001tonight. Um, I'll ask Mr. Jazenski to call the role, please. >> Mr. >> here >> Rosenberg. Mr. White >> here. >> Thank you. Could I ask everyone to join us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. I heard those young voices back there. Pleasant. It's nice. Um, we have our Cheshire High School student representatives, Maline and Connor. Do you have a report for us tonight? >> We do. So, before we start, we hope you all had a relaxing and refreshing break. I know I definitely did. Um, before break though, Cheshire participated in a Rams Care event where we had students and staff all
002wear red and bring in a donation for the Joe Bate Foundation. Now, this foundation strives to raise awareness for heart disease while also partnering with local pediatric ICUs to provide charitable aid. Uh, all of this was organized by our library's own Mary Flood. And with her hard work and dedication, Cheshire raised almost $700. Um, as we celebrate the season of hearts, students at CHS recently had the opportunity to get in the spirit of Valentine's Day by filling out the National Honor Society's annual matchmaker survey. This is a quick and easy survey asking simple and straightforward questions like, "What time do you normally go to bed?" and "What's your favorite subject?" Questions like these encourage students to answer honestly and better help students find which members of the herd they're most compatible with. This survey was
003actually very successful for the National Honor Society with 200 over 200 students participating. As a result, approximately $300 were raised and this will go towards future community service projects by the National Honor Society. >> So back in December, our peer health educators organized a visit to Dittle School where they gave presentations and read stories to grades K through six and kind of focused on the importance of serving their community. So today members of peer health began training a group of about 25 to 30 students who will be continuing with that but with a little bit of a different focus. These students will be sending out we'll be sending them out in the spring and their focus will kind of be on the importance of building communities as well as kind of us giving them some
004strategies that they can maybe take with them after redistricting happens. So, we have kind of given them a presentation that's focused around themes like sharing a smile, taking interest in others, and other strategies that they can use to build communities. Coming up this weekend, Pure Health will be hosting this year's Supermarket Challenge from at on Sunday from 6:00 to 7:45 in the evening, I believe. Right. Um 22 teams will be competing against each other, attempting to spend as close to $100 as possible. The winning team will then um get receive a lunch from Anony's courtesy of Coach Lee. Um the same day CHS school climate committee will be hosting its third annual women's self-defense class called Escape Alive. Um this class is sponsored by the Jane Doe No More Foundation and is taught by the
005East Coast Training Systems out of Waterberry. Escape Alive has been a popular event for all female students and their families as it is useful in building confidence and a social situational awareness. This class um in the majority of the years prior has been booked to capacity, including this one. >> So, as the snow continues to melt, we have an update for you guys on our winter sports as they kind of wind down. So, our boys and girls basketball programs both kind of wrapped up their seasons this week with our girls basketball team getting a 4846 away win at Laurel Hall. And then our boys team had a really good rivalry win at home against Lyman Hall, winning 61- 53. Now, they're not the only team that's wrapping up. Our girls hockey team finished off a
006very strong season going 143 and three with a close loss against Wilton. and our boys hockey team continues to shine as they won their record 16 16th game in a row against uh Stanford and West Hills co-op team. So, we want to take some time to just acknowledge all the hard work that our winter sports athletes have been putting in and wish them the best of luck as their seasons continue to close. Um, last month on January 30th, the Dukes of Yale, which is Yale University's allgender a capella group, um, they visited Cheshure High School to do a workshop with members of the CHS chorus. Um, at the ending of the workshop, um, the Dukes performed a few songs for the audience and a workshop workshop attendees then were able to perform a song on
007stage with the Dukes. Um, oh, and at the workshop, Andrew, um, Zoo was, who is the valadictorian of the Ches High School in 2022, performed as well. This February marks the end of several milestones at CHS, but thankfully, next month promises the start of many more, including a high the highly anticipated spring musical, Pippen. Um, ticket sales will be open in a couple weeks and administration will get the VIP treatment of having the opportunity to attend the last night of our tech week, but trust me, you'll want to come back for the official performance as well. >> So, we thank you for hearing a report and we will be looking forward to be back next month. >> Thank you very much. Are there any questions or comments for the students? Miss. >> Yeah. Hi, Fitzgerald.
008Today, [laughter] I just want to say thank you, >> Heather. >> I just want to say thank you for the um I mean, this is great, but the curriculum night um that was held I think yeah, a couple weeks ago was really helpful for my uh rising freshmen and it was really nice to experience and see and the tours were super helpful. So, I thought it was well well put together and and wellun. So, thank you. >> That's always a fun event for us, too. I know. It was my last year there as a link crew member and I got to take around my younger sister who's a rising freshman too and it's always a good time. >> Great. Okay. Um, as always, you are welcome to stay if you would like, but we know
009how busy your schedules get, so we will not mind if we see you quietly slip out the back. Thank you. >> Okay. Next on our agenda, we have some recognitions to um to talk about and we're moving around a little bit. So, we'll start with a school partnership presentation. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'll join. Is Tara Jackson in the house? Yeah. Come on up. We're going to make you stand here while we say lots of nice things about you. Tara Jackson is being recognized for her outstanding dedication to the Darcy school community. She exemplifies the true spirit of a school community partnership. Even after her children moved on from Darcy school, she chose to remain an active and dedicated member of the PTA board, continuing to give her time, energy, and heart to our community. Tara
010has played an integral role in creating meaningful opportunities for families to connect through events such as family pizza night, the family ice cream social, and family bear night. She also has led and supported important fundraisers including the book fair. She has gone above and beyond to celebrate and support our teachers, helping them feel valued and appreciated. Her selfless service and unwavering dedication have strengthened connections between families, staff, and our school, making the school a better place for all. This award recognizes not only her time and hard work, but also the lasting impact of her generosity, leadership, and unwavering support. Darcy is truly grateful for her continued partnership and the [clears throat] positive example she sets for their entire community. The board of education thanks Tara for going above and beyond for the students of Cheshire.
011Thank you so much. [applause] [applause] window. I appreciate Thank you. Next on the agenda is the spirit of inclusion and Dr. Solen, you can take it from here. >> That's that's perfect. Thank you. >> Good evening. Um, I'm Barb Horn. I am a member of the unified staff for CIA and Special Olympics and in particular I manage the elementary and young athletes programs and I am so pleased to be here tonight to um shine a light on Highland Elementary. Each year, Special Olympics Connecticut honors those that make a difference from around the state at their annual Hall of Fame dinner. Highland Elementary School is one of only three Connecticut schools chosen to receive the 2026 CIA Special Olympics Connecticut Spirit of Inclusion Award. The Spirit of Inclusion is part of the fabric of the school
012climate and school spirit at Highland with their unified sports program at its core. Some of whom's members I believe are here uh representing uh their unified sports team. Through unified sports, students are able to develop fundamental sports skills, friendships, and increased understanding of those with different challenges. In addition to a vibrant unified sports program, students of all ability levels are given the opportunity to develop leadership skills with roles such as unified morning news announcer and school greeters at open house. Whole school engagement is reflected in schoolwide celebrations. One such event involved 900 students lining up in the halls with banners and cheering on the unified team. The Highland Unified Sports culminating celebrations are a highlight of their program, allowing athletes to showcase their newfound skills and partnerships with friends, family, and staff. Other activities that
013impact the school climate of inclusion and acceptance are their unified newsletter, which they share with parents and teachers and stakeholders. Spirit Days, kindness week, buddy reading, a unified coffee cart, and autism awareness photo booths. Changing lives and changing attitudes also trans translates into social inclusion. Highland Elementary and Bearpath Elementary in Hatam co-hosted a unified winter ball, an evening full of joy and connection for students and families. A unified leadership team at Highland Elementary and support from the entire community has contributed to the meaningful inclusive environment at Highland. Much appreciation goes to unified sports coach coaches Alli Roniato and Stephen, excuse me, Stephanie Dashelle and principal Scott Jeffrey. The Hall of Fame dinner will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at the Aquaturf in Plantsville. Congratulations to Highland Elementary for this welldeserved recognition. [applause] >>
014[snorts] >> You guys come down and take a picture. This doesn't happen. Good Good job. >> Good job. >> Congratulations. Good job. >> Good job. Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. >> Good job. >> Thank you. >> Excellent job. Congratulations. Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. >> Mr. Jeff, thank you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> go to audience and come back. >> Yep. Um, next on the agenda is audience participation. If there is a member of the audience who wishes to address the board of education, please come to the podium and state your name and address. Okay. Good evening to the board of ed. Um Dr. Sen, um I'm Benjamin Balancic, 1280 Pek Lane. I just wanted to say the unified sports is actually one of the best
015things that my kids have been in. They love the interaction. And actually, my oldest actually learned a lot of valuable skills and she's very excited to have this opportunity. And thank you to Miss Ranciato and the staff who made it possible at Island. [applause] >> Michelle's here. Michelle. >> Yeah. Um, next we have another student recognition and I will ask um Dr. Solen, do you want to introduce? >> Sure. Um, it's my honor this evening to recognize one of our our students and my table buddy from our superintendent awards dinner. Um, but I want to give uh Mr. Hanland and perhaps Miss Picarella, the director of so youth and social services for the town of Cheshure, the opportunity to step to the uh podium and introduce our special honore this evening. Go ahead, Kevin. >>
016All right. Good evening everybody. We are uh so pleased to be here tonight to recognize one of the members of the class of 2026 Sucha Shinasan for her contributions to a human services project for the town of Cheshure. >> You can still stand up here. Yeah, don't don't go away. It's 100% necessary. >> Um by way of reminder, the performance standards for the Cheshire public schools include the following. collaborative learner, community contributor, effective communicator, self-directed learner, creative thinker, and complex thinker. And I I share the words of Michelle Picarella, our uh Chester's director of human resources about Suchita's work. You quickly hear how these performance standards come to life throughout every phase of this project. >> Do you want to read this part? >> Yeah, sure. >> Go for it. >> Okay, >> go for
017it. Right. I did write it, so I guess I got two paragraphs. >> I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it tonight, so we had a plan B just in case I couldn't get here. Um, so, um, I have to catch my breath because I walked up the stairs, so just give me a second. [laughter] I ran up the three flights of stairs. Um, I came to Noita last year when she was recommended to me by my youth program supervisor to assist me with a project. She had previously volunteered for our youth services division, designing and leading programming workshops and teaching students of varying skill levels, coding concepts, and problem solving skills. When I presented my project idea to Suchita, she enthusiastically embraced the opportunity and offered to volunteer her time
018to see it through. Even though I had offered her compensation, she developed an online database and website for the Chester Department of Human Services, enabling 27,000 residents to access and view data from around 100 local mental and behavioral health services providers. This replaced a six-month manual data collection process with an automated system utilizing tools such as Firebase, JavaScript, Zapier, and Wix development, none of which I had heard of before I met her. [laughter] Um, when Sua completed the online database project, she then had to teach my staff and me how to use it. This required an enormous amount of patience as we are not tech-savvy people in any way. Sucha was patient, kind, and understanding. She answered our questions respectfully and thoughtfully and demonstrated great skill as a teacher. She was recently recognized by our
019town council for this project and had the opportunity to demonstrate the finished project during a public meeting. The town council was incredibly impressed by how poised and articulate she was and how patiently she filled their questions and above all how amazing her work on this project was. Um I do want to say that I did print out um I have a link to the actual directory um and a QR code on a card that I would pass out to anybody who's interested. So I did bring them tonight so you can access it if you want. >> Uh to be sure this is not a singular accomplishment for SATA. She has been recognized and will likely to continue to be recognized for her academic and school achievements, her authentic research and inventions, her musicianship and leadership,
020and her award-winning business acumen to name a few. Uh, but this project is a fine example of how our students can and do collaborate with others to find solutions to real world issues with grace and a human touch. So with her parents Sunnita and Shin Vasan Palina Swami in attendance, we are proud to present Sucha Shinivasan to the board this evening. Congratulations and thank you. [applause] [applause] Congratulations. >> [snorts] >> Are we up to committees now? >> Huh? >> Are we up to committees now? >> We moving on. Thank you for coming everyone. Uh now we have some committee reports. Uh we'll start off with finance and since I am running the show tonight, I'm going to pass the um report off to Emily Taylor. Um, but suffice it to say that included in your
021packet is a financial report for the 25 202526 board of education budget reflecting expenditures and incumbrances through January 31st, 2026. Great. Good evening everyone. Um, what's this thing on? So in your financial report narrative, we obviously our budget is $93 million124,314. As of January 31st of this year, we have expended and encumbered $81,55,631, which is 87% of our total budget. Uh which is a notable increase from last month's where we had spent 83.9% and I would say notable but not unpredictable. Um, and I wanted to list some of the accounts that showed up in the last financial report that are just of note that you'll see in the more extensive Excel document. Um, where we are keeping our eye on tuition outplacement, which is something that we have discussed in budget workshops and comes up,
022you know, as a as a large line item. You can see we're 170 117% expended. We have pupil transportation that includes general education uh outplacements in town out of town where we're at uh 111% expended and then textbooks and software which is a lot smaller of an account at $299,000 but we're 114% expended there. Um you know we've analyzed these variances. We're not overly concerned at this point, but I do think that they are of note when you notice them compared to the other expenditures in the financial report. So, some financial highlights for this month is something we discussed in budget workshops and has come up during this meeting is uh reviews of our medical insurance and the insurance advisory study group. We talked about that and the town council is working on analyzing recent
023and projected plan costs, vendor performance, and key drivers of medical inflation. What we talked about at the last meeting, we went with Acer, who deals with our property and liability insurance and kind of walked through all of those different programs. The members of the committee had certain questions about deductibles that we had um and some followup. And our next meeting is planned with USI, which is our medical insurance broker. Um, and what we're planning on reviewing with USI is fee structures, services provided, plan performance, claim trends, and renewal timelines for next year. Uh, I do I do want to say that is not included in this report, but we are looking at stop-loss providers for next year. Um, we have used CT prime in the past, but we are looking to see if there are
024different weights we can use for our stop-loss performance. Um, and the idea with this advisory council is that they provide a recommendation to the town council by April in terms of providers we're using, potential cost mitigation. Um, but like I said, we've met twice already. Um, the three members of the committee have a wealth of knowledge on insurance. They kind of have different backgrounds, but have been really thoughtful in asking questions to our brokers. So, uh, the next financial highlight is about the capital expenditures plan. So, we are prepping for that capital expenditures plan. Last year, that was a little earlier in the year. We were discussing that in February, but the town council has pushed that timeline. So, you will likely see a review um in our our total capital expenditures plan in April
025and the planning committee will meet in about that in March. So, um that is distinct from the operating budget. Again, that's where we get all of our large projects that are valued at over $110,000 and our our like multi-year um infrastructure or or last for multiple years in our infrastructure projects. Uh and the last highlight is about facilities. There's actually two different things that I want to mention. One is that we've talked about this before about the district repair and improvement project, the drip grant. There was not a lot of information prior to this month about what that was going to look like and there is still some ambiguity with the DRIP grant. Um, but we do know is that we are eligible for about $180,000 worth of grant funding. The repair and improvement project
026has certain parameters what we can use it on. HVAC being a notable example. Um, we are going to be notified by about our allocation by March 1st. So that's coming up. Um, and the grant should be issued by June 30th of each fiscal year. So, while we're getting $180,000, it's still a little unclear if we can use that for this year's expenditures or next year's expenditures. So, we need to we would love to use it for this year. Um, but we just need some more clarity. Um, and they have not OPM has not provided that yet, but we will know our allocations in the next coming weeks. The other facilities uh department update is just about the request for proposal for our cleaning services. This is one of the um unknowns of our budget right
027now. We have allocated a certain amount for cleaning budget, but we are going to see where we come with the come in with the RFP. Uh our current contract value with SMG for this year is $859,000. So, just as a reminder for next year, we're increasing our usable square footage from 765,000 square feet to 837,000 square feet. It's a 9.4% increase. Um, that will impact our overall service costs. And last time we went out to the went out to bid, there was a lot of variation in the proposals we received. The two highest bids exceeded $2.5 million each and the six lowest bids averaged appro approximately $790,000. So it's just a lot of variety. Um you know our director of facilities, Rich Clevet, has been really thoughtful about putting together a comprehensive RFP that really
028addresses and and narrows down their scope very specifically. So we're hopeful that the responses we get um are very comprehensive and also demonstrate what we what we have requested in the RFP. So there's going to be walkthroughs in March of our campuses as part of that process. Uh and again that would go into effect on July 1. So we we would have a decision before that point. So those are the financial highlights and I'll stop there before going into medical benefits for the finance report. >> Any questions for Miss Taylor? >> Matt, >> thank you for that. Uh Emily, uh I have two questions. one on the uh tuition outplacement and pupil transportation that you flagged as over budget. I'm reassured by you not being concerned about it, but if I do the math, it's
029around a million dollars. >> Um are is that the projection for the year or is that encumbered at this Okay. So, >> yes. And and what I've actually asked those two departments to do is encumber for the year um so that we have a good picture of where we're going to be at the end of this year. So our special education team went in, reviewed everything, put the incumbrances in for the year. There was an outplacement that um the student was actually just placed and they made sure to encumber that and the same for transportation. >> Okay. And do we have any idea? I mean that money has to come from somewhere else. >> Yes. >> In the budget. Is that in a in a report that we get later on or >> Yeah. So
030how we have um mitigated that so far is we are all of our departments just received we had a 40% expenditure cap. We've bumped that to 60% but that is one way in which we mitigate costs is we're just limiting spending in other departments to make up for that $1 million and that's going to be in effect until at least April and we'll review again and see where we are then. >> Okay. And then my second question is um I wasn't able to attend any of the insurance or advisory group meetings or or review them. Um do you have any sort of feeling on their outcomes and their suggestions whether that's going to impact the budget discussions that the town council is going to have or is this a probably not until the following year
031project? >> So I'm interested to see when we meet with USI that's the medical broker where where we land. We've talked about a lot about property and liability insurance with acquirer. Um I would say the biggest cost driver there is workman's comp which we've kind of actually addressed in the past few years. So the idea is that they're making an honest recommendation that could go into effect next year. I will say that that that's a tight timeline from April to a potential July start date. Um, but I think that um, it's possible and there are probably things things that are more achievable like when we talk about stop-loss versus changing an entire medical plan for next year. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Dwight. >> Thank Thank you. [clears throat] Yeah, just you mentioned before
032stop-loss waitings. I'm just trying to understand what that is. And just so you understand exactly where I'm coming from, my understanding is we have stop loss at $175,000, >> which means our self insurance pays everything up to 175 >> and then over 175 we get reimbured by somebody. So we do have insurance, but it doesn't kick in at zero or $1,000 deductible. It's $175,000. >> Correct. >> Um, so when we were in the budget, my recollection, uh, at least what I was trying to convey was what's a good number for that? Is 175,000 a good number? Should it be 275? Should it disappear entirely? >> Like I'm just curious when you mentioned stop-loss weightings. I don't know what that is, but is that speaking to the point that I had raised about looking at that
033number to see if it makes the most sense? >> Yeah, I think more of what I'm talking about with the stop-loss is the actual vendor and looking to see if we're going to stick stick with CT Prime or another vendor like Sigma also offers it um versus the deductible. We've done an analysis of the deductible before to see what what's favorable and 175 seems to be the sweet spot. Um I know Matt, you have brought up before in the budget discussion like is there a mandate? Do you have to have stop-loss? And the answer is no. There's no legal mandate about stop-loss and having it. It's just a general practice that we've seen in municipalities and school districts. I can't think of one that doesn't have it if they're self-insured. Um but it's not a
034legal mandate. >> Yeah. So I guess my point just to reiterate what I would tried to convey in the budget um is I don't see myself probably ever supporting going to zero where there's no stop-loss. >> But as you said previously you've looked at that number that 175. What's the cost at 50? What's the cost at 250? >> Yeah. >> Do you have an idea? Maybe Jeff I don't know like when's the last time you looked at that? >> There was a presentation last year. I can go pull it. It was actually um Vin had it last year. I can't remember when that was presented, but I can I can pull >> It was only a year ago is the point. That's that's totally fine. That's recent enough. I don't recall that, but Okay. Thank
035you. >> Y >> anyone else? >> Miss Fitzgerald. >> Yes. Thank you. Um your the insurance advisory group study group. Um I recall, you know, meetings ago we talked about there's like a state level medical potential plan that right now doesn't make sense but might make sense in the future. Is that I didn't see it like mentioned in the advisory group but I imagine you're thinking is that being discussed in there also? >> Yeah, so it hasn't I have not heard it come up in discussion yet since we haven't talked about medical but we are looking into the cost of the state partnership plan just in general. Um, it's pretty easy to connect with them and get quotes. Um, there's some additional information I needed that I'm waiting from from our benefits department to kind
036of run the numbers for both because they do dental and medical. Um, but they are able to provide a quote and it's something that we can evaluate, you know, as a board of ed. It doesn't necessarily have to go through the insurance advisory group. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that's still >> the state considered and thought about. Yeah. Thanks, >> Miss Colin. It says in here >> to develop recommendations for the town council by April. Will this have an impact on this year's budget? >> The way in which it could have an impact on this year's budget if if we switch providers um for stop-loss or we made a recommendation to switch some part of our medical. Like I said, I think that changing our whole medical insurance in that time frame
037is is small. Like that's a small possibility. Um but that would be the impact is our stop-loss line medical insurance. Um included in there is workers comp where we are we are also self-insured. >> So this group is is mainly the study group for the future. >> I think there are some short-term and long-term recommendations that they could make. I they've only had two meetings. So I'm interested in seeing what actually develops in terms of concrete recommendations. But that is the the idea is that they're giving the recommendations by April. I can't say exactly which ones they're going to focus on. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, moving along to medical benefits. Great. >> Uh so our budget for the medical benefits fund is $15.9 million. Uh we do make a contribution of $1.2 million
038to fund the account. That's an increase from $1.1 million last year. Uh the beginning balance of the reserve fund for this fiscal year was $2.8 million. As of um January 31st of this year, our balance in the reserve fund was $2.2 million compared to $2.3 million of Janu January 2025. Um so a little lower than what we had this time last year. And in January 2026, our claims were 1.265. 265 million which was a 1.2% decrease which is like $15,000 compared to January 2025 where claims were $1.281 million. So our medical benefits fund is in a stable position. Our goal is to have two months in reserves. We at the end of January we had 1.75. So would like to see that number come up a little bit but certainly not an alarming number. Um
039and it actually is up from January 2025 where our reserve was 1.54 months. So um although it's below the two, it is in a better position than we were in January 2025. Um so again, we're seeing some variable claim expenditures, but the increased contributions of $1.2 million have allowed us to maintain overall reserve stability. Uh the one thing of note in the actual um report itself, not the narrative, is we did get our first stop-loss reimbursement for $27,8. So again, that's for uh reimbursements over $175,000. We do have uh prescription rebates at $350,000. Um but you can see our claim layout from July 2025 through January. um where our new HSA plan year begins as well, started in January 1st of this year. Not all of our staff is on the HSA plan. We also
040offer, you know, PO and HMO, but the majority of our staff that have medical insurance through us are on the HSA mostly because we've eliminated th those options on contracts. The last being available to the teachers in 2027, I believe. So that's what I have. >> Last what is available in 2027? Yeah, I want to check. It's 2027 or 2028, but that's the last contract, any contract that will allow for the uh HMO or PO. Everyone else has been routed to the HSA >> or high deductible plan. >> Other questions? >> Does that conclude your report? >> That concludes my report. >> Thank you very much, Miss Taylor. Um, we are moving on to personnel committee. Miss Cullinin, would you like to move forward with >> this personel? >> We are looking for the appointment
041of the director of pupil personnel. Uh the motion that will be placed on the floor is that the Cheshire Board of Education appoint Christina Sherwood as director of pupil Personnel Services effective July 1, 2026 to be compensated based upon the collective bargaining agreement between the Cheshire Board of Education and the Cheshire Administrative Personnel. >> Do we want a second? Do we have a second to that, Miss Fitzgerald? and then um we'll have some discussion. Dr. Solar. >> Sure. Thank you very much. Um this is uh an exciting time and if not a little bit bittersweet for the Cheshire Public Schools as we uh have the daunting task of replacing our current pupil personnel services director, Miss Robin Anne Kerry, who served in that role since um I think 2020. Thank you very much. Um, I
042had written 2015. I knew that wasn't right though. Um, it just feels like that, right, Rob? But, um, you know, Robin has done such a tremendous job shephering us through some really challenging times, uh, with COVID and the, uh, constant evolution in special education. Uh, and so that means Miss Sherwood has really big shoes to fill. Um, but I don't think we could have found a better replacement for Miss Carrie. Uh, Miss Sherwood has proudly served the Cheshire Public Schools community for the past 10 years. She joined the Cheshire public schools in December 2015 as a special education teacher and has since demonstrated exceptional leadership, most recently serving as our special education uh, elementary special education supervisor since 2021. Prior to coming to Cheshure, she served in a variety of roles in the Ansonia public
043schools, including substitute teacher, para educator, instructional assistant, and special education teacher. Miss Sherwood holds degrees from Western Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University and is certified in elementary education, special education, and educational administration. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to students and families, ensuring access to high quality learning experiences and strong responsive support systems. A committee comprised of the board of board of education representatives, parents, teachers, and administrators interviewed Miss Sherwood and were impressed by her depth of knowledge, collaborative leadership style, and clear vision for student support services. We are confident she will continue to build upon the strong foundation of our pupil personnel services department while keeping students at the center of all of her decisions. Um we're certainly grateful to Miss Carrie for all the years and
044and of service that she's brought to us, but uh I think we stand here confidently today making this recommendation to the board that um that Miss Sherwood will carry on that tremendous tradition that's been built. So that's it for me. >> Thank you. Any other comments, Miss Co? >> Um yes, I would like to comment. Um I had the pleasure of serving on the interview committee and as Dr. Solen said, I was very very impressed with um the Sherwood's background, um her climbing kind of through the ranks of the special education um teachers. She started as a paraprofessional um and she served as a teacher, a supervisor and now you know we are very happy to um recommend the appointment of her as director of pupil personnel. I have the utmost confidence in the recommendation
045of the committee um and of the board of ed. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Mr. White. >> Thank you. Yes. So when when I [clears throat] was speaking with her, one of the comments when the group was speaking with her, one of the comments that I heard that resonated with me is that she [clears throat] always tries to listen to parents and based on the uh relatively limited feedback that I have gotten from parents before about Miss Sherwood is that yeah, not everybody's always happy, but they're uh there's a satisfaction that they've been heard and so I think she's probably going to be a great addition. I appreciate Dr. Solen's recommendation for her and so I look forward to look forward to this. Thank you, >> Mr. Ekie. >> Um I'm kind of excited about
046uh having a Westcon alum. I am a I am a colonial former colonial. I don't know if you were a colonial or if you're a wolf. >> Awesome. Um, but it's uh, you know, to see someone as Miss Cullinin said that came up through the ranks. I spent time as a pair as well and uh, to see how far you've come and and you seem very well prepared for the job and and I appreciate that we're promoting from within. I like that, you know, we can develop our own personnel and and give them the opportunity to to shine at a higher level. With that, I would just add um I think it speaks very highly of what we do here at Cheshire, and I give Dr. Solen a lot of credit for that. Um which
047is we get the right people right from the beginning. They can work their way through. Um put in the time, put in the effort, and there's no end. We like we like to get all the years out of our people once we've invested in them. And so um very pleased uh that you are um that you are being put forth for this position now. Thank you very much. >> Okay. So we have a motion on the table um which I don't have in front of me. Could you read it again? that the Cheshire Board of Education appoint Christina Sherwood as director of pupil personnel services effective July 1, 2026 to be compensated based upon the collective bargaining agreement between the Cheshire Board of Education and the Cheshire Administrative Personnel. >> Thank you. All in favor?
048Looks unanimous to me. Thank you. [applause] CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] [snorts] >> Thanks for coming into the meeting last night, too. It was nice. >> Congratulations. Invite her to say a few words. >> You would to say a few words. [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you to Robin. >> Thank you to Rob and Ann as well. >> Yeah, >> I am truly honored and very grateful for the opportunity to serve as the PBS director for Cheshire Public Schools. I want to thank Dr. Sen and the board of education for having faith in me to continue the tremendous tradition of providing incredible service to all students to meet their needs. In my 10 years serving in the district, I've been afforded incredible opportunities who have shaped who I am as a professional and as a person. While I
049look forward to continuing to serve the community in a greater capacity, I remain dedicated to being a collaborative leader who meets students needs at all costs. Again, thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to our continued commitment for our community. Thank you. [applause] picture. >> We can wait. >> Are they doing a photo? [laughter] >> We're taking a two-minute break. >> No. Go to planning. >> Tim had to go anyway. >> Tim went. >> Tim had to go anyway. Wait. How are you? We're moving on to planning committee. Um um yes, planning committee. So, Mr. Ekie, do you want to report on a meeting and >> Yes. So, do we do the uh >> do that now? Okay. I'm going to make a motion to amend the agenda to add item C two,
050approval of preliminary design for the track and field project. >> So, you're moving three to two. It's not. >> No. Number one. >> So, this one >> have to add a motion item to the agenda >> on your right hand side by by Jeff's computer >> right here. This is the This is what we're doing right now. And then the motion's below it. But we have to amend the agenda first. >> We have to amend agenda so we can vote on that. >> Okay. It's on my It's in my notes, that's why. Okay. So, Mr. Ekki, you made the motion. >> I'm going to make that motion. Yes. >> Do >> second. >> Oh, did you read it already? >> Yes, that was it. So, that that was it. So, amend the agenda to add
051item C-2 approval of preliminary design for track and field project. >> Okay. And we have a second by Mr. Khal. All those in favor? Okay. >> All right. So, the reason we're doing this um the uh capital budget project last year, we put forward a uh replacement of the turf field at Chester High School that we didn't have solid numbers that went to referendum. And we want to get solid numbers. We want to have uh uh true study so we understand what we're up against and what we need to bring forward to possibly submit in the capital budget again this year. Um that was one of the items. Should we just deal with that one first or should we >> Okay. Um we also spoke uh last night about roof replacement at Highland School. It
052was going to be way over our anticipated uh budget. We had anticipated $ 1.5 million. That's going to be in the $4 million ballpark. Um Miss Taylor, would you like to supplement? >> Sure. >> Yeah. So, we in our capital projects update, we talked about the Highland roof project. So, um as Mark shared, we had initially budgeted about $ 1.5 million for a complete roof replacement. It's about 100,000 square feet at Highland. Um, and we had put that in the 28 29 2930 school years of our most recently approved capital plan. Just as a reminder, our capital plan is approved like a year at a time. So even though it's put in the budget, it's not actually approved until the the subsequent year. Um, so again, we had put $750,000 in um each of those
053years, but we did a design project through Silver Petraeli. That work was recently completed and the project estimate was actually $4 million. So, uh, in order to replace the roof, we are going to have to put change that from 1.5 to $4 million. You know, obviously when the planning committee meets next month, we can talk about what years we're going to put those in. Um, the other piece of the Highland roof project is this is a project that is eligible for the school construction grant where you get the reimbursement for 50%. So, a $4 million project becomes a $2 million project. But again, that's still significantly more than the 1.5 we were budgeting for. So, that was one project. Uh, I'm going to just skip over the turf for a second. Um, the other capital
054project that we actually don't need to talk about from a monetary perspective, but just a good update perspective is um the Cheshire High School weight room. There was the anonymous donor who was donating the flooring and all the new equipment for the weight room. But in order for that to happen, we needed to we need to update the HVAC. There is no HVAC in the wait room right now, which you will know if you ever go in there at a certain time of year. Um, and so we moved forward with uh design services through Lauro for the wait room to um get that work done. They are supposed to put together a bid package by the end of March so that we can go to bid in the beginning of April with an estimated timeline
055for the weight room HVAC renovation of June 8th through August 21st. So this project is actually covered by a previously approved capital project. So it doesn't require money. It's already been approved. Um but the June 8th through August 21st timeline is just the HVAC. I need to get some more information from um John Parisino about like the the flooring piece and how long that that would potentially take. Um but that's just a general update about where that project stands now. Um and then the last piece is the turf. So I don't know if you want me to provide any context or you're you want to take it away. Mark, >> you want to you want to just deal with the because the track is a new item for me. >> Yes. Great. Um so in
056the beginning of January we um one thing that had come up in the last planning meeting in December was uh potentially getting some information about a track and field replacement. A few years ago we had asked SLR um a consulting firm to provide us a couple different scenarios including a track and field replacement a total mccclary renovation of all of the fields in CHS. Those those range from $ 1.5 million to I think about $7 million. It was you know a wide variety of projects and just the SLR what completed the original design work when we replaced the turf in 2011 15 years ago. Um and that was ultimately installed by uh RA Shaw Rad Sports. So after our last um planning committee meeting, we went out and um like kind of solicited um some
057proposals from a couple different companies that we were familiar with including SLR, uh Banesh, Laurio uh and there were three other firms. Ultimately, SLR, Banash, and Laurio um submitted a proposal and um including in that proposal was everything from initial design all the way through construction management of the completion of the um the turf. And I'm I'm going to just stick with the track for now. But one thing that we didn't really discuss last time when we talked about the turf and and just as a reminder, that project was ultimately pushed um by the town council into year one and went to referendum. So that was not the initial recommendation of the board of education. Um it failed referendum, but that did not include the track. The track is from the 1990s. There are um
058some beyond it being older, there are some renovations that need to be done to the long jump and the fencing because of where the fencing is in relation to the running lanes or the the track lanes. Um, and so what we want to what we have instead of just talking about the turf, we are talking about potentially turf and track replacement, which don't have to be replaced together, but you know that that can be done. Um, you know, you can replace one or the other, but that was just something that we didn't really talk about at all last year. So with that, pass it back to you, Mark. >> Okay. So even though the uh turf failed a referendum in the fall, I think that uh personally I think we need to get keep pushing
059that forward just because it is going to be 15 years old this November and turf fields don't last 15 years and we are you know we're really rolling the dice every year that we don't replace that and I just don't want the town to be stuck in a situation where it fails the impact test and the uh we're stuck without a facility for our athletes, not just the the high school athletes, but uh all the youth sports as well. Um that is such a an integral part of our community and we need to do something about it. So with that in mind, you have uh in here, I believe I saw the the documents, the proposal from uh the consultant uh just walking through all the the things that they're going to do. Um and
060in order to do that, they'll let us peacemeal it. In order to get the the initial design or the initial idea of how much it's going to cost us, we need to spend $7,500. So, would you like to make the motion? You want me to make the motion? >> You should make the motion. >> I'll make the motion. Move that the Chesher Board of Education approve the expenditure of $7,500 for SLR to complete preliminary design services for the track and field project. >> Do I have a second? I'll second it. >> And is there further uh Miss Cullinin? Did you get um any discussion? Questions for Miss Taylor or Mr. Eky? Mr. Colehower? >> Uh not questions as much as comments on the process this time around. Um [clears throat] I I do agree that
061we need this. Part of the reason that I advocated for the new schools when I did was all of the facts in my view were in favor of the school needing or the district needing new schools. And I and I do think that I mean the first time I heard of the turf was when we got the mailing that said here's the referendum question. So, I I think, you know, not that we or the town council want to keep going back to referendum and saying, "Hey, just, you know, we'll keep asking you until you pass it." That's that's not the intent. Um, but but I do think as we progress through this process, we, you know, and I understand the board was a bit blindsided by the town council actions and putting it on referendum.
062Um, but, you know, I think the facts are there. There was a lot of a lot of talk around the fire trucks that were on the referendum and it was safety safety safety. Let's, you know, vote the new fire trucks in safety. You know, I I I don't want a kid to tear an MCL or an ACL on that turf. Um, so as we progress as a board through this process, you know, for those of us that think it's a good idea, I think it's it's really incumbent on us to keep communicating the why for this, not just it's 15 year old 15 years old and we need something new. Well, what are the risks? What are the problems with it? Um, yeah, I'm I'm in favor of trying to get this back to the
063voters. >> Any other comments, Miss Cullinin? Yeah, I this isn't so much a question as a comment. Um and and I think you kind of mentioned it, Matt, that I'm seeing this as a safety issue now, you know, with our high schoolers running whatever, you know, all the different components of track. So, I mean, that's my worry and I I think we would be and I don't want to use the word more trouble, but god forbid someone gets hurt on that track and we're sitting here and we know that it's a concern. So, yeah, I'm I'm all for the the study andor what would be next steps. >> Thank you. I would add also that um Why don't you go, Mr. White first. >> Thank you. Um, [clears throat] yeah, just to reiterate what Matt
064had mentioned and just to clarify what you had mentioned, Mark, if I if I recall correctly, what you said is we did something or other. And so we I can I can completely agree with that collectively if we're talking about like elected officials. But I just want to reiterate that the board of ed we didn't have anything to do with this. No, I mean >> what I don't know what I said that. >> No, and it's okay. I'm just saying whatever call you saying was something along the lines of we put this forward and I >> No. Well, >> yeah. Yeah. >> It was in the first It was in the capital budget. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But we didn't recommend it to send it over to him. And if we had, I think
065we would have done this stuff and there probably would have been a much better process last year than what happened. Um, so, uh, I I think replacing the track and field, the turf is appropriate. It's it's, uh, it's maintenance from my perspective at this point. And I think maintenance is an important thing to do. You want, we want to maintain our assets. I believe that. Uh, but the voters also spoke very, in my opinion, very clearly only three months ago, and returning this to referendum right now to me is reminiscent of the pool. Um, my concern if we're if we continue following this path where we are, as I understand it, and I could be wrong about this, but where we are right now in September, I'm going to hear people like the pool saying,
066"You guys can't take no for an answer. You're just trying to shove this down our throats." If I'm hearing that, I think it's less likely to pass. What I believe could help mitigate that would basically be a miappula by council leadership that uh they they did this wrong. Um if I think if I think if the council leadership um said something clearly right now acknowledging what happened saying something along the lines of we screwed up, ask for your forgiveness, we want to move forward. I think that would uh greatly improve the chances of this passing at referendum because when September rolls around or October and people are asking questions about the referenda, my guess is there would be more people there would be fewer people talking about this getting shoved down their throat, more people
067acknowledging what happened and saying, "Yeah, you know what? We we should move forward with this." Because I do think it's maintenance. I do think there's a safety concern. Um, so my request, um, is an amendment to the motion to, and Jeff, I don't know if anyone's going to second this, but I'm going to say this, so correct me if [laughter] if it's helpful at all. Basically, uh, I want to request a $7,500 special appropriation from the council to pay for this. And really the idea here is for the council to have a discussion about this and to acknowledge what happened because I truly believe that this is much more likely to pass if there's an acknowledgement of what happened. I I don't know what happened. I know last night we're having a planning meeting and
068uh Vin Masiano was he was talking about the users who who put this forward and I said right away I'm like my immediate reaction was the users it's not my interest. It's the elected officials that the voters um address who the electorate is the boss of the town council. So that's who's relevant here. I think it's important for the town council to be involved in this. Truthfully, I mean, spending $7,500 on this, we can do it. But it's also entirely possible that the town council simply says, "Nope, we're not doing it." Do I expect that? I tend to doubt it. But as far as I know, we haven't even had a conversation. I have not had any conversations with anyone on the council. um with with council leadership about it. So I have no reason
069I have no idea if this would move forward. Um and so that's what I do. So, I will make a motion to amend. The motion uh for the board of ed requests a special appropriation of $7,500 from the town council to fund this expense. >> So, we have an amended motion on the table. Do we have a second? I mean, can I have a question on your Can we >> We'll get the second first and then we'll discuss. Mr. Khower seconds. Uh discussion. Miss >> Yeah. I just want to clarify when you say the town council screwed up. Can you like if you want them to admit that they like what are you exactly? >> Yeah. Basically to I mean because the board of ed didn't pass this over to them and it's like they
070had from my perspective and I don't know what happened. We didn't pass it to him and then all of a sudden it was on the referenda like Matt who's wasn't on the board but he's pretty involved and when did you find out when you got the letter in the mail the yellow letter or whatever it is. This was it was a in my opinion a really bad process advocacy for this should have been sort of baked into it. I think even if even if we move forward with the $7,500 tonight, um we need a plan and I the what I've gathered so far is people are thinking about it and that's okay. Um it doesn't need to be fully hashed out, but I my own personal feeling is like a road show like the superintendent
071did with the new schools. Yeah. >> Go to the go to the Kuanas, the Rotary, the sports group, whoever it is like >> like >> Yeah. There was no roll out. There was no communications. I I think it would pass. I honestly do feel like if people knew about it and knew what it was and there wasn't like 12 other referendum items, I do think it would have much better shot. >> I I do too. Um but I think it's if we don't do anything different this time than we did last time except for the board gives it to the council. >> Yeah. >> Then I think it's probably going to go over the same way. >> Um >> so you're asking for the money like they should pay for the 75. >> Yeah. And
072it's not even so much that. It's it's to bring it to the forefront. And it's not it's not it honestly is not intended to like point the finger in a bad way. It's intended to say this is fairly important. >> Okay. >> But I also believe that uh there would be broader support among the electorate if there was an acknowledgement of what happened uh and basically a request, you know, an apology and a request for forgiveness and let's move on. >> Is it going to happen? I don't know. that that like I do believe that that would resonate with people and they would remember it and appreciate it. >> Okay. >> I would just add a couple of things. Um there's two differences to that I can think of right now that um of how
073we are moving this forward. One is that we've now got this in to our planning committee and it's it is moving through a process through the board of ed. So I see that happening and I think that that's a good thing because it will come it will come from us. Uh the second thing is I I believe this is a better um this will be a a different referendum question because it's not just the turf, it's the track and the turf and the track is a really important part of the overall project and um I feel like these those two need needed to be together before it needed to be a more the the whole project not just presented as the turf. Um, I do agree. I think there does need to be some better
074communication out to the public and um, I feel like now we have the time to do that because this is early in the process, earlier in the process than when we were talking about it or not talking about it before. So, that's I just wanted to bring those points up. >> I have a question. >> U, Miss Cullinin? Yeah, I I guess I'm just a little bit confused because when I look on page four of this um SLR kind of report or um giving us information on this project, you know, I see the 7500 for the preliminary design, but the total right in that area is $30,000. So, what are we getting for the 7500? >> Yes. So um this is the each stage of the design can be done at at any point we
075could decide not to move forward with SLR for the preliminary design we would get all the renderings and we would get a rough um estimate of cost would be the two components we'd get with that. Um and last time SLR did the project with our original turf part of their drawings included some drainage systems that have actually been why the turf has lasted as long as it has. Um there have been other turfs installed in the area that didn't have quite the comprehensive systems um that ours have that have led to the longevity, but that's what's included in the preliminary design is the renderings um from the architects and the the engineers as well as the um the cost estimate. And we can break that up into um and what we what we plan to
076do is break that up so that we're getting the cost for turf versus track. So if there is a discussion with the board of ed or the planning committee about how we would like to move forward with the capital plan that that is itemized per turf and trap. >> So Tim, I I mean I hear what you're saying, but I I'm I'm just wondering if if we're ahead of the game like has anyone talked to town council or the town manager about this? >> I I'm unaware of anything, but I'll be totally >> That's my that's my confusion, I guess. like it seems like some preliminary discussions before we ask them pay the 7500 apologize or whatever and I'm not saying that's wrong or right I'm saying like I'm not understanding the full picture like
077have we approached superintendent to the town manager the planning committee I mean it seems like there's lots of questions out there on the on the surface I'd say yeah I approve the 7500 let's figure this out because we don't want our kids slipping and sliding and getting hurt etc. up. But it seems like now with what you brought up, Tim, like there's missing pieces to this and and I don't know. >> Yeah. I I and I could give a really quick synopsis of what occurred. The board approved a capital budget pro uh plan. That plan was submitted to the town. The town reviewed that plan and uh community members came forward at that time pushing for what was in our second year of the plan to be included in year one. The town council uh
078took that feedback and and moved it into year one. Unfortunately, to the points made earlier there, you know, there's a window which we can, you know, advocate for these things and that window quickly closed before we were able to advocate for anything. I think there was probably ignorance among the community members uh about the need uh for such an item. You know, they see a turf built across the street like not not too much uh before this and I'm sure there were questions about like what are we actually doing here uh that we didn't have the opportunity to educate the community around. Um so I understand where you're saying like this that wasn't our fault per se. Um, but it's not our students fault either. No. >> Um, or our community's fault that, you know,
079in terms of the the track being the condition it is. So, I think there's a certain degree of urgency that I understand. But it would have been we would have been moving it forward this year anyway, right? Like, and how things played out the way that we had intended. >> Totally get that. But I feel like it's very different after the voters already said no. >> Yeah. And and I heard it. It was countless time. I was on the council 20 years ago. Everybody here knows that, I think, but I heard it so many times like, "Stop shoving that stuff down our throat. That's what you did with the pool." >> Um, and that's really difficult. And to be totally frank, I feel like that will be something that will come up in September, October.
080And I think with my suggestion of basically a miaulpa, an apology, a request for forgiveness, I think everything moves forward a lot more expeditiously with a uh with more people being willing or open-minded to supporting it. I think for me that makes a difference if someone apologizes. And this this wasn't us. It wasn't the board of ed. >> But um >> Tim, I'm just still confused. >> Yeah. And I don't even I mean the apology fine, but who's giving us this $7,500? Are we voting on it tonight to at least move that forward or is that kind of in limbo? I mean, we should be advocating for the kids, right? >> And and fixing this track is part of it, but this $7,500 doesn't fix the track. It gives us, >> you know, does it
081does a preliminary >> assessment, right? It's like I mean, so just to reiterate what I what I tried to convey before, which is the $7,500. So that's a motion [cough] to amend the motion to request a special appropriation from the town council. >> So So they >> point of clarification, the $7,500 is in the original motion that we approve that for tonight. Um, and then the amendment that Tim is proposing is that it doesn't come from our budget, but that the town council uh gives us that money. And in my view, that's a very small amount of money and it's going to hold us up for moving forward with uh this this project going through the planning committee. as we are doing it. That's how I feel about it. >> No, and I can completely
082understand where you're coming from and that was why I tried to convey before that it's less about the money and more about having the council have an honest conversation with the public. >> No, I agree with >> and that's that's really my biggest >> I agree with the council and the board of ed having >> better communication and also communicating better to the public. But I think we are on that track. I feel we are on that track with having this in the agenda right now. >> I I agree. >> Mark, did you want to say I I'd like to take the vote on uh on the amendment so that we can get back to the hopefully the original [laughter] the original motion. >> I just have a quick comment on the uh the amendment.
083Um, I don't I I'm going to vote against your amendment, but the reason being I I don't know that we should ask the council to apologize for doing what they thought was best for the town and the kids. It may not have gone the way we wanted it to go, but I'm sure it wasn't. There's nothing to apologize for. they're doing what they thought was right and what if had if it had gotten approved would have been great for us as well. So that that's all I got on that. >> Go ahead, Kim. >> Oh, thank you. >> Final word. No, I um I totally understand where you're coming from and I don't think they had like any sort of bad intent where I think the the apology is I guess would be dropping the
084ball on communication and now we're going back what we're we're going down a path of asking the voters a second time for it and it's and if I'm a voter I think voters are going to look and say huh what we just said no. So there's a So the I guess the simplest way for me to put it is something went wrong and I don't think it's the board of ed that did something wrong. We made a choice and they just picked it up anyway. So it's it's not I don't mean to say any mal intent on their part, but uh they dropped the the turf. They dropped the ball. [laughter] Well, to to Mark's point, they were also working with a community group and you know, sometimes when your community comes to you, you
085want to respond to them and >> yeah, >> I think there were some powerful people in that community group. I'm just saying. Okay. Um, we have a amended amendment to the motion on the table that I'd like to take a vote on, and that is for the motion to continue to say to be amended that um that we get a special appropriation for that $7,500 um from the town council. So, all in favor of the amendment, Mr. Colehower, Mr. All those opposed. Do I get do I vote or not vote? >> Yeah. >> So that's four. Four against. So the motion fails and we are back to Mr. Ek's motion that the Cheshire Board of Education approve the expenditure of $7,500 for SLR to complete preliminary design services for the track and field project. And
086we have a second to that emo to that motion already. >> Well, we already had a second. We already had a second by Mr. Kolhau. >> Uh, any more discussion on that before we take that vote? >> I'm sure the answer to this is yes. Um, I just want to ask it. Uh, so I I know we're talking about the 7500. The total for all this kind of design and the preliminary and the consulting and the documents is $30,000. I assume it's been competitively bid and we got like a whole bunch of other co other bids before we landed here. >> Yeah, we did get other proposals. This um being design work that we're focused on now, there's a $35,000 threshold. So, the design work doesn't fall under that that that threshold. Um so, we
087did solicit as many people as we knew that did this work. It was six six um three ultimately responded, but we are following all of the regulations with bidding. Yes. Well, any other questions, Mr. White? >> Yeah, on on the original motion. Uh, yes. So, I'm I'm not going to be supporting this tonight. Um, I do think it's I do think that this is maintenance and we should do it, but I also think that we are headed down a path right now where this will be more difficult than it could be if we have if we had council leadership speak to it. And so I encourage the council leadership to speak to what happened and hopefully communicate it fairly broadly to the town. Um that would go a long way in getting me on board
088with moving forward on this because like I said it's just too reminiscent of the pool. Just going back and back without getting a full explanation of it is uh problematic for me. So that's it. I I agree with you and I will be supporting this uh motion because I'm interested in moving this forward. Um but I do agree with you and I think it's incumbent upon us, everybody on this board and on the uh town council to to make it a point to work in tandem and to have those conversations. >> Mr. Colehower, >> uh just a process point. Um, as we know on page four here the other processes. So I think I'm seeing two weeks for them to do this preliminary design. Would we expect then some at some point after the two
089weeks or the following planning committee after that that we go through this again for 2.0 and then 3.0? I mean are >> Yeah. in two weeks, three weeks, are we going to be voting on $8,000 for >> going through local regulatory permitting or >> Yeah. So, what I'll say is before we go through the twoe preliminary, if if this were to be approved tonight, there needs to be a conversation with the planning committee about like the actual specs and what we want to ask them to do in their preliminary design work. Um, and once they've submitted the design, the next step is including in our capital plan. Really the idea here being the preliminary design work gives us an estimate of probable cost so that we can include that in the capital plan and have
090some renderings to share with the community about this. But I would say all of those local regulatory permitting all of those steps would take place after the project was approved. >> Approved by referendum. >> Correct. >> Gotcha. So this list $30,000 but you know we're only going to talk about 7500 until a referendum. >> Yes. And you can and the you see the lump sum payments. Um and then there's the hourly budget, the locally local regulatory permitting. I would say that they were very conservative giving us $8,000, but that's ultimately working with our town engineer. So that could be a lot less than $8,000. Okay. Yeah. >> That that helps me support where we are tonight because I I don't want to have this conversation again every month with $8,000 next time and $12,000 after
091that. you know, especially without a holistic conversation or understanding where the town council sits on this and and what type of support we could get from the community. So, thank you. >> So, we're voting on 7500 tonight to get this started that comes from our operating budget, but the the rest of it is is part of the capital budget. Correct. >> Yeah. We could tie this into the the project, the capital project, so it would not come out of our operating budget. >> So, that's not our operating budget anymore. I have another question. >> Thank you for those for those questions though. >> And maybe it's for the planning committee or Emily, I'm not sure. But before this went to referendum, didn't we have this information on what the track and turf project involved? >>
092We had it was in I believe it was year two of the uh capital plan. I don't know that we had solid numbers. I think we were ballparking 800 850 Dr. Solen is that correct >> in terms of the actual I think >> did we have real numbers on that? >> We did have a quote on it at the time. >> Vin says >> so they they must have had something to go they just grab that number quote. I remember >> I'm so happy that we have the chance to have Mr. Masiana address us tonight. >> Oh, thank you. I I was at the meeting. The $850,000 number that the town council included in the capital budget and that ultimately went to referendum did come from the user group that did get a price from
093Rad Sports to replace just the turf field. So that's where that number came from. In our capital budget, we did have a ballpark number that we had gotten from SLR, but that was a very high level number. So, did that include the track? No. >> The field? >> No. Just the field. Just the turret. >> Just the field. Just the turf. So, now this is the track. >> Yeah. We had a we had some conceptual work done with SLR in 2024. There were two uh concepts that were put forward. They had the track and field listed as uh turf replacement and track components for $ 1.5 million. So, that also played into the estimate for year two last year. >> Okay. So are we expecting that we're going to go out to referendum again for
094the field too? >> It'll be it'll be one referendum >> for the project combined project >> which I think is better. >> Well, we got to take a look at what the numbers are when the numbers come back and then make a determination of how we'd like to approach that. whether you know we can do one one year and one the next or you know if it's more economical to do it at one time while the equipment is there but we'll look at both. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Anything else before we take the vote? >> The motion on the table is that the Cheshire Board of Education approved the expenditure of $7,500 for SLR to complete preliminary design services for the track and field project. All those in favor and opposed. One opposed. Thank
095you very much, >> Madam Chair. Before we move on on the agenda, could I go back to another item under the planning committee? >> Yes. >> Um, Emily, you mentioned uh $4 million for the Highland roof. I think you also mentioned year five of the capital plan. So, how long is that number good for? I mean 3% five years like another $600,000 just at 3% inflation. So >> yeah um and this is a project that has been p pushed back in further further years. Um and there were some asks last year when we were finalizing the capital budget about pushing things like further into the plan. [clears throat] Um and what I will say is yeah that if the farther we push this back the more inflation and the more unrealistic $4 million becomes. So
096I think as we're talking about the plan next month in planning committee, it is important that we figure out where that fits in, especially when we have design work that is is fresh. >> So when when we go get quotes or preliminary estimates on capital expenditure plans, standard practice, those are in today's dollars, not you know, we think we can lock this in for two or three years or >> Yeah. and and I can I'll look back on sometimes they include some inflation estimates um and also have contingencies. I don't recall if this one specifically does, so I'll I'll take a look and see. >> Miss Taylor, can you speak to the um condition of the roof on at Highland School? Can we can we wait five years? Is it advisable that we wait five
097years? Um not that we have any say over it. If >> Yeah. in not being a roof expert but deferring to our director of facilities. This is a project that he has moved forward with design work for. Our roof is over 20 years old. It's a it's a large building. Um and so, you know, we have, like I said, not being an expert, but can this wait five years? Sure, it's a big project, but every year you wait with a a project like this is the potential for more leaks or more more issues. But our director of facilities felt strongly about pushing the design work forward. Okay. I just want to know what to advocate for. Thank you. Uh, anything else under planning committee before we move on to policy? Great. Mr. Eky, do you
098want to report on the policy committee meeting held on February 2nd? So, we've got uh a few things going on uh with policy. As um you guys may have read, we we've we've had some discussions uh regarding undocumented students. We went back and forth on whether we uh want to add this policy uh the pros and cons of of uh having that just just having the policy in general. Um so we wanted to bring it back to you guys to the board as a whole to take a look at. Uh so we did we did do a first reading of that. We've we've tweaked some language. This goes back to the fall we started looking at this. Correct, Dr. Solen. The uh document. >> Well, we looked at it. Yeah, we looked at it last
099year. Um and then tabled it in the spring. Um basically recognizing that the policy itself was reflective of the law. Um and at the time we decided to hold off and then we um there was interest in bringing it back more recently to review it again as an option. So for your viewing pleasure there are links on the uh the agenda uh online. Yes. Did you talk just some >> We didn't talk any details. Did you like talk some details? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, so I mean for the past year, I mean this really came to a head with President Trump and for the past year I've tried to um, you know, talk about this uh, privately and publicly too uh, most recently and I'm not sure if you could speak to this uh,
100Jeff, but just if you've had a chance to um, communicate with your So specifically I'm thinking about Minnesota uh, Minneapolis apolis and jurisdiction. You might even know know about this, Mark, jurisdictional issues. And you end up with a sudden moment in time and who has jurisdiction >> over a dead person. And here's my point. It's not to get a real answer, but that was a rhetorical question. Um, simply to I asked the superintendent just to make sure like our SRO uh has a clear understanding as best he or she can about jurisdiction because I my understanding is there could be like snap decisions made right there in the moment if something drastic you know terrible does happen. So I I definitely feel that the board being on top of this is really important. Um, at
101the same time, uh, you know, he President Trump ran on a campaign of retribution. That was his, that was where he kicked off his campaign. I believe those were basically like his first words a few years ago. Uh, he's made it clear that from my perspective, that he looks at sanctuary states and sanctuary cities and we come up with a policy named undocumented students. And I feel like it's us putting a target on our back. Um, so with that said, uh, are we required, I don't know if you mentioned this, I may have missed it. Are we required to do a policy? >> No. >> This is a recommendation from CABE basically. So my general feeling is that uh, we get all of our ducks in a row and we don't actually create a policy
102like or adopt a policy like this. Um, it occurs to me that perhaps any viewing audience that we may have um does not know that we are talking about fasttracking a policy on student wellness. Um, Dr. Solen, can you just very briefly? >> We actually were starting to talk I think think about the uh the policy on how we navigate uh immigrations and customs enforcement officers. I think that's where Mr. Ekki started. But yes, indeed, we are going to have to talk about fasttracking the wellness policy. >> Okay. So, I'm the one that's confused. >> Yeah, these guys are so So, we are Yeah. So >> it's kind of hidden above the >> the uh so going to yeah the undocumented students you know we've we've discussed this and and the uh the administration in
103in each of the schools is aware of of what they're supposed to do should anybody show up and it's >> you know we're pretty comfortable and uh everybody has been trained in in how to respond to everything. So I think we're good. Um, you know, we've talked about that policy. Um, >> and it's there. It's there for you to take a look at. >> So, this is just the first reading. >> That's just the first reading. So, you guys can go look at it. So, yeah, it looks like I did skip over the possible the fast tracking. >> So, I'll go back to that one. So, we have a uh I am going to bring a proposal to uh fasttrack a policy because it's law and we don't it's in effect already. So, rather than
104go through the all of the readings, I'm going to make a motion that the chess board of education wave the second and third readings for policy number 6142.101 and direct superintendent to put that policy into immediate effect. If Mr. So if you or Dr. Sen would you like to explain? >> Oh I'm sorry. >> Second >> Mr. Mr. White seconds. >> Sure. Thanks guys. Um basically the state notified us weeks before our policy meeting that we needed to have an updated wellness policy for March 1st of this year. Um not really uh adhering to our standard timelines. The good news is that the wellness policy that is before you tonight is in essence a long drawn out. Our original policy was three pages. This pa this one is 15 pages long. All it does is
105uh reiterate sometimes in several cases um what our current practice is is really redundant uh in a lot of places is what I meant to say. But the um policy itself, there's nothing in the policy that is stuff that we just that we don't always that we don't already do. But for example, we don't indicate that there will be free portable water in cafeterias, which is a USDA requirement in our existing policy. we just we have we have uh water fountains, you know, but you know, we don't say that in our policy, but apparently that's required as part of the federal and state regulation. So um like I I said this is just a very long drawn out um detailed version of practices that are already in place that we need to adopt in order
106to be compliant with the you know the state by March 1st. So, I apologize. We don't like to fasttrack things here, but like I said, at least this is something that is um practices that are already in PA place, just uh articulated in a much more verbose fashion. >> And on this, I will agree with Mr. White. It's a little ridiculous to have to put into policy that we have portable water in our schools, but here we are trying to comply with state statutes, which is what Dr. Soulen is telling us. Correct. >> Other questions? Then let's uh move forward with a vote. The motion on the table is that the Cheshire Board of Education wave the second and third readings for policy 6142.101 and direct the superintendent to put said policy into immediate effect.
107And that's the student wellness uh policy, revised policy. All those in favor? >> It's unanimous. Thank you. >> What else you have for us, Mr. Eki? >> All right. We have uh second reading of policies and bylaws regarding library collection, display, suicide prevention. Uh we do have some board related responsibilities. Um and the monitoring products and processes revised by law. Dr. So, would you like to uh share some deeper information about our library collection? >> Sure. >> Etc. So, um the we do have policies regarding our library collection and the um how uh community member could quote challenge an item within our library. But uh this is just an overview uh that's required that we add this uh by state law. Now some uh nuances in there, things like a library display program. So in
108essence, we kind of already have this in the sense that if people want to challenge a book or a resource, they can do it. Here it's the library display. What this legislature, I think, tried to do here is um probably respond to national efforts and acknowledge that school systems hire professionals who hold certifications and selecting materials that are appropriate for the age group. But yes indeed that there is a process to challenge these things and that is uh outlined in our in our materials in our board policy. Uh I don't know if you recall in the fall I mentioned to the policy committee that in the fall there was um a member of the community here who was questioning about the things that we have in our libraries. I met with her. Um, she ultimately
109solicited I think it was every book that we had at Cheshire High School. Um, started there and she reviewed it. Um, and she was really happy with it. So, we follow our process and usually that resolves issues. Um, knock on wood, but that's the um, last time that we've had an issue like that. And we've had issues like this in the past that sometimes parents question different materials and we go through the process. I know Marlene's worked through a few of them with different families and and we get it resolved. So, we have a process in place. The process is working, but the state has required us to update some of these policies. >> So, I have a quick question. We have one, two, three, we have five here for a second reading tonight. And
110are are these all I'm on policy committee but I forget sometimes. Are these all just language tweaks or additions to >> comply with I mean so 51 uh 41 suicide prevention and intervention was a an update that Robin and I wanted to make in conjunction with our um our legal council because the last time we had reviewed that policy was in 1996. uh seemed due for an update. Uh then we >> So is that a new regulation then? >> That's a policy policy that we've updated. It's not new. It's a revision. Then we have 9040 um which is a revision to the board bylaws that was um born out of our summer retreat >> um and how we you know um look to um you know facilitate uh retreats and then the the next one
111was monitoring products and processes and that's the board self-evaluation process. Again, th those were both born out of the summer retreat um that we had. So, it was a v a little popery in this one. >> Yeah, a reading section. >> Thank you very much. I just wanted to know if there was something that we maybe needed to alert people to. >> No, >> thank you. >> We are also bringing for third reading and approval of policies um for suspension and expulsion, due process, special education revised policy. IEP revised policy and educational opportunities for military children new policy. So, uh, I'm going to make a motion that the Jes Board of Education give a third and final reading to policies 5114, suspension and expulsion/use process, 6171, Special Education, 6159, Individualized Education Program, and 5118.1 Educational
112Opportunities for Military Children, and direct superintendent to put set policies into immediate effect. >> Do I have a second? Second, >> Mr. Colehower. Thank you. Any discussion on these third readings and approvals? We've seen them all now a few times. So, okay, let's take the vote then. Um, yeah, I was I was debating whether I was going to read it again, but I think it was good. It was said [laughter] just moment moments ago. So all those in favor. Thank you. It's unanimous. Okay, that does it for policy. Right, Mark? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh we're moving on to calendar committee. Um Dr. Solen, you want to report on that meeting and what we're >> Yeah, sure. In in short um there were the calendar committee is prescribed by the board policy
113and that we have representatives from the various bargaining units uh parents etc board members. Uh basically we reviewed the 26 27 calendar draft that was out there. Um, we contemplated a recommendation given the fact that our school year starts relatively late this year, uh, after the, you know, to accommodate the opening of of schools and the transitions that we're making and the leveling of Norton and everything. Uh, we start pretty late. We consequently end pretty late. The original date was June 17th. It's not much, but the committee decided to uh remove the Columbus Day uh slash indigenous people's day, Italian-Americans day uh holiday out of the calendar in order to, you know, just give us another day. It's it's it's really pretty close to the start of school at this point. And um as you
114look at the end of the year, a matter of a few snow days pushes us really late into June, which would be really uncomfortable for all. So um the committee felt good about that. I sent an email to all of our families and and teachers, our staff, all of whom, you know, nobody replied back saying that that was a bad idea. As a matter of fact, there were more there were a handful of requests saying, "Well, why don't you get rid of the second day on the February break, too?" Um, that day is also contractually obligated um for our 12 month employees. There are two days in February. Um so, I mean, ultimately we could uh but it wasn't part of the the original calendar proposal. So, that's the calendar for 2627. And I I
115would add that we need to vote on both the proposed calendar for 2627 and the proposed draft calendar for 2027 2028. >> Yeah. So we're adopting 2627 and then you know the draft for 2728 as as you just indicated. >> Correct. And I would say about the Indigenous People's Day slash ItalianAmerican Day um holiday that we've had off that we we had um we had some good discussion around that and um there was pretty much unanimous support that uh we talked about um higher education institutions not taking that and that that holiday not being um not being a day off for a lot of a lot of uh a lot of the communities around us. And as Jeff said, he put out a notice to the to the community, the school community as well. Did
116you get feedback from that? >> Yeah, I mean, no, nothing around that day. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Miss Colin, >> uh, two questions for you, Dr. Soulen. Uh, one, you know, we we I think everybody on the board received some emails from some community members that had some really good data that I that I took to heart about the continuity of of the the school weeks. Um, that one really registered with me. I mean, I think if you know, for the six people watching out there, right, like if you want to convince your boards and your elected officials to do something, like the way that they presented that data um was really moving to me. And I know that the calendar we would vote on tonight for next school year isn't yet finalized because you
117still need to plug in your professional development and and some other things. Um, where do you think we'll end on that? Do you think we'll have more weeks that are consistent? >> So, I think that's a that's a something we're efforting toward. Yeah. Um, once these dates get adopted, Marlene and I will work around things like historical trips like uh, you know, DC and and um, um, nature's classroom and, uh, the YMCA trips that we do. The they just approved a field trip for uh, our music students to go to an adjudication. We work around those dates. the uh open houses and all those other things that we try and schedule around. I I had a really interesting conversation um a couple of weeks ago with the superintendent in West Hartford who um just indicated,
118you know, we've had every Wednesday is a half day basically forever and that's really all we really have. And so um said it was really valuable, has great continuity. it's different. Um, but at least there's a lot of consistency to it. Um, so I think there's, you know, a lot of room for conversation there to how do we get the best of both worlds because I appreciate, you know, as a parent, you know, how difficult it was for me to finagle that with my own kids and everything. And then, um, I also appreciate as an educator the value that we gain from that time. Um and uh yeah, we don't have the same consistent weeks uh that some do. We also have different performance than others do. And you know, I'm not going to say
119it's entirely attributed to that obviously, but there are a number of factors, but I know that we consider the time valuable with our staff. So trying to find a balance that works better is certainly a target for us. >> Thank you. Thank you. And that that leads into my second question here as we look at the proposed draft calendar for next year that if that's a target and that's a goal and there was a lot of good dialogue around the holiday in October. Um I I notice it's right back on the draft calendar for the following year to have it off. [clears throat] Um you know I and I know this isn't the final calendar that we would be adopting but >> actually I mean that date is >> it's gonna be Yonapore. So yeah,
120it does say it on there as well. I mean, I think I would be happy taking it off of there to be honest with you. But >> yeah, and we still can, right? >> You just leave it as Yam Kapoor. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I I think that would be good just for clarity and then Yeah. >> And then the community can understand that for at least these two years. And I I don't see why, >> you know, what in three years would happen that we say, "Hey, let's go back and take that day off." But um yeah, I I would be in favor of that. [snorts] >> Yeah. The other thing uh Matt that we discussed was that October is when elementary schools have their conference days, right? So those have to be worked
121into October. And so it's another reason to have another day in October. >> And and I will add because I did have the thought over the weekend about that second April or uh February day and my wife reminded me about all of the illness that was going around and what a great break that is. >> Yeah. to say, "Okay, let's go back and reset after." So, I'm >> totally agree. [laughter] You know, it um it is an opportunity to kind of clear the house a little bit when sometimes, knock on wood, it hasn't been uh an issue as much this year, but in years past it certainly has been. >> Okay. Um Mr. White, >> thank you. Yeah. So, just stepping back in time, probably a year or two ago, I'm not sure exactly when,
122we had um when we changed from Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day slash Italian American Day, I didn't really care for doing that. And one of the reasons that I didn't care for doing it is I didn't really care for the name Indigenous People's Day. I didn't feel as though there was any um doing that didn't provide any local meaning. So I reached out to his name was Mike Thomas, a director of I forget director of education with the Peekquats and I spoke to him about it [clears throat] and he said he could appreciate where I was coming from about something being more meaningful. So if we were going to go down this path, he suggested Eastern Woodlands tribe day because that is the Native Americans that lived here three or 400 years ago. That
123was the um how they viewed themselves as the Eastern Woodlands tribe. Um, he also mentioned that the US uses puts indigenous people day in October typically and I know there's other towns around here that do that and I'm sure other states and stuff. Uh, but he also pointed out to me and I so I just want to increase public awareness of the awareness of this. Indigenous people's day exists around the world and it's in August. It's not October. and he really I don't think he quite understood what it was about unless it was just simply like switching Columbus Day over to Indigenous People's Day. Um, but it does exist and it's a holiday in August. Anyway, I'm uh I'm in favor of what we're doing right now and uh not having that first Monday celebrated
124as a holiday. And that really is largely because of the email that we got that I'm guessing Matt was referencing before, which was uh a datadriven approach to looking at our weeks looking at education here in Cheshire. And the superintendent went over it while we were there uh while at the curric at the calendar committee meeting. And I don't think anyone's mentioned this tonight, public schools in Connecticut, basically everybody has 40 weeks in a year. And the superintendent told us the range of school districts and how many full five day weeks they have. Most of them are 21 to 23. And correct me if I'm off base here, Jeeoff. Most of them around 21 to 23. Ignoring Cheshure, the range, the low was uh 16 and the high was 28 full 5day weeks. And I
125was interested in this because I've been on the board of ed for six years now. And since I got on since I got on the board of ed, probably the single most recurring comment I've heard from people, not in like a really like angry way or anything like that, but sort of like, why do we have so many days off? Why are there so many early dismissals? It's a it's a I think it's a nuisance to a lot of parents in general. And not to say that what we're doing is bad, but the inconsistency, I think, is is a real issue. >> It's it's a nuisance for us sometimes, too. >> Yeah. And so we looked at it, the superintendent looked at it and we're below that lowest number 16. We actually only have 15
126full five day weeks. I believe that's what you had said. >> I I don't recall off the top of my head. I think >> we were the very well. >> We're at the bottom. Yeah, we're near the bottom of that list. >> Uh and so I strongly want to move toward uh increasing our full five day weeks. This is one opportunity. Um what we're doing here, this is one way to do it. I support it because I I do want to have for example the professional development and I don't know the best way to structure it and you're looking at it. Um I appreciate that but this is one thing we can do to increase the number of uh full 5day weeks. Um and I would I suggest we take this even further. One thing
127that I had heard and I don't know if you can speak to it off the cuff but some districts use a floating holiday. Do you know what I'm talking about? >> No. only from a you know collective bargaining perspective I wouldn't know what you're talking about. >> Okay. Anyway, anything that we can do include including looking at um including looking at some other days like uh that I'm not sure how many kids well uh if we could do something like a floating holiday good Friday yam kapore u >> I mean that's what we're doing with the the uh indigenous people's day in effect. I mean that's a day that are in the collective bargaining contracts for like our administrators 12-month employee secretaries. So uh building maintainers so paras some paras basically um I had to
128talk to each of those groups and they agreed to applying that day off on a different day. So they would get a paid day off on a different day probably over Christmas break. So I think yeah I think this is a slightly different aspect or perspective which is the students. >> So if we did hold school on uh religious holiday say um would there be something that could be done to address that to you know not drive up their absenteeism rate or something like that? And I I don't know what you could do. I know that I've heard something about that related to the students not to the not to the bargaining units at all. Um, but ultimately really I don't mean to push anything other than simply requesting for you to look at everything.
129Oh yeah. Because that 15 weeks what I recall you saying out of 40 is just >> really low and moving directionally moving to a higher number I think is a good thing. >> Sure. Yeah. I don't disagree. Um, one more interesting thing that I uh took out of that that calendar meeting was um there was some discussion about now that the elementary schools are going to be sort of more evenly populated. Um that maybe we can have like one less conference day because we can spread them. Uh we don't need to have with Highland with what 800 students >> 950 Mr. Jeff um it'll be down to like a more reasonable number where we wouldn't maybe need as many days uh off for conferences. So, um I really appreciate the work that Marleene is going
130to do on that front. Um in terms of looking at those kinds of days. >> Okay. >> Um can I just I know we're going along. I just wanted to um yeah know regarding the email that we got from parents, I uh do want to thank um Carrie Stingo and Steve Alexandria specifically for their comments and I uh appreciated meeting with them and the thoughtful way that they presented and then shared their insights, their information and like rather than posting things on Facebook, it's really important to become part of the public record. It's important to put things in an email. it's important to talk to people um who can do something about it and just to share with folks you know if anyone's listening uh BOE contactes.k12.ct us is the best email to use to
131do that. So thanks again. Um I see in the minutes and I know we talked about it a little bit there was this idea of YMCA potentially doing some extended programming and I that's being discussed. Is that true? Yeah. And then soonish, like March, April, people will maybe hear if there's anything. >> Yeah. I mean, people the the YMCA has already publicized. Great. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, they've already publicized >> different camps and opportunities >> that are covering those gaps. Awesome. And then I just again question, this is newish to me. the so the calendar that I see that's being proposed um does not yet include all professional development and parent teacher conferences that comes later. >> Yeah. So we've the once the board approves the days that will actually be in school then we
132plug in all of those dates after the fact. Okay. >> Thank you. Mhm. Okay. Can we take a vote on the uh the two motions? Miss Cullinin, do you have those motions in front of you? Would you mind making them? >> And I don't mean to put you on the spot, but I just did. >> That the Cheshire Board of Education adopts the 2627 school calendar as presented. >> Do I have a second, Mr. Holhower. All in favor? It's unanimous. And the second motion >> that the Cheshire Board of Education adopts the 2027 28 proposed draft school calendar as presented. >> Can Can we just modify that with the exception of um >> October 11th. >> Yeah. So, we're going to amend that um motion. >> We don't have to amend the motion. Like we
133could just we'll start that over again and >> just make the point that uh >> as long as Carol has it down in her notes. >> Yeah. It won't include um indigenous people/Italianame >> but we will keep the October 11th Yamaport. >> We're not going to we're going to drop that date. >> Okay. though that the Cheshire Board of Education adopts the 2728 proposed draft school calendar with the exception of dropping the October 11th Indigenous People/ItItalianamerican Day. >> Do I have a second to that motion, Mr. Colehower? Sorry, he's fast. All those in favor, it's unanimous. Thank you everyone for getting those calendars approved. Next on our agenda is um are there any board members who wish to report on any other standing committees? Didn't think so. Approval of minutes. You have in your packets
134and hopefully have looked over uh the minutes of the meeting held January 22nd of 2026. Um would anyone like to make a motion on that? >> Sure. Miss Cullen >> that the Cheshire Board of Education approve the minutes from the meeting held on January 22nd, 22, 2026. >> Do I have a second? >> Mr. White. All in favor? Motion passes. And Mr. White as secretary. Is there any correspondence to be read? >> We definitely got a lot of correspondence on those on the uh the school calendar, but I'm going to defer to the superintendent beyond that if he has any other correspondence. >> Yeah. No, that that correspondence as I said was most frequently around and and when I say the correspondence probably like five people. Yeah. And it was almost always saying, "Why don't
135you take a look at that second day in the February break, too?" It was pretty limited. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh, superintendent's report. Dr. Solar, >> thank you very much. Um, just hitting on some some quick items here. Uh this Saturday uh we'll be engaging in the Polar Plunge, the Cheshire Public Schools to support the affforementioned YMCA uh and providing camp scholarships. We have a great partnership with them. Um and I'll send out to the board a path for donation assuming you don't want to be jumping. >> Um but you get a choice. You can jump or or donate. So, >> we'll see you on the 27th. Anyway, now um I want to thank Tekon and OMG for stepping up to serve as marquee sponsors for the Cheshire Foundation trivia night on March 21st. Uh
136they both made significant donations toward that end and we appreciate their support. Uh again, that's March 21st at Cheshure Academy. I think it's 7 o'clock. And if you don't have a team yet of four, it is so much fun. Um, Bob or wine, uh, no hard liquor, please, but most people bring like snacks and, uh, hang out with their friends and have a good time. And, uh, it is a lot of fun that night. And, uh, so I encourage you to go to chaseredfoundation.org, uh, if you'd like to sign up for that. Um, I want Go ahead. >> It's the same night as the Dodd musical. >> Okay. Yeah, there were so many. We have the High School Musical, too. The Dodd musical has multiple per performances, too. So, >> um, playing around that uh,
137the Dodd Musical. There's a Friday for that as well, I believe, for the Dodd Musical. Uh, and I think they've had in the past a matinea as well. But um the uh I just want to let the board know too that uh I've engaged the uh various PTOs in town. I've I've started going to all those meetings to share our budget uh situation and make sure that um our parents are fully aware of the process uh that we're engaged in. And I I have a handout to to share with you that um I've been sharing to kind of contextualize what's happening with our budget. I think it's important that our families are aware. This is in addition to an an annual dinner that I host for um our parent leaders in the district just to
138get kind of give them a lay of the land. I mean, uh, that's not exclusively on the budget, but, um, it's important, I think, for people to understand the context of where we are, uh, with in the face of our growing enrollment, uh, the additional staff that we've add to try and maintain our ratios, uh, that we've had over time, uh, we've, I know the board certainly prioritized that. and then the the um reductions that the the board made um to make every effort to try and retain staff, but our budget could not really be any leaner than it is today. So, um on that handout, you will see the um the schedule for the town council. Uh Emily and I will be presenting to the council on March 11th. Um and then like I
139said in the interim, I'll be meeting with PTO's from around the district. Um finally, I just want to give a a quick report on the um presentation of the conference I attended last week in the presentation that I gave with our friends from the Meridan Public Schools at the National Conference on Education. Uh it's the national conference for superintendents basically. Um really valuable. I had never attended before in my 10 years as superintendent, but really valuable experience to to hear so many great ideas from around the country. There were probably a couple thousand superintendent in attendance at central office people. I've never seen that many educators in my life at the Nashville Convention Center. And um Mark, the superintendent in uh Meridan and I gave a presentation with a couple of folks who work in
140central office in Meridan on uh social media applications for district leadership. Uh was really well attended on a especially given the fact that it was kind of creeping on happy hour in Nashville on Friday right before I left. But um we had about 40 superintendents in attendance and uh it went really well and we were proud to represent our area. So um just a great experience and I can't wait to talk more about some of the different things that I learned in that in that process and and how we can bring those to the Chester public schools. >> Um just a clarifying question here. When we originally cut your proposed budget and you came back to us with a sheet on how you would get there, I realized that was a quick turnaround. >> Yeah.
141>> Sounds like just reading this maybe you've made some changes to that because I recall it was five elementary teachers and we went to four >> as part of that. >> It was six and we went to five. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> that's what it was. So, yeah. and we we added the two middle school >> positions too. >> Um but yeah, it was six elementary initially and then we went to five. >> But yeah, there were there were some things uh Matt that were kind of outstanding that Emily and I are still working through. Um you know, nursing being one of them. We had a a nurse take another position this uh this week. Uh the 27th will be her last day at Dittle. And so, you know, that'll be a position that
142we're going to reduce next year um to meet the budget. And we have made every effort to try and avoid student facing, but there are certainly service implications um when we are at the point where we are uh with the budget. So, We are still working some through some of those reductions and pinpointing them. >> Any other questions? >> My question is um at when you present to the council on March 11th, is that um is that a presentation followed by questions? >> Generally, yeah. Uh, typically I'll give a presentation to the council and council members will ask questions, but it's never um one and done. You know, uh, I'm sure I'll probably be at one more if not all of those meetings to respond to questions and advocate on behalf of the board and
143our our school system. >> Thank you. So, if if anyone on the board wants to uh attend some of these meetings, that's usually a good a good time to hear where the where our town council's coming from. >> Is that all you have for us? It >> Are there any other questions for Dr. Solen? >> Wait, so that March 11th meeting is a public meeting or not? >> Yeah. Okay. I just don't see it on the Cheshire town. >> Yeah, they I I'm not sure why it's not up there yet, but um I I wouldn't say these are absolutely set in stone. Okay. But there I got this from uh Noel Shepard, the secretary in Sean's office yesterday. >> Okay. Because I would be encouraging people to come and that I want to have to
144be Oh, wait. Actually, you can't come. [laughter] >> Right. So, it's >> Oh, no. Any meeting is definitely public. Great. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. If there is any sort of change, I would certainly send that out right away. But okay, >> this is um as of yesterday. I think it's pretty good. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I see no old business on the agenda and I see a chairperson's update. I've been sitting in tonight and I just want to we are running low on time here. So I will forego anything except to say thank you for all the hard work tonight and for getting some so much business taken care of. Um and then I would call for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to >> and a second by Tim. All
145those in favor we are adjourned. Thank you very much.