1 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:31,119 All right, welcome back. Good evening. I 2 00:00:29,119 --> 00:00:33,200 call the August 25th board of ed meeting 3 00:00:31,119 --> 00:00:37,239 to order at 5:30. We have a moment of 4 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:37,239 silence and pledge by Miss Kushman. 5 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,680 It would truly be difficult to top the 6 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:48,399 incredible welcome extended to our 7 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:51,280 teachers and staff at convocation 8 00:00:48,399 --> 00:00:54,160 yesterday by our band, choir, and 9 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:56,960 elementary students. But nevertheless, 10 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:59,920 we do want to offer and extend a warm 11 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:04,799 welcome back to our students, staff, and 12 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:06,960 teachers for the 2026 2027 school year. 13 00:01:04,799 --> 00:01:08,960 As we gather together here in council 14 00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:10,560 chambers to conduct the business of the 15 00:01:08,960 --> 00:01:13,040 board, 16 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:18,040 I invite you to join me for a moment of 17 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:18,040 quiet reflection or silent prayer. 18 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:32,720 And for the pledge. I pledge allegiance 19 00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:35,439 to the flag of the United States of 20 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:38,400 America and to the republic for which it 21 00:01:35,439 --> 00:01:41,040 stands, one nation under God, 22 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:44,200 indivisible, with liberty and justice 23 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:44,200 for all. 24 00:01:46,079 --> 00:01:50,159 Thank you, Miss Kushman, for that 25 00:01:47,439 --> 00:01:52,320 welcome back message. Um, fire fire 26 00:01:50,159 --> 00:01:54,079 evacuation announcement. In the unlikely 27 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,520 event of an emergency, please go through 28 00:01:54,079 --> 00:01:57,920 those back doors or you can go out the 29 00:01:55,520 --> 00:02:00,159 side door and down the steps. Um, roll 30 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:01,759 call. Miss Lawler. 31 00:02:00,159 --> 00:02:02,320 Mrs. Kushman 32 00:02:01,759 --> 00:02:04,399 here. 33 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:05,759 Mr. Anderson 34 00:02:04,399 --> 00:02:08,640 here and refreshed. 35 00:02:05,759 --> 00:02:09,840 Mr. Okulio here. Mrs. Gerard 36 00:02:08,640 --> 00:02:10,319 here. Mr. Gaus 37 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:13,920 here. 38 00:02:10,319 --> 00:02:14,480 Mrs. Ker absent. Mr. Cobber 39 00:02:13,920 --> 00:02:15,840 present. 40 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:17,520 Mrs. McGuire Bruce 41 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:20,160 here. Board Chair Picket 42 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:22,080 here. All right, we are going to move 43 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:24,239 over to item four, which is our board 44 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:25,599 guests. Before I turn it over, I just 45 00:02:24,239 --> 00:02:27,840 want to echo some of the comments that 46 00:02:25,599 --> 00:02:30,080 Miss Kushman mentioned. Um, I also was 47 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:32,160 able to attend convocation. Thank you to 48 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,760 those who helped support convocation. 49 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:35,360 Um, but more than anything, I think I 50 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:37,440 was really most excited to be in the 51 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:39,360 room to honor our staff member of the 52 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:41,440 year and our teacher of the year. um 53 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:43,440 their introductions, their comments 54 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:45,920 themselves made me really proud as a 55 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:47,680 board chair um and as a mom. Really just 56 00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:49,280 proud of the educators that we have in 57 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:50,720 our school district. Um so I'll turn it 58 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:52,640 over to you, Mr. Mchio, to provide some 59 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:54,160 formal introductions, but thank you so 60 00:02:52,640 --> 00:02:56,000 much and so excited to be able to 61 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,080 acknowledge you. 62 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,760 Right. So, I'll be um brief in terms of 63 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:01,840 my opening remarks because we're going 64 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:03,599 to have uh Lauren Andrews, who's the 65 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:06,800 director of Eagle Academy, come up and 66 00:03:03,599 --> 00:03:09,200 she's going to introduce to you the 2000 67 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:12,080 um or the support staff member of the 68 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:14,000 year um for last year and that is Mr. 69 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,840 Quinn Hanigan. He did an outstanding job 70 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,360 in terms of his speech. I know how 71 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:19,200 excited all these folks actually are 72 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:21,760 when they have to stand in front of, you 73 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:23,760 know, 880 folks and give a speech, but 74 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:25,519 outstanding job. So, we're very proud of 75 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:27,680 Quinn and look forward to continued work 76 00:03:25,519 --> 00:03:29,040 with him. Uh, and Lauren, uh, we're 77 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:34,040 going to have you go ahead and you can 78 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:34,040 lead it off. Yeah, sure. 79 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:44,879 All right. Is this on? Yes. Okay. It is 80 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:47,519 truly an honor to introduce Quinn 81 00:03:44,879 --> 00:03:49,920 Hanigan, EPS Support Staff member of the 82 00:03:47,519 --> 00:03:51,599 year. When we say that it takes everyone 83 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:54,080 working together to keep our buildings 84 00:03:51,599 --> 00:03:56,319 afloat, Quinn is the perfect example of 85 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:58,480 what this looks like. He is someone who 86 00:03:56,319 --> 00:04:00,480 never says that's not my job. He sees 87 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:02,879 what needs to be done, steps in without 88 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:04,720 hesitation, and does whatever he can to 89 00:04:02,879 --> 00:04:07,120 support our students, our staff, and our 90 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:08,720 families. Quinn's commitment to the 91 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:11,519 students of Enfield, especially our 92 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:13,200 Eagle kiddos, is exceptional. He works 93 00:04:11,519 --> 00:04:14,879 every day with some of the highest need 94 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:17,440 students in our district. He does so 95 00:04:14,879 --> 00:04:19,840 with a calm presence presence, the 96 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:22,000 patience of a saint, and the incredible 97 00:04:19,840 --> 00:04:25,120 ability to often remain a couple steps 98 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:27,040 ahead, oftentimes even of me. He 99 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,800 understands our students, anticipates 100 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:30,639 what they may need, and often helps 101 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:33,600 prevent a difficult situation from 102 00:04:30,639 --> 00:04:35,759 becoming an even tougher one. Quinn has 103 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:38,080 stepped into many roles at Eagle. Beyond 104 00:04:35,759 --> 00:04:40,000 his role as a behavior technician, he 105 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:42,160 also steps in as our building sub when 106 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:44,000 needed and has taken on long-term 107 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:46,639 substitute assignments whenever we've 108 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:49,919 needed him multiple times over the last 109 00:04:46,639 --> 00:04:52,080 few years. Our kids trust Quinn because 110 00:04:49,919 --> 00:04:54,639 they know he is steady, fair, and always 111 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:56,320 there for them. Our staff respect him 112 00:04:54,639 --> 00:04:58,880 because they know they can count on him 113 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:01,280 even on the most challenging of days. 114 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:03,040 His ability to remain calm and quietly 115 00:05:01,280 --> 00:05:06,000 help hold everything together is 116 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:08,400 invaluable. Quinn, I'm incredibly proud 117 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:10,320 of you and so grateful for everything 118 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:12,560 you bring to Eagle Academy and to the 119 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:15,560 students. This recognition is so welld 120 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,560 deserved. 121 00:05:17,039 --> 00:05:20,880 Good evening, everyone. I'm truly 122 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:23,199 honored to receive this support staff 123 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:24,800 member of the year award. Over the past 124 00:05:23,199 --> 00:05:26,560 few years, I've had the opportunity to 125 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:28,479 gain valuable experience in different 126 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:30,800 roles, including working as a behavioral 127 00:05:28,479 --> 00:05:33,039 technician, building substitute, and 128 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:35,039 long-term substitute. Each of these 129 00:05:33,039 --> 00:05:36,720 experiences has taught me something new, 130 00:05:35,039 --> 00:05:38,479 challenged me in different ways, and 131 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:41,039 have helped me grow both professionally 132 00:05:38,479 --> 00:05:42,639 and personally. Most importantly, these 133 00:05:41,039 --> 00:05:44,720 roles have given me the opportunity to 134 00:05:42,639 --> 00:05:47,360 work with and learn from so many amazing 135 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,800 students and staff members. I'd like to 136 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,720 take a moment to thank everyone from 137 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:53,120 Eagle Academy for everything they do for 138 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:55,520 our students every single day. I am 139 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:58,000 incred incredibly grateful to be part of 140 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:59,759 such a caring and hardworking team. And 141 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:02,240 finally, I want to give a special thank 142 00:05:59,759 --> 00:06:03,840 you to my sister Samantha. Thank you for 143 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:06,160 all the late nights spent helping me 144 00:06:03,840 --> 00:06:08,000 lesson plan, answering my endless 145 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:11,960 questions, and teaching me how to run a 146 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:11,960 classroom. Thank you. 147 00:06:12,639 --> 00:06:15,680 Congratulations. And thank you. And I 148 00:06:14,639 --> 00:06:16,800 was just sharing to both of my 149 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,639 colleagues here, that's when I started 150 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,919 crying in your speech at convocation, 151 00:06:18,639 --> 00:06:21,600 you mentioned your sister and I was 152 00:06:19,919 --> 00:06:23,120 like, "Oh, I have a a son and a 153 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:25,039 daughter." And like hearing those 154 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:28,800 special thank yous, I think mean a lot. 155 00:06:25,039 --> 00:06:30,160 Um, so thank you. Um, congratulations. I 156 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:32,560 know we have done our formal 157 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,479 acknowledgement. um of your winning at 158 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:36,080 convocation, but I will open it up here 159 00:06:34,479 --> 00:06:39,039 for any board members who would like to 160 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:42,039 share any um comments or questions or 161 00:06:39,039 --> 00:06:42,039 thoughts. 162 00:06:42,479 --> 00:06:46,560 Go ahead, Miss McGuire. I'll just echo 163 00:06:44,479 --> 00:06:48,639 thank you for all that you do. Um I know 164 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:50,240 that your efforts go well beyond the 165 00:06:48,639 --> 00:06:53,520 classroom. Um so, thank you so much and 166 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:55,520 your sister is pretty great. 167 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:56,880 Quinn, thank you so much. I'm excited to 168 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,560 see what this school year brings at 169 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:00,560 Eagle Academy and the continued impact 170 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:02,000 that you have on our students. Um, I 171 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:03,520 think hearing about the trust that you 172 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:05,280 build with staff and students and how 173 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,720 you model that calm, consistent presence 174 00:07:05,280 --> 00:07:07,919 is something that we can all take away. 175 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,360 So, thank you so much, Quinn. 176 00:07:07,919 --> 00:07:09,919 Congratulations to the work you do at 177 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:13,080 Eagle. 178 00:07:09,919 --> 00:07:13,080 Thank you. 179 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:21,199 All right, now over to teacher of the 180 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:23,120 year. All right. So, we're going to 181 00:07:21,199 --> 00:07:25,440 welcome 182 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:27,360 uh Aaron Clark, principal at the high 183 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:28,960 school, as well as Joel Sen, director of 184 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:31,520 humanities. And they are going to 185 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:31,919 introduce to you. You can bring him with 186 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:32,560 you. 187 00:07:31,919 --> 00:07:35,759 Yes. 188 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:37,360 Yeah. Absolutely. 189 00:07:35,759 --> 00:07:39,120 Sure. 190 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:42,560 Introduce to you our teacher of the 191 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:43,039 year, Miss Nicole Kuchio. 192 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:46,880 Not yet. 193 00:07:43,039 --> 00:07:48,000 Who now has a famous middle name. I 194 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,199 don't know if she's going to give the 195 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,960 same speech. which I doubt she's giving 196 00:07:49,199 --> 00:07:53,840 the same speech as she gave at 197 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:56,960 convocation, but she had some wonderful 198 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:58,960 zingers in that speech. Um, so excellent 199 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:01,759 job by her as well. We're very excited 200 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:03,680 and proud uh of her. And I'll turn it 201 00:08:01,759 --> 00:08:06,319 over to you, Joel. 202 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:09,199 So, first of all, let me just say um how 203 00:08:06,319 --> 00:08:11,599 honored um I am to be here to introduce 204 00:08:09,199 --> 00:08:14,240 Nicole um as our teacher of the year in 205 00:08:11,599 --> 00:08:15,680 Enfield and our nominee for Connecticut 206 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:19,199 teacher of the year, which I think we 207 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:21,039 got a pretty good shot at here. Um, so 208 00:08:19,199 --> 00:08:23,759 just a quick little anecdote back in I 209 00:08:21,039 --> 00:08:26,720 think it was 2015. There's last secrecy 210 00:08:23,759 --> 00:08:29,440 around the teacher of the year process. 211 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:30,879 Um, Nicole was a relatively new teacher. 212 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:33,440 She was probably in her third year at 213 00:08:30,879 --> 00:08:35,120 this point. Um, and she walked in on a 214 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:38,640 conversation that I was having with Mr. 215 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:40,880 Crane in her neighboring classroom about 216 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:42,719 Tony Allegro, who was our teacher of the 217 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:44,959 year that year. And she just kind of 218 00:08:42,719 --> 00:08:47,120 walked in and flippantly said, "What are 219 00:08:44,959 --> 00:08:49,200 you guys talking about?" and I said, "I 220 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:51,680 can't tell you, but I think you're going 221 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:55,440 to find out one day." Um, because I knew 222 00:08:51,680 --> 00:08:57,920 back then um how dynamic she was in the 223 00:08:55,440 --> 00:09:01,120 classroom, how creative she was with her 224 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:04,800 lesson planning. Um, and just how great 225 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:06,720 of a teacher she was as at that point, a 226 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:09,760 young 20-some year old fresh out of 227 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:13,760 college. Um, and I'm just so proud to 228 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:16,800 see the teacher she's become, um, the 229 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:19,440 mother she's become. um and just how 230 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:22,000 great she is with her kids. Our teacher 231 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:24,160 of the year every year we kind of know 232 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:26,720 who they're going to be because of how 233 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:28,800 many kids gravitate to them, right? I 234 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:31,760 see it in her instruction and as an 235 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:34,000 instructional leader. Um, but when you 236 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,680 see the kids in there every day and you 237 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:38,160 see the impact that she has on those 238 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:39,680 kids outside of the classroom and that 239 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:43,600 they want to be there and be with her 240 00:09:39,680 --> 00:09:46,880 outside of that, um, that just speaks 241 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:49,200 volumes about who she is as an educator. 242 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:50,399 So, congratulations, Nicole. And now to 243 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,800 Miss Clark. 244 00:09:50,399 --> 00:09:54,080 I uh nominated Nicole Kuchio for teacher 245 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:57,040 of the year. I had the pleasure of 246 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:58,959 hiring her um many years ago and have 247 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:01,040 watched her evolve into this incredible 248 00:09:58,959 --> 00:10:03,120 teacher. Um, and I'm just going to read 249 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:05,120 a little bit. Like many great teachers, 250 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:08,000 Nicole flies under the radar. She's 251 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:09,920 understated and unassuming, but quietly 252 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:11,920 extraordinary. If you walk into her 253 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:13,839 classroom on any given day, students are 254 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:15,440 engaged in something meaningful. They 255 00:10:13,839 --> 00:10:17,519 might be preparing to pitch a bill to 256 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,440 Congress, role-playing members of the 257 00:10:17,519 --> 00:10:21,040 Iranian government, or working together 258 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:23,200 to build a better understanding of 259 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:25,200 something going on in the world. They're 260 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:27,360 talking, they're interacting, they're 261 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:29,120 laughing, and they're learning. You can 262 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:31,279 feel the energy as soon as you walk in 263 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,720 the room. Uh Nicole creates the kind of 264 00:10:31,279 --> 00:10:34,720 classroom through thoughtful, 265 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:37,040 intentional lesson planning and she 266 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:38,480 plans courageously. She never begins 267 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,560 from the assumption that something is 268 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:42,240 too difficult for students. She begins 269 00:10:40,560 --> 00:10:44,320 with the belief that if we give students 270 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:46,720 meaningful challenges, they will rise to 271 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:48,079 them and they do. Her students tell me 272 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:50,000 that she has made them love social 273 00:10:48,079 --> 00:10:51,920 studies and care deeply about what is 274 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,920 happening in the world. A large part of 275 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:56,160 that is because Nicole's takes learning 276 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:58,079 beyond the classroom walls. Her students 277 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:59,839 have created awareness campaigns, 278 00:10:58,079 --> 00:11:01,440 recorded intercom announcements, 279 00:10:59,839 --> 00:11:03,519 designed bulletin boards, and led 280 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:05,760 activities to educate their peers about 281 00:11:03,519 --> 00:11:07,839 global issues. She truly helps students 282 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:09,760 find their voice. When students walk 283 00:11:07,839 --> 00:11:11,680 into Nicole's room, they know their time 284 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:14,399 is going to matter. They are going to 285 00:11:11,680 --> 00:11:16,880 think, talk, create, collaborate, take 286 00:11:14,399 --> 00:11:18,880 risks, and build confidence. That is 287 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:20,959 what exceptional educators do. They help 288 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:22,880 students find their voices, engage with 289 00:11:20,959 --> 00:11:24,720 the world around them, and discover what 290 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,560 they're capable of. Nicole does that 291 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:28,640 every day and she represents so much of 292 00:11:26,560 --> 00:11:30,880 what we value in Enfield public schools. 293 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:32,880 It's our priv privilege to recognize and 294 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:35,680 celebrate Enfield public schools teacher 295 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:37,519 of the year, Nicole Katuchio. 296 00:11:35,680 --> 00:11:40,160 Thank you. 297 00:11:37,519 --> 00:11:43,279 Yeah, I have my own right. Okay, I'll 298 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:45,040 let you talk in after if you want. Okay. 299 00:11:43,279 --> 00:11:46,720 Um, good evening and thank you to the 300 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:48,560 board, town leaders, and families for 301 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:50,480 being here tonight. It is an incredible 302 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:52,959 honor to be recognized as this year's 303 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:55,040 teacher of the year. Before I start, I 304 00:11:52,959 --> 00:11:56,800 should apologize. As you can see, I had 305 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:59,040 to bring my three-year-old to the 306 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,800 meeting, and he was kind of upset that 307 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:03,200 his favorite sushi place was closed 308 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:05,040 today. So, but he seems okay with a 309 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:07,519 goldfish. 310 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:08,800 Um, so here's my speech. So, I wanted to 311 00:12:07,519 --> 00:12:10,720 start with something that might surprise 312 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:13,120 you. I'm not Thank you. I'm not from 313 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:15,279 Enfield. When I first came here 12 years 314 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:18,160 ago, I was very aware of that. But over 315 00:12:15,279 --> 00:12:20,079 time, my students, colleagues, and my 316 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:22,000 family became my connection to this 317 00:12:20,079 --> 00:12:25,680 community. and Enfield became a place 318 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:27,839 where I felt like I belonged. 319 00:12:25,680 --> 00:12:30,480 Yeah, the idea of belonging has shaped 320 00:12:27,839 --> 00:12:32,399 so much of my work and especially 321 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:35,639 through the building of GSA from the 322 00:12:32,399 --> 00:12:35,639 ground up. 323 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:39,680 I'm incredibly grateful for the support 324 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:41,920 that all allows our students to find 325 00:12:39,680 --> 00:12:44,320 their voices and to create spaces where 326 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:45,760 others feel seen and valued. As a civics 327 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:47,440 teacher, I believe my job is to teach 328 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:49,519 students how to think, not what to 329 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:51,279 think. I want them to question, listen, 330 00:12:49,519 --> 00:12:53,680 and develop their own ideas and their 331 00:12:51,279 --> 00:12:56,079 voices. And I want them to understand 332 00:12:53,680 --> 00:12:58,639 that we can disagree 333 00:12:56,079 --> 00:13:00,480 on issues and still leave with empathy. 334 00:12:58,639 --> 00:13:02,399 Whatever our beliefs when a student is 335 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:04,480 struggling, worried about their family, 336 00:13:02,399 --> 00:13:06,800 or facing circumstances outside their 337 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:08,880 control, what matters most is they know 338 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:11,680 they're supported. Because at the end of 339 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:13,279 the day, they're just a kid. I want my 340 00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:14,800 students to leave my classroom with more 341 00:13:13,279 --> 00:13:16,399 than knowledge about government. I want 342 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:18,560 them to gain real world skills like 343 00:13:16,399 --> 00:13:20,320 compassion, resilience, curiosity, and 344 00:13:18,560 --> 00:13:22,639 the confidence to share their opinions 345 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:24,240 to see beyond their perspective. The 346 00:13:22,639 --> 00:13:26,880 skills I'd want for my own son. What are 347 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:29,120 you doing? 348 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:30,639 Okay. Um, Anthony is sitting right here 349 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,720 tonight or going somewhere else. I'm not 350 00:13:30,639 --> 00:13:34,320 sure where he's going. And becoming his 351 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:35,760 mom changed the way I view the 352 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:37,440 profession. I think about the teacher 353 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:39,519 I'd want for him someday. someone who 354 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:41,120 notices when he something is wrong, 355 00:13:39,519 --> 00:13:43,040 challenges him while still believing in 356 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,720 him, and sees the person he's becoming, 357 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:46,800 not just his grades. And that's the 358 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:48,560 teacher I try to be. And I know that I 359 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,320 couldn't do that alone. Teaching is 360 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:52,160 emotional work, and I'm incredibly lucky 361 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:54,480 to have colleagues who support me 362 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:56,639 through the hard days, make life, make 363 00:13:54,480 --> 00:14:00,160 me laugh when I need it, and remind me 364 00:13:56,639 --> 00:14:01,440 that we don't have to do this alone. 365 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:03,199 But I also think that we need to be 366 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:06,560 honest about what it takes to keep great 367 00:14:03,199 --> 00:14:08,399 teachers here. Teaching is a a female 368 00:14:06,560 --> 00:14:11,040 dominated profession and many of us are 369 00:14:08,399 --> 00:14:12,959 also mothers. We pour everything we have 370 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:15,040 into someone else's children and then go 371 00:14:12,959 --> 00:14:16,959 home to do the same for our own all 372 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:18,880 while navigating teacher shortages, 373 00:14:16,959 --> 00:14:22,399 budget challenges, and endless to-do 374 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:24,399 list that grows every year. For some 375 00:14:22,399 --> 00:14:26,320 perspective, I have two master's degrees 376 00:14:24,399 --> 00:14:28,320 and 12 years of experience, and I still 377 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:30,560 find myself making difficult choices 378 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:32,079 about what I could afford for my family 379 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:33,839 and what I'm willing to spend out of my 380 00:14:32,079 --> 00:14:36,399 pocket for my classroom. And I know I'm 381 00:14:33,839 --> 00:14:38,240 not alone in that. And our recent budget 382 00:14:36,399 --> 00:14:39,920 crisis reminded us that staffing 383 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:42,639 decisions are more than numbers on a 384 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:44,880 spreadsheet. Every position represents a 385 00:14:42,639 --> 00:14:47,279 person our students know, trust, and 386 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:49,199 depend on. I'm not saying this to 387 00:14:47,279 --> 00:14:50,959 complain because I love my job. I'm 388 00:14:49,199 --> 00:14:52,480 saying it because loving what we do 389 00:14:50,959 --> 00:14:55,040 shouldn't mean ignoring what it takes to 390 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:56,720 do it. Despite these challenges, our 391 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,880 educators and community continue to show 392 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:01,360 up for our students. And that gives me 393 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:02,959 hope. I see Enfield moving forward and I 394 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:04,720 hope we continue building a district 395 00:15:02,959 --> 00:15:07,279 where great teachers feel supported, 396 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:09,600 valued, and want to stay. Through all 397 00:15:07,279 --> 00:15:11,360 this, I incredibly proud to be a teacher 398 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:13,040 in Enfield. I'm proud to teach young 399 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:15,519 people about government, proud of our 400 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:17,600 GSA and the inclusion it promoted 401 00:15:15,519 --> 00:15:19,279 throughout the district, and proud of my 402 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:21,360 students who continue to challenge me, 403 00:15:19,279 --> 00:15:24,000 keep me humble, and occasionally remind 404 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:26,560 me to touch grass before I crash out. 405 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:28,240 And most of all, I'm proud that I that 406 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:30,800 of a town that I didn't grow up in 407 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:32,560 became my community. Enfield may not 408 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:34,240 have been the place I grew up, but it 409 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:36,480 became the place I built my career, 410 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:38,800 found my people, and truly came to 411 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,920 belong. I hope we continue building a 412 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,199 community where our teachers and 413 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:43,519 students feel the same sense of 414 00:15:41,199 --> 00:15:44,959 belonging. Thank you to the board, my 415 00:15:43,519 --> 00:15:47,120 colleagues, and especially my students 416 00:15:44,959 --> 00:15:48,880 for making this job worth doing. So much 417 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:50,560 of what teachers do happens behind the 418 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:51,920 behind the scenes, so it's pretty 419 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:54,560 special to have some of the work 420 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:56,320 noticed, even if being the one getting 421 00:15:54,560 --> 00:16:01,600 the attention isn't exactly my favorite 422 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:03,120 part. And Anthony, Anthony, hi. Uh, 423 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:05,600 thank you for giving me a different 424 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:07,440 perspective on every student who walks 425 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,800 through my classroom. One day you'll 426 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:12,320 watch this and maybe understand what I'm 427 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:15,040 saying. Uh because now when I look at my 428 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:16,959 students, I don't see them as teenagers 429 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:19,600 and as just my students. I see them as 430 00:16:16,959 --> 00:16:21,600 someone's baby. And that's why I'm proud 431 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,759 to be their teacher. Thank you for this 432 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:26,079 honor. And now I need to head up my next 433 00:16:23,759 --> 00:16:28,639 job, which is being his mom and taking 434 00:16:26,079 --> 00:16:30,720 that responsibility away from Joel. 435 00:16:28,639 --> 00:16:34,360 Thank you. 436 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:34,360 Oh, Nicole. 437 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:39,360 Yeah. Thank you. 438 00:16:37,839 --> 00:16:40,320 You want to talk? Yeah. 439 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,399 You want to say hi? 440 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:45,920 I would love to hear from Anthony. Oh, 441 00:16:42,399 --> 00:16:47,759 he can speak however he'd like to speak. 442 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:49,199 Hi, Anthony. 443 00:16:47,759 --> 00:16:51,440 What's your favorite thing about your 444 00:16:49,199 --> 00:16:51,839 mommy? Did you hear the question? 445 00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:55,639 Yeah. 446 00:16:51,839 --> 00:16:55,639 What do you love about mommy? 447 00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:03,680 I bet she's a fun mommy. Nicole, thank 448 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:05,360 you so much. Um, thank you for multiple 449 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:07,760 things. One is, um, I was at 450 00:17:05,360 --> 00:17:09,520 convocation. I didn't get enough time to 451 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:11,839 still dry my tears. I knew you were 452 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:13,280 going to make me cry again. Um, thank 453 00:17:11,839 --> 00:17:14,640 you for being honest and real about your 454 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,319 remarks about the stress of being a 455 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:17,919 teacher and the burden that also comes 456 00:17:16,319 --> 00:17:20,000 along with caring. Um, I think your 457 00:17:17,919 --> 00:17:21,600 quote in uh, convocation was when you 458 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:23,199 know a lot, you carry a lot. 459 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:25,199 Um, so building relationships with 460 00:17:23,199 --> 00:17:27,120 students and all that you put into the 461 00:17:25,199 --> 00:17:30,320 work does carry another burden. And you 462 00:17:27,120 --> 00:17:32,799 have a beautiful little one there. 463 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:35,280 It's okay. He's totally fine. you can do 464 00:17:32,799 --> 00:17:38,799 it on me. 465 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:40,640 It's totally fine. Um, so I just want to 466 00:17:38,799 --> 00:17:43,200 thank you for for sharing that 467 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:44,960 perspective and being real with us. Um, 468 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:47,360 because I think how we support and care 469 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:48,880 for our teachers really matters. Um, I 470 00:17:47,360 --> 00:17:50,640 also just want to share openly with you. 471 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:52,720 I know I sent you a personal email after 472 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:54,559 convocation. Um, but I was with a group 473 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:56,240 of educators today and I quoted you 474 00:17:54,559 --> 00:17:57,919 multiple times and I shared strategies 475 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,840 that you shared with your colleagues 476 00:17:57,919 --> 00:18:01,840 around the power of music and how that 477 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:03,360 connects folks. Um, and sharing those 478 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:05,200 strategies. So, hitting the grass 479 00:18:03,360 --> 00:18:07,520 before, what was it? Hit the grass 480 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:09,440 before crashing out. Uh, touching grass 481 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,720 before crashing out. Um, building those 482 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,240 strategies of what do we do when we know 483 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:13,600 that it's been a rough day and what do 484 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,880 we need to do to take care of ourselves? 485 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:16,160 So, thank you for modeling that. Thank 486 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:17,760 you for building the skills with our 487 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:19,280 students. Thank you so much for the work 488 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:22,160 that you do. Anthony, thanks for having 489 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:25,120 an amazing mom. Um, any other comments 490 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:27,520 that you'd like to make? 491 00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:31,080 Thank you, Nicole. Congratulations. You 492 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:31,080 do not need to apologize. 493 00:18:33,679 --> 00:18:38,640 Yeah, we'll do it after. Okay, 494 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,679 I'll do one more time. 495 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:40,640 I'll do it one more time. 496 00:18:39,679 --> 00:18:43,039 Well, I'll take care of 497 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,520 Okay. Thank you. All right. Don't judge 498 00:18:43,039 --> 00:18:45,360 me. 499 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,799 Thank you very much. 500 00:18:45,360 --> 00:18:47,919 I'll do one more time. 501 00:18:46,799 --> 00:18:48,559 We'll do it another time. 502 00:18:47,919 --> 00:18:49,360 Bye, Nicole. 503 00:18:48,559 --> 00:18:51,360 Okay. Bye. 504 00:18:49,360 --> 00:18:53,280 Bye, Nicole. Bye, Anthony. Thank you all 505 00:18:51,360 --> 00:18:54,799 so much. Um, what a great way to kick 506 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:56,880 off an opening board meeting by 507 00:18:54,799 --> 00:18:59,280 celebrating our staff um and the folks 508 00:18:56,880 --> 00:19:01,280 who work so hard for our kiddos each and 509 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:04,080 every day. 510 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:05,919 All right, we'll move over to Steve with 511 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:08,880 your superintendent report. I will also 512 00:19:05,919 --> 00:19:11,120 just note for the public um I appreciate 513 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:14,240 as part of our reorganization of our uh 514 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:15,840 meetings and our agendas, Steve is now 515 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:16,640 our superintendent is now providing a 516 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:17,919 little bit of what's going to be 517 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:19,120 included in the superintendent report. 518 00:19:17,919 --> 00:19:20,640 So for the public who looks at our 519 00:19:19,120 --> 00:19:22,559 agendas, you have some idea of what 520 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:22,880 might be coming up. So here you go, 521 00:19:22,559 --> 00:19:24,080 Steve. 522 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:25,200 Right. So I have a variety of different 523 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,480 topics to talk about in the 524 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:30,000 superintendent report and I'm going to 525 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:32,160 go a little bit of out of order um 526 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:35,360 because we have a couple of folks from 527 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:36,720 downstairs. Come on up, Tom Beth. Uh, 528 00:19:35,360 --> 00:19:39,679 regarding the special primary 529 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:42,320 accommodations, um, as everyone is 530 00:19:39,679 --> 00:19:46,080 likely aware, we have a special primary 531 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:48,400 uh, for the 58th um, district that is 532 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:50,960 going to be happening on September 1st. 533 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:55,440 Um, so we have Tom Kinsler and Beth 534 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:58,720 Derez uh, from town hall and we had a 535 00:19:55,440 --> 00:20:02,000 meeting with both of them, myself, uh, 536 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:03,919 our director of security, DPW, Chief 537 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,360 Fox, we had a number of different people 538 00:20:03,919 --> 00:20:07,520 there. so that we could make sure that 539 00:20:05,360 --> 00:20:10,720 we had accommodations in place um 540 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:12,400 because uh the schools will be open uh 541 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:14,160 specifically the three that voting 542 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:17,360 occurs at and that would be at JFK 543 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:18,960 Barard and at Enfield Street. Um so Tom 544 00:20:17,360 --> 00:20:20,640 and Beth had asked for a few moments. I 545 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:22,559 said, "Hey, I happen to have this item 546 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:24,160 on my superintendent report and you can 547 00:20:22,559 --> 00:20:27,039 go ahead and take care of it for me." 548 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:29,120 Great. Thank you for having us. Um, we 549 00:20:27,039 --> 00:20:30,960 just wanted to tell the public again 550 00:20:29,120 --> 00:20:32,960 trying to get out there that we do have 551 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:35,600 early voting currently happening 552 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:38,240 downstairs the basement level. Um, our 553 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:40,480 hours today is one of our longer days. 554 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:42,880 It's open till 8:00 tonight. So, if you 555 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:45,360 have time, get in your car, come. Um, 556 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:47,600 our other late night is on Friday from 557 00:20:45,360 --> 00:20:50,640 8:00 in the morning till 8:00 p.m. The 558 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:53,360 other days, um, Wednesday, Thursday, 559 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:57,520 Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday is our last 560 00:20:53,360 --> 00:21:01,280 day. It is open from 10 until 6. Um 561 00:20:57,520 --> 00:21:03,840 because school is open, all voting at 562 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:07,039 our locations in the schools, that would 563 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:08,720 be Enfield Street School, um Henry 564 00:21:07,039 --> 00:21:11,840 Barard 565 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:14,720 and Enfield Street, Fermy is normal, but 566 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:17,679 they're all in the gym this year or this 567 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:19,840 time around, I'm sorry. Um so at Enfield 568 00:21:17,679 --> 00:21:21,919 Street, just please parents and the 569 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:24,640 public be careful when you're driving. 570 00:21:21,919 --> 00:21:27,039 Um, we'll have an area for you to drive 571 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:29,039 around back at Enfield Street. You're 572 00:21:27,039 --> 00:21:30,559 going to use the back entrance into the 573 00:21:29,039 --> 00:21:32,720 gym. 574 00:21:30,559 --> 00:21:35,039 Um, and you're going to also park your 575 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:38,480 vehicles into the back. So, please, 576 00:21:35,039 --> 00:21:42,000 please drive safely. Um, and be aware, 577 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:42,720 especially at pickup and drop off times, 578 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:46,000 Tom. 579 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:47,840 Okay. Hello everybody. Been a been a 580 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:51,679 minute. 581 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:53,280 Um we we we really thought working with 582 00:21:51,679 --> 00:21:56,960 um the superintendent and the other 583 00:21:53,280 --> 00:21:59,440 parties involved that being bringing out 584 00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:01,919 to the public uh the concessions that 585 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:04,400 were made. Uh originally we came into 586 00:22:01,919 --> 00:22:06,240 this trying to hope not really 587 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:08,320 justifying but trying to hope that we 588 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:10,080 hey let's close schools and then after 589 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:12,000 that we realized it really can't happen. 590 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:14,799 So, we worked together, came up with a 591 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:17,039 plan uh that we're both happy with, and 592 00:22:14,799 --> 00:22:18,480 I believe they're happy with that, uh 593 00:22:17,039 --> 00:22:21,280 addresses everything. But, we wanted to 594 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:26,080 talk to the public about uh a few of the 595 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:29,039 locations. First, um uh Henry Barnard. 596 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:31,280 Um Henry Barnard is going to be a 597 00:22:29,039 --> 00:22:34,640 challenge regardless of what we do to 598 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:36,799 prepare for it, what the uh schools do 599 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:38,960 to prepare for it, and what the voters 600 00:22:36,799 --> 00:22:41,600 do to prepare for it. So, what we've uh 601 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:43,039 what we've asked is that we'd like you 602 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:46,080 guys out there who are going to vote 603 00:22:43,039 --> 00:22:48,480 that vote at Henry Barard to please 604 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:52,080 avoid vote v voting at Henry Barard 605 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:54,640 during the hours of uh 7:30 in the 606 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:56,240 morning to 10 minutes of 8 or in the 607 00:22:54,640 --> 00:23:00,559 afternoon 608 00:22:56,240 --> 00:23:02,880 from 3:25 to 3:45. 609 00:23:00,559 --> 00:23:06,640 If you can do that, uh the log jam that 610 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:09,039 occurs with buses, vans, parents picking 611 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:11,760 up and dropping off, teachers arriving 612 00:23:09,039 --> 00:23:13,600 to school, all the myriad of traffic 613 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:15,919 that comes in and out of that uh 614 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:18,559 complex. Uh it will make our lives a lot 615 00:23:15,919 --> 00:23:20,640 easier and a lot safer. Uh we have a few 616 00:23:18,559 --> 00:23:23,280 years back we had a an almost issue over 617 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:25,840 there with somebody almost getting hit. 618 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:27,760 a voter comes in, doesn't go the right 619 00:23:25,840 --> 00:23:29,280 way around the back of a car and a van 620 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:30,880 thinks the person's doing the other 621 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:33,840 thing, and next thing you know, there's 622 00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:35,679 a kid running and screaming. Um, so it's 623 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:37,280 a recipe for a problem, but they're 624 00:23:35,679 --> 00:23:40,320 going to have extra staff out there to 625 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:42,559 help guide all the traffic and the 626 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:46,240 people, but we just want to reiterate if 627 00:23:42,559 --> 00:23:48,720 you can choose to come at a later time 628 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:49,919 uh or an earlier time, we would really 629 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:51,760 appreciate it and you'll get in and out 630 00:23:49,919 --> 00:23:53,600 of there quickly. 631 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:56,080 So that's it for Barnard. 632 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,760 Yeah. And thank you very much for 633 00:23:56,080 --> 00:24:00,720 meeting with us and putting the extra 634 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:03,039 steps in. Um and for you guys as well 635 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:05,760 helping so that we can have extra safety 636 00:24:03,039 --> 00:24:07,679 steps. And I would also before we leave 637 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:10,159 like to say thank you to Tom and Tony, 638 00:24:07,679 --> 00:24:12,000 Amy and I would love to say thank you 639 00:24:10,159 --> 00:24:14,799 because he did not have to help us with 640 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:16,000 this primary and I was drowning. So I 641 00:24:14,799 --> 00:24:19,279 don't think I could have done it by 642 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:22,320 myself. And we had a lot of people step 643 00:24:19,279 --> 00:24:24,559 up this time, our workers. So, thank you 644 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:27,279 very much to our workers. I didn't have 645 00:24:24,559 --> 00:24:29,679 enough tempms to fill those spots for 646 00:24:27,279 --> 00:24:31,600 workers. So, we did have a a lot of 647 00:24:29,679 --> 00:24:33,279 Republicans and a lot of unaffiliates 648 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:36,159 come in and help us when they did not 649 00:24:33,279 --> 00:24:38,640 need to. So, thank you very much. 650 00:24:36,159 --> 00:24:40,880 Appreciate it. We would do the same 651 00:24:38,640 --> 00:24:44,159 thing. We've we've come a long ways. 652 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:47,120 We're very apolitical in our office and 653 00:24:44,159 --> 00:24:48,400 all of our workers. So that's 654 00:24:47,120 --> 00:24:49,520 we don't mean to brag. 655 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:52,080 Yeah. 656 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:54,480 But but we really feel, you know, 657 00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:57,360 government should work like we work in 658 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:58,720 our office. It would be nice if we could 659 00:24:57,360 --> 00:25:00,480 go to, you know, whether it's a town 660 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:03,120 council meeting, a board of ed meeting, 661 00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:04,880 a planning and zoning meeting, a general 662 00:25:03,120 --> 00:25:07,200 get together out in the green, any 663 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:10,240 anything where they people got along 664 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:13,120 with the goal of accomplishing the task 665 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:17,039 the best they possibly can, regardless 666 00:25:13,120 --> 00:25:20,880 of party, regardless of biased beliefs. 667 00:25:17,039 --> 00:25:22,799 I mean, she's wrong. And no, 668 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:25,200 I don't we don't even think about it. it 669 00:25:22,799 --> 00:25:27,279 it's sometimes I do something that she 670 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:29,679 corrects and and gets a better idea and 671 00:25:27,279 --> 00:25:31,840 the reverse happens. It isn't about 672 00:25:29,679 --> 00:25:34,400 who's winning and who's losing. And I 673 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:36,960 just I hope that that message gets out 674 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:40,480 there because the elections in Enfield 675 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:42,880 are always done unbiased, impartial, 676 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:44,480 accurate, and after what we just went 677 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:46,640 through with the two lawsuit or the 678 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:49,279 lawsuit and the appeal. Um I hope 679 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:50,080 everybody realizes that. Thank you. 680 00:25:49,279 --> 00:25:50,720 Thank you. 681 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:52,640 Thank you. 682 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:56,080 Thank you. Questions? I just want to 683 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:57,440 quickly say um I want to echo the thank 684 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:59,440 you for the collaboration and the 685 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:01,600 thought partnership. I know that um 686 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:03,279 putting together an election is not just 687 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:04,640 a simple like oh polls are open and 688 00:26:03,279 --> 00:26:05,679 people show up and you just come and 689 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:07,440 vote. It's a lot of 690 00:26:05,679 --> 00:26:09,919 polls are open in two weeks. 691 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:11,520 It's a lot of a lot of work. Um so thank 692 00:26:09,919 --> 00:26:13,679 you for the work that you do on behalf 693 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:16,000 of voters and residents. Um but also 694 00:26:13,679 --> 00:26:17,679 thank you to our town colleagues and our 695 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,480 building our school officials for coming 696 00:26:17,679 --> 00:26:19,600 together to thank 697 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:22,320 and buildings and grounds. 698 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:24,880 Yes, buildings and grounds. DPW, EPD, 699 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:27,600 Enfield public schools, and you all. Um, 700 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:29,360 thank you for that collaboration. Um, I 701 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:30,880 do know, and I'm just going to preface 702 00:26:29,360 --> 00:26:32,080 this because I'm anticipating a 703 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:34,320 question, Steve, so I'm going to look at 704 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:36,240 you. I do anticipate that we will be 705 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:38,400 having some very clear communications to 706 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:41,200 families around especially at Henry 707 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:43,679 Barard Enfield Street School and JFK 708 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:46,080 around the first to ensure kind of 709 00:26:43,679 --> 00:26:48,080 families are aware of their parking and 710 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:50,080 um procedures and then we can help share 711 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:50,799 that information as well to help ease 712 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:51,840 that burden. 713 00:26:50,799 --> 00:26:52,880 More the better. Yeah. 714 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:54,320 Perfect. 715 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:57,360 Mr. G. Yep. 716 00:26:54,320 --> 00:27:00,720 Could you do me a favor and just 717 00:26:57,360 --> 00:27:03,440 out loud state what the election is for? 718 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:05,360 Sure. We are dealing with parents and 719 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:06,159 kids and I would hate to have extra 720 00:27:05,360 --> 00:27:08,080 people show up. 721 00:27:06,159 --> 00:27:10,159 Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Dean. So, the 722 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:13,039 the this this election, the last 723 00:27:10,159 --> 00:27:15,440 election was for governor that only 724 00:27:13,039 --> 00:27:18,320 governor only primary and it was 725 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:19,760 supposed to have the 58th legislative 726 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:22,960 seat on it, too. So, it was going to be 727 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:25,679 two sets of people. after the lawsuit 728 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:27,760 that that that race was removed from 729 00:27:25,679 --> 00:27:31,200 that ballot. Then it was put back on 730 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:34,960 after an appeal and the judge ordered it 731 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:36,799 September 1st emergency special election 732 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,240 so that that could get that wrong could 733 00:27:36,799 --> 00:27:41,840 get writed and and the people would be 734 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:45,360 able to vote. So on the first you have 735 00:27:41,840 --> 00:27:47,360 two candidates. You have uh uh Tom Tyler 736 00:27:45,360 --> 00:27:49,600 running against the incumbent John 737 00:27:47,360 --> 00:27:52,480 Santella. That's the only people in it. 738 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:54,640 And it's for the 58th legislative seat. 739 00:27:52,480 --> 00:27:57,120 And it's Democratic only. 740 00:27:54,640 --> 00:28:00,159 Democrat only. If you live in the 59th, 741 00:27:57,120 --> 00:28:02,000 you you you can't vote. If you uh are a 742 00:28:00,159 --> 00:28:04,159 Republican, you can't vote. If you're an 743 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:07,120 independent, you can't vote. If you're 744 00:28:04,159 --> 00:28:09,600 unaffiliated, you can change and you can 745 00:28:07,120 --> 00:28:10,720 vote on election day. But other than 746 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,640 that, it's just a Democrat. 747 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:14,799 And if you're not registered, you come 748 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:16,240 see us and we'll register you and then 749 00:28:14,799 --> 00:28:17,919 we'll tell you when to come back to 750 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:19,520 vote, right? if you're doing early 751 00:28:17,919 --> 00:28:22,000 voting or election day. 752 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:24,720 So, it's it's a very narrow. Right now, 753 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:27,200 we have 113 when we came up here. 754 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:29,440 Early votes in two days. 755 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:32,720 Not too many, but we're hoping that that 756 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:35,120 increases with this public uh FYI, but 757 00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:36,159 thank you for asking. See, you corrected 758 00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:37,919 me. 759 00:28:36,159 --> 00:28:39,039 Thank you. Thank you, Mr. G. That is 760 00:28:37,919 --> 00:28:41,760 helpful information. So, it is 761 00:28:39,039 --> 00:28:42,480 Democratic voters in the 58th district. 762 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:43,760 Thank you. 763 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:45,360 Any other questions? 764 00:28:43,760 --> 00:28:47,279 Mr. Anderson, 765 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:51,919 you said if they're unaffiliated, they 766 00:28:47,279 --> 00:28:53,039 can change their affiliation and vote on 767 00:28:51,919 --> 00:28:53,520 voting day. 768 00:28:53,039 --> 00:28:55,279 Correct. 769 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:58,000 They could change to Democrat. 770 00:28:55,279 --> 00:28:59,679 Okay. But only for unaffiliated, not for 771 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:01,520 registered independent or registered. 772 00:28:59,679 --> 00:29:03,120 No, no party people can move. Well, they 773 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:05,520 can move, but they can't vote. They 774 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:07,120 haven't there's a 90-day privilege that 775 00:29:05,520 --> 00:29:09,520 needs to be attained before you can go 776 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:12,000 from one major party to another. So I as 777 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:14,480 a Republican can't change the Democrat 778 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:16,480 tomorrow and vote in this primary. I 779 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:19,200 have to wait 90 days. 780 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:21,360 An independent is a party because a lot 781 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:23,120 of there's a lot of confusion with 782 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:25,039 people thinking that if they choose 783 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:29,440 independent that's unaffiliated. 784 00:29:25,039 --> 00:29:30,159 Independent is a major part party. 785 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:30,720 That's all. Thank you. 786 00:29:30,159 --> 00:29:32,640 Anybody else? 787 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:33,760 Other questions about the first. 788 00:29:32,640 --> 00:29:35,919 Perfect. Thank you. 789 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:38,640 Thank you guys for having us. 790 00:29:35,919 --> 00:29:42,559 Thank you sir. You're welcome. You can 791 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:45,360 go ahead and hit your mic before you 792 00:29:42,559 --> 00:29:48,960 Thank you. 793 00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:51,039 All right. So, continuing on um just a 794 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:54,960 beginning of the year update. Uh I think 795 00:29:51,039 --> 00:29:58,960 we heard through um during the opening 796 00:29:54,960 --> 00:30:00,320 remarks um about the convocation uh that 797 00:29:58,960 --> 00:30:03,200 occurred on Monday. We had all staff 798 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:04,559 back on Monday. today and tomorrow they 799 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:05,679 have their two days of professional 800 00:30:04,559 --> 00:30:07,120 development that they'll be going 801 00:30:05,679 --> 00:30:08,880 through at their in their various 802 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:10,399 buildings. And as a reminder to 803 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:13,520 everybody out there, everybody needs to 804 00:30:10,399 --> 00:30:15,840 get to bed at a nice reasonable hour on 805 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:20,480 Wednesday. Uh because the first day of 806 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:23,120 school for kids is on Thursday the 27th. 807 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:24,559 Uh next week we have the full week, all 808 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:26,000 five days, and then we have a long 809 00:30:24,559 --> 00:30:28,080 weekend because we're all going to need 810 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:30,720 a little bit of rest after those first 811 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:32,720 few days of school. Um, I thought 812 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:34,240 convocation was obviously we put it all 813 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:35,760 together, but I a huge shout out and 814 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:37,919 thanks to all the folks that helped us 815 00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:39,360 be able to put that together. Uh, Leslie 816 00:30:37,919 --> 00:30:41,840 does a tremendous amount of work to be 817 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:43,520 able to do that, but everybody sort of 818 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:45,840 gathers together to make sure we have 819 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:48,399 some excitement and energy uh, as 820 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:50,240 teachers are walking back in. Uh, having 821 00:30:48,399 --> 00:30:53,279 the band outside is always a hoot 822 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:54,880 because they are highly offended if you 823 00:30:53,279 --> 00:30:57,600 do not walk through the middle of their 824 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:59,600 little uh, gauntlet that they set up. Uh 825 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:01,520 but it's wonderful to have them and we 826 00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:03,120 have kids involved with it. Teacher of 827 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:05,039 the year speech, staff member of the 828 00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:08,159 year speech. We recognize our staff 829 00:31:05,039 --> 00:31:10,960 members. We gave out our 30-year 830 00:31:08,159 --> 00:31:12,559 um recognitions to those uh folks who 831 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:16,240 have provided 30 years of service to 832 00:31:12,559 --> 00:31:17,919 Enfield. And um outside of the norm, you 833 00:31:16,240 --> 00:31:21,200 know, that would normally be a certified 834 00:31:17,919 --> 00:31:23,600 staff only award. I've expanded that to 835 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:26,960 say anybody who works in the district, 836 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:28,559 non-certified, non-union certified. if 837 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:30,320 you provide 30 years of service to the 838 00:31:28,559 --> 00:31:31,840 Enfield public schools, you know, you 839 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:33,200 deserve a plaque. I mean, you deserve a 840 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:35,760 lot more than that, but we're going to 841 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:38,720 recognize you at convocation. Um, so 842 00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:41,600 that's a change for us moving forward. 843 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:44,240 Um, 844 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:46,320 staffing update. Um, going into the 845 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:48,159 beginning of this year, we are in a much 846 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:50,960 better position than we have been in 847 00:31:48,159 --> 00:31:55,760 years past. Uh I think what we are 848 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:57,760 seeing out there anecdotally is uh what 849 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:59,120 Enfield went through a few years back is 850 00:31:57,760 --> 00:32:01,519 what many other districts are going 851 00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:03,279 through now. Um they're seeing layoffs. 852 00:32:01,519 --> 00:32:05,279 They're seeing reduction in staff and 853 00:32:03,279 --> 00:32:07,440 things of that nature. We had large 854 00:32:05,279 --> 00:32:11,039 candidate pools for pretty much all of 855 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:13,279 our openings. Um we do still have some 856 00:32:11,039 --> 00:32:14,880 uh positions that are open. Uh we have 857 00:32:13,279 --> 00:32:17,200 currently eight certified staff 858 00:32:14,880 --> 00:32:19,919 openings. Uh I will tell you that those 859 00:32:17,200 --> 00:32:21,760 are in the most difficult positions to 860 00:32:19,919 --> 00:32:24,880 hire in. Um they are things like 861 00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:27,279 psychologists, um special ed teacher in 862 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:28,720 one location. Um arrangements have been 863 00:32:27,279 --> 00:32:30,960 made whether we're using outside 864 00:32:28,720 --> 00:32:34,159 agencies, whether we distributed to 865 00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:35,919 other um rooms within the building or 866 00:32:34,159 --> 00:32:37,600 across the district. Uh the students 867 00:32:35,919 --> 00:32:41,039 have been taken care of, but we still do 868 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:44,000 have some openings. um non-certified. We 869 00:32:41,039 --> 00:32:46,480 do still have openings uh around 30, but 870 00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:48,080 those vary uh depending on what they 871 00:32:46,480 --> 00:32:50,000 are. We have one nurse that we're still 872 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:51,600 trying to solidify 873 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:53,760 um in one of the buildings. So, we'll be 874 00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:55,679 sharing nurses across the buildings or 875 00:32:53,760 --> 00:32:58,159 be utilizing our subservice for the 876 00:32:55,679 --> 00:33:00,159 nurses on a day-to-day basis. We have a 877 00:32:58,159 --> 00:33:03,120 number of pair professionals, building 878 00:33:00,159 --> 00:33:04,960 subs, um behavior technicians, and you 879 00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:07,440 know, some part-time lunch aids, uh 880 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:08,960 lunch/res aids. Uh you'll get a full 881 00:33:07,440 --> 00:33:11,039 detail in your weekly update where I'll 882 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:12,880 break it down by number uh across the 883 00:33:11,039 --> 00:33:15,279 schools. Uh but just the overall 884 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:17,120 staffing um I think we're in a much much 885 00:33:15,279 --> 00:33:19,039 better place and again we saw an 886 00:33:17,120 --> 00:33:20,799 outstanding candidate pool uh as 887 00:33:19,039 --> 00:33:23,440 compared to a very thin candidate pool 888 00:33:20,799 --> 00:33:25,039 in the past. So that's good news for us. 889 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:26,960 We already covered the special primary 890 00:33:25,039 --> 00:33:28,559 accommodations uh and again I know 891 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:30,480 they've left but a big thank you to Tom 892 00:33:28,559 --> 00:33:33,039 and Beth for being willing to sit down 893 00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:34,799 and look at things in a different way um 894 00:33:33,039 --> 00:33:38,159 so that we could continue to have 895 00:33:34,799 --> 00:33:43,039 schools uh school open on that day. Uh 896 00:33:38,159 --> 00:33:44,720 and last not lastly but uh the prek to 5 897 00:33:43,039 --> 00:33:46,960 schools and Eagle Academy project 898 00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:49,519 update. Well, when I originally had 899 00:33:46,960 --> 00:33:53,120 written my update, it had to get 900 00:33:49,519 --> 00:33:54,880 changed. Um, so and it's since been 901 00:33:53,120 --> 00:33:58,480 changed because I just received some 902 00:33:54,880 --> 00:34:01,200 information uh at about 5:35 from 903 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:03,840 downstairs. Um, so let's go through this 904 00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:05,760 a little bit. Um, 905 00:34:03,840 --> 00:34:07,600 first of all, uh, last evening we had 906 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:09,919 our first public hearing. Actually, we 907 00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:11,359 had the public hearing regarding the new 908 00:34:09,919 --> 00:34:16,000 construction on the Hazardville, 909 00:34:11,359 --> 00:34:17,839 Crannle, Barnard, um, Parkman and the 910 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:20,720 conversion of Eli Whitney into Eagle 911 00:34:17,839 --> 00:34:22,320 Academy Therapeutic Day School. So, um I 912 00:34:20,720 --> 00:34:24,960 would say the room was pretty filled 913 00:34:22,320 --> 00:34:26,480 last evening uh in council chambers. 914 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:30,159 There were some folks standing on on 915 00:34:26,480 --> 00:34:34,079 both sides and in the back. Um and at 916 00:34:30,159 --> 00:34:35,919 the end result of this is that uh due to 917 00:34:34,079 --> 00:34:39,040 a 918 00:34:35,919 --> 00:34:41,599 very cautious concern that they had 919 00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:44,560 regarding one of the postings. Uh one of 920 00:34:41,599 --> 00:34:46,720 the postings they felt was needed to be 921 00:34:44,560 --> 00:34:49,200 adjusted and reposted again for the 922 00:34:46,720 --> 00:34:50,800 public hearing. nothing about what we're 923 00:34:49,200 --> 00:34:53,280 moving forward with, nothing about the 924 00:34:50,800 --> 00:34:55,200 numbers or the bond rate or anything 925 00:34:53,280 --> 00:34:58,320 like that. This is solely about how it 926 00:34:55,200 --> 00:35:00,560 was posted on the website. Um because of 927 00:34:58,320 --> 00:35:04,000 that, they decided that they would not 928 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:07,040 hold a vote last evening. Um town 929 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:08,720 council got together downstairs at 5:30 930 00:35:07,040 --> 00:35:10,800 tonight, right when we started. They 931 00:35:08,720 --> 00:35:14,000 were downstairs. I received word that 932 00:35:10,800 --> 00:35:16,240 they did vote and approve to hold an 933 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:18,960 additional public hearing. That will be 934 00:35:16,240 --> 00:35:21,520 held next Wednesday, September 2nd. 935 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:23,839 It'll be at 6:30 uh right here in this 936 00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:26,240 room again. Um and then they will hold a 937 00:35:23,839 --> 00:35:28,320 special meeting immediately following 938 00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:30,160 with the purpose of sort of taking in 939 00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:32,640 that public hearing information and 940 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:34,720 having a town council vote as to whether 941 00:35:32,640 --> 00:35:38,240 or not they will move forward uh with 942 00:35:34,720 --> 00:35:40,079 the resolution. uh the resolution and I 943 00:35:38,240 --> 00:35:42,480 just want to make sure everyone is 944 00:35:40,079 --> 00:35:43,760 crystal clear because there is there's a 945 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:45,839 whole lot of numbers that are floating 946 00:35:43,760 --> 00:35:49,359 around out there and some are all over 947 00:35:45,839 --> 00:35:52,560 the place. So 948 00:35:49,359 --> 00:35:56,240 the entire project if no funding was 949 00:35:52,560 --> 00:35:57,760 provided is $511 million. 950 00:35:56,240 --> 00:35:59,520 However, 951 00:35:57,760 --> 00:36:01,760 significant amount of funding is coming 952 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:06,240 from the state of Connecticut 953 00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:07,760 to the tune that they are conservatively 954 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:09,520 estimating 955 00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:11,200 and this is super conservative because 956 00:36:09,520 --> 00:36:13,680 I'll give you the actual cost what it's 957 00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:16,240 going to be. They're conservatively 958 00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:21,440 utilizing an authorization for issuance 959 00:36:16,240 --> 00:36:24,560 of bonds not to exceed $89 million. 960 00:36:21,440 --> 00:36:26,079 The $89 million does not take into 961 00:36:24,560 --> 00:36:28,800 account 962 00:36:26,079 --> 00:36:31,119 special education reimbursement or 963 00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:33,680 incentives in some of the schools. It 964 00:36:31,119 --> 00:36:36,560 does not take into account the 5% 965 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:39,520 housing incentive. It does not take into 966 00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:42,480 account certain other areas. 967 00:36:39,520 --> 00:36:44,240 If all of that gets taken in, the 968 00:36:42,480 --> 00:36:48,400 special legislation goes through next 969 00:36:44,240 --> 00:36:52,320 year for the other three buildings. 970 00:36:48,400 --> 00:36:54,000 Estimates are that this is going to cost 971 00:36:52,320 --> 00:36:57,599 approximately 972 00:36:54,000 --> 00:37:01,920 55 to60 million. Now, that's still a 973 00:36:57,599 --> 00:37:04,960 large amount of money, but 511 million, 974 00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:07,359 55 million. That's a lot of money that 975 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:10,720 the state's putting forward for this. 976 00:37:07,359 --> 00:37:12,079 Um, so we we would be receiving a 977 00:37:10,720 --> 00:37:14,720 significant amount of money from the 978 00:37:12,079 --> 00:37:17,280 state of Connecticut. Again, I would 979 00:37:14,720 --> 00:37:19,920 suggest anybody who can or is able to 980 00:37:17,280 --> 00:37:23,760 come out to the public hearing or listen 981 00:37:19,920 --> 00:37:26,079 in through uh Enfield TV, please do. Um 982 00:37:23,760 --> 00:37:28,079 if anybody has any questions related to 983 00:37:26,079 --> 00:37:30,480 this, they are more than welcome to call 984 00:37:28,079 --> 00:37:32,240 my office. I will take them through um 985 00:37:30,480 --> 00:37:34,640 the nitty-gritty of the numbers if you 986 00:37:32,240 --> 00:37:36,240 wish. More than happy to do that. Um, 987 00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:40,000 but there will be the special town 988 00:37:36,240 --> 00:37:42,720 council uh vote next Wednesday hopefully 989 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:46,240 to set the referendum date to be 990 00:37:42,720 --> 00:37:49,800 November 3rd. Um, which is the same date 991 00:37:46,240 --> 00:37:49,800 of the regular election. 992 00:37:50,480 --> 00:37:54,400 I think we're good on that one. I have 993 00:37:52,640 --> 00:37:56,640 one other and this is like a public 994 00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:58,560 service announcement. 995 00:37:56,640 --> 00:38:01,920 The town council also approved a 996 00:37:58,560 --> 00:38:04,720 resolution last evening um to be moving 997 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:07,520 forward with uh or setting of a public 998 00:38:04,720 --> 00:38:09,520 hearing date. This a separate topic, but 999 00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:11,119 the town council uh needs to notify 1000 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:12,880 everyone of a public hearing date that 1001 00:38:11,119 --> 00:38:16,240 will be held on Wednesday, September 1002 00:38:12,880 --> 00:38:19,440 9th, and that is regarding a new program 1003 00:38:16,240 --> 00:38:22,079 that is called the school bus stop arm 1004 00:38:19,440 --> 00:38:25,520 program or excuse me, school bus stop 1005 00:38:22,079 --> 00:38:28,720 arm and enforcement program. So, this is 1006 00:38:25,520 --> 00:38:31,119 a new program which is hopefully going 1007 00:38:28,720 --> 00:38:32,960 to stop people from driving by our buses 1008 00:38:31,119 --> 00:38:37,119 when they are stopped with their stop 1009 00:38:32,960 --> 00:38:40,160 signs out. Um, it's a video camera type 1010 00:38:37,119 --> 00:38:42,240 of program that automatically sends 1011 00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:45,119 tickets and things of that nature to the 1012 00:38:42,240 --> 00:38:48,480 offenders. Um, I believe even when I 1013 00:38:45,119 --> 00:38:50,079 came out town hall, there was I saw a 1014 00:38:48,480 --> 00:38:52,800 sign that was put out by the police 1015 00:38:50,079 --> 00:38:55,839 department about the size of the fine. 1016 00:38:52,800 --> 00:38:57,520 That's for current. Um, so this is a 1017 00:38:55,839 --> 00:39:00,160 resolution that is for a different type 1018 00:38:57,520 --> 00:39:02,480 of program. Um, 1019 00:39:00,160 --> 00:39:06,079 so again, public hearing for the school 1020 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:08,160 bus stop arm and enforcement program, 1021 00:39:06,079 --> 00:39:11,880 Wednesday, September 9th. That's going 1022 00:39:08,160 --> 00:39:11,880 to be held at 6:50. 1023 00:39:13,359 --> 00:39:20,079 I I just tell you what I was told. 1024 00:39:17,119 --> 00:39:22,400 It says 650 on the website. 1025 00:39:20,079 --> 00:39:24,960 special meeting a meet or excuse me not 1026 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:28,480 a special meeting but public hearing 1027 00:39:24,960 --> 00:39:30,880 6:50 at night Wednesday September 9th 1028 00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:33,599 for them just to have input and then 1029 00:39:30,880 --> 00:39:35,040 they will take an actual vote at their 1030 00:39:33,599 --> 00:39:38,320 next town council meeting which I 1031 00:39:35,040 --> 00:39:41,280 believe is scheduled for September 21st 1032 00:39:38,320 --> 00:39:43,839 that would be here yes so a bunch of 1033 00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:45,440 different public hearings going on 1034 00:39:43,839 --> 00:39:46,880 please ask me questions and I'll try to 1035 00:39:45,440 --> 00:39:49,200 clarify 1036 00:39:46,880 --> 00:39:51,440 I just want to make sure um the 1037 00:39:49,200 --> 00:39:53,359 September Second one, council chambers 1038 00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:54,480 referendum public hearing. What time was 1039 00:39:53,359 --> 00:39:55,680 that again? 1040 00:39:54,480 --> 00:39:59,640 6:30. 1041 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:59,640 30. Got it. Okay. 1042 00:40:00,160 --> 00:40:07,280 Two public hearings referendum 1043 00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:11,280 6:30 September 2nd. 1044 00:40:07,280 --> 00:40:13,119 Following Wednesday, 6:50 1045 00:40:11,280 --> 00:40:15,280 September 9th. That one's for the school 1046 00:40:13,119 --> 00:40:17,200 bus stop arm. 1047 00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:18,720 That is everything for my update. Thank 1048 00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:20,800 you very much, 1049 00:40:18,720 --> 00:40:22,240 Mr. Cobra. 1050 00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:23,920 Thank you, Mr. Makio. Just a quick 1051 00:40:22,240 --> 00:40:25,520 question and I do appreciate the more 1052 00:40:23,920 --> 00:40:27,200 detailed superintendent report and you 1053 00:40:25,520 --> 00:40:29,760 covered a bunch of topics. The only 1054 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:31,680 question or I guess the request if you 1055 00:40:29,760 --> 00:40:33,839 could just pro the like a summary. I 1056 00:40:31,680 --> 00:40:36,720 know we moved the 1057 00:40:33,839 --> 00:40:38,079 alternative ed from the firmy to um 1058 00:40:36,720 --> 00:40:39,680 central office. Could you just talk 1059 00:40:38,079 --> 00:40:43,560 about that and just confirm that that's 1060 00:40:39,680 --> 00:40:43,560 happening for Thursday? 1061 00:40:43,680 --> 00:40:48,400 Yes. Um so actually a lot of work being 1062 00:40:46,320 --> 00:40:50,400 done by buildings and grounds um over 1063 00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:51,760 the course of the last week or so I 1064 00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:53,920 would say to be able to make sure that 1065 00:40:51,760 --> 00:40:56,160 they we are good to go with that. Um 1066 00:40:53,920 --> 00:40:58,160 alternative program has fully been moved 1067 00:40:56,160 --> 00:41:00,480 over from out of the annex and will be 1068 00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:02,319 on the third floor of Alorn 1069 00:41:00,480 --> 00:41:04,400 and just how many students does that 1070 00:41:02,319 --> 00:41:06,560 affect? 1071 00:41:04,400 --> 00:41:07,200 Between 20 and 30 I would say would be 1072 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:08,720 accurate. 1073 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:11,760 Okay. Thank you. 1074 00:41:08,720 --> 00:41:13,760 Yep. Miss McGuire Bruce, I was just 1075 00:41:11,760 --> 00:41:16,800 going to publicly thank you at central 1076 00:41:13,760 --> 00:41:18,880 office. Um I know that with the um 1077 00:41:16,800 --> 00:41:20,400 special primary, you guys are helping 1078 00:41:18,880 --> 00:41:22,800 out and I just wanted to say thank you 1079 00:41:20,400 --> 00:41:25,119 for making that work, for making sure 1080 00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:26,640 that there's safety precautions for kids 1081 00:41:25,119 --> 00:41:28,160 and to really be out there and help 1082 00:41:26,640 --> 00:41:29,760 supporting that. So, thank you. 1083 00:41:28,160 --> 00:41:32,000 Come out and get a nice picture of your 1084 00:41:29,760 --> 00:41:33,839 superintendent in a crossing guard 1085 00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:36,319 outfit. Not a problem at all. 1086 00:41:33,839 --> 00:41:39,280 I'll pay someone. I'll be at school. 1087 00:41:36,319 --> 00:41:41,280 Mr. Roder, I'm sure we'll take it. 1088 00:41:39,280 --> 00:41:44,079 Um, thank you. The only comment I want 1089 00:41:41,280 --> 00:41:46,079 to add, um, I want to publicly thank the 1090 00:41:44,079 --> 00:41:48,319 board members who attended last night's 1091 00:41:46,079 --> 00:41:50,000 public hearing. Mr. Gaus, Miss Kushman, 1092 00:41:48,319 --> 00:41:51,680 Mr. Roard, and myself were there. I know 1093 00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:53,040 we all can't be there, but I think I 1094 00:41:51,680 --> 00:41:54,480 just want to thank folks for in a 1095 00:41:53,040 --> 00:41:56,480 bipartisan way coming out and being 1096 00:41:54,480 --> 00:41:58,400 active and engaged um, in this project 1097 00:41:56,480 --> 00:42:00,319 and staying up to date. Um, there was a 1098 00:41:58,400 --> 00:42:02,319 good turnout, so I'm hopeful to see next 1099 00:42:00,319 --> 00:42:04,319 steps. All right, let's move on to 1100 00:42:02,319 --> 00:42:05,920 public comment. So, good evening. Thank 1101 00:42:04,319 --> 00:42:07,680 you for joining us. A few reminders 1102 00:42:05,920 --> 00:42:09,520 before we begin begin public comment. 1103 00:42:07,680 --> 00:42:11,280 You have four minutes. Name relationship 1104 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:12,960 to the district. It's time for your 1105 00:42:11,280 --> 00:42:14,400 comments, not a Q&A. The role is 1106 00:42:12,960 --> 00:42:17,440 governance of the districts. Frame your 1107 00:42:14,400 --> 00:42:19,040 marks accordingly. Um we welcome all 1108 00:42:17,440 --> 00:42:21,119 comments, but please we ask you to 1109 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:22,880 refrain from anything in confidential um 1110 00:42:21,119 --> 00:42:24,640 personally identifiable student or staff 1111 00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:26,400 member matters which can't be addressed 1112 00:42:24,640 --> 00:42:29,400 in this public forum. Thank you, Miss 1113 00:42:26,400 --> 00:42:29,400 Griffin. 1114 00:42:33,359 --> 00:42:37,200 There's a lot of people waiting to go. I 1115 00:42:34,960 --> 00:42:41,280 know there always there always is 1116 00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:44,480 Griffin Abby Road parent um regarding 1117 00:42:41,280 --> 00:42:48,319 the referendum. I said it last night 1118 00:42:44,480 --> 00:42:52,000 when I was um up here. It's shocking. Um 1119 00:42:48,319 --> 00:42:54,400 but is there a way for the schools to be 1120 00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:57,440 made available for people to tour once 1121 00:42:54,400 --> 00:43:00,079 or twice between now and the referendum? 1122 00:42:57,440 --> 00:43:01,760 Because I think people often times think 1123 00:43:00,079 --> 00:43:03,760 back to when they were in school and 1124 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:06,640 presume that the buildings are like they 1125 00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:09,280 are like they were then. They're not. 1126 00:43:06,640 --> 00:43:12,400 They're in much poorer shape and the 1127 00:43:09,280 --> 00:43:15,280 needs of the district are different. So 1128 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:17,359 it would be beneficial, I think, for 1129 00:43:15,280 --> 00:43:19,280 some people to walk through and see if 1130 00:43:17,359 --> 00:43:22,000 that's doable. Obviously, not during 1131 00:43:19,280 --> 00:43:24,560 school hours, but maybe on a weekend and 1132 00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:27,440 or an evening so that people could see 1133 00:43:24,560 --> 00:43:28,800 what we're talking about. Okay. first 1134 00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:30,560 meeting of the year, I always have to 1135 00:43:28,800 --> 00:43:33,520 give a little lecture, but this time 1136 00:43:30,560 --> 00:43:36,240 it's not really a lecture. Um, the last 1137 00:43:33,520 --> 00:43:38,720 three board chairs, I'm including you 1138 00:43:36,240 --> 00:43:41,040 because, you know, did last year, I 1139 00:43:38,720 --> 00:43:42,720 think we've had a really good run and I 1140 00:43:41,040 --> 00:43:47,040 hope it continues. Thank you for your 1141 00:43:42,720 --> 00:43:49,680 work. Um, to really not have it be, 1142 00:43:47,040 --> 00:43:52,160 we're the majority. you all get to shut 1143 00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:55,520 your mouth on in the minority, but to 1144 00:43:52,160 --> 00:43:59,119 let people have their say, even if it's 1145 00:43:55,520 --> 00:44:01,599 a very contentious issue, even if it's 1146 00:43:59,119 --> 00:44:03,839 something that they're not going to get 1147 00:44:01,599 --> 00:44:05,599 their way eventually, but to be heard. 1148 00:44:03,839 --> 00:44:08,319 And I really appreciate when you guys 1149 00:44:05,599 --> 00:44:10,880 talk about committee meetings, when you 1150 00:44:08,319 --> 00:44:14,480 discuss 1151 00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:15,760 not only what was decided, but the input 1152 00:44:14,480 --> 00:44:19,680 that went into it and where the 1153 00:44:15,760 --> 00:44:22,240 questions were and where the where the 1154 00:44:19,680 --> 00:44:25,119 making accommodations for each other and 1155 00:44:22,240 --> 00:44:27,040 listening to each other. That's the way 1156 00:44:25,119 --> 00:44:28,640 to do it. 1157 00:44:27,040 --> 00:44:31,520 That's the way we got to teach our kids 1158 00:44:28,640 --> 00:44:34,000 to do it. So please really continue that 1159 00:44:31,520 --> 00:44:36,480 and keep talking about it. People need 1160 00:44:34,000 --> 00:44:39,599 to know that you're not steamrolling 1161 00:44:36,480 --> 00:44:41,440 because that's not governing. So please 1162 00:44:39,599 --> 00:44:43,760 continue. Um I was listening to a 1163 00:44:41,440 --> 00:44:46,079 podcast. I won't say who it was because 1164 00:44:43,760 --> 00:44:48,240 then people might think one thing or 1165 00:44:46,079 --> 00:44:51,680 another because of who it was. A couple 1166 00:44:48,240 --> 00:44:53,520 of really good quotes 1167 00:44:51,680 --> 00:44:56,000 talking about what I was just talking 1168 00:44:53,520 --> 00:44:58,640 about. I think you the first thing you 1169 00:44:56,000 --> 00:45:01,040 have to do is walk into these those 1170 00:44:58,640 --> 00:45:03,119 conversations without having already 1171 00:45:01,040 --> 00:45:05,040 made a judgment. 1172 00:45:03,119 --> 00:45:07,119 And when you walk into it with an open 1173 00:45:05,040 --> 00:45:09,680 mind, then it means that you can 1174 00:45:07,119 --> 00:45:12,319 actually have a conversation and make a 1175 00:45:09,680 --> 00:45:14,560 decision as to how you feel after you 1176 00:45:12,319 --> 00:45:16,960 have that conversation. 1177 00:45:14,560 --> 00:45:19,200 And I think in a lot of our politics, we 1178 00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:21,440 label people and then disregard them 1179 00:45:19,200 --> 00:45:25,119 entirely. We treat them as if they're 1180 00:45:21,440 --> 00:45:27,760 not even people worth engaging with 1181 00:45:25,119 --> 00:45:33,040 and doesn't help anybody. And then 1182 00:45:27,760 --> 00:45:35,520 another quote from another podcast. 1183 00:45:33,040 --> 00:45:38,000 So you have caricatures of so many 1184 00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:40,720 people and you have to leave those at 1185 00:45:38,000 --> 00:45:43,359 the door and you also have to be willing 1186 00:45:40,720 --> 00:45:45,760 to move beyond them. and for some of 1187 00:45:43,359 --> 00:45:48,560 those conversations to be actually good 1188 00:45:45,760 --> 00:45:52,560 faith ones to offer people the ability 1189 00:45:48,560 --> 00:45:54,800 to critique critique you to you. 1190 00:45:52,560 --> 00:45:56,880 And I think sometimes 1191 00:45:54,800 --> 00:45:58,480 when you're in a position of power, you 1192 00:45:56,880 --> 00:46:00,160 want people to just tell you, "Oh, 1193 00:45:58,480 --> 00:46:03,640 you're incredible. Here's what I love 1194 00:46:00,160 --> 00:46:03,640 most about you." 1195 00:46:04,160 --> 00:46:08,560 Don't sell yourself short. You're all 1196 00:46:06,079 --> 00:46:11,560 capable of it. So, please prove me 1197 00:46:08,560 --> 00:46:11,560 right. 1198 00:46:12,319 --> 00:46:15,119 Thank Thank you, Miss Griffin. Maybe 1199 00:46:13,920 --> 00:46:16,560 you'll stay in a little bit. I'm going 1200 00:46:15,119 --> 00:46:17,599 to give an update on that retreat. So, 1201 00:46:16,560 --> 00:46:19,839 hopefully you hear more about our 1202 00:46:17,599 --> 00:46:22,160 collaborative work. 1203 00:46:19,839 --> 00:46:24,640 Uh unfinished business, there is none. 1204 00:46:22,160 --> 00:46:26,560 New business on our consent agenda. We 1205 00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:28,720 have approval of minutes from our June 1206 00:46:26,560 --> 00:46:31,920 9th meeting and our special meeting of 1207 00:46:28,720 --> 00:46:34,400 our board retreat on July 28th. Um do I 1208 00:46:31,920 --> 00:46:35,200 have a motion to approve our consent 1209 00:46:34,400 --> 00:46:38,240 agenda? 1210 00:46:35,200 --> 00:46:40,400 Motion to approve. Second um made by 1211 00:46:38,240 --> 00:46:43,200 Miss McGuire Bruce, seconded by Miss uh 1212 00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:44,560 Gerard. Hand vote uh Mr. Cobra. 1213 00:46:43,200 --> 00:46:46,000 Before we do, just a comment, not 1214 00:46:44,560 --> 00:46:47,520 adjusting anything, and I forgot to send 1215 00:46:46,000 --> 00:46:48,960 an email, but through the board chair, 1216 00:46:47,520 --> 00:46:53,200 to the board secretary, to the board 1217 00:46:48,960 --> 00:46:55,680 clerk on the June 9th uh meeting minutes 1218 00:46:53,200 --> 00:46:56,720 um regarding some of the uh policies 1219 00:46:55,680 --> 00:46:58,720 that were voted on. I think it was the 1220 00:46:56,720 --> 00:47:00,240 ones that were like the 630, the three 1221 00:46:58,720 --> 00:47:02,960 names that are listed, it doesn't say 1222 00:47:00,240 --> 00:47:04,560 how they voted. So, yeah. 1223 00:47:02,960 --> 00:47:05,839 Perfect. Outstanding. Just want to make 1224 00:47:04,560 --> 00:47:06,079 sure that's reflected correctly. Thank 1225 00:47:05,839 --> 00:47:07,440 you. 1226 00:47:06,079 --> 00:47:09,280 Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Cobber, for 1227 00:47:07,440 --> 00:47:12,319 mentioning that publicly. That will be 1228 00:47:09,280 --> 00:47:15,359 um with that change um noted in the 1229 00:47:12,319 --> 00:47:19,599 minutes with the vote count on the 6,000 1230 00:47:15,359 --> 00:47:22,880 public uh policy vote. Um all in favor 1231 00:47:19,599 --> 00:47:25,040 of the consent agenda. 1232 00:47:22,880 --> 00:47:27,520 That looks like eight of us. Um 1233 00:47:25,040 --> 00:47:30,240 obviously none and no abstensions. 1234 00:47:27,520 --> 00:47:32,160 Perfect. Thank you. All right, moving on 1235 00:47:30,240 --> 00:47:34,319 to committee reports. Um, unfortunately, 1236 00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:35,680 Miss Ker is not here, but these should 1237 00:47:34,319 --> 00:47:37,839 be quick updates for our beginning 1238 00:47:35,680 --> 00:47:39,440 meeting. Um, the curriculum meeting, the 1239 00:47:37,839 --> 00:47:41,760 curriculum committee will meet on 1240 00:47:39,440 --> 00:47:42,880 September 10th. Um, you will hear a 1241 00:47:41,760 --> 00:47:44,079 little bit more about our board retreat 1242 00:47:42,880 --> 00:47:45,680 in a moment, but I think there's going 1243 00:47:44,079 --> 00:47:48,000 to be some interesting topics brought up 1244 00:47:45,680 --> 00:47:49,280 there um this year pertaining to our 1245 00:47:48,000 --> 00:47:52,160 district improvement plan and some of 1246 00:47:49,280 --> 00:47:53,839 our budgetary u moves that we made. So, 1247 00:47:52,160 --> 00:47:56,319 look out for those agendas. But that 1248 00:47:53,839 --> 00:47:58,960 next meeting will be on September 10th. 1249 00:47:56,319 --> 00:48:00,880 Finance Committee. Our next finance 1250 00:47:58,960 --> 00:48:04,000 meeting will be on Monday, September 1251 00:48:00,880 --> 00:48:04,480 14th at 5:00. 1252 00:48:04,000 --> 00:48:05,760 Go ahead. 1253 00:48:04,480 --> 00:48:06,960 Just a quick question or comment to 1254 00:48:05,760 --> 00:48:08,800 finance. I know you guys haven't met 1255 00:48:06,960 --> 00:48:11,119 yet. Um, but can you just give like a 1256 00:48:08,800 --> 00:48:12,880 quick overview or um an understanding of 1257 00:48:11,119 --> 00:48:15,839 like where we ended up closing last 1258 00:48:12,880 --> 00:48:18,400 year's budget just because June 30th was 1259 00:48:15,839 --> 00:48:20,400 several weeks ago. So, just to give a 1260 00:48:18,400 --> 00:48:24,640 Yeah, I'm not Steve. I know there was 1261 00:48:20,400 --> 00:48:28,640 the Hartford Choice numbers. Can you 1262 00:48:24,640 --> 00:48:28,640 I don't have them in front of me. 1263 00:48:29,280 --> 00:48:33,680 I don't want to give you wrong 1264 00:48:30,559 --> 00:48:35,599 information. Um, Hartford Choice was 1265 00:48:33,680 --> 00:48:38,640 fully paid. 1266 00:48:35,599 --> 00:48:40,880 Um, and I want to I'm going to give you 1267 00:48:38,640 --> 00:48:42,960 a round number and I'll give you the 1268 00:48:40,880 --> 00:48:44,400 detailed number in the weekly update. 1269 00:48:42,960 --> 00:48:46,800 Um, but I want to say we put 1270 00:48:44,400 --> 00:48:50,319 approximately $600,000 into the 1271 00:48:46,800 --> 00:48:52,480 non-lapsing account. and that I can look 1272 00:48:50,319 --> 00:48:54,640 before I should say this uh because 1273 00:48:52,480 --> 00:48:56,960 again another resolution last evening 1274 00:48:54,640 --> 00:48:58,400 was about the health insurance fund. So 1275 00:48:56,960 --> 00:48:59,839 the town council did approve that 1276 00:48:58,400 --> 00:49:01,520 resolution. So I'll be bringing that 1277 00:48:59,839 --> 00:49:03,760 forward to the finance committee at the 1278 00:49:01,520 --> 00:49:05,599 next meeting. Um so we can discuss that 1279 00:49:03,760 --> 00:49:08,079 in terms of implications for budgets 1280 00:49:05,599 --> 00:49:10,079 moving forward. Um but then that will 1281 00:49:08,079 --> 00:49:14,160 come to the full board following that. 1282 00:49:10,079 --> 00:49:15,920 But we did send back all of our um 1283 00:49:14,160 --> 00:49:18,400 any monies that were left in our health 1284 00:49:15,920 --> 00:49:19,119 insurance fund. We did send that back to 1285 00:49:18,400 --> 00:49:20,079 town. 1286 00:49:19,119 --> 00:49:22,319 All right. Thank you, Mr. 1287 00:49:20,079 --> 00:49:24,800 So, our health insurance fund right now 1288 00:49:22,319 --> 00:49:26,559 between what we contributed back cuz we 1289 00:49:24,800 --> 00:49:28,720 budgeted, we had open positions, and 1290 00:49:26,559 --> 00:49:30,480 what the town did the same with, um, the 1291 00:49:28,720 --> 00:49:33,040 health insurance fund is is going to be 1292 00:49:30,480 --> 00:49:33,680 going in the in the extremely positive 1293 00:49:33,040 --> 00:49:35,119 direction. 1294 00:49:33,680 --> 00:49:36,319 Okay. I I appreciate that. And I know 1295 00:49:35,119 --> 00:49:37,680 probably in the September agenda, we'll 1296 00:49:36,319 --> 00:49:40,400 talk about it more after finance has a 1297 00:49:37,680 --> 00:49:41,760 chance to review the um the statements 1298 00:49:40,400 --> 00:49:43,599 and the line item transfers and stuff 1299 00:49:41,760 --> 00:49:44,640 for for board action. So, I know I think 1300 00:49:43,599 --> 00:49:45,920 where we left off because our last 1301 00:49:44,640 --> 00:49:47,040 meeting was June. Obviously there were 1302 00:49:45,920 --> 00:49:48,319 some questions and just for public 1303 00:49:47,040 --> 00:49:51,040 awareness obviously and I know the 1304 00:49:48,319 --> 00:49:52,720 Hartford was obviously a big topic. So 1305 00:49:51,040 --> 00:49:55,200 you know for for everybody to know that 1306 00:49:52,720 --> 00:49:58,960 did get reconciled and then obviously we 1307 00:49:55,200 --> 00:49:59,839 did end in a positive not a deficit. So 1308 00:49:58,960 --> 00:50:01,359 thank you. 1309 00:49:59,839 --> 00:50:02,559 Thank you Mr. Cobber. Um and we will 1310 00:50:01,359 --> 00:50:03,920 make sure that we get a more complete 1311 00:50:02,559 --> 00:50:05,839 update and that definitely will come up 1312 00:50:03,920 --> 00:50:08,960 when we do the approvals um in our next 1313 00:50:05,839 --> 00:50:11,119 meeting uh policy committee. Our next 1314 00:50:08,960 --> 00:50:14,240 meeting is September 15th at 5:00 pm at 1315 00:50:11,119 --> 00:50:16,000 Elorn. Perfect. All right. Now my turn. 1316 00:50:14,240 --> 00:50:18,400 Um, so a few updates here for our 1317 00:50:16,000 --> 00:50:20,079 leadership committee. Um, we did have 1318 00:50:18,400 --> 00:50:21,760 joint leadership with town council over 1319 00:50:20,079 --> 00:50:24,160 the summer. So, summer isn't completely 1320 00:50:21,760 --> 00:50:26,000 quiet. Um, we do continue to meet and do 1321 00:50:24,160 --> 00:50:28,720 some work. So, we met with town council 1322 00:50:26,000 --> 00:50:29,920 on July 25th where we continue to look 1323 00:50:28,720 --> 00:50:32,079 at some of our buildings and grounds 1324 00:50:29,920 --> 00:50:34,480 work. Um, obviously the referendum um, 1325 00:50:32,079 --> 00:50:36,720 conversation really took the majority of 1326 00:50:34,480 --> 00:50:38,160 that piece um, and continued those 1327 00:50:36,720 --> 00:50:40,000 dialogues with our leadership on the 1328 00:50:38,160 --> 00:50:42,000 town council side. As a board of ed 1329 00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:44,240 leadership, we met met on August 5th 1330 00:50:42,000 --> 00:50:46,400 where we reviewed obviously our upcoming 1331 00:50:44,240 --> 00:50:49,359 this tonight's agenda. Um we also 1332 00:50:46,400 --> 00:50:50,880 discussed the September 1st primary. Um 1333 00:50:49,359 --> 00:50:52,880 we do have an administrator's union 1334 00:50:50,880 --> 00:50:54,480 negotiation that is taking place. Um and 1335 00:50:52,880 --> 00:50:56,319 we did have some discussion about board 1336 00:50:54,480 --> 00:50:58,079 guests. But what I want to spend a 1337 00:50:56,319 --> 00:51:00,880 little bit of time chatting about is the 1338 00:50:58,079 --> 00:51:02,079 retreat that took place. Um and I'm 1339 00:51:00,880 --> 00:51:03,839 going to read a little thing that I had 1340 00:51:02,079 --> 00:51:06,160 prepared and then I welcome any other 1341 00:51:03,839 --> 00:51:08,400 additions or reflections or corrections 1342 00:51:06,160 --> 00:51:10,319 um from my colleagues up here. Um, so 1343 00:51:08,400 --> 00:51:12,559 the Enfield Board of Ed held our first 1344 00:51:10,319 --> 00:51:14,079 board retreat in many years. Um, 1345 00:51:12,559 --> 00:51:16,000 actually I'm not sure when the last one 1346 00:51:14,079 --> 00:51:17,440 took place. So it was an important 1347 00:51:16,000 --> 00:51:19,359 opportunity to step away from our 1348 00:51:17,440 --> 00:51:21,200 regular meeting structure and spend time 1349 00:51:19,359 --> 00:51:23,440 together reflecting on how we can best 1350 00:51:21,200 --> 00:51:25,839 support Enfield Public Schools through 1351 00:51:23,440 --> 00:51:27,680 strong, thoughtful governance. I need to 1352 00:51:25,839 --> 00:51:29,680 thank each member for their genuine 1353 00:51:27,680 --> 00:51:31,440 engagement and thoughtful participation. 1354 00:51:29,680 --> 00:51:32,880 Even you, Miss Bulio, who couldn't 1355 00:51:31,440 --> 00:51:34,559 physically be with us, continued to 1356 00:51:32,880 --> 00:51:37,280 follow up on what happened and ensured 1357 00:51:34,559 --> 00:51:39,440 that your ideas were considered. We we 1358 00:51:37,280 --> 00:51:41,119 began by reconnecting as people because 1359 00:51:39,440 --> 00:51:43,440 I believe strong working relationships 1360 00:51:41,119 --> 00:51:44,880 matter. To your point, Miss Griffin, um 1361 00:51:43,440 --> 00:51:46,800 we reviewed our district improvement 1362 00:51:44,880 --> 00:51:48,319 plan and our superintendent's goals. 1363 00:51:46,800 --> 00:51:50,079 Then we spent time in independent 1364 00:51:48,319 --> 00:51:52,160 reflection before coming together to 1365 00:51:50,079 --> 00:51:54,480 organize and discuss our ideas as a 1366 00:51:52,160 --> 00:51:56,319 group. The goal was to identify common 1367 00:51:54,480 --> 00:51:57,839 areas where we can focus our board work 1368 00:51:56,319 --> 00:52:00,160 and continue to strengthen our support 1369 00:51:57,839 --> 00:52:01,760 of the district's priorities. Yes, there 1370 00:52:00,160 --> 00:52:04,079 was plenty of conversation, 1371 00:52:01,760 --> 00:52:05,920 collaboration, and even some laughter. 1372 00:52:04,079 --> 00:52:08,800 Unfortunately, there was no robes, no 1373 00:52:05,920 --> 00:52:10,319 spa treatments, or no fancy dinners. Um, 1374 00:52:08,800 --> 00:52:11,920 but it was really nice to spend some 1375 00:52:10,319 --> 00:52:14,240 time and connect with each other as 1376 00:52:11,920 --> 00:52:16,160 people. So, some areas that did come up 1377 00:52:14,240 --> 00:52:17,920 as themes. I just want to be very clear, 1378 00:52:16,160 --> 00:52:19,520 these aren't new goals, these aren't 1379 00:52:17,920 --> 00:52:21,599 commitments, but these were themes that 1380 00:52:19,520 --> 00:52:23,200 came up in our discussion across the 1381 00:52:21,599 --> 00:52:25,920 board. So again, demonstrating our 1382 00:52:23,200 --> 00:52:27,680 collective um ideas of focus. We're 1383 00:52:25,920 --> 00:52:29,520 around teaching and learning, continuing 1384 00:52:27,680 --> 00:52:31,359 to understand our core instruction and 1385 00:52:29,520 --> 00:52:32,800 our academic coaching model and how 1386 00:52:31,359 --> 00:52:34,720 these efforts support our student 1387 00:52:32,800 --> 00:52:36,880 outcomes. We're interested in our 1388 00:52:34,720 --> 00:52:38,640 multi-tered systems of support and data, 1389 00:52:36,880 --> 00:52:40,640 deepening our understanding of those 1390 00:52:38,640 --> 00:52:43,040 things um and how they inform our 1391 00:52:40,640 --> 00:52:45,040 instructional intervention decisions and 1392 00:52:43,040 --> 00:52:46,720 ultimately our budget. um special 1393 00:52:45,040 --> 00:52:48,400 education. There is continued interest 1394 00:52:46,720 --> 00:52:50,240 in learning about our programming, the 1395 00:52:48,400 --> 00:52:51,760 supports, sustainability and 1396 00:52:50,240 --> 00:52:53,520 opportunities to be creative and 1397 00:52:51,760 --> 00:52:55,280 innovative and strengthen those services 1398 00:52:53,520 --> 00:52:57,040 for students. 1399 00:52:55,280 --> 00:52:58,880 Student wellness and behavioral supports 1400 00:52:57,040 --> 00:53:00,400 were also discussed continuing to 1401 00:52:58,880 --> 00:53:02,000 understand the systems and practices 1402 00:53:00,400 --> 00:53:03,760 supporting students mental health, 1403 00:53:02,000 --> 00:53:06,640 behavioral health and overall 1404 00:53:03,760 --> 00:53:08,800 well-being. TAG or talented and gifted 1405 00:53:06,640 --> 00:53:12,160 programming that will be continued work 1406 00:53:08,800 --> 00:53:13,920 um this term looking at how we are the 1407 00:53:12,160 --> 00:53:15,119 constant evolution of that programming. 1408 00:53:13,920 --> 00:53:17,440 There are some changes that are 1409 00:53:15,119 --> 00:53:19,920 happening this year um and how we 1410 00:53:17,440 --> 00:53:21,920 benefit those um that do benefit from 1411 00:53:19,920 --> 00:53:23,920 our advanced learning opportunities. And 1412 00:53:21,920 --> 00:53:25,760 then a last goal that I think was a 1413 00:53:23,920 --> 00:53:27,760 really important discussion was the 1414 00:53:25,760 --> 00:53:30,319 importance of student voice. Um, last 1415 00:53:27,760 --> 00:53:32,720 term we were really blessed with amazing 1416 00:53:30,319 --> 00:53:34,640 student reps who rose to the occasion of 1417 00:53:32,720 --> 00:53:36,400 not just attending our meetings, but 1418 00:53:34,640 --> 00:53:39,040 soliciting other student feedback, 1419 00:53:36,400 --> 00:53:40,480 putting together projects. Um, so we had 1420 00:53:39,040 --> 00:53:41,760 lots of discussion around how can we 1421 00:53:40,480 --> 00:53:43,280 continue to strengthen the role of our 1422 00:53:41,760 --> 00:53:44,720 student representatives and create 1423 00:53:43,280 --> 00:53:46,800 meaningful opportunities for student 1424 00:53:44,720 --> 00:53:48,559 perspectives to inform our work. So 1425 00:53:46,800 --> 00:53:50,000 again, these are not new board goals. 1426 00:53:48,559 --> 00:53:51,680 They're not formal commitments or a 1427 00:53:50,000 --> 00:53:52,880 checklist of initiatives. These were 1428 00:53:51,680 --> 00:53:54,960 themes that emerge from our 1429 00:53:52,880 --> 00:53:57,599 conversation. Again, I want to say how 1430 00:53:54,960 --> 00:53:59,920 thankful I am to work along um side both 1431 00:53:57,599 --> 00:54:01,599 sides of the the aisle here um and 1432 00:53:59,920 --> 00:54:03,440 really taking time to reflect, share 1433 00:54:01,599 --> 00:54:05,200 ideas, listen to one another, and think 1434 00:54:03,440 --> 00:54:07,119 collectively about how we support our 1435 00:54:05,200 --> 00:54:08,720 students, staff, and our families. I 1436 00:54:07,119 --> 00:54:10,240 believe that good governance requires us 1437 00:54:08,720 --> 00:54:11,760 to keep learning, keep listening, and 1438 00:54:10,240 --> 00:54:12,960 keep working together. Um and I'm 1439 00:54:11,760 --> 00:54:14,960 looking forward to bringing these themes 1440 00:54:12,960 --> 00:54:16,880 into the next school year. So, thank you 1441 00:54:14,960 --> 00:54:18,319 to our board. Uh, if there's anything 1442 00:54:16,880 --> 00:54:19,920 anybody would like to add, if I 1443 00:54:18,319 --> 00:54:21,119 misrepresented any conversation or 1444 00:54:19,920 --> 00:54:22,559 things that were left out that you think 1445 00:54:21,119 --> 00:54:26,079 were heavily important, please don't 1446 00:54:22,559 --> 00:54:26,559 hesitate to chime in. 1447 00:54:26,079 --> 00:54:30,520 Great job. 1448 00:54:26,559 --> 00:54:30,520 Maybe robes next time, Rob. 1449 00:54:31,599 --> 00:54:38,280 All right. So, 1450 00:54:34,079 --> 00:54:38,280 I just for the public. 1451 00:54:40,079 --> 00:54:44,400 So, this is my first time doing this 1452 00:54:41,920 --> 00:54:46,240 with with the board of ed, so I don't 1453 00:54:44,400 --> 00:54:47,520 know what to expect. 1454 00:54:46,240 --> 00:54:50,880 They tell me there's going to be this 1455 00:54:47,520 --> 00:54:53,359 board retreat. I'm like, "That sounds 1456 00:54:50,880 --> 00:54:55,040 great. We're going to have a a spa day 1457 00:54:53,359 --> 00:54:58,839 or I don't know what we're going to 1458 00:54:55,040 --> 00:54:58,839 have, but it's going to be great." 1459 00:54:58,880 --> 00:55:06,880 Then I find out where we're having our 1460 00:55:01,680 --> 00:55:10,480 retreat. Carefully, it's right here. 1461 00:55:06,880 --> 00:55:13,280 So, we're having our retreat in Andy's 1462 00:55:10,480 --> 00:55:16,720 office. 1463 00:55:13,280 --> 00:55:18,319 like, okay, this is not definitely not a 1464 00:55:16,720 --> 00:55:20,240 spa. 1465 00:55:18,319 --> 00:55:23,040 I'm expecting robes. I'm expecting 1466 00:55:20,240 --> 00:55:25,440 cucumbers for my eyes. 1467 00:55:23,040 --> 00:55:28,160 Maybe a mud thing on my face. I don't 1468 00:55:25,440 --> 00:55:31,280 know what's going on. I get none of 1469 00:55:28,160 --> 00:55:36,480 that. None of it. 1470 00:55:31,280 --> 00:55:38,640 I get an hour and a half of meeting 1471 00:55:36,480 --> 00:55:42,040 and cookies. 1472 00:55:38,640 --> 00:55:42,040 You had cookies. 1473 00:55:42,640 --> 00:55:47,680 Definitely definitely not a retreat. 1474 00:55:44,960 --> 00:55:49,599 Definitely not. 1475 00:55:47,680 --> 00:55:51,440 I will say not a retreat. Uh but I got 1476 00:55:49,599 --> 00:55:53,359 to learn more about your dogs. We did 1477 00:55:51,440 --> 00:55:54,480 get to connect and we did did some good 1478 00:55:53,359 --> 00:55:56,480 board business. I appreciate 1479 00:55:54,480 --> 00:55:57,920 and it needs another word for this other 1480 00:55:56,480 --> 00:56:00,799 than retreat, right Rob? 1481 00:55:57,920 --> 00:56:02,319 We'll rename it next time. Okay. Um but 1482 00:56:00,799 --> 00:56:04,960 thank you Mr. Anderson in all 1483 00:56:02,319 --> 00:56:07,119 seriousness for the candid laughter um 1484 00:56:04,960 --> 00:56:09,040 and your engagement in the activity. 1485 00:56:07,119 --> 00:56:11,280 Everybody's engagement. I truly truly 1486 00:56:09,040 --> 00:56:14,160 appreciate. All right. Let's move on to 1487 00:56:11,280 --> 00:56:15,280 less on report school updates. I am um 1488 00:56:14,160 --> 00:56:17,920 going to start with you Miss McGuire 1489 00:56:15,280 --> 00:56:20,480 Bears. Perfect. All right. Thank you to 1490 00:56:17,920 --> 00:56:23,119 the staff for welcoming kindergarten 1491 00:56:20,480 --> 00:56:25,359 orientation this past week. Made us 1492 00:56:23,119 --> 00:56:28,160 kindergarten parents feel a little bit 1493 00:56:25,359 --> 00:56:29,839 more ready for this big milestone. Um if 1494 00:56:28,160 --> 00:56:31,119 you are new to Enfield Street School, 1495 00:56:29,839 --> 00:56:34,240 please make sure you are following the 1496 00:56:31,119 --> 00:56:37,040 PTO page on Facebook. The welcome picnic 1497 00:56:34,240 --> 00:56:38,799 is on September 9th from 5 to 6:00 1498 00:56:37,040 --> 00:56:41,520 followed by open house from 6:00 to 1499 00:56:38,799 --> 00:56:43,520 7:00. Lastly, this is for all Enfield 1500 00:56:41,520 --> 00:56:46,240 public schools teachers and staff. 1501 00:56:43,520 --> 00:56:48,559 Yesterday, I was at my convocation, so I 1502 00:56:46,240 --> 00:56:50,480 was unable to attend Enfields. Um, but 1503 00:56:48,559 --> 00:56:53,680 our superintendent shared some messages 1504 00:56:50,480 --> 00:56:56,799 from families. Um, she collected 250 of 1505 00:56:53,680 --> 00:56:58,960 them in the commemoration of our 250th 1506 00:56:56,799 --> 00:57:00,559 America's birthday. Uh, one of them 1507 00:56:58,960 --> 00:57:02,960 stuck with me and I wanted to share it 1508 00:57:00,559 --> 00:57:05,440 with you all tonight. You are more than 1509 00:57:02,960 --> 00:57:07,920 just staff. You are architects of hope 1510 00:57:05,440 --> 00:57:10,079 for this community. So, thank you for 1511 00:57:07,920 --> 00:57:12,880 giving us all hope and thank you for all 1512 00:57:10,079 --> 00:57:16,079 you do. I know how much this job takes 1513 00:57:12,880 --> 00:57:18,240 and I appreciate you and happy new year. 1514 00:57:16,079 --> 00:57:20,799 Very nice, Miss McGriers. Any other 1515 00:57:18,240 --> 00:57:22,079 school updates? Mr. Cobber and then Miss 1516 00:57:20,799 --> 00:57:24,079 um Gerard. 1517 00:57:22,079 --> 00:57:25,359 Thank you, Madam Chair. So, just a quick 1518 00:57:24,079 --> 00:57:28,640 uh just want to shout out and welcome 1519 00:57:25,359 --> 00:57:30,079 back students and staff to the uh 202627 1520 00:57:28,640 --> 00:57:32,319 school year. Obviously, as mentioned, 1521 00:57:30,079 --> 00:57:34,240 first day of school will be Thursday. Uh 1522 00:57:32,319 --> 00:57:35,839 so, it's right around the corner. Um I 1523 00:57:34,240 --> 00:57:38,079 know we talked about convocation. and I 1524 00:57:35,839 --> 00:57:39,920 was not able to attend. Um but again for 1525 00:57:38,079 --> 00:57:41,599 and I think the context clues described 1526 00:57:39,920 --> 00:57:42,960 what it is but for those not familiar 1527 00:57:41,599 --> 00:57:45,119 obviously it is like that welcome back 1528 00:57:42,960 --> 00:57:49,440 for staff. Um gives them the opportunity 1529 00:57:45,119 --> 00:57:50,880 for uh speeches recognition um and just 1530 00:57:49,440 --> 00:57:52,720 kind of that warm welcome back to put 1531 00:57:50,880 --> 00:57:54,559 all the uh returning staff in one place 1532 00:57:52,720 --> 00:57:56,160 and then obviously greet the new staff. 1533 00:57:54,559 --> 00:57:59,760 Um just in regards to my specific 1534 00:57:56,160 --> 00:58:01,359 leaison um with the ERFC I know I uh I 1535 00:57:59,760 --> 00:58:03,040 checked in through a lot of their summer 1536 00:58:01,359 --> 00:58:04,720 programs. I was able to attend their 1537 00:58:03,040 --> 00:58:06,079 summer talent show over at Prudence 1538 00:58:04,720 --> 00:58:08,480 Candle. see some of the students do 1539 00:58:06,079 --> 00:58:10,720 their great work. Um I briefly um met 1540 00:58:08,480 --> 00:58:13,119 with the new executive director uh Mr. 1541 00:58:10,720 --> 00:58:14,559 Ker. Um I haven't recently made it over 1542 00:58:13,119 --> 00:58:16,160 to Eagle, but of course we just saw 1543 00:58:14,559 --> 00:58:17,440 their uh support staff of the year, so 1544 00:58:16,160 --> 00:58:19,760 we know they're doing good things over 1545 00:58:17,440 --> 00:58:20,319 there. Uh so that is all I have. Thank 1546 00:58:19,760 --> 00:58:22,640 you. 1547 00:58:20,319 --> 00:58:26,400 Thank you, Mr. Mr. Wright. 1548 00:58:22,640 --> 00:58:31,040 Um Kit's next meeting is September 2nd 1549 00:58:26,400 --> 00:58:34,000 at 5:30 p.m. at CT State as Nuk. uh 1550 00:58:31,040 --> 00:58:38,079 parkment update, welcome back picnic is 1551 00:58:34,000 --> 00:58:41,119 on September 2nd from 5:00 pm to 7 pm. 1552 00:58:38,079 --> 00:58:43,359 You can bring a picnic um before 6:00 1553 00:58:41,119 --> 00:58:45,760 p.m. the doors will be open so that you 1554 00:58:43,359 --> 00:58:47,760 can actually go into the school visit 1555 00:58:45,760 --> 00:58:49,760 your child's classroom and if you've 1556 00:58:47,760 --> 00:58:52,160 never been to Parkman before, you get to 1557 00:58:49,760 --> 00:58:54,400 visit it for the first time. Their first 1558 00:58:52,160 --> 00:58:58,240 PTO meeting is going to be on September 1559 00:58:54,400 --> 00:59:02,960 8th at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. They do have 1560 00:58:58,240 --> 00:59:04,559 a new group of new PTO folks and a new 1561 00:59:02,960 --> 00:59:05,920 president. So, congratulations to all 1562 00:59:04,559 --> 00:59:10,400 them and I can't wait to see what they 1563 00:59:05,920 --> 00:59:12,240 do. Thank you, Mr. Oh, was that No, 1564 00:59:10,400 --> 00:59:14,480 perfect. All right. I'm going to um 1565 00:59:12,240 --> 00:59:15,920 channel Miss Ker and read her back to 1566 00:59:14,480 --> 00:59:17,760 school message. But before I do that, I 1567 00:59:15,920 --> 00:59:20,079 think it's some pretty generic back to 1568 00:59:17,760 --> 00:59:21,440 school message around schools will be 1569 00:59:20,079 --> 00:59:23,200 sharing information through their 1570 00:59:21,440 --> 00:59:24,960 newsletters and through Parent Square. 1571 00:59:23,200 --> 00:59:26,799 Um, as a district, we're also doing some 1572 00:59:24,960 --> 00:59:28,559 work around website and communication. 1573 00:59:26,799 --> 00:59:30,559 And so encouraging families to make sure 1574 00:59:28,559 --> 00:59:32,640 you have parent square access um and 1575 00:59:30,559 --> 00:59:35,280 that you are checking those things and 1576 00:59:32,640 --> 00:59:38,640 um being up tod date. But as far as some 1577 00:59:35,280 --> 00:59:40,559 special news from Crannle um Mr. Dupair 1578 00:59:38,640 --> 00:59:42,319 welcomes everyone back reminding folks 1579 00:59:40,559 --> 00:59:44,000 that the Cougar Chronicle newsletter 1580 00:59:42,319 --> 00:59:45,920 will continue to be the primary source 1581 00:59:44,000 --> 00:59:47,760 of information. It's sent out every 1582 00:59:45,920 --> 00:59:49,119 Monday. So please make sure that you are 1583 00:59:47,760 --> 00:59:53,359 checking those and we welcome back 1584 00:59:49,119 --> 00:59:55,119 everybody on August 27th. Um I also just 1585 00:59:53,359 --> 00:59:57,440 want to I've mentioned it a couple times 1586 00:59:55,119 --> 00:59:59,680 now. welcome folks back. Thank you for 1587 00:59:57,440 --> 01:00:02,319 our staff um who will be ready to greet 1588 00:59:59,680 --> 01:00:05,280 students on Thursday. Um I'm not the 1589 01:00:02,319 --> 01:00:07,680 official JFK leaison, but I did ask my 1590 01:00:05,280 --> 01:00:08,799 incoming sixth grader if he actually he 1591 01:00:07,680 --> 01:00:09,920 said before I left the house tonight. 1592 01:00:08,799 --> 01:00:11,200 He's like, "Oh, mom, I have something to 1593 01:00:09,920 --> 01:00:12,960 share with you at the to say in the 1594 01:00:11,200 --> 01:00:15,280 meeting, and I was like, you know what?" 1595 01:00:12,960 --> 01:00:17,440 Um he's been getting used to his walk to 1596 01:00:15,280 --> 01:00:19,200 JFK and doing those, you know, to end 1597 01:00:17,440 --> 01:00:21,119 the summer. and he said there's lots of 1598 01:00:19,200 --> 01:00:23,839 like what looks like electronic scooter 1599 01:00:21,119 --> 01:00:25,839 and bike marks across the basketball 1600 01:00:23,839 --> 01:00:28,079 court and across like fields. So he was 1601 01:00:25,839 --> 01:00:30,799 asking his fellow peers to be mindful of 1602 01:00:28,079 --> 01:00:32,160 using electronic scooters and bikes um 1603 01:00:30,799 --> 01:00:34,559 especially on school property where 1604 01:00:32,160 --> 01:00:35,599 students use those facilities. Um so I 1605 01:00:34,559 --> 01:00:37,920 do think that's an important reminder 1606 01:00:35,599 --> 01:00:39,520 for all and safety. Um so thank you for 1607 01:00:37,920 --> 01:00:42,559 those being safe around the first day of 1608 01:00:39,520 --> 01:00:44,559 school. Um and always 1609 01:00:42,559 --> 01:00:47,760 joint facilities. 1610 01:00:44,559 --> 01:00:51,040 I actually do have a brief update. Um 1611 01:00:47,760 --> 01:00:53,040 joint facilities did meet on August 13th 1612 01:00:51,040 --> 01:00:57,040 to discuss the status of the roof 1613 01:00:53,040 --> 01:00:59,599 testing and potential repairs needed um 1614 01:00:57,040 --> 01:01:02,319 for even the short term on well short 1615 01:00:59,599 --> 01:01:05,440 long term depending on how things go. Um 1616 01:01:02,319 --> 01:01:07,760 on schools likeRandle Parkman and Stowe 1617 01:01:05,440 --> 01:01:09,520 um councelor Zenon agreed that he was 1618 01:01:07,760 --> 01:01:11,359 going to bring the conversation to the 1619 01:01:09,520 --> 01:01:14,000 town council in order to determine where 1620 01:01:11,359 --> 01:01:16,400 the funding for this project uh the need 1621 01:01:14,000 --> 01:01:18,160 could come from. Um, our next meeting is 1622 01:01:16,400 --> 01:01:20,160 scheduled for September 10th, but we 1623 01:01:18,160 --> 01:01:22,079 have discussed that if it was not 1624 01:01:20,160 --> 01:01:24,880 discussed yet by town council, we would 1625 01:01:22,079 --> 01:01:27,440 potentially postpone this as not meeting 1626 01:01:24,880 --> 01:01:29,440 until we have kind of an answer. Um, but 1627 01:01:27,440 --> 01:01:32,000 the committee did have conversation 1628 01:01:29,440 --> 01:01:34,079 around having uh quarterly meetings. We 1629 01:01:32,000 --> 01:01:37,440 know that this joint facilities was 1630 01:01:34,079 --> 01:01:39,920 really formed as more for roofs and um 1631 01:01:37,440 --> 01:01:42,079 with other committees. they talk about a 1632 01:01:39,920 --> 01:01:44,240 lot of other things but just staying on 1633 01:01:42,079 --> 01:01:46,160 top of it and even meeting quarterly um 1634 01:01:44,240 --> 01:01:47,760 we thought was was helpful moving 1635 01:01:46,160 --> 01:01:49,680 forward and I know there's other 1636 01:01:47,760 --> 01:01:50,960 colleagues on so if I missed anything 1637 01:01:49,680 --> 01:01:52,640 feel free to chime in I just want to 1638 01:01:50,960 --> 01:01:54,079 give a little update Mr. Cobber 1639 01:01:52,640 --> 01:01:55,920 all right thank you uh ju just to 1640 01:01:54,079 --> 01:01:58,559 supplement I think uh Mr. Bruce did a 1641 01:01:55,920 --> 01:02:00,559 good job um kind of highlighting it. Um 1642 01:01:58,559 --> 01:02:02,319 of course and just to again refresh 1643 01:02:00,559 --> 01:02:04,240 people, the joint facilities committee 1644 01:02:02,319 --> 01:02:06,240 when it was originally created 10 plus 1645 01:02:04,240 --> 01:02:07,839 years ago had a wider purview when it 1646 01:02:06,240 --> 01:02:10,319 was refined this past I believe it's 1647 01:02:07,839 --> 01:02:13,200 January or February. Uh its scope was 1648 01:02:10,319 --> 01:02:15,599 really narrowed to um overseeing the 1649 01:02:13,200 --> 01:02:17,440 roofs on school buildings and the roof 1650 01:02:15,599 --> 01:02:18,640 referendum. Um, I know one of the 1651 01:02:17,440 --> 01:02:21,760 friction points that we mentioned that 1652 01:02:18,640 --> 01:02:23,040 that came up um in the meeting is the 1653 01:02:21,760 --> 01:02:25,200 current status of the approved 1654 01:02:23,040 --> 01:02:27,119 referendums for roofs and then obviously 1655 01:02:25,200 --> 01:02:30,319 the for lack of a better term the freeze 1656 01:02:27,119 --> 01:02:32,880 on that pending the outcome of the uh PK 1657 01:02:30,319 --> 01:02:34,799 through5 modernization uh referendum and 1658 01:02:32,880 --> 01:02:36,480 update. So, um I know there were some 1659 01:02:34,799 --> 01:02:37,920 plans regarding um preventive 1660 01:02:36,480 --> 01:02:40,079 maintenance and testing and things of 1661 01:02:37,920 --> 01:02:41,280 that sort. Um we originally hoped some 1662 01:02:40,079 --> 01:02:42,799 of that would get done over the summer. 1663 01:02:41,280 --> 01:02:44,319 It seems like it did not. So, I know 1664 01:02:42,799 --> 01:02:47,119 we're trying to just re get tracks on 1665 01:02:44,319 --> 01:02:48,880 that um through uh the town council and 1666 01:02:47,119 --> 01:02:51,440 the DPW side and obviously keeping that 1667 01:02:48,880 --> 01:02:54,000 committee looped in um because of course 1668 01:02:51,440 --> 01:02:55,119 if for any reason the uh modernization 1669 01:02:54,000 --> 01:02:57,200 doesn't happen, we still have these 1670 01:02:55,119 --> 01:02:59,359 roofs that need replacement. So, just 1671 01:02:57,200 --> 01:03:00,240 obviously maintaining oversight on that. 1672 01:02:59,359 --> 01:03:02,160 Thank you. 1673 01:03:00,240 --> 01:03:03,520 Thank you, Mr. Cobber. I would also just 1674 01:03:02,160 --> 01:03:05,280 um ensure the public understands 1675 01:03:03,520 --> 01:03:07,119 whenever we have joint leadership u 1676 01:03:05,280 --> 01:03:09,440 meetings with our town council 1677 01:03:07,119 --> 01:03:11,760 counterparts, facilities tends to be a 1678 01:03:09,440 --> 01:03:14,720 large portion of our conversation. 1679 01:03:11,760 --> 01:03:17,119 um joint insurance. So I we heard an 1680 01:03:14,720 --> 01:03:20,240 update a little bit. Um Mr. Pulley or 1681 01:03:17,119 --> 01:03:22,319 Mr. Mchio, would you like to 1682 01:03:20,240 --> 01:03:24,799 shoot it to you, Mr. Mchio? Sorry, it's 1683 01:03:22,319 --> 01:03:26,319 all you. 1684 01:03:24,799 --> 01:03:28,319 Sorry. I will keep chatting while you 1685 01:03:26,319 --> 01:03:28,960 I'll get you I'll get you there. Okay. 1686 01:03:28,319 --> 01:03:31,280 Uh last night 1687 01:03:28,960 --> 01:03:33,760 I think I think the big update for the 1688 01:03:31,280 --> 01:03:36,720 joint insurance committee was our 1689 01:03:33,760 --> 01:03:40,799 agreement to go with the resolution 1690 01:03:36,720 --> 01:03:43,119 um regarding what we will do with any um 1691 01:03:40,799 --> 01:03:46,720 budgeted funds at the end of the fiscal 1692 01:03:43,119 --> 01:03:48,640 year. Um so again uh town council did 1693 01:03:46,720 --> 01:03:50,480 approve the resolution last evening 1694 01:03:48,640 --> 01:03:52,559 related to that. It will go to the 1695 01:03:50,480 --> 01:03:54,480 finance committee in terms of um next 1696 01:03:52,559 --> 01:03:56,720 steps for our board and then I'll bring 1697 01:03:54,480 --> 01:03:59,599 it forward to the full board uh just to 1698 01:03:56,720 --> 01:04:01,280 share it with you. But basically, 1699 01:03:59,599 --> 01:04:02,720 it puts some regulation, not some 1700 01:04:01,280 --> 01:04:05,200 regulations, but some guidelines in 1701 01:04:02,720 --> 01:04:06,559 terms of what we must do related to any 1702 01:04:05,200 --> 01:04:08,319 funds that are budgeted for health 1703 01:04:06,559 --> 01:04:09,680 insurance. 1704 01:04:08,319 --> 01:04:10,880 Thank you, Mr. Mchio. Sorry, I didn't 1705 01:04:09,680 --> 01:04:12,640 mean to put you both on the spot there, 1706 01:04:10,880 --> 01:04:14,799 but I do think that is another another 1707 01:04:12,640 --> 01:04:17,039 piece of work um that is really around 1708 01:04:14,799 --> 01:04:19,039 fiscal transparency and best fiscal 1709 01:04:17,039 --> 01:04:20,400 practices. So, thank you to those on 1710 01:04:19,039 --> 01:04:22,480 joint insurance and thank you to our 1711 01:04:20,400 --> 01:04:24,319 counterparts on the town council side um 1712 01:04:22,480 --> 01:04:26,000 that hopefully we can move forward in 1713 01:04:24,319 --> 01:04:27,359 some good fiscal practice. Go ahead. I I 1714 01:04:26,000 --> 01:04:31,359 just want and I should have said this 1715 01:04:27,359 --> 01:04:34,480 during my superintendent report, but 1716 01:04:31,359 --> 01:04:36,480 a lot of that came out of the efforts of 1717 01:04:34,480 --> 01:04:38,079 the collaboration and communication that 1718 01:04:36,480 --> 01:04:40,720 happens between my office and the town 1719 01:04:38,079 --> 01:04:43,680 manager's office. Um, you know, last 1720 01:04:40,720 --> 01:04:45,839 evening was Mr. Cppler's last evening um 1721 01:04:43,680 --> 01:04:47,359 as town manager and to my understanding 1722 01:04:45,839 --> 01:04:49,839 he's probably in a car right now driving 1723 01:04:47,359 --> 01:04:51,680 out towards Michigan uh in his new job. 1724 01:04:49,839 --> 01:04:54,799 So, I'd like to thank him for that 1725 01:04:51,680 --> 01:04:57,280 collaboration. Um Andy and I would meet 1726 01:04:54,799 --> 01:04:58,720 with him and Steve Belinda uh and then 1727 01:04:57,280 --> 01:05:01,200 the following week we would have the 1728 01:04:58,720 --> 01:05:03,359 joint leadership meeting and that's 1729 01:05:01,200 --> 01:05:05,280 where a lot of this got worked out and 1730 01:05:03,359 --> 01:05:08,960 then we would bring it to the joint 1731 01:05:05,280 --> 01:05:11,839 insurance or joint security. Um so it it 1732 01:05:08,960 --> 01:05:13,280 is it it was nice to see that amount of 1733 01:05:11,839 --> 01:05:14,480 collaboration and communication between 1734 01:05:13,280 --> 01:05:17,359 the town hall and the board of 1735 01:05:14,480 --> 01:05:20,319 education. Um I'm hopeful that whoever 1736 01:05:17,359 --> 01:05:22,480 comes in as the interim uh town manager 1737 01:05:20,319 --> 01:05:23,760 continues to do that with us. I know we 1738 01:05:22,480 --> 01:05:25,520 do have a joint leadership meeting 1739 01:05:23,760 --> 01:05:27,280 scheduled for this Friday, so we can 1740 01:05:25,520 --> 01:05:29,599 have some further conversation at that 1741 01:05:27,280 --> 01:05:31,680 time. 1742 01:05:29,599 --> 01:05:34,079 Thanks. You're reminding me of a to-do I 1743 01:05:31,680 --> 01:05:36,799 had to to do. 1744 01:05:34,079 --> 01:05:39,119 Thank you, Mr. Mchio. Um, pre-referendum 1745 01:05:36,799 --> 01:05:41,920 committee. 1746 01:05:39,119 --> 01:05:44,319 As of right now, there is not a new date 1747 01:05:41,920 --> 01:05:46,319 for a meeting. Correct. 1748 01:05:44,319 --> 01:05:47,760 I'm looking at you. Sorry. 1749 01:05:46,319 --> 01:05:51,599 Notice how I didn't put another candy in 1750 01:05:47,760 --> 01:05:54,720 my mouth. Um there are two dates being 1751 01:05:51,599 --> 01:05:56,720 um there are two dates that are being um 1752 01:05:54,720 --> 01:05:58,079 bantered about in terms of having an 1753 01:05:56,720 --> 01:05:58,799 additional pre-referendum committee 1754 01:05:58,079 --> 01:06:00,400 meeting. Yep. 1755 01:05:58,799 --> 01:06:01,920 Um they're towards the end of September. 1756 01:06:00,400 --> 01:06:03,920 Nothing uh solidified yet. 1757 01:06:01,920 --> 01:06:05,280 Right. And then um I think one of the 1758 01:06:03,920 --> 01:06:07,839 other conversations that we've talked 1759 01:06:05,280 --> 01:06:10,400 about too in prere is doing another 1760 01:06:07,839 --> 01:06:12,000 community conversation and being being 1761 01:06:10,400 --> 01:06:13,440 able to have that back and forth. So we 1762 01:06:12,000 --> 01:06:17,440 are scheduling that and we're getting it 1763 01:06:13,440 --> 01:06:19,359 there. Um, PAC is, I believe, up and 1764 01:06:17,440 --> 01:06:21,839 running. So, they're going to put 1765 01:06:19,359 --> 01:06:25,440 together some information, very 1766 01:06:21,839 --> 01:06:28,000 fact-based information about the preref 1767 01:06:25,440 --> 01:06:29,280 and how that will be. So, yeah, that's 1768 01:06:28,000 --> 01:06:33,039 basically it. 1769 01:06:29,280 --> 01:06:34,319 You're welcome to visit the website. Um, 1770 01:06:33,039 --> 01:06:36,400 I just want to make sure I get it 1771 01:06:34,319 --> 01:06:37,920 correctly for the pack. Oh, my 1772 01:06:36,400 --> 01:06:41,720 internet's not working, so that doesn't 1773 01:06:37,920 --> 01:06:41,720 work. But I believe it's nfieldpto.com. 1774 01:06:42,000 --> 01:06:46,880 Right. So the all of the information um 1775 01:06:44,880 --> 01:06:48,720 related to the referendum is up on that 1776 01:06:46,880 --> 01:06:50,720 website. 1777 01:06:48,720 --> 01:06:53,039 Awesome. Thank you. 1778 01:06:50,720 --> 01:06:54,000 Thank you for the updates. Do I have a 1779 01:06:53,039 --> 01:06:55,280 motion to adjurnn? 1780 01:06:54,000 --> 01:06:57,359 So moved, Madam Chair. 1781 01:06:55,280 --> 01:07:00,880 Second. Moved by Mr. Cover. I'll give 1782 01:06:57,359 --> 01:07:02,559 the second to Mr. Gerard. All in favor? 1783 01:07:00,880 --> 01:07:03,839 That looks like all eight of us. Thank 1784 01:07:02,559 --> 01:07:07,160 you all. 1785 01:07:03,839 --> 01:07:07,160 One hour.