001Yeah. Like Russell is online to promote him. >> Yep, he's online. I'll try and stick a little bit later. >> So, I'm gonna grab his name for his thing. >> He's online. >> Yeah. And the pit is pretty behind. So stressed. >> Are we ready? >> Yeah, I think it's >> Thank you. K. Yep. Okay. Before this meeting of the regular meeting of the camp board of education, Tuesday is March 10, 2026. We had a delayed start at 7:30 p.m. to start the night with the uh pledge of allegiance rise. I pledge algiance 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. Everybody was it was exciting to see us win. You look like Yukon. Hopefully
002I don't need it. You look a little bit like the Yukon women. At least we started off that way. I thought so. Exciting. Superintendent tells me that the next game is uh in Morgan County win the number. So maybe All right. So we'll try to move this meeting along. Uh next up is public comment. Uh the public comment is for anybody in the public that has anything to say both in the audience or online. I'll remind the public that uh it's a three minute uh comment commentary and if need be we can also hold a uh a public comment at the end we do anything going over the budget. So having said said that Stephen's here I think you'd like to speak public comment. Let me start by complimenting you all for the budget process.
003I know it's hard and sometimes you get unhappy taxpayers like myself. Sometimes you get happy taxpayers. Um but I understand it is a difficult process. >> Brian, you have to tell me what are you tonight? >> Um I'm a little of both. Okay. I'm a little upset that transparency, which has been an ongoing problem both with board selection and board finance and board of education needs. We have a digital board should be something up there that says there's a meeting tonight. The last one was cancelled. I drove all the way over there. Nobody there. But it seems the board always has an excuse for more money and never follows in a budget. You just asked for 263,000 in December to settle your books. Uh I made a comment in the board of finance meeting that
004the open checkbook needs to stop citing the town tennis team being placed in a country club and the taxpayers footing that bill. Um, since I only have my three minutes and I have a lot to say, I'm going to skim this a little more. Uh, the parents apparently pay 125 pay to play. So, I want to know what the cost is that the taxpayers got charged for the country. So, Mr. Gman making $240,000 a year likes to talk numbers. So he has an assistant John Bishop making 180,000 that's 420,000 combined between the two of them for a school district of 156 students. It's almost a half a million dollars plus benefits to be ranked 58 out of 190 school districts by school board review. not being in a city that's extremely high for wedding. So
005let's put that into perspective. Mr. Gman works 180 days a year. $240,000. That's $480,000 for a 365 day year. Mr. Bishop 180 for 365. That's 360 for a 365 day year. Total that's 840,000 plus benefits plus you have secretaries. Mark Penny, CEO of the town, works 365 days a year for 220,000 with no assistant and only a secretary and attends many of the board of selection meetings, many of the board of finance meetings and many other meetings. So comparing to similar towns, Farmington with 4,000 students, 17th place, top 20 school, 11th place um as a school, 17th place as a district according to US News. Superintendent makes 170,000. Assistant makes hourly actually 3731 that's 71,000. Planeville 2250 students 113th place by district 82nd by school their super makes 99,875 assistant makes 80,000 Burlington 1740 students
006super makes 142,000. So for what we're getting, we're paying an awful lot of money with an awful lot of staff to not be a very good ranked school. And if the open checkbook is going to continue with a 5% 6% increase year-over-year, which actually doesn't equate to that because you just ask for 263, apply that to the percentage that got approved, you're not at your your budget. >> You're right. Right. >> So that brings me to a huge point and a problem. you submitted to our auditors all these numbers of enrollment going down yet we're hiring more teachers. What's the justification there? One to three first grade to third grade down four students four to six up five 7 to eight down six 9 to 12 down seven 14 students in in all total going
007down. four minutes. >> And that's how that's how the board works. Cancelled last time. No rescheduling of the workshop. And now you're pinning me, one of four people of taxpayers to three minutes. Totally unfair. That's how you shut the public up. And it's ridiculous. >> And and I'm going to say one last comment. Last year's budget packet, you said no new hires. Mr. Grossman personally you said no new hires one month after we hired an IQ guy that's in the >> Okay, moving on. Anybody else for public comment? I don't see anybody audience. We'll move online. >> Sure. >> Anyone online that have public comments? >> Yep. I have a raised hand from um Aaron. I'm going to allow Aaron to talk. >> Hi Erin. Just uh for the record, please just state name and
008address again for us, please. >> Sure. Of course. Hi, good evening. >> Uh my name is Aaron Wincent and I'm a Canton resident residing at 30 South Street. I want to start by thanking uh the board for your service to the community. I'm speaking because I want to express my support in including anticipated special education funding in the next budget year. There has been an established pattern of students moving into district that requires special education funding. Not being able to include this trend into the budget for the next fiscal year gives the impression that special education spending is out of control and a constant burden to the town. Special education funding is listed as a line item and often discussed along with roofs that need to be replaced, boilers that are broken, and increasing health
009care costs. In other words, these children are a problem that we need to figure out. I absolutely do not believe that this is the intent of the board of education. This is how this system has been set up. As a parent of two children in the Canton school system with IEPs, as well as one typical learner who happens to be the middle kid, so I make sure to mention her as often as possible. I can assure you that how we talk about special education, how we talk about these children who have a right to be educated amongst other children matters. Yes, they have legal protections, but as a parent, the fact that I at times have to reference that is disappointing, frustrating, and makes me worry about their future. They are children and this is
010their community. Thank you again, and I appreciate your time. >> Thank you, Mukana. Aaron also sent me a note which I comment back. So I'll share that report that anybody else online for comments >> none close public comment for their words and we'll move to the administrative reports. Uh chairman's corner just a couple things. One is I want to remind everybody next week on the 18th, Wednesday the 18th, we'll be presenting we will be presenting to the board of finance. It'd be nice to have everybody at that meeting I believe six six uh six six o'clock uh to show support. Um they just received board of finance received a packet I think Monday of that board of finance received their packet last week. last week. Yeah, they received it on um >> they have what
011you have now which is now finally referred to supportive education budget. So they also have it. So 318 six o'clock you can make that. The second thing is I know I know um some folks um may not have been pleased about the survey last year. So I want to assure everybody that we are doing a survey this year. We'll take the game survey. uh it'll come out uh more towards I think in May most likely and uh we'll compile that result. I'd like to make it mandatory that every board member has to fill out that survey. Okay. So when it comes out you'll get it and um we will share the results at our board again to get uh next August September for >> September we'll share the results then but the important part of
012the issue last year was board had changed. Some folks didn't fill it out. We I we had a a good sampling, although comments were good from the folks it out. So, I wanted to show everybody the survey. The final thing is it was great to see a crowd out there today. A couple people came up to me and said, "This is great." Kim Kim mentioned it was Kim was a staunch supporter probably of every game said that u this was probably the most she had seen in the game which was great. So I I think us um continuing to push that. I hope everybody gets a chance. I know the guys are going to mention something about the play probably beginning Thursday but if you haven't got tickets I hope you can get get there
013board members get one complimentary ticket um to to go. So, I hope you get the chance to be there. But I think what we heard our students say on Thursday was they're looking for as much support from the town and us as possible. I think tonight was a good start. So, that's all that I have from on the chairman's side. I'll turn it over to superintendent. Super. Thank you, S. Good to see everybody. I want to thank Mr. Pit and Dr. Kwell for being here tonight to uh update on. I want to thank our our superintendent of buildings and grounds about Craig for being here in case we have any questions later on agenda regarding our facilities. Um I I too as the superintendent of schools want to thank the the board of education. It
014is board of education appreciation month. So we want to thank you in my 30 years. I've never seen an entire board um come in together basically and go to an athletic event like that. So that's pretty commendable and our young ladies and our student athletes did an unbeliev of those basketball this year and I've seen them come out with that much fire special for them and wish them the best. I think they're the last We have everybody else. >> Um, I just want to let the board know that the board of education budget went to the board of finance last Thursday. I believe we sent it over. We sent hard copies and sent PDF copies to um them so they are prepared for you to present next u Wednesday evening. Um but our team will
015be there also Mr. B myself Mrs. Robins and I also ask uh Mr. clean also be there just in case there's special informationation questions and if there are uh technology questions that come up at the board of finance just like a technology question tonight question. Uh last week I had the opportunity and almost a whole administrative team I think went over there because we had an administrative council meeting and we all went over to the the library to see the uh youth and art reception at the the camp library. I believe work is still up in the library. So if you can get an opportunity to go over there, there's some real special artwork. I want to thank all our our teachers for being there. This week we had about curriculum committee at 9:00 am
016on March 12th. The musical I I got to see a preview of it last week besides all the pre that I got in the hallways as I was walking by. We have early release for conferences as we mentioned the board of education presentation. And then a date that you should definitely pencil on your pen in on your calendar is March 23rd. That's 6:30. That's a board of education budget workshop that if the board of finance uh reduces the the budget at all, we'll have to come back and just talk about where those deductions may come from. Not required to be a specific reductions. It can be broad reductions, but need to come together on March 23rd if there are any reductions. And again, thank you for all you do, your service and special month board
017of education appreciation month. I'll take any questions. Any questions? >> Just uh on behalf of the board that was very nice the gift was to get the bag with shirts. Thank you very much. Appreciate you. Okay. Uh Mr. Bishop. Yes. Uh Ken Middle School recently received their midyear audit from the commissioner's network. The school students and staff are to be commended for their hard work and growth. We know that's measured by their next generation accountability measurements by the state of Connecticut. Uh but uh the state continues to be able to a lot of praise for the really strong work that happens within the middle schools. uh we know that that work happens within the the domain of the school year with our students and staff, but it's also tireless and year-long uh year- round process
018that we engage in. So, we're proud of the work that we continue to be able to participate together and look forward to a successful inclusion of questions questions on that network. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Appreciate that report. Um Jonathan, you want to go first or >> I can go first. >> You want to go? Did you need to go? So, >> uh, yeah. >> Um, at CIS, uh, we had some CHS volleyball team members who volunteered around two days per week during winter after school activities to support skill development for our CIS students. uh along with students had created and delivered Valentine's to Canton's frontline workers in partnership with PTO along with hosting an annual chamber music night with over 120 students performing in small chamber groups. Over 100 students artworks
019are now placed on display at the town library to celebrate youth art month. And we had fifth and sixth grader uh fifth and sixth grade band members who performed the national anthem at a Wolfpack game during the collaborative a night at the Wolfpack event hosted by Cherry Brook Primary School and the CIS PTO's with a strong Canton Public Schools representation. Now moving on to Cherry Brook. Um, we had collected over 3,000 non-p perishable items during the annual 100th day food drive, which had benefited Canon uh the Canon food pantry through strong CDF uh CDPS community participation along with um hosting kindergarten parent orientation night on February 24th last month um which helped provide the families with an overview of daily routines, curriculum, classroom expectations, and key upcoming dates to support transition. ition to Earth sponsored
020by this uh charity PTO. Um we had welcomed a Sky Zone Planetarium for an engaging enrichment visit where students explored space science topics including the sun, moon, stars, planets, constellations and earth's movements. The second grade uh students had performed in their second grade music inform informants, sharing songs and musical skills um that they had developed throughout the year with attending families under the direction of music teacher Miss Sam. and we had celebrated read across America week with a variety of reading activities, read alouds and literacy themed events and which highlighted by Canton High School and our national honor society. We had students visiting to read with younger learners to promote a love of reading. >> Okay, >> Jonathan Lucas. >> Okay, so I'm gonna start with the middle school because the high school um Mr.
021Bishop, I and Dr. Kwell had uh in our monthly meetings, we had a a discussion about um trying to change up the suit of course a little bit. So, got something coming for you guys. Uh a bit a bit a little bit of a switch up from what we're used to. If it goes well, we're gonna we're going to make that kind of northern reg. But middle school first, um a couple CMS musicians were selected to perform the Northern Regional Music Festival last Friday. The CMS PTO provided gifts to CMS staff as part of the we love CMS campaign. Some students have formed Relay for Life teams as part of community outreach to help fund raise money to help cure different types of cancer. The Refor Life event is a fantastic community outreach event if
022you guys can sponsor in any way that you want. upcoming for CMS. Uh they're going to be presenting uh to sixth grade families, incoming seventh grade parents or uh for orientation on Thursday the 12th at 5:30. Parent teacher conferences are next week and the CMS play uh they're doing the witches princess. It will be evening of Friday the 28th and the afternoon of Saturday uh 29th. I'm sorry. Uh March. And then for the high school gonna highlight three big things and I'm going to go into one of it. Uh the play obviously freaky Friday this uh Thursday, Friday, Saturday. I hope you're all planning outside. The juniors have their SATs coming up on the bit which is a big event for them. Means a lot for their futures for sport and I'm going to go
023a bit more into NHS across America. So, some students, some select students from the National Honor Society here at Kenton High School had the opportunity last Friday to go to CMS during their eighth period class and go to read uh books for some of the younger students in those classes at CBPS and to answer questions to them about high school life. And I have a testimony from one of our students as to how important they think this is. This is one student that came along with NHS and was able to do some reading. answer some of these questions. Uh he said being able to answer the questions about high school life for the CPS was a wonderful and rewarding experience and creating spawn throughout and across separate schools is very important to our holistic community.
024And I mean that's kind of the cookie cutter what you want to hear doing event like this. But I thought it was very important to highlight the fact that this uh cross district or not cross intradist outreach is happening between our schools. I think that we need to create more events like that because as one of the students participated in that, it was so much fun getting to talk to the the kids at Cherry Brook, some of them recognizing me for basketball and soccer. It's it's it's really a great experience and and to help our camp community be stronger and more together. I think that more intist uh events like this should be should be sponsored and fostered. >> Great. >> Have you heard anything on college initiative yet? Uh March 26th is my five
025schools coming out hopefully. >> Thank you. >> Great report. Thank you. You have to leave. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> All right. Thank you. All right. So, we'll head to Mrs. Robbins on the business report, please. >> Thank you. Um but we're reporting for the February 28th. Um we remain favorable 15,000 which is 26,000 worse than the previous month. The two categories of general education in Texas favorable 34,000 which is 18,000 worse so than the previous month special education forecasted to be unfavorable 180 um 3,000 which is 8,486 worse than the previous month. Um two areas for changes special education. The um change um of 8486 um that was unfavorable and that was directly um um that was from the a result of minor changes in purchase services and um and those were
026due to specific student requirements. Um in the general education um budget um our condition is um a little worse than in the previous month due to our ongoing um issue of the substitutes um budget for substitutes that um we the account covers the long-term substitutes and is effectively utilized throughout the year. Um we will continue to adjust the forecast as necessary but again this is a very unusual year so you um see that that um there's an over budget on that line but those um summarize the changes from the previous month um just a note is that all departments are required to submit requisitions um by this Friday with few exceptions um once we have all these purchase orders in um you know we can more accurately project um the end of the year and
027hopefully find some savings to make after. >> Thank you for that report. The finance committee met this morning and M. Robins gave them that report. They vetted it through pretty well. Any questions from other board members on the financials? >> Sure. >> Just for clarification. So I think it's what you mentioned make sure I'm not mechanic correctly. So the special education cost um the additional 8,486 is a direct correlation to what's mentioned here and the other the other 17920 is correlation of both the substitutes and the other >> um um the substitutes and others just a note to mention that we're um that we are closing out purchase orders. So that has that doesn't have a Okay. Correct. >> Thank you. >> Other questions? >> Okay. Hearing none, I'll take a motion board of education
028approved the February 2026 financials presented. Thank you, Jordan. Thank you, Felicia. First and second. Any other questions? So, the motion is that the camp board of education approve the February 2026 presented. All those in favor? I. Russell, are you on? >> Yep. I'm sorry. Hi. >> So, we have everybody. >> I know. Thank you very much. So, new business, we move to the continuous improvement plan in the high school. Just echo Dr. Gman's comments on how well that went the other day. We really enjoyed the students perspectives. It was a little bit different, which was which was great. Um, and but yet there was a presentation made. I think we had six or seven board members there. He was great. So I'm calling u I don't know if there's anything you want to lead into
029that. >> We'll go to Mr. Pip and Dr. Kidwell if you'd like to talk and give the rest of the board just an overview. >> Think we actually meeting >> again. Yes. So um yes I I do I was going to start with that. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk on uh since and um you talk to say it was a nice back and forth able to express both the positive products and what we're working on share hope that you walked away with sense. Um so thank you and thank you for tonight. I think it's great um that you're all there to see, you know, us step up and really uh represent a nice event for our students and our players. And now we plan on Friday, which is really exciting,
030too. Um in in preparation for tonight, you know, we felt like we answered most of your questions on Thursday, but there's a few things that we didn't really have time to mention in advance time. So, um Dr. So just asking them maybe just do a quick drive by CIP in 102 bulleted items that you know we think are important for you to just be aware of that that's sort of been a focus point for us. So you know within the CIP the first goal around achievement. So you know I just created a few slides but the first goal is around achievement and you know I think we we absolutely went over that the other day both where we are strong in and where we are progressing and and you know our action plan you know
031that will be a constant source of conversation for us about that to be aware. Um, you know, we work really hard in our scheduling process to ensure that students have opportunities to stretch into, um, honors courses, AC courses, um, as well as AP courses. And I really appreciate the work of the curriculum committee this year. They listened at several meetings to some, um, opportunities to, um, think about courses for next year. And so an update on that is um last year we had talked about our EC economic course and I'm letting you know that we ran 19 students this year and we have over 20 signed up for next year that our first uh for into AP psychology. We have um over 30 students um signed up. They won't all get the course this year
032but um you know it'll be a solid section and worthwhile. Um and several students are in there free course as well. So it's just general progress towards that goal that I wanted to make sure that you're aware of. Uh Lucas and his um so a little bit my thunder, but I just I appreciate that that you talked about that at night about across America. You know, one of the things I'm most proud about that I didn't get a chance to talk about was the partnerships and community engagement. Um you know, he mentioned just just one and he's talking about having a few more, but when we really dive in, we have students so connected with our community. um in so many ways. So we mentioned some of the volunteer organizations, KATA, uh NHS, they're constantly
033outsourcing themselves into the community for veterans for good causes, for blood drives. Um but I think we we've taken it to a step further through camp. Um students, you know, you know, within this camp project are selecting into supporting the community. as an example, someone I was going to mention um tonight when we have will come on April 7th. A student named Brook Robbins um created a story book around veterans in our community shared that book um at Shar CIS actually read the book to students and there were you know people we know our neighbors who are veterans and it was just a real nice connection for our community. Um she did a wonderful job. Above that, we had several students uh like had a free theater camp for students or a sports clinic for
034students uh younger students. So, there's just a real nice connectivity. Um and Lucas certainly alluded that to that. You know, our our music program is is constantly supporting each other. Uh Jonathan mentioned one, but I think we all know the caroling that they they do around the holidays, just bring them together community with their voices. So, you know, that's something we continue to build upon. within all of those um opportunities there's leadership. There's students running that you know so we get another example of an outsource to the community and there's student leadership in in in those facets as well. So you know we really like that is something I don't think other people really have like it's just in our small town opportunity for these students to just be involved and bring kids along. We
035see that the basketball game in a different way watching and waiting a turner to get involved. So, I just am super proud about that. So, I wanted to make sure that was brought forward because I didn't have a chance to mention that on um Thursday. And then the last goal I'll mention before I turn over to Dr. Pidwell is, you know, um it's it's less dynamic in terms of what I have to say, which I'm sure you'll appreciate at this point, but you know, just the idea of, you know, financial uh sustainability. Um you know, that's something that obviously we're all part of. You know, we're proud of our budget this year. We're part of our staffing for this year again next year. It's a constant source of of um evolvement for us to try
036to get it right to to fit into the things that we so know how we're working to to maintain your goal. We we appreciate your support for the things you brought to Drew. Just to clarify, um the high schools actually reducing staff certified teachers by 4.2 staff numbers. Just so everybody as we spoke about budget our elementary is reducing by 1.0 um staff members next year. So FT R is true. >> So for our learning environment and belonging goal um last week I was able to kind of just celebrate you know doing a lot of stuff trying to build that culture build that positivity. We're proud of of what we're doing. Um, but one of the things just to kind of really highlight is this idea of updating our school climate improvement plan and our
037school climate committee um has always existed, but with some of the new legislation gave us a nice opportunity to just slow down and pause and kind of take a look at what we're doing. Um, to be able to review some of our climate data from previous years um with spring in particular, slow down, really talk to staff, use some of our professional development times to make sure that they're understanding. We have some new terminology around challenging behavior concepts. Um, and then one of the things that we did which uh was just a really nice opportunity was to use some staff staff focus groups um to just take a look at things that we already have in place in the school. Things we want to expand on new ideas to just work towards how we have
038our students feeling that inclusivity and belonging throughout throughout the school. um different ways to identify students who may not be feeling um super connected or super supported and then to reach back out to them. So now the idea for the spring is to do that same kind of focus group exercise with students. So that's kind of on our to-do list for the next couple of months. Um for the next goal um in bringing equity there's a kind of a clear through line there but truly looking at ways to create high expectations for all learners and it's kind of twofold. That's academic. So that's in line with um you some of the academic goals that Drew already mentioned, but in terms of knowing our students and so using data, using our connections with those students to
039figure out what makes every person tick, what's going to help support them, how do we um create different interventions and different ways of instruction to support all students and make sure that everybody's feeling seen and heard um and as as successful as they can be. And also looking um how they are as members of our community. And so having students feel again like they are a part of the high school community, that they have their own voices heard. So we've been um looking at different programs and being able to have some of these different programs for um assemblies to kind of reconnect, lay out behaviors. We mentioned our pep rally in passing and we're planning, you know, another one for the spring, at least one more. Um, but one of the things I just wanted
040to highlight about that is it it what we were going for, we were going to keep improving at it each time we do it was celebrating not just athletics or not just some of the big things but everything every club, honor societies, different kinds of um volunteer organizations in the school and to just kind of celebrate and make sure that students know that they have those opportunities as well. Again, the idea of knowing our students and working to support them. And then the last one, the workforce development really is sort of how do we ensure that our staff are have the best tools at their disposal and training and and time to spend to be able to do all of that, be able to do all of those goals. So, we've been very intentional about
041professional development time, making sure that that's aligned with district and school goals, looking at our curriculum, not just, you know, revising kind of in a vacuum, but looking globally, how do we want to make sure that we've got the best um layers of instruction, the best new updated material, what is high quality instruction, what does that mean to our teachers? So using again that professional development time our um internal our PL we call the professional learning teams or our PLTS um nice example of that actually happened this week where we had some of our staff go in and just do a little reboot and get some feedback about our own MCSS processes and our intervention strategies. Making sure that staff know everything that they can about our own process and give us feedback as well
042again to do everything we can to support our students have that ability. So again, this was just a broad brush of the several things that we're doing to try, as I spoke to you last last week, I was saying we're hitting all of these. Some of it's globally to teachers, some of it trickles down to student, and some some of it's in between. And so these were, you know, in our six full areas, just an opportunity to let you know, go and highlight. So we're happy to to answer any of your questions. You might have to last week for for today. >> So we're we're three months left of school. We're on we're on the other side of it, right? picks up speed at this point. >> Yeah, you really go super fast in this.
043It really does. I mean, yeah, weather and hopefully weather and um No, but the flip of the cabinet into you know, the spring, you know, there's many more students involved in activities with athletic teams. Um you know, people get excited about proms and the activities for their classes and their team. So, um it goes pretty. >> Any questions for the board? Thank you for spending the extra time this time to the incoming Yes. Eighth graders >> might be other places to help people moving to town, that kind of thing, bring their kids to school. Get it said a lot. >> Thank appreciate you saying that. I have a question might be more for John. Um, you know, snow days are missing days that happen to be a PD day. Are we what goes on for
044that deficit of professional development or do we leave it in another time? >> You want to say that for the next next? >> I can answer that, Kim. I think that the honest answer is it's a little bit of both. Uh there are things that we have to pick and choose from with that because time goes away and there's there's not a lot to be able to make up >> really there's not but what we do try to be able to do is potentially prune things down and becomes part of a staff meeting that goes into a PLT team meeting or it's a staff meeting that goes into a grade level meeting. It's it's unfortunately not perfect, but the intention behind the work and the continued growth is absolutely there for us. But that does
045that goes without saying that we really appreciate and value the professional learning time that we have and we use it very judiciously in our >> Okay. Thank you for being here tonight. Appreciate >> I just wanted to mention I appreciate Bob Craig is here tonight. he's listening in but he was at very very crucial to our morning meeting as we uh we start infrastructure needs and things like that. Thanks for stopping back. Okay. Um Dr. Broster the school calendar please. >> So we're still on your agenda under new business you had discussion and possible action on the fiscal year 2526 calendar. It was over 70 degrees out there today. So a diffult conversation, but you know, as I've told you before, um I can't commend our maintenance team and the town enough for how well
046they've done to get our schools operational. um 3:30 in the morning, I'm speaking to Dan Mak from the public works department and talking to him. So that's part of my day. 3:30 in the morning um on the Sunday it can be if we're expecting another storm. Um they've done an unbelievable job. Um the public works and our maintenance crew and our maintenance team could be here at 3:30 in the morning getting ready and and you may look at why does the next time I have twohour delay? Why do we have a threeh hour delay? The the landscape and the topography you can't it's just so much different than a since we're in Avon. But what's unique is there was one time when we were in school and they learned. So it's very difficult, but we
047all taught in the morning. And so I I I'd just be remissed if I didn't thank them for all the work that that they did. They've spent probably way too much time with me on resolving their eye attacks and and Claudia and John get the calls at four o'clock in the morning. So make it happen. make sure people know that we have some issues here. So, we do have some issues. Um we have um our our day right now, end of the school year, maybe six um winter related days brings us to June 22nd, which is a Monday. And I I didn't really get that many phone calls about weather and different things like that. You thought for a fact that we both got to the safety of our staff and our students. The most
048calls that I've received in the past week has been boom get penalized if they have to go to camp uh on the Monday or we have some college quizzes uh already set up. Um or we have some competitions that we have to go to, tournaments that we have to go to, are they going to be penalized? And and it really got me thinking um a lot last week about that. You know, you look eight, nine years ago, we were getting snow days like this. We were getting five or six or seven um snow days and camps weren't really starting. The tournaments were weren't really starting to that following week. But we got used to since about 2018, 2019 to kind of schedule things early because we haven't had some bad weather. So, I really started
049thinking about this and and if you read the newspaper right now, you you see boards of education all across the state doing what you're about to do tonight. Um, you actually have more flexibility than a a lot of towns have. To Kim's point, a lot of towns are just cancelling professional development days and um making them school days. We don't have any full day professional development days, so it's really not an option for us. But what we do have is we have 182 days in this calendar and state law requires only 180 school days. I checked that with our attorney and they said absolutely you are correct. And what I also wanted to make sure is that anything that we do that you may do because this is in the superintendent's decision. um anything that
050you may do doesn't affect graduation for our Canton High School seniors. And since our calendar was adopted on December 10th, 2024, it goes to the 180th day of what was adopted on December 10th. Our 180th day was June 12th. So that means graduation cannot be touched. That is firm. So the discussion that we're having tonight is prek through 11. So, I've been making a recommendation to you this evening um to do what our surrounding districts do and make the 20 uh 5 26 school year uh 180 days for our students. So, that would allow them to get out on June 18th. And um we would have to figure out and and this would be something that we would have to talk to Mr. Daniels. you would have to talk to the teachers union and the
051um parent non-certified union because they are contracted to be 186 days as administrators are working 220 days. Um there's nothing to contract to negotiate with them. Uh so tonight I would like to make it a recommendation to you of instead of our children going to school to June 22nd that we bring it down to 180 days because we have that flexibility and that their last day would be uh June 18th and then I would make the recommendation that Mr. Daniels you don't have to vote on this yet that Mr. has the flexibility to talk to the teachers union and the non-certified to see how we want to handle um the teachers on Friday. >> Thoughts? Not going to vote. Thoughts on this? >> Well, you're going to have to vote on the calendar. >> Yes.
052>> Even though we could get a storm in March. Well, so as I'm right to the families tomorrow, if you get a storm and we go June 19th, if we get another one, we go June 22nd. I don't anticipate, look, we we've been in the camp public schools till June 30th, I believe. Um I don't anticipate from March until um June 30th that we're going to have another eight um snow days. Something drastic would have to happen. Um you know, so I'm not I'm not even concerned that we would have to take from April break. But yes, if we had another snow day, a winter related day or something happened to power, we would have to extend. But what I would like to let families know if you want to vote on it is that
053and it would say in the letter is that the board of education has changed the the calendar to 180 days and that school will end on June 18th. But if there's any other voter related dates, we would just add them on after June 18. >> So with that comments, questions >> and this would just affect this calendar year. We go back to 182 for the next calendar year. >> Next calendar year is 181. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Next year. So you have another built in flexibility day if you choose it. The 180 it was 183 and then it it came down. So you know teachers coming in for professional development on the Friday. You know goes back to um Kim's point. I think you would get a great from the teachers union on that day
054to come on the Friday to professional involvement. But I think the the media attention would be to let families know um what you all are think there is a lot of chatter about people. >> Yeah. >> It' be great to get a indication. Other questions for superintendent >> 18. >> I just said to do the um two days just like everybody else in Farmington knowledge doing the 180 to be consistent with everybody else. >> They're going to kind of have that wiggle room for the one day. Hopefully, right? >> Yeah. Right. >> I I appreciate your point about it really has trended to where everything starts when things start. It actually usually start the week before even sooner and now parents just adapt, but now this is the second. >> I'm not sure we would
055have that. We would have kids at school on the 22nd. Don't get me wrong, kids would be in school, but there would be a population of kids that would not be in school because I know for a fact camps are starting and we have a camp that we're supposed to be holding here >> for music on that day that they're actually looking for another place um to to go to for that one bed. Um, so there's so and I thought about Joe what you said about why not try why not take one to Kim's point it's it gives us a little bit of flexibility and the whole the surrounding counts are at 180 so interestation other questions I do have a motion if everybody's uh inclined it says that motion that can board of education
056approve changes to 2025 2026 6 school calendar reducing the number of school days from 182 to 180. Can I have that motion? Thank you. Second. Thank you, majority. Further discussion, comments motion was to say for this 256 school year forever. >> Forever. This is 256 school calendar. >> Yeah. Yeah, I did. Let's do the 202526 school calendar reducing the number of school days. Yeah. >> So, I'll read it again. The can board of education approved changes to 2025 2026 school calendar reducing the number of school days from 182 to 180. I have a first and a second. No further discussion. All those in favor? I >> I also you >> Yep. I >> So that's 9. So you can get that communication. >> Yeah. So there's a letter, just so everybody knows, there'll be a
057letter. Claudia already has it that will go out to um the community tomorrow morning. I'm sure this will be out there tonight um for sure because it's on the agenda. People saw it. I was already getting asked. Um so I thank you for that. And then Mr. Daniels and I will um talk about what we want to do with teachers and the the non-certified. and I'll send communication out to them. Christine was also aware that teaching events on the agenda. Thank you. >> When you get back in touch with us about what we find out. >> Okay. So, we have uh we have several uh committee reports to try to get to do this quickly on the finance side. Um Mr. Bush, do you want to make any comments on >> I think we went
058over the uh the February financials which Jana covered again for us pretty well. Um we did have a few public comments which was unique for our meeting. Um I think some of it was addressed again tonight. I think the biggest thing that we talked about um well two things I would say was the undesated fund balance and the interest that's accured on that. I would like to defer to either Anna or Jordan to explain that a little better if anybody would like an explanation. Um, and then we discussed it after the referendum and we had a long conversation about facilities and how we're going to address that and but after the referendum in May that's going to become a focus. >> So, uh, just from the finance committee standpoint. So um what we discussed today
059was it had to do primarily with that depth improvement and um what what we found out was um through the uh through the selections office was actually in in our capital improvement plan there's interest that that's acrewed. So, one of the ways that we're paying for the boiler that that uh broke down in the high school was there was interest to the tune of like $140 some odd thousand dollars. Um and and so the town said, you know, hey, good news. You don't have to go through a long process of coming to us and then to a town meeting. You have interest that's acrewed uh on that account and and actually the select can also have interest that's accured on your account. So uh what we're trying to come up with is a process or
060a policy u that'll allow us in the future as interest is is in for example the interest on just our our field our turf field that we put money away every year and I think that's somewhere in the upper 700,000 range that creates interest and so that's something that we have never known about in the past. Um, so we're trying to come up with a policy that allows us to um hold our our capital improvement money and also allows us to use the interest um that that we gain there. So there's more conversation going on that between selectmen education and finance. So that just to let you know that's that's in play uh a little bit. And Jordan, you were to if you want to add anything to that or >> No, I think that
061that was great and that we're working on a better system. >> Correct. Michelle, anything you wanted to add to that? >> So So that that's where we are. More to come on capital improvement. I think I think we're breaking some positive ground there on how that'll work. And this this all come stems out of the emergency that we had with the boiler in place when the boiler in the high school went and how how was that going to be handled? How quickly can we handle this? We had classrooms down 50 degrees Bob we had had to move quick. So having said that now we're trying to figure out okay what happens next time and how do we access funds and a little comment little conversation with the CEO this morning on it. I think we're
062moving down the road that'll create that policy that that actually will be fine with the charter. So more to come. Okay. Any other questions on that? Okay, next to policy. We're catching up on several policies that changed relatively minor fashion within the state legislation that came out in July and we're getting to the end of that and we have a bunch of those tonight to vote on first or second read. The couple of new ones, this one seeking looked at tonight about the selection and removal of library materials and library displays. That's very important one. uh we have guidelines now regulations we don't have a policy this would say well we have to have a policy but actually take a look at that prior to uh next meeting first question >> yeah most of the
063rest of even the changes are minor they're vetted by the committee by John you have any questions which I haven't got anything in a while but that just send they come from are coming. So, >> okay. Uh, you'll hear more about more policies as we come to meet. Uh, Kico Michelle, I know you meet Thursday. >> Yeah, we were supposed to be on the 25th. We have weather. Um, so we're meeting this Thursday at 3:12 or I'm sorry, this Thursday, 3:12 at 9:00 a.m. at um, Cherry Brook and then we will have our regular meeting for this month on the 25th. >> Did you send the meetings to Cherry Brook this? >> Cherry Brook this Thursday. >> Everybody make that change. um communications relation. >> Um yes, we had a meeting on March 2nd. Um
064I know that we are working on getting a date on the climate culture event to happen. So we're still working to that. um talked about student presenter that went out um as well as the newsletter and also discussed the communication plan which is five goals within that which we worked on a draft of that come out um after the next meeting. Our next meeting is Monday um April 6th at 1 p.m. >> Did you mention when the newsletter is coming up the on that? Not out yet. Soon. Very soon. >> It's >> final draft went out today. >> Yeah, the final final it's basically not. >> Is that accurate? >> Yes. >> I was like, I know. >> Okay. Update on correct meets tomorrow. So, I'll have an update for you at the next meeting.
065I'll be attending that meeting uh tomorrow. Um Jordan Insurance Company. >> Yep. So, we met Thursday uh March 5th and we had uh USI there with us. We had gone out to RFP and we had uh one additional quote other than our renewal from United come in and that was from Anthem. We also went to Sigma and Etna and they declined to quote on us. Um but Anthem did have I would say a competitive f in some ways but then in others we would be seeing a um penalty to move because of our contract that we're in and we would potentially lose um or have to pay out on our pharmacy rebates. So it kind of made it a little bit clearer that it looks like we're going to be staying with United. I don't
066want to say that is the decision yet. We meet next month. um April 4th to really discuss that. United will be attending that meeting which will be nice. Um overall on our medical we are running relatively well. So we're hoping that um we'll see a little bit more relief from United. That's the goal. Um but right now we still are targeting the 20% increase. Um so we'll see. So x that is actually premium and w of that is actually to the uh claims fund but >> yeah so we're we're trying to I'm hopeful that when United comes out we'll hear a little bit more as to if we're going to end up right at the 20 but we are also are making up our uh claim fund balance as well that happened the prior year
067and that's going to be ongoing for quite some time. So, um, but we're really trending in the right direction now. Um, we're getting ahead of it. Uh, USI has been great. Um, and the committee has that we've formed has really helped get ahead of this. So, yeah. >> Any questions? >> Um, we meet at seven. Yep. So, >> uh, the April 4th, we always meet the first Thursday of the month. Thank you. >> Monday and Jonathan, but I'll try to skim over. Um, as you all know, conference week is coming up and that's one of the busiest times for our PTOs because they are always up by for our staff, which is awesome. Um, and high school was not done to PTO, but there's usually parents that tries to collect some money from the community.
068So, if you see any of those are on Facebook and you want to donate, please do so. Um, Cherry Book right now, they're planning your scholastic book fair, which will be conference week the 16th through the 19th. Um, they are looking for volunteers, so please visit their website. Um, also looking for meal support for parents prek, first and second grade. Also visit the website to help out. Um, and they're working on planning for their annual children's fair, which I know is a really big deal. It's at the end of May, but it's takes a lot of hands to make that work. So, uh, they have an Amazon wish list up right now that like people to contribute to. Um, and also volunteers, obviously. Uh, CIS, they went to the Wolfpack game. They said they have
069410 participants that went to the game. Um, and the sixth graders played the Star Spangled Banner. We had 10 kids in the high five tunnel and door got to ride the Zambzone which was quite big deal. They're doing their third annual personality focus with Sharon. >> Um and those are on March 14th at the community center. They have 38 families signed up right now. I think they still have a few spaces left. So if you want those, sign up. Um they're currently circulating a signup genius for families to contribute for conference week. Um, and finally, they're preparing the student teacher basketball game on April 9th, which again, another big event that is pretty. >> Um, CMS, they celebrated last week with special gifts and treats for the staff for the We Love CMS program, and
070they continue to need membership. CMS parents, we need you. Uh, athletic boosters, they're gearing up for spring sports. We're kind of in that little dead period right now. Um and also uh something they mentioned to me is that which I did not know is that we actually can offer swimming to our students. And right now we have one student that's participating in swimming. I believe goes to Grand that's correct. >> I'm not sure exactly but they said they're looking to try to make that more available to students and like known to students because they said they people like half the board that they know. So, um, and last but not least, CFA big week, big two weeks really, uh, the art show, which thank you for all of you that attended to that. Um, it's
071there the entire month of March. So, please get on over there and see that. Um, and the musical is Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2. Um it is about a twohour plus intermission show for those that have little people just to kind of keep that in mind on Thursday night. That might not be your best choice. Um but those kids work so hard and they always put on a great show. So try to do that. Um and also they're planning a Disney sendoff concert April 7th. So that's all I got. >> Great. Okay. >> Sorry. Sorry. Go ahead. Um, I just wanted to change it's April 2nd, which is a Thursday. Sorry, not April 4th that the insurance committee will meet. April 2nd. Sorry about that. >> And then,
072um, Kim brought this. Um, the calendar of events in our packet today, the 25th meeting we have on the 25th is not listed. So, if it's the curriculum meeting, so if you can make a note of that on your calendar. >> Thank you. and and calendar event those changes. Um so let's go ahead for the consent agenda. I'm looking for approval of the minutes for February 10th February 24th. Take a motion that the camp board of education approve the consent agenda. Thank you. Thank you Joe. So I have first and second any other questions modifications? Hearing none, we move that board of education approve consent to $10 in favor. I oppos you. >> No, he's done. >> Okay. All right. So that's all right. We have a series now of um things to uh to
073approve here and I'll I'll try to go through them and not screw this up. Let's see what we can do here. So the first one is move that the can board of education approve the policy non-discrimination community which is what is B14 first one >> volume 14 >> sorry it's it's the version of that >> oh version okay thank you version 14 to 13 uh count on the first three we talked about this last month they're essentially some word change updates the committee better as long but nothing really changed word so we'll go right down the line first and second Amy you first on the motion second ally thank you very much any further questions hearing none all those in favor I opposed that's 80 motion that the camp board of education approve the policy
074non-discrimination students volume 29 I'm sorry. >> Sorry, that was I said it all. >> 29 to 28. We'll take ahead. >> Okay. So, having heard that comment. Yeah. So, may I take a motion? This motion. Thank you, Kim. Second. Thank you, Michelle. All those in favor? That's eight. Oh, thank you very much. Moving on. So, motion move to the camp board of education approve penalty non-discrimination personnel 28 to 27 first. All those in favor. Thank you very much. Okay. Move the camp board of education education approve the policy on visitors 7 to six. Um a quick comment mainly the big changes addresses the issue of government officials coming to to the door. Uh I should tell you that in a policy they have a first read out next month uh the school safety policy that
075addresses it a lot more specificity but otherwise it just sets a basic guidelines to visit unless regulations about that. Thank you. Any questions? So I'll take a motion that can board of education move policy for business. Thank you. Second. Thank you, Ally. Any further questions? Hearing none. All those in favor? I. That's eight. Thank you very much. Next motion move that camp board of education approve the following policy as a first read suicide prevention and intervention 8 to 7 mostly updates uh the resources available the schools school council. That's the biggest change in it that clean up some things that don't exist anymore. It's a different phone number, that sort of thing. Is there anything there? No. >> Motion. Um, thank you Felicia. Thank you, Jordan. Uh, we have first and second. Any questions? Move
076board of education approve policies first read suicide prevention intervention. All those in favor? >> I thank you. Okay. >> All right. Next one. Motion move board of education approve following policy is first read administration of student medications in the school 41 to 40 and this has been gone through school nurses as well. uh the biggest change would allow us to do so instead of a nasal version of that now. I have a motion Kim. Thank you and second Michelle. Thank you very much. So I have first and second on the motion to move board of education approve the following policies first read administration of student medications in schools. All those in favor I opposed. It's 80. Thank you again. All right. Motion move board of education approve the following policies. First read child sex abuse
077and assault response policy of reporting which is 4 to three. Um and Mr. Sh. >> John thought I had them all down but I can't remember. >> Mr. Bishop, you were batting a thousand there. So a couple things with this one. Um it uh outlines additional resources for uh resources available to victims of child sexual abuse and sexual assault in their families. They've also updated references to the safe school specialist uh to reflect statuto uh revised title um and not any other substantive changes to the policy. So I'll take a motion on that. Thank you Kim. Second Joe, thank you very much. So we're moving that camp board of education approve the following policies. First read child sex abuse and assault response policy reporting first and second in favor. I opposed. That's 80. Thank you
078again. It's it's important on these first reads if you get a second. I know we go through it policy but if you get a chance to take a look at them they will they will reappear in our April meeting for a motion to approve. The final one we have before us tonight is normally the camp board of education approve the following policies first read student records purple it's 50 to 49 to change this who has access to student records doesn't IRS access >> and it supports uh students to become eligible as 18y olds to be able to access additional >> again this First meet I'll take a motion. Thanks. Thank you. >> Thank you. First and second. >> All those in favor. Thank you again. All right. Any other business to bring before the board?
079Hearing none. We will adjourn at 4. Thank you for being here. Thank you for joining. We'll see you. Well, we'll see you next week.