001never done. >> I've never flown out of New Haven, but it's a little further. [laughter] >> And then I heard a traffic. [laughter] >> Good evening everybody. Good evening. It is the uh East Hat Board of Education, our January 21st, 2026 regular meeting. Uh it is 7:11 p.m. We're starting a little late because the middle school is u is in having their choir concert. [cough] And I will start with the pledge of allegiance. >> I aliance 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. There you go. There's two exits to this room. One will bring you to the back of the one brings you to the front. Our second agenda item is middle school highlights.
002Do we have [applause] >> My name is Shayen Thod. I am one of the adviserss for [clears throat] the noise makers leadership group. Enough said. They're going to take it away. >> Hi, I'm Neilie. >> I'm Paige. >> I'm Payton. And I'm Lillian. We're gonna start off by talking about our leadership conference that some of our noise makers in seventh and eighth grade went to last week. It was at Southern Connecticut State University. And the best leaders from middle school throughout Connecticut attended this conference. There were multiple breakout sessions where they were mostly advisors and adultr run workshops. We were the only middle school or high school presenters presenting at this workshop. It was us four that were presenting on finding leadership styles and finding your leadership style and how you can use that in
003your day-to-day leadership activities. We use the compass plan activity which we do in seventh and eighth grade noise makers at our school and we have brought that and extended that throughout Connecticut. Okay. Next up we're going to talk about the academics and what's been going on. So recently there was a math team competition which was last Wednesday and there was a and it was held at our middle school and there was one winner who from sixth grade named Berkeley Anderson and he got first place and in 8th grade there was two eighth graders Gigi Cusina and Cooper Valente which both made it to the lightning round which only 20 students got to advance. So, we had two that advanced. And then there was a for our reading challenge, which we want to try to get
0043,000 books read so far. We are at about 1,300 books so far, and we're trying to get to 300,000. And then right now, there's a chorus concert going on, which the fourth and the fifth graders are singing excellently. All right. Now, we're going to talk a little bit about the basketball teams with the girls and the boys. Um, we're going to talk about like their record so far. The girls have won five games, right? Yeah. And they have lost one. That's a pretty good winning streak. Sadly, the boys haven't won any games yet, but that's okay. And hopefully, they're going to make a comeback in the future with their games. The cheerleaders are at every single home game and they make sure to hype up the crowds and have their dances and cheers during halftime.
005And we also have the unified sports team that show appearances and they [snorts] come to the basketball practices and they practice with the basketball team. >> So I'm going to be talking about Kendrick Moore and something we do called takeover days where students lead games that we call gamification that teach a lesson. But first we'll start with Kendrick Moore. So, he's a motivational speaker that we've worked closely with for the past couple years. He's come twice this year and he's been talking about leveling up, setting those goals, and continuing to raise your goals and not settling. And then [snorts] our first takeover day this year was on January 8th, I believe. For fourth, and fifth grade, their theme was kindness and gratitude. And then for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, our theme was perseverance. Thank
006you. [applause] >> I stated your names for the record. >> Does anybody have any questions for the schools? >> I have a quick question. You you said you were the only student group that presented. Can you just talk a little bit about that? How many other schools were there? And it's pretty amazing that you guys were the only ones. >> I think there was 300 students and 10 breakout sessions and about I think it was like 20 kids per class and we led that breakout session three different times to I would say 60 students. >> Great leadership girls. Nice job. [applause] appreciate you coming. Thank you so much. >> Great job. >> That's right. I think I'm so >> our next Yep. Our next item is um agenda item M3, which is the school presentations
007and uh project lead the way is the first one. >> Thank you. >> Oh, project lead the way. >> Oh, it's supposed to be project lead the way. Sorry. >> Okay, that's all right. >> It doesn't matter. I figured we we would do this >> oceanology and um I've been bringing the kids on uh project oceanology. Um last year Dr. Drito sent me um a message and application. Did I want to participate in project O again? And we were really excited at the middle school to participate. It is um fully funded. It is free. Nothing. It doesn't cost the district anything. We are partnered um with Global Academy from Hartford and we are going on eight field trips this year. So far we've gone to the Project O um uh facility down in Grten and
008we did a marine science down there. Uh we went out of Old Lime out of the state dock and we've gone uh we can we can put this out there. Uh we went out and did uh some uh uh we threw the nets out and see saw the creatures that we got and then we did some measuring. Um they did some they collected some data. They um they used some they did pH, they did salinity. Uh they tested the uh the turbidity of the water with a SEI disc. So learning re really how um oceanology um is is in the real world. So um it's [clears throat] been a a great trip. We also went up to um Global Academy and did some work on um connections among watersheds, how everybody affects the Connecticut River.
009to be a part of the program, you have to um you're you have to be a part of the Connecticut River wershed and they connect different communities um within that watershed to team up. Um so I had done this program the last time I had done it was 2019. So it's been really great to be back doing it again. Um our next trip is um Global is coming to us on Monday hopefully um if it doesn't snow. Um, and we are going to be doing um they do one with different um uh layers in a big glass tube called Davy Jones locker and they have to try to get something to float at different levels. Um, and then uh they also are going to be doing a squid dissection. After that, we proceed out on
010the boats um on a seal watch, an eagle watch, and then we go back to the Connecticut River where we do some singing um at Hadam Meadow State Park, and then we go back down to um Project O at the end of the year for a uh a fun celebration with all of the schools. So, um I'll leave this back there so you can get a closer look and cross some Mr. YOU WANT TO [applause] OH YEAH, SORRY. Any questions about project? >> It's great. >> I was just curious. Remember at the middle school expo we were talking about that that part that we were saying the next were the drawings the kids drawings of the of the >> That's a different field trip I did. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> That was very
011>> Yeah, that's a different one. >> Coming to life and everything. >> Yes. Yeah, that's the life forms field trip. Um, >> yeah, >> I think we'll have to talk about that another day. >> Careful, take you up on it. >> Um, I so I put out an application to the seventh and eighth graders um and uh they wrote little essays and then I chose um we can have 25 kids maximum on the boat. >> Nice. Awesome. >> Very cool. >> So, there's 25 from each school. It's a it's a it's a it's a party when we get on. [laughter] Any additional questions? >> No. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. [applause] >> I am Mr. Bala and I [clears throat] work at uh Nathan Hillary Middle School with Shayen. Uh I teach four
012through eight project lead the way as well as Shayen. Uh Shayen has started doing it this year as well. We teach two different tracks uh in the middle school. So uh we came to present our plan for Project Lead the Way in the fall and we're back to just show you guys what we've been doing with the kids and right now is the perfect time because it's the end of the semester. So you kind of see like how everything has kind of panned out and what they've worked towards through the last you know two quarters. So, uh, I have three of Can you guys come on out? Uh, three of my students from my these were my eighth grade robotics students. Uh, this is Ashley, Avery, and Sophia. All right. They worked really hard this
013uh this year uh this past semester in you know just learning their robotic skills all the gears and uh it culminated to this final project which is an automated car wash that they played a really big part in coding and building. So we're going to show you guys how it works. Uh if sha I I would say before we go back there maybe Shayen why don't you explain your uh your class and then we'll gohead head to the back and you guys can take a walk back through and explore what we have. >> So if you're not familiar with project lead the way it's a national um program where they um certify you to teach their courses before and they give you a lot of professional development before you are allowed to deliver their um
014curriculum. So I am um currently certified in magic of electrons which is uh electric uh the kids learn how to use circuitry um uh green architecture medical detectives and then I'm getting a fourth certification uh and flight and space in March. So um the class that I am teaching this year to sixth, seventh and eighth graders as I'm rolling out the um classes is the green architecture. Um, and I I had three main lessons or or units I guess I should say throughout the semester. The first one being what is architecture, how to use a ruler, how to use the architectural ruler, how to draw up plans. Um, then we kind of migrated to, you know, what are the different parts um that that people need to know when building something like a shed. And
015the kids um learned what a stud was, what a stud was, what a header is, and and you'll see that back there. Um and then our last culminating part was to build the big shed. And they were very very excited to use um the the hammer, the nails. They each had part of the plan and they had to work together um to construct the big shed that you'll see back there. Um so that that's been, you know, our journey. Uh Joe, you know, started this with applying for grants um and taking what he um learned in Arizona and bringing it here. Um Dr. Drito was a part of Project Lead the Way in other districts and I've just been really impressed. Um so I hope you are too. >> Also feel free to ask these
016three ladies any questions about what they contributed to the car wash, what they learned, things like that. They're a little quiet, but they're not they're not really that quiet. [laughter] So, do you want you guys can all come >> invite the board members to see the project and if you all can sort of turn around and see what they have for us. I'm sorry for the audience that can't see it on on YouTube. We'll be right back. We're on the other side of the room. >> Expo. >> It was pretty impressive though. This is This one's pretty good. >> Some of them are drawn. >> You guys can come on. I I would say come on up and just kind of like you can walk back here. You can see the car. >> Come on
017up. I thought I thought she said that the board has been watching and then some people they did was they had to actually >> each group was sign different section of the car wash. So they had to work together, right? They see what the group in front of them was doing, what the group behind them was doing, make theirs match up with it, and then they had to figure out how to simulate their wash. Right? So, this is the pre-oak. And there's labels over here. The loading deck, pre-oak, rotating brush tunnel, emitter scrubber, rinse jets, bumper, wheel wax, air dry, the exit over there. So what happened is they as it travels as the car travels through the conveyor belt it hits these little switches and then it codes it to its program to hey
018stop in two seconds when it gets to here and then run the wash cycle. Right. So that little car is almost all the way through. Let's see if we got another one. Some of the cars work better than the others. >> I think the Mini Cooper they got it working the other day. at the expo. Good. Yes. >> Yes. That was >> that. [clears throat] We could use a better exit, but you know, [laughter] >> air [laughter] Really? >> Yeah. [laughter] >> They might have to go again. I'm trying to get [laughter] >> the guy you like when you go to Jo Lane. You ever go down that way? Oh, there's like a huge gas station. Oh, yeah. I'm so busy. >> Really? >> Yeah. [laughter] You pick. [laughter] >> That's what I mean. Yeah.
019[laughter] >> That that road is like the worst corner like now all the time. There used to be a bakery around the corner more. like this. >> That used to be like a gas store. [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Yeah. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> for you. [laughter] >> He won't respond. I know. >> That's not even our short recess. >> The worst recess. >> No, no, we're going to have a recess after this. >> We will go [cough] really behind any [laughter] >> literally I guess sometime I need a gap. I think I'm pretty [laughter] >> design. I feel like she over complicates stuff and then she graci [laughter] >> I got excited. I saw Jersey in New York. New York >> the Spanish class. I was going to say here early so I went through.
020I was like >> she does that >> Thursday. Expo >> Thursday. >> Okay. Thank you everybody. Are there any additional questions for uh Mrs. or Mr. Badala? >> Just thank you. >> Thank you so much. Thank you again. Thank you, middle school students. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Expo night listed in uh the uh Eastam News. So, I hope some um citizens got to go because it was an excellent thing and the car wash was there with music. I mean, I was very impressed um on the expo night. Our next agenda item is item number four, which is the teacher of the year. Give that to Dr. Dorito. >> So, every year, um, districts in the state of Connecticut have the opportunity to, um, present their teacher of the year. And for 2026, Mr. Michael
021Oro from our high school was selected as district teacher of the year. Yep. I HEAR [applause] I really thought what gift am I going to give Michael? So I put together a questionnaire, sent it out to the school unbeknownst to him to get some input. And then I thought about now what gift is it going to be? And I came up with this blanket that says 2026 teacher of the year. Congratulations, Mr. Ofo. And there were all kinds of things people wrote in. He's dedicated. He's genuine. He's caring. He connects with students. He builds rapport. He values family. Has a sense of humor. Loves trivia, disc golf, cribage, lacrosse, and longs to be a drummer. So, come on up and get your gift. And congratulations, [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> speech. >> Our next item
022is number five and the support staff of the year. >> Support person staff of the year. So, the high school had the sweep this year because um Kimberly Chrysler is a valued member of the school. She is a pair educator in the library and media center and she's I guess noted for being people's second mom. So, the students really connect with her and we're just so honored to have you be the 2026 support person of the year for the district. So, we'll give [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> In our sixth item, we're going to anticipate a short recess. We don't normally have this. We're going to have a little refreshment. Can I get a motion for a short recess? >> Can I get a second? Second. >> Thank you. >> All in favor? >> Any
023opposition? >> We're going to take a brief recess. Thank you. >> And the PTO brought >> the board of ed a cake. So, we're going to put it out in the hall with all the refreshments. So, come and enjoy. >> Can the public? >> Yes, absolutely. >> So, the public is invited to have some cake or refreshments just around the corner. >> January is a national board event appreciation month. Connecticut does it in March. I don't know why we do it different, but we thank the PTO for recognizing the national one. [applause] >> I wore my hard pants. I can't eat cake. gives you something like >> tables by the central office door. [laughter] >> Carrie was like, "Oh, they have letters. They have letters." >> They're going to find it out. They come for
024you. >> We missed you. >> Come to a little town. [laughter] She's called >> retirement. [laughter] >> We need to work together again. I don't know what [clears throat] you're talking about. >> She's here because I texted >> the kids going to school this morning. school for a celebration >> already. >> Yeah. And you know what your name is? >> Where did she go? >> Oh, Kimberly. >> Yeah. >> Oh, we're we're not used to that in this day and age. Yes, >> she she said she was you the citizen still. [laughter] >> Nobody answered in time. in the >> caring [laughter] feels so wrong. >> And I'm having windows and I can't >> I can't find something to drink. >> Excuse me. Stay on it forever. Yeah. What it means is you never know.
025>> Say hot flashes. >> My biggest talk about it. It happens. >> Did you know that? >> No. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. I get >> covered up. So I'm just happy. >> My kids are like >> Yeah, it is so bad. >> Just talking about normalize it. [laughter] >> Are you sure? I think >> so the anxiety of like random weird >> names. >> I think she follows my mom on >> cuz he's already in a 504 room. >> [clears throat] >> pretty big school. >> Yeah. >> We don't really know. I took Stella to the emergency room twice. >> We thought it was appendicitis. >> Yeah. Can you get those? >> Yeah. >> Name for it. I can't remember. Like something. Saturday. [clears throat] >> That's so focus. There's like all sorts of
026different Really? >> No, I know. >> [clears throat] >> As long as it's like [laughter] >> no one else stressing me out. I'm like I'm just going to start vamping today. >> [laughter] >> Can I get a motion to reconvene our meeting? >> All in favor? >> All right, we're going to move on to item number seven, which is a high school representative. >> Okay, so to start, last week our high school had midterm exams, which we haven't had for a few years, and these exams were used to test our students knowledge on topics and ensure their preparedness for the incoming semester. Um we're all overall very proud of our students hard work, dedication, and resilience through these difficult tests. So during midterm um week, the National Honor Society um had like hosted an afterchool
027tutoring program. So last week, Tuesday through Thursday, um during our rises block, which is basically study hall, um which was from 12:40 to 2 o'clock, students were able to meet with NHS members to work on study guides, any missing work, and learn new studying techniques and ask any questions when needed, and it was very well attended. >> Um recently, kindergarten students were invited to the high school to take part in hands-on learning activities. They were led by child development students. Um, and students of different age groups enhanced team building, collaboration, and leadership skills through the afternoon. >> Baking students wrapped up their semester long class with a cupcake bake off as their final. Four teams competed in this baking competition and their cupcakes were then evaluated by staff judges on taste, presentation, icing, flavor, decorations,
028and more. Congratulations to Eva Vanor, Val Royer, and Kennedy Smith for taking home the overall victory. And to Trent Larson, Cole Landry, Ryan Linger, and Cade Kirby for earning the best in taste award. The week of January 9th, WTNH and Laura Hutchinson visited our schools for their what's great in what's great with school series. Um, this segment featured our agricultural science classes highlighting hands-on learning, leadership, and real world real world experience. Um, this acknowledgement is a testament to our outstanding aggra science program. >> I'm so sorry. >> We also recently had a student alumni panel. So, Hail Ray alums Nicole Wang, Gabe Noland, Abby Martin, Megan Holly, Nate Andrews, Breton Ashton. Um they all came to visit the high school and talk about their life after graduation. Um students, I believe it was juniors and
029seniors only. Um were able to hear and ask questions about experiences in community college of four-year colleges and going straight into the workforce. And the week of December 19th, high school and middle school concert choirs put on an outstanding performance together. These two groups shared the stage showing their musicality and harmony. The unified sound is a testament to the hard work of our students and we are extremely pr proud of our music community and the students that put so much into it. Last month the middle school and high school held their winter concerts in our auditorium for uh band concerts. The sixth grade band, the seventh grade, seventh and eighth grade band and the high school symphonic band all played beautifully. my fellow senior Charlotte Hedber and I MCED the concert and at the end
030the seventh and eighth grade band and our high school band all joined together to form a huge giant mega band that filled the entire stage. Um and we played one last song together and lastly um though awarded in the fall Sarah Evans was recently recognized again for being a Shoreline Conference Scholar athlete. CONGRATULATIONS [applause] ANY [applause] questions for our high school business? >> What was the sport for the the >> Cross country. Excellent. Awesome. [clears throat] >> No questions. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you guys. We move on to agenda item eight, which is the report of the board chair. Um, we go back to the last board meeting. What's the 12th? 10th. So, the 12th is approved. On December 12th, um, uh, statewide, they had the Connecticut Children's Medical Center uh, pajama day
031where you donate a dollar or more, uh, to wear pajamas to school. I know the elementary school raised $71, the middle school raised $764 for CCMC. Does the high school participate? >> We did. Um, we did do it in December, but I don't know any about >> Okay. Um, our budget season has kicked off. Available on YouTube. There was a January 7th and January 8th business and planning budget meetings. The January 7th meeting consisted of the three schools, elementary, middle school, and high school budgets. And the January 8th meeting was the uh systemwide and special education budgets. On Monday, January 12th, we had the tri board meeting, which is the selectman uh board of finance, board of ed meeting together. It's kind of a summary kickoff of the budget season. On the January 15th was
032the middle school expo night. X expo night. Uh you could see we did the they had the car wash was [clears throat] uh at the expo night. It was also advertised like I said before in the newspaper and it was very very crowded and I um I commend the artists. The artwork was great. I really like the pumpkins. Uh I would say ceramic. I would I that's the right media. Um, I wish they were for sale because it would be nice home decor. And on Friday the 16th was the elementary school concert. I went to the 10 a.m. show when they're nice ripe and ready in the morning and it was really moving. Um, if you got a chance to go, they also did film it. Uh, it was strange. Um, so it was uh
033it really was an excellent excellent uh production. Anyone have any questions for me? I'm going to move on to item 8B which is a uh social media post discussion. Um the next agenda item is concerning the recent social media incident. I was made aware of a social media post that a board member made and subsequently sh and was sub subsequently shared on a town group page. I have received 17 emails in regards to the situation. 10 emails were concerns about the situation. Four of which were copy paste the same email. One concern was anonymous and that's the only email I did not respond to. Seven emails were detailed character references. Central office received two phone calls about it. The main reason I did not have a special meeting was because the previous in incident constituted
034as disruption and brought the district to grinding. The situation did not have the same effect. I was not the board chair at the time of the previous social media incident. I attended the September 12th, 2025 meeting via Zoom. I did not ask that board member in question resign and I will not ask Mr. Moresy to resign. It is very important to note that while some individual board members may have called for a resignation on September 12th, there was no board vote and no formal resignation letter was received by the town clerk. In both incidences, the posts in question were taken from their fa personal Facebook accounts and anonymously reposted on a town Facebook group. While I do not personally agree with the content of either post, both individuals do have the right to freedom of
035speech. Both of these individuals are tireless volunteers who are deeply passionate about this community. It is really unfortunate that a social media post has overshadowed the significant and positive contributions they have made to our town. To move forward, I would like to reiterate to this group of nine individuals. No one speaks for the entire board other than myself when speaking on official board matters. Social media is not official board matters. I would also like to remind everyone on the board to please keep your volunteer position in mind when posting on any social media platform. I would also like to schedule training through CABE. Date to be determined. I'm also going to go around to the individual members to make a statement if they wish. I'm g start with you, Melissa, if you don't mind. >>
036I'm gonna start with me. >> I'm sorry. Go around the table. [laughter] >> All right. Well, um, so for the record, I also attended that September meeting as a guest in the audience and, um, got to know a little bit more about that situation, uh, since that time. I received a couple of emails, uh, one of which was from a couple out in Lake Hayward, and I'm just going to read what I responded to them, which I then subsequently forwarded it to the board chair. I'll leave the names off of the people who emailed me. Um, I just simply wrote this. I appreciate your email and advocacy of fairness. I attended the the meeting where a former board of ed member resigned verbally. She didn't have to. And while a board members opined that she
037should resign. If I had been a board member, I would have disagreed. I would not have asked for her resignation and since learned that there was no submitted formal action, meaning nothing was submitted uh formally to the town clerk as required. Freedom of speech is something we should protect, even if the speech is not something we actually agree with. I also uh uh let this um these residents know that it may surprise you to learn that the same former board member that they were advocating for had actually reached out to the board and did uh request the opposite. In other words, not to ask Shaun's uh for Shaun's resignation. And that was the first communication I received on the matter. In fact, I hope this valued and appreciated community volunteer, the former board member, will
038have an opportunity to again demonstrate her commitment to our community. And I support her and I want her to know that and she does personally in this case. Shawn has a record of solid commitment in our schools community and multiple civic organizations. I have witnessed his dedication to his family and watched in awe of his ability to give back a thousand times over. He is simply an extraordinary father who made a questionable social media post. Regardless of anyone's opinion on either valued community member, either one, I understand why the folks from Lake Hayward reached out uh to me at that time. And I closed with this. We have big problems in our district and I hope issues like these do not stop us from working together to solve them. Our kids, our teachers, and our
039taxpayers are counting on us to deliver. And I wished those folks a great week and I really hope that that is the sentiment today here as well. So, thank you. I um just to to piggyback on what you're saying there as well. I did not see the post in its uh original part and I was not on the board for um any last u of the last proceedings or the last um uh meeting that special meeting that was had and I'm treating this as as um today where we are right now. One of the joys, one of the great parts of being a republic is being having that freedom of speech. However, um we do have to realize that as volunteers, um we have to know that we are in the spotlight at many at
040all times. Um the hard part that I see here is that it's a um and in reading the emails that are sent to me, it's a very divisive side that we have right now and not a middle ground. And that's frustrating because I watch a day like today where we're celebrating these great accomplishments of our students, these great accomplishments of our school system only to have to to stop and and get to this point where we have to talk about this in the middle of [cough] it and honestly take away from all the great things that we just we just witnessed. Was it a questionable uh post? Yes. but also to have it shared anonymously and taken off a personal site. And then I think, you know, I could go on about this. I we
041don't all agree with each other. And that's just that's the bottom line. You know, it would be very boring if we all had the same belief. And whether we agree or not, we have to be adults and we have to look at the full situation. And I've had the pleasure of knowing Shawn for years and he is somebody who gives back to the community wholeheartedly. Um I don't even know where he finds the time. And and I just feel that the more and more that we do this, we look and we see we're having trouble getting volunteers to fill boards and and things um who are good, strong members of the community. And I would hate to have Sean have to leave with all his commitment, his the committees, the hard work that he's already
042put in. Um, I could go on for quite a while, but I think the bottom line is, and I think you you mentioned as well as we need to come together. And again, I don't have and I was not on the board, nor was I at the meeting for this the the previous incident has spoken. I'm treating this just as as the post that I saw here. And um and that's how I see it. >> Yeah. Um I did write something because I wasn't going to be able to be eloquent. Um Sean, since you started on the board, I've watched you over and over again take the time to actively listen to a wide variety of issues, carefully consider each one, and react and contribute in a manner that I have considered to be very
043fair and productive. For that reason, I had grown a significant level of respect for you. Now, my trust in you has been shaken in a significant way. But this is not about me. I will find ways to continue to work with you because for me, and I can say with some confidence that for you as well, anything that comes before the board of ed is always about the community we serve. With that in mind, I ask you to carefully listen today to the concerns of the community members and the impact that your social media post had on our neighbors and the families we serve. I and many others in East Hatam are incredibly upset because of the social media post public posted publicly to your page. By posting a picture of yourself in tactical gear
044holding a weapon, lethal or not, real or not, and attaching the caption, "ICE agents in training with explosion emojis," you're connecting violence with federal immigration officials. And not only that, you're celebrating violence by federal immigration officers. I don't think this is the appropriate setting to enter into a larger debate about ICE policies or officer tactics nationwide. However, in preparing the statement, I did some research regarding public sentiment surrounding ICE agents and the recent impact of ICE activity on schools specifically. Side note, I was extremely careful to consider my sources so as not to gather data from biased or untrustworthy organizations. I'm happy to share my sources with anybody who is wondering. I believe that some of the statistics I came across are very relevant here. In my research, I learned that in two separate polls
045completed over the past few weeks. Just over half of Americans pled reported that they feel that ICE recent ICE enforcement efforts make cities less safe. In one of the polls, almost half of the Americans said that they are somewhat or very concerned that ICE agents could mistreat someone they know. A November 2025 study by Education Week found that educators who worked in schools where there are current students from immigrant families are reporting widespread and escalating effects on of heightened immigration enforcement across the country from elevated student anxiety affecting learning to reduce student attendance. I quote these findings to bring some awareness to the fact that your post celebrating ICE violence being tied to your role as a board of ed member is not in fact the quote real problem. As you stated in your comment
046response online, this is not something that has quote nothing to do with children. As you stated, this issue in fact has a lot to do with children in our public schools and the families we serve. Also, your comment responding to the post seems to indicate that community members are upset or even care about the quote sport you engage in during your free time. I'm here to tell you based on all of the community listening I have done over the past week or so, this is not the case. They don't care about a game you do with your friends in your spare time. They care that you publicly tied tactical gear, weaponry, and explosion emojis to federal immigration enforcement. They care that you're advertising a celebration of violence by ICE agents. Violence, by the way, that
047has resulted in real trauma to individuals and families, real injuries, and actual deaths by a number of human beings, parents, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors. They care that a member of their school board publicly celebrated the violence by ICE agents that is at the very least creating real and significant fear among both United States citizens and non-citizens alike in cities far away and here in East Hatam. Regardless of anyone's individual view of immigration and custom enforcement policies, officers, or immigration in general, we should all agree that celebrating violence in general is never okay. As you consider the impact of your post, I would ask that you remember three sentences. First are the last lines of two official East Hatam Board of Education guiding statements. I'll begin with our equity statement that was created by this board
048just this past summer. Quote, "Our charge to eliminate the barriers that have pres prevented the full participation of our community is a journey that we are steadfast in alongside and including all of the parents, guardians, and community agencies. generating an equitable education for all students. The second sentence is the last line in the East Tatam School District's official vision statement. We love equitably and cultivate an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to persist through adversity. As a reminder, the phrase is all students and every student by definition includes students of every ethnicity and with every immigration status and from families with every immigration status. The last sentence is your own. A quote from you taken from a meeting that was held a few months ago when a different controversial post came before
049the board of ed. quote, "I also believe as an appointed member of the East Hatam Board of Education, it is our duty to represent our community in the most professional way possible and always having the absolute best in interests of our children at all times. Finally, to conclude my thoughts for you, I you have contributed in significant and positive ways to this town through your many volunteer efforts over the past years. That does not go unnoticed. Your efforts have been immensely appreciated and our kids, particularly our young athletes, are better people in part because of your hard work. I don't think that should go unsaid or unrecognized. However, your post celebrating ICE violence directly works against our board goals and missions, feeling of safety for our student and families in our schools, and community trust
050in our ability to be fair, empathetic, and equitable decision makers. You have hurt a lot of people. You have angered a lot of people and you have scared a lot of people in East Hatam. I hope you're able to reflect on that, learn from your actions, make amends, and rebuild some of the trust you lost. To the full board, just a few months ago, a different board members post had to be discussed in a public meeting. I have put a significant amount of effort into not comparing the two people, posts, or responses so I could just see this issue as it stands on its own. However, I will say that I never agreed that that member should have been asked to resign from the board or prevented from community continuing volunteer positions that created so
051much good for the kids, the schools, and the entire community. I didn't agree with it then and I won't advocate for the same course of action now for Shawn. I do think, however, we have to respond somehow. There has to be some kind of consequence [clears throat] to this because a precedence was set and because the community is comparing. They are seeing the messages we are sending by punishing one member because of a Facebook post but not another. We cannot send the message that one board member's post that minimize political violence warrants complete removal from all volunteer roles but another post that celebrates violence is okay. We have to do better. We have to hold ourselves and each other to a higher standard. The voters of this town put their faith in us to lead
052this amazing school system. We cannot take this for granted. And finally, to all of our Eastam neighbors on Facebook, please let me remind you that bickering back and forth in Facebook posts and comments does not solve problems in town. It does not answer questions you have with accurate information. And it does not help us in any way create a stronger, more pleasant, and/or prosperous community. The only thing that some of these Facebook comment battles do is spread hate and create division. If you care enough about an issue to screenshot something, hold on to it for a few days, then post it anonymously in a Facebook group. Take that same amount of time to attend a meeting and speak up. If you care enough to write a comment on a post, take that same amount of
053time to email an elected official or board. Get your concerns on the record and ask questions of the people who can give you an accurate information, the people you elected to do this work. Build East Tatum up by participating. Don't tear it apart by hiding behind your keyboard. Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> Uh, I'm not going to replicate every wonderful thing that all of you have said. I agree wholeheartedly. Um, when what happened to our previous board member happened, I was shell shocked and honestly didn't [music] even know what to say at the meeting and said very few words. [cough] If I could, I would go back and disagree with the people who asked that person to resign from the board because I don't think that that was appropriate. I don't think it's appropriate
054in this situation as well. Um, like I said, everything that everyone has said here, I agree with. Um, we like Stephen said are in the spotlight and we do have a duty to represent all of the people of our community. Not just the ones that we agree with, but also the ones that we might disagree with and have different views from. Um, so I hope that we can learn from both of these situations and do something different moving forward. Thank you, >> Jim. I was um the first one and probably in some ways the most aggressive one to call for Jackie to resign. I was not happy about that. I don't feel happy about it now. [clears throat] I liked Jackie then and I don't think she believes it but I have nothing against her
055now. I do believe that the situations are marketkedly different. Not the least of which is that she had already decided to leave the board, had not run, and only had six weeks left in her term at a time when, as board chair noted, um it had almost become impossible for the board of ed to function, not the board itself, but the board of ed offices to function because of the disharmony that was generated. I don't think she intended that. I don't think she's a bad person. I think she had a lapse in judgment. I have already told um Sean that I'm not fond of what he did and that if at some point he wants to discuss that with me privately, I will do so. But I will point out that There's an enormous difference,
056Sean. This is going to sound terrible. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. There's an enormous difference between a grown adult playing dressup and a board of ed member saying, "We should ignore the pain and suffering of a one-year-old and a three-year-old because she doesn't like their father's politics." Those are completely different things. They both did good work. That's never really been the discussion. I will add this. For two years, I fought on this board to hire a superintendent who would actually focus on doing the right thing for kids. And I think we did that. For two years, I fought to get rid of the old guard and drown them out because they were not good people. They weren't doing good things for this community. Subsequent to that, I ended up taking over the policy, what
057at the time was called the policy and instruction subcommittee. One of the changes I made and got the entire board to support was the institution of an institutional neutrality policy. I told the Democrats when I wanted to run for the office that I was not in it for the Democrats, that I was in it for the kids. That remains true. I think Shawn is an asset. I think he needs to do some serious thinking about what he posts and I think he ought to reread that institutional policy because I'm not sure that he didn't violate it in some fashion. I'm also not sure that he did. Frankly, I haven't bothered to go look it up. That's something that if it were to be addressed would be addressed, I would imagine by the board chair um
058whose judgment, frankly, in something like this I completely trust. I'm not worried about it at all. Um, I do not feel regret for what I did a couple of months ago. I do real feel regret [music] that I felt compelled to do it. I would do it again in similar circumstances. That ain't this. It's pretty much all I've got to say. I am going to read a statement from Dan Flack. He is sick. But >> actually, can I add one thing? I'm sorry. >> One of the most upsetting things for me when we had that meeting was having a whole bunch of people start cheering me and clapping. There's nothing to be happy about when someone is publicly chastised. There's nothing to be happy about when a situation puts someone in that kind of a
059role to either humiliate or be by other people. There's nothing about this that's good. And I think we really ought to remember that when the end of the day we're going to go home and we're going to see each other in grocery stores and at gas stations. We're going to see each other in town. We ought to remember that we're still friends and neighbors. I don't like what Sean did. That doesn't mean I can't be his friend. It doesn't mean that if he wanted, I couldn't talk with him and advise him and then shut my mouth and go away. And now I really am. But I'm sorry. I'm going to read a statement from Dan Flack. Uh he's ill, so I'll start by apologizing to the board and the community for not being present this
060evening. It seems to be the season for respiratory infections. Since someone is reading this on my behalf, I'll write carefully because moments like this require clarity. An individual board member recently made a social media post referencing federal immigration enforcement and using imaginary using imagery. That's some that some found disturbing, including references to weapons. That reaction is very real and deserves to be acknowledged. It is also very important to be clear about the role and limits of this board. Individual board members do not speak for the board of education unless authorized to do so. And the board should not police or punish the personnel personal political speech of its elected members when it's made in a private capacity and does not directly involve our schools. That said, restraint and governance does not mean I am neutral
061about the values at stake. We also know that the kids learn best in environments where they feel safe, respected, and able to trust the adults and institutions around them. When families feel afraid or unwelcome, it shows up in the classrooms in focus behavior, relationships, and and engagement. Over time, that affects academic success and well-being. That's not politics. That's education. that's helping a child grow into a su successful community member. For that, I want to be very clear where I stand. I oppose any practice, policy or kind of rhetoric from anyone in authority that makes people feel unsafe in our schools or undermines the sense of belonging that students need in order to learn. Schools should be places of safety and care, not feel fear or intimidation. We are bound by law and by principle to
062protect student privacy, to ensure equal access to education, and to keep our schools focused on learning and well-being. No individual board member has the authority to compromise those obligations, and I would use any lawful means available to me to oppose any effort to do so. I also want to say this. I'm glad people are paying attention. Elected officials should be under close scrutiny. It's the community's job to speak up, stay engaged, and hold us accountable through elections. The mission of this board is not to govern our schools, our schools responsibly, lawfully in the best in the mission of the board is to govern our schools responsibly, lawfully, and in the best interests of students, and not to referee national issues or escalate moments beyond our role. I believe we can hold two trusts at once,
063respecting the legal limits of the board's authority while being clear about the values that guide our work. I'm committed to do both and I hope we can return the focus to our work tonight. Sincerely, Dan Flack. >> And I'm going to end with Sean. Thanks for your comments. I appreciate and respect all of your opinions [clears throat] to the public. You know, just in case we don't know why I'm here, um here to discuss a recent uh picture that was taken of me. And I do just want to put that in a little bit of context for everybody. Um, yes, I was. It was a picture of me taking uh playing airsoft. For those of you who don't know what airsoft is, it's a plastic um BB gun. Uh, and we go to facilities where
064[clears throat] we practice um target shooting and um drills. And it's uh and we do that with all types of civilians and uh military people and um law enforcements of all kind. Um on that particular day, uh I just I happened to be so lucky that I was uh having a drill with a bunch of um military people and law enforcement, which I'm proud of. And uh we had just come out of a a just come out out of a mission that we had and you know very excited and the mission went well. Came out of the uh came out of the mission did have all my tactical gear. It's what we wear things hurt like you know we put on stuff. Um I yep reached up in excitement made a selfie of myself and
065said training with ice with a smiley face. Um, I am proud whether it's whether it's local law enforcement, whether it's state police, whether it's our any branch of the military, whether it's our federal agents, ICE, I'm proud and honored for what they do, and I'm proud to stand next to them. And that's what I was showing. And in no way, shape, or form did I speak any ill will about anybody, no matter what people think or assume, cuz I would never do that. And anybody who knows me knows that. [clears throat] It's unfortunate that people don't feel the same as my feelings and there's nothing wrong with that. That's the beauty of this. We are in a free country with free speech and we're all able to feel however we want. And it's unfortunate that
066people don't fair might not share my values of ICE agents or anything. Again, I'm proud of it of what it is. Not not anything else was was that about um and it and it's unfortunate that it hurt a lot of people's feelings. That's what they are is feelings. >> My feelings are hurt all the time in the town. My feelings are hurt when we don't have volunteers that want to step up for soccer programs. So, I have to be told that our kids are in danger of not being able to play because people don't want to volunteer. My feelings get hurt when little league says the same and people don't step up to volunteer uh for the positions that are needed or even as simple as the concession stand so my kids can't get a
067slushie or a hot dog in a fun day. My feelings are hurt. My feelings are hurt when my four-year-old always asks me why I have to leave them to go support other people's children um during other events and do I not love them as much. Of course I do. I just don't understand that it's important to support everybody's children in this [cough] community. >> My feelings get hurt when half the town doesn't come out to vote. for what we say is the most important thing, our budget, and what represents the most important thing, our schools and our kids. My feelings get hurt. But again, that's what they are, is feelings, and that's okay. I'm not going to speak anything more about the post because again I did not say anything ill will about anyone or
068anything regardless of what's said [clears throat] and nobody's going to put any words in my mouth and very and I just want to touch base on one more thing and that is immigration because it's apparent that by one picture everyone wants to assume that they know how I stand. So I just want to set the record straight for everyone in town and for everyone um clear the record and you can hear for myself on where I do stand in immigration, illegal immigration, legal immigration. I'll say where [cough] I stand. you might say is, "Come talk to me when you decide to spend thousands of dollars of your own money. Not to take my kids to Disneyland, not but instead to leave my four-year-old, leave my seven-year-old, leave my 8-year-old, leave my 13-year-old, leave my job,
069leave my family, leave my friends to fly out of the country to some of the most poorest places in the entire world, okay? to to to um help villages to go to villages the most in this instant Haiti Dominican Republic travel there to travel village to village working with hundreds of kids and their and their parents. Okay, I did that I did that 6 months ago and I'm going to do it again this coming June to work to work with the kids to um in in feeding the families in educating the children Bible studies and education actually building the structures. I worked on building structures for schools for the kids to come in and to learn and to be able to um study their religions or whatnot. and also giving them opportunities, bringing shoes, games,
070and giving them uh something that none of these people have hope. I did that and I continue to do that. We travel from village village the way it works for people for immigration. Haitians coming over illegally, traveling from Haiti, getting away from the dangers, coming across to uh um the Dominican Republic illegally. They would come to these villages called Bates. Okay, those are the most poorest places on the earth. No running water, no electricity, absolutely nothing. Okay. Going in there to work with these people and these children and they come over to hope for a better life. And how they do that is they work 12 hours a day. These illegal immigrants work 12 hours a day in 100 blistering degree weather. 110 degree weather for 10 to 20 cents a day. And you know
071why they're in and their hopes is they're looking to save save money 10 and and equates to 10 to $20,000. Why? Because they're looking to work for their legal papers. Legal papers. Okay. So again, these people as well as I can absolutely have the understanding of having compassion and love for all human beings, but yet still respecting the rule of law. >> [clears throat] >> And with that said, I'm going to continue to stay here and I'm going to continue to do the hard work, the real work, and I'm going to support and my community in the best way I possibly can continue to do so. And for any of those who disagree with that, that's okay cuz that's your opinion and that's the beauty of this. And I suggest in four years from now,
072come have your voice heard and follow our voting procedure. Thanks. >> Thank you, Sean. >> I'm going to move on to item number nine on the agenda, which is the report of the superintendent of schools. >> Good evening. It's still January, so I was beginning with happy new year. It's our first board of ed meeting since we began 2026. We did have a smooth return after the holidays and concerts continued this month. As you heard last week, the elementary school students paid tribute to the Beatles. [clears throat] Mr. Sally selects a theme every year, and they wow the audience. And for the first time, as you heard, we live streamed the 10 am concert, which was pretty special to have worldwide access. Um, I know a parent whose um, parents, the grandparents of the children
073were watching from Romania and that was pretty special for that family. Tonight, the middle school had their coral concert and kids continue to perform and do the wonderful things that bring smiles to families faces. Yesterday, as a district, we came together to continue the work of the strategic plan. The students were not in school, but the adults were, and we engaged in the next steps of the vision of a learner. The administrators have been leading that work in their faculty meetings and it's such a success and it's a team effort. The high school continued their work on NEASK yesterday and the elementary and middle school had collaboration time focused on curriculum data review and all the things that are important for teaching and learning. It was a great professional development day and I'm looking forward
074to continuing the work that's begun. I will be presenting a budget to the board next month and um we are making every effort to be as fiscally responsible and still do the best for our kids. Item number 10 is audience of citizens. The audience of citizens provides an opportunity for East Tatam residents to briefly and respectfully share their thoughts, concerns, and questions with the board of education. Any written comments or materials must be submitted to the board chair and may be distributed at a later time. The chair reserves the right to discontinue public comment at any point. If remarks include specific or person personally identifiable references to board employees and or students, this portion of the meeting does not involve discussion. All questions will receive a timely mannerly response from the board chair or superintendent.
075I'm going to ask there be a three minute maximum tonight and I'm going to time that and um please state your name for the record clearly. >> Thank you. Sorry, I'm cutting everybody. I would like to go first just because I am the previous board member that is no longer on the board. Um and I think I might have a lot opinion and thoughts on this. So, apologies. Uh, Jackie Endorf, do I have to say where I live? Is that >> No, I don't like that. >> Okay, that's like the Okay, so I made notes just so I wouldn't lose track. You know, I like rambles and stuff. [cough] Sorry. Um, first I want to say how grateful I am to this board and the board chair for pausing and taking time before reacting. I
076know it's not easy. Yes, I am angry that I am still dealing with the fallout of my social media post. I'm still not allowed to be in schools. I absolutely had moments of wanting Mr. Moresy's post to prove that I am worthy. I am human. I am petty and selfish and I wanted to use this to my advantage and that's not fair. An eye for an eye is not a solution. I have worked with members of this board in the schools and with extracurricular activities. No one shows up more than Shawn does. Pay attention to who shows up to volunteer their time with kids in our community in schools, sports, and events. Elected volunteers are not politicians. Yes, we are elected officials, but we are not lifelong politicians. We are You are volunteers. You are
077not paid to be here. You are not on a lifelong trajectory of wanting to be doing something bigger. You are here because you value our schools, our district, and our kids. The board of ed needs to represent the whole community, all parts of the community, and they need to be able to work together. They need to be able to compromise. Remember, we don't all agree on the on things all of the time, and that's important. You want to pick two people who disagree less, disagree more. Sean and I, big picture, we are wildly opposed. And when we worked together for our town, for our community, we showed up. We represented the people that we felt like connected to and we listened to each other. We figured out what was best for our kids and our
078community. If this board agreed on everything [cough and clears throat] all of the time, it would be a problem. You don't want nine individuals to have one idea of what's best for our kids. I mean, some of us might, but not everybody would. If um if everyone agreed all the time, there would be populations not represented it. Not represented. We want our kids to make mistakes and learn how to make amends. Most folks in this room have made unfavorable comments at one time or another, whether on social media or in person. Obviously, myself included. Most of us have. Do we want to show our kids that one event changes their whole future? I don't want that. I teach my kids that everyone makes poor choices, everyone is doing the best that they can with what
079they have, and everybody can move forward. I ask this board to move past these events and create a policy or regulation to help the district move past these incidents and give guidance moving forward. If we know what is expected of us, not just we should be better. We should know better. We shouldn't post. We shouldn't give our comments. We shouldn't give our opinions. We're humans. There should be like guidance like yes and no, right and wrong. Otherwise, we're just doing the best we can, but it's not fair. Um, and I guess what I'm going to say was I noticed audience like reacted to board comments. Some laughed, some were angry, some nodded along. that just shows how different our community is and how this board as different as everybody is is important because there is
080somebody on this board that represents each and every one of you and that's what's important and def to end it up Sean I don't think you should have had to explain it you don't owe anybody the reasons why you show up you you coach you teach you volunteer. I don't think there's anybody else that volunteered more than me than you did. And um I just I having gone through everything I did, I don't think Sean should be asked to resign. Um all right. So over three minutes, I'm sorry lost. >> Okay. Thank you. >> But thank you, Jackie. >> Are there any other members? Good evening. I'd like to comment on the gross inequity of treatment of current and past BOE members during the 2025 and 2026 school year. >> Back in September, a former
081BOE member willingly resigned from her position after she posted a comment on her personal social media page. Despite the fact that she chose to resign, several of you still asked for her resignation. But that was not all. Following her voluntary resignation and what was one of the most heartfelt, loveliest apologies I have heard in my lifetime, a witch hunt ensued. Apparently, her sincere apology and complete ownership of social media posts was not sufficient. Suddenly, one of the most beloved, effective, dedicated volunteers and former BOE members became a danger to students. I am not sure I've met someone less threatening than this BOE member. Nor have I met someone with more devi love and light and absolute understanding of children, the population which she has served selflessly for years. She has never referred to students as
082dressing like prostitutes during a BOE meeting discussing the school handbook dress code, as did another current member of the BOE. She never posed in tactical gear, smiling gleefully while insinuating she would be training to become an ICE agent immediately following the murder of a mom by ICE agents like another BOE member did just over a week ago. And has anything happened to these BOE members? Are they being held accountable for their repulsive and appalling behavior? Not that I can tell. It would seem that a heartfelt apology from the former BOE member would be more than adequate, at least from the perspective of a healthy adult who understands forgiveness and has some degree of emotional intelligence. But it seems that the BOE and especially the superintendent not only found the apology inadequate, but it that it
083was their job to erase all of the beauty, generosity, love, creativity, and genius that this former BOE member had to offer. What a huge and embarrassing mistake. What a huge loss to the elementary school and future loss to the middle and high schools. Is that what we want to teach the students of East Adam? You make a mistake and too bad, you're out of here. I can't think of a bigger disservice to teach our students and community members. That there's no room for accountability, learning, apologies, and forgiveness. The inequity here is appalling, and I hope that one day you all will wake up and see the error of your ways. And I'm quite sure that the former BOE member would be forgiving of your huge mistake if you ever choose to admit it. My name
084is Andrea Webster. >> I'm Kianne Kendall Rand. I have two things. One is not related to this. First, I would just like to recognize and thank the community members that um contributed towards our eighth grade Washington DC trip. I went back a few meetings and I did not hear it be discussed in any of our meetings as of yet that we were had a shortage of several thousand dollars and we had many community members step up and volunteer to give us money contributions towards that. And then we did have a private funding that came through with the full amount to cover for our trip so that all students that wanted to go to Washington DC would be eligible to go to Washington DC. So, it was really fantastic and I think it's recognizable to be
085uh put out here. So, all right. Now, K started again because now I'm going to read. >> I didn't even start yet. >> Okay. [laughter] Uh my name is Kerianne Kendall Rand. I am a parent of students both in and out of district. I'm here tonight to ask this board to apply one standard consistently and transparently. In September of 2025, a female board member was compelled to resign following a personal social media post in which she referred to a recent recently murdered man as a Nazi. In January 2026, a male board member posted a photograph on his personal account dressed in black tactical gear with the caption, "Ice agents in training." Just mere hours after a young mother was shot in the head multiple times by ICE agents and broadcast widely. Both were poor choices.
086Both were on their personal pages. Both were shared beyond their intended audience without their permission. Yet only in the first case did this board call for an emergency meeting, force a resignation, and even remove the member's ability to volunteer in our schools while the second member continues to sit at this table. Publish the policy that you're using to make these decisions. show how it applies to both incidents and correct any overreach by restoring volunteering access where warranted or apply the same consequences to similar conduct. I want to address Dr. Drito directly. My understanding, and if I'm mistaken, please correct me, is that Mrs. Endorf's access to volunteer in the district was personally revoked by you, not by the board. I urge you to reconsider that decision given the contributions that she has single-handedly made to
087our school community. And if you choose not to revisit it, then at a minimum hold the same standard to Mr. Morsy and all conduct across this board. Remove his volunteer rights as well. I don't condone for that, but hold everyone accountable. If you are going to set a standard, apply it to all. As a voter and a parent, I expect free speech to be respected and board standards to be enforced even-handedly. If one incident triggers immediate and severe consequences, then comparable conduct should be evaluated with the same urgency and under the same criteria. Anything less looks like viewpointbased discipline and that undermines trust. If the board overreacted in one case, it's okay to acknowledge that and make it right. It's okay to acknowledge a misstep and fix it. That's how you earn our trust. That
088admission would strengthen, not weaken this board's credibility. Thank you. [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Lisa Cahill. I'm a um member here um member a resident here in East Adam and a former teacher. I wanted to shout out to all my students back there. Great job everybody. I love I just get like tickled seeing you guys being involved in this process. So kudos to you and thanks to the board for your uh tireless work. Um I'm standing here tonight very disturbed by the events that unfolded relative to a comment posted by Mr. Morrisy's recent social media. Mr. Moresy is an elected member of the board of ed. He's a public servant charged with overseeing the safety and care for the students in this town. I'm appalled at the lack of professionalism and lack of
089discretion he showed in his tone-deaf comment, especially especially the timing of it. You can ask every teacher in this district. We're told every year, do not post anything on social media that you don't want in a public forum. The same goes for any board of board of ed member. I'm confident Mr. Mory probably already knew that and yet he posted it anyway. And this just shows a total lack of sensitivity to the very children he was elected to serve. This board recently had another member resign over social media comments. I feel a precedent has been set. Consequences should follow. Thank you. I am Morin Goff. I stand tonight to speak in strong support of Shawn Morsy, who recently shared a photo expressing support for ICE and the vital work they do to uphold our nation's
090laws. We all understand that people are deeply sensitive right now following the death of an ICE protester. At the same time, this moment calls for clarity about the role of federal law enforcement. ICE enforces immigration laws passed by Congress, protects communities from criminal threats, and helps maintain the rule of law that benefit every resident, including our students and families. Supporting ICE is not about denying compassion or ignoring pain. It's about affirming that safety, lawful order, and accountability under the law form the foundation for secure schools and thriving communities. Our schools thrive when we live in a secure, orderly neighborhood. Shan's post was not an act of division or insensitivity. It was an act of clarity and principle. We should applaud leaders who refuse to politicize safety or pretend that ignoring laws makes the problems disappear.
091Sean's willingness to show support for ICE reflects a commitment to public safety, fairness under the law, and the well-being of every child in our district, even amid grief and difficult national conversations. Let's keep our focus where it belongs on providing the best possible education in safe, stable communities for our children. Thank you. >> Good evening, Ryan Goff. >> Brian, don't take it personally. I got to excuse myself for I'm going to embarrass everybody. >> That's fine, Jim. Won't let it get you. I rise tonight to express my strong support for Mr. Shawn Morrisy. I've known Shawn for over five years and can confidently attest to his character as a kind, principled individual, an upstanding citizen, and a committed man of faith. Shawn has demonstrated consistent dedication to public service through his involvement with the BOE
092where he has served two terms as an elected board member. Beyond his elected role, he regularly volunteers his time with the har with Harvest House, a local church organization that provides meals to those in need, helping to prepare and serve food several times each year. His commitment to the community is further reflected in his service as a Cub Scout leader for Pack 22 and as a basketball and I'm sorry, as a volunteer coach for the elementary school ba baseball, basketball, and soccer teams. Shawn is also an active member of Hope Church where he regularly attends mass. Above all, he's a devoted and loving father to his three children. Shawn's a strong and positive presence in our community and an excellent represent representative of the values and principles that make our town and our country strong.
093Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Nicole Herald and I hate public speaking, but I hate injustice. So, um I had no idea who you were. I also saw your post on uh the anonymous post. Um that is what happens with social media. It's unfortunate. I don't wish that on you. Um but it can be expected. It happens regularly. Um so I don't know your character. I hear this. But I will say that it wasn't a great first impression. I have two kids still in the school district. Um, and I'm glad that you do Goodwill in other places. I don't know, like to me, I could interpret what you were saying about going to like Haiti, for example, as perhaps I will go to the immigrants. Don't have them come to me. I don't know you well
094enough to know if you feel differently. But, um, especially after an American citizen was killed by ICE, to double and triple down rather than just acknowledging it tells me a little bit more about you than I'd like to hear. Um, it's just propaganda to claim that it's all illegal citizens when there are Americans who were born in this country in cells right now and there's no more due process. So, how do we even know people are illegal? So, um, I am disheartened by it. I don't feel it's political. I feel like it was tonedeaf for the gentleman here to suggest that it's dress up because it's much more than that. And my feelings aren't hurt. I'm concerned. Um, it's it's not about my feelings. It's not about politics, about right and wrong. And unfortunately, I
095grew up with a generation of people who were taught to not talk about religion or health or finances. And I think that's how we got here. So, I'm glad we're talking about it, but I don't want to be gas lit in that it's about cosplay because it's more than that to me. Thank you. [clears throat] My name is Laurel White and I am a recently retired member of this board and sat on the panel with the member that was removed or voluntarily removed herself back in September. I'm shocked and saddened that our community keeps facing actions of hatred being portrayed repeatedly. It seems we surface from one only to find ourselves mired in another. And recently it has come from people elected and who should know to hold themselves to a higher standard. When you
096hold a publicly elected seat, you represent a wide and diverse population. In this arena, you have sworn to advocate and protect public education. But when your behavior and actions within your First Amendment rights hurt or cause fear, are you still acting as a public servant? As we well know, the public forum is rimless. It is everywhere. all around us all the time. There is no privacy anymore. Once an image is put out into the ether, it is in the public domain and is then able and allowable to spread like an uncontained wildfire. So regardless of where an image originates, once it is posted, it is public regardless of your first amendment rights. The first the recent posting of a photo with commentary posing as an ICE officer by a board member is at the very
097least tonedeaf and as a conflict of interest and in every sense threatening. As an elected official, you represent a community of people, not just one idea, but many ideas. As a person elected to protect public education, this action shows no recognition of the recent actions that this particular agency is imposing on education around the country. To gleefully portray an image that sparks fear is to mark your support for that image and that idea. And that idea is an idea of fear. When people are afraid, they don't participate as fully with their community, including education. A threat to people. Feeling safe is a threat to public education, which you have sworn to protect. Back in September, when I was still on this board, each of us confronted a now retired member with our concerns about hateful
098and hurtful rhetoric. Imagery is also [clears throat] hurtful rhetoric. but imagery with captioned language stating even in justest a me a message about an organization that has caused fear, pain, and death to a community body that you are sworn to protect is beyond. As Kira said at the September meeting, it's public service 101. As Terry said, it is tonedeaf to the present moment. You were at the meeting. I don't need to repeat each member's statements. This image and your statement do not [cough] mesh with the public education community that you are sworn to protect. You absolutely have your first amendment rights, but at what cost to the community are you here to to represent and protect. Hi, [clears throat] it's nice to see you all. For those who don't know who I am, my name
099is Cindy Houston. I uh am a resident and I used to work for the board of education for 20 years, 11 of which were in the central office. Um I'm actually not here to talk about Sean but [laughter] um I wanted to switch subjects altogether and I'm actually very happy because the board of finance and the board of select are here as well. I want to talk about the budget really quickly very briefly. I want to talk about two very important numbers. The first number I want to talk about is 72. About 72% of the budget biggest budget in this town is people. It is your number one resource. It is the most important thing in this district. Um I'm one of those bad people, by the way, that Jim said that they got rid
100of, but you know, we'll get over that. Um I'm not here to talk about me. Um there are good people here and you can't have good schools without good people. You can't have a good community without good schools. It's the bottom line. It's the most important thing. 72% on average of your budget, biggest budget of the year, biggest budget of this town is on the people. The next number I want to bring up is 54, which actually looking at your agenda is now 55. That is three administrators, 22 certified staff, and 30 support staff. That is the number of people that have left this district in the last two years. That is more people in two years than in the four years prior. That is a higher annual average of people leaving this district than
101in 10 solid years. you are losing really really good people and that's why I'm here and that's why I came tonight because I still reach out my phone number actually is still on board website somewhere which is hope people talk to me I run into them in the [clears throat] grocery stores in the coffee shops and I hear two things from every single person that either works here or has recently left and both of them are the same one is an emotion and that emotion is always either fear sadness anger frustration but it's never positive. It's a different emotion, but it's never positive. The second thing I hear from them almost 99% of the time is how is it that the board of education doesn't see it? And I can't answer that question. Only you
102guys can answer that question. How is it that the people, your number one asset, the most important thing in this district is not happy. They are scared. They are nervous. They are upset. They're angry. They're frustrated and they are feeling unsupported by this board of education. You can't have good schools without good people. And you are blessed by having an incredible amount of really, really good people that are still here. Really, really good people. You have great academic scores. Your schools get great academic um distinction. Again, it's because you have incredible staff. And that staff puts the child first. They put the education purse. The administrators that are still here put everything first. And they're good at their jobs, but they're not happy. And if you want to hold on to those staff, then you
103need to them to be happy and good at their jobs. So before you go out and you ask your your staff to rally the troops as you do every single year, come to the public hearings, support our board of education budget, you [clears throat] better turn around and make sure that you are supporting them because they are not feeling supported by you. Fix this house before you ask the town to pay for it. Thank you. Hello, my name is Adam Briett uh and I am here to talk about Shawn. Um I am probably one of the most qualified people to talk in this topic and for that reason being I lived in Sandy Hook and babysat children that were shot during that time period. Okay, I attended those funerals. I was affected by that. I
104have run many companies across this state and country that were affected by ICE as well. Okay. So, I haven't been on both sides of this. So, when it comes to that, I can speak on both sides. But what I'm here to speak about is Sean's character. Okay. Shawn has driven me to volunteer in this town. Okay? He is part of every single team that I've been a part of. And days that I do not want to volunteer, that I would love to go home and spend time with my kids. I have three kids in this town, right? And I support this. I look up and I see Shawn going to the all these events to Cub Scouts to T-ball to soccer. He is a substantially better father than I can or ever want to be.
105He is a better human than me and he always will be. But I strive to be like him. Whether you take his post poorly or greatly does not matter. I will not take this time to compare his post to somebody else's post. I will not take this as a tyrant to convince somebody to be brought back in or somebody to be taken out, but I will stand for the fact that he is the best person to be on this board. He supports his family. I have been part of many times in this town where I've seen his kids go, "I want to be with you. I want to do this with you." And all I hear Sean say is great things. Yes, I'm going to do that for you. Yes, I'm going to stand up
106for you. He has done absolutely everything for this town and is a stand-up citizen. And for anybody who will take this post and use it as a political tirade to support somebody on a similar post that you want to consider it, which I will 100% disagree that they're similar in any way, shape, or form, but that's all this is, right? Is he posted something and they want to try to dismiss the other posts, okay? That is not what this is about. You're attacking somebody's character who is a better human than 99% of this town. And I will stand for that. If you would like to hear my stories and how I qualify for this in the past and all the training that I've gone through because of what I've gone through, I've been through school
107shooter training. I have been through state police training. I've been through SEAL training. I will stand for the fact that this human is the person to look up to. And the fact that anybody else in this town committee that's listening says anything otherwise is completely wrong. And I will stand by that 100%. Thank you. [clears throat] >> How you doing? My name is Gary Terrain. I'm new to town. Been here about a year and a half now. Um got involved with uh planning and zoning and and some other um committees in town. Signed up for several more. We're going to be interviewing [cough] them in the next couple weeks. [clears throat] In the year and a half that I've been here, um Sean has been incredible. I see him working with kids on [cough] all
108different levels and and you know he's just a good person. Um I like to think what Sean was talking about in feelings as a father of seven kids, stepchildren and my own. I'm a house divided. We have dinner every Sunday at our house and we are divided. It's it's hard not to offend somebody in one way, shape or form when you're in that way. But we're all adults and you know sometimes our feelings just get too emotional. We we all have our opinions. We're all entitled to those opinions. Sometimes somebody gets a little agitated with what we say or what we post. Um but that doesn't take away from the good that we do. Sean amazing person. You know as Sean posted a picture that may or may not be appropriate. you know, when I
109listen to the other people talk about how um you know, somebody was murdered, you know, that's inappropriate as well because we don't know that that's actually what happened depending on what side you, you know, want to be on politically. Um tragedy in both cases, but you know, this is a great man, you know, to be chastised for his, you know, what he wants to do on his days off is is not right. So, thank you, Sean, for everything you do. My name is Todd Gellson, first elect. Honored to be elected by the people of East Adam. I have known Sean about 10 years. Really known him better in the last four or five years. He's a great individual. Has been said here many times, but people know him better than I do. He's a of
110great character. He's an upstanding citizen in every way. He volunteers immensely. Even though he has very little time for himself, he volunteers anyway. Whether for kids or for adults, but he's not perfect. Neither am I. If anybody here is perfect, let them stand. Everybody makes mistakes and Facebook, [clears throat] frankly, I don't participate in Facebook very much because it leads you into making mistakes, not thinking before you act. I can't quote Thomas Jefferson exactly, but he said once, if you're angry about with someone, don't write a letter to him until you wait 10 days, then write a letter. What he's saying is don't let your emotions control your brain. Be careful and we all including myself have made those mistakes. So I I would stand with Sean and anything anywhere. Second thing I want to
111say is that uh we have young people in this room tonight and we have them in this town. They need to be taught taught correctly. not just reading, writing, arithmetic. They need to be taught character and morals and using their common good sense. So what I what I see here is a lot of hate. I see some forgiveness, but I see a lot of hate. We do not need to teach our kids hate, especially in the society we're in now. We need to teach them forgiveness. And I'm not fully aware what Sean did, tell you the truth, because I'm not a Facebook fan. But we need to demonstrate to the community and the children of this town and everybody in this town that we are willing to forgive. Somebody made a mistake, a judge, a
112misjudgment and error, or hit the keyboard too many times and with emotion. We should forgive them. We need to teach our kids forgiveness. Justifiable forgiveness. Not just forgiveness, but forgiveness. Forgive that. Just plain oldfashioned common sense forgiveness. And that's what I ask you folks to do tonight. As well as everybody in this room. [laughter] Forgive. We learned a lesson tonight. I think we all learned a little bit of a lesson about life. Certainly about using Facebook. I think we should march on. We got things to do in this town, important things. Budget is one of them, but and teaching our kids within the budget that our taxpayers can afford. But I ask you tonight very simply, please forgive Sean Morrisy, [clears throat] >> Gary Sorski. I just want to uh I'll make it quick. I'm
113not going to rehash everything. I'm here in support of Sean. I think what is going on, it's totally gotten blown out of proportion, but I think we should just move on. You just can't keep rehashing this over and over. And I think it's time to move on and get to work on other stuff. Thanks. Hi, I'm Bobowski. It's really unfortunate that we've become so polarized as a nation that we can hardly talk to one another anymore and we put each other under such scrutiny. I want you to all remember August of 2014, a white police officer was accused of gunning down a black man in cold blood in Ferguson, Missouri. The result of that accusation set a city on fire. Buildings were burned, stores were looted, people died, but the resulting investigation found that it
114was all a lie. Michael Brown, he wasn't surrendering to the police officer. He was beating him and he was trying to disarm him. and the police officer acted in self-defense. It's unfortunate all those events took place, but we're seeing polarizing events in this country right now that are almost similar in and and we're making decisions and opinions based on things we don't know. We don't know how this whole thing and Minneapolis is going to shake out. But yet we're allowing that to polarize this issue in a great way. And what I think we all need to do is just step back and take a deep breath and and really look at what we're saying and what's going on and do away with some of the opinions we have and just wait and see what we
115learn about what's going on. And I I think we'll be better for it alto together. Sean, I've known you for a few years now. You're a man of very good character and a loving father, and you volunteered your time to the senior citizens when we do the uh harvest house. And I think you're a good person. And as Todd said, I hope people feel forgiveness. And let's just move on. Karen Blashik, former board of ed member. Um, after listening to everybody's comments, I do know Shawn for a couple of years, and he [clears throat] is, like everybody said, a man of good character, but after hearing Todd uh speak about forgiveness, um, as far as Jackie, I don't know Jackie, I know what happened. So, moving on with forgiveness, let's forgive Jackie and let her
116come back to volunteer in the school after hearing people talk so highly of her and what she has given to the community. Why should she not be able to continue that forward? Whether I agreed with her post or not, that's neither here or there because a lot of people didn't agree with Shawn's post. So, if we're going to allow, not allow, but if Shawn's going to stay on the board and perform his duties as a board of end member, then Jackie, in my opinion, should be able to continue her volunteerism in this community. And that's all I have to say. We did have two emails and I did email them back. That was um they're the same sentiments. Uh one was uh Susan uh Kinsman with the concerns about Shawn. And I did receive an
117email from John Olan also with concerns about Ashan's post. Um, in regards to the volunteering, it was a decision with the former board chair to pause on volunteering and I am supposed to have a discussion with the superintendent this month, January, uh, about Jackie's volunteering. It's not the end of the month, and this is not going to overshadow it, okay? very very clear that they are two separate incidences and um there was a pause on volunteering and it was not the superintendent's decision and um I think it was a mutual decision. I mean it was a decision of the former board chair to pause volunteering. I'll have to go back to the September 12th meeting and listen to it again. And I think I've listened to it 10 times, but I will listen to it
118again and I will report back and I will um we are meeting this month about Jackie's volunteering, but I do appreciate everyone coming out. I wish we came out for more positive things. So sincerely, I do appreciate audience. Thank you. No, audience. All right, we're going to move on to item number 11, which is action on the minutes. They're out of order in the packet, but it's a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of December 10th, 2025. [clears throat] >> Excuse me, Madam Chair. >> Yes. Is it okay if our student representatives uh be excused? >> Thank you for >> Good night, ladies. >> Congratulations, sir. >> Thank you both. >> I'll make a motion to approve the December 10th uh regular meeting minutes. >> Second. All those in favor? >> Any opposition? Motion
119carries. >> Do I have a motion to approve the special tri board meeting minutes of January 12th, 2026? >> I make a motion to approve. >> All those in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. Moving on to item number 12, which is the subcommittee reports. We're going to start with um well, curriculum [clears throat] policy and educational program subcommittee has not met. Uh B is business and planning subcommittee before >> really uh not much more than what you had said. Business is pl business and planning has met I had two meetings. One was on January 7th where we went over three school presentations. Uh and then January 8th where we met for the special ed and the systemwide presentation. Uh those presentations those preliminary. Now those are with Dr. Drito um for her review
120and which we'll be reviewing in February and um at that time those are the only two meetings and we have not scheduled uh the next meeting yet. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. Uh personnel and negotiations. >> Um we have not met as of yet. There was a possibility that we were going to be meeting tonight. Um uh that would be really to review um preliminary stipens review that we need to get into. Um but we have not met and I do not think by this time that we'll be following this meeting. [laughter] So so we will be scheduling that coward. >> We will be scheduling that shortly to come. >> Thank you. Uh East Adam schools capital improvements committee leaison report. I will confess I'm not sure I just want to public confess that
121I have made Steve an official member. I need to do that through the um uh through the selectman's office. I have to go through my email because I'm I'm sorry this this chairman thing takes up a tremendous amount of time and I'll have to go see if I have responded. So, but Steve did attend the December meeting. So, go ahead, Steve. >> Um it was a good update just uh on HVAC systems for the elementary school and the high school. Um everything was going according to plan except for an issue with Eversource upgrading um uh the power lines and going in where they had to um shut down the area for almost 5 hours on the 22nd December to upgrade the power just it it did not was not compatible with with uh what the
122the grid um what the schools was set up for. And so that was taken care of and and that's really kind of what we we spoke about just getting that all all wrapped up. >> We are sorry for our elementary neighbors that lost power for the 19th and 20th and then lost again on the 22nd for the power upgrade, but we appreciate it. The uh school is turning out to be fantastic. Uh the learn leazison liaison report was emailed to everybody. Do you get the learn minutes from Terry? Uh, she couldn't make it tonight. So, um, it is in your board email. And Ray Board, >> um, Rayboard, I do have some bullet points. Uh, both TA and myself weren't a unable to attend the first meeting. Um, but, uh, Chris Eard was kind enough
123to send the bullet points. Um [snorts] the Rayboard scholarship is due on April 10th um which is giving time to select the recipients for the scholarship. Uh that dinner for the scholarship is um will take place at the Fox Hopyard. The approximate date set is Tuesday, May 12th for 5:00 pm. Um, the next Rayboard meeting is March 16th at 3:30 and we need they need to have a budget proposal by that meeting. Um, so it will have time to be voted on. >> Ask a question. >> Yes. Um, isn't that kind of late in the budget process to be submitting a report? >> Uh, >> don't we have to work our budget around what they offer, so to speak? >> Oh, ask the business manager cuz she's here. >> No, we don't. >> No, board
124is separate. It gets submitted by Mr. Eert. Um, he works with the teachers um to put together their their desires. they come forward with a proposal to the RAY board and then the Ray board convenes and um their schedule of funding. Um but we have talked about and I think we have a new policy on the the ray board and so yes right. So um that should be we should look into that and kind of see how we can mesh um the two budgets but it's going to be a complex thing because the rate board is completely separate. So that's in >> is very unique because there are far and few between districts that have the endowment we have. So it is a unique situation on a yearly basis. >> Yes. Huge. >> I have
125a question chair. So um what can we just uh know what policy specifically uh dictates the ray board? Um when you get a a moment if you could send that along over the next couple of weeks. I I just want to put on the record I I'm a little I I'm a little um concerned about the process of the Rayboard funding allocation coming directly from teachers. Um I I think that holistically as a board we may have other ideas for district-wide technology or technology specifically at the high school. Uh, for instance, I think of yonder pouches if we are serious about keeping cell phones out of school or other things. And I at one point I just would like a conversation to understand exactly what are the metrics. Is it a wish list? Is it
126a metrics? Let me finish please. >> Sure. Sure. Sorry. >> Is it a metric based on a program? Is it is it something curriculum based? The idea that teachers could just say, "Hey, I would like X without the board of education understanding what the goal is for, you know, is the funding going to support a phase." I just think that it's important for us to have a better understanding. It's significant amount of money and I just wanted to understand a little bit better >> and that makes perfect sense. The other thing I just wanted to [cough] suggest for you to think about is that the RAY board is its own entity and they decide where their money goes. >> No, I understand. Totally understand that >> they they worked through the teachers and the administration.
127One hopes that there's a meeting along of the minds along that process. um much more than that I can't really tell you. But um I don't think it will ever be a situation, and I could be wrong. I don't think it'll ever be a situation where the board gets to say, "Well, this is where we want the money to go and if it's not what the RA board wants, it's going to go where we say." That's never going to happen. That would be a violation of the bequest, I believe. So, something to think about. >> I just want to clarify too that I I don't believe I don't want to speak as if or have it come off as if the teachers just put together a wish list. So, I think that it's going to
128be really important to clarify with Mr. Eert and the Ray board how that process actually works. what Sean and I have heard and it takes, you know, we were we've been on, this is our third year on the committee and so it takes a while to start to really understand what's happening and what's going on. Um, and then also we don't have meetings every single month. They tend to be every few months. So for a school year, you might only have a few meetings, but the teachers put their requests into Mr. Ear and he works on what they are looking at curriculum wise to understand what do we want to do for the students at the school and then they submit it to the ray board and they go through a review process. So I
129don't want it to be put out there that it's a halfhazard process whatsoever. I can't really speak to that. Um I do think it's important that we have more collaboration with the ray board. Um and so we've been talking about that um at the end of toward the end of last school year we were talking about that with Dr. Dabrio and so that's something that we would like upcoming to have more collaboration in the process. So just to clarify because I don't want it to come off there to the public like we are sitting here saying that there's this halfhazard process that is not the case. That's great to to know because I I just think, you know, when we hear the lack of revenue that's available um to the town as a whole and
130the board of education is aware that there is revenue here. For us not to even give guidance or say, "Hey, this is our five-year plan or have a conversation as a board," I think is uh is a misstep, that's all. And I think we should have more collaboration in a in a way. That's all I just wanted to put it on the record. >> Do that. You did update. So we'll revisit policy to start the process of that. >> Yeah, >> there was an explanation and maybe it would be beneficial a few years ago. We actually got to see like the um >> yeah, the actual uh Mr. Ray >> as well. Oh, I think we we really should because we are um >> just to understand a special meeting maybe an hour before a
131regular board of ed meeting with just a quick um I I just think it would be very helpful and maybe it's not just the Rayboard, maybe it's all of our endowments. Again, we are going to be very pressed on uh you know this budget process and I think it would be only in our best interest as as board members to be fully educated on all of the opportunities that are available. So, you know, to Jim's point, it's not just the Rayboard, it's the purple fund, it's, you know, other things. And I think it's important to understand what is our revenue sources potentially, even if they're not coming through straight through ECS. I think it would be beneficial to have another presentation. We had a presentation. I can't tell you how many years ago it was,
132but there are specific wishes in the will. They actually had copies of the will even if they're from 100, >> right? And that's what I was referencing when I said it. >> Yeah. So, there was specific wording then and I I think it's the belief that they can't go past that. But the word I'm pretty sure the word I don't want to misspeak. So, I >> is there a way that we can get a copy of [cough] I've read a lot of these endowment wills and so I have >> Yeah, I think No, I think we should have a presentation to the board. So, you have nuance of what it actually is. There are very specific guidelines to go, can't he? >> He did, but I can't remember how many years ago it was. >>
133A couple years ago, but it there's a lot of details that we get hit with. No one's going to remember it all the time if we're not used to it, >> right? >> That's not how learning works. >> Well, I will make note and we will Let's do that. Let's understand it better as soon as possible. >> Uh long range capital improvements committee is for the town and they have not met in a long time. Uh safety and security, we have a meeting next week. >> Uh item number 13, old business. There is none. >> M chair, I have a couple items, please. Under old business. >> Under old business. >> I do. Thank you. Uh so first is um I just wanted to follow up on one of the audience of citizens talking about
134the number of people who have left the district. Uh previously I've asked about exit surveys. Um I know that the board of ed is uh has the ability to review those exit surveys. So my question is how do I uh make that appointment? >> I don't think that's accurate. >> No, it is accurate. [clears throat] I know you're not going to like my ears. >> We can view them. They're public and not public, but they're available. There's spec it's specifically board is available to review exit surveys. >> We don't usually talk about the audience of citizens app. >> No, that's fine. But I asked for I asked about exit surveys last month. So, in my opinion, it's old business based on a previous conversation. And I'm just going to say again, you know, and maybe
135Jim, I'm happy to be corrected, but it's my understanding by state statute that a board of education member can review and maybe it's an executive session or maybe it's uh in a separate uh place, but um they can review exit surveys of of staff. Maybe it's not all staff. I think Dr. Debrio corrected me at the last meeting that it was only certified staff, but it's absolutely something and it's something that I have continued to be concerned about. Um, so the idea that the board isn't paying attention to this issue is not accurate and I would like to see them. >> Yep. And then the next part uh under old business uh I I understand that there is potentially a policy on volunteerism or not. I'm not quite sure. But I do also want to
136add my voice to those who have been uh eager uh to see uh volunteerism from uh our former board member. And I'm very happy to hear that our chair is going to be having that conversation this month. And I just want to publicly state for the record that I am supportive of that. endeavor. So, thank you. >> Item 14 is new business discussion and possible action on approval of an art mural at the elementary school. Thank you, Mrs. Peterson, for staying with us. >> Come on up. >> Yes, absolutely. Please tell us about this art mural. >> Oh, sorry. >> I didn't know I was actually presenting. I'm going to wake up now. Nobody >> Well, she presented it. Yeah, she did. >> She's just here. >> She's here to get the formal approval. >>
137Approval. >> Sit back. >> Packetations. >> There's a pictures two two choices. What? What? I guess my my question would be while giving the chair the opportunity to look something up quick. Um, >> I apologize. >> Which which image wasn't there? vote or something. >> We're waiting for your official approval before we presented the two images to the students and then they'll vote on which one they want to that I remember there was some voting coming up >> like to make a motion to approve the mural. >> I second that. >> Amazing. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposition? >> Motion passes. Get going on that mural. >> Thank you. I'll pass it along. Mrs. C. Yes, >> Jim and Sean. >> Item 14B, acceptance of the consent agenda items 1 through five. One,
138discipline report. Two, enrollment report. Three, December 2025 warrant. Four, resignation. Terresa Coronis, middle school 12-month secretary, effective 121225. Appoint. And item five, appointments. Number one, Brianna Goff, Middle School, 10-month secretary, 1222 2025. Two, Kelly, help me out here. Human, >> elementary school pared educator effective 15 2026 and Aguardo Kunores the third, middle school hall monitor 15206. Do you have any questions? accept the consent unless someone wants to pull something out. >> Actually, I do. The monthly discipline report doesn't line up. [laughter] >> Go ahead. >> Yes, that's what I saw. A description. There's a there's an error. There's a there's two errors, but go ahead. Um, yeah, under middle school in the discipline report, it says description. >> I think that was supposed to be disruption. >> I was thinking that, too, but I can't
139assume that. So >> I wanted confirmation of it before >> I did not want to assume anything with that. >> Is there any other >> I I just have a question on the discipline report. >> Okay, that's where I'm at too. Thank you. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> So I'm just curious. I see inschool suspension on here. I see expulsion. I don't see um a a detention or another option. So I'm just curious for any of these children who have had a major referral, is there other discipline that's happening besides what I'm reading here? >> Yes, that's a very good point. It could be, you know, parent needed all kinds of consequences. Okay, >> this report is specific to the total number of major referrals and are kids being removed from their learning environment
140that would constitute school. So I guess so that I'm really glad to hear that because you know I do think we should be holding kids accountable and you know disciplining them uh for uh any sort of um situation that requires teacher intervention whether that's you know just calling the parent but I I just didn't see detention specifically. So I was just curious exactly how that lays out. Thank you. I had a correction that says in the upper portion that there was five incidences at the high school, but under the lower portion there's only four descriptions. >> So, I'm going to pull a discipline report out till we have the collections. >> Is there any questions about the enrollment warrant? I have a a question on the warrant. I'm I'm just curious specifically when we asked
141when I asked this question at the last meeting, I was told that the year-end financials weren't completed yet. Are the year-end financials completed as it relates to uh the close out of the fiscal year? >> No, we're working with the auditors today, tomorrow, and then two weeks from now, we have a couple of dates. So, um they're saying by the first week of March. first week of March, there seems to be uh whether it's accurate information or not, but there's a lot of uh conversation about um you know, different things. And I'd really like to understand what the balance is going to be or not, you know, deficit, god forbid, but I really want to understand where we are at year end uh sooner rather than later. So, you thinking March, first week in March,
142we'll have that answer. >> Okay. auditors are physically here. They have a space and they go between the town and the board of ed asking and seeking and Yeah. So they're the ones >> balancing both. They're going back and forth. >> Back and forth because the money goes into the town. >> Y >> and so everything has to, you know, be accounted for. >> Thank you. >> So enrollment. >> So we're going to pull the discipline. Is everyone okay with items two through five? >> Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda items two through five? >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposition? Can I get a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> I get a second. >> Second. [sighs] All in [clears
143throat] favor? >> I.