter] It would really be two days if it's 170 nine because we got a waiver for one. >> I could just send a note cuz I once and I'm only speaking in my house. I would love to tell you that my child's going to come back Monday and Tuesday after getting his diploma. >> He's not going to no [clears throat] matter what I do. So, um, >> but some kids will and we this is a safe haven for kids for some children. they rely on this for safety, security, social. >> You know, one of the things, you know, yeah, >> one of the things to consider

095in that vein is that do we in in thinking about our families and talking about like when we start later in the school year? Are we ending on a Tuesday, do we then make it really difficult for our families to because you can't really get a full week of summer camp in that week, but now the kids have to be home for three additional day. Like I know that's That's secondary to like what we should consider, but >> we talk about it at the beginning of the school year having started school so late, right? So now, do we maybe consider Yes. Although 180 days is ideal because we don't want to be in school till July. Are we doing a disservice to our families that might >> I I think that a lot of families

096would coordinate with their neighbors uh with their extended families >> same as they do in the beginning of the year. >> Exactly. I would agree with What do you got? >> I don't know. I just >> I feel like if like what was just proposed would be okay, but I know about like for the um >> the little kids. >> Yeah, the little kids. I do. Yeah, that that does stay. >> Maybe we can coordinate like a National Honor Society and we'll babysit. I mean, even the board could if we had to. >> I'm the president of the National Honor Society. I mean, we're definitely >> We could probably Could we open the teachers are there? Could we open for >> monitoring? >> So, [laughter] >> oh, we could do all that. That's fine. I'm

097I'm confident you all will get that accomplished. Um, but asking a lot of questions just so we can have great conversation, right? What would be the impact if grad party or graduation were moved to like the 24th or 25th and we had it during that week? >> Graduation during the week. >> Yes. Um, so I think the biggest impact is the fact that it's an overnight event. >> Thank you. Yeah, that's why I'm asking. Yeah, good. Thank you. >> Over 100 volunteers. >> Yeah. >> Friday into Saturday was an option. Didn't you say Friday into Saturday? >> Yeah. If if we were to end on that 26th, take take that one day away and and have Friday off. Grab party Friday night. the 26th is an option. >> I defer to you because I know

098how much work goes into it. I've seen >> I think a Friday night could possibly work that day off the next day. Again, from what I've been told, it's just a matter of like gradation. Correct. >> People vacations, people's families are coming in. I think that's more >> the decision. amilies have parties that we get serious commitments and >> so how do how do we work that though because it would be full days 17 to 18 19th >> well >> kids and teachers would be in the building >> so but if if we did the we ended on the 23rd sorry if we did the 23rd would be the makeup Mhm. >> So then finals would be 17th, 18th, 19th, and 22nd, >> right? >> Oh, so you'd be able to get in and >>

099finals are half dates. Finals are half days. You can get >> the whole week would be finals. >> Okay. >> The whole week would be finals and the makeup days would be on the Got I believe they were to do that last year as well. >> I also think even with teachers in the building is fine. >> Yeah. I also think during the week, like doing it on a Friday is probably fine for us parents, but if there's people coming in, these kids couldn't have their car parade, which they've been doing for years, they'll never get through town. Um, you know, and then it's now dark out because we're going to have to do it. And I don't know if school's in session, people like, are teachers still going to be parked here? There's not

100enough parking to begin with. were shuttling from town hall. Um, so I just worry about trying to coordinate a graduation during the week with school in session. >> So I would propose that if if it's legal for us to to um be more aggressive and um stick to the 20th for graduation that we that Stephen, you um talk to Mr. Blanda and see if that'll all work on his end because I know you guys coordinate with him regularly. >> I think you make a really good point about families commitments that go well beyond the town into the region and even nationally. You know these this is a really significant event for families and then for the town as we talked about last year and you guys know you've volunteered >> 40 years I believe right

101>> this 40th year a long time. >> Yeah. >> And it was awesome last year. It was my first year helping out so I really Yeah. So, keeping it on the 20th, I'm assuming. Is that okay? >> Um, I'd also just like to point something else out is that um I heard from some of my classmates that like they might have like summer programs and like orientation starting like in July, like right away. So, maybe getting like the final grades in as soon as possible like just to help out teachers so that they're not stressed out and being like, I need my final transcript for my college. So, just like to keep that in mind because I know a lot of people that are going to college like really soon. So, that way >> that's

102interesting. We were just at >> We were just at the college and my son can only go to one orientation because three of them are why he's still in school. >> Yeah. >> So, what I'm hearing is uh potentially uh the elimination of two days and then maybe three if we can look and find out from the state that we can get that third. So, that we would end potentially on the 23rd would be the last day of school. It's almost like a hybrid of one and four I think. Yeah. Brad party on the >> 20th date if we can. >> Right. So just on the fourth potentially the option, right? >> But I So >> I just want to go on the record that we have to figure something out instead of eliminating days

103every year. I mean we're here to educate children and >> I get why we're doing it, right? We did it for the grad party last year, but I think we have to get creative that we're not eliminating days every year to accommodate a graduation schedule because I mean we need our kids in school. >> Well, I think how how would that just a question, how would that work? Because we did I didn't vote on it specifically, but I know the board voted on the next year's calendar already. Do we bring that up back up for discussion? I would recommend early May we bring that back for discussion and we can do a revote if we think there are other calendars out there as examples of how we could do this differently. >> Um so maybe

104we we do a little research, get some of those, gather them, and then by early May we would have time to have looked at them and and make some decisions that might change next year's calendar. >> I do think we need to involve the calendar committee because I know that Mrs. Larson, who's also on PDK. She's kind of the bridge between what our PD days are and what our actual like they they work really hard on like factoring all those dates in and there has to be a certain amount and some are half days and some are full days. So I think we do need to whether they meet first and give us their recommendation based on what right what we've said or I know there was discussion last year about possibly having that discussion

105with members of the board of ed like having one of us be on that committee. something but I haven't seen >> I don't think they've met because we already approved calendar but I do think it's critical that we involve that committee because of the makeup of it. I think it they you know they're going to be able to tell us better like >> it looks like on the ground >> this is this is how many days we need off this is how many days we have half days so >> what our options are in terms of PD and that kind of thing. >> So I I just learned about a new committee so thank you and we will involve the calendar [laughter] >> and we will do that. I think it's made up of like

106teachers and students and administrators. >> The nodding of head over here is like, "Yes, we're doing [laughter] it." So, we're good. We will do that. Definitely. >> I just know Mrs. Larson's on both because she talked about how it's hard to line them up with the day off. So, that's Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That was that. >> Great. All right. >> So, I guess we'll uh anything money to talk to. Sorry. Uh if there's anything else on uh or nothing else on the count, I know we're going to revisit in two weeks and we'll come back with maybe we can get a hybrid of those scenarios or see what better looks like. All right. And we'll see how the weather is. >> We'll bring the farmers home so we can plan those days. >> Let's

107just so let's just recap. So we're going to figure out if the February 23rd date is waved, [clears throat] right? >> Right. >> Um >> seniors go 17. I think someone should do a count of instructional hours. >> We will. >> We have to meet that 900 hours. >> Y >> um >> can the seniors only go >> and the senior can the seniors only go 177 which I don't I think we have an answer to that. >> There's clear >> legal language on that. So um they would be expected yes to come back. >> Like what does that scenario look like? They have to come back like we should lay that >> date on that right is a different story. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, and I think it sends a message to it. It's

108it's important to keep it consistent between schools, right? Um the elementary school and a middle school are not going to be happy that they're working with students and the high school is not. So, um that message is important too that they have to come back. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> So, I guess we're okay on that topic for now. We will revisit that in two weeks and thank you for that uh healthy discussion on that. That was very good. >> All right, moving on to a new agenda item, the formation of a subcommittee. Um um Erin, I will pass it over to you. >> Yeah. So, um I I mentioned it on Monday night. Um Mr. Roland and I have been talking about um forming um a special education subcommittee. We did have one prior

109um which was the special education strategic plan committee um which was you know incorporating our identified students in the strategic plan that stopped. So it would just um the way we looked at it forming um would be that there would be board representation, teachers, para educators, administrators and uh members of the public um just to have discussions about possible um grant options, possible programming um you know just back and forth. what um our teachers are seeing, right? Our student population, how we can better meet their needs. Um and that's it. So, >> so go ahead. >> Would this be a standing committee? >> Yeah, that's why did we didn't add Hocket. >> My only feedback would be that I not opposed to the committee in any way, shape, or form, but I would like Bill

110to be involved in the like initial discussion of it because he would be the administrator running it and in charge of it. So, I don't know that I'm comfortable like making the decision to make it a subcommittee tonight. I do think I would like to have that conversation. >> I would like Bill to either be here or sort of >> discussion with Bill tonight. I mean, >> Bill is asking for Yeah, go ahead. Sorry. She's mentioning you have that information. So, >> Bill and I did have a conversation about it and um and I guess one one of the only questions we'd have about it and and I guess uh maybe I just need to look more carefully into the bylaws, but um what maybe someone could help explain maybe the difference between like an

111advisory committee versus subcommittee of the board like it this wouldn't be a standing committee, right? >> Well, >> I guess I'm trying to understand that because I think there are very specific standing committ Sorry. Go ahead. >> Yeah. So um the whole reason when I spoke to Bill about it he an ad hoc committee would have to be done within a year and he doesn't think the work right the conversations would continue for longer than a year. So that's >> but he could have an advisory committee. So he could have a committee that runs under him. It could have a member of the board on it but he would run it based on like when he wanted to essentially. So it wouldn't have a timeline. An advisory committee is more like he would call the

112meetings. a subcommittee would be required to be have three members of the board and um be subject to like all of the same >> that bylaw sub I was trying to like in between our conversation today I was trying to understand the difference in >> I wonder if it's a an a um >> yeah just an advisory committee >> correct in which >> so so that's it would just we have to just consider what a subcommittee means it would have need to have three board members would be subject to the same >> you know posting and I don't know that a subcommittee of the board could have teachers and parent representatives and things like that. I think the advisory committee could >> well what was the security task force under because it's pretty much the

113same thing. >> So as we've stated that we did wrong. So now we know that that committee should have been either an advisory committee or should have ended as an ad hoc committee. So the fact that we had made it a because it was a subcommittee before we >> like as we inherited it and we didn't learn until last year that we were actually running it incorrectly. So that's why I would suggest moving forward we know that we have to do it the sort of correct way >> advisory committee. I'm sorry. >> No no I was just curious. So, Bill, myself, Erin, join us. Like, we would be happy to put together a um an advisory committee >> uh for this the exact purpose you're talking about and I think that would align greatly with

114some of the things that we've been speaking about that we're trying to advance here in the Brookfield Public Schools. So, um and in the advisory committee, we would any board member that wants to be a part of it, we would welcome, but we also want to get parent support, you know, and community I was going to say the other septo it's >> the other thing about an advisory committee is it wouldn't be subject to like having to vote on correct you know on on things they want to move forward it wouldn't have like subcommittee anything that they decided within the committee would have to come to the board for like approval an advisory committee would just go through the advisor which would be Bill and Stephen so I feel like >> that's probably the maybe

115it starts that way Erin and then maybe we like revisit like if it seems like during that process it should become a subcommittee of the board we talk about it when we form those subcommittees next year. But >> well, I think the nice part about that is having a board member on it if there were things that did require either board updates or votes or support. >> Yeah. I mean, >> Aaron and myself, we and Bill could come, we could bring it to you. The advisory committee recommends this. you know, we want to explain to you what it is, maybe do a presentation and then be able to hopefully, you know, garner whatever support is necessary >> or go through the chair and put things on that we would need to like think about or

116talk about or vote on as a board. >> Yeah. I mean, the thing of it is is that there's constant obviously with special education, there's constantly policy changes. We're seeing right now there's educational statutes and regulations changing just in regards to that population. So, I mean, they're going to have to do it anyway. that seems like another reason to have it be advisory committee because if you have parents who are living it, you know what I mean? Um then that's a perspective that could could come through with like less um uh fewer impediments. >> Yeah. Less formality. So because like it wouldn't necessarily be bound by all the rules that we're bound by. Erin, if you are gonna do it, do you want me to take the calendar committee? >> All right. Well, thank you

117for that. That was a good idea. That was very good. Thank you. Um, does anybody have anything else on No. >> Okay. Three main points. >> Oh, I'm It was a motion to add the agenda to have the committee. >> Oh. just to add the agenda item, right? >> Okay. Um, okay. Three main points. >> I would definitely say the calendar >> at least to be continued on. >> Is there a way to come up with, you know, something to email out to families? You know, we could do like we did with the beginning of the year and you could say anyone that has feedback or has an opinion, email us to give us like we did the um here are the questions we want answered. You could do that process again. >> I don't

118know. I think it's going to be the whole senior class. Um so I don't know. I know we sent out um a form right to parents to senior parents. I wonder if Mark can send that out again um just to see where parents are. I mean, but I guess it's not really going to matter because at the end of the day, if they can't have to have more than 177 days, here we are. So, >> um, so I don't know. Three main points, I guess. Continued conversations about, >> you know, >> budget being one >> budget. Bathrooms. I was my first. Yeah. >> Bathrooms. I have bathrooms. Calendar and budget. >> Yeah, >> I like that. >> Yeah. I mean, and then >> I pro I don't know. So, this is really this is really

119VHS heavy this time, but that's no surprise. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It's that time of year. >> Um upcoming events. >> Oh, yeah. I have to >> And then you're done. I swear >> like sweating. >> Um um so >> Brookfield High School, um March 5th, early dismissal for conferences. March 12th, all sports booster club meeting at 6:30. March 12th through the 15th, high school uh musical performances and March 27th is junior prom. And there was a blood drive in there on the 12th. I did not see that on the calendar. >> I was like I pulled it up. So WMS from uh March 8th to March 21st is the online book fair. Um March 10th is NEAP uh testing for random eighth graders. Um, I have questions about that. Um, >> randomly select

120to get a cross-section nationally of the performance of students at that level >> because I was like, yikes, I hope they don't pick mine. Um, March 11th um is the 8th grade uh band and chorus concert um or not chorus concert, the chorus field trip. They're going to see Aladdin um in New York City. So, the kids are super excited about that. Awesome. >> Um March 13th, um the final payment for eighth grade parents for the DC trip. >> Um March 17th is a sixth grade band and chorus concert to the New Haven Symph Symphony Orchestra. Um CL um March 2nd to March 6th is ReadAcross America Week. Um March 3rd to the 12th is the book fair with the afternoon hours on the 12th from 12:45 to 3:30. Those are half days too >>

121For conferences um oh that was here the 13th. Oh I have the 13th. What is it? The 13th and 12th and I have the 13th and the 13th um or conferences um with early dismissal. The 18th is a PTO meeting at 6 PM. And then um March 9th, March 10th, March 11th and 16th, our third graders are going on field trip to Flanders Nature Preserve. Two classes per day. >> Um and that's it. >> That's good >> for now. >> All right. >> Thank you so much. >> All right. Well, if nobody has anything else and without objection, I will adjourn at 8:33 p.m. >> Not bad. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.