001meeting on May 27th, 2026. Um, I'd like to welcome all of our guests here this evening and also thank you to my board members for coming tonight um and really uh working to make Danbury the best uh school district in the state. So, with that, I will um move on to the pledge. Lauren Kimp, you please do roll call. Al Elmeita. >> Kate Ketta >> here. >> Glattis Cooper >> here. >> Dr. Cronin. >> Lauren Daly here. >> Um, One Monita Bush Harris. >> Cindy Henry >> here. Sher Leank >> here. >> Sean Ratchford >> here. >> Minnie Santos >> here. >> Louisa Britain >> here. >> Evening tonight looking at a complete full packed house of wildly successful students in our school district and they're very supportive parents. So we want to thank everybody
002for coming out and bringing your child and students. We're glad that you're here tonight. This is very exciting. Um, we have two distinct awards to present tonight uh from the board but also from the uh myself as a superintendent and also the principles of the schools who are um who have selected and nominated students. Um we have the Western Connecticut Superintendent Association award or the CAPS award from CAPS and we also have a CAB student award as well. And so what we're going to do tonight is to recognize you formally is we're going to ask your principles to come up uh by school and then uh we will present uh the principles will present the certificate and maybe say one quick word just one quick word. Um >> who are you looking at over there?
003>> Mostly looking at Mr. Donovan. um quick on the quick part and uh then we'll do just like a very uh nice photo and hopefully we'll get behind our wonderful emblem here and a quick snap and then we will uh bring the next group up as well. So um we're very excited again to have everybody here. Um before we start um I want to first tell you a little bit about the Western Connecticut uh Superintendent Association Award. Um, we already had a wonderful evening, but this is a formal recognition at the board level, which is definitely important. So, each year the Western Connecticut Superintendent Association or WCSA hosts an award ceremony for outstanding students in each school district based on three criteria. Community service and service to others, academic prowess or relative to ability, and
004leadership service to the school community. The following students were selected by our principles and are recog and were recognized at the recent WCSA event and they are invited back here tonight with additional board of education recognition. At this time I would like Broadview Middle School principal Andrew Lambo to step forward and the board chair and I will come around and and meet you. You could actually recipient of the Western Superintendent Association Award is Frankie I don't believe he's here tonight. >> Oh, no. >> No, Frankie. But >> he's an incredible young man. He is always eager to get into the classroom. Um a um a pivotal part of Broad Middle School. You see him in the hallways. You see him in the cafeteria getting off the bus. He is always there with a warm smile
005and leading by example. He is epitome of a Broadway bear. So great job Frankie. Our next recipient is she is here today. Zoe Calderon. >> Zoe, much like Frankie, is an incredible student and a part of the Broadview community. She is part of peer leadership with um Miss Miller and she's also part of the newly formed student government council. She took on every task and every opportunity to not only advocate for herself and for her class, but every student at Broadview Middle School. She was uh she did a wonderful job bringing bringing life back to Broadview Middle School, letting us know what we need to do for the students to have a memorable experience, but also upheld the same responsibility and uh commitment in the classroom as well. Wonderful job, Zoe. He's the first one.
006So, everyone's watching. >> Fold it back. Put it right at your head. Nice and square. Congratulations. >> Please. >> Again, just brief comments because we have >> Thank you. go on for days about these amazing students. >> That's right. Uh, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming. Uh, I have the honor and privilege to recognize two individuals tonight. The wh the first is not here. Uh, I'm going to speak briefly about Darlin Darlin Perez. Darl Perez is a pillar of the Rogers Park community, not just for her academic prowess, but for her work with the ROAR report, our student council. Uh, she leads with pride. She bleeds green and blue, our school colors. Uh, and she just exemplifies everything we look for in a middle school student. So, congratulations to Darla Pres. Darlan Perez. Next up,
007and I get to celebrate him again, and I wish he could see me saying this. I'm going to call him up. Emanuel. >> Emanuel Fernandez. Please come up. Emanuel took a trip with me uh to the local elementary schools to get kids excited about Rogers about Rogers Park and his presentation uh skills were incredible. But it's not just that, it's what he does outside the classroom. He leads by example. Uh he's an absolute pillar in the classroom. High honors pretty much every term. He does robotics. There's not much he doesn't do. So Emanuel represents Rogers Park with pride. We thank you for all you do, Emanuel. And next up, like to call up Westside Middle School Academy principal Mike Flynn. All right, presenting uh first up is Alex Sanchez and Logan Schneider. I'm just going
008to say this. I'm going to say this about all four of them. first two being introduced here. At one point or another, these this is the school leadership. They do come up big in big moments. We had moments during the school year where they had to present uh to the new teacher project uh and give feedback there. They also were part of the welcoming committee for Allison Brady Johnson when she came in. She met some of these students when they came in and uh our food services program needed students that would provide honest feedback, weren't scared to be critical and I know these students are very strong in their leadership and very intelligent and articulate and I know that it would give the feedback that any of these committees needed. Um but I'm very proud
009to have them at the school. They are very strong leaders and very well deserving of these awards. Next up, principal of Danbury High School, Don Dan Donovan. >> We'll figure it out. See who's first. All right. If I can have Nicole and James come up. Um I know both of these I believe. Where are you, James? quiet. James is uh is a member of the ROC as you saw as a high ranking member and I got to see them James present in front of our uh ROC unit when it was up for inspection and did an absolutely fantastic job in knocking it out of the park. So much that uh the ROC unit got say it for me distinguished unit merit or something like that. The highest ranking you could possibly get. And then Nicole,
010I ran into Nicole and I watched her present. It was at HOSA, right? And she presented and ran the whole HOSA induction. And with that, um, you're looking at two students who are in easily the top 5% of Danbury High School with grades like all the students that will be in front of you tonight. But, uh, they did an excellent job and their public service is phenomenal. So, James and Nicole Mom first. And then lastly at the alternative center for excellence principal John Weber. >> Thanks everybody. We believe it or not at ACE we do things a little bit different. I don't actually pick our awards. We vote on them. We have a couple rounds and we go through and we pick them as a staff. So I get one vote. That's that's all I
011get. Um, my first two or the first two people I'm going to be celebrating are Avery Ruiz and Jamie Vargas. I told them I'm going to I'm going to keep this pretty brief, too. But Avery on the right here next to Cara um is one of our one of our most caring people in the building. So, multiple times she's won the Ace of Hearts award, and that speaks a lot to who she is. U Jamie here on the left, um, is somebody who became a leader. Didn't come in as a leader, but became a big-time leader in the school. She's our yearbook, one of our yearbook editors, uh, performs at Coffee House, um, playing music last year, again, this year, which is tomorrow, uh, in case anybody wants to come to Hatter's Park to our
012coffee house. So, this is Avery and Jamie. Okay, now we have a completely different award that we have not fully presented and this is the CAB award. And the CAB student leadership award recognizes student achievement and leadership qualities. Uh, and leadership is a quality that is hard to define and not always demonstrated by all citizens. Cabe developed the below criteria that helped to define leadership and our principles have selected these students based on the following skills and characteristics. Willingness to take on challenges, capability to make difficult decisions, concern for others, the ability to work with others, willingness to commit to a project, diplomacy, ability to understand issues clearly, and ability to honor a commitment. Very important qualities. So with that, I'd like Broadview Middle School to come on up. Principal Lambo again. So I'm looking
013out. I don't see Ricardo S. Uh Ricardo Simpson is the recipient. And Casey Mcana, I don't see her, but two of them, Ricardo and Casey, are exemplary Broadway Bears. They come in each and every day ready and willing to learn and not only lead by example. When I had to make this decision on these two students, one thing that stood out to me was the ability to make um good choices in the classroom, in the hallways, and in life. Looking at these two dayto day in the hallways, getting off the buses, in the cafeteria, friendly with everybody. And what made what stood out for these two students is their ability. You see the gears going. Are they going to make the right decision or are they going to make a mistake? and they always make
014that right decision. When everybody was going left, they chose to go right. So Casey and Ricky aren't here today. Ricky, >> one thing, um, you know, since Ricky's here, um, always does the right thing at Brav, part of our leadership community at Bravio. One thing that stood out that Ricky did is when the hurricane hit Jamaica, Ricky came to me and said, "I would like to support this co cause." He teamed up with students, families, and uh and teachers within the broad community and earned a lot of money and a lot of resources to send down to um uh Jamaica. So Ricky, well done for a picture. Congratulations. >> Okay. And next we have Rogers Park Middle School principal again, Michael Buchet. >> Thank you. >> All right, so I'd like to call up uh
015first off Amelio Garcia and Kirsten Gillespie. All right. So, Alio, this we have a lot of leaders at Rogers Park. Uh, but he is someone that has demonstrated outstanding dedication, not just in the classroom, uh, but in all things he does. So, he approaches his studies with commendable work ethic. Uh, he leads by example. He truly emol embodies the ideal middle school student. This was all your teachers had the same sentiment about you. You've made a huge impact on your team. Congratulations, Kirsten. Kirsten. Kirstston is someone that is diligent and responsible as described by her teachers. She willingly willingly takes on challenges in and out of the classroom, leads by example, and she's not afraid to help out. She is often willing participant in the classroom. Shows both diplomacy and genuine concern for those around
016her. Congratulations, Kirstston. Okay. And then if we can have Principal Mike Flynn again of Westside Middle School. Well, it wasn't planned this way before. I had two young men. Now I have two young ladies coming up for this award. Like I said before, all four show leadership. I can't thank them enough when I need help for and many school activities including the staff uh versus student basketball game. Marin was there for that helping out uh many activities. Uh when we have sixth grade orientation and kids need to be shown around, we use the NJHS kids to help out with those activities and they show their leadership and and giving tours and helping parents during conferences, but they they show leadership in different styles and but both gets them to the point of collaboration, teamwork, and
017and they both have great great hearts. Uh, in the case of Gabby, uh, if you saw our play this year, probably the best Mary Poppins you've ever seen in any production. So, can I have Marin Cus and Gabby Newton come up? Okay. Danberry High School Principal Dan Donovan. Thank you. I have another two outstanding students uh coming up here. In this one, we kind of as a staff and and looked at it as a little bit different. Uh I'm going to start with Lucas. Um come on up, Lucas. Lucas took advantage of every aspect that at Danbury High School had in the classroom. um between all honors classes, AP classes, how many post classes? >> A lot of 10 post classes. He's probably leaving us with, you know, 20 30 credits, probably 30 college credits.
018And next year, we'll be starting to fall at I believe Dartmouth, correct? >> So, he'll be going to Dartmouth next year. Ava. Ava was is special because Ava took on what Dan High School has the best to offer when it comes to all that. Come on up, Ava. Come on. Um involved in the color guard, band, uh musical, everything that's extracurricular about Damry High School, AA was involved in. And if you need someone to advocate for a group of people or take on a cause, it's definitely Ava. She's going to Eastern next year to study elementary education. And we'll be and and hopefully we make the right move in about four and a half, five years, hire her back into Dan. >> Is this a promoter or what? And last, but certainly not least, the
019Alternative Center for Excellence Principal John Weber. Thank you. Um, our two award winners are Jordi Rivera and Jaylen Perez. Can you come up? Okay, we will continue on with our agenda. We're going to move on to public participation. Lauren, the board of education welcomes public participation and ask that speakers please limit their comments to three minutes. Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them. The board will not permit any expression of personal complaints or defamatory comments about board of education personnel or students nor against any person connected with the Danbury public school system. Okay. Uh first on the list I see have Jarice and Max. Good evening, members of the board. We are students at Danbury High School here to advocate for better funding to connect the main and west
020campuses. As students move through high school, choice becomes increasingly important. Electives and specialized courses help students explore career interests and develop skills as well as discover what they want to pursue in life. Before the school was divided into two campuses, students still had access to a wide variety of classes because teachers and courses were all located in one area. However, when the new campus was created, transportation between campuses during the school day was not included in the budget. Many classes remain primarily at the main campus and without transportation, these students cannot access them during the school day because they cannot get transportation. As a result, students are losing opportunities that were previously available to them before the main and west campus. >> For example, I've participated in orchestra for eight years and before the campus
021split, students were offered a wide variety of music classes. such as orchestra, band, and many others. And after the split, while the main campus kept the majority of classes offered, the west campus was forced to narrow down to a more general band class and orchestra was discontinued because transportation between the campuses was not available during the day. Students were forced to miss out on opportunities that they've been working for for years. So, in speaking with principal Mr. Donovan, he explained that a transportation system would cost approximately $3 million to connect buildings during the day, increasing access to classes and reducing the need to duplicate specialized courses across both campuses. We ask that the superintendent and the board recognize transportation as a necessary part of the two campus system and to include this funding in future
022budget planning so students at both campuses have access to equal educational opportunities. Thank you, Carla. Okay. Good evening, Board of Education members. I'm Carla Pereira and I teach social studies at Danbury High School main campus. This year I am teaching AP government and politics and as required by the college board students have been diligently working on a civic action project of their choice. Standing behind me are four gentlemen out of my 40 AP students this year who I've had the pleasure of teaching and overseeing their projects. They will be sharing a little to you all about the action steps they've taken, what they've learned, and they are eager to share a proposal with you all to continue growing our district into a place where all students will continue to thrive. Thank you for your time
023and your continued support of Danbury teachers, staff, and students. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we have Cyrus, Tanya, Aselin, and Gregory. Good evening, esteemed board of education members. We are students from Danbury High School. >> His name is Tanav. This is Cyrus. My name is Gregory. And this is Aelen. Tonight we are here disc to discuss the effectiveness of themies of Danbury High School for our capstone project and as the first students to undergo thesemies we investigated general opinions and the effectiveness of themies in their current state. We have done this by speaking with the school with a school administrator Mr. Davidson conducting a survey to gather a student opinion and we will speak with Mr. Donovan next week. In our meeting with Mr. Davidson, we have found that as an administrative group, the staff
024at Damry High School is actively working towards improving the benefits of each academy such as internships and job shadowing. Yet, they understand the current slow start of themies, but many of the previously wanted things are not being met. After reviewing the survey results, we found that a majority of students don't feel they are well informed about the changes going on in their academy. An example of misinformation that even some of us faced was in the cyber security academy where we were told that one of our senior level courses weren't going to be offered. After a conversation with Mr. Davidson, he explained the process of selecting courses for themies and that this course would be running for next year. And in addition, uh general consensus from students is that the freshman picking themies um are unprepared
025to do so. Uh because young students entering high school um in most cases have little to no idea of a future career and the semester long career exploration class has done little to help. So as a solution, we propose uh we propose this to Mr. Davidson and we'll be proposing to Mr. Donathan next week. Uh now we're proposing to use the board of education an academy fair for freshmen in the exploration academy to to participate in and observe what students in each academy do. In this academy fair, students who are already enrolled in each academy would showcase their skills, projects, and experiences to freshmen before they make their final academy choices. This would give freshmen a clearer understanding of what each academy actually involves. By seeing real examples, freshmen would be able to make a
026more informed decision about which academy best fits their interests and goals. We appreciate the school's effort put into upholding themies and we generally believe that it offers significant opportunities to students. While themies provide valuable opportunities for students, there are alternative pathways for continued growth to better support student education. This is the main reason we are voicing our concerns about themies at Danbury High School. We hope you consider our ideas. Thank you for your continued efforts in improving the Danbury education. Boys, don't just stay for one sec. Fellas, come back for one sec. appreciate the Academy Fair idea very much so. We have seen this in some other places and it and it is spectacular. So, we'll we'll get there. Thank you for coming tonight. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Okay. Next on the agenda is
027our consent calendar. Glattus. >> I make a motion that the board of education approved the consent calendar with exhibit 26-81 through 26-8 83 in accordance with the minutes from exhibit 26-81. the board of education uh regular meeting 2682 and the finance committee on exhibit 26-83. >> Thank you. Motion made by Glattis. Do I have a second? >> Seconded by Kate. Any comments, questions, or concerns? Seeing none. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Okay, motion carries. Do we have anybody from the educational staff here? I see none. Student representatives. Good evening everybody. My name is Lori Hamman and I'm the BOG president. And as we wrap up wrap up of another school year, there are many highlights to celebrate across our school community. Today, our elementary school students enjoy track and field day at the
028main campus, showing great teamwork and school spirit. Juniors celebrated the prom and seniors did as well on May 23rd. And we look forward to the upcoming senior barbecue. All AP tests have been taken and seniors have also planned their after graduation plans and committed to a college or trade school. And spring sports have came to an end. At the same time, we are already preparing for the next year's fall sports program. And we are also preparing for student elections for the 2026 and 2027 school year. Yeah. And we also encourage students to get involved in leadership opportunities. Lastly, graduation will take place on June 18th. And we are honored to invite everybody of the board of education officers to join us in the celebrating achievements of the class of 2026. Thank you. So, I want
029to introduce a very special new partner who's been waiting a long time. Happened to come on a on a a night when we were full of awards and uh lots of things at the beginning of our meeting. So, uh Mike U Flynn, if you can come up. Mike is the Danbury Clubhouse president and CEO and has a presentation for us to talk a little bit about um some updates with the clubhouse. So, we appreciate that you're here. Kristen, thank you both for coming. Uh we appreciate that you were able to wait uh for this moment. It's been a it's been a long beginning to the board meeting. >> Thank you uh Cara. We felt right at home. I mean, seeing the recognition and the principles speak, it's just a lot of parallels to what we
030try to do at the Boys and Girls Club. So, I want to start by thanking uh you for uh thanking uh you all for having us here tonight. We're we're very excited to be here uh to share a little bit more about what we've been building in Danbury and really building together. Um we wouldn't be where we are in in in a short four or five months without the support of Danbury public schools. Uh the leadership uh has just been fantastic in partnering with us and and getting behind this. So um as Cara said, my name is Mike Flynn. I'm the president uh and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club. I'm also here with my longtime colleague uh our executive vice president Kristen Gonalves who will be up uh to share a little bit
031here tonight. uh as well as Chris Leonard uh who has been on our board of directors um and helped has helped lead our organization for for close to 30 years and has been a key player in all of our growth and development over that time, but certainly a key player in in us moving into Danbury. So, um you know, a little bit deeper dive into the Danbury staff and and I'm I apologize if I can't figure out how to use this. >> Um Yeah, that that helps. >> There you go. >> Thank you. >> Uh but a little deeper dive. Obviously myself, I've been with the organization for 24 years. Uh Kristen, as I mentioned, 18 years of service uh as an executive level person in our organization and two key faces at the Danbury
032Clubhouse specific um is Jeff Pitlack. We we brought Jeff in 26 years in the Boys and Girls Club movement. Um, as things started to develop and and this became a reality, um, we started to talk to Jeff about an opportunity here in Danbury, uh, he was, uh, previously the chief operating officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Stanford for 15 years and was currently serving as the CEO and COO of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Haven. Um, but we talked to him about this opportunity. Uh, he's he was very excited to to take this on with us. So, he joined our team um in June of last year in preparation of of getting things moving to to the city here. Um and then Devon Lawrence, 11-year member of our staff, is
033has now moved into the Danbury role uh as our director of club operations. So, uh 11 years of experience with the organization. Um so, those are really the two faces that lead the Danbury club day-to-day. Obviously, myself, Kristen, our board of directors are are there as well behind behind this effort. But um you know a lot of decades of youth development expertise that uh we're bringing to Danbury every day. And so I wanted to share that with the board of ed um just to you know kind of get to know our team a little bit. Um as far as uh where do we you know everything really starts with the mission and our mission is simple. Um it's been the mission of Boys and Girls Clubs for 160 years. Um and that is to uh
034inspire and enable all young people especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Uh and we do that through a variety of ways which we'll talk about here in a minute. Um but but that is a collective effort um throughout the organization and and really club to club. Um, as some of you know, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, um, one of the most recognized and trusted youth development organizations in the country. Um, really across across the world. Now, we have, uh, Boys and Girls Clubs on, uh, native lands. We have Boys and Girls Clubs on military bases. Uh, in total, 5,500 locations across the country, um, that serve 4.2 million young people a year. Um, so it is a federated model. Uh, we are a
035chartered Boys and Girls Club. Our Danbury clubhouse is chartered under the Boys and Girls Club of America. So, a lot of resources come with that. Um, and a lot of experience. So, um, you know, as I said, 160 years, the the mission, uh, and the model has been refined, but, you know, it still continues to this day. Um, and the need is is real. As many of you know, um, three and four, three of four children in America, uh, lack access to after school programs. Um, and and that is kind of what we exist to change here, um, in the community. Um, our impact in Ridgefield, we've been in the community for 90 years. 1936, um, the then boys club was opened. Um and over those years obviously have earned the trust of our families,
036our schools and our community. Uh currently today we serve more than 3,500 kids. Um those are regular users of the club in Ridgefield. So that uh encompasses summer camp, after school program, before school program, teen programming. Um but kids that are club members, active kids in in the clubhouse. Um so it is a a large um you know large membership. Um and we have provided over $1.5 million in financial assistance since 2019 um which is about 38% um of our members um to access our programs which are already set to be low and affordable. Um so that is another arm of the Boys and Girls Club. We've already um begun to do that and helping a lot of our families that are at the club um that need that support um and uh you know
037we'll continue to do so. So that is a large part of what Boys and Girls Clubs do uh does. Um and our club we've we've been you know recognized um as a top performing club. Our organization um as some of you that were I know Dr. Casemiro Michael were at the the ribbon cutting in Danbury. We did have Jim Clark the national president and CEO there to speak about um how important this is for um Boys and Girls Club to come into the community. Um we are uh very active, you know, kind of nationally to make sure our voices are heard and um we've been the beneficiary of of numerous, you know, recognitions over the years and and national awards. Um and you know, so that's our organization and that's sort of what we're bringing
038in here to Danbury, you know, um and very excited to um you know, have this opportunity um in the city and and to to meet many of you tonight. Um, you know, when school is out, the club is in. So, people often think of the Boys and Girls Club as an after-school program. We kind of get lumped into that. Um, and we are an afterchool program. Uh, but the club, I think, is really so much more than that. Um, we are open before school, not yet in Danbury, but you know, if there's a need, we'll certainly look at that. Um, we're opened um during all school vacations, whether it be spring break days off, professional development days, anything that's not a major holiday. Uh the club is open all day long and as I said
039throughout the summer months. Um we partner with Richville public schools during the day uh to host a transition program for the 18 to 22. Um we also partner with the alternative high school program and actually run their fizzed classes. Um this is all in Richfield. Um and partner with the ESY summer services program. So just some things that we've developed um over the many years. um working with the schools specifically. Um and really the stat that that kind of drives everything that we do is 20% of a young person's waking hours are spent in school. Um and the club is really here for that other 80%. Right? And and how do we put our arms around these kids and families that need us? Um Danbury families have been uh have been with us uh for
040many years. I would say probably the last 15 or so years as our club has grown um and become more regional um you know the need uh for summer camp specifically um has has led a lot of Danbury uh families to attend. Um and you know we we understood that need you know pretty much right away when we started to look at um areas around us that could really benefit from the club. Danbury was certainly the very top of our list and it just took some time to kind of get a foothold I think in the last year or so. Uh a space finally became available um that made sense for us and we were we were ready. Um, so since opening in January, uh, the Danbury Clubhouse, thanks to the support of Danbury public
041schools, um, has, uh, already registered 330 members and we are now averaging 215 kids a day walking through the doors. Um, another thing to note is out of that 215 a day, 50 of those uh, students are teens and tween, so middle school and high school, which is a big stat in terms of Boys and Girls Club, looking at, you know, kids that can connect and and connect in those formative years. Um, so off to a obviously a great start. I think the transportation being provided um, from most of our public schools is really what has led us to this early success. I can't thank the board of ed cara and her team enough. I mean, great leadership. As soon as we we met early on in this, um she wanted to get behind it.
042Uh and and has made things happen in so many ways. And so, um you know, we're fortunate to be in this community. Um we're fortunate to be able to work with such a great group of of leaders at at this level. Um and it's really made all the difference in the world. So, um we know the demand is here. Um as I said, we are supporting families who need financial assistance. Um, and we'll continue to do so as as we look to uh run summer camp and open summer camp. Uh, which I would say wasn't in the initial plan for year 1 2026, but but the need is there. The families uh need us open and so we're in the process of getting that licensed. Um, it won't be to the extent of of the
043Ridgefield camp, but we do believe we'll serve about 200 kids a day. Um, and uh and and hopefully be able to grow from there. you know, Ridgefield. Um, our Ridgefield camp is actually the largest statelicicensed camp in in Connecticut. Um, in terms of number of kids a day. Um, and we obviously anticipate um the Danbury Club really being able to grow. Um, and so very excited to uh to share that. Um, very excited for the the first summer to kick off. Um, and you know, why Danbury, why now? Um, you know, I think we all know that, uh, that there's a lot of, you know, kids in the city. Um, just heard heard some great examples come through here tonight. Um, but nearly one in five Danbury residents is under 18, which means there's a
044lot of children in Danbury, as you all know very well. Um, and 24% of of children in Danbury live below the poverty line. um more than half uh of the Danbury public school students qualify for free and reduced meals which I know is 100% but based on the numbers which you you guys know all of this information um but really these aren't statistics I mean we are seeing these kids come through the club doors every single day and we're able to meet that need so um I you know I want to take this opportunity to you know thank you and I'll thank you later after Kristen runs through some more programming but um without your support, we would not be, you know, where we are. And, uh, you know, there's a lot more work to
045do. But I think it's nice to celebrate, uh, you know, four months in, we're we're uh, you know, we're beyond where we thought we would be thanks to the support of the school. So, um, with that, I want to just touch on and get a little bit more into club programming. Um, just to give you a little bit deeper dive. Um, and I'd like to call Kristen up to kind of walk us through um a little bit more on the the club programs, uh, the impact that the club has and a little deeper dive on things. >> Thanks again for having us here. I see a lot of familiar faces around the room. I was born and raised in Danbury. Um, I'm pretty sure Mrs. Cooper taught me how to um, stitch a pillow in
046Brav Middle School if I'm correct. And I may still have it. No. Okay. Okay. Sorry. Close. Close. Um. Okay. So, um club programming and these are across all boys and girls clubs as Mike mentioned. Um we have access to that national um boys and girls club programming. Um and so I'm not I'm not going to go into too much detail, but just wanted to touch about the four um core areas that we have. Um and all our programs are centered around those. Um, and what makes our programs different is not just we off what we offer, but how we offer it and why we offer it. So, our programs are rooted in the formula for impact. Um, every program we run is guided by this. It's a researchbased theory of change refined over um decades.
047It identifies five key elements which you could see there. um a safe, positive environment, supportive relationships, a sense of belonging, high expectations, and opportunities for meaningful um belonging. When these elements are in place consistently, we know that young people achieve greatness. Um and for us, this is not just a philosophy, it's a roadmap. Um and every single program that we offer follows that. So, I won't go into all the programs, but we um by September, we'll follow almost what we're offering in Ridgefield, and we'll have about 50 different programs that are offered for all club members. Um there truly is something for everyone. Every program that we offer is evidence-based and outcome driven. Um and they're all designed and tested through research with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Um, and as you could see
048through the outcome driven club experience, we know that we have outcomes that are measurable. So, four in every five club kids reports earning mostly A's and B's. Um, eight and 10 help them say the club helped them graduate. Um, a large part of what we're focusing on now is career um, readiness, a job exploration. So, nine in every 10 club teams feels ready to get a job. Um, 81% of our seniors apply for post-secary education. That does include some of the trades that they're learning, you know, learning to get certificates and stuff for as well. Um and then beyond the numbers um and these are some of the things that actually we already reporting on out of the Danbury Club. But um we know that um what kids and families are hearing every day. They
049have improved confidence, stronger relationships, a sense of belonging, a trusted adult in their corner, and for many of our members, the club is one of the most constant stable parts of the day outside of the school day. Um, and for their families, they're already telling us it's giving them a great peace of mind. >> It's back to you >> to wrap it up. >> Um, so in Ridgefield, our partnership with the public schools uh was developed over over many years. Um and we've been able to do that through open communication, shared focus, uh showing up consistently for the same kids that we share. In fact, um one of the recipients, Avery, is a club kid. She joined the first day we opened and uh and has been there ever since. Actually, she's working a couple
050of days a week. So, um, you know, already kind of seeing that connection, but obviously serving the same population and the same needs and and you know, we hope we can continue to build on that here with, uh, with our, uh, board of ed here in Danbury and our, uh, public school officials. Um, and our promise to you is simple. We will be here. We'll be consistent. Uh, we'll show up year after year uh, as a part partner that you can count on. Um, and we hope that as time goes on, you'll think of us as an extension of the um, you know, the curriculum, an extension of the staff and extension of the program. Um, and and we've really been able to build that, you know, in in Ridgefield and and have that relationship.
051And so we hope and we know we're off to a great start. Um, but we want that to continue. Um, and so with that, um, our long-term vision, uh, is bold here in Danbury, but I think it's clear, uh, we want to be the premier out of school time destination for every Danberry child. Um, obviously some growth will have to come with that. Um, many of you know that the location is the old Y, 12 Boutton Street, which is a great location. Uh, 215 kids a day in there is is uh, it's pretty full house. Um, so with that will come some growth. however that however we get there. Um but there's just so much need and so much opportunity. Um and you know we want this to be available and the club programs and
052and outcomes to be available for for all kids. Um and um not just the ones who happen to live nearby, not just the ones who can or can't afford it. Uh really every child to be part of the Boys and Girls Club in some capacity. So that's our our long-term vision. Um, you know, we are a full continuum of programming, a true community anchor. You know, we we we we hope to build that here in Danbury. Um, as well, um, and that's what we're working towards. And, you know, just so thankful to have your partnership and have your support, uh, cuz that really does make all the difference. You know, Chris and I have talked in Ridgefield. it was the better part of 20 years to really get to where we are with uh that
053partnership and and we're already um you know well ahead here um because of the support that we've got and so uh it just makes all the difference in the world. So um you know wanted to show you guys a few pictures here um this is just some recent shots. You know we've been having fun here in Danbury see an ice cream social on spring break. kids all outside uh hanging out. Bike safety program. We have uh been able to connect with uh DPD on a few different um programs already. We want to continue that partnership. You see the kids swim lessons. I think I mentioned in our council meeting um the other the other day um that we had already 61 um club kids uh participate in swim lessons. And the way we kind of
054look at that is that's 61 kids that otherw otherwise wouldn't to learn how to swim this year. Um, and so there's a lot of opportunity there. Um, and special events, Kristen mentioned some. We've had several team nights, very well attended. Um, couple of special events with with the kids was at Spice City, the soccer club. Uh, we had 50 60 kids attend that game. Um, couple different special visits. Uh, Rep. Huh, Representative Hayes and Mayor Alves came through. Um, so the kids were excited about that. So, you know, right in the backyard you see um big population of of kids and you know, the families are just so appreciative um and and not just appreciative of the club and and and the opportunity, but I think the um you know, the partnership with the public
055schools, you know, they know that they're they're being uh afforded the opportunity to get to us every day. Um so really just want to express our our heartfelt gratitude uh to the board of ed to Danbury public schools um for the warm welcome for all you've done for us uh specifically Dr. Casemiro Michael and Kelly Watson um you know right away the trust and the support was there um and it's really made such a huge difference. So um thank you for having us tonight. Um couple quotes here from from the Boys and Girls Club kids. These are our Danbury kids. I don't know if you can read that. Um, but uh the staff at the Boys and Girls Club doesn't just tell you to do your best, they help you get there. Um, is the
056first one. My eyes are going on me, so I don't know if I can even read the rest of them, but um, you know, you get the idea. This is kids, you know, four months into having a place to go every day and already getting those messages um, is pretty special. Um, so wanted to kind of end with that. And again, just thank you for having us. We're really excited. We'd love for you to stop by uh the clubhouse um any afternoon, particularly around 4:00 to just see it in action. You know, you got to see it in action. You got to be, you know, you're going to have to kind of dodge some dodge balls, basketballs. Um you know, we've got a lot moving around in there, but um really come in and see
057it. Would love to have uh everybody see it in action. Um and and connect with it. I think that's the best way to do it. So, um, thank you for having us and and any questions, you know, um, you have for us, we're we're we're open here. >> I would just like to ask a question. Is there a fee for the students? >> There is a fee, uh, Glattis. Um, it is essentially for for the full fee, those that have the means to pay, um, it's a, uh, $50 a month, uh, membership. >> Okay. um which is uh you know entitles them to come every single day to the Boys and Girls Club. >> Okay. >> So try you know we we really try to keep it low and affordable. What we found um with
058summer camp is it's it's it's very for for the population that we're serving right now. Um any fee structure that would be similar to a typical summer boys and even Boys and Girls Club summer camp fee is is is tough, you know. So So our summer camp right now we rolled out is $200 a week. that camp runs 8 to five every day. Um, but it's a it's a large number, you know, so we're already, you know, we've we've reached out to families that that need that help. And I would say a large percentage of of those families need some sort of help. I would say probably 80% of of the population needs help with that fee. So, we've got a lot of work to do with that. I think, you know, part of of
059that philanthropic arm we have is to raise those dollars, you know, whether it be public or private to to make sure those things can continue to happen. But there are um there are fees um but the the whole idea is very low, very affordable. >> So you have something in place that if a child really needs uh want to go and the uh parents cannot afford it, uh do you have some type of strategy to help that? Yes, we do. Yes. Essentially, the simple >> Okay. >> simple simple answer is we would we'll never turn a child or family away because of their inability to pay any of the fees. Um so, you know, we have those conversations. Um but very, you know, in informal, not not invasive, you know, here here's the fee, what
060can you potentially do or not do? And and we try to set something up and make it um you know, comfortable for them um and easy for them. We don't want the fees to be a burden for the families. >> Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Um I just want to thank you all right Mike and Kristen and Chris. Um you know this provides another amazing opportunity for the kids in Danberry, an affordable opportunity. Um the research, you know, that sticks with me is that from 3 to 8:00 p.m. and what happens and so many of our families work multiple jobs around the clock. So students, you know, if they're not at school participating in something that we're doing, um, you know, they're they're home. They're either, you know, kind of hanging around
061waiting or they're in their neighborhood. And we know because we get the reports a lot of times when things happen, it's it happens after school. And um, knowing that there's uh, a safe place for students to go that is, you know, really thinking about the student as a whole child and their well-being. And it's not just it's not just just not just a babysitter. um there's real academic uh social emotional components to what you do and leadership things that happen in informal and formal ways. So um we're appreciative of it. I feel like in the last um couple of years here between what we're offering now with a revived park and wreck department, the offerings that are coming on online and the care and commitment there, what we have offering our students uh through the
062clubhouse, the the opportunities that they're going to be gaining through the school system um that you know the the the local community is is on the rise and are supporting the families that are here. So, thank you for your efforts and the work and um you know, this is not an easy space to be in and we're here to continue to partner with you and to make it as, you know, easy as possible. >> Thank you so much, Cara. Thank you to everybody. And yet, we're very collaborative, too. I mean, that's a great point. And and I think part of what the Boys and Girls Club is is part of the community. So, however we can work with other groups, you know, talked to Sean a little bit before the meeting about working together, you
063know, that's that's what makes it happen. So, thank you again. All right. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thank you for coming out. Yeah, you are on. Okay, we're on a roll here. All right, it's been a a long but wonderful night. Um, just a couple of updates. Uh, real short updates. one, we had uh the pleasure of having a partnership with a company called um NC3, which offers uh the training, they're the training body that offers certifications uh and professional development um towards different types of certifications that we'll be offering at at the high school and uh specifically partnered with a with a group called Festo who makes the actual machines uh and equipment that our students will be using at the high school. So they're one of the companies that we use and over
064the course of uh last week we had our teachers engaged in five different days of deep learning um on some of the new equipment that we've that we have purchased and also the certifications that we're pursuing. So that was um intro to met uh mechatronics and CAD uh with a program called on shape intro to bionics intro to robotics and then intro to AC/DC. So, some of that was the equipment that we had in that greenhouse room that was not quite utilized yet. So, we're able to start doing some trainings on those systems because we're rolling out some of those uh pathways. We're going to get started with those um those components of it next year. So, uh it was amazing to see the teachers engaged with the new equipment. They're like kids in a
065candy shop. Um you know, there's a lot of learning to do. We had some of our robotic arms that finally came in. So, they um and I'd love once we get up and running to take the board to go see them. But those are the, you know, the arms you see in a factory that are moving parts and this, uh, they were learning how to code and program um, them to do certain functions. Um, because they're going to have to teach the kids how to do those very things um, when it comes to some of those certifications. So, it was a it was a wonderful day of of training. Um, kind of a little bit in tandem with that, just an update on the state commission work. So, um, as I mentioned before, I've been
066named to the commission. Um and the the update to this is that I'm uh now co-leading the pathway design and governance working group um of the four working groups in that commission. So Danbury will have a lot of voice in the research around this model, what it could look like for the state and then also um I think they put me on that committee because I think they want to use us as part of the model for what it looks like when we when the school system goes wallto-wall. So um we're excited about that. There's a lot of meetings in between the larger meetings. Uh there's probably about 10 larger meetings up in Hartford between now and December. And the goal is to create a working paper and a framework for other high schools to
067follow. And then a governance system and infrastructure from the state on how we all work together and who governs what and how it should be funded. um suggestions for funding and then the goal is to get it done before the next legislative session, the big one where we hope that there'll be some alignment to to explicit funding around workforce development and career pathway development for school systems moving in this area. Um with an eventual expectation that everyone gets in that direct goes in that direction. Um so it's very exciting and from time to time I'll give you some some short updates on that as that work progresses. Um, I'd like to kick it back to um Allison uh who's going to talk a little bit about NCAAC. We did hear about this in the curriculum
068committee. So, and I think mostly everybody was here. So, if you just want to give us a brief summary of the NCAC update, that'd be great. >> Sure. So, the National Career Academy Coalition uh came out to Danbury last week to work with a group of middle school and elementary school principles to really build out a pre-academy model grades K to 8, which would give our students early exposure uh to the career pathways so that they have a better understanding of what the pathways offer and what the careers mean uh prior to getting to high school um which I think will solve one of the concerns that uh one of our students shared this evening. So they'll have multiple opportunities between elementary and middle school to engage in experiential learning around uh the various pathways.
069So the next step of that work that we engaged in is they will work with us to develop a three-year action plan uh to roll the pre-academy model out over the course of three years. Great. Thank you so much questions. Okay. And then just the last update which is just an amazing one. Um if you if you don't know already uh we have a blue ribbon school in a academy of international studies was recently named um it is a very very very fine distinction in the state. There's only six schools that earn the distinction across all levels and and you know middle school, elementary, high school. Um it's a pretty big deal. I I re I received a phone call from the um from the state a few weeks prior u to let me know
070and was sworn to you know had to button my lip and that was that was not easy for me if you know me and um and kind of sit on that information for a bit before we could tell the school what was going on u because the go governor's office had to release it first so I had to defer to the governor um but that's okay so there's going to be a celebration uh I believe it's the second week of June first week of June um where the the principal and myself um I believe in one other person from the school uh that the principal designates will go uh for a celebration with those other six schools. Um and it's a brand new program that the federal government um did away with the regular blue
071ribbon school process and so when that happened um Connecticut decided to um develop their own. So it's the Connecticut blue ribbon status. Um so it's a little different than what it was before but um quite rigorous in terms of standard and they called and asked um all about the school and why we thought that you know like what what's happening in the school. They talked a lot about the culture of the school. Um they wanted to know about leadership in the school and the systems in the school and I'm likely they did that with the other six schools as well. But um there'll probably be some opportunities for professional learning community for those schools to get together and for us to learn a little bit more about what they all have in common. So, um,
072and be, you know, very much anticipate that, but we're very excited for them. We have either a, uh, breakfast, uh, morning, you know, that we're planning for them or pizza depending what we could pull off between now and the end of school. So, um, we're excited and we're we're very proud. And that's it for my update. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um, our board standing committee reports. Um, we're kind of winding down our committee meetings, but does anybody uh our committee chairs have anything they want to report Kate? Just a quick update for policy. You'll see that the next meeting is scheduled for uh listed for June 3rd. We are going to reschedule that meeting to June 11th, same time, 6 pm, due to the we race graduation happening on the 3. >> Okay.
073And um we'll also um I'll have be having Carara send out an email for the committee chairs to start looking into schedules for the 2627 school year to start putting those together. Yeah. So get your calendars out. Um okay, if nothing on committees, we're going to move on to our action item. Minnie, can you do our motion for us? >> Need a motion that the board of education accept April 2026 financial report as recommended by the finance committee and in accordance with 26-84. >> Thank you, Minnie. The motion is made uh by Minnie. Do I hear a second? >> Seconded by Lauren. Any comments, questions, or concerns? Seeing none. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. I think we're going back to you. >> Yep. Either one. It's if we have under information
074tonight the leader and educator evaluation and support plan for 2627. So, what happens um on an annual basis, we're required to submit our plan to the state. Um sometimes we have little tweaks and changes, sometimes we do not. We do not have any changes in this particular plan at this time, but it is on for information because the board has to uh vote for it in the next meeting. Okay. Thank you. Okay. And for my report, um don't have much. Uh we've been really busy the last couple of weeks. I just want to take a minute to thank all of my board members that have been showing up for all of the events that we've had pretty much every night of the week. Um, but it is wonderful to see um, everybody's faces there. It
075really means a lot to uh, the schools. It means a lot to me and everybody who's involved. So, thank you. Uh, thank you for coming for teacher of the year. I thought it was a great event. Um, it just gets more exciting every year. Um, so it was really wonderful. Uh, wonderful. And congratulations to our winners that night. Um we have a couple more weeks of craziness before we finally get the summer off. So keep your sneakers on. Um we're going to be moving to um our final event will be our graduation on June 18th. Um there's a couple of you know dos and don'ts for our new people who are coming on. What I'll do is I'll have Cara I'll put it into an email and I'll send it to everybody so I don't
076have to bore you um here tonight to go over that. But it'll have all, you know, what time to be there, you know, just little little things that we need to to to make sure that we're doing. It's an exciting time for us and I know it gets really exciting for us to be under the tent and everything happening. But it is we are there for the kids. So, we just want to make sure that we, you know, we focus on them, not on us. Um, and that's all I have for now. Um, so I'll move it on to board discussion. Does anybody have anything that they have to add or talk about before we >> I just want to remind everybody about the DSABC breakfast on Tuesday morning? >> Yes. Do we have And
077do we know who's going? I'll be there. Yep. Perfect. Okay, great. Anybody else? >> The DSABC breakfast. >> Yes, the DSABC breakfast is Tuesday morning. Okay, go ahead, Kate. Just a real quick reminder everybody knows we have a board PD session tomorrow evening at 6 pm. Uh, Attorney Mooney will be here to talk to the board about the Freedom of Information Act and how that impacts our communications >> and we will have dinner for everybody, too. So, I know we've had dinner every night this week. It'll be different. Tomorrow is different. The menu will be different tomorrow night. Um, anybody else? No. Okay. Well, that's all we got tonight. Do I hear a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion made by Kate. Do I hear a second? >> Seconded by Lauren. All in favor? >> We
078are adjourned. Thank you, everyone. No