Board of Education Meeting

001Oh, if we're all ready, I'm going to call to order this um regular meeting of the Brookfield Board of Education, Wednesday, May 21st. Gosh. Um would you guys all please join me in rising and saying 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. In terms of roll call, we are all here. So, it's nice to see everyone. Um, and uh before we start, I just want to say I'm sure everybody in the table and in the room is aware uh that the budget passed last night in each of the three districts. So, hats off to the town. Um, thank you uh for showing some faith in our um

002educators and in the system and um I think that makes us optimistic about the year ahead. So, with that, let's move right to um the student representative report from Melissa Baines. Hello everyone. Um we're currently in the middle of a very successful spring season and every spring sport has qualified for their respective SWC tournaments. Um Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Vando will be meeting with the student representatives that are on the CIC committees, which includes Vanessa Greenstein, Emily Jüken, and Jamie Corbreth. um and they will discuss what they learned at these board meetings and how we can implement new initiatives for um athletic advisory and everything. Um Baldwin also wants to extend the thanks to Vanessa Greenstein who served as an officer here at BHS and also on the state CIC um athletic advisory and she's

003constantly represented BHS and shared many good things about our program and learned how we can implement those here. Um, student government elections were these, uh, past Friday, I mean past Monday, sorry, during ILT. Um, and those went very successful. We also had a very successful senior prom at the Waterview last Friday. And the senior field trip to Lake Compounds is scheduled for next Thursday. Um, some National Honor Society updates. Our annual Mother's Day 5K in partnerships with Sweet Scoops was very successful. Um we had over 300 runners and raised $13,000 that will be donated to the Yale New Haven Transplant Center patient care fund. Um across our three um three school held blood drives organized by NHS. We collected 84 units of blood this year saving around 250 lives um around Connecticut. Um there will

004be another blood drive open to the public on June 13th from 12 to 5:00 p.m. at the public library. And then we also have induction for our new members tomorrow here at the school. Uh the BHS course and band held their spring concert yesterday and they performed exceptionally well um with some of my favorite songs like waving through a window. uh Spanish and French honor societies have their induction on Friday and Spanish honor society is also currently raising a fundraiser through a bindo Camino which is an organization that's dedicated to serving underprivileged communities in Dominican Republic. So we're very looking forward to seeing how much money we make through that. Thank you. Any questions for All right, you're winding down. Congratulations. Thank you, Melissa. Have a great night. All right. Uh, now it's time for

005public comment. Mr. Korea, you're up. Hi, Andy Korea, Brookfield resident. I have several points regarding tonight's agenda. First, concerning item seven, approval of board minutes. I urge you not to approve the May 7th meeting minutes as currently presented. They failed to accurately represent a serious FOIA violation on May on May 7th after a motion to discuss ethics complaint C2404 concerning the respondent in executive session. Uh the publicly noticed agenda items regarding that same ethics complaint were not addressed in the public session by the meeting's presiding officer who was the respondent in the complaint. The failure to conduct business on a duly noticed item denied the public and boards of the me members of the board their rights and constitutes a clear violation of FOIA law. The minutes need to be revised to reflect this. Um

006a board officer recently responded via email unilaterally on behalf of the BOE and categorically decided that the ethics issue will not be discussed. Second, as a general principle relative directly relevant to the May 7th meeting, any board member who is subject to of that ethics complaint, such as the respondent to this complaint must recuse themselves and leave the de deliberation table during any discussion or vote pertaining to the complaint or handling it. They should also be recusing themselves from the vote of this meeting of meeting minutes. Third, regarding item 12, uh, consent a uh, the consent agenda, which includes the reading of the final reading of the bylaw 9211, resignation and removal of officers, reasonable cause exists for the removal of at least one board officer under the bylaw's provision. Therefore, any such officers have

007a direct personal conflict of interest in the deliberation and vote of bylaw 921's adoption. To avoid a clear ethics violation, these officers must recuse themselves from the issue entirely as trained by attorney Ton Mooney on October 30th and leave the deliberation table for the for this specific item. Finally, regarding item 13D, request for funding, the finance committee is recommending requesting $332,000 from the boards of selectment of finance. I suggest that this BOE reduces that to 200,000. Brookfield T tax taxpayers have not should not be funding excessive legal expenditures that appear primarily to defend questionable actions of board members or to support actions construed as harassing other board members, students, and their families. Reducing the request to 200,000 reflects a more responsible approach until this board demonstrates better fiscal stewardship over legal costs and a commitment

008to ethical conduct that doesn't necessitate such spending. Thank you. Thank you. Um, so the next item on the agenda is uh written correspondence. Stephanie, what do you have for us? Excuse me. The following people have emailed the board of ed since May 7th. Andy Korea, five emails. Sherry Styonowski, apologies if that's incorrect. Jennifer Akerly, three emails. Jessica Tanganger, two emails. Brian McGovern, and Leslie Rogerio. Okay, let's move uh to item seven, approval of board minutes. I move that the board approve the minutes listed below as recommended. Special meeting 542025. Regular meeting 572025. Special meeting 5162025. Second. Is there any discussion on this item? Um well I think um given information that has come across my email um I think we definitely table the minutes of the regular meeting on 57 to investigate if it's true

009that under Connecticut foyer law one once an item is placed on the public meeting agenda the public body is obligated to address it or formally vote to remove it or table it which I don't believe that we did. Did you or did you not receive the email from our board attorney with the password protected secure file? I'm I'm referring to our agenda the with the minutes that were the action during the meeting which was to not go into executive. Right. I don't believe that we formally voted to table it or remove it. We didn't go into executive. We addressed it with the board's direct email to you. Okay. So um they I I I want to get verification that we if we possibly need to revise it to accurately reflect its omission um since all

010agenda items need to be addressed. So the communication that we were to be given in executive was given to you and I also said if you have any questions that our attorney would be willing to meet with us again. None of you responded saying that you wanted that. So, what is it that you want to discuss? I want to make sure we're following what um Connecticut law says and you don't believe that our attorneys giving us the information. I want to verify that information, not verify that what you're saying is true. Where would you like to have that verified? Legal can contact. Okay. So, you let me just clarify. You would like for our attorney to be contacted to say, "Hey, is the information you've given us. No, it we followed the agenda according to

011foil law. Um I had in violation of that. I had If we had gone into executive, you would have gotten the commission. I would like him to speak to that, not you. He did. He did. Um uh Aaron and Stephanie and I saw him on another matter uh today and as that matter closed out I asked specifically about this and he said that um our actions that the board's actions during the meeting did meet that would be great information to share. So if he can share that would be great. Yeah the the motion was um voted on but it didn't reach a twothirds and Right. So the motion failed. Yeah. So, is that considered an action? Yes, it is. I'd like to hear that from the attorney. So, the addition he can easily put that

012in writing and then we can bring the minutes back to the next meeting. I don't understand what what So, the additional new business that was on the agenda that is now no longer part of the minutes. There's an explanation from our attorney. Can you um can you explain your Can you say that another way? Yes. So in the agenda for the last meeting, there was a part after the executive session that says additional new business, a discussion and possible action regarding Brookfield Board of Ethics complaint against board member and that was never addressed and that was never part of the minutes. So they're not in sync, right? Because the board did not vote to go into executive session. So it shouldn't action. No. So the action was taken. So an action to not do something

013is also an action that completes the motion. So we voted and we did not vote to move it. So according to Robert's rules, any action you take is an action. So our vote to not go into executive session essentially was the action we took on that item. Yeah. I would just like to make sure we're in compliance and that's that's accurate and it would be nice. Well, there's a motion on the Sorry. Go ahead. There's a motion on the table to I don't see anything wrong with tableling minutes to make sure we get then you have to make a motion to table it because there's already a motion to approve. We were just discussing it. Yeah. So I didn't know if we were still done discussing it. Got it. Sorry. Are we done discussing? It

014appears that we are. So uh if there's no motion to table, then we can go ahead and vote. So, I'll make a motion to table the regular meeting, the 57 regular minutes to table that second. Uh, is there discussion on tableabling? Okay. All in favor of tableabling the minutes um at the regular meeting. Yeah, for the regular meeting, uh, exhibit B, uh, please indicate by saying I. I. All opposed? Nay. Okay. So, um, the motion to table does not pass. Will we uh go back to the um existing motion? Is there further discussion on this? Right. Are we ready to vote um to Well, actually, can you if you have information from the attorney, can you forward it to us? No, this is just a conversation in in TSO. So, yes. You need me to

015write it down rather than telling you right now? Yes, please. Sure. Okay. Okay. All in favor of um approving the minutes um per the motion on the table, please indicate by saying I. I. All opposed. Okay. Stephanie, did you get that as 43? Okay. Wonderful. Yep. All right. I just want to make a note. Um and Sarah, before we move on, let me just make sure I have the substance of your request. Okay. Um so any discussion regarding that is okay for you. Absolutely. any discussion regarding these concerns. Okay. And then that would be an official attorney opinion, would it not? Yeah. Which would incur a cost. Just clarifying. Well, let's not go. So you this is a new opinion. This is a new opinion on a FOYA violation that you think exists. So you

016want to know if we were FOYA compliant? Yeah. Okay. That would be an opinion. Right. Thank you. Okay. So moving on to item eight. Um moving on to item eight. the uh superintendent's update. Miss uh Dr. Bro. All right. Thank you, Dr. Young. But good evening, everybody. Um for teaching and learning, uh I did want to let everybody know that national and some of this will overlap with a little bit of the news that Melissa shared this evening. Uh the high school has its National Honor Society induction ceremony uh tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Um, with it being the end of the year, Wiskanir um, and CLS have a lot of field trips and field days and other celebrations along with adjudications and end of year assessments going on. Uh, everybody's working

017quite hard on that and still going, uh, full throttle as it were. Um, I want to turn it over to Dr. Mann for a second. I left off AP testing. She give a little update on how that's going and also the PLC day that we have scheduled for this Friday where there is an early dismissal for students and our teachers stay. Anna? Yep. So, um, just to fill in what Melissa, we weren't sure if Melissa was going to mention it or not, but as part of, you know, the national um, AP testing window, AP testing concluded last Friday. Um, so it was, you know, for the last two weeks, many of our students, um, participated in AP testing, um, including, and I don't know if people heard, but there was a little bit of a

018hiccup with the AP psychology across the East Coast, um, where the College Board Blue Book went down right at 12:08 and the test opened at 12:00 p.m. So, some of our kids were not able to take the test, so they will be making it up during one of the makeup sessions, free to free of charge. Um but it was kind of frustrating for everybody who was involved across the country. Um and this in addition to our students wrapping up, you know, getting ready for not only concluding their AP testing, but also getting ready for their final exams at the high school, um our entire uh certified faculty will have and our par educators will have their final PLC day this Friday. So early dismissal for students, teachers um and par educators stay uh through the

019regular rest but rest rest of the regular day to conclude their final professional learning time where they'll be working on the teachers will be working on their professional learning plans preparing for end of year um conferences if they haven't already had them. And our uh par educators will be continuing with the 321 training which has been um one of the kind of requisite trainings that we've been having them work their way through. Can you just clarify what happened with the AP static? I don't know. I AP stat or AP psych? AP stat. I did not hear anything about AP stat. Sorry. Give us something to look forward to talking about tomorrow. Yeah, certainly asked. Um, thank you, Anna. Appreciate that. Uh, under business and operations, uh, a big congratulations to the board, board of selectment,

020board of finance, uh, and and congratulations to our students and our staff and, uh, a real thanks to our residents for getting out and voting. um with the passage of the referendum for not only town budget, school budget, but also capital budget. So, we all can now really have the laser focus on preparing for next year with with a budget in place. So, that's that's actually really great news. Um and thanks to to the administrative team and everybody uh along with the budget uh along with the board for all the work on the budget and uh deliberations over the years and certainly um again board of selectment and board of finance with a lot of help and a lot of scrutiny we we got through the process as we always have and I can't believe

021I'm closing out on a 10th but it's been a decade. Unbelievable. Um we are really excited actually to move forward on a school breakfast program for next year. That was one of the items I included in the update to the state of the district. last week and I'd asked uh Casey to share a little bit about that, what that might look like. Sure. Sure. So, we've started the process with the state um and have confirmed fortunately that uh making this change to include the uh add the breakfast program to the n as part of the national school lunch program will not uh require us to go back out to bid again. So, that was really really good news. Um, and so, uh, yeah, we have just to finish up, uh, filling out the paperwork and

022then we have to, um, you know, just figure out some logistics with the building principles at the high school. Much, you know, a lot less figuring to do, but the the middle school and, um, CLS will just have to figure out some logistics in terms of the graband-go stations and supervision in the cafeteria and where where it'll be um, where the breakfast will be eaten. But we're really excited to um to roll this out and you know even if it's you know a handful of students in each building that um that need that breakfast to start their day. Um it's important that we offer it and so uh so we're looking forward to rolling that out. Can't promise the first day of school but definitely in early fall we'll be What time is it going

023to be? Um so it'll be it'll be open the cafeteria will be open in the morning as students arrive. Um and so there there's some you know we have to speak with u our busing company as well to ensure that there is you know at least 10 minutes before to and again these are not going to be very um elaborate menu items. Um you know it's not going to be you know a lot of choices but it will be you know a breakfast sandwich um you know a fruit and a a muffin a yogurt you know graband go type options. Absolutely. Absolutely. So yeah more to come on that. Okay thanks Casey. Yep. Um and then u a clarification. I did put this in the weekend update last Friday to the board um when we

024were working on um the new school start times. We also obviously had to talk about the end times. Uh the high school now moving to 7:30 uh to make it a formal 6-h hour and 55minut day in alignment with the contract in alignment with the two other schools. We do need to end at 2:15 to have that 6 hour and 55minut day. Um we had talked a great deal about shaving um passing time off with the committee and we were able to actually operationalize that. Mark Mark was ready to do that um to have us end at 210. Um but the teachers union came back with some concerns and I see some smirking from some of our teachers over there as to how this works. So we have to be even Steven across the district

025and it's understandable. So we want to be in alignment with contract and not even be off by a couple of minutes. So um in talking with Mr. Baldwin, he said he definitely can make that work and I know the committee knows that that 210 was the absolute ideal latest, but he did say even even if we went as late as 220, he might be able to pull things off. So, um, we still can make everything work. The board did vote on the start times, not on the end times. So, there's no formal action that needs to be taken and we'll get that communication out to everybody under climate and engagement. Um just want to uh give a shout out to a couple of our um wonderful eighth grade and uh uh senior students from BHS

026in the middle school. On Monday afternoon, the entire region we celebrated the Western Connecticut Superintendent um Association had its regional leadership award ceremony at the Amber Room and from BHS Tagen George and Jenna Connect were honored and from the middle school Lily uh Alag and Mackenzie Lynch were honored. So, it was a beautiful um event and uh also um uh was it gosh we had our representation for uh the national uh anthem as well. So, it was really great. Um board of ed um our representative uh interviews the updated policy um looking at the individual who will be representing the board for the board next year. Um Mark and I had uh meetings this week and we have a couple of uh interviews next week as well. The students are amazing. I think they're doing

027a great job and it's it's fun to see them and knowing them from, you know, third or fourth grade and seeing how they've just developed over the years and how mature they are. Um any of them would be be uh tremendous at the job. Um so we'll just see who the best fit's going to be. And so we'll continue that through next week and then um Mark would like to announce on June 4th uh June is it June 4th or fifth or next meeting? June 4th. So we'll do that. Um the grad walk is scheduled for June 3rd. Uh so we know everybody has that and um again working with the principles and the timing of that and going through the schools andor at field day because some of the CLS uh kids will be

028at field day here on the high school field. So we're going to have the grad walk in a few different uh locations this year. So we're really thrilled to continue with that. Um honor and educator is scheduled for tomorrow. Uh that's the annual BEF uh honor program for anybody involved in our educational community. and uh that uh students, staff, we all can recognize each other and celebrate one another. Um uh from custodians and bus drivers to teachers, uh administrators, uh parents, whomever is uh helping and doing a great job. Um and that is that will be here in the media center, I think around 2:30, 3:00. It starts tomorrow. So, uh that's what I have. Great. Thank you very much. Any questions for Dr. Brell? Thank you. All right, moving on. Um Stephanie, uh can

029you since you've been compiling the information, would you um take the lead in updating? Yes. So our um the board the superintendent search committee uh which is comprised of board members. We met to interview um four of our chosen the top four uh search firms, consulting firms, and um we voted on Friday to officially choose school leadership as our consulting firm. So I um have scheduled with our contact there. Uh our first meeting, planning meeting will be everybody replied. So everyone um should this shouldn't be a surprise. On Tuesday, June 10th at 6 PM, we'll be meeting to go over what the next steps are. Um currently the update for the public is that we've chosen the consulting firm. So the graph, the um flowchart that we had posted when we first started the process

030has been updated with our little B. Uh and it should be I don't know if it was posted today or if at least is going to post it tomorrow. There's also going to be a tab on the homepage of the BOE. Um if you on the BOE dropdown there will be a uh yeah on the website on the BOE dropdown on the homepage there will be a section um entitled superintendent search committee and any updates documentation um anything that needs to be communicated to the public will be there. Um, additionally during our planning meeting, uh, one of the things that we do is identify the public groups and, um, our, uh, consulting firm will, school leadership will set dates for public, um, to meet with the public to get feedback from teachers, staff. They love

031meeting with students. Um, they're going to try to do as many in person as possible, but they also find success in doing some virtual ones as well. So, we'll have more of an update on that. um not at the June 4th meeting because we're not meeting till after that, but at the July meeting. Um and then we'll continue to make sure all of that information um is accessible to the public. So that's where we're at. The the our key contacts are Reena Beer and is it Roy Montasan? Montasano. Yeah. Okay. So those are names that you guys will be hearing as we as we go forward. Um those are the folks who are leading up our search and working with us. Great. Let's move then to uh subcommittee reports starting with facilities. Rob. All right.

032Good evening everyone. We met met last on May 7th. Um we called to order on 608. Uh we was myself uh Sarah Divine, Casey Diat, and Dan Cwell was there. We had one member for public comment. Uh uh excuse me, one member present for public comment, but no public comment uh was uh given. For old business, we discussed the school dude reports. We had a question about uh an area of refuge space that I remember Dan had answered satisfactory for us. Uh we didn't follow up on anything with that. Uh for an update on capital projects, the BH uh the high school AC project contract is going to be returning one for one remaining item for the existing control system. Uh this is expected to take place within the next two weeks. So that would

033be this week. Hopefully it's uh well this is the week so so around this week in around that time. Uh the Sallyport permit application from the building department is waiting for review from the town departments. um the middle school gym roof. The Barrett estimates that the roof estimates that the roof replacement can be done in one to two days with a large crew. Um the WMS athletic storage and the contractor uh Renos received the PDF plan for the permit. Um once the permit is obtained, work will be scheduled. Uh we didn't have any miscellaneous discussion and we adjourned at 6:30. It was great. Um definitely was too much. So Rosa finance committee. Okay. Uh we last met on May 8th uh where we went over the April financial report. Um if you remember, you know,

034we've been running in um a budget shortage all year, sometimes upwards of, you know, a half a million dollars, I think. Um but uh there were some positive month-to-month changes in our April report. Um and that's mostly due to health insurance and heating oil. And by health insurance, I mean, you know, that number and what we spend on it kind of fluctuates a little bit throughout the year because, you know, you hire um people leave and so you have like fluctuations and you never really know if somebody's going to take the full family plan or just a single person or no coverage. So that number kind of fluctuates, but now we're at a point in the year where we can really kind of nail down what we're going to be spending this particular year. So

035um that is so most of our savings monthto month was due to that and heating oil. So, um, and fuel. So, that really kind of brought our net budget shortfall down to about $331,000, um, which is on our agenda tonight. Um, which actually is great news because it is within the contingency that the town had set aside. So, we're no longer in kind of panic mode. It's, you know, a much more dealable number. Um, so, so yeah, that was that was the bulk of the business. Um, we did officially move to um, recommend that additional appropriation request and we did talk about the 2526 budget, but I mean I think some of that's a little bit moot now um because we did approve the the final changes to that budget and the budget has now

036since passed. So that was pretty much it. Any questions about finance? Okay, let's move to Cape then. Joy. Okay, we met on May 14th. We received a follow-up document you probably remember from last meeting um regarding it was a memo regarding midterm data um regarding strengths and weaknesses and targeted specific courses in which there were a large number of students receiving D's and Fs um so there's a follow-up it's attached um you have it in your four docks um just a quick summary uh for social studies and English it was reported that areas of improvement were based on stamina motivation inconsistent attendance work completion lack exam prep, lack of exposure for independent work and weakness in making claims and providing evidence for math. Uh there were common trend there there continue to be the common

037trends yeartoear they struggle with that added level of complexity. Students don't think that if they can do A then they can do B. One area of improvement in particular is the need to build off algebra one and we need to make sure we revisit and ensure that these skills are reinforced each year. Deb Farrius mentioned that a lot of vertical alignment work will be upcoming using the data from these trends. We did receive a preliminary report of the Connecticut spring SAT results which is also in your board docs. We've reviewed and the proposed CLES schedule for next year. Um you could see that memo in your board docs. So basically there's two large blocks of academic time. um 110 to 115 minutes in the morning and 110 to 115 minutes in the afternoon. 70 to

03875 minutes will be for math. 70 75 minute 70 to 75 minutes will be for ELA and science and social studies will be given the remaining time which is about 25 to 30 minutes. Um the support teachers will really need to help with pacing and the science and social studies time especially for our fifth grade teachers. Um it will be a big shift for the fifth grade teachers because typically um in the past the math teachers um just taught their content area and they'll need the math teachers will need to teach science and social studies now. And also fifth grade teachers um have not done standardsbased reporting so they'll need support doing that. Mr. Bland gave us a breakdown of number of students enrolled as of that day in each of the French classes for

039next year. So they are as follows. So, French one, there's 10 students. French two, 27 students. French three, two, French two, honors, 21 students. French three 11 students. French three honors 17 students. French four cinema, forget the exact name of it, uh, is about 20 students. So, the plan to cover that 2 since we cut that um, is to combine French three and French three honors, which would be 28 students. So, that's what they're doing now. Yeah, which is pretty much what they're doing now. So, um, there. Yeah, there's more than 28 right now. Yeah. Yeah, there is 30 something. That's a little bit more manageable. 28. So, hopefully the hopefully we keep an eye on that number. That would be important. Um, and then there was some miscellaneous discussion. So Wendy um brought up

040having a discussion around AI in an upcoming meeting and Sarah brought up um AAT which is advanced algebra trigonometry which is well beyond my pay grade and that's about it and if anybody has any questions okay let's move then thank you Joy uh let's move to uh security task force okay um I'm not going to go into too much detail about this because the main you know discussion item is on the agenda for tonight. Um, so I think I'll just save it all for then. And but actually, do we happen to have like an image of the area that we're talking about? This is regarding fencing at CLES. Maybe like Eric can email. Well, I don't know if we have like a laptop over there, but um anyways, but this is this um meeting was

041to discuss fencing at CLES. Um, originally it was um going to serve dual purposes, both to um prevent like um playground balls from rolling down into like a ditch, but also um that area is very kind of primed for students who bolt um to get away from their um their teachers pretty quickly. So, it was going to kind of keep them a little bit more contained in the playground area. Um and so we talked about um the extent of of that fencing and we held this meeting just for this because you know the conversation from the previous meeting went um really long regarding this. Um so we did end up approving or approving the recommendation for um a fence that would if you if you can envision the um the play the prek playground that

042already is fully enclosed but that fencing is not connected to the building. Some fencing would then connect it to the building. So then from inside to outside the littlest littlest ones would be completely enclosed, but then it would also add additional fencing from that area like around to the woods line. So it would it doesn't enclose anything the woods line, but it does prevent the ball issue and it does prevent um students from just you know aloping into um the woods right there at least at least the youngest ones. Um, we did talk about what the cost would be to go further around the back of the building. That would be another like 20 $25,000. Um, that's not in the security capital budget that we have. Um, there is about 67,000 left in those funds

043for security enhancements specifically, but some of those funds were supposed to go for extra radios and video cameras and things like that. Since then, there are um some new grants that are possible. Um they're competitive, but we could potentially get grants to cover the the video cameras and things like that, which would free up some funds if we wanted to explore more fencing around the back. But we just have to kind of keep in mind that fencing is very expensive. It probably would never fully enclose the back of the building or the full property for that matter. Um, and we also have to think about what it would look like to have kind of really tall fencing around an elementary school. Um, but that's a conversation that, um, we had and we're willing to explore

044further. Um, but to but at this meeting, we just recommended that 4 foot fence um, which was just enough to kind of keep the the littlest ones in their play area. Um, and we have the money in the budget for that. Um, and we also, you know, made a recommendation to apply for those competitive grants to to kind of free up some of those other funds to to maybe explore some more. So, that was it, which I didn't anticipate going into that much detail at this point, even though I said I was going to save it, but less time for later. So, yes, that was that was mostly the summary of it. I have a question for you. Um, for the people on the security task force who work in the building, were they I

045noticed Dr. Rud is here, but I some of your Dr. He just couldn't be there at that particular meeting. But he's aware of all of these. But are they enthusiastic supporters of this? He was the one that brought it to us. Okay. Because the balls. Okay. And if if you have the pleasure of uh taking a walk over there when the kids are playing, there's five or six groups of kids that are playing at one time with a ball. You know, they're not all on the swing set or in somewhere else. And there's always a ball, you know, rolling that way. And it's just a bit of a drop off into a wooded area. And it's just a waste of their recess time to have to go chase that. We want to get that up

046there. We even talked about plantings rather than uh you know kind of arbitraries or something like that and we decided to go with the fence. Um any other questions? Okay. So uh special policy and communications that is that you? Yep. Great. Um so it was actually our rescheduled policy meeting. So um it was all our previously scheduled things that we were going to talk about. You'll see tonight um bylaw 9211 and policies 35 24.1 and 3120 are on for a final read. I'll go into those in a second. Um those have all been on agendas for a first read and we had really actually kind of minor um logistical questions about them that we needed uh Casey and um SNG to answer. We got those answers and we have put them on um for a

047final read tonight. And then the fundraising policy um which is currently BPS 3281 and the student activities policy which will turn into BPS 3452. uh the student activities procedural manual that um you got in your packet tonight as well uh are all on for a first review first read and the restorative practices policy um from SNG is on for first read tonight as well. So for 3524.1 which is pesticide application um Casey was checking with the with Eric the director of technology to ensure that the procedures can be in place for the upcoming school year that give parents and staff the option to be notified when pesticide application will occur as mandated by the new policy. So what he's going to do is put it in the um opt-in forms in document locks. So, all

048that paperwork you fill out at the beginning of the school year in order to be able to get your teacher assignment, um it will be an option in there. Um and then anytime there is an action uh under this policy, anyone on that list, uh he'll generate an email notification. Um so, and that's pretty straightforward and he would like us to approve that by June 4th. So, it would be I know we have to are technically supposed to have 30 days between reads, but if we wait until July, it's going to be iffy on him being able to get it in the system and get all in place and whatever. So, um what I'm going to ask tonight is if we can it's actually an action that we'll take at the next meeting, but keep

049in mind that that particular policy we're al also going to put on in two weeks. So, we'll ask to wave the 30 days of the second read and ask to approve it um in in two weeks at the meeting there. Can I add one comment to that? So, in uh my debrief with Dr. Bril after the policy meeting um and explaining how Eric was comfortable with the you know with the form and all that um Dr. Bril had a very genius idea that's very simple just said just notify everybody which is even more than what the policy requires and actually is a lot less work because it it won't require an opt-in form. It won't require a special email list of those parents that have decided to opt in. So that is likely any of

050us think about sometimes it takes that makes so much sense. Yeah. I don't um so so that's likely what we will end up doing um because it's just that much easier that there you go didn't think of that for several discussions. Thank you Dr. B. Okay. So then that well so when that would that still require us to implement it by June? No, because then it would just be anytime that takes place, Mr. Caldwell would notify and so and for sake of the for sake of the board's knowledge and the public's knowledge, I mean, it is a rare occasion where we would ever use pesticides. I mean they're they're really prohibited for the most part. We can't just go do whatever we want. And the health department, the reason this kind of this was on

051the on the agenda anyway to get going on this particular policy, but recently um there was a concern that there might be some kind of tick infestation at the elementary school and there wasn't. The health department brought down an expert from the state and they tested and they sampled. Um while higher this year uh around the state uh the tick uh population, it is no higher than anyone else here in Brookville. So that was actually going to be my next point is that the new policy doesn't actually change anything in the current way that we do things and it doesn't change the threshold of how we notify and and in asking um Mr. Caldwell there is a very rare instance during school or in any you know form uh that would affect the students and

052staff. So it's just sort of this one notification piece that was not in our current policy. Um but now now we'll just notify everybody. That worked well. Um, okay. So, for policy 3120, which is the uh budget procedures and line item transfers update. So, this had also been on for a first read and in the SMG policy, the threshold was 1% and the question had come up that that was very high and we were all a little iffy about that. And so, after discussion with both SMG and Casey in the town, uh it was determined that we can just change it to reflect our current policy of $10,000. So it will remain uh notification and approval by the board at $10,000. Um and so everything we've reviewed up to this meeting stays the same. There's

053no changes uh that had come up during the first read. So it's very straightforward. So then for 9211 which is the resignation removal of an officer. So the question had come up during the first read review from a board member. The our current polic says 2/3 majority for removal and the SNG policy says simple majority. The reason why it's simple majority is because it comes with cause. So there are parameters set with the SMG policy. So essentially with our um the way our current BPS bylaw is written, there's no um there doesn't have to be a sort of grounds. anyone can just bring it up and it takes a twothirds majority. With um the new policy, the SMG policy bylaw, there's parameters it gives um you have to state cause. There's sort of a process

054that goes into it and the committee is comfortable um switching to that process. So that's on tonight for um adoption. And then for a first read tonight, you're going to see the fundraising and activities uh fund policies. So for 3281 which is the fundraising policy uh fundraising activities policy and the 3452 which is student activity fund policy. Uh Casey looked at the policies that we have currently in more detail um at the request of the committee to just to make sure there was nothing overlapping, nothing we currently have that was going to contradict those policies. anything we had to update right away to make sure that there were no immediate um conflicts or you know anything that was going to be sort of negated and in examination of all of our current policies although some

055of them are from 1992 none of them will be affected by adopting these two policies um and we will get to like it's like monies in school and yeah it's simple things that don't actually need immediate attention and don't get nullified and and still need to be in place so we will get to those these two policies don't change anything that we currently have around the fundraising policies. It will simply um take the place of our current fundraising and our current student activity policy. One of the things that we are working on, Casey has worked on and that the committee has reviewed is the along with the student activities fund policy, there will be a student activities procedural manual. You've gotten a draft in your um uh board um packet tonight to review. So keep

056in mind that that think of it as a regulation. So we're approving the policy with that. Um but that will be building level. It will go out uh to make sure that it's consistent and it kind of lays out how you know everything will um work going forward. Um in 3281 it asks for a threshold. the committee felt like 25 and and Casey agreed that 2500 uh is a good threshold for approval. Um so that's when uh you are going to speak to the principles and administrators in your next meeting just to confirm they're comfortable with that level. Um and so those so anything that you see uh any feedback that you want to give me our next meeting isn't until after the next um board of ed meeting. So, I was thinking after that

057meeting, maybe like around June 10th or so, that gives us two and a half weeks to review anything. Go ahead, Erin. You have to Okay. Okay. I think so. I wrote back speak. Yes. And so I I think I mean you may not be able to do that now, but I mean one minute. But if if you two would coordinate um on that that would be okay. I will Oh, I see. Oh, yeah. I came in when we were already in her. No, but when I wrote to her and said, could you please um Yeah. So, I think there was there were there was um two emails I saw. one was um specific to the fundraising policy and one was specific to the student activities procedures manual. Okay. Um so yeah, I can I have

058answers for them and um and it shouldn't prevent any of the policies from moving forward and and it should not hinder um the activities of students either. So Okay. Yep. And Stephanie, if I may for context, I think it's really important there's a lot of humility with this policy committee. just Aaron and Joy and Stephanie and the work Casey and Lisa Grahamley have done this year. Uh it's been yman's work, incredible work. You you you don't get enough credit for it to be very honest with you. I mean, we're I think we're around 400 policies in this district. And so, we make wise cracks and a little self-deprecating about 1992 was a good year and this and that, but the work over the years uh over the last 10 years, but but a super concentration

059in the last year, year and a half with this committee. Um I think you're upwards of 18,200 policies at this point. So, um it's just incredible and you just need you need the recognition for that. It's been a lot of work and I can't thank you enough for that and thank Casey and Lisa as well. Um uh because when you when you say that you don't realize people in the public think oh all of our policies they are sorry they are really in actually a very good place and you work very hard on them and as we always say and our lawyers say as well in lie of an up-to-date policy you follow the law. So you know that's well and yes and to that point that's part of our review right is making sure

060that none of those policies that need to be updated are at a point which we need to address right now. So yes, thank you for saying that. And probably for the last 12 years or so, maybe 13 years ago, there there had been a part-time retired administrator who actually worked on the policies. So everybody has stepped up um you know, either a central office or on the committee itself to to do this work. It's a lot of work. It takes a lot of work day time to get done or weekend time. So anyway, I just had to say that to you guys. You're welcome. Stephanie, if you could just um I was just thinking like the one of the questions. So you can I know you said you can speak to legal directly. Yep. Um

061because I know we can't change the language of the shipment policies because then it affects the Yeah. So the way that it was explained to me is if you change the meaning of the policy, you are no longer compliant with their legal with the policy as it stands legally or um the way they recommend it be compliant is compliant with the law. So if you change its meaning contextually, then you get into a non-compliance issue. If you change something like a threshold or a reporting deadline or something like that, you just have to make sure that when you get a push for an updated policy, you make sure those numbers align. Right. Right. I'm just trying to like as an example and if we can find this out before we have our meeting so that

062we can talk about it like fun fundraising must comply with all the applicable provisions of board policy and regulation relating to the safe the sale of healthy foods and beverages in school grounds or at school sponsored events. So like what defines healthy like right. So that's all we sell soda, sometimes we sell candy. It's a school program. Yeah. So that's the national school lunch program that I think that's a thing I read. So that's that doesn't have anything to do with fundraising. Um it it does, but it that has to be compliant within the school hours, the school day. Like you can't sell, you know, Snickers bars during a fundraising event. So if it's out, if it's beyond the school hours, it's defined I remember reading like the school hours are defined by like 4

063p.m. to something. So, it's in that big long. I just remember this last year, too. Yeah. We had concerns about funing. There is a fundraiser I think at the high school now that's like a candygram and it's like sold during So, do those have to cease? Those something like that sold during the school day. I think it is um cannot and should not um you know take place. Selling the candy or they selling the They're selling the gram and the candy. is. Yeah. So, so we do have we do have to be compliant with the national school lunch program. Um but that would be right now. That doesn't have anything to do with this policy. That would be under the National School program. That is what we are to be compliant with. So, um this

064is just putting it in our fundraising policy. So, to make everybody aware, but even right now, we have to be compliant with that. Yeah. Yeah, we should look into Valentine's Day. Yeah. And then another piece of context with student activity just to I think policy committee is aware of this. The student activity is one of the very last areas of Bloom Shapiro recommendations from eight, nine years ago that we made sure we got to. Um it was something I asked Casey in her first year to start thinking about and strategizing and she's obviously worked on that this year and you could see um we all know we've had conversations. um it does cause some constrnation when you're updating things and changing things to be super compliant with what you need to do. So um as

065opposed to actual practice that that's been going on. And I put that in the previous minutes meeting when we first started talking about that, but I should have included in this as well that the student activities manual that you've drafted is based on Bloom recommendations and it's not like we just pulled it out of the air. It's actually like the nationalmandated recommendations. So, as you review that, you can I don't know if you want to is there an explan you had given the policy committee sort of a little explanation on that? I'll see if I can find it because you had like typed like you had given us like the blurb thing was so I'll see if I can find that from Yeah, I have I Yeah, there's there's several resources that went in went

066into this. Absolutely. Yep. Um, so either I or Casey will get you those if you guys want them because they're of what she pulled from. And it's really thorough and it asks there's a there's a um a lot of interesting questions that might come from it, but they all are pulled from the policy and then these recommended sources. Uh, and it's all in an effort to really not only make us compliant, but make it consistent and make it very clear so that one organization isn't, you know, able to do something another organization doesn't have the resources for kind of thing. So is that is that everything for policy and communications? What else do you have? The very last thing is uh the 6162.51 which is a survey of students PP. You'll notice it is not

067on the agenda for a under the consent agenda tonight because we didn't want anyone to feel like they could not approve the policies under the consent agenda um with this being uh having objections to this one. Um so Erin, do you want to speak to what you're why you wanted to talk about it separately. Yeah, I mean I just I think it's important to get policies through and not have one hang it up and send them all back. So, um this policy in particular um is legally required. Um what's the number again? 6162511. And we've been, you know, this has been going on since October. And I'll never forget you telling me that it's some of them are, you know, six to eight months and here we are. Um but um I made quite a

068few calls um after our policy committee meeting trying to you know um better understand um invasive physical exam. I just you know we have a bunch of parents that have spoken about it. Um by medical definition you know it's incision insertion or injection. Um so in that context um you're thinking the worst, right? Or, you know, vaccines or, you know, whatever it is. Um, I think, um, the PP policy was developed, right? So, parents were made aware. Um, I just struggle with the invasive physical exam um, being part of that. Um, so I'm still trying to better understand why it needs to be there. I did speak to um I I had to actually call I had to call all over the place, but I actually had to call the White House today to get

069them to reroute me to the Department of Education because you can't get a hold of them. And and then somebody did call me back from um PP um hotline um to try and talk us through it. So um I'm still, you know, trying to figure it out and digest it. Um, and um, I just I'm having a hard time with a parent um, logging in for the first time, right? Or registering your student so you can find out who your kids's teachers are and you are racing through that to get on to the next kid because it's going to shut down, right? Are parents clicking boxes, right? I know I've done it, okay? You know, you're clicking boxes to get the information. A parent giving consent right at the beginning of the school year to

070get a child's schedule or a bus list is different than a parent giving informed consent. So, I'm I'm struggling with how to best get this information to parents so they understand what they're signing. Um, so with that being said, I just think that we might need some more time or I know I need more time to figure out. I think that we owe it to, you know, our students and we owe it to our parents um to let them make informed decisions and know what they're signing for, right? So, when we were talking about pesticides, I'm like, "Okay, well, we're going to let somebody know, right? We're going to alert them before we apply pesticides, but we're only going to let a parent know at the beginning of the school year that their child may

071be subject to invasive physical exam." So, that's like where I'm struggling. Yeah. And so the the in talking to legal um I want to make sure I give you you know the explanation as to why this is included in this policy. So um John has given us this information previously uh but there was some outstanding questions about the nuances of it and basically this policy that Shipman and Goodwin has written is based on federal law. In the statute it lists each area of this policy needing to be in compliance. And so if it doesn't apply to your district, it doesn't apply. But any district, any school, any organization that receives federal funding is required to have a policy for the administration of a physical examination. And you have to be in compliance to receive funds

072per the federal law. So Sarah actually sent me the law and I forgot to forward it to you. She sent it to me today. So I will make sure to give that. It's like billion pages, but in there it explains like why and it goes into one of the thing the one of the way she explained it to me is you kind of have to take your parent hot hat off for this. This is a board policy that is being put in place to make sure that we are in compliance and that staff and teachers, she said, think of someone, you know, looking for abuse or um a temp check and there's, you know, a situation where it's not necessarily like a nasal swab or an internal exam, but it puts parameters in place to

073make sure that we're compliant. Sports exams would apply, things like that. it makes sure that we are compliant and and our teachers and administrators and um staff are protected. So that's where it comes from. That's why it's included in their law in or in their policy. Um I want what I'm going to ask is that everyone look at it again and we will bring it to the next well, you know, we'll get as much information as we can and we'll bring it to the next board meeting. We've already put it on for a first read. So, I would propose that we put it on for a final read. At that point, we have all the information that we can and we make a decision as a board about how we and if it's pull it

074apart, if it's, you know, adopted as is. Um, I think as we've discussed, this has been ongoing and we do need to get the student privacy policy updated. Um, so that's where we're at with that. And then the very last thing is the restorative practice policy, which is another one that actually needs to be adopted by July 1st. So the we're um asking the shipment that you look at the shipment in Goodwin restorative practices policy and the committee feels that this policy is straightforward and should be adopted as is. This is one of the ones that I was also going to ask because it needs to be adopted by July 1st that we for this meeting do a first read and then at the next meeting wave the 30 days for a second read so

075we can adopt it on June 4th um so we can be compliant. Um the committee also did recommend that with this new policy the school will work with the superintendent, the new climate coordinator, the principles and create a process by which there becomes expectations and consistency within each school. This however would not come from the board. This would not be a board issue. This is just would be our recommendation with the policy um to you know at the building level look at the restorative practices and the new climate policy that we just put in place does define a lot. This is the restorative practices works in tandem with that policy. Um so it's on for a first read tonight. It's very straightforward. If you have any questions, uh you can let me know or you

076can if if I could just add um yesterday and then maybe two weeks ago the administration has been together by school already working on procedures and following the law and getting themselves ready for this. As you know, um I provided a detailed uh slideshow back in November on this and we've also have Ed Advance supporting us. Um and Mrs. Fious is actually already arranged administrative professional learning um in late August that can then be turnkeyed over to our faculty and staff. So, we're really staying very much on top of this. As you all know, we're paying close attention. If we can go back on the um the physical examinations for a second if that doesn't move forward. Just a suggestion that we haven't really talked about. Um we've gotten responses from legal and could always

077invite legal to a meeting or have them join by phone or something like that. Uh perhaps Dr. Garcia might be able to help us with this as well as a pediatrician. You know, have him come and join join a meeting. So just so you know, just just an idea to think about if it if it isn't approved going forward. Yeah. Even just discussing what an opt out is going to look like, right? So, what does that look like? Um, or even from a district standpoint, like what are we going to give parents to know that they are checking a box, that they're okay with, you know, the entire the policy in its entirety or can a form be given where they can actually tick off what they're comfortable or not comfortable with? Yeah. Whatever legal

078recommends, we can, you know, I'll put that I I have that in my next Sarah. to ask that it behooves us to make sure that parents understand. I mean, yeah, the committee had asked for Joy and Aaron had asked for um sort of a written explanation with Sarah from Sarah with some more documentation. So, I'm going to get that okay for our next meeting. I mean, I can actually forward what I got to from um the gentleman today who's really helpful and yes, it's federal law, but you know, um explain to me what this looks like in a school. And he goes, "Well, I can't explain that to you because it's case because it's case by case. But I mean, I'm, you know, my personal opinion is if a school nurse needs to do an

079invasive physical exam, then pick up the phone and call the parent, tell them you're going to do a physical exam. I think the expectation is that that that is obviously what would happen. This is more it covers a broader more non non um you know, like the the that's expected or whatever. Yeah. I mean, look, a temperature is one thing, right? Um looking for something else as a mother and I Okay, folks. We we spent a really long time on this. Sorry, that was a lot of No, I know that needed to be reviewed. Thank you very much. And we will No, no, no. The thing is uh we we're going to be circling back to that important policy. So, let's hear um uh an update on the youth commission from Sarah. Yay. The youth

080commission. Um so, since this is my first update, I just wanted to give you guys a little um background on the youth commission. Um, on the town website, the mission statement, I think, is pretty important. It says, "The youth Brookfield Youth Commission provides an advocacy and information platform for youth representatives to get more engaged in town issues. The commission identifies gaps in service to youth and their families through an ongoing assessment of the needs, helps to recommend new programs and events, craft initiatives and partnerships with other town boards and departments, and suggest ideas for new policies or regulations for the town to consider. The members also help share news and information about important town projects and programs with the youth of the committee community. So just a little background and I won't give this every

081update just to um let you guys know about seven years ago um couple people at Brookfield High School, couple students decided to revamp um the then defunct youth commission. So Liam Mania was heading all that and at the time I was actually brought on as one of the adviserss but the students pretty much ran everything including all the meetings. Um so what I learned from that experience is that you can have you know a one-hour tour of a school but if you want to get to the nitty-gritty of what's going on talk to the kids because they will be very honest with you. Um Liam has actually stayed on since seven years that he's been um a part of it and they continue to host the career fair. the candidate forums and other amazing events.

082So, we had the update back in April. Um, and then Brookfield Cares was here last time and that's all in conjunction with the youth youth commission as well. Um, so with the through their work with the Brookfield Cares, the youth commission students were part of a focus group um on the search institute survey that they that we talked about last time with Brookfield Cares. Their meetings are the first Friday of every month. So, in the next meeting on June 6th at five o'clock in the town hall, they'll be talking about certain projects for the fall, which will include hosting another candidate forum for those running for the board of finance, board of edet, and um board selectman. And this will be their fourth time hosting the event. And it's a great opportunity for the candidates

083to answer questions from Brookfield's young adults. And I'll have more information as we get closer to the fall. Um what have they noticed? It's really important to take on projects that matter most to the students and the students really do drive the ideas and the events that the youth commission works on. More youth do need to get involved. Meetings are open to the public and they encourage students to join the meetings even if they just have ideas for projects and other questions and concerns. And the last thing they are currently looking for two new members to join the youth commission. interested students should attend one of their meetings or reach out directly through the town website or social media. Um, do you have any idea like would they reach out to Liam or just to

084the youth commission? Is there a point person? Um, I Marty McNiff would probably be the best. She's the head of it. Um, but yeah. Awesome. Okay. Um, so now we're on to the consent agenda. Sorry. Oh yeah, sorry. Um Erin mentioned do they have to be a certain grade? I know currently they're all high school students. Um I know Liam has um ventured into the middle school in the past, so I'm sure it's not out of the realm of possibility to take on I don't know how they would coordinate that, but that'd be neat. That's just a thought. Absolutely. I'll bring it back to them. Thank you. Yeah. Great. I move that the board approve the items on the consent agenda as recommended. New hires resignations April 2025 financials policies for a first read 5131.912

085restorative practices 3281 fundraising 3452 student activities and policy bylaws for a final read 9211 35 24.1 3120 second is there. Uh discussion on the consent agenda. Okay. Um all in favor of approving the consent agenda, please indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? That's right. It seems to be 70. Great. Um is that about the uh youth commission? The the charter probably states literally They have to be between 12 and 18. Oh, thank you. Thank you for that information. Okay, great. Realistically, right? So, yeah, depends. Okay, so moving on to new business. Um, all right. Uh, you guys will need to probably get into your um into the exhibits and look at exhibit I. Uh this is the subcommittee meeting schedule for July through December. So no I can see it but nothing changed right

086the standing days. Yeah because those are the one about Yamapore facilities meeting on Yamapore and then a facilities meeting that had been scheduled on the same night as K12 conferences. Okay. So otherwise things uh seem to be um as we expected. Yep. I move that the board approve the subcommittee meeting schedule from July through December 2025. So Sarah has seconded. Um is there any discussion on this? We are or we not meeting on the first. Yeah. Because that's conference star. I just want to know if that means that we are or it meant that was the date it was moved to but Oh no. Oh no, it means we have to move those. Yeah, that is there and the star is there to notify the committee to take a look at that next time meeting.

087Yeah, subilities committ makes sense. Okay, perfect. Um, so is is there other discussion on this? All right. Um, all in favor of approving the subcommittee meeting schedule, please indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right. 70. Great. Um, next item. Um please find exhibit J. So these this updated um these yeah dates let's see right the October dates are the ones that we had talked last meeting about changing and I I indicated in the weekend update for everybody on Friday that we had an oversight for October 1st. We have two meetings schedu at this point. The board adopted uh last time October 1st and October 15th for board meetings. Um and there was an oversight that the eve before Yan Kapor. So in honoring that the the thought process is like we did

088this year with two meetings in October. I think it was the 15th and the 30th this year. Um that October 1st meeting you can move to the 29th and go with the 15th and 29th. That'd be the only modification. And apologies for the oversight of what you were provided with last month. So, do you guys want to um uh weave in these changes into our um into our understanding of the document? Like we will approve this with the with the October changes. Okay. So, that leaves a month between the September and October meetings. Yes. Which is what we have this year. I just feel like that ends up being a lot. Well, we're also going to be um negotiations probably which is going to take I think a lot of afternoon evenings we don't start

089till after and one of the things again kudos to this board um this board is unafraid to have special meetings when there's a need and I say that with all kindness and respect when I say that um you work very hard as a group so you really do so um you can if you find in late September you need to have a meeting on a specific topic the schedule special meeting. Well, that's not October. I think does that Sarah, I heard your question. I wonder if that's So, there's a Cape meeting then. I mean, we could do that. Um, there's a meeting on Yeah. Is there anything on the 22nd? No. No. Could be before. Probably. Would you guys be open to to moving um the October meetings up the October subcommittee meetings up? No,

090no, no, no. The the board meetings do October 8th and 22nd. Yeah, that would a little bit better. Well, then then we have almost that month though of November. Uh what do you guys think about um October meetings? Can you guys check your calendars and see if there's something? Um, I think that that schedule works well because You mean the 8th and the Well, yeah. And then not having another one until November because there is going to be the election at that point and so we'll have time to transition whatever. That's true. So if we have it on the 29th, it's kind of close. Yeah, that feels right. So I think moving them up to the 8th November 19th. So then can we agree to or so what we're voting on is this except October

0918th and 22nd. Okay. Which it still applies because it's the October change. So just Okay. So with that understanding, all in favor of adopting um the meeting dates adjusted as we just discussed, please indicate by saying I. I. Stephanie, did you vote? Yeah. Sorry. Okay. So, uh, it's 70 then. Great. Okay. Um, next motion, Stephanie, when you're ready. I move that the board modify the board of education meeting date schedule. No, no, no, no. The next one. Approve. Oh, that's the one we just did. Yes. Oh, sorry. I didn't make that motion, so I got confused. Make the motion. No, Wendy just said it. Then it wasn't seconded. No. So, right. So, that's why I'm confused. I thought we were amend. So the subcommittee meeting schedule then we moved on to this. You didn't say

092that. No. No. Okay. Then I'm sorry then. No, I never motion. It wasn't seconded. No, I never made Okay. Sorry. I So we're back to B then. Okay. I move that whatever we just did that the board is not valid. Well, we know that. Okay. So the subcommittee A is taking care of that was as is. Okay. Now I move that the board modify the board of education meeting date schedule approved on May 7th, 2025 to reflect the October change to October 8th and 22nd. Second. All right. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. Okay. Great. Now we're good. And then we roll into C. Okay. Good. Now I'm going on to the big long fence one. All right. No, you're glad we caught you. We gave you two seconds. One for last

093time and one for this time. I hope Lisa is follow. Okay. I move that the board approve a 4 foot high, 350 foot section of fencing as well as three gates on the south side of the CLE property as recommended by the task security task force in an amount not to exceed $19,500. and further move that all attempts are made to apply for competitive grants to fund any pre-approved security items and use available funds to explore a full fencing enclosure of play areas at CL upon the recommendation from the security task force. Second. Okay. Is there discussion of this motion? So, we probably shouldn't have to discuss anymore because we did all the detail before, but um I I did text Eric to see if he could. So, I he did send it to me,

094but we're looking for the remote for the projector. So, they're looking back there. If we get it in time to climb up, I was going to say I stood on tables to do that. But probably a little Oh, I can I can Rob said, you'll have it on screen. We can I can climb. Well, while we do that, Casey, I have a question. Um, we've had, you know, concerns expressed we'll send it to you. We've we've had concerns expressed about, um, uh, spending that wasn't, you know, specifically approved or forecast. Um, how can you tell us where this expenditure fits in to that to our larger scheme? Yeah. Schematada. So, two there's there's two thing there's two two things here to to consider. One is that um as Rosa had mentioned, there is a competitive

095uh grant through um it's it's called a cops grant. Um and it's up to $500,000 of security. Um and the deadline for that for the initial proposal is June 18th. So I've already begun looking into that and all the requirements. Um we are going to apply for that. Um and it it covers things um include like including uh uh walkie-talkies, uh video cameras, fences, right, to secure different. So it covers a lot of things that we're looking at doing. Um there is also we do have security funds remaining in um a security um capital project. Um, now that was it's earmarked for the high school and I was actually talking with Marca just you know recently about how can that be used for a different school. We're going to actually explore that. Um more more

096to follow on that but there is um there is that that capital money. There's also c there was capital security money in um whisk in a whiskanir security that's been expended but um so there are there's funding options for this. Yeah. It's not going to be coming out of our operating budget. That's what we want to know. Thank you. This is not our operating budget that we're talking about, but it's also not our like capital budget. That's like in our 10ear plan. No, no, no. Correct. Yeah. These this was um separate bucket. Yes. Of security capital. Yes. That originated from 2022. Okay. Yep. It's just the only the only sort of caveat to that is the is the building um and in how the bond documents are written um because it is specified for the

097high school. So, we just want to we just want to be totally, you know, make sure everything is kosher in how we're we're appropriating that. Um, and like I said, worst case is that we we apply for this um this cops grant, which um you know, they're they're they're I think they're uh awarding up to $500,000 for for various projects. We certainly don't need uh we won't be requesting that much. Uh so yeah, there's a couple different avenues to look at here. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. How long would it take to install? Like what are we looking at over the summer? Is it like a weekend project or what are we looking I think they could do this over the summer. Yeah, that was the goal. Yeah. Yeah. So, the the original estimates

098and that's why the the motion is up to 195 because that's the original estimate that we got, but it will officially go out to bid and we'll take like, you know, maybe not necessarily the lowest, but the one that could maybe do it on time, do a good job, you know, get the the aesthetic that we want. So, the quote that we have is under $20,000. So, we don't have to do like an RFP full bid for it, but we will get additional quotes. We will get at least three quotes for the project knowing that at most it would be 1995. Does Dr. P and you guys get a look at the aesthetics at least you get the figure? Uh I think they sent us well they did they sent um it was green or

099black? Yeah, it was green or black. We chose black. I think it'll point. It was like pointy top or smooth top. Yeah. And so there is fencing at CL now around that lower playground. So it would probably match that. Yeah. Yeah. And I just want to make sure that we're um as far as the high school security, we're not taking away from something that we need to do. Okay. I think other discussion. So, are we ready to vote then? All right. All in favor of approving um this um you don't have to read it all. Board expenditure for the fence, please indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? Okay. So, uh, another unanimous vote. Great. Then let's move on to item D, please. I move that the board request funding from the boards of selectment

100and finance for the 2024 through 2025 budget in the amount not to exceed $331,542 as recommended by the finance subcommittee. Was that Erin? Okay. Y um any discussion on this? No, I mean I think it's you know, I um this is kind of just where we're at. We're at close enough to the end of the school year where we feel like this number is accurate. Um and hopefully, you know, this is an amount not to exceed. So, who knows? Maybe it'll be even less. Six months ago. Exactly. Very a lot better than where we were six months ago. Yeah. And I and I will say in the in the bud budget shortfalls that we did experience um particularly with electricity which was almost $150,000 $140,000 um additional transportation that was unknown of at the start

101of the school year for M Mc Mckin Vento um and then special education costs which all together combined is you know close close to $600,000. Um, I want to commend the, you know, the building leadership and the folks in the buildings that really did buckle down when we said halt, hold on, put a put a freeze on. And it's never an easy thing to do. Um, but, uh, they were very, you know, um, cognizant and aware of that and and that's why we were able to that and other things working in our favor as you said like insurance and things, but definitely thank you to them. Yeah. Yes. Bravo. um because as you said that's not easy to do especially considering how early we made that um yeah indication. Okay. So uh with that all

102in favor of uh requesting this funding from the boards of select and finance please indicate by saying I I All right. That's another unanimous vote. Okay. Um any opposed? Yep. Yep. All right. So then uh that concludes new business. Moving on to old business. Um, we are continuing uh the discussion of the adopted budget. Um, what do we do? Issue rhyming couplets to the town. This is where I this is where I thought you were going to give the update on it passed. No, right out the gate. That was the most important thing. Um, I think we could take that off as a standing item right now. That's done for next next week. Just you know, bravo. All right. Well, with that then we move um to the second public comment. Uh, Mr. Korea, you

103are signed up for that. Um, Andy Korea, Brookfield resident. Um, so it was a violation of FYA law to not have the the second item, additional new business discussed, uh, or at least not, you know, tabled or removed from the agenda. And if your lawyer doesn't know that, then you should go to policy attorneys and um review their do an annual evaluation by both the superintendent and the board. Um it would be a welcome change of pace. There hasn't been one done for the past 12 or 16 years or at least, you know, their evaluations weren't available when there was an FOI put in asking for evaluations for the prior attorneys. But if you have uh a partner as your attorney that doesn't understand basic FOA law when they present it to you as a

104uh training, then you might want a new attorney. You might also might not want a new attorney. If they can't provide the basic um interpretation of your policies that you need a quorum to go speak to um a union representative and it has to go through the office of the superintendent. Um, and if you have an attorney that sits and confers with somebody that had violated policy and the code of ethics and sat on that, you know, and spent like two $3,000 doing so, you might potentially want a new attorney. Um, as an update, the district still has not sufficiently both truthfully or under the school climate law, um, responded to harassment of my child since events since, uh, November. There were recent events on Friday, May 9th and Friday, May 16th of W that

105have been reported up to the central office that have not been responded to at all. Um, I can tell you that despite getting a letter from the central office threatening me with legal action for telling you and they did in fact spend a couple of hours, they fought thought that it was useful to spend that money uh to write that letter to me knowing that I'm not going to stop coming and telling you. Um, so if you can sit in conference, write a letter to threaten me, tell me that I can't talk about how my kids's been harassed, then you certainly can go back to the lawyer and say, "Hey, you know, did we or did we not violate FY law?" If it's worth $1,000 to threaten me, it's worth $400 to find out if

106your lawyer knows what they're talking about regarding FY FIA law. Thank you. Before we move on to the three main points, I just want to um give Dr. Brill a chance to um speak to this. Uh Dr. Brill, are we in compliance with the with the law um regarding um uh the the climate allegations that were just made? I'm not going to speak to specific allegations that uh are are lodged at a public meeting because that is a private matter and administration does not ever comment on student private matters uh or staff private matters. Um but we as you know it's at the forefront of our thinking and we're always uh aiming to comply and meet deadlines and uh work with families and uh if there's an individual situation um that is being addressed then

107it's being addressed and if it's not satisfactory to a parent there are lots of avenues for parents to pursue um uh challenging the district's decision or whatever their proclivity might be. Thank you. Um let's move then to the three main points. So, I put that um I put the superintendent update because I think like breakfast adjusting the high school end time and the fact that we're um reps and then gate fencing that update and the referendum and yes um well actually hold on um instead of the fence. What about the What about the um superintendent search? I was thinking that too. I was put up that could be a separate Okay. We just want to make sure that people we want to make sure that people know that we've got the tab. Yeah, we can

108do that. We can get the link and we can make sure the link is in there as well to on the website and get that out to everybody so they can see the process. I'll do that. and whatever. Okay. Um, great. Okay. And upcoming events. Oh, thank you. Uh, okay. So, upcoming events. Some of these may be repeats, but I feel like it's end of the year. We need all the fun things. Uh, CLS upcoming events. The 25th is the band marching and the Memorial Day parade and 63 June 3rd is the gradwalk. June 11th is the grade five moving up ceremony. 5A will be at 5:30. 5B will be at 6:30 in the CL gym. Uh June 11th. Yep. Yeah. And then Whiskiner Middle School, the 23rd is the May 23rd is the seventh

109grade career fair in the morning. May 28th and 29th, the fifth graders are visiting the uh WMS at from 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning to uh get oriented. May 29th, incoming fifth grade parent orientation from 5 to 7 in the Wiskanir Cafe uh or cafeteria. Um this is my abbreviation, but I read it as abbreviated. Sorry, that sounds fancy. On the 30th, the Whiskanir Trill and Thrills adjudication and band con band and chorus field trip to Lake Compounds. June 2nd is the Quasi field trip. June 9th is the eighth grade moving up ceremony at 6 PM at Town Hall. The rain date will be Tuesday, June 10th. And then June 10th is the eighth grade field day uh at WMS on the front field. Brookfield High School, as Dr. B mentioned, tomorrow night is

110honor and educator reception here as well. Uh, and that's early at like 2:30 to 5:00. And then also tomorrow night is um NHS awards ceremony in the auditorium. May 29th is the Anne Frank field trip for 10th grade. June 2nd is the gradwalk. June 2nd is also senior awards. June 9th through 12th are final exams. June 14th is graduation. And districtwide, the last day of school for students is the 12th of June, early dismissal at 12:30. Can I add one more? Yes. a late late arrival here. Um there will be an advisory meeting um on the school lunch program next Thursday um at 6 pm. This is going to be virtual. So we will get the link out. We'll share it through parent square. We did have one earlier in the year and it was

111in person in the afternoon. So this one will be in the evening to accommodate different schedules and it'll be virtual. Um hopefully we can get more um participation there. Thursday evening uh May 29th at 6 pm. Thank you. Okay, that's all I have, you guys. This is the quickest we've ever done. Should we still have a We still have a session. So, um, okay. Wait, I have to make a motion. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay. I move that the board enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the appointment of an interim assistant superintendent proposed for executive session and discussion regarding strategy or negotiations with respect to a memorandum of agreement with the Brookfield Administrators Association regarding the appointment of the interim assistant superintendent. Uh all in favor of entering executive session for the

112purposes just described. Um, please indicate by saying I I All right. Any nay? Okay, that's great. Um, this concludes the public portion of the meeting. We wish everyone a nice drive home in the mastrom and um, let's see, let's see what else we can do.