Board of Education 6-4-26

001Mr. Ed >> here >> Dr. Mr. Harrian >> here. Men >> here. >> Mr. White >> here. >> Thank you. Please join us for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Awesome. We are going to get right to business starting with our student representatives. Um I think we're going to go with Dodd first if you don't mind. >> Hi everyone. Um last week members of the girls and boys track team competed in the state championship meet. The girls tied for second out of 44 teams and the boys finished in third out of 43 teams. Everyone who participated did a great job. >> On Thursday, May 28th, our

002small ensembles held concerts. The talent, dedication, and hard work of our musicians was on full display, and they delivered truly exceptional shows. The performances were superb from start to finish, and the student solos were especially impressive. It was a wonderful evening and another great example of incredible opportunities available for our students at Dodd. We want to say congratulations to all the seventh grade students who were inducted into National Junior Honor Society on Wednesday, May 27th. This recognition reflects not only academic achievements, but also character, leadership, citizenship, and service that these students demonstrate each day. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to see the positive impact they continue to make at DOD and beyond. Um, eighth grade class night was May 29th and this year's theme was a night under the stars.

003It was a great way for eighth graders to wrap up their time at Dodd and I want to say a quick thank you to the PTA for hosting this annual event. Um, last month the Rotary Club of Cheshure Student Award was presented to Audrey Gerbalis. Also, the Connecticut Association of Schools Scholar Leader Award was presented to James Fitzgerald as well as Isabella Paio. On May 20th through the 22nd, Dodd 8th graders went on their trip to Washington DC with a stop at Gettysburg um Pennsylvania on the way. We got to see various memorials and monuments such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Washington Monument. And finally, we want to thank you all so much for the opportunity to be here throughout the year recapping what's been going

004on at DOD. >> Awesome. Thank you, Whitney and Silus. Any questions, comments from Dr. Harrian? >> Could each of you tell me what the highlight was, the best part of the of the trip to DC was? Um, for me it was definitely the Martin Luther King memorial. >> Um, I really liked seeing the um, natural science museum. I thought that was really cool. >> Thank you very much. >> Very cool. >> Miss Fitzgerald, did you have comment? >> I just wanted to say thank you for um, all of your presentations and coming here each month. Um, it's really been a delight to hear from you and I want to say thank you and I want to wish you the very best in your uh, high school years. Mr. White, >> thank you. Just echoing Heather's

005comments. Uh, thank you. As well as a thank you to our chair, Sam, because you are the inaugural members of our Dodd representatives. If Yep. Okay. So, this is the first year that we did this. We've had the high school coming for many, many years. High school representatives. Appreciate it, the help from you, but also particularly from Dodd. First time we were doing it, although Whitney had set of some inside information, I think on how to go about doing this. But anyway, I really do appreciate it. Thank you to you both. >> Awesome. No. >> Yeah, I've I've enjoyed watching you um come up here and just show us your leadership skills so early on. My question to you is is what is your favorite part about doing this or how do you feel? >>

006And you don't have to answer if you don't want to. Um, I love getting to um, sort of tell you guys all the great things about um, our dog community because I feel like everyone does a really great job and like participating in the community and I'm really just excited to like share it with you guys. >> Great. >> Yeah, I agree. It's pretty I agree. It's great. Uh, yeah. >> Just say ditto. We're good. Right. Well, before you go, we do want you to come up here. We'd like to take a picture. you know, you have an official name plate and so Dr. Soul Awesome job. >> Yeah, >> nice job. One, two, three. Awesome job. >> Excellent job to both of you. Thank you. And then we're going to move on to our

007more seasoned reporters, if you will. Connor Maline. >> Hello everyone. As we wind down the year, we have several announcements to share with you. We would also like to recognize the girls lacrosse and softball program as they both won their SEC conference championships. For softball for softball, this comes on the heels of an undefeated season in which they were not only widely recognized as the best team in Connecticut, but were ranked in the top 25 nationally per the National Fast Pitch Association. All of our sports teams have qualified to compete in the state tournament, marking another successful year in RAM sports. >> So, we'd just like to give a quick shout out to our Interact Club. On May 28th, they brought a peace poll to our dining commons. And on it, they had the message,

008may peace prevail on Earth in I think three different languages. We had English or English, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic, which are all languages that are spoken at Chesher High School. And then we really are at the end. Uh for me and Maddie, we've been spending most of the week getting our senior obligation forms signed and you know our periods one and two exams and seven and eight are today and tomorrow. So we are we are really at the close. >> We'd also like to thank you guys. Um for me um in all honesty, Mr. Hanlin when he asked me to if I wanted to be a board of ed representative, it was very difficult to contain my excitement. Still to this day, I fear that I played it off the enthusiasm a little too nonchalantly.

009But in truth, I have always wanted to be liaison for Treasure High School. I remember when Mr. Schaefer was being recognized for coaching the girls cross country team. And that same night, I had the opportunity to watch Monica Galley and her fellow liaison present the updates about Cheshire High School. Seeing them both bounce off of one another with a new update and event made me extremely eager to hopefully take on this position one day. At theater rehearsals, I would ask Ella Paul and Lydia Galley why they were dressed so fancy for our rehearsals, and they would always explain that this is where they had just been. Knowing that these three individuals were the ones representing CHS, I knew that it must be quite an honor to have this position. Through this experience, I have learned

010time and time again that this role is nothing less than a golden opportunity to become more involved in Cheshire High School and the Cheshure community as a whole. When I found out that I was being offered this position, I of course asked who I would be working with. And I could not have been more honored to take on this role with someone I respect and admire so highly. >> Through this position, I learned very quickly that public speaking is not about perfection, such as attempting to land a joke, although I believe I was quite successful, or attempting to articulate all my tees while fighting my Connecticut accent. Public speaking is not about is more about the connections you make with the people around you. You have all been so supportive and have provided so many

011positive responses that make me and I'm sure both of us want to come back and be even better for all of you. I am very sad that Connor and I will not be able to send our CHS happenings emails with the Cheshire High School administration anymore, but this role has left an everlasting impact on both of our lives, and I am sure we will we are encouraged to both stay in touch with the Cheshire community after we leave CHS. Mr. Hanland had warned me previously that this position could become difficult to manage on top of an already busy schedule, but I am so glad I took on this responsibility for the connections I have made and the way it has shaped the way I see the world and myself. Thank you again for giving me

012this amazing opportunity to take on a position as a board of ed representative. You have touched our lives in such a meaningful way. >> That's tough to follow. Um so it's the end of the year obviously and everything's kind of coming to a close. So I've been spending these past couple days since I haven't really been in school. I've been spending them writing thank you notes. And so far I've written six of them. And if that sounds like a lot, I hate to break it to you, but there are still four more that I have to write. And I find myself writing a lot of similar sentiments in all of them. I write things like, "Thank you for being such a dedicated teacher. Thank you for opening so many different doors for me. Thank you

013for creating a classroom where I always felt cared about in." And it's not because I'm trying to copy and paste and get these letters out as fast as I can. It's because that genuinely is what my Cheshire High School community has been to me. not just teachers, but students, really anybody there. I mean, I am so grateful that I've been able to be in this position because it allows me to talk about a place that I care about so much with people who can't wait to listen. So, I'd like to thank you all. Um, Maddie, thank you so much for working with me. Again, this opportunity has been fantastic. Like I said, getting to talk about Cheshire High School is always a pleasure. And then this year, getting to do it next to my sister,

014too. Watching her step out into her own, I couldn't be more proud. and I couldn't be happier and I am quite sad that it's over, but selfishly I am very excited because it means I get to take home the name plate and put it on my desk. So, thank you all. >> Any comments? Dr. >> Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure having all four of you um reporting to us on a monthly basis. Um my question for each of you is what are your plans for next year? Um, I'm going to the University of Connecticut to study physiology and neurobiology on a pre-med track. >> Uh, next year I will be pursuing a degree in economics at Villanova University. >> Thank you. They're both staying in the big Ace, which is great. >>

015Any other comments from board members? Mr. Joe, >> again, just wanted to say, Maddie, thank you. It's been a real treat to have you report out and just speak and be in front of us and and to hear from you. It's been a true joy. Um I was reflecting um I just wanted to comment on last month's the uh high school showcase. I was just really reflecting on the belonging initiative and all the work ambassadors CHS rambassadors. Am I saying that right? Yeah. All the work that they've done. And I just think what an important initiative that is. So, thank you um for being part of that and for making that happen. And my question is I assume like next year that will continue on um for the foreseeable future. >> Yeah. So, we'll be

016passing the torch to a lot of the students that we had with us that night. Um I couldn't be more happy with the group that's taking it on. It's a group of juniors and and sophomores, too, that are are going to be fantastic. And next year, obviously, it'll be a little bit different of a message. I don't think we'll repeat the same one, but it will be again something along the same lines of just creating stronger communities. >> Absolutely. I think it's so important that message and it's coming from um youth to youth. So, thank you for for doing that and good luck. >> Thank you. >> Any other Mr. >> Um thanks guys. It it's really amazing to see uh what our schools are producing and you guys are the best of the best

017and and it I sit here in awe, you know, premed track, you know, studying at Villanova. It's great stuff and uh just can't say enough how much it means for for us to hear your reports every month and uh the enthusiasm with which you deliver. It doesn't matter. I don't know much about you guys and what your act activities are, but you are you deliver. It doesn't matter if it's music, if it's athletics, it's you guys are are delivering with the same enthusiasm and it's awesome. Appreciate it. >> Mr. White, did you have a comment? No. >> Just thanks. Thank you very much for the past year of the updates. Well, this is probably one of my favorite meetings because it's such a celebratory meeting, but it's also one of my emotional meetings. And I

018did write a few words because um I it's just been a pleasure to watch you both grow. Um and and really just thank you for your service and dedication. You know, I know you were asked to do it. You had some excitement, probably some hesitation um doing this. Um, but again, I've truly enjoyed hearing your updates. Um, sharing in your accomplishments and your peers accomplishments, um, all the activities and daily happenings at CHS and just inviting us into your world. Um, and just sharing your perspective and voice because I feel clearly it's critical. Um, you are our future. So, don't ever forget that. And you remind us of of, you know, why we do this work. Um, and every time you're sitting there telling us all this information, it gives us that, you know, insider

019look on what's happening at the CHS and not just CHS. And clearly to Miss Fitzgerald's point, you know, you're expanding and you're spreading uh and you're you're modeling what it is to be that novel that really the citizen we want to see, right? Um, so I'm incredibly proud of both of you um and all that you have accomplished. And like I said, it's been a pleasure to watch you grow as leaders and I have no doubt that you're going to make such a positive impact um in the future. So congratulations. Um and I think we need a photo op here, Dr. Solen. Thank you for the >> We're hugging for this. Lots of things to close. Um, our next item of business, we're going to move into um our presentation. So, if Mr. Hanlin, will

020you do the honor, sir? >> Good evening, everyone. And I'm very pleased to uh present two more students from Cheshire High School this evening. Both our saludiatoran and validictorian of the Cheshire High School class of 2026 to the board of education. And while I've been at CHS during uh part of their junior and senior years, I actually have a connection to both of these students in my previous role as preK8 uh curriculum coordinator. both sought to take advanced coursework in their upper elementary and middle school years, which we approve quite sparingly. But for example, when their sixth grade discovery expo project is applying algebra 2 concepts to the movement of a solar array to maximize power for a device, you sometimes make exceptions. Whatever brief remarks we give tonight will only capture a fraction of

021what these two students have accomplished and the impact they've had and will have. So, I'd like to begin by inviting our saludiatoran, Bradley Fang, up to the mic, up to the podium, please. Uh we are proud to recognize Bradley Fang as the class of 2026 saludiatoran. Bradley is an exceptional student, leader, and researcher whose efforts have distinguished him both inside and outside of the classroom, maintaining an incredible 4.8 GPA. He has pursued an extraordinarily rigorous course of study while earning national recognition in mathematics, research, leadership, and service. At Cheshire High School, Bradley has combined academic excellence with a strong commitment to student life. He has contributed to to student government, serving twice as class president. Last year, he played an important part in bringing back homecoming to CHS for the first time in more than

02215 years, and continued to take a lead role in organizing this year's event. Bradley is a varsity volleyball captain, an accomplished musician, a mentor to younger students through math league and link crew programs. He has helped establish and lead clubs like game theory club and a local branch of the alliance of youth leaders of United States and serves as the national mathematics committee chair for that alliance. Outside of CHS through Columbia University's networks lab, he has conducted advanced computer networking research serving as first author on a published Wi-Fi literature review and as a contributor to research on ongoing network congestion control and network fairness. Bradley plans to take a gap year to continue that kind of network and AI research through labs at Columbia University before pursuing his future academic goals. Bradley is joined this

023evening by his parents Amy Jiao and Tony Fang. Bradley, we congratulate you on being the Cheshire High School class of 2026 saludiatoran. Amazing. >> Amazing. Congratulations. We'll next invite up to the podium our uh 2026 valadictorian, Sucha Shinasan. Look at that. >> Uh, if you were at the superintendent's award night in November, I may have mentioned that evening was not the last time you were going to hear about the student who turned out to be our class of 2026 valadictorian, Sucha Shini Vasan. Sucha is an extraordinary scholar, innovator, and leader who has distinguished herself among the very best students Cheshire High School has seen. While pursuing one of the most rigorous academic programs offered at CHS and maintaining a 4.9 GPA, she has excelled across every discipline. Outside of the classroom, Sichita is a leader

024in the business clubs FPLA and DECA in robotics and and the marching band while also serving as president of the Science National Honor Society. Through her school-based activities, she's earned statewide and national recognition through the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, Connecticut invention convention, as well as earning the engineering inspiration award as part of the Mecca Rams robotics team. Teachers and peers alike not only notice her academic talent, but have also given feedback on her integrity, kindness, and genuine desire to make a positive difference in the world. And she's already started to make a difference outside of the walls of CHS through efforts like tech girls initiative, research involving airline safety technology, Alzheimer's disease, tortoic treatment, and developing an online database and website for the Cheshire Department of Human Services to name just a few. There's

025a maturity to how Sacha approaches her work that has served her well in elevating the Cheshire High School community and the broader community and will continue to serve her well next year when she attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. You're going there, right? Okay. Just want to make sure. Such is joined this evening by her parents Shin Vasan Palinwami and Suna Sivas Sanarin. Such Cheetah, we congratulate you on being Cheshire High School's class of 2026 validictorian. But wait, before you go too far, there's more. We're going to let you do the handshake once. We left one accomplishment off that resume, and we're going to recognize one more uh individual highlight tonight. Um, and this is the UN's Presidential Scholars Program. Establishing a legacy of excellence since 1964. The US Presidential Scholars Program stands as one

026of the highest honors a high school student our nation can achieve. This prestigious program recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic success, artistic excellence, and a deep commitment to community and service and leadership. Out of nearly 3.6 6 million graduating seniors across the country. Only a select few are invited to apply based on their outstanding performance on national exams or through nominations by chief state school officers. We are immensely proud to announce that Sucha has not only been named a candidate for this esteemed recognition, but has further been selected as one of only 627 semi- finalists nationwide to advance to the final round. This milestone is not merely a reflection of high test scores, but a testament to years of discipline, intellectual curiosity, and a drive to make meaningful impact on the world. Congratulations, Chuch Cheetah.

027>> Well done. Thank you, Mr. Hamlin. Congratulations to you both. Um, our next item, Dr. Solen, we have student leader Kate. Thank you, Miss Rosenberg. Uh tonight I have the honor of announcing uh four special recognitions, two at Cheshire High School and two at Dodd Middle School for the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education Student Leader Award. This prestigious award recognizes distinguished leadership among our student body and leadership is a quality and this is from the uh letter from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. Leadership is a quality that is hard to define but remains critical to our society. Cabe has developed criteria that helped to define leadership. Your principal received a list of these criteria such as the ability to honor commitment and show diplomacy and was asked to name two students who

028met those criteria. Your principal considers you a school leader. And I can tell you from years of experience as a principal in the district, it's not just a principal that makes the decision. We rely on a team of folks to nominate students who deserve this sort of recognition. CAB is pleased to present you together with other student leaders across Connecticut with our 30th annual CAB student leadership award. You should take pride in the recognition bestowed upon you and we encourage you to continue to use your leadership skills as you take on new challenges. Again, our congratulations and all the best to you in your future endeavors. Signed Meg Scotta, CAB president and Patrice McCarthy, CAB executive director and general counsel. So, please welcome to the podium from Dodd Middle School, Lily Kate Montgomery and Ethan

029Beachch. HEY, >> JEFF, can you repeat Ethan's name? I I couldn't hear. >> Ethan Beachch. >> Yeah. >> Congrats. Thank you. Congrats, Ethan. Congratulations. Jeff, can I grab the four of them together? And uh with that same recognition uh from Cheshure High School, Connor Rayall and Mattie May Taber. Congratulations. Thank you, Dr. Solen. Um, next item would be our Norton Math League. Dr. Solen, I think you're still up. So, I'd like to welcome to the podium uh the Ram from Norton School, Jeannie Monty, a little short. Good evening everyone. Math League is a program that provides students with opportunities to engage in challenging math problem solving through contests designed for students in grades four through 12. The contests promote critical thinking, perseverance, and a love for mathematics. Each contest includes a range of problems across

030different topics and difficulty levels, helping students build confidence while enjoying the challenge. With over 1 million participants worldwide, Math League inspires students to deepen their understanding of math and develop strong problem solving skills. Norton offer offers this opportunity to students in grades five and six who those students who exhibit a strong interest in mathematics and a willing willingness to take on rigorous problem-solving tasks. All of our students should be commended for their hard work, active participation, and strong ability to work as a team throughout the math league experience. Our grade six team placed 10th in New England and second in Connecticut. >> Wow. Math League RECOGNIZES So Math League does recognize the top 38 students in New England and the top four in Connecticut. And we are proud to share that Savin Tayaggera ranked 23rd

031in New England and third in Connecticut. and Maddie White ranked 32nd in New England and fourth in Connecticut. Although we do not have the fifth grade results yet. I'm in waiting. I actually checked right before I came. So, we don't have those yet. I know that our students are commended for their work, the collaboration, some of the problems we did together. and they asked me, you know, let how do we do this? And I tried my best to um figure it out with them. I think we did pretty well, too. Um but it was so it's always so fun to meet with these students and work together on these problems and and they find it fun, I think. So, what we're going to do is I'm going to call them up because I would like

032to recognize each and every one of them for their hard work and dedication. So, when you hear your name, please come on up. Le Atu, Evan Dhan. Oh, you want to go that way? Okay. Luke Frell, Gabby Gell Goldberg, Benny Hernier are here. Leo Su if you're here. I'm not sure who >> Alice Latran serum look at transucine Ritler Caroline Sorry. Arini Shom, Maggie Suarez. Nice job. Claire Woo. And for our sixth grade team, Kennedy Burns, >> Gage Canning, Isabelle Kattonese, Jack Frell, >> Caroline Fiorini, Nice work. Awesome. >> Eric Hew awesome job. Jax Clatsman, >> Claire Montgomery, >> Isaac Muzzi, Sorry, we had 24 students. This was a a nice big crowd. >> Lots of work. >> Thank you. >> Parker Talman, Savin Tiggera, >> and Maddie White. Parker Parker. Congratulations team. >> Awesome

033job. >> That's a big one. So everybody out of this There we go. Everybody smiles. You guys are celebrities. >> Congratulations to the math league. All your hard work has added up. So awesome job. I typically leave the dad jokes to Dr. Solen, but we'll move on to the next item, sir. >> Thank you again, uh, Miss Rosenberg. And it is, uh, so fitting that we begin our evening with so many student recognitions. You know, obviously our students come first and uh tonight is an incredible opportunity to celebrate the various successes that we have uh and students that are here with us tonight. Obviously, many incredible students that aren't here tonight, but certainly deserving of recognition, whether it be for academics, leadership, artistic capacity, character, uh, athleticism. I we we really try and cultivate the

034best potential in all of our students and help them become better people. And uh so again, it is exciting to recognize those students tonight and celebrate all of your successes. We're so proud of you. But it's also an opportunity tonight and um as Miss Rosenberg said earlier, you're kind of a a bittersweet opportunity tonight to acknowledge all of the adults who made those students successes that much more possible. And we do that tonight by recognizing our retiring teachers. Um, and I look out in the audience and I see faces of folks that have been with our school system for many years and contributed in so many different ways. But I also see so many stories, so many personal stories of of folks that have overcome different things or supported students to do things that they

035didn't think were possible. Uh, and again, I'm filled with joy. Uh, and a little bit a tinge of sorrow. Uh, but then again, I know next September 9th, you guys will be hanging out on our beach and I'll be coming to work, so sorrow's not that bad. But um anyway, uh we do want to acknowledge and I'm excited to honor this evening all of our retiring teachers who deserve our deepest gratitude for your service to our community uh to make these accomplishments possible. So without further ado, please welcome Cheshire High School Principal Kevin Hanland. Uh, one of the themes in my celebratory remarks this spring has been the deep investment that students, staff, and families uh, make in the life uh, make in the life of Chesure High School. The six retirees from CHS that

036we're recognizing tonight exemplify that commitment. Together they have devoted 158 years of service to the Cheshire public schools and far more importantly have helped create experiences, relationships, and opportunities that make CHS such a special place for students year after year. So in alphabetical order, I'd like to invite up first to the podium Donna Carbone. It's an honor to acknowledge the career of Donna Carbone, English teacher at Cheshire High School. Donna came aboard as a long-term substitute in November of 2001 and earned the permanent role in June of 2002. Students in our classes have gained a deep appreciation of both American and British literature. If you have attended, I know some of you have, the annual British literature fairs, it is easy to see how invested students are in the course material and finding fun and

037meaningful ways to demonstrate their learning while engaging others, adults and students alike. I've heard some students reflect that Miss Carbone finds that balance of engaging them in rigorous hard work without overwhelming them. That's a gift. Another gift she brings to her teaching is that she is a published author, having written two novels while also being a full-time teacher. What a privilege it is as a student in a creative writing class of hers or as a colleague in a collaborative learning group to lean on the expertise of someone who has authentic experience of taking ideas from conception through draft after draft through editorial review and ultimately to publication. When we talk about authentic experiences, it doesn't get better than that. In retiring from full-time teaching, Don intends to spend more time focusing on writing, and we

038cannot wait to read whatever she publishes next. She also intends to stay close to teaching on a part-time basis, and we are confident that the students she has will continue to benefit from meaningful insight and authentic experience she has. Congratulations, Donna. This is awesome. >> Congratulations. Okay. Is that what we're doing? >> We're doing the lineup. >> Uh we'd next like to invite up to the podium retiring teacher Jill Close. We Yeah. Come to stand next to Dr. S. >> We are pleased to recognize Jill Close this evening. Jill's career has focused on the students who have had the most specific needs that require high level of insight, care, support, and accountability in order to be successful. Jill began her career in Cheshire public schools as a pair educator at Hum in 1997. She moved

039into a special educ special education teacher role at Humon and Norton in 2002 and she's been a special education teacher at Cheshire High School since 2010. If you meet Jill, she has a quiet and calming presence and it doesn't take long to see why she might be so effective with students who have a wide variety of needs. Jill always puts her students first. She creates a safe space where students know they are cared for and supported. Her commitment to supporting our students with kindness and unwavering care to their well-being has left a lasting impression on our school community. Jill's regular education colleagues will tell you that they very much value when Jill is the case manager for their students in their classes and even more so when they have the opportunity to teach alongside her.

040Her colleagues will also tell you that she is lightning fast to respond to any email. Jill's genuine care and warmth that she brings will be misses high school. She's been a strong advocate for students and keep focused on working for the absolute best for her students. As a Cheshire High graduate herself, her commitment to supporting students in this school community with kindness will be a wonderful legacy to leave behind. In retirement, Jill plans to uh move full-time to Vermont with her husband, where they spent some time building their uh retirement house. I can attest Vermont's a great place to be. Uh Jill, we thank you for your nearly 29 years of service to Cheshire Public Schools and wish you nothing but the best in retirement. Thanks. Next up, we'd like to invite Budan Catwaro up

041TO THE PODIUM. IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE to recognize the contributions and career of Budan Kadaru, physics teacher at CHS. Prior to his time in Cheshire, Budan taught science in Jamaica. He was hired at CHS in August of 2003 and has been helping students make sense of things like force, motion, vectors, energy, and magnetism ever since. I'm sure it's not hard to imagine that there's not a boundless number of teachers qualified to teach high school physics. It has been Cheshire's good fortune to have Budan who not only knows the science of physics at a deep level, but also approaches teaching in such a thoughtful, caring, and humorous way. If you are a student in Mr. K's class, there is no doubt you're going to learn how to take notes well, and you will also experience spinning,

042dropping, bouncing, pushing, pulling, sliding, and more. Mr. Cat's current room sits at the intersectional hallway where it's kind of easy to see what the good things going on in the class. It also means it's very easy for him to pull you into one of these hands-on experiences. I can distinctly remember standing with a weight on a string, swirling around, letting it go, trying to hit a target. Um, that experience helped showed me that objects leave the circle traveling tangent to the path, which is a nice illustration of Newton's first law. and is the kind of hands-on experience Budan regularly provide to students in his class. And if you didn't know, Cheshire had a cricket club for some time and Budan was the adviser for that club. In retirement, Budan will still be focused on force,

043motion, and energy, but it'll be the kind of force, motion, and energy generated by his grandchildren. Budan, we hope you enjoy your growing role as grandfather as much as we have enjoyed your contributions to CHS. Congratulations and thank you for your 23 years of service. Let's next invite up Mike Luji. We are pleased to acknowledge a career of Chester High School math teacher Mike Luji. Mike was hired for what he will readily tell you was his dream job in October of 1988 by John Dodig. He has spent the last 37.9, not to be confused with 38, years at Cheshire High School in that same dream job. If you haven't met Mike yet, you will quickly learn that he's energetic, humorous, and full of personality. High school math can be tricky. Mike's colleagues will sometimes tell

044you that he's a little unconventional in his teaching. When you listen a little further, though, you realize that he has ways of explaining math to students that help make it click for them where they have not made s where m it may have not made sense before. In that way, Mike's teaching reaches students who might otherwise not think of themselves as math people, quote unquote, who previously had not found success in classes. Mike is very invested in the school community and knows the value of connection. He has served, and correct me if I'm wrong in this, as class adviser for six classes. Yeah, five or six classes, seeing them through each four years. In that role, he helps students organize many of the high school experiences that create memories like homecoming, picnics, proms, and more.

045Among the faculty, he's also part of a group that helps find ways for us to connect outside of the classroom and regular department-based happenings. In retiring from full-time teaching, I'm sure he will enjoy some more time on the Cape and make a small fortune on the side hustle of selling eggs. Um, however, Mike intends to stay close to teaching on a part-time basis and we are confident uh his students will gain from his years of experience in the classroom. Congratulations, MIKE. >> Thank you for your service. Let's bring up next Mr. Jim Pilch. Tonight we celebrate the career of high school Spanish teacher, Cheshire High School Spanish teacher, Mr. Jim Pilch. Jim was hired in January of 2000 on a long-term subbasis and was hired on a permanent basis in July of 2001. If you

046are at CHS before the sun risers, you'll likely find Jim there, too. As one of the first to arrive in the morning, he makes sure that he is prepared each day for the students who enter his room. Acquiring a second or additional language is not an easy feat. Getting started in that journey can be particularly challenging. During much of Jim's time at CHS, he has taught the introductory Spanish one and Spanish 2 classes. Like an instrumental music teacher helping students work through those first squeaky notes on a clarinet, so too has Jim helped countless students work through the early stages of learning to read, write, speak, and listen in another language. It's unsurprising then that his colleagues have consistently used one word described Jim as a teacher, patient. That patience has been essential to help

047meet the needs of a wide range of students in his classes. from students who reluctantly enroll to meet a graduation requirement to those who go on to pursue the language at the highest levels and use it in their lives and careers. Jim has also leveraged his patience to coach a sport that requires a ton of it, golf. He has served as assistant girls golf coach with 249 wins under his belt and has included some Saint champions during his tenure. While Jim may not have every detail of retirement mapped out mapped out yet, I'd be willing to bet he'll take advantage of some early tea times on the course. Jim, we thank you for what you have contributed to CHS and the Cheshire public schools over your 26 years of service and wish you the best

048in your next steps. In case you're wondering what that conversation was about, Miss Cullen and Mr. Pilch were classmates at one moment in time. And last but not least this evening, we'd like to invite up Mrs. and wellspeak. >> Okay. >> It is our privilege to honor the service and contributions of Cheshire High School library media specialist and former English teacher, Mrs. Anne Wellspeak. and was hired as an English teacher in 2008 and transitioned to a current role as library media specialist in 2016. We might have lent her to AMD for a year somewhere in there, but I'm glad we were smart enough to get her back. If a hallmark of effective library media center is that it is considered the academic and community hub hub of a school, then an has done a tremendous

049job in her tenure at the helm of the RJM library. I affectionately refer to the RJM as Grand Central as it always is a buzz with students and classes studying, researching, asking questions, getting Chromebooks repaired, collaborating with classmates, using the wide variety of print and other resources in the library, or finding a quiet space to think. Simply put, the RJM is a space where students and staff alike want to be. And that is a direct result of the work an assistant Mary Flood who's also retiring this year has done to make the library a welcoming and active place and has also served as a longtime adviser to both the Rampage student newspaper and Spilled Inc. the student literary magazine. Both of these successful publications are not only high quality but are truly studentdriven and knows

050the role of advisor is to just do that advise. The students are the one leading and doing the work and an is masterful in guiding them along the way. Mrs. Anne must speak both the library and the student organization she advised stronger than she found them. We thank her for her 18ish years of service and wishing her nothing but the best in retirement for Cher Public Schools. Thank you, Mr. Hanland. I feel like we have no teachers left at Cheshure High School now. This explains why the hiring season's been so active. But anyway, um, thank you again, Mr. Hanlin. Congratulations to all of our Cheshire High School teachers who are retiring tonight. Uh, please welcome from Highland School Principal, Mr. Scott Chef. the Jodie Monos. Come on up. Congratulations. So today we celebrate Jodie Monloss,

051an extraordinary educator whose 35 years of service have last left a lasting impact on the lives of countless children, families, and colleagues. For the past 25 years at Highland Elementary School, Jod has dedicated herself to teaching first and second grade students with unwavering passion, patience, and care. Her love of reading and commitment to literacy have helped hundreds of children make the important transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Through her exper expertise and belief that every child's potential, she has given generations of students the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Jod's influence extended far beyond the students she taught. As a long a lifelong learner, she continuously saw opportunities to grow as an educator and share her knowledge with others. Over the years, she mentored numerous student teachers, generously passing on her

052wisdom and love of teaching to the next generation of educators. Her commitment to the whole child is reflected in her work through the RU Yale Ruler program and Breathe for Change, helping create supportive learning environments where students feel valued, understood, and empowered to thrive. What has made Jodie truly special is her belief in the power of relationships. She builds strong connections with students, families, and staff, fostering trust, partnerships, and a sense of belonging year after year. As she begins a well-deserved retirement, we celebrate not only her kindness, dedication, and compassion. Jodie, thank you for your 35 incredible years of service and for the extraordinary difference you've made. Congratulations and best wishes wishes for a joyful retirement. Congratulations. Thank you, Scott. And last, but certainly not least, please welcome principal of Norton School, Miss Jodie Rhoden.

053I thought I wasn't going to be here this evening, so Mrs. Carluchi is with me, but I would not miss our celebration of Mrs. Franhauser. Come on up, Fran. Tonight we celebrate Franhauser and her remarkable 32 years at Norton Elementary School. To begin with the new building, Fran has been my personal historical committee throughout the planning and preparation for the new building. Whenever there's a question, its traditions or the people have helped shaped it, Fran has always had the answer and a really good story to go along with it. Fran has supported Norton School in a number of capacities, including her current fifth grade position, but just a couple years ago, she was teaching vertical whiteboards to the board members one Thursday evening as well. She has also worked very hard creating our future leaders

054as the adviser to student council. A couple years ago, she referred to herself by this term and then became what has she's been affectionately refer refers to as old and decrepit. Anyone who knows Fran knows that description couldn't be farther from the truth. I've watched her dance around a gym, crawl through the star lab, host a fashion show at Nature's Classroom, and approach every challenge with the same enthusiasm and energy she brings to everything she does. If you know Fran, you know she enjoys sitting on her patio watching her hummingbird family stop by for a visit. You know she loves to travel, loves to garden, loves her husband Jerry and her sons Thomas and Jonathan and her dad in Arizona. But perhaps she loves the family she has built here at Norton school just as

055much as she does her Hower Clan. While I'm certainly not the person who was known for the longest, I am very grateful for the friendship we have built and the support she has provided me. I'll get to sit with the patio now that she's ret on on her patio now that she's retired. I look forward to seeing her relationship continue long after retire at Norton. And I do have a job for her as soon as her cruise is done. Retirement will give Fran the opportunity to explore new places, create new memories, and enjoy well-earned adventures. But her impact on Norton will remain for years to come. Fran, thank you for your dedication, your wisdom, humor, and the care you have shown generations of students, families, and colleagues. Thank you for your support, and Norton School

056is a better place because of you. It is a privilege to know you and work alongside you. Congratulations on your truly extraordinary career, and best wishes for your exciting journey ahead. If we could have all of our retirees come up for a photo. Sure. >> Done. You need You might want to be >> I'm always Congratulations everyone. Don't sit here. This is This is Oh, okay. We got two more to go. >> Okay, we have two more uh two more administrative retirees this evening that we want to acknowledge. These uh these ladies have dedicated many years to our student staff uh and community. Um They've had to put up with Miss Solano, Mr. Miana, Miss Taylor, and occasionally me uh and deserve special recognition for everything they've contributed to our school system in their time

057here. Please welcome to the podium, Miss Kim Dessert, principal of Darcy School. Kim Desert has the had the distinguished honor of serving as the Darkski school principal since 2020, holding degrees from St. Joseph's College in Central Connecticut State University. She has had a long and successful career in education. She served as a literacy coach and classroom teacher for 14 years in East Windsor prior to becoming the principal of Kelly Lane Primary School in Graanby. After a dozen years in that position, she decided to commit herself to early childhood education by joining the Darcy team. Mrs. Dert has been able to shepherd us through a period of seemingly constant change. Joining team the team mid pandemic, she was responsible for supporting learners who notoriously touch everything they can. She navigated accreditation and now the transition of

058a community institution. We couldn't think of a better leader for these times. She constantly demonstrates compassion, commitment, and support. Miss Dert is the comm excuse me, consumate team player, often responsible for managing everything from lunch to the most sophisticated special education situation. As Mrs. Dessert retires, she will remain maintain her focus on early childhood by spending more time with her growing family. Congratulations, Kim. seems fitting that um celebrating with Kim tonight is another member of our team who spends a lot of their time dedicate well all of their time really dedicated to special education. Um, and that's Miss Robin Anne Kerry, our pupil personnel services director. If you'd please join me. Robin Anne Kerry began her career as a special education teacher for more than a decade in Taton, Massachusetts. Upon moving back to Wallingford,

059it did not take long for her to assume leadership roles. She was a special education team leader at Thomas Edison Middle School for four years and supervisor of special education in Graanby for two years before being hired as Cheshire's elementary special education supervisor in 2009. Her performance in that role was exceptional to the point that she was named pupil personnel services director in 2020. Mrs. Kerry is guided by a steadfast commitment to supporting all students. In doing so, she understands that supporting families and staff in the process of fi of finding the best possible outcomes. She juggles a bevy of challenges, including the most difficult, with tremendous poise, a sense of humor, and creativity. Her leadership has helped to extend Cheshire's reputation as a destination for exceptional children. The district's outstanding achievement for students identified

060for special education services tells the story and reflects her commitment to ensuring all students are challenged to learn and grow. Mrs. Carrie looks forward to spending more time with her family. But with all due respect to her family, she really means her new grandson. Congratulations and thank you, Robin. Everybody has this retirement glow. I'm happy. Thank you, Dr. Solen. Um, congratulations to all the retirees. We wish you good health, many new adventures, and of course a well-earned next chapter. Um, and we just appreciate the fact that you shared your heart with our kids. The next item on our agenda, excuse me, would be audience participation. If there should be anybody who would like to speak, please go to the mic and state your name and address. Seeing none, um we are going to move on

061to the consent calendar. I would do call for a motion for the consent calendar. Please, >> Mr. Aki, >> that the board of education approves the consent calendar as presented. Is there a second? >> Second, >> Miss Fitzgerald. >> All those in favor of the motion that is on the floor. One, two, three, four. Unanimous. Thank you. Moving along, we're going into the committee reports and curriculum. Miss Cullinin, you're up, madam. remember two weeks ago I I believe we presented the um new OSX physics for high school textbook. Um it was shared with the curriculum committee. It was out in the community for community review for the past two weeks. And now we would like to make a motion that the Cheshire Board of Education approve the purchase of the following textbooks. OSX physics for

062high school as recommended by the curriculum committee. Any discussion? Second. Discussion. >> No discussion. >> No. Mr. White. >> Yeah. I'm just wondering if we could get a a quick recap on the nature of it being online >> online versus actual hard cover hard copy books. Just really briefly. Yeah, absolutely. And um it is an open stacks resource. I we actually have Miss Julie Barker here this evening. She is the chair of the department and teaches physics. So she's happy to field any additional questions, but this is an online resource. It is something that is part of a platform that all of our students can access and it's free. The the platform is free. We can also purchase books as necessary. So, we had talked in our curriculum committee meeting about any student who um

063has a visual impairment or has a 504 plan or an IEP who is registered to take physics next year. We would pre-purchase those books. If a student needed one, we could certainly purchase that for them. But that most of the goodness of the uh the resource is that it's online. There are videos, etc. It is not a PDF that is just on the computer. So that's part of what we discussed last time. Our old our our former book is from 2012. So we needed some updating and the updating is um more so that this resource is in line with how our curriculum is written and the changes that Julie and her team have made over the years. >> Thank you. Yeah, I I I think it's uh I think it's really valuable to have the

064online for the age we're talking about. It's age I feel it's age appropriate materials. We're talking generally junior seniors who are taking physics as compared to kindergarteners who it wouldn't be appropriate for in my opinion. Um using lots of online materials anyway. Yeah, I support this. So thank you. >> We are um purchasing a set of books though to have a hard cover to have them available for any students who may need them. Any other questions or comments for the motion that's on the floor? Hearing none. All those in favor for the motion that is on the floor. Unanimous. Thank you. I don't believe there's any other curriculum items at this time. No. Thank you. Uh moving along to finance. Dr. Herrian. Finance report. >> Good evening. We also have a very brief financial report.

065So, I will let Miss Emily Taylor do her thing for a minute and a half. >> The clock's starting. Tick tock, Emily. Oh, no. Uh, this is a very short financial report uh since we checked in a few weeks ago. Um, but as of May 31st, we have spent $90,149,556, which is 96.8% 8% uh of our budget, which is a slight increase from last month where we had spent 94% of our budget. Um you can see that there's variances in the categories that we talked about a week and a half ago. This week we are closing up a lot of the POS and preparing for the endofear budget closeout. Um so we are on track to end up where we need to be um for the end of the year. There's no financial highlights to

066report at this time. The medical benefits report was not available. It usually comes in the second week of the month. So, it being June 4th, it is not ready yet, but it will be ready for our uh 7:30 a.m. meeting at the end of the month. So, >> thank you so much. >> Any questions for Emily on that brief report? >> I think that concludes the >> I'm sorry, just making sure I miss I didn't miss it. So, >> it's 96.8% encumbered and you're expecting to get it' be 100. Is that what you Yes. >> Yeah. So, I would say that um some things have been like fully encumbered for the year, but there's obviously still payroll. We still have a payroll to run. Um and like I said, we're kind of closing out all

067of our spending the end of this week. So, that's when we're going to have a really solid picture. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And you said typically we don't we have the medical benefits report, but so early on in the month. >> Yeah, we usually get it from Sigma the second second week of the month. >> Okay. >> Nothing else. Looks like I'm done. >> Thank you, Dr. Herrian. Uh, Miss Taylor, don't go anywhere yet. We're moving to planning. Mr. Eckie, >> um, I'm going to kick this uh back over to Emily. Uh, we have to amend our five-year plan just uh tweaking uh the money that is going to be reimbured from the state. They have to ask for the total total amount in the capital budget. Go. >> Great. Um so we are

068adding an additional um $1,425,000 to year one of the capital plan. The reason being is I when we originally had this um conversation with planning and then when I came to you on the 21st I thought it had to be net because we are getting reimbursed 95% of $1.5 million. I did not realize that. I had to put the gross total. um that doesn't affect a referendum or anything, but just for the purposes of approval, I needed to put the $1.9 million total instead of the $475,000 that I put in for the 21st. So, that is what uh the amendment is approving is moving it so that you're seeing that that additional money go in, which obviously changes the uh five-year total and the one-year total, but every other value stays the same. >> Comments?

069Mr. Right. >> Yeah. Just uh has bond council confirmed >> if it goes to referendum or not? Have they done that yet or you're awaiting? >> So, they usually do that like once the capital plan is approved, but that was actually uh an email request that went through to our from our town manager today just to expedite the understanding of the track and field um project. So, we have not heard back yet, but today. >> Okay. Thank you. Is this >> Mr. Ekie? >> I was just going to make the motion. Yes, please. Unless there's any other questions for Miss Taylor. >> All right. Motion to amend. Move that the chest board of education amend the motion that was approved at the board of education business meeting on May 21st, 2026 to increase both the

070year 1 and total and the total capital expenditure plan amount by $1,425,000 for the turf field and track replacement project in year one. Therefore, the board of education recommends the town council the approval of the five-year capital budget or capital expenditure plan and budget for improvements to its current buildings in the total amount of 33,242,921 with 7,34,682 to be funded in year 1 with annual allocations as follows. 2026 2027 7,34,682 2027 2028 5,895,000 2028 2029 $7,185,000 2029 2030 7,283,239 and 2030 and 2031 $5,575,000. Is there a second? Mr. White, discussion, Mr. Dwight. >> Thank you. Yeah, just if this does have to go to referendum, the turf in particular, I hope that the board is fully in support uh in taking the show on the road and explaining this to people. It's been it was

071rejected last year. Uh I'm not comfortable with sending it back to referendum or even moving forward with it like this except that I really truly believe this is effectively maintenance. I feel that it needs to be done and it was not well explained last year. It didn't even come from the board of ed last year. Uh but I do hope that the board is in support of just uh trying to actively increase public awareness about what we're requesting of them. I can tell you we're more prepared than you could ever imagine. >> Any other comments, discussion? >> Um to that point, Dr. S, if we can kind of get a sense later on of a timeline of what our next steps will be um so that we can at least individually support. >> Thank you.

072All those in favor of the motion that's on the floor, unanimous. Uh, you have a couple more items on here, I believe. Mr. Eki. >> Yes. Um, >> education specs. >> Yes. Would you like to take that? >> Vin, you want to take this one? >> Yes. Yes. >> Look who's here. >> Hi, every back the whole time. >> Popped up out of nowhere. >> I would love to take this one. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. It's been a while. Glad to see everyone looking so sharp and happy. It was a great night so far. I hope not to spoil it because this is a pretty straightforward request. The um before you tonight there are a request to approve three motions to do roof projects at Doolittle Highland and Cheshire High School. the uh educational

073specs are required in order for us to apply for a school construction grant which we intend to do for all three of these projects. These roof projects are being done under the energy performance contract and they're required to be done before we install install solar on these rooftops so that you have a 20-year life on the roof beneath the solar arrays. Um, I will just recap quickly. The Dittle roof replacement project, that's about 70 uh 4,000 square feet of roof. So, it's all of the roof except for the gym overd. This has been carried in the capital plan for a long time. So, I'm very happy that this one will get done assuming, of course, we get the school construction grant. the um roof that's on there, believe it or not, has been on for

07432.75 years. So, it we've got our money's worth and it's and it's passed its useful life. Um so, by approving these educational specs, it just allows us to go forward with the project. Money's already been, you know, allocated by the Cheshire Town Council. The um actual details of the roof specifications will be reviewed by Energy, our engineering firm, and then approved by the Department of um France Administration. So, you're not approving anything technical. You're just allowing us to go forward with the grants. So, Dittle is um 74,000 square feet. The second um motion is for Highland School. That's 1.15 million um dollars. It's about 62,000 square ft of roof. Again, you know, above that roof when it's replaced will be the solar arrays. And then the smallest of the three is at Cheshire High School.

075We have to replace about 18,200 square ft of roof. Um and that's 365,000 is the estimated cost. So again, pretty straightforward. You you do these whenever we have a school construction grant and we submit this along with a number of other items including resolutions from the town councils and some of the design plans and answer an array of questions for office of grants administration. So that is the request. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Wright, >> thank you. So I just want to highlight I think this is a real benefit of the performance contract you're talking about. If I heard you correctly, Dittle, the roof we're replacing is 30 more than 32 years old. It's a it's effectively a maintenance project that I think the overwhelming majority of people in town would support and understand it

076needs to be done. And yet with a I'm confident this costs more than the half million dollars. Is it the value's got to be above the half million dollars for a referendum number >> for DU? >> Yes. But >> yeah. >> Yes, it is. But because of the way we're financing it under the energy performance contract, there is no referendum. >> Exactly. My my point being we don't have to bother the voters with it. I'm fully confident that they would support doing something like this. So >> I'm just highlighting that as a a benefit of the performance contract. >> It's coming right. It's coming off the capital plan that we've been carrying for years. So we're finding an alternative way to fund it through the energy savings. >> Yeah. So instead of instead of uh

077doing it through the radio referendum, we're basically I mean in my mind we're basically taking money out of our energy budget and moving it over to the debt budget covering it. We don't have to pay we don't have to ask the voters to decide on another question when oftentimes we have a lot of questions on the ballot already. So anyway, thank you for this. >> Welcome. I >> I was just wondering when when the work will take place. I mean, are there students in the building? Is it during summer? What? Uh well that's a great question. It's u likely most of this work will be for next summer. Uh if there are portions of the work that can be done you know after hours when there are no students in the building we would do

078that. But the this is you know one of several you know projects that we'll be doing over the course of the remainder of this year and into next summer. So I will be coming before the board to ask for educational specs for additional portions where we'll be applying for grants. This one is a priority because it relates to the solar projects and and we do have a list of of timelines. So these become important for us. >> Okay. >> Dr. Han. >> Hi Vin. >> Hi. Can you remind us of the the whole solar project very briefly how we came to the decision of of these particular spots? >> Yeah. So we that the initial effort was to try and um reduce the energy that we purchased from the grid by installing solar across our

079schools. We engaged with Eneria and then issued an RFP, hired Johnson Controls. There was a thorough review done of all the places in our schools on the roofs and on the ground where we can install solar. So we narrowed it down to the two new schools as well as the high school Dodd Highland and Dittle to do solar. So we'll have solar arrays either rooftop which is most of it but also groundbased arrays at Norton New Norton and New Barnum as part of the project plan. And what's where's the solar at um dot >> rooftop all rooftop >> but but that's not that's not going to require new roof. >> No because we've done most of the roof roof replacement work at dot in previous years. So where the solar arrays will go we've got

08020 year roof life. >> Great. Thank you very much for that. >> Miss Fitzgerald. >> Yeah. I just have a question. And I'm sure there's just so much. I I I I appreciate all this that I don't understand though. The cost per square foot. I was just wondering like why it's so different between the two. Is it like complexity of the roof or um Yeah, just >> some of you do little is a full rip up of the old roof system and a brand new install. Um at the high school in Highland, it's a partial rip and an overlay on those roof systems. So that's why the cost difference is dittle is the most because it is the biggest roof system. Highland is the second largest. It's 74,000 versus 62,000 square ft. >> And then

081the high school is the smallest. >> Smallest. I I get the size of the cost in total. It's just like per square foot. It's like do a little is the most expensive one where I just would have thought it would be the because it's so much I would have thought oh there's like must be some economies of scale but maybe not. It's like because Dittle is a full ripoff Highland and the high school. The cost primarily the cost per square foot difference is because those are not full ripoffs of the old roof systems, >> but you still get the 20-year warranty on the replaced roof sections. Looking ahead to when we >> put air conditioning at do a little is there are we reserving space from the with the solar panels up there to put

082rooftop units? >> Uh yes and that roof the dittle air conditioning addition again that's one that is subject to us getting these school construction grants. There is a meeting where um Jeff and I are having with the office of grants administration to move through the school construction grants which you know has been a sticky issue for us but that is all um accounted for so we will make sure it's coordinated so that we don't have to redo anything. >> And I was just saying being positive on when we do it not if we do it. I appreciate that. >> Sorry, a little cynical this evening. I should have come with a more positive attitude. >> Ven, just a point of clarification for these motions. We don't have to name the specific price. >> No, you're

083just approving the educational specifications that are in front of you. So, the motions are um I know they're in the package. Very straightforward. >> And there are three separate motions. We have three. >> Yes. one for each building. >> Right. Right. >> Mr. Dwight, >> thank you. Yeah, just to recap, uh, looking for a status update on this, the last time we talked, and for people who might be watching at home, as I recall, the total performance contract was potentially for $55 million, of which about 20 million is locked in right now. And so that 20 million includes the solar at these schools, the roofs at these schools, and then the 35 million might include the air conditioning at Dittle type thing. Is that >> that's generally okay. >> That's that's exactly correct. >> Okay.

084All right. Thank you. >> We've closed and we're financing $21 million worth of work. >> So that, >> you know, we're we're in the design zone. We've got everything that we need. school construction grants enables us to get to the broader scope, including the $55,000 full scope of work. That would include >> 55 million. >> I'm sorry. 55 million. Thank you. >> A big number. >> Do it now. >> 55 million. That would include roughly 9 million for the Dittle air conditioning project. It would also include the do little windows. >> Yep. Thank you. >> I don't have a question. I just want to say I know this was complicated and there were some hiccups. So, thank you for sticking with it and for getting it um over the finish line. This is so important

085and so wonderful for our um community. Um it's fantastic. Thank you. >> Yeah, it's it's a great project. >> Yeah. >> So, thank you for the support. I know, you know, I wouldn't be here asking for this if if you didn't have agreement to go forward with this in the first place. >> And with that, I'll take the first motion. Move that the chest board of education approves the educational specifications for the roof replacement at Doolittle Elementary School. >> Is there a second? Dr. Harrian. Any comments, discussions? None. All those in favor of the motion on the floor? Unanimous. Next one, please. Move that the chesh board of education approves the educational specifications for the roof replacement at Highland Elementary School. >> Second. Dr. Herrian. Discussion. None. All those in favor of the motion. Unanimous.

086And last but not least, >> move that the Cheshire Board of Education approves the educational specifications for the roof replacement at Cheshire High School. >> Second. Dr. Herrian. Discussion. All those in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, Mr. Masiana. And with that, we're moving on to policy. Mr. Aki, >> so we had a meeting on uh June 1st. We talked about a series, we had a series of uh policies for first reading. Uh Petty Cash is was updating a policy that has not been updated since 1996, changing uh personnel and who's who's responsible and the numbers on the petty cache. Uh we also discuss agents ages of attendance that is just bringing us in line to to what we're doing. So, uh, kindergarten eligibility from January 1st at grade 5 years old by January 1st to September

0871st. Um, we also discussed reporting of child abuse and neglect. Uh, that is a uh a state mandate. Um, and we did have one question. Were you able to find out if the the cleaning crew has to be responsible or checked as well? >> It doesn't appear that they have to be. Okay. No. >> Right. Um and then lastly, organization of instruction, just uh changing the uh the schools, updating where children are going to school, ages. Um and that's all we got. Those are all first readings, so we'll continue that in the fall. just uh a little context with the cleaning crew comment. >> I'm sorry. Yeah. So, uh the the new law indicates that contracted individuals who have direct contact with kids have to receive uh specialized DCF training the same way the rest

088of our staff do. And so, we have a lot of folks that are contracted that fit that. And the question was does the contracted cleaning crew and it doesn't appear that they have to be but people like Kelly services substitutes who have direct contact every day with students contracted specialed providers etc. They do. >> Thank you. So those that are pretty much student facing. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Exactly. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Mr. White. >> So basically the cleaning crew comes in at night or after hours. So there's a chance but it's highly unlikely they have any real contact. >> Yeah. Thank you. Any other questions for the committee? Anything further, Mr. Aki? >> That is all. >> Thank you. And there's no action required for this committee tonight. Um, we move on

089to any other standing committees that board members would like to report out at this time. None. Okay. Item number six would be the approval. If you take a minute to review the minutes and I will ask for a motion to approve the minutes for May 21st meeting. Have to read those. >> Thank you, Dr. Har. I approves the minutes and I would make the motion that the Cheshire Board of Education approve the minutes from the high school showcase and business meetings. Both of those meetings held on May 21st, 2026. Is there a second? >> Miss Fitzgerald, are there additions or corrections for the minutes in front of you? Seeing none, all is in favor of the motion that is on the floor. Unanimous. Thank you. Carol, do not take vacation again, please. Because you're asking

090me to call on Adam right now for correspondence. But Mr. White, do you have any? >> Uh, no, I don't. Although the superintendent might have some. >> Oh, nothing in the queue. >> No. Thank you. And the superintendent does have a report though. >> Yes. Uh just a number of things. Um tomorrow morning I'll be out of the office as I was uh elected the vice president of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents for next year. >> Oh, congratulations, Dr. Ser. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, Oh, thank you guys. Thank you. Um, and I have information on our um, nextgen school building committee report. I have to give Mr. Gussenberg credit for putting that report together to send to the town council. Uh, in short, this this gives you just much more

091detail in terms of some of the nuts and bolts that are going on. I think I shared for much of the building project that we were ahead of schedule and under budget. um at both locations. The there's good news and tepid news. The good news is we're still under budget. The tepid news is that Barnum has fallen a little bit behind schedule. Uh but OMG, uh Tecton, Arcadus, our our NextG school building committee of course is doubling down and working really hard to uh bring that back into uh the typical time frame. Uh, and so they're making good progress at Barnum. Uh, and I know Vin is all over it as well as our uh, the rest of our team, myself and and the folks from those different companies I mentioned. Um, and we should

092have our our certificate of occupancy uh, very close to when we were hoping to somewhere in July. Um, I want to shout out Vin who if you've ever moved your home, you realize how challenging it is um to just move, you know, maybe if you live in a really large home, 8, 10 rooms or something. Um, we are moving hundreds of rooms. Uh, the coordination that that takes is insane. So, uh, Vin is really overseeing that along with our administrative team. Um, and all of our teachers have a lot of questions. Our principles have a lot of questions that, um, our entire administrative team tries to field and support with. Uh last week Marlene was, you know, trying to look up the the price of 1,200,000, you know, 3,000 book bins or something like that.

093And that got approved through the um nextgen school building committee. So there's a lot that's going into it. What you might hear in uh our teacher ranks is some grumbling about the fact that we're not ask we're telling people don't bring everything you've ever moved into your uh classroom and put it in a storage box to ship off to uh the new buildings. Uh the furniture available in the new buildings right down to rugs has been met meticulously selected by a team of folks including teacher representation, administrative representation. Um Marlene uh has been involved in that. So we've we've spent a lot of time on that. The plan is just take your instructional materials, take your personal belongings home. We'll move into the new building and assess from there because when you get to your

094room it may look empty on the tour but when you get there there will be a slew of furniture there. Um so the question arises well what if there's anything that we are not taking Norton and I I'm emphasizing Norton because the timeline there is extremely tight. we will get people out of there um and start moving around the 15th and demoing uh shortly thereafter. There's not a lot of downtime. So um our principles uh have already started to go through the building from the other schools with different color tape and labeling different items that they need in their buildings. Um we've already started working with our nonprofit partners. they get the second dibs on this along with the dirt in weeks right after school gets out. And so it's not easy to to clear

095out a whole building of everything. Um, and then the building will be cleared for demolition and uh, you know, start to the parking lot process. But when I tell you salvaging everything we possibly can, uh Rich Cleette and his team, Emily's working with them to take every possible item that could be an up thing we possibly can out of the building uh to repurpose and reuse. Um and so I like I said, I wanted to give Vin a shout out for that work. Um earlier this week I did an interview with uh Christa Escato from um one of the news outlets um and she actually funnels uh her work into a variety of different uh news outlets on our bus opt outs and the transportation process with uh Matt Kolau joined me for that and

096uh so hopefully there'll be a publication on that soon uh to behind our families. But I know Emily's working on another transportation update for us to send out because next year there'll be a lot of things different at the start of the year. I fully ex expect blowing through a lot of eedrin in September um as we deal with a lot of the changes and the growing pains we have with our our success in our new buildings. >> Um uh one I'm sorry >> one thing on that. Yep. >> And I don't remember where I just read this over the last two weeks. another school system, I think it was I want to say Massachusetts, but I'm not sure that they actually are putting in a policy that the kids have to swipe a card

097when they get on the bus and if they miss three times morning or three times afternoon, >> they start charging the parents and or >> um they can't ride the bus anymore and parents will have to provide. >> I thought it was a little stringent, but I'll see if I can actually find it. But same thing, kids aren't getting on the bus and buses are arriving to school or leaving school. >> If you thought tonight's crowd was busy, I that would be an interesting conversation. I'm down for it though. That's really interesting. >> That's uh >> I'm not recommending it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'm just saying that it's out there that >> it's interesting. I mean, because it is a Yeah, it's >> facing it. >> Yeah. It's not a chure problem alone, right?

098Um, and the last item I had for conversation tonight was I I can't express enough gratitude for our principles, our PE teachers, um, Dan Lee and the, um, pure health educators, uh, Luther Miller and and Marlene and Emily and, uh, right down to Scott Conway and our technology department. the coordination that it takes and it took today to hold New Friends Day. New Friends Day took students from all four elementary schools and shipped students to where they were going to be connected to next year uh to connect with new friends, new staff. Uh it was an incredible lift at really the hardest time of the year. Crunch time here as we get down to the end. >> Well, keep in mind a couple of buildings were packing too. Like it is just nuts what they

099pulled off today. But the coordination of all these different parties was incredible. The kids had a great time. Um you know, I know Marlene was able to hit a few buildings. I was over at Chapman at one point like the the kids had a great time and and what I had said to our administrative team is that this is a special touch that allows kids to step through the doors next year with just a little bit less anxiety and you know so hard to meet new people and go to new places but oh okay this kid's in my school now or that teacher or you know so it was really such a special day and I'm so incredibly ly proud of the work that our team did to pull it off. Um, you know, thousands

100of elementary students, we didn't lose anybody uh in the in the chaos. Um, and and I'm, you know, they all had a great time. So, I I am so appreciative of them and just wanted to pass that along. And along those lines, the last note, uh, Colonel Harvey Barnum obviously is the namesake for Barnum Elementary School. And one of the activities today at the Barnum New Friends Day was that students would vote on a new mascot. you know, no longer the Chapman Eagles are coming together as a new crew and um they had some nominations, but the overwhelming uh landslide victory went to uh the Barnum Bulldogs because the Bulldog is the official mascot of the Marine Corps. And so that was a really nice touch. Uh, and I I I know it has nothing

101to do with the fact that they're also going to be blue and white in Bulldogs and they should find it real easy to get swag around here. That's blue and white bulldog swag. >> Baby, >> it just, you know, happy happy uh it's a coincidence, but so that's it for my report, >> comments, questions for the superintendent. Dr. Harrian. >> Um, just because people have been asking me, can you just make um your brief comment on when the public might be able to uh tour the schools? >> Sure. Thanks for that. And uh the uh date for when we can tour the schools and get we really want to get the public in there. We want to show off um the fruit of their labor and their commitment as a community. And uh that's really

102contingent on making sure we take care of business. Uh in the first part that we have a certificate of occupancy that we can actually go into the building. The second part is that we are prepared to run school. As much as I'd love to have a tour, we want to make sure that school uh preparedness comes first and we're able to do that. So, uh, as soon as we have a a good sense of when that would be, I would imagine it would be, uh, late August at the earliest and early, uh, to midepptember at the latest that we would be able to to bring people in. But we will communicate that out, um, through all of our social media channels, Parent Square, everything uh, as soon as we we have that. >> Thank you.

103>> Sure, >> Miss Fitzgerald. Um, well, congratulations on a successful Friends Day. That sounds really fantastic. Great job. Um, >> are there other kind of engagements or connection points over the summer plan whether through this? I I remember hearing about that and I wasn't sure if they were formally through, you know, Chester Public Schools or if they were more PTO focused or both or all. >> Yeah, they do they do them in concert really. So, uh, tonight there was a, uh, PTO sponsored like new friends, parents and community night at Highland. Uh, other schools have had that as well. Um, I think most of our schools tried to get it in before the end of the school year knowing that the summer can be difficult with vacations and wanted to try and be inclusive. Um,

104but I wouldn't be shocked if other things pop up over the summer. >> I I'm I'm not aware of many scheduled. Are you? Are you talking about the the open house at Norton? >> Um, yeah. Go ahead. Yeah. >> I just wanted to highlight something that Jod Rooden had done over at Norton and that was they had host families to host new families coming in and so everybody met their partner family and they had a really nice event. all of the new teachers that were going to be coming came over there. Um Scott Jeffrey had something planned today. Uh there's also some things planned over the summer at the individual schools to bring folks together. So there are lots of creative things happening both from the principal's end and working with the PTO's. >> Awesome.

105I mean, my next question was going to be um is I I know everyone's excited about the the new schools and seeing them and touring them and whether you're going there or you're just a member of the community curiosity, but also important that like Highland is, you know, open and people can walk through there and, you know, visit their new school. So, I assume that. So, that sounds great. Thank you. >> Highland was unique in the sense that, you know, because the building is there, uh they could do tours today >> of the uh you know, the building for new students. So, uh, they took advantage of that. >> Any other questions, Mr. White? >> Thank you. Yeah, my relatively firsthand knowledge was Friends Day was a success. I've already heard about the uh excitement

106of in a really unusual move that I did not believe at first. We got classmate names and teacher names, >> which surprised me. Um but anyway, yeah, a lot of excitement there with they wanted everybody I I assume just to get to introduce to make the >> the kids from Highland coming over feel more comfortable. Um with regard to the transition, I I mentioned to you before getting those schools open on time on budget is just about as high a priority as you have this year. >> We're on target. Thank you so much for that and thank you for making this transition move slow uh smoothly. I know it's really difficult. Um there as you explained there's a ton going on there. Uh, and I do appreciate the potential with a very tight timeline, but

107the first of all trying to reuse, recycle, not recycle, reuse everything that we've got either, um, through other schools, uh, through the not for profofits that you mentioned, um, and potentially, uh, an opportunity for, you know, moving everything into the gym for safety reasons and uh allowing people to come in to take stuff. >> Uh and I say that specifically because it's I know this is I know I have this in mind, but I've spoken with it about other people. When we have curbside bulky waste pickup to throw stuff out doesn't feel particularly good or right for anybody that I know of. And people are happy when stuff gets taken away that whoever scavengers come by and grab, you know, a bike or whatever it is that might happen to be there that you haven't

108gotten rid of, but you're your kids have grown out of it. Um, and I'm confident that there's there will be stuff at Norton with a full clean out stuff that will be of that nature. Uh, plus it also costs money to haul stuff away, trash. Um, let me see here for a second. Uh so one thing one thing I think you touched on and I just want to uh sort of reiterate it that is important to me I've heard you know I I've heard in the past month or two people were saying I'm part of the Norton community my kids go there um that everything they're saying everything's getting thrown out and that's not the case. Um, and as we've gone back and forth, I've gotten a better understanding of I think where you are

109is you're looking for a reset on the building. Uh, and that some teachers may have personal items that they don't want or they want to keep in their classroom. What you're doing is you're looking for a reset. And I'm hopeful, I can completely understand and support the idea of a reset. You know, somebody has a refrigerator in their classroom. All right, I'm an energy guy. I always complain about the energy bill. Do we really need the refrigerator in the classroom? Maybe not. So, I'm not too upset about that taking that out. But there are other items um that teachers may want to move over and I do hope that there is no, you know, permanent prohibition on various items that they may have. Even though I I would love to have the school look like

110a very uh nice design, everything else, but I do think that it's important for the classroom teachers to um be able to do their own thing to some extent. Um and so if there's a reset, I understand that, but then after the new after, like you said, the new school year starts, they see what they actually have in their classroom and then there's a discussion from there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I would agree with that. And um like I said, we are bringing a lot of furniture in and everything now. So, you know, take your stuff home aside from the instructional materials that need to be shipped >> and then, you know, let's let's take stock once you get there. >> Yeah. Thank you for that. >> Sure. um high school, but even

111before they get to high school, does a DOD student, would they want to go to Willox, the Sound School, the what is it? The community school, the community school, education community arts school. Yeah. In New Haven, some >> educational center for the arts. >> Um, so I'm wondering if you happen to know, so let me back up. I saw an article in the Globe that spoke to Connecticut only metriculating enrolling 44% of applicants to the technical schools. I'm assuming that in includes the sound school and everything else, not just trade schools like Wilcox, but only 44% of the kids get in. I connected with our state representative Liz Lahan. She explained it to me and I I really appreciate it. There's a variety of issues. There are empty seats, but it might be a locationational

112thing. Like a kid from Cheshire is not going to be going to a tech school in uh Stonington. You need to they need to the state needs to figure out transportation. So, there's a variety of factors that go into that particular issue with kids not necessarily getting seats that they request. But I'm wondering, do you happen to know how many kids at Dodd look to go to a different school and don't get in? I have no idea if you have that information. Do you or could you get it? >> I could get it. I don't have it off the top of my head. >> Okay. Do you have a do you have a do you have a sense of like >> the percentage of DOD students who apply to Willox and don't get in? >>

113Yeah. Or any of the schools like do most of the kids get in or to the uh trade >> to any schools that they apply to? Any other state trade schools or technical schools? Well, I know ECA um it's a pretty hype. That's ECA is so weird because you'll get, you know, six kids to apply one year and one the next year. Um it's really >> um you not static or not consistent. Um, and we basically pay for three to four students per grade level um to go to that school and we're usually pretty close to that. >> Um, with respect to Will Cox, do you have the Willox numbers, Marlene? Do you know how many we have going to Wilox? >> It's not a high number. Um, but I can get I'll get I'll

114send you guys that data. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. And I That's it for me. Thank you very much. >> Sure. >> Any other questions? >> So, sorry. I just have a maybe it's a quick question, maybe not. Um, but if you could point me to or let me know. I'm just curious on the transport. I should probably look it up, but the transportation policy for students not attending a private school, but attending like a different school like the sound school or something similar. >> Sure. So, we we um if you're going to the sound school, the the state provides um reimbursement like we have to provide reimbursement and if there's only to a certain dollar amount. So, what we'll do is if there are enough students that are going, like what

115we've done for the sound school, um is students will parents will drop students off at CHS and we'll provide a bus both ways. Um, frankly, that's been an expenditure for us uh the last few years. Not wildly more than what would be um reimbursed, but we pay to to do that when we don't have to, but uh it's not much more than the the money that would be reimbured that we would have to spend for reimbursement. uh if we had more students going to sound school then you know we we wouldn't lose anything on that deal. Um but I appreciate how difficult it is for families and I don't want to shut off the access to Sound School because it's a drive to New Haven and it might cost us three grand for the year.

116Um that doesn't seem like money well saved. Um with respect to Willox, we provide that transportation. Um, if a student wanted to attend a technical high school other than Willox, they may, but they have to provide their own transportation to that school. We've had that before. Um, that the students elected a different trade school than Willox. >> Thank you. Just one last comment about alternative pathways. What I heard tonight, our saludiatoran, Andrew Fang, >> is not going right to college. He's going to take a gap year. Going to be doing some work in AI, if I heard that correctly. And >> Colombia. >> Yeah, Colombia. My simple point is just, you know, to just adding to the public discourse that, you know, when I went to Cheshure High and I believe still today, a typical

117pathway for kids is to graduate and go to college. And there's lots of different pathways that could be right for the kids. I've talked about the trades, the military, a gap year might be what's right for any particular kid. So, I just wanted to highlight that for people. And you could do all sorts of great stuff with a gap year, >> including working on AI. It might be a little scary, but >> probably salving. >> Yeah. Go, >> cancer or something. >> Anyway, thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments for Dr. Solen? Questions? >> Um, just a couple questions. This might be a VIN question. I did receive inquiry about what the plan is for that little white house they're using right now for the holding or landing workshop. >> Yeah, that'll be demolished.

118>> Is the demolition happening before we open or are we reserving that >> for later? Somebody was concerned that if we're demolishing it later, it would obviously impact students coming >> much later. >> I don't have the schedule with me. It will be demolished sometime over the summer. Okay. Will be fully demolished before school begins. I'll just I'll let Jeff know. >> Okay. Thank you. Any way we could outsource the adventure playground to the PTA somehow? >> Vin and I were at Barnum today looking at that playground and looking at the woods and, you know, trying to figure out what we were going to do there. uh Norton because there's so much site work to be done still. >> Yeah. >> It's hard to get a handle on what we want to do there. But

119we, you know, certainly the um boy boy scouts um I've had conversations with them before the um schools were even built about what role they could have in that end. >> I just figured there's going to be an expenditure. Yeah. So hopefully the community can kind of support us in that respect especially our friends at CF you know >> looking at you Heather. >> Thank you. Um looks like there are no old business unless any board members have old business. No. Um next item is new business. You know I think Mr. cola or dodge this one. But typically, you know, we initiate new members by having them give us kind of a rundown on how their first year went. >> Um, but thank you. >> Only since December. Were you just kidding? Is that what

120you just said? >> It was great. I loved it. All of it was not a full year. Just a little bit of time. It was awesome. Thank you. It was wild because of the redistricting and then right into budget and so I don't know if that's normal but that was that was a lot >> I think but really thank you to all for um supporting me as I figure stuff out and transition into this role and then you know learn from teachers all the people I've talked to and then but you guys have been fantastic and helping me figure it out. So thank you. Thank you, Miss Fitzgerald, for your insight. >> Um, I do not have any comments except for congratulations. Thank you for a very short but great year again, Dr. Solen >>

121and crew. It's I thought we have more time, but we don't. We really don't. So, um, on to graduation and and upcoming meeting dates. So, we do have uh the Monday we have a curriculum meeting still for 7 o'clock at Human and I think we need to add June 29th, Carol, to this calendar because >> unless this is a typo because I thought our meeting was on the >> Yes. So, we have the a personnel committee meeting of the whole on the 29th of June. We had originally been looking at that date as a potential date for a retreat. Um, however, you know, we decided to just hold basically what amounts to my evaluation meeting that night. Um, and we'll have the retreat later in the summer when we could get everybody there. um to

122the to the point of the personnel committee meeting, I wanted to send out um the evaluation rubric, but also at least a quick overview of the year, uh quick reflection for you. So, I'll work on getting that out by Sunday. Um and then we would ask you to to share those uh you know notes uh conversation when you come to the personnel committee meeting or the whole uh and then we'll talk about goals for the future. >> Okay. >> Uh and then we'll have a retreat like I said later in the summer early fall. >> So we're not fully married to the 29th yet. >> We are on is a personnel committee meeting of the whole. Do we have a time? >> 6 PM. It's the most people have already accepted it. The calendar invite

123from the from the um >> from the hold this date for the retreat. >> Yep. And then we'll have our um fiscal meeting close yearly close out on the 30th at 7:30 a.m. >> Is Vin bringing donuts this time or? >> No, that's that's uh my job. >> Okay. Jeff's got he doesn't get all the glamorous jobs. >> Do we have do we have a location for the personal committee of the whole on the 20th? >> Yeah, that'll be at uh >> Hston board of ed offices. Yeah. >> Thank you. And then we have the promotions on Tuesday, June 9th of the elementary Chapman at 8:30, Dittle at 9:30, Norton at 11:45, and then Highland at 1:15. We move to Wednesday, June 10th. Dodd's promotion will be at 8:30 typically on the high school um

124grounds >> and then Humm at 1:30 and Cheshure High School closing it out that evening at 6 PM. I don't know if everybody's got their uh gear already. I think Matt was the last one right? >> Okay, >> awesome. So, the location for the Humon graduation is that at St. Peters? >> St. Peters. Yeah. And then Wednesday, June 10th, again, last day of school for everybody. And that closes out the 2526 school year. I will take a motion to adjourn, Mr. White. Second, Miss Cullinin. All in favor adjournment. Thank you. Unanimous.