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Good evening everyone. Welcome to the
Winchester Public Schools Board of

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Education regular meeting May 12th of
2026.

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I'd like to call to order the Pledge of
Allegiance.

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» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.

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» Okay, roll call.
>> Joseph Sandoro

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» Chrissy Rylander
>> Shane Centrello

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» Kurt Warner
>> Julie Luby

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» Nora McCarsky
>> Jonathan Morhardt

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» Carol Keia
>> Allie

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» Allie Bishop
>> And we have Allie Bishop on the phone.

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Thank you. Um on to item two, approval
of the agenda. Does anyone have any uh

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questions, additions?

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Everyone's good?
Okay, on to item three, student

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participation,
student showcase.

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» We have a big group of third graders
here.

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And I'm just going to let them tell you
everything. I don't want to say a word.

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» Did we approve the minutes? I don't
think we approved them.

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We just went over them.
>> That's item five.

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» Oh.
>> Yeah, done that.

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» Oh, the agenda, sorry. Did we approve
those?

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» I did.
>> You would only have to vote if you were

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making changes.
>> Oh, okay. Okay.

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» Otherwise it is You know what, sometimes
we do, so you're not wrong. But

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technically it's it is the agenda, so.
Wow, look at everybody.

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» Good evening, Board of Education
members, and all of our families. So

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nice to see all of you here.
Today, I have the pleasure of

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introducing
third grade students. They're actually

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going to introduce themselves, and
they're going to tell you a little bit

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about what they've been learning in
their reading and social studies classes

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around the Norse and Viking gods.
So, I'm going to ask Luna to start us

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off.
>> Hi, my name is Luna. And

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one thing I've
learned in Norse myths mythology is I

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um that Loki cut off Sif's hair, and
Thor had fire in his eyes.

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» Thank you.
>> Can I just say something I did?

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» You want to tell them a little bit about
the group work that you did?

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» Yeah. It's where we made a chart of who,
where, and questions, and what do you

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think? And it's kind of telling you
about like we read a chapter, and then

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we wrote about what we heard from the
chapter.

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» And how is that helping you as a reader?
>> It helps me remember and kind of like

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put my ideas on paper to try to like
um like look back at it and see if I can

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» Hi, my name is Emma, and I'm

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» We're in a different order than we
practiced, so

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go ahead, Adrian.
>> Good morning. Um

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good evening. My name's Adrian, and
I wrote about

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the Viking

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the Viking
One thing that I would like to tell you

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is that Thrym
stole

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Thor's hammer and buried it 6 mi
underground. And this is a picture that

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I would like to show you about Thrym.
>> All right.

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Okay, now your turn.
>> Hi, my name is Emmett and I'm in Miss

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Corrado's third grade class.
One thing that I learned about the Norse

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gods is Odin drank from the fountain of
wisdom and traded his one of his eyes to

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get more wisdom, so he is very smart.
>> My name is Sammy. I am in Miss Corrado's

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third grade class. One thing I learned
about the Viking gods is that Loki is

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not actually a god. He was invited to
live with the gods by Odin. He's a

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giant.

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» Good evening. My name is Audrey and I'm
from Miss Wickham's third grade class.

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One thing I learned about the Viking
gods is that Thrym

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is
Thrym stole Thor's hammer and won't give

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it back until he marries Freya.

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» Hi, my name is Naomi. I'm from Mrs.
Camacho's third grade class and one

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thing that I learned about Viking gods
is

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Balder, the son of Frigga and Odin,
actually was killed by Loki.

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» Hi, my name is Olivia.
Um I'm from Mrs. Camacho's third grade

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class. One thing about the Viking gods
were

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Lo-
Loki cut off his hair and Loki made Thor

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dressed up as a girl because
because

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a a giant stole his hammer
and won't give it back until he gets

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Freya.
>> And do you want to tell them about what

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you guys have made?
>> We made some drawings about

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what we learned about it.

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» And Naomi, do you want to tell them
about your

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» So, we made Viking hats to kind of see
what like the Viking gods wore.

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And kind of

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having fun designing our own kind of
Viking hats.

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» [snorts]
>> Great. Excellent job.

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» [applause]

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[applause]
>> Thank you guys. Wonderful. Who

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Adrian, who is your teacher?
>> Miss Rigdon.

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» Miss Rigdon and Luna?
>> Miss

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» Miss
>> Okay, thank you. Awesome job.

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» All third grade represented.
>> Great. Thank you for coming out. I know

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it's a school night.
So, you get you can get to go home and

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get a good night's sleep.
>> You guys did a great job. Thank you.

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» [applause]

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» Oh.
That's awesome.

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Okay. Thank you guys. Um
Let's move on to item B, student

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representative report.
>> I think it's better than it was.

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» Yeah, close it if you want.

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It's the same thing. That's what you're
going to be

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» And I just have the one because it was
really fast.

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» All right, we're going to be nice and
loud.

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Okay?
>> And is there a microphone?

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» This is a microphone.
So, I'm going to like talk in that.

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» Well, you're going to sit normally.
It'll pick you up, okay? Go ahead.

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» Hello, my name is Autumn and I'm in
second grade. This month in second

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grade, we are learning about voting for
a cause

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and the war of 1812. This is when people
work together to make where they live a

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better place. We've also been working on
spelling

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hard words like sad and swirling. Math
is really fun. We are our

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We are learning about 2D and 3D shapes.
We are also connecting the dots to make

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shapes inside of figure shapes. Like we
can make like a triangle inside a square

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or rectangle.
Now that the weather is nicer, we are

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enjoying recess and gym outside.
Pre-K has been learning about plants and

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how they grow with water,
sunlight, and soil. They

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They also learned that plants
do an important job by making seeds and

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fruits that help
grow new plants and provide food for

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people and animal
animals, I mean.

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Kindergarteners are getting ready to
learn about taking care of the earth.

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They will be learning about rescuing
items, recycling items,

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re- re-
>> reducing

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» reducing how much trash we make.
In grade one, they just finished reading

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fairy tales. They are working on hard
reading and can now read two-syllable

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words e-
which uh

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they're makes their
reading more fluent.

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In math, they're working
on adding two-digit and

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two-digit and two-digit numbers.
One thing I'd like to see happen at

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Hansel Playground is adding monkey bars,
maybe two so more friends can play.

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Thank you for having me.
>> Thank you, Autumn.

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Autumn,
who's your teacher?

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» Miss Farrell.
>> Miss Farrell?

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Thank you.
>> I don't know. Miss Farrell just had a

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baby.
>> Oh. Okay.

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All right.
>> I think it was I believe.

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» Good evening, board members. My name is
Reed Waters and I'm in fifth grade at

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Pearson.
For school activities and events, all

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students are working hard on smarter
balanced assessments for ELA and math.

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The fifth grade will be taking the NWEA
S science assessment after we are done

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with smarter balanced.
We showed our appreciation for staff

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during teacher appreciation week last
week.

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The teachers got lots of treats.
For our academy highlights, something

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neat that students have been learning.
Third grade, in math and science,

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students are designing and building
their own model bridges.

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In ELA, third graders are learning about
early explorers in America.

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Fourth grade, in math, students are
learning about area, perimeter, and

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geometry. In language arts, students are
learning about the American Revolution

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and writing historical fiction.
In science, students are learning about

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geology, the his- the history of land
forms of the earth, including Pangea.

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Fifth grade, in math, students finished
the unit on geometry, including

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coordinate graphing, identifying
triangles and quadrilaterals, computing

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volume, and making and reading line plot
graphs.

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In language arts, students are learning
about chemical matter and the different

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states of matter. We will be reading and
solving a mystery relating to chemical

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matter as well. In science, students
have been studying astronomy and the

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Earth's place.

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Sixth grade, in math, students are
studying basic algebra using variables

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and equations and using the distributive
property. In language arts, students are

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starting a unit on the Titanic and are
studying information literacy, learning

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the difference between primary and
secondary and tertiary resources,

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determining if sources are reliable, and
understanding the ethical use of

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resources.
In science, students are learning about

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Earth's resources and human impact. The
driving question is, "How do changes in

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the Earth's system impact our
communities and what can we do about

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it?"
School improvements are needs. One thing

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that would make our school better is
some ideas shared by fifth graders. In

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ELA, we studied Martin Luther. He didn't
agree with the teachings of the church

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and came up with 95 objections. Fifth
graders are working hard on 95 theses

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about how to make our school better.
Here are some theses, like after-school

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advanced classes, sports teams after
school, and a garden or greenhouse.

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Third graders are writing op- opinions
and shared some opinions with Miss

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Aurelio.
One great thing about Pearson. I really

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like this school because of the vibe.
When I walk down a hallway, every

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teacher says, "Hi." Thank you for
inviting me to share Pearson School's

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happenings with you this evening.
>> [applause]

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» So,
Rita's a record holder in school?

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For?
>> The a test.

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» And how many?
>> 77

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» 77, he set the record last year or did
you beat it again this year?

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» it again this year.
>> you did.

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» [laughter]
>> And you're you're a national BMXer?

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» Mhm.
>> So, he's on the national team for BMX.

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» International or national?
>> Um

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» International.
>> Yeah, I raced in Denmark last year, so.

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» Awesome.
>> Would you like to share the opinion

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writing from third grade? You can give
it to one of the board members. This is

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the opinion writing that the third
graders all signed and delivered to Mrs.

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Silverio.

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» On the 95 theses?
>> No, that was the fifth grade.

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» Oh, okay.
>> The fifth graders dressed up as monks

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and they had their hoods on
[clears throat] and they all came down

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silently
and hung up their 95 theses

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» all over
>> Was it really silent?

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» They were silent. They did a good job.
>> Good job.

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» That takes some doing.
>> Until I started disputing some of their

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bedtime three-hour delays more often,
early dismissals, and nap time. We can

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talk about three-hour delays.
>> How about nap time?

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» I'm all in for nap time.
>> [laughter]

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» Thank you, Rita.
>> You're welcome. Awesome job, Nora.

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» [applause]

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» Okay, as we pass it around. Okay, we're
going to move on to item four.

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Uh this is the time for public comment.
Uh the Winchester Board of Education

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welcomes you to its business meeting.
There are two opportunities

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set aside to hear comments from the
public. We welcome and encourage public

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participation as a valued part of
communicating input with the Winchester

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Board of Education. We appreciate your
adherence to the following. Complete the

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requested information on the sign-in
sheet if you wish to speak. State your

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name and address when called upon to
speak and you will be allotted three

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minutes to share your comments.
Please be advised that this is not the

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practice of the Board of Education to
engage in dialogue regarding commentary.

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The Superintendent of Schools will be
directed by the chairperson to prepare

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an appropriate response in a timely
manner. We appreciate your time and

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thoughtful commentary. Does anyone wish
to speak?

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Does anyone wish to speak?

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Does anyone wish to speak?
Okay. Seeing none, move on to

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Moving on to item five, approval of the
minutes, minutes of the regular board

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meeting April 7th, 2026. Does anyone
have any

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questions?
>> I make a motion to approve the regular

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Board of Ed meeting minutes April 7th,
2026.

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» Okay. We have a motion to approve. Do we
have a second?

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» Second.
>> Second. Jonathan, all in favor?

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And then Two abstain, two abstentions.
Okay.

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And
>> Ellie.

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» Ellie? Forgot about her.

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» What'd you say, Ellie? Sorry.
>> I'm in favor.

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» Okay.
Perfect.

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» Correct.
>> All right. On to item B, minutes of

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committee meeting April 28th, budget and
finance committee.

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Motion to approve?
>> Motion to approve.

221
00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:58,560
» Chris, you?
Second?

222
00:16:56,480 --> 00:17:01,280
» I'll second that.
>> All in favor?

223
00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:09,280
So, 1 2 3 4 5, Ellie?
>> I'm in favor.

224
00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:12,640
» Six.
Nora,

225
00:17:10,120 --> 00:17:16,839
Carolyn, Nora, abstention.
Okay.

226
00:17:13,959 --> 00:17:20,600
Item two,
approval of the policy and bylaw

227
00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:22,920
committee.
>> Make a motion to approve.

228
00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:26,280
» Tracy.
>> Second.

229
00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:30,640
» Jonathan, were there anyone else there?
>> Uh Frank.

230
00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:33,320
» Frank, but he is not there, so
two zero.

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00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:38,720
Okay.
Uh

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00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:42,240
minutes of special meeting on April
28th, 2026.

233
00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:45,400
» Yeah.
>> Shane.

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00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:49,120
» Motion to approve.
>> Okay.

235
00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:49,120
Second.

236
00:17:49,360 --> 00:17:53,920
» I don't know what meeting
>> Uh second. It's It was the same night as

237
00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:55,560
the committee.
>> The special meeting?

238
00:17:55,120 --> 00:17:59,360
» Yeah.
>> Second.

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00:17:56,440 --> 00:18:02,880
» Nora second. All in favor?
Yeah, one, two, three, four, five.

240
00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:03,640
» Was it the one that I wasn't here for or
was it

241
00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,440
» you were there.
>> Oh, I was there then.

242
00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:09,160
» Six, Ellie.
>> I approve, too.

243
00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:13,200
» Seven.
Um Carol abstains.

244
00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:16,880
Okay.
All right.

245
00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:23,120
Okay.
On to item six,

246
00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:25,640
communications, chairperson's comments.
Uh

247
00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:29,920
for those of
you who were not able to attend last

248
00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:34,800
night's um
public meeting at the Gilbert School,

249
00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:40,400
the budget did move on.
Um

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00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:45,080
and the referendum is set for May 30th,
which is a Saturday.

251
00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:50,680
Um so I hope everyone goes out and
votes. Um I hope we all vote yes on the

252
00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:55,160
budget. Um obviously, you can do what
you want, but it's very important that

253
00:18:52,960 --> 00:19:00,280
we've gone through a long
laborious process for both our Board of

254
00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:07,480
Ed, our Board of Selectmen,
um and we have a budget presented that

255
00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:11,720
we hope everyone is in approval of, um
so we can get to work um for the next

256
00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:15,280
upcoming school year.
Um so

257
00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:20,640
that's what I have to say for that.
Uh, superintendent's report.

258
00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:23,040
» Good evening, everyone. Nice to see you
all.

259
00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:27,280
Um
you have my written report, so I'll just

260
00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:31,600
highlight a few things from it.
Um

261
00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:36,480
I will tell you I attended um the
Hinsdale Unified Arts teacher hosted

262
00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:42,840
such a fun evening.
Um each special area teacher, PE, art,

263
00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:46,440
music, and innovation had activities set
up um

264
00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:50,560
all the way pre-K through second grade,
and kids came with their families. Um

265
00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:55,480
Tiffany, are there some pictures of that
on Facebook?

266
00:19:52,440 --> 00:20:00,760
It was spectacular. Every room was just
the kids were running around with joy um

267
00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:04,360
doing neat things, and uh underlying it
was a scavenger hunt idea that they

268
00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:09,120
would go and look at artwork and find
the answers to questions to be in a

269
00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:12,840
raffle for a basket. It was great.
Um

270
00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:16,960
as uh the students mentioned, Smarter
Balanced is underway, and I should also

271
00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:20,040
highlight that, and I know many of you
saw Beauty and the Beast. It was

272
00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:21,960
awesome.
>> Amazing.

273
00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:27,200
» Fantastic.
>> I'm blown away every year by the quality

274
00:20:25,240 --> 00:20:31,080
of a production that we're able to put
on with fifth and sixth graders. You

275
00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:35,760
would expect that to be
little kid level, and it's just not.

276
00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:39,960
It's really, really great. Um so we're
very grateful to Teresa Payton and oh

277
00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:42,240
god um
>> The music teacher.

278
00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:46,320
» Jackie.
>> Jackie, thank you. And Jackie for doing

279
00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:49,600
such a great job again.
Um

280
00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:54,400
under operations, I will tell you that
we began and concluded food service

281
00:20:52,120 --> 00:20:57,120
union negotiations. Um
we'll have that to you for the next

282
00:20:55,960 --> 00:21:01,200
meeting.
Um and I think that's our last union

283
00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:03,840
contract for the year, hopefully.
>> Yes.

284
00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:06,160
» We had like four, I think, that we did
this year.

285
00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:08,920
Um
>> Mhm.

286
00:21:07,120 --> 00:21:12,880
and the building committee has been
formed and voted on by Board of

287
00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:18,000
Selectmen for the Pearson roof.
Um and I believe that they have their

288
00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:20,880
first meeting right now, actually, as
we're meeting.

289
00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:25,920
Um
so that's a great thing.

290
00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:29,760
Um I did invite uh Mrs. Marquardt to
join us again this evening because we

291
00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:34,080
approved her and introduced her at a
committee meeting in Hinsdale school

292
00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:37,640
where we weren't um sharing with the
full community. So, Sherry is here with

293
00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:43,000
us.
Um

294
00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:45,560
as you know, we ran an extensive search.
Um

295
00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:49,480
we looked high, we looked low, and we
really, I think Sherry will concur, put

296
00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:53,320
her through the paces. We had our
candidates back multiple times. We had

297
00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:59,120
them interact with staff and with
students and data and committees and do

298
00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:02,560
teacher observations and everything we
could think of to be sure we found the

299
00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:07,800
right person, and we really [snorts]
say, I say with great confidence that we

300
00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:11,240
did find the right person in Sherry.
Congratulations.

301
00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:13,960
» I'm honored and excited to work with
staff.

302
00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:18,480
They're amazing. I've met so many of
them already.

303
00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:22,320
Miss Silverio has been amazing in
helping me understand the building and

304
00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:27,120
the
the flow of the building. I'm looking

305
00:22:24,880 --> 00:22:30,120
forward to working with the community,
building partnerships.

306
00:22:29,120 --> 00:22:32,840
And the
students have been

307
00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:35,200
so personable that I've
met, so

308
00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:37,800
I'm looking forward to it.
>> Welcome.

309
00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,880
» Thank you very much.
>> Sherry

310
00:22:38,485 --> 00:22:42,680
» [applause]
>> was in town

311
00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:47,000
yesterday. She attended our uh grade two
to three transition ice cream social,

312
00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:51,200
and I know she's coming back to meet the
faculty on a different day and spend a

313
00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:55,520
day shadowing Barb, so
she is graciously taking time from her

314
00:22:53,360 --> 00:22:59,640
current position to get to know us so
that come July 1, she'll hit the ground

315
00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:03,120
running when she begins.
Um Sherry, you're going to do a lot of

316
00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:07,080
board meetings when you're officially
the principal. I would welcome you and

317
00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:11,880
encourage you to run
right out the door and have a nice

318
00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:11,880
evening while you can.

319
00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:14,960
» Thank you.

320
00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:24,440
» Bye, Sherry. Thank you.
Um I'll just highlight a couple of other

321
00:23:20,120 --> 00:23:31,000
things. Um we did send to all certified
staff um the opportunity to take us up

322
00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:34,520
on an increased uh waiver for um hopping
off our benefits. Uh Nancy and I

323
00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:41,160
affectionately call it the get off our
benefits plan. Um

324
00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:46,280
we did the math until we figured out um
how many people would need to take it if

325
00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:50,000
we offered this to make it
um a benefit to the district because we

326
00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:54,080
have people who already receive a
waiver, so theirs would go up. So, if

327
00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:59,080
not enough people took it, we wouldn't
even cover it. It would cost us more.

328
00:23:56,320 --> 00:24:06,760
So, um we should know by the end of this
week if um we raised it enough that it

329
00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:10,480
encouraged people to hop off. Um
the other thing I'll just briefly

330
00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:13,560
mention and um
Kathy Gabrielson is going to tell you

331
00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:17,320
more about in a little bit is that we've
been working on developing um a

332
00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:22,960
transition program for our
18-to-22-year-old population.

333
00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:26,440
Um the impetus really was that the
program that we currently send our

334
00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:31,160
students to, which was here in Winsted,
is moving out of town.

335
00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:34,160
And so, there are two things about that
we didn't love. One is our

336
00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:38,360
transportation bill was going to go up
$50,000, which would be unbudgeted

337
00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:42,440
because we only just found it out about
2 months ago.

338
00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:46,680
And we feel strongly that our students
are best served in their own community,

339
00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:49,600
where they're learning to use public
transportation, where they're making

340
00:24:48,120 --> 00:24:53,760
connections, where they're working in
businesses in town.

341
00:24:51,440 --> 00:25:00,120
So, we are um
working quickly to get a program

342
00:24:56,840 --> 00:25:03,760
developed, staffed, and um programmed
for our students. So, Cathy's going to

343
00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:06,800
tell you a little more of the details.
Um and then the other thing I wanted to

344
00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:10,760
just highlight for you, and I'll send
around I brought you a copy of the

345
00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:16,840
beautiful flyer that Barb and Rosie sent
out. Um one of the things that we um

346
00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:21,240
worked on this year was making sure that
the transition between second grade and

347
00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:25,960
third grade was a smooth one. We know
that when students um move between

348
00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:30,720
buildings, it can be a time of stress
for them and for their parents, and we

349
00:25:27,760 --> 00:25:33,240
really wanted to make it seamless.
So,

350
00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:36,480
um
in addition to the things that we

351
00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:40,120
already did, which were wonderful, like
having the entire grade level come over

352
00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:42,960
and having smaller groups of students
come more than once.

353
00:25:41,840 --> 00:25:46,680
Um
Pearson School third-grade teachers

354
00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:49,840
scooped ice cream yesterday at an ice
cream social for the second graders and

355
00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:54,000
their families,
which was a great way to be able to put

356
00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:58,920
names and faces for the kids to actually
see who the teachers were, and uh we had

357
00:25:56,240 --> 00:26:03,720
paraeducators participating.
Um so, that was a huge hit. And then

358
00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:06,760
Barb will be hosting walking tours um
for parents who sign up to come in

359
00:26:05,320 --> 00:26:11,640
during the school day and just get a
walking tour through the school.

360
00:26:09,040 --> 00:26:15,000
Um I imagine if you have lots of older
kids, that might not feel necessary, but

361
00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:19,240
if it's your first child coming to
Pearson School, it'll be a great way for

362
00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:23,360
families to walk the building,
sort of just put aside any butterflies

363
00:26:21,400 --> 00:26:26,720
they may have. So, we're really excited
about all of that.

364
00:26:25,120 --> 00:26:31,360
And then the one other thing I'll add to
my superintendent's report is that um

365
00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:36,520
when this went to press, there was not a
date set yet for the vote, but May 30th

366
00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:41,640
um would fall right in this very full
list. May is um

367
00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:46,080
a very, very busy time for us, and May
30th now will be the vote. Um and my

368
00:26:44,360 --> 00:26:51,280
understanding is that at the end of this
week, by Friday, absentee voting will be

369
00:26:48,840 --> 00:26:57,280
available um and can be accomplished by
simply going into the town clerk

370
00:26:54,400 --> 00:27:01,720
um during regular town clerk hours and
attesting that you don't anticipate

371
00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:06,320
being available on um the Saturday of
the vote and you can

372
00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:08,680
vote right there and then. So.
>> Do you know what the hours are on

373
00:27:07,360 --> 00:27:12,360
Saturday?
So everybody knows.

374
00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:17,800
» For the voting, um I believe 8 to 8.
>> And the town clerk's hours are Monday,

375
00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:22,160
Tuesday, Wednesday 8 to 4, Thursday 8 to
6, and Friday 8 to 12.

376
00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:27,440
That was your last opportunity to speak.
>> Great.

377
00:27:28,360 --> 00:27:30,720
» And I think that's about [clears throat]
it for me.

378
00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:33,440
» All right.
>> For now.

379
00:27:32,320 --> 00:27:36,000
We have a nice full agenda, there's
plenty more.

380
00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:44,000
» Absolutely.
Okay. On to committee reports. Finance

381
00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:49,000
Committee. Um
when we met uh

382
00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:53,120
we basically went over uh some of the
scenarios we might have been looking at

383
00:27:51,800 --> 00:27:58,000
um
as far as

384
00:27:55,080 --> 00:28:02,400
cuts within the budget um with a million
dollar cut that we received from the

385
00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:08,440
Board of Selectmen. Um
so we went over that and uh that

386
00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:11,880
basically took the content of that
committee.

387
00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:16,160
Um
All right. Uh teaching and learning.

388
00:28:17,120 --> 00:28:20,400
» We actually did not have a committee
meeting.

389
00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:24,384
» Mhm.
>> Um

390
00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:24,384
nothing [crying]

391
00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:28,259
We got the minutes.
>> Got it.

392
00:28:27,640 --> 00:28:32,040
» We got it.
>> [laughter]

393
00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:38,720
» So there was no meeting. Um so there's
nothing to report. Um Policy Committee.

394
00:28:36,120 --> 00:28:42,680
» We sent the following policies uh to the
full board for deletion, concepts and

395
00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:46,760
rules and instruction, COVID-19
emergency measures, extra class

396
00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:52,920
activities, and offsite computer use. We
sent uh the uh following policies to be

397
00:28:50,360 --> 00:28:56,840
under review for adoption. Parent family
engagement policy title one, parental

398
00:28:55,040 --> 00:29:00,480
access to instructional materials,
parent teacher communication, and

399
00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:04,040
promotion and retention.
>> Thank you, Jonathan.

400
00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:08,120
And the Gilbert School Committee did not
meet again.

401
00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:11,160
Uh so there's nothing to report.
Uh

402
00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:14,160
item D, liaison report, Gilbert School
Court.

403
00:29:11,880 --> 00:29:18,200
» Gilbert recently cut $300,000 from its
budget subsequent to this budget cut.

404
00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:21,240
Policies titled code of ethics,
confidentiality, code of ethics

405
00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:24,120
development, distribution and
maintenance of manual policies,

406
00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:28,400
regulations, bylaws,
policy adoption, revision, affirmation,

407
00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:32,440
amendments to bylaws, uh formulation,
adoption, uh amendment of administrative

408
00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:35,400
regulations, suspension of policies,
bylaws, and regulations, public

409
00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:37,840
meetings, time, place, and notification
of meetings,

410
00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:42,480
public and executive sessions, and
construction of the agenda were all

411
00:29:39,760 --> 00:29:46,320
approved by the Gilbert Court.
>> Okay.

412
00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:46,320
Thank you.

413
00:29:46,600 --> 00:29:54,280
Okay, on to item seven, information
[clears throat] items. Uh we have the

414
00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:58,160
enrollment reports.
>> Excuse me, Mr.

415
00:29:55,520 --> 00:30:03,320
Um enrollment data,
most current enrollment, on the over

416
00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:07,200
under, the Winchester Public Schools are
up six students.

417
00:30:05,320 --> 00:30:11,120
I will tell you that it isn't as simple
as like which grade went up or down

418
00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:16,040
because every grade goes up and down one
here and there, and so the net balance

419
00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:20,800
is six, and Gilbert is down eight since
the beginning of the year.

420
00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:20,800
» Okay.

421
00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:30,360
On to
>> Julie, some of you may have heard about

422
00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:35,600
St. Anthony's opening.
So St. An- St. Anthony's um is

423
00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:38,640
uh
sending out I don't know the word I want

424
00:30:37,240 --> 00:30:41,120
to say, announcing, I guess, if you
will. I don't know if they're formally

425
00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:45,240
announcing, but um
sending out information and saying that

426
00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:51,280
they will be opening
not in the coming fall which is fall 26

427
00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:55,120
but in fall 27 for pre-K to grade two.
>> You think that will affect us in any way

428
00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:59,280
or we don't know yet?
>> I don't know yet. I would first be

429
00:30:57,360 --> 00:31:02,040
curious to know what the tuition will
be.

430
00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:05,840
You know, if it's inexpensive I would
imagine it might have greater impact

431
00:31:03,760 --> 00:31:09,760
than if it's more expensive. So I think
it's too soon to say.

432
00:31:12,920 --> 00:31:18,160
» Attendance report.
>> [clears throat]

433
00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:24,240
» Attendance report. I am pleased to say
that we are trending well. Our average

434
00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:28,480
daily student attendance is up
just a little bit over last year and up

435
00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:34,360
since last month.
And similarly our chronic absenteeism is

436
00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:37,960
down a little bit
um

437
00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:43,320
compared to last year at this time.
And when you look at the year to date we

438
00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:48,720
are trending a little bit better in both
areas than we ended the year.

439
00:31:46,160 --> 00:31:52,120
So I would say that our
work is making a difference.

440
00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:57,360
But we are nowhere near satisfied. We're
going to

441
00:31:55,760 --> 00:32:02,000
keep going on that one till we really
get those numbers

442
00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:05,960
We're well ahead of state's expectations
but not where we want to be yet.

443
00:32:03,880 --> 00:32:09,400
» April looks great. It really looks
great. Congratulations to the teacher

444
00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:11,880
and admin for putting in those efforts
to get everyone there. Takes a lot of

445
00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:15,560
work.
>> There's all kinds of fun things going

446
00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:19,480
on. Maybe I'll ask next month for the
principals to do a little update but

447
00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:23,800
they're doing things like random
Wednesday. If you're in school we're

448
00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:27,240
pulling a raffle and just all kinds of
I'll say silly things to encourage

449
00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:32,440
school attendance and then also
meaningful things like family outreach.

450
00:32:30,520 --> 00:32:36,640
We believe things like the innovation
station change that we made and just our

451
00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:40,600
reasons for kids to come to school.
We're really trying to make sure that

452
00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:43,440
they are engaged and excited about their
learning.

453
00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:46,440
» How about the morning program, you know,
where you get kids together? Do you

454
00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:50,800
think that's coming into this?
>> Absolutely. I think morning meeting

455
00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:55,680
makes for a very strong
and safe transition into the school day.

456
00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:57,960
So, I think it minimizes morning fears
and worries.

457
00:32:56,600 --> 00:33:01,920
» Mhm.
Great.

458
00:32:59,480 --> 00:33:01,920
Thank you.

459
00:33:03,160 --> 00:33:08,800
» Um to personnel report.
>> Um

460
00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:12,640
I'll highlight just a couple of quick
things for you. Under the current

461
00:33:10,720 --> 00:33:16,240
vacancy list,
I'm 99% sure I sent you all an email,

462
00:33:15,080 --> 00:33:21,080
but
I did, right about Nancy?

463
00:33:17,880 --> 00:33:27,520
Um let me formally say, look at the face
already. Um after, I don't know, 111

464
00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:30,873
years of service to this district, Nancy
um

465
00:33:28,120 --> 00:33:35,600
has finally made the decision to retire
[clears throat] at the end of June.

466
00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:40,160
Um I have no words. It will be a huge
loss for us. Um

467
00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:45,440
we're underway with a search. We have
applicants coming in and

468
00:33:42,160 --> 00:33:49,360
you know, we'll be okay. But, we
will sorely miss Nancy, and so we are

469
00:33:47,720 --> 00:33:53,920
working on trying to have someone in
place by July 1st. Nancy has already um

470
00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:57,440
pulled back that retirement idea a
little bit and said, "Well, you know, if

471
00:33:55,160 --> 00:34:01,640
you don't find any good candidates."
So, I I'm not too worried that we'll

472
00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:06,080
have a gap because I think her arm is
twistable if need be, and I know she'll

473
00:34:03,600 --> 00:34:08,040
make for a smooth transition.
Um

474
00:34:06,600 --> 00:34:12,760
» How many years
in our district?

475
00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:16,080
» Um 11 11 plus.
>> Thank you.

476
00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:18,399
» Nancy came in in the midst of um the
receivership.

477
00:34:17,639 --> 00:34:23,840
Uh
to a million dollar in the red hole and

478
00:34:21,240 --> 00:34:26,600
was told figure it out, and it took the
better part of a year to get the books

479
00:34:25,600 --> 00:34:31,000
from the prior [clears throat] year
straightened out.

480
00:34:29,159 --> 00:34:34,280
» Things were on yellow notepad, I think,
if I recall.

481
00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:35,560
» It was Yeah, it was remarkable.
>> Yeah.

482
00:34:34,720 --> 00:34:39,159
» Yeah.
Yeah.

483
00:34:38,200 --> 00:34:42,480
Yeah.
Thank you for all your time, energy, and

484
00:34:40,560 --> 00:34:47,399
stress, and
willingness to work with it.

485
00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:51,320
Persistence. Yeah.
Great.

486
00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:51,320
Thank you.

487
00:34:51,879 --> 00:34:58,240
Um and the other thing I'll just point
out is that under vacancies, I believe I

488
00:34:56,000 --> 00:35:02,120
still have to do a finalist interview,
but I believe we have a special

489
00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:07,440
education teacher in hand for um the
position of the Gilbert schools. So,

490
00:35:05,720 --> 00:35:09,920
we're closing in on at least one of
those.

491
00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:17,760
» Okay, folks.
On to item D, monthly budget summary.

492
00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:24,680
» Uh let's see.
Um

493
00:35:25,880 --> 00:35:32,080
So, that front page, you'll notice
the grant money, I think I've explained

494
00:35:30,640 --> 00:35:35,840
previously, but it always bears
repeating that the way we manage our

495
00:35:34,280 --> 00:35:42,120
federal grants,
um because they're allowed to span 2

496
00:35:38,800 --> 00:35:45,000
years, is that as a safety net, we spend
like

497
00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:48,840
part of it this year and part of it next
year, and we do that every year. So,

498
00:35:46,880 --> 00:35:52,240
every year we're spending the full grant
amount, but we're spending half of the

499
00:35:50,800 --> 00:35:55,720
old one, half of the new one. It's not
actually half, but you get the idea.

500
00:35:54,480 --> 00:36:00,240
Um
so, it will There will always be um a

501
00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:04,040
grant balance at the bottom there. It
doesn't mean we're suddenly wealthy. It

502
00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:09,920
just means that we're
being careful, and

503
00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:14,200
if the world were ever coming to an end,
theoretically, we could spend both years

504
00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:18,840
of the grant, the old one and the new
one, fully, what was left in the old one

505
00:36:16,320 --> 00:36:22,200
and all of the new one, and then really
be without a paddle the following year,

506
00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:25,680
but
that's why we do it that way, so that

507
00:36:24,040 --> 00:36:30,200
there would be a safety net if something
really unimaginable happened.

508
00:36:28,440 --> 00:36:33,800
Um
On the second page, page 20 of your

509
00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:37,920
packet,
um

510
00:36:35,080 --> 00:36:42,560
you're going to hear from Nancy and
perhaps Kathy as well about pupil

511
00:36:40,440 --> 00:36:47,640
transportation and special ed out of
district tuition. At the last meeting,

512
00:36:44,920 --> 00:36:51,680
Nora, I think it was you who asked
for a better understanding of why we're

513
00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:54,040
trending
spending more than we anticipated.

514
00:36:53,270 --> 00:36:57,600
[clears throat]
Um

515
00:36:55,680 --> 00:37:03,080
And then fortunately, I'll point out
that 5XX line, um

516
00:37:00,720 --> 00:37:07,920
after we had a budget put together last
year, um there was a change made at the

517
00:37:05,320 --> 00:37:12,600
state level about the amount of tuition
for the Vo-Ag program. So, we have a

518
00:37:10,880 --> 00:37:16,200
little bit of a surplus in that line,
which is helping us mitigate some of the

519
00:37:14,520 --> 00:37:20,120
overage.
And our supply line, um

520
00:37:19,160 --> 00:37:24,040
I won't [clears throat] say we've done a
freeze. I think it just

521
00:37:22,360 --> 00:37:28,760
This is one said where we're not used to
really having any money, so we naturally

522
00:37:26,440 --> 00:37:32,520
freeze ourselves and we have money left
in instructional supplies and

523
00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:35,680
instructional software.
Um

524
00:37:33,920 --> 00:37:39,720
it won't go to waste because again,
we're

525
00:37:36,720 --> 00:37:42,880
out of pocket in the other areas, so
um

526
00:37:41,720 --> 00:37:45,480
What was the one other thing I was going
to point out?

527
00:37:45,560 --> 00:37:49,760
That's good enough.
>> Approximately, how many people go to the

528
00:37:47,880 --> 00:37:52,400
Vo-Ag program?
>> 30-ish, I think, right?

529
00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:56,040
» I'm sorry.
>> About 30 students go to Region 7 Vo-Ag

530
00:37:55,000 --> 00:38:00,960
program.
>> Okay. Thank you.

531
00:37:58,080 --> 00:38:07,920
» And on the last page, I'll just point
out that um

532
00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:12,240
in this month's um plan, Nancy has
been able to really look more closely at

533
00:38:09,880 --> 00:38:15,640
what's encumbered. Um early in the year,
we encumber funds based on what we

534
00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:19,720
expect to spend, and then at this time
of year, we go back and and say, "Oh,

535
00:38:17,440 --> 00:38:23,600
okay, well, this was encumbered for a
tuition for a student who's moved away,

536
00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:27,520
or this was encumbered for something
that we bought and it turns out it was

537
00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:31,200
less money. So, we clean up any
encumbrances

538
00:38:29,120 --> 00:38:36,120
and um based on all of the work that
Nancy's done to figure out where we are,

539
00:38:33,360 --> 00:38:40,560
we are back to the full 440
um being available for next year.

540
00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:45,520
That could still change. The year's not
over, but as we sit here tonight, that's

541
00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:50,800
better. There's one new grant on here,
the quality enhancement LGP grant. It's

542
00:38:48,440 --> 00:38:55,080
just shy of $10,000.
We literally were just awarded it. Um we

543
00:38:53,480 --> 00:38:58,480
haven't even gotten the money yet, and
it can be carried over into next year,

544
00:38:57,120 --> 00:39:03,560
and it has to do with the local
governance partner.

545
00:39:00,200 --> 00:39:06,440
Our Families and Futures Futures and
Families Collaborative. I'm butchering

546
00:39:05,120 --> 00:39:08,202
it, but those are some of the words,
right?

547
00:39:07,040 --> 00:39:11,880
» Yes.
>> [laughter]

548
00:39:09,840 --> 00:39:15,880
» And um
the other thing I'll point out is um

549
00:39:13,680 --> 00:39:19,840
DRIP was something new this year. It
wasn't probably until about February

550
00:39:17,960 --> 00:39:23,520
that the state actually sort of figured
out what the amounts were per town, but

551
00:39:21,720 --> 00:39:28,680
that stands for District Repair and
Improvement Program.

552
00:39:25,720 --> 00:39:32,840
And um one of the things that we are
looking into, I don't know if we'd be

553
00:39:30,520 --> 00:39:36,320
able to, but um when Kathy talks about
the transition program,

554
00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:43,680
we may need to do a little work on a
space to make it really fabulous, and

555
00:39:40,200 --> 00:39:48,040
so the DRIP money can be used for um
school buildings,

556
00:39:45,640 --> 00:39:52,000
and so arguably, we're not sure if that
means you have to own the building or if

557
00:39:50,040 --> 00:39:55,880
it's simply enough that you're educating
students in that setting.

558
00:39:53,760 --> 00:40:00,080
So, because the places that we're
looking for, we're trying not to do our

559
00:39:58,200 --> 00:40:02,960
transition program like in Pearson
School, cuz that's really not where your

560
00:40:01,720 --> 00:40:06,920
18-year-old
22-year-olds want to be. So, if we have

561
00:40:05,120 --> 00:40:11,520
to do some modest
work, we would be able to use DRIP money

562
00:40:08,800 --> 00:40:14,320
towards it. We hope. We're going to
do the research.

563
00:40:12,280 --> 00:40:19,880
» But worst case scenario, I mean, they
have their separate entrance at Pearson.

564
00:40:17,000 --> 00:40:22,320
If we're to have a
>> If it went there, we would figure out

565
00:40:21,240 --> 00:40:24,960
how to make it work, but
>> The worry there would be

566
00:40:23,560 --> 00:40:27,800
within the population of the
>> How many students are we talking? 18,

567
00:40:26,880 --> 00:40:29,960
22?
>> Five to six.

568
00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:31,920
» Okay.
>> If every student who's currently in our

569
00:40:31,360 --> 00:40:33,600
program
>> Sure.

570
00:40:32,520 --> 00:40:35,880
» stays
comes over, which of course is a PPT

571
00:40:35,280 --> 00:40:38,000
decision.
>> Yeah.

572
00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:39,600
» But we think we're developing something
spectacular.

573
00:40:38,960 --> 00:40:41,600
» Mhm.
>> And Cathy's going to tell you all about

574
00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:45,880
it in a few minutes.
>> Okay.

575
00:40:43,720 --> 00:40:45,880
Perfect.

576
00:40:46,880 --> 00:40:51,120
Quarterly food service financial
summary.

577
00:41:00,520 --> 00:41:05,880
» So, this is the food service report that
goes through March 30th.

578
00:41:04,080 --> 00:41:09,960
» And the reason that you're getting it
now is because of the lag time of

579
00:41:07,960 --> 00:41:14,600
getting all the information in.
And what the uh revenues are like

580
00:41:12,760 --> 00:41:18,760
through the third quarter that are
anticipated to come in. Um but there's

581
00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:23,200
there's a two or three-month lag of the
state

582
00:41:19,960 --> 00:41:27,000
paying the uh the lunch revenues
into our budget.

583
00:41:24,680 --> 00:41:30,520
So, it's very tight.
Um

584
00:41:27,840 --> 00:41:33,880
the lunch receipts have been tracking
quite well.

585
00:41:31,920 --> 00:41:38,160
The reimbursement
seems to be tracking well as well to the

586
00:41:36,760 --> 00:41:42,120
the budget.
Head Start is

587
00:41:40,120 --> 00:41:46,840
also tracking. I mean, everything seems
to be tracking quite well.

588
00:41:44,600 --> 00:41:50,200
If I look at the expense side of this
report,

589
00:41:48,240 --> 00:41:54,760
that's where things get a little bit uh
more concerning, and the cost of

590
00:41:52,400 --> 00:41:57,800
supplies and food, of course, has gone
up.

591
00:41:55,680 --> 00:42:02,360
So, we're looking at being a little bit
over there. But um

592
00:42:00,360 --> 00:42:06,880
we're also looking at
um

593
00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:12,840
the anticipated revenue just being
enough to cover that we would come in

594
00:42:10,240 --> 00:42:17,080
at $400 balance at the end of the school
year. So, we'll see how it goes from

595
00:42:16,040 --> 00:42:22,560
here.
Um but it's it's tough and it's it's

596
00:42:20,560 --> 00:42:27,760
very tight and
the uh food service managers have been

597
00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:32,080
working hard to not run up their hours
and sending their folks home and trying

598
00:42:30,560 --> 00:42:34,560
to look for sales when they're buying
stuff and

599
00:42:33,600 --> 00:42:37,800
so
Thank you for paying attention to that.

600
00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:41,000
I know it's always been tight tight.
Last year it was tight.

601
00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:45,600
» Two years ago it was terrible.
>> That's right. So, I'm glad it's not

602
00:42:44,160 --> 00:42:50,960
we're not back to that.
>> No, yeah. I mean that two years ago was

603
00:42:47,880 --> 00:42:54,000
$40,000 in the red. It was horrible.
And we've never been in the red before.

604
00:42:52,880 --> 00:42:56,240
So, that was
>> Yeah.

605
00:42:54,600 --> 00:42:59,920
» Yeah.
So.

606
00:42:57,560 --> 00:42:59,920
» Thank you.

607
00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:04,760
» Um

608
00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:09,880
So, that's up next if you want to
>> Go for it.

609
00:43:08,160 --> 00:43:12,000
» So, next up is the
>> Um

610
00:43:10,040 --> 00:43:16,880
» in response to your question, Nora.
>> Mhm.

611
00:43:13,760 --> 00:43:22,640
» We are over budget for out of district
um transportation and tuition and

612
00:43:18,920 --> 00:43:22,640
Nancy's going to tell you why.

613
00:43:22,760 --> 00:43:27,840
That's a big question.
>> Matthew, do you have the Can you put

614
00:43:24,920 --> 00:43:27,840
that up, please?

615
00:43:32,160 --> 00:43:37,280
» Thank you.
>> And maybe refresh cuz Nancy was working

616
00:43:36,120 --> 00:43:39,760
on it late into the afternoon.
>> was.

617
00:43:43,240 --> 00:43:48,960
Yes. Okay, good. Good. Good.
So,

618
00:43:48,760 --> 00:43:52,360
the
>> And you may not need to look at that so

619
00:43:50,400 --> 00:43:54,840
much, but I asked Nancy to have a visual
for you cuz it's a lot of information.

620
00:43:54,400 --> 00:43:59,240
» Yeah.
>> I'll take you through it, but uh right

621
00:43:57,280 --> 00:44:03,160
now if I we look at just the out of
district transportation and the out of

622
00:44:01,160 --> 00:44:09,520
district tuition,
we're looking at a deficit of over for

623
00:44:07,040 --> 00:44:16,760
And there are a few primary drivers to
that. Specifically, we've had uh new

624
00:44:13,680 --> 00:44:20,600
outplacements that have uh cost us
money.

625
00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:25,160
We have uh
folks who have moved into the district

626
00:44:23,280 --> 00:44:30,840
with placements that have already been
made that have put us over 350 plus

627
00:44:28,920 --> 00:44:36,680
thousand dollars.
And then we have had uh higher than

628
00:44:33,720 --> 00:44:42,480
planned for transportation and tuition
costs. When we put together the budget

629
00:44:40,280 --> 00:44:46,920
many months ago
we did not have that information and gas

630
00:44:44,400 --> 00:44:52,400
prices had not gone crazy. Uh not to
mention the shortage of drivers. So

631
00:44:49,520 --> 00:44:55,280
um those are the primary reasons that
we've

632
00:44:53,560 --> 00:45:00,160
gone so far over. And we have a few
students, three students who changed

633
00:44:57,520 --> 00:45:03,800
schools since they were placed. And so
that

634
00:45:01,320 --> 00:45:06,720
ran their uh their costs up to over what
had been budgeted for those specific

635
00:45:05,520 --> 00:45:12,920
students.
So we've had some come in, some go out.

636
00:45:10,680 --> 00:45:16,120
And it's
it's over.

637
00:45:13,960 --> 00:45:21,320
» Will this hit like account Tell us how
that affects like the excess cost shares

638
00:45:19,640 --> 00:45:25,680
formula? Can you walk us through that?
>> is figured into this. Is it? Yes, it is.

639
00:45:23,800 --> 00:45:28,320
So the excess cost that we're getting
this year

640
00:45:26,960 --> 00:45:32,960
is
over uh

641
00:45:30,840 --> 00:45:36,320
million dollars.
So it's it's helped us a lot. Or we'd be

642
00:45:35,760 --> 00:45:41,320
in
>> deeper water.

643
00:45:37,400 --> 00:45:41,320
» Deep deep doohickey. Yes.

644
00:45:41,400 --> 00:45:48,240
» Some districts um in the budget process
but you know, we build based on actual

645
00:45:46,640 --> 00:45:52,760
students. We obviously don't share their
names or publish them in a booklet

646
00:45:49,680 --> 00:45:59,200
anywhere, but we know like line one is
student JL and line two is student SC.

647
00:45:56,920 --> 00:46:04,760
And it we build the budget based on
students. Many districts put a blank

648
00:46:01,680 --> 00:46:08,560
line for um contingency student one,
contingency

649
00:46:06,080 --> 00:46:13,520
contingency student two, contingency
student three even

650
00:46:10,640 --> 00:46:17,600
um based on their ability to do that.
We, in an effort to keep a budget number

651
00:46:16,040 --> 00:46:23,280
that's
going to get through um scrutiny,

652
00:46:20,760 --> 00:46:26,880
have zero padding for that, which all of
us feel a little bit is like jumping out

653
00:46:24,800 --> 00:46:31,960
the plane without a parachute. But, we
don't feel that our budget process

654
00:46:29,000 --> 00:46:37,240
supports I'll say, you know, imaginary
placeholder students. But, the reality

655
00:46:34,160 --> 00:46:42,880
is, as you see, kids move in, kids move
out. I mean, it is a moving target. And

656
00:46:39,600 --> 00:46:46,760
so, it is really complex. You know, may
the odds be ever in your favor that more

657
00:46:44,640 --> 00:46:50,880
kids move out than move in.
Um

658
00:46:48,320 --> 00:46:55,440
but, it is fairly typical to budget
placeholder students, and we don't do

659
00:46:52,960 --> 00:47:00,800
that because we try so hard to get our
percent down to something that will be

660
00:46:57,040 --> 00:47:05,560
considered um livable in the town.
>> I think that's why the the 440 400 440,

661
00:47:04,000 --> 00:47:08,800
whatever that fund is, is very important
because of this variable that could

662
00:47:07,040 --> 00:47:11,240
shift at any moment.
That could put us underwater.

663
00:47:10,640 --> 00:47:14,960
Um
can you walk me through the various

664
00:47:12,760 --> 00:47:17,560
parent choice programs? What does that
mean?

665
00:47:15,520 --> 00:47:21,520
» So, the various parent choice programs
would be things like Explorations,

666
00:47:20,520 --> 00:47:29,000
um
AgriScience magnet. And if you go there

667
00:47:25,600 --> 00:47:33,360
and have an IEP, we have to pay for your
special education services, which is

668
00:47:31,240 --> 00:47:38,360
often as much as about I think grade
seven is $28,000

669
00:47:36,280 --> 00:47:41,760
that we pay for the special education
costs for someone who's attending there

670
00:47:40,400 --> 00:47:45,600
for AgriScience.
>> This is the the so-called upcharge

671
00:47:43,840 --> 00:47:47,920
special upcharge.
>> the one way to say that, for sure.

672
00:47:47,280 --> 00:47:51,840
» The
crack we have 13 kids at crack magnet

673
00:47:50,080 --> 00:47:58,040
schools, for example.
Um and then we also have kids at uh

674
00:47:55,240 --> 00:48:01,080
at Advance and Highlander Transition
Academy.

675
00:47:59,040 --> 00:48:04,800
» Those are Those are special education
placements.

676
00:48:01,560 --> 00:48:04,800
» Sorry, I picked the wrong one.

677
00:48:05,320 --> 00:48:09,800
I know it's has notes here.
>> Which Highlander will

678
00:48:08,720 --> 00:48:14,200
» No,
that's right.

679
00:48:12,160 --> 00:48:17,960
Those are part of the placements, too.
>> Those are choice placements, though.

680
00:48:16,760 --> 00:48:22,600
You were right the first time when you
said Explorations, Region 7, the correct

681
00:48:20,680 --> 00:48:26,840
magnet schools are choice placements.
>> Yes. Yes. So, these are largely

682
00:48:27,880 --> 00:48:33,880
» Largely. We have one or two students in
the district. I don't even know if they

683
00:48:31,960 --> 00:48:38,920
have IEPs, but we have only one or two
students who attend magnet school that

684
00:48:35,520 --> 00:48:38,920
are elementary school aged.

685
00:48:39,280 --> 00:48:41,800
» Okay.

686
00:48:41,840 --> 00:48:47,120
So, if they're elementary, they're
staying with us. If they're secondary,

687
00:48:45,000 --> 00:48:50,440
they're largely leaving us.
>> There's a lot more options for secondary

688
00:48:49,120 --> 00:48:56,000
students than there are elementary
between the AgriScience, um

689
00:48:53,440 --> 00:49:00,360
which is our tech school, Abbott Tech.
>> Wilcox, Oliver Wolcott Tech.

690
00:48:57,200 --> 00:49:03,320
» Oliver Wolcott Tech. Um
so, there are definitely more

691
00:49:01,440 --> 00:49:07,360
explorations and
>> Pratt.

692
00:49:04,880 --> 00:49:07,360
» Okay.

693
00:49:09,800 --> 00:49:12,080
Hm.

694
00:49:13,240 --> 00:49:20,280
» So, our
for the budget for the upcoming year,

695
00:49:17,560 --> 00:49:23,760
we've kind of
prepared.

696
00:49:22,560 --> 00:49:26,120
» So, we cut it close again.
>> We cut it close.

697
00:49:24,440 --> 00:49:31,000
» We We budgeted based on the actual
students we know about now.

698
00:49:28,320 --> 00:49:36,560
Um and we did put in
uh I think 7% increase or something for

699
00:49:33,920 --> 00:49:39,480
the tuition. Last year, Kathy started at
like 7 or 8, and

700
00:49:38,000 --> 00:49:43,480
Nancy and I pooh-poohed her, and we were
like, "You put in 10." And we were like,

701
00:49:41,920 --> 00:49:50,720
"Ridiculous. We can't go out with this
budget." And we took her numbers down to

702
00:49:45,360 --> 00:49:54,040
maybe 5%. We wanted to go to three. Um
because

703
00:49:51,840 --> 00:49:58,640
the things that you're guessing on
we're saying we need to

704
00:49:56,080 --> 00:50:03,440
gamble because we can't go forward with
a 10% increase on the budget.

705
00:50:00,800 --> 00:50:07,760
» I mean we're over 712,000
>> in the hole.

706
00:50:05,680 --> 00:50:11,600
» So how does that get paid?
>> Uh because we didn't spend all the

707
00:50:09,600 --> 00:50:13,440
supply money, because
>> have money to cover it.

708
00:50:12,880 --> 00:50:15,560
» Yes.
>> It's not going to be carried over into

709
00:50:14,840 --> 00:50:18,400
the next budget.
>> no, no, no. It can't.

710
00:50:16,560 --> 00:50:22,160
» No, no, but I mean it it has to be paid
though, right?

711
00:50:19,240 --> 00:50:27,000
» If we try Well, so at one point Nancy
had us using about $100,000 of the 440

712
00:50:25,760 --> 00:50:29,640
line
break even.

713
00:50:28,755 --> 00:50:34,920
» [laughter]
>> Because we have to get even. If we were,

714
00:50:32,800 --> 00:50:39,760
let's say at midyear and we were like,
"Wow, we are really upside down." We'd

715
00:50:38,000 --> 00:50:43,120
be putting a budget freeze. We would
stop buying the things we need.

716
00:50:41,680 --> 00:50:46,640
Theoretically, we would have to lay
people off.

717
00:50:44,760 --> 00:50:47,920
» and you make it up in other ways.
>> Right.

718
00:50:47,000 --> 00:50:52,400
» Pull it from other places.
>> Okay, got it. There have been instances

719
00:50:50,200 --> 00:50:58,120
where, um, I think it was Shelton a few
years back had to let go tons of

720
00:50:56,160 --> 00:51:01,640
employees in April because they weren't
going to meet their budget. You Like,

721
00:51:00,000 --> 00:51:05,960
you don't get to not meet your budget.
So you have to make midcourse

722
00:51:02,960 --> 00:51:09,280
corrections if your costs go haywire.
>> With all the money.

723
00:51:06,920 --> 00:51:13,040
» Yeah, but the other alternative is to go
back to the town for a supplemental

724
00:51:11,160 --> 00:51:15,920
appropriation, which is not a popular
thing to do.

725
00:51:14,280 --> 00:51:19,900
» That'd be like this town.
>> I I'd be scared to.

726
00:51:17,880 --> 00:51:19,900
» [laughter]

727
00:51:21,000 --> 00:51:26,160
» I haven't slept in 2 years
for exactly this reason.

728
00:51:24,320 --> 00:51:29,200
» How much can this be mitigated by tier
two and tier three intervention

729
00:51:27,600 --> 00:51:34,080
programs?
>> I think that's a question for Kathy.

730
00:51:31,600 --> 00:51:34,080
» Okay.

731
00:51:36,840 --> 00:51:43,000
But when they go to Region 7, I mean,
that's just people going to school

732
00:51:40,880 --> 00:51:46,520
there. It's not per
>> Right. The Region 7 program

733
00:51:45,040 --> 00:51:49,680
» They have the options to do that. Or
well, or well try, right? But they have

734
00:51:48,200 --> 00:51:51,480
the option they could just say I want to
go to that school.

735
00:51:50,680 --> 00:51:53,400
» Well, they have
>> They have to apply.

736
00:51:52,160 --> 00:51:57,160
» With region seven, they have to apply.
Same with Oliver Wolcott, I'm sure. They

737
00:51:54,880 --> 00:52:00,840
have to be accepted, but whether or not
they have a special education program

738
00:51:58,760 --> 00:52:03,920
can't be a factor in whether or not we
send them and whether or not they're

739
00:52:02,480 --> 00:52:07,440
admitted.
If they're admitted and they go, then we

740
00:52:05,720 --> 00:52:12,560
have to pay the special education piece
of it in addition to the

741
00:52:09,640 --> 00:52:16,120
» tuition, but the tuition is
below 5,000.

742
00:52:13,880 --> 00:52:19,000
» Can they choose region 20 as well?
>> Yeah, Ag Sci program? No, because we

743
00:52:17,560 --> 00:52:22,520
have region seven.
>> So,

744
00:52:20,720 --> 00:52:26,680
unless this has changed, cuz I was an Ag
principal back in the day, you must go

745
00:52:24,800 --> 00:52:28,920
to the Ag school that
>> is

746
00:52:27,160 --> 00:52:32,440
» It's not necessarily the closest, but
the one that you're connected with. Your

747
00:52:30,280 --> 00:52:36,560
district has to declare one. The one
exception is that if your

748
00:52:35,120 --> 00:52:42,080
Ag program that your district is
associated with doesn't offer the

749
00:52:38,520 --> 00:52:44,640
strand, you can get special exception to
go to a different one.

750
00:52:44,040 --> 00:52:48,920
» Gotcha.
>> For example, um, Trumbull High School

751
00:52:46,680 --> 00:52:55,280
had the large animals and
someone else didn't, you could go there.

752
00:52:52,440 --> 00:52:58,800
» It's called Nexus, isn't it?
>> Um, you could use it that way, but

753
00:52:57,240 --> 00:53:02,880
that's
a little bit different for the Ag

754
00:53:00,360 --> 00:53:02,880
program.

755
00:53:04,520 --> 00:53:07,760
So,
>> Are we ready for

756
00:53:06,440 --> 00:53:10,720
» Well, I just had a question
>> tier two, three

757
00:53:08,560 --> 00:53:14,160
» Tier two and tier three were designed to
help

758
00:53:11,960 --> 00:53:16,440
reduce the number of referrals that you
put through to special education?

759
00:53:15,720 --> 00:53:20,200
» Yeah.
>> Um,

760
00:53:18,000 --> 00:53:23,400
depends on your fidelity your fidelity
of instruction and the consistency of

761
00:53:22,440 --> 00:53:26,680
it,
whether or not you're able to provide

762
00:53:25,080 --> 00:53:28,840
the supports that students need in the
areas that they need it.

763
00:53:28,280 --> 00:53:30,680
» What's that?
>> The staffing.

764
00:53:29,880 --> 00:53:33,160
» Mhm.
>> Bottom line.

765
00:53:31,440 --> 00:53:36,160
» And the staffing and and material
resources.

766
00:53:34,520 --> 00:53:39,720
» And the professional development for the
regular ed teacher to be able to bring

767
00:53:37,920 --> 00:53:44,240
in the student
into the classroom for for instruction,

768
00:53:42,040 --> 00:53:47,320
full instruction.
>> That's me.

769
00:53:45,480 --> 00:53:49,920
Don't have that, but
you go to where the help is.

770
00:53:49,040 --> 00:53:52,080
» Mhm.
Mhm.

771
00:53:53,440 --> 00:53:55,920
» We'll get there.

772
00:53:56,240 --> 00:53:59,320
» Yes, we will.
>> One day.

773
00:53:59,440 --> 00:54:02,760
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.

774
00:54:01,280 --> 00:54:06,000
» Kathy's sitting in there, maybe you want
to just step over and go to transition

775
00:54:04,880 --> 00:54:07,240
program?
>> Um

776
00:54:06,872 --> 00:54:13,600
» [sighs and gasps]
>> yeah, so we're going to we're going to

777
00:54:09,200 --> 00:54:18,680
swap out G for H, H for G right now.
Um and we'll have

778
00:54:16,520 --> 00:54:22,920
Kathy talk about the transition program.
>> Nancy, thank you for the research.

779
00:54:22,120 --> 00:54:26,800
And Kathy, [clears throat] that was
definitely a joint effort on their part.

780
00:54:25,200 --> 00:54:31,040
» We spent some good hours together.
>> Mhm.

781
00:54:28,880 --> 00:54:34,880
Um so, I just I want to say thank you
for having me in tonight to share with

782
00:54:33,120 --> 00:54:39,200
you the exciting news that we are
launching or trying to launch the

783
00:54:37,000 --> 00:54:44,640
Winchester Transition Academy.
Uh we did look at the students that we

784
00:54:41,640 --> 00:54:49,080
have going out into transition academies
and while we have more than five or six,

785
00:54:47,640 --> 00:54:52,880
the students, the young adults that we
think that we

786
00:54:50,280 --> 00:54:56,840
can focus on are largely going to our
the in-district program that we have

787
00:54:54,360 --> 00:55:00,200
now, Highlander Transition Academy by uh
we did shared services.

788
00:54:59,040 --> 00:55:03,520
Um
we are in the process right now, the

789
00:55:01,560 --> 00:55:07,760
very beginning stages of it. We are
looking at locations, and when I say we,

790
00:55:05,760 --> 00:55:12,160
I, Julie, myself, Sarah Shackner, my
assistant director, have been out to

791
00:55:09,800 --> 00:55:15,840
look at numerous locations between the
college and some local entities here in

792
00:55:14,520 --> 00:55:20,680
town.
Um we have met with transportation

793
00:55:18,000 --> 00:55:23,960
companies to talk about whether or not
what they could provide to us would be

794
00:55:22,240 --> 00:55:28,720
financially viable in the footprint that
we budgeted for for next year,

795
00:55:26,200 --> 00:55:32,320
and looking at we you know, we've made
some postings and some job descriptions

796
00:55:30,640 --> 00:55:35,640
for a special education transition
teacher,

797
00:55:33,520 --> 00:55:40,160
a stipend for a transition coordinator
position, and job coaches.

798
00:55:38,560 --> 00:55:44,760
Um all of the young adults that we have
going out to work sites right now

799
00:55:42,520 --> 00:55:51,280
um do have job coaches that go out with
them so that they can be supervised,

800
00:55:47,240 --> 00:55:54,800
managed, trained, modeled, and directed
when they're on the work site.

801
00:55:53,320 --> 00:55:57,440
So, that's what we're excited to be
working on right now.

802
00:55:55,960 --> 00:56:01,920
» How many kids do you think you'd have in
that program?

803
00:55:59,640 --> 00:56:06,200
» We're looking at five to six potential.
And as Julie shared earlier, these are

804
00:56:03,880 --> 00:56:11,320
all PPT decisions. They're not
automatics just because we have it

805
00:56:09,080 --> 00:56:14,520
we're going to have them, but we would
be going to PPT probably over the summer

806
00:56:13,480 --> 00:56:18,320
with families.
>> Now, um when this is built out, is there

807
00:56:16,120 --> 00:56:22,640
an opportunity to, you know, expand
other towns and offer this

808
00:56:20,440 --> 00:56:26,840
as like a service that we provide or is
>> So, that would be a very long-range

809
00:56:24,360 --> 00:56:28,800
plan, in my opinion, but yes, it could
develop into that.

810
00:56:27,960 --> 00:56:32,200
» Okay.
That's a a revenue stream.

811
00:56:30,800 --> 00:56:37,920
» One of the things that I was just going
to add to is so, we're not adding

812
00:56:34,800 --> 00:56:42,480
positions into the budget freely. What
we've done is said, "Well, this is how

813
00:56:39,360 --> 00:56:46,960
much we budgeted for the tuition, so
that's our footprint. We can take the

814
00:56:44,520 --> 00:56:52,040
tuition money that we had budgeted to
pay for the teacher and the assistants

815
00:56:49,360 --> 00:56:56,720
and have it pay for itself."
>> So, the Highlander program

816
00:56:54,560 --> 00:57:00,080
chose not to continue. They were going
to move it to Torrington.

817
00:56:58,840 --> 00:57:02,360
» They are moving to Torrington.
>> They are moving to Torrington. Oh, so

818
00:57:01,200 --> 00:57:05,920
the program's still moving.
>> Yes.

819
00:57:03,160 --> 00:57:10,040
» And but we're deciding to to try and
create a program to keep our own

820
00:57:07,680 --> 00:57:14,480
students here. So, yes, there is
potential down the road to

821
00:57:12,360 --> 00:57:18,360
to potentially Can you talk a little bit
about

822
00:57:16,160 --> 00:57:21,120
the everyday of the students?
>> Yes, so um

823
00:57:20,080 --> 00:57:25,000
one of the things that Julie was
mentioning earlier is doing a little bit

824
00:57:22,520 --> 00:57:30,360
of renovation wherever we go.
As a core portion of a transition

825
00:57:27,800 --> 00:57:34,080
program is working on independence and
daily living skills, and that

826
00:57:31,760 --> 00:57:38,280
incorporates doing laundry,
um um, preparing, planning, and prepping

827
00:57:36,040 --> 00:57:42,520
meals, and making meals. So, most of the
young adults

828
00:57:39,640 --> 00:57:46,520
will have breakfast or make breakfast at
the academy. They'll make their lunch to

829
00:57:44,880 --> 00:57:50,600
take to their work site, and they'll go
out on work sites.

830
00:57:49,120 --> 00:57:54,200
Generally speaking, they're out on work
sites 5 days a week.

831
00:57:52,360 --> 00:57:57,320
There are times when we might say, "Hey,
you know what? This isn't This is going

832
00:57:55,680 --> 00:58:00,880
to be a week where we only go out two or
three days a week because we're planning

833
00:57:59,400 --> 00:58:06,640
for a holiday, and we want to make a big
holiday meal, and so we need time to do

834
00:58:03,160 --> 00:58:11,480
that here on site." Um, a transition
program can include looking at, um,

835
00:58:09,600 --> 00:58:16,080
training people and and practicing
role-playing job interviewing skills,

836
00:58:13,880 --> 00:58:20,120
completing resumes, how do you search
online for a job that looks feasible for

837
00:58:19,080 --> 00:58:23,760
you.
Um,

838
00:58:21,840 --> 00:58:29,480
working with young adults to help
determine what is feasible for them,

839
00:58:26,960 --> 00:58:32,120
bringing, um, outside agencies in to
meet with young adults and their

840
00:58:30,680 --> 00:58:35,760
families, like the Bureau of
Rehabilitation Services and the

841
00:58:33,760 --> 00:58:40,160
Department of Developmental Services to
say, "Here's what we can offer you

842
00:58:38,680 --> 00:58:42,840
once you're done
with this."

843
00:58:41,360 --> 00:58:46,720
Because what we don't want is for kid
for young adults to get to the edge of

844
00:58:44,640 --> 00:58:51,600
22 and then fall off a cliff and not
have something to go into.

845
00:58:50,080 --> 00:58:55,240
So, that's that's the
big

846
00:58:53,680 --> 00:58:58,480
orchestra
mezzanine view. So, you work on on

847
00:58:56,760 --> 00:59:03,200
placing them when they hit like 20 We
don't We don't place them. We work on

848
00:59:00,760 --> 00:59:07,920
helping to develop job skills. We
connect them with outside agencies,

849
00:59:05,240 --> 00:59:11,460
adult agencies that may be able to place
them.

850
00:59:09,480 --> 00:59:13,400
» You mentioned college. Excuse me,
[clears throat] are you talking about

851
00:59:12,080 --> 00:59:14,360
maybe Northwestern type?
>> Yes.

852
00:59:13,640 --> 00:59:16,520
» Yep. Okay.
>> Yep.

853
00:59:15,280 --> 00:59:20,720
» They've been very open to the
possibility of hosting us on campus. In

854
00:59:18,600 --> 00:59:25,720
fact, I learned that our we had a
transition program back in the day, and

855
00:59:22,720 --> 00:59:28,720
it was in fact housed at the college.
>> Yeah.

856
00:59:26,520 --> 00:59:34,160
» So, there's precedence for it, and we
think that that would be um potentially

857
00:59:30,760 --> 00:59:35,760
a really nice connection and feel really
um

858
00:59:34,760 --> 00:59:38,840
positive for our [clears throat]
students

859
00:59:36,920 --> 00:59:41,720
who would be graduating or leaving high
school and

860
00:59:39,960 --> 00:59:45,480
heading out to a college setting just
feels right.

861
00:59:43,280 --> 00:59:49,280
» Does Edvance do any of this at all?
Would you be competing with them?

862
00:59:47,880 --> 00:59:50,600
» No, we'd be competing with Shared
Services.

863
00:59:49,800 --> 00:59:52,160
» Shared Services.
>> Okay.

864
00:59:51,406 --> 00:59:56,560
» [clears throat]
>> Okay.

865
00:59:53,720 --> 01:00:01,200
» So, as Dr. Levine had mentioned, um
since it was transitioning to Tor- to

866
00:59:59,520 --> 01:00:06,000
Torrington,
a lot of the students from Winsted still

867
01:00:03,640 --> 01:00:09,760
had placement jobs in Winsted. So, the
transportation costs from Torrington to

868
01:00:08,640 --> 01:00:15,640
Winsted
would be a little bit more than

869
01:00:12,440 --> 01:00:19,720
than it was when it was here in Winsted.
So, um building out this program

870
01:00:18,760 --> 01:00:22,840
seemed
a better idea.

871
01:00:21,320 --> 01:00:27,040
So, thank you.
>> To the point Nora about competition, I

872
01:00:24,960 --> 01:00:32,480
will say just as an example because one
of our upcoming topics is preschool. Um

873
01:00:29,720 --> 01:00:36,800
as an example, Shared Services does host
a preschool program for the towns that

874
01:00:34,480 --> 01:00:41,160
they serve, but some of the towns that
they serve have their own in-house

875
01:00:39,000 --> 01:00:44,200
preschool programs. So, I don't think
it's I don't They're you know, they're

876
01:00:43,040 --> 01:00:48,960
not [clears throat] a for-profit
industry. They're here to serve and so I

877
01:00:46,040 --> 01:00:51,520
don't see it as
conflict-inducing

878
01:00:50,560 --> 01:00:55,200
to
I don't see it as competition. I see it

879
01:00:53,280 --> 01:00:57,960
as good on us if we can do this for
ourselves.

880
01:00:56,520 --> 01:01:02,200
» And then in an effort to maintain
positive relations and the fact that I

881
01:01:00,480 --> 01:01:06,440
do see myself as a colleague of the
administration of Shared Services, I did

882
01:01:04,240 --> 01:01:10,080
have a conversation with them and shared
with them that we were undertaking this

883
01:01:08,560 --> 01:01:12,480
and looking to try and have something
open for the fall.

884
01:01:11,560 --> 01:01:15,960
» Okay.
>> And this would be more convenient for

885
01:01:14,200 --> 01:01:18,880
for our parents as well.
>> And some of our young adults are not

886
01:01:17,280 --> 01:01:23,200
crazy about being transported all the
way to Torrington. Some of them walk to

887
01:01:21,200 --> 01:01:26,080
St. Anthony's where HTA is currently
located because they don't want to be

888
01:01:24,640 --> 01:01:29,720
transported.
So,

889
01:01:27,520 --> 01:01:33,360
there's there's a lot of ups
to doing this.

890
01:01:31,240 --> 01:01:39,480
» We see potentially um learning to use
the local bus system that runs through

891
01:01:36,160 --> 01:01:44,720
and around Winsted as being part of the
program because again we are hoping that

892
01:01:42,360 --> 01:01:49,560
our young adults will become
as independent as they possibly can be

893
01:01:46,760 --> 01:01:52,440
here in our community. Meeting people,
finding work.

894
01:01:51,080 --> 01:01:56,640
The work that they do, I'll just point
out um their job sites

895
01:01:54,760 --> 01:02:00,640
are job training. They are not being
paid for their time there. They are um

896
01:01:58,840 --> 01:02:04,600
using it as a learning environment and
that So, the job coach goes with and

897
01:02:02,960 --> 01:02:08,800
works with them there.
Um and I think in time some students

898
01:02:07,280 --> 01:02:13,640
develop um
that as a future employment, but they're

899
01:02:11,080 --> 01:02:17,040
learning employability skills
through that.

900
01:02:14,160 --> 01:02:20,440
» How consistent is the number 5-6, you
know, in the program? Would that be

901
01:02:18,880 --> 01:02:25,080
probably what you would anticipate for
10 years, 2 years? We don't know yet.

902
01:02:23,520 --> 01:02:26,720
» In in the year and a half that I've been
here,

903
01:02:25,988 --> 01:02:30,800
» [laughter]
>> we've had five young adults both years

904
01:02:28,960 --> 01:02:35,200
and we've had people graduate and new
people enter both years.

905
01:02:32,760 --> 01:02:35,200
» Okay.

906
01:02:37,560 --> 01:02:41,600
What's the average tuition cost? Just
just curious.

907
01:02:40,720 --> 01:02:44,160
» For HTA?
>> Uh yeah, for

908
01:02:43,120 --> 01:02:48,520
yeah, just curious.
>> For the transition program, I believe

909
01:02:46,000 --> 01:02:52,600
this year it's about $51,000
in change. And next year it's about 54

910
01:02:51,400 --> 01:02:55,640
in change, 50 in change.
>> or is that for all five?

911
01:02:54,000 --> 01:02:57,560
» per student.
That's low.

912
01:02:56,840 --> 01:03:00,120
» Really?
>> Yeah.

913
01:02:58,120 --> 01:03:02,960
» It's probably the least expensive out of
all the places we have.

914
01:03:00,840 --> 01:03:06,920
» tuition that we pay for any student out
of district other than parent choice

915
01:03:05,000 --> 01:03:11,520
programs.
If you're placed by PPT, you're paying

916
01:03:08,600 --> 01:03:14,680
quite a bit of money for tuition.
>> Well, I'm encouraged that it's in

917
01:03:12,600 --> 01:03:19,720
district. Chances are we can try to save
some money as we bring programs in.

918
01:03:17,640 --> 01:03:21,560
Yeah, that's important.
>> Okay.

919
01:03:19,880 --> 01:03:24,760
» I think in this case and certainly we
hope that it will lead to savings, but

920
01:03:23,080 --> 01:03:29,160
that wasn't our goal. Our goal really
was um a strong belief that our students

921
01:03:27,600 --> 01:03:30,480
would be best served within our own
community.

922
01:03:29,920 --> 01:03:34,640
» Mhm.
>> Which is why we weren't

923
01:03:32,280 --> 01:03:36,440
running down this road when it was at
St. Anthony's because

924
01:03:35,880 --> 01:03:39,840
» Mhm.
>> it was in our community, it was perfect.

925
01:03:37,960 --> 01:03:45,480
But if it's leaving town, it felt like
now's the moment we should do this.

926
01:03:42,800 --> 01:03:47,760
» And you literally just found out what?
Month and a month

927
01:03:46,480 --> 01:03:50,120
» Found out in March.
>> Month and a half.

928
01:03:48,800 --> 01:03:53,760
Yeah.
>> Kathy looked at me when I walked in the

929
01:03:52,120 --> 01:03:56,280
and I was like, "Okay, we got to" She's
like, "What?" [laughter]

930
01:03:54,600 --> 01:03:58,800
» I I've never had morning sickness before
that day.

931
01:04:00,200 --> 01:04:05,320
» And I'm quoting her.
She asked me about that, otherwise I

932
01:04:04,200 --> 01:04:08,160
would never have said that.
>> How's your sense of humor today, Kathy?

933
01:04:06,920 --> 01:04:12,000
» Guess what we're doing.
>> And she's like, "What? For now?" And I'm

934
01:04:09,280 --> 01:04:16,080
like, "No, no, for for the fall."
>> It took me about 10 minutes to figure

935
01:04:13,720 --> 01:04:18,600
out what she was actually saying to me
because I just sort of

936
01:04:17,720 --> 01:04:21,720
was like
>> Well, you're in the midst of the budget,

937
01:04:20,080 --> 01:04:24,080
too, so all that.
>> Oh, yeah, it's fun.

938
01:04:22,680 --> 01:04:28,600
» Credit to um
we met with Paul Harrington and talked

939
01:04:26,120 --> 01:04:33,360
about ideas around town. He was um
excited to tell us he was negotiating

940
01:04:31,400 --> 01:04:36,280
improvements to the bus line so that it
wasn't constantly just going to

941
01:04:34,640 --> 01:04:40,560
Torrington that but that it was actually
doing loops through Winchester. And he

942
01:04:38,440 --> 01:04:46,560
also put us in touch with someone who
owns a lot of properties here in town um

943
01:04:43,600 --> 01:04:51,680
who has graciously met first with me and
then with Kathy and Sarah and is one of

944
01:04:49,320 --> 01:04:59,160
our potential locations.
Um we're hoping to find something that's

945
01:04:54,040 --> 01:04:59,160
either no rent or very little rent. Um

946
01:04:59,520 --> 01:05:03,480
So, we really the community has been
very helpful.

947
01:05:03,000 --> 01:05:08,160
» Yes.
>> Mhm. Well, thanks for pivoting.

948
01:05:06,720 --> 01:05:10,680
» I'm the director of student services,
it's what we do best.

949
01:05:08,920 --> 01:05:12,200
» It's your middle name.
Best trait, right?

950
01:05:11,600 --> 01:05:15,840
» That's it.
>> Patience and flexibility.

951
01:05:14,120 --> 01:05:18,310
» We work on both of those on a daily
basis.

952
01:05:16,290 --> 01:05:18,310
» [laughter]

953
01:05:18,720 --> 01:05:23,520
» Thank you.
>> You're welcome. Thank you, Jenny.

954
01:05:21,080 --> 01:05:28,000
» And I'll ask Cathy next month when we
know so much more.

955
01:05:25,440 --> 01:05:32,840
Um by next month, hopefully we will have
settled on a location and have a little

956
01:05:30,480 --> 01:05:35,120
more information.
Which case maybe [clears throat] we'll

957
01:05:33,680 --> 01:05:37,720
draw up some pictures of where we're
going and

958
01:05:36,400 --> 01:05:40,240
all the cool things we're doing to get
it ready for our students.

959
01:05:39,240 --> 01:05:43,280
» Great.
>> The more she talks about it, the more I

960
01:05:41,400 --> 01:05:47,040
just want to be part of the program. I
mean, it just sounds amazing.

961
01:05:45,960 --> 01:05:50,960
I'm like, I'll get my special ed
certification and just do that instead

962
01:05:48,600 --> 01:05:50,960
of this.

963
01:05:52,720 --> 01:05:59,520
» All right.
Moving on to the long-term study update.

964
01:05:58,480 --> 01:06:03,680
» Yes.
Um I'll reiterate a couple of things I

965
01:06:01,720 --> 01:06:08,800
shared on committee night because again
we were at committee, but we have

966
01:06:06,800 --> 01:06:12,640
identified and
onboarded uh two consultants that are

967
01:06:11,000 --> 01:06:19,920
working as a team.
Jack Zamary and Tom McMoran. Both are

968
01:06:17,800 --> 01:06:23,320
former superintendents. Jack actually is
still a practicing superintendent

969
01:06:22,480 --> 01:06:27,400
um
in retirement because you can do that

970
01:06:25,720 --> 01:06:29,880
just under half time.
Um

971
01:06:28,320 --> 01:06:33,840
Jack, in addition to being a former
superintendent

972
01:06:31,800 --> 01:06:36,960
and a former director of finance and
operations,

973
01:06:35,280 --> 01:06:41,080
is also currently serving as a
superintendent in a district that

974
01:06:39,160 --> 01:06:43,800
successfully has an arrangement with an
endowed academy.

975
01:06:42,560 --> 01:06:47,800
So,
he brings that background knowledge of

976
01:06:45,960 --> 01:06:52,240
what an endowed academy is and what that
relationship works like.

977
01:06:49,720 --> 01:06:57,080
Um Tom was a regional district
superintendent, so he brings that. He

978
01:06:54,280 --> 01:07:03,160
also has construct um
experience working with DAS on

979
01:07:00,120 --> 01:07:06,880
construction projects and is currently a
student at

980
01:07:04,800 --> 01:07:10,916
Yale Divinity School.
Um so, we're going I'm thinking he's

981
01:07:08,720 --> 01:07:14,680
probably a very honest man.
>> [laughter]

982
01:07:12,240 --> 01:07:17,760
» Um, and to be doing a program like that
after retirement is just really cool.

983
01:07:17,040 --> 01:07:23,440
Um,
so we've had one initial meeting um, and

984
01:07:20,800 --> 01:07:28,280
have a second meeting um, day after
tomorrow.

985
01:07:24,600 --> 01:07:32,600
And after that they will leave me with
um, their marching orders to start going

986
01:07:30,720 --> 01:07:36,200
and having conversations. I will make
introductions for them um, with Mike

987
01:07:35,000 --> 01:07:40,391
Soucy.
Um, and they'll reach out to him to try

988
01:07:38,360 --> 01:07:41,280
and get a meeting with him.
>> [clears throat]

989
01:07:40,400 --> 01:07:45,760
» Um,
I'm going to suggest to them that they

990
01:07:43,320 --> 01:07:50,360
offer a couple of opportunities for a
Zoom with any board members who want to

991
01:07:48,480 --> 01:07:52,760
share ideas they have for possible
outcomes.

992
01:07:51,880 --> 01:07:56,640
Um,
I'll probably have them talk with Paul.

993
01:07:55,400 --> 01:08:00,200
Um,
in order to keep the price of this

994
01:07:58,320 --> 01:08:04,320
reasonable, I'm trying to keep them very
focused on the future.

995
01:08:02,400 --> 01:08:09,440
So that they are really looking at where
we are today and what the options are.

996
01:08:07,160 --> 01:08:13,840
Um, and only looking backwards to the
extent that it's necessary to inform the

997
01:08:12,080 --> 01:08:16,880
options.
Because if they start looking into For

998
01:08:15,720 --> 01:08:20,480
example, they said, "Well, do you want
us to do a study of sort of like all

999
01:08:18,480 --> 01:08:24,319
school districts this size?" And I said,
"Thank you, no thank you." Because we

1000
01:08:22,480 --> 01:08:30,200
are at this point looking at a cost
that's under $20,000 and I'm really

1001
01:08:27,160 --> 01:08:33,400
trying to keep it that way. Um,
I'm also going to try and talk Paul into

1002
01:08:31,680 --> 01:08:38,640
paying for it with town funds, but if
not um, this would be a 440 type

1003
01:08:36,240 --> 01:08:41,799
one-time-only expense we would have to
come up with.

1004
01:08:40,240 --> 01:08:47,200
Um, so that's where we are with that.
Oh, and the other thing I'm wanted to

1005
01:08:43,560 --> 01:08:51,359
point out is that um, we are Originally
we had asked them to get me something in

1006
01:08:49,319 --> 01:08:55,240
August so that I could
make sure it looked nice and nice for

1007
01:08:52,759 --> 01:09:00,480
presentation um, at the September board
meeting. We're going to try and um, have

1008
01:08:57,560 --> 01:09:04,000
it to the board in August. I I know that
it's realistic to have it to the board.

1009
01:09:02,400 --> 01:09:07,960
The August board meeting is like August
11th or something really early. We may

1010
01:09:06,279 --> 01:09:10,759
need to add a meeting a little bit later
in the month, but we're going to try and

1011
01:09:09,440 --> 01:09:15,279
get that out of the way before school
starts and things get

1012
01:09:12,680 --> 01:09:18,960
amped up. So, they they know that that's
a timeline we're hoping to achieve.

1013
01:09:16,920 --> 01:09:23,120
» And there was a request that we get the
report before it's presented to us so we

1014
01:09:21,160 --> 01:09:25,720
can digest it before it's presented to
us. So,

1015
01:09:24,000 --> 01:09:30,160
» Will they also meet with us as a board?
We talked about that once before.

1016
01:09:27,799 --> 01:09:33,040
Interviewing us, speaking with us. Can
>> That was what I had just mentioned, but

1017
01:09:31,600 --> 01:09:36,880
I won't have them We're not going to
plan a special board meeting for it.

1018
01:09:34,560 --> 01:09:40,480
They'll create opportunities for
a couple of board members at a time.

1019
01:09:39,000 --> 01:09:44,040
» So, it's not a meeting.
>> In other words, they could talk to four

1020
01:09:42,400 --> 01:09:46,319
of you at once and it's not a meeting.
So, if they say we're going to do a zoom

1021
01:09:46,080 --> 01:09:48,160
with
>> groups, if you will.

1022
01:09:47,720 --> 01:09:50,440
» Yeah.
>> Of sorts.

1023
01:09:49,080 --> 01:09:53,040
» Right. So, that if any board members
wish to speak with them, there's an

1024
01:09:51,600 --> 01:09:55,560
opportunity, but it's not a board
meeting.

1025
01:09:54,279 --> 01:09:58,120
In the spirit of easy.
>> Okay.

1026
01:09:56,520 --> 01:10:03,120
Um you mentioned that you're going to do
the introductions of the two people to

1027
01:10:00,920 --> 01:10:06,760
the head of schools. Um Zach's been
involved in academies. Do they know each

1028
01:10:05,160 --> 01:10:10,440
other at all
academy routes and conversations?

1029
01:10:09,720 --> 01:10:14,000
» I don't think so.
>> Okay.

1030
01:10:12,160 --> 01:10:17,920
» I'm almost certain I would have asked
both Zach and Tom, I'm sure we went over

1031
01:10:16,320 --> 01:10:21,000
a sort of the list of
who the people in the our community were

1032
01:10:19,520 --> 01:10:22,680
and they did not know people here.
>> Okay.

1033
01:10:21,680 --> 01:10:24,320
» Which I think is good.
>> Yeah.

1034
01:10:23,360 --> 01:10:28,400
Okay. Thank you.
>> They were recommended by um actually a

1035
01:10:26,200 --> 01:10:33,200
couple of different people. So,
they know Connecticut. Between them, I

1036
01:10:30,520 --> 01:10:35,320
think they know all the right pieces.
>> Okay.

1037
01:10:35,640 --> 01:10:40,800
» Good.
Good.

1038
01:10:38,000 --> 01:10:40,800
Any other questions?

1039
01:10:42,520 --> 01:10:45,600
Ellie, you still with us?

1040
01:10:47,240 --> 01:10:51,360
» Yeah, I'm here.
>> Okay. All right, perfect. Just checking.

1041
01:10:50,240 --> 01:10:55,720
All right,
uh on to item I, policies for first

1042
01:10:54,200 --> 01:10:59,960
read.
Hopefully everyone had a chance to

1043
01:10:58,640 --> 01:11:03,760
take a
read of these beforehand.

1044
01:11:12,200 --> 01:11:18,440
» I see yours is all written up.
Jonathan, are you going to present them

1045
01:11:16,280 --> 01:11:21,000
or
I'd be willing to do that.

1046
01:11:21,800 --> 01:11:25,000
» You have a few?
>> I'd be happy to do them for you.

1047
01:11:24,440 --> 01:11:27,240
» Yeah, you want to
>> give us two in the meantime.

1048
01:11:26,880 --> 01:11:29,800
» Okay.
>> Just patience.

1049
01:11:30,840 --> 01:11:38,120
» So, starting off with the parent and
family engagement policy.

1050
01:11:34,800 --> 01:11:43,840
» So, Title 1 for us, you know, I think
there are probably large districts where

1051
01:11:40,760 --> 01:11:48,400
like one school is a Title 1 school. We
are Title 1 as a district, so some of

1052
01:11:46,880 --> 01:11:53,480
this is a little bit different. Like our
school climate committee fulfills

1053
01:11:50,280 --> 01:11:58,600
aspects of this. Our
Just say it. Futures

1054
01:11:55,040 --> 01:12:02,680
» Winchester Futures and Families
>> F and F, Futures and Families. Like

1055
01:12:00,520 --> 01:12:05,280
those groups fulfill a lot of the
aspects of this.

1056
01:12:04,400 --> 01:12:09,560
Um
this policy has a lot in here about

1057
01:12:07,400 --> 01:12:13,200
things we're supposed to do. I think
that um

1058
01:12:11,400 --> 01:12:16,320
we really do do these things, but we
need to do a little bit of a crosswalk

1059
01:12:14,720 --> 01:12:19,640
to make sure that we're hitting all of
the points because it is about family

1060
01:12:18,120 --> 01:12:23,840
engagement.
And I think we're doing a great job with

1061
01:12:21,360 --> 01:12:27,920
family engagement, but this policy is
very prescriptive. And I do think we've

1062
01:12:26,000 --> 01:12:30,920
nailed it, but when I read it, it made
me twitch a little just at all the

1063
01:12:29,240 --> 01:12:32,880
specificity to make sure we're hitting
everything.

1064
01:12:31,600 --> 01:12:36,720
» You got a number of meetings that you
need to meet. Like you know, it seems

1065
01:12:35,080 --> 01:12:40,880
like to me that you're going to look at
120 meetings a day. Like if you got to

1066
01:12:39,280 --> 01:12:45,280
keep up that rate with the families. I
mean, we got 20% of families involved in

1067
01:12:43,480 --> 01:12:50,720
special ed.
Right? It calls for a certain number of

1068
01:12:47,080 --> 01:12:54,720
meetings a year.
So, that's about a

1069
01:12:52,560 --> 01:12:59,520
» Where are you looking, Nora?
Uh Title I facilitate parental

1070
01:12:57,040 --> 01:13:02,400
communication. It talks about Let me see
if I can give you the right specific

1071
01:13:00,840 --> 01:13:05,800
paragraph.
That conduct a meeting at the bottom of

1072
01:13:04,160 --> 01:13:10,240
that last page underneath three
strategies to support successful school

1073
01:13:07,800 --> 01:13:14,440
and family interactions each year within
the district involved in Title I, we

1074
01:13:12,640 --> 01:13:19,200
shall conduct a meeting at convenient
time to involve parents planning,

1075
01:13:16,040 --> 01:13:23,000
review, improve programs funded by Title
>> Right. So, those aren't like PPTs for

1076
01:13:21,320 --> 01:13:26,240
individual students. That would be like
our school climate committee meeting

1077
01:13:24,560 --> 01:13:28,720
where we're bringing in
families

1078
01:13:26,960 --> 01:13:31,120
» Okay. So, we'll hit it that way.
>> Right.

1079
01:13:29,240 --> 01:13:35,000
» Cuz you got to present curriculum, forms
of assessments, academic achievement

1080
01:13:33,160 --> 01:13:40,400
levels, standards, importance of
parental involvements. In addition to

1081
01:13:37,600 --> 01:13:44,360
the required annual meeting,
right? So,

1082
01:13:42,440 --> 01:13:48,280
um
shall opportunities for regular meetings

1083
01:13:46,280 --> 01:13:53,120
at flexible times during the day. I
mean, I'm just looking at this and I'm

1084
01:13:49,600 --> 01:13:57,280
thinking This screams of time needed for
>> And yet it's a required policy.

1085
01:13:55,360 --> 01:14:00,480
» to me, you know, I get it it's it's
required, but I'm looking and I'm

1086
01:13:58,880 --> 01:14:04,520
playing some a little bit of math. I
mean, if we've got 20% of our population

1087
01:14:02,480 --> 01:14:07,240
involved in Title I funds
>> Oh, no. We have the entire district

1088
01:14:05,920 --> 01:14:11,000
involved in Title I.
>> Okay.

1089
01:14:07,920 --> 01:14:14,480
» Nancy, how much Title I money do we get?
>> About 200,000

1090
01:14:14,600 --> 01:14:22,000
» So, for $200,000
>> $284,000 carryover and $300,000 Title I.

1091
01:14:20,200 --> 01:14:24,320
Right?
So, that's our district. I mean, I just

1092
01:14:23,480 --> 01:14:29,480
looked at the budget.
>> Right. So, we get about 200 a year. So,

1093
01:14:27,200 --> 01:14:32,360
for $200,000 we will stand on our head
and spit nickels if that's what they

1094
01:14:30,720 --> 01:14:36,480
need us to do.
Um

1095
01:14:34,320 --> 01:14:39,800
But yes, to your point, we are reviewing
this closely to see what we do that

1096
01:14:38,400 --> 01:14:45,160
fulfills it and what we would need to
add because yikes.

1097
01:14:41,760 --> 01:14:47,040
» This is new as of when? 20
>> No, after you. I just have a quick

1098
01:14:46,560 --> 01:14:49,840
question.
>> I mean, it's

1099
01:14:47,880 --> 01:14:51,560
copy written 2020 but this is new as of
right?

1100
01:14:50,920 --> 01:14:55,160
Like this
>> Um

1101
01:14:52,920 --> 01:15:00,000
So we are just getting to the 6000
series that are switch over.

1102
01:14:57,560 --> 01:15:02,200
Um
All right.

1103
01:15:03,080 --> 01:15:05,800
» Wow.
>> I'm just I'm just um

1104
01:15:05,400 --> 01:15:09,640
» Yeah.
>> I empathize is what I'm trying to say is

1105
01:15:07,880 --> 01:15:13,120
I simply empathize the amount of
workload that this puts on people to be

1106
01:15:11,920 --> 01:15:16,560
able to meet this
>> Yep.

1107
01:15:13,440 --> 01:15:19,920
» series 6000 instruction given how
prescribed this is and the number of

1108
01:15:18,400 --> 01:15:23,240
prescribed meetings that you've got and
what you have to convey at those

1109
01:15:21,000 --> 01:15:27,120
meetings. I mean it's not just like
you know, having a meeting to talk about

1110
01:15:24,880 --> 01:15:34,240
open house. It seems like you got to
share curriculum assessment standards.

1111
01:15:31,120 --> 01:15:38,440
Um and and wow. That's all I have to say
is just simply wow.

1112
01:15:35,920 --> 01:15:43,760
When we need special ed teachers we're
struggling to find them to employ them.

1113
01:15:41,680 --> 01:15:47,160
I mean I I I think the initiative is is
good and all but the prescription of

1114
01:15:45,360 --> 01:15:49,560
this is just wow.
>> Well, and it's separate from special

1115
01:15:48,840 --> 01:15:52,800
education.
>> Yeah.

1116
01:15:50,560 --> 01:15:55,800
» I mean it actually has theoretically no
overlap with it.

1117
01:15:53,800 --> 01:15:58,240
» So yeah.
Wow.

1118
01:15:59,080 --> 01:16:05,040
» Go for it.
>> It does say um all parents participating

1119
01:16:03,000 --> 01:16:08,160
children must be invited and encouraged
to attend. Um there's no stipulation

1120
01:16:07,000 --> 01:16:11,200
that says we have to have a certain
amount of parent involvement to fulfill

1121
01:16:09,920 --> 01:16:13,080
this or is it they just have to be
invited?

1122
01:16:12,200 --> 01:16:15,480
» Right.
>> Okay.

1123
01:16:18,240 --> 01:16:22,640
» And then you have to like if they're
unhappy with the Title 1 program

1124
01:16:21,160 --> 01:16:25,320
opportunities to make comments for
review for the district level, you have

1125
01:16:24,200 --> 01:16:28,640
to to figure out who's going to handle
that.

1126
01:16:27,320 --> 01:16:31,160
» We'll just reach out to the Title 1
coordinator and put them right on it.

1127
01:16:30,120 --> 01:16:34,040
» Okay.
>> Oh wait, we don't have one of them.

1128
01:16:32,520 --> 01:16:38,720
» Right. I was just saying who would be in
charge of this sort of bit?

1129
01:16:37,320 --> 01:16:40,560
Given the number of meetings and the
prescription.

1130
01:16:39,840 --> 01:16:43,120
» Be ever nice.
>> Um

1131
01:16:43,160 --> 01:16:47,720
» It's okay. We'll figure it out.
It's what we do.

1132
01:16:47,520 --> 01:16:50,240
» Okay.
>> It It hurts. Don't read it. Just

1133
01:16:49,080 --> 01:16:54,120
» All right. All right.
>> Just

1134
01:16:52,280 --> 01:16:56,400
It hurts. When I first read it, I put it
back down on the table. It's like I'm

1135
01:16:55,080 --> 01:16:58,520
not even bringing this one to the board.
>> Wow.

1136
01:16:57,520 --> 01:17:01,520
Wow.
>> Yeah, there's a lot in there.

1137
01:17:01,560 --> 01:17:06,920
» All right.
>> And it's a federal S is the federal,

1138
01:17:04,680 --> 01:17:10,360
right? Every student succeeds act?
>> Yep.

1139
01:17:08,200 --> 01:17:10,360
» Okay.

1140
01:17:10,480 --> 01:17:17,440
Thank you.
>> Let's move on to parental access to

1141
01:17:14,600 --> 01:17:23,640
instructional material.
>> Yeah, this one's another doozy.

1142
01:17:20,360 --> 01:17:27,160
Do you Do you want to um a motion for I
know it says policy is first read. Do

1143
01:17:25,520 --> 01:17:29,840
you want to motion to accept? It seems
like our hands are tied. It's federal

1144
01:17:28,480 --> 01:17:33,440
mandate.
>> Well, they're not on as an action item.

1145
01:17:31,600 --> 01:17:36,440
» Okay. So, it's a different part of the
Got you.

1146
01:17:34,320 --> 01:17:39,360
» the four policies next month for
adoption.

1147
01:17:37,120 --> 01:17:42,400
» Sure.
Okay.

1148
01:17:40,960 --> 01:17:45,200
» For what it's worth, we're in the sixes.
We are so close to done. Just so you

1149
01:17:44,600 --> 01:17:47,600
know.
>> Just a little bit of a heart attack

1150
01:17:46,280 --> 01:17:50,640
along the way.
So, okay. This is

1151
01:17:49,320 --> 01:17:52,360
» And then there'll be a whole bunch of
them coming right back.

1152
01:17:51,680 --> 01:17:54,160
» this.
>> Okay.

1153
01:17:53,000 --> 01:17:56,560
» Jonathan's [laughter] having way too
much fun with this.

1154
01:17:55,080 --> 01:17:58,240
» It was It was fun though.
>> Yep.

1155
01:17:57,360 --> 01:18:01,760
» He loves this.
>> Yeah.

1156
01:17:59,160 --> 01:18:03,680
» He's really good at it, too.
>> Jonathan?

1157
01:18:02,520 --> 01:18:06,960
» Absolutely.
All right. Parental access to

1158
01:18:04,880 --> 01:18:11,600
instructional materials.
>> Again, required. We have to get things

1159
01:18:09,400 --> 01:18:15,920
up on the website. Some of them don't
exist, but as we create them, we'll be

1160
01:18:13,880 --> 01:18:19,400
putting them on there.
>> Okay.

1161
01:18:16,560 --> 01:18:21,760
» Make the July 1 deadline.
>> Right?

1162
01:18:19,680 --> 01:18:25,720
» No. There's no way. I mean, if we don't
have a written math curriculum, then

1163
01:18:24,360 --> 01:18:29,240
what I mean, we can put on there the
resource that we use and call that a

1164
01:18:27,560 --> 01:18:32,520
curriculum, but
um

1165
01:18:30,360 --> 01:18:35,720
we can't do what we can't do. I mean,
what we have, we will make accessible to

1166
01:18:34,760 --> 01:18:38,240
people immediately.
>> Okay.

1167
01:18:36,440 --> 01:18:41,920
» Um we'll create a section of the
website. There is a section already that

1168
01:18:40,120 --> 01:18:45,320
has some
>> How far are we to be completed then?

1169
01:18:44,040 --> 01:18:49,480
What percent can you give a ballpark
percent? Like we're at 37% there?

1170
01:18:47,960 --> 01:18:53,080
» For written curriculum for everything we
did?

1171
01:18:51,080 --> 01:18:56,000
» Yeah, that's I don't think there is a
lot of written curriculum here.

1172
01:18:55,000 --> 01:18:57,480
We have science.
>> you approve it and have curriculum you

1173
01:18:56,720 --> 01:18:58,720
have to put it on. You haven't approved
it yet.

1174
01:18:58,200 --> 01:19:02,600
So I can't put
>> Right.

1175
01:19:00,440 --> 01:19:06,760
We got nothing.
Yeah.

1176
01:19:04,360 --> 01:19:09,600
» It says it says means any instructional
materials any instructional content

1177
01:19:08,280 --> 01:19:12,800
that's provided to a student that's
that's like classroom assignments and

1178
01:19:11,280 --> 01:19:15,080
homework assignments. Is that part of
that?

1179
01:19:13,720 --> 01:19:19,600
» So that's not what needs to be on the
website. The curriculum scope and

1180
01:19:17,560 --> 01:19:23,640
sequence has to be on the website. The
other stuff

1181
01:19:21,600 --> 01:19:28,280
it means if a parent says, you know, I
want to see this book they're reading,

1182
01:19:26,640 --> 01:19:32,720
we have to make it accessible. I want to
see this homework assignment my child

1183
01:19:30,480 --> 01:19:37,200
did or I want The only thing that we
wouldn't share would be

1184
01:19:35,240 --> 01:19:40,880
tests and assessments.
But you know, a lot of these policies

1185
01:19:39,440 --> 01:19:44,720
come out of things where school
districts just made bad decisions. You

1186
01:19:43,280 --> 01:19:48,000
know, a parent said, well, I want to see
that thing and they said, no, you can't

1187
01:19:46,480 --> 01:19:52,400
see that thing. And then next thing you
know, we're in court over it.

1188
01:19:50,560 --> 01:19:56,720
So we passed the policy, but the reality
is we would not have turned parents away

1189
01:19:54,440 --> 01:20:00,080
anyway if they wanted to see something
we do.

1190
01:19:58,160 --> 01:20:03,600
We welcome that. We encourage family
involvement. So

1191
01:20:01,360 --> 01:20:06,280
» But we have CKLA?
>> We do for language arts.

1192
01:20:04,920 --> 01:20:10,640
» isn't that something that could be
posted pretty quickly like an overview

1193
01:20:08,480 --> 01:20:13,680
page with general objectives?
>> So that's not a curriculum, it's a

1194
01:20:11,960 --> 01:20:16,440
resource, but in the absence of a
written curriculum that is what we'll

1195
01:20:15,000 --> 01:20:20,000
put on the website because we're
following it. So

1196
01:20:18,240 --> 01:20:23,480
» It's a de facto curriculum I guess you'd
say.

1197
01:20:21,960 --> 01:20:26,760
» Okay.
>> Okay.

1198
01:20:24,360 --> 01:20:31,880
Parent teacher communication.
>> Um, we do this and we do this well. We

1199
01:20:28,880 --> 01:20:37,120
do conferences twice a year. We get 95%
of our parents in. We dog parents to

1200
01:20:34,600 --> 01:20:41,280
make sure they come. Our principals keep
track. They ask the teachers to report.

1201
01:20:39,360 --> 01:20:45,080
They go after anybody who didn't come
and try and reschedule them.

1202
01:20:43,520 --> 01:20:50,640
Um
again, we love parent involvement, so

1203
01:20:47,960 --> 01:20:54,280
this is a required policy, but we're in
this one

1204
01:20:52,200 --> 01:20:57,920
was an easy one for us.
>> Good.

1205
01:20:56,040 --> 01:21:02,280
Promotion and retention.
>> Um and this too, I would say to you

1206
01:20:59,520 --> 01:21:05,680
again, required policy, but we um go a
little further than this policy. They

1207
01:21:03,840 --> 01:21:10,920
talk about um
So, the research on retention is that on

1208
01:21:07,920 --> 01:21:16,440
the over under, it's not a good idea.
The research says that um

1209
01:21:13,520 --> 01:21:20,440
retention does not typically get you
where you meant to be.

1210
01:21:18,040 --> 01:21:23,560
Um that said, every child is an
individual, and I'll tell you even

1211
01:21:22,040 --> 01:21:28,080
though I've read all the research, I did
retain one of my children. It's not that

1212
01:21:25,360 --> 01:21:34,080
we're going to say you never retain, but
you don't do it casually. It it's a big

1213
01:21:30,680 --> 01:21:37,120
decision. It has ripple effects, and so
um if we're making decisions about

1214
01:21:35,880 --> 01:21:40,320
retention,
um this policy says that it's the

1215
01:21:38,880 --> 01:21:43,760
principal, the teachers, the guidance
counselor, and other support personnel.

1216
01:21:42,120 --> 01:21:47,200
We include parents in that decision,
because if you are considering

1217
01:21:45,200 --> 01:21:50,680
retention, it won't be successful if the
parents don't agree with that decision.

1218
01:21:49,760 --> 01:21:55,160
Um
so, we view that as a team decision, and

1219
01:21:53,200 --> 01:21:59,400
one that we don't take lightly, and one
that we go into

1220
01:21:57,240 --> 01:22:03,960
knowing we're not huge fans, but also
open to the possibility that sometimes

1221
01:22:01,040 --> 01:22:03,960
it just makes sense.

1222
01:22:04,000 --> 01:22:11,160
» Can we Can we just uh quickly go back to
page 29, the previous policy,

1223
01:22:08,120 --> 01:22:13,560
parent-teacher communication?
Just so [clears throat] I understand it.

1224
01:22:12,960 --> 01:22:16,791
For
conducting a parent-teacher conference,

1225
01:22:15,120 --> 01:22:19,840
that last paragraph.
>> [snorts]

1226
01:22:17,760 --> 01:22:23,800
» Um to provide a copy of the document
developed by the Department of Education

1227
01:22:21,280 --> 01:22:28,200
private information, la la la, available
for students and their families prior to

1228
01:22:25,640 --> 01:22:33,040
the parent-teacher conference. Do we
Do we normally do that or is that going

1229
01:22:29,520 --> 01:22:33,040
to have to be a shift in practice?

1230
01:22:48,280 --> 01:22:51,440
That last paragraph.

1231
01:23:01,000 --> 01:23:04,080
It's
>> Section B.

1232
01:23:03,240 --> 01:23:09,200
» Yeah, it's the same thing.
>> Section B is for remote when we If we're

1233
01:23:06,400 --> 01:23:12,320
in a closure.
Section B is if schools close you do

1234
01:23:11,600 --> 01:23:14,760
remote learning.
>> talking about the paragraph at the very

1235
01:23:13,960 --> 01:23:18,040
end underneath Section
>> No, but it refers to

1236
01:23:16,120 --> 01:23:20,360
remote learning in Section B.
>> Okay.

1237
01:23:19,560 --> 01:23:22,840
I got you.
>> So, it's a reference to B above to

1238
01:23:22,160 --> 01:23:25,000
provide by the
>> Which the state does not

1239
01:23:24,360 --> 01:23:27,440
» Okay.
>> want us to do, so.

1240
01:23:26,200 --> 01:23:29,480
» Okay. Thank you.
>> That's

1241
01:23:28,000 --> 01:23:31,400
» Yeah.
>> Right?

1242
01:23:30,280 --> 01:23:35,360
» You're thinking about yourself.
>> I was thinking like, okay, another one

1243
01:23:33,400 --> 01:23:39,480
of those added on duties.
>> Okay, that's great. Thank you.

1244
01:23:38,600 --> 01:23:45,320
Okay.
>> Moving on. Action items uh in May,

1245
01:23:42,240 --> 01:23:50,360
policies for possible deletion, concepts
and roles and instruction.

1246
01:23:47,640 --> 01:23:55,160
» So, as you know in our policy cleanup,
we are pulling any policies um if they

1247
01:23:53,240 --> 01:23:59,160
are just naturally replaced by a new
one, we just do that. But, if they're

1248
01:23:56,760 --> 01:24:02,600
not necessarily clearly replaced by
something else, we're bringing it to you

1249
01:24:00,680 --> 01:24:07,960
to officially delete.
Each section in our old policy manual

1250
01:24:04,880 --> 01:24:11,680
had a concepts and roles
fluffy statement that doesn't really say

1251
01:24:09,720 --> 01:24:16,080
anything, and the one that we have now
is from 1996, and it's my recommendation

1252
01:24:14,200 --> 01:24:19,680
that we let that go.
>> So, we're going to

1253
01:24:17,600 --> 01:24:23,600
have her review all these, and then
we'll vote on a grouping.

1254
01:24:22,040 --> 01:24:27,680
And and we need to pull one out if
somebody has we'll do it that way so we

1255
01:24:25,720 --> 01:24:30,200
don't vote on any any good ones.
>> Okay.

1256
01:24:28,400 --> 01:24:35,840
» All right.
All right. COVID-19 emergency measures.

1257
01:24:33,880 --> 01:24:41,160
» So, um
we're advised by council that they and

1258
01:24:38,320 --> 01:24:44,840
everyone else have made COVID policies
um

1259
01:24:41,840 --> 01:24:48,480
defunct at this stage. Someone who has
COVID would interact with the world the

1260
01:24:47,120 --> 01:24:54,640
same way they would do if they had the
flu or strep throat or anything else.

1261
01:24:51,200 --> 01:24:57,040
Um this is not a required policy.
Um

1262
01:24:59,440 --> 01:25:04,080
You're being facetious. Sorry, I got
you.

1263
01:25:02,200 --> 01:25:09,840
I wasn't looking.
Um so, we're not expected to maintain a

1264
01:25:06,520 --> 01:25:15,280
COVID policy any longer.
>> After class activities.

1265
01:25:14,000 --> 01:25:17,960
» I don't have a lot of words for this
one, but it's from 1996.

1266
01:25:17,360 --> 01:25:21,840
Um
>> In here.

1267
01:25:20,120 --> 01:25:24,160
» Well, here you go.
>> No, that's what I need in here.

1268
01:25:23,280 --> 01:25:28,960
» Oh, well, the way
>> I'm coming up on my 30th reunion.

1269
01:25:26,440 --> 01:25:28,960
» Oh, okay.

1270
01:25:29,120 --> 01:25:35,320
No, I knew that. That was just bad math
on my part. Just the way he said it.

1271
01:25:33,200 --> 01:25:39,560
Um
So, this is very secondary. We don't

1272
01:25:37,160 --> 01:25:44,880
have student officers. Um we definitely
don't have extracurricular secret clubs.

1273
01:25:42,080 --> 01:25:47,960
Um this
There are million different ways that we

1274
01:25:46,360 --> 01:25:52,240
have other policies that would keep us
from

1275
01:25:49,200 --> 01:25:54,560
having clubs overtake the
Yeah.

1276
01:25:52,840 --> 01:25:55,920
» And this is K through 6.
>> Yes.

1277
01:25:54,720 --> 01:25:59,480
» We're not talking high school.
>> Right. Our policies only apply

1278
01:25:57,920 --> 01:26:02,080
» what I'm saying. Like, I mean, I can I
can just see this something in high

1279
01:26:00,800 --> 01:26:06,360
school, but
not in elementary.

1280
01:26:02,760 --> 01:26:11,400
» And in fact, there are policies um
for extracurricular activities and

1281
01:26:09,640 --> 01:26:14,800
» Yeah, so we already have them.
>> This is

1282
01:26:12,480 --> 01:26:17,960
not where we want to be.
Um

1283
01:26:15,600 --> 01:26:19,480
» Outside computer use. Is is this
something that we hold

1284
01:26:19,144 --> 01:26:22,280
» [clears throat]
>> Hold that.

1285
01:26:20,480 --> 01:26:24,080
Is anyone Okay.
>> There was one that

1286
01:26:23,400 --> 01:26:27,760
» That was kind of a
>> It had something to do with like loaning

1287
01:26:25,400 --> 01:26:31,680
out or something. This That was in the
financial policies, I think, actually.

1288
01:26:29,640 --> 01:26:34,600
So, this policy is 28 years old and it's
about computers.

1289
01:26:32,920 --> 01:26:37,280
» Which were brand new in those days.
>> So, and rare.

1290
01:26:35,800 --> 01:26:40,760
» Hopefully, you don't need me to say much
more except that like back then nobody

1291
01:26:39,600 --> 01:26:44,680
took computers home. Now,
[clears throat] not only do we allow it,

1292
01:26:42,120 --> 01:26:51,280
we encourage it. Like, that's how we
operate. So, this is

1293
01:26:46,480 --> 01:26:51,280
as outdated as a policy can possibly be.

1294
01:26:51,360 --> 01:26:54,720
» Okay.
>> Okay. Any questions on that one?

1295
01:26:53,760 --> 01:27:00,440
» Mhm.
>> All right. So, let's um

1296
01:26:57,600 --> 01:27:04,720
Let's see. We vote
policies for possible deletions for

1297
01:27:02,640 --> 01:27:09,760
concepts and roles and instruction,
COVID-19 emergency measures, extra class

1298
01:27:07,240 --> 01:27:13,320
activities, offset computer use. Would
Anyone like to make make a motion

1299
01:27:12,440 --> 01:27:15,800
for deletion?
>> Make a motion for deletion.

1300
01:27:14,800 --> 01:27:20,160
» Second.
Jonathan second. All in favor?

1301
01:27:18,840 --> 01:27:23,120
Ellie?
>> I'm in favor, too.

1302
01:27:21,200 --> 01:27:26,760
» All right.
So, 8-0.

1303
01:27:25,400 --> 01:27:32,120
Perfect.
On to item B, policies for adoption.

1304
01:27:30,640 --> 01:27:37,320
Meal charging.
>> So, if it feels like this feels out of

1305
01:27:34,240 --> 01:27:42,360
the blue, I apologize. Um we're in May.
So, in March, these were on for first

1306
01:27:39,840 --> 01:27:46,400
read and because I am a horrible
executive assistant, they didn't get on

1307
01:27:44,560 --> 01:27:51,400
to the April
agenda. Um but these were on for first

1308
01:27:49,360 --> 01:27:54,920
read in March. They should have been on
for

1309
01:27:52,920 --> 01:27:58,880
adoption in April.
You've already seen them at committee,

1310
01:27:56,640 --> 01:28:03,040
seen them for first read, reviewed them
closely.

1311
01:28:00,240 --> 01:28:06,480
Um we just missed a month. So, that's
how they've floated back to you now for

1312
01:28:05,040 --> 01:28:09,040
adoption.
Um [clears throat]

1313
01:28:07,640 --> 01:28:12,880
but you have already spent time with
these previously.

1314
01:28:10,760 --> 01:28:16,520
» Make a motion to accept the
fuel charging policy.

1315
01:28:15,120 --> 01:28:21,080
» All right.
Jonathan second. All in favor?

1316
01:28:19,800 --> 01:28:23,240
Ellie?
>> Me, too.

1317
01:28:21,880 --> 01:28:26,440
» Okay.
All right. Purchasing.

1318
01:28:28,720 --> 01:28:32,800
Same thing.
>> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I was speaking of

1319
01:28:31,280 --> 01:28:36,200
both of them. They were traveling
together and I just

1320
01:28:34,520 --> 01:28:38,960
» I'd like a motion
to accept purchasing.

1321
01:28:38,320 --> 01:28:43,480
Jonathan?
>> Second.

1322
01:28:40,280 --> 01:28:46,040
» Jonathan Sorry. Joseph, Jonathan. All in
favor?

1323
01:28:46,160 --> 01:28:49,600
Ellie?
>> Um yep, me, too.

1324
01:28:48,400 --> 01:28:52,760
» Okay.
8-0.

1325
01:28:51,080 --> 01:28:58,880
All right.
On to item C, approval of the Board of

1326
01:28:55,800 --> 01:29:03,680
Education revised budget.
>> Okay.

1327
01:29:00,200 --> 01:29:09,040
So, you if you hearken back to many
moons ago, I presented a budget to you.

1328
01:29:06,400 --> 01:29:11,920
You then worked with it. You um
tinkered. You made a reduction and

1329
01:29:10,480 --> 01:29:16,000
ultimately
someone of you made a motion to approve

1330
01:29:14,360 --> 01:29:20,200
the Board of Education budget in the
amount of I guess it would have been

1331
01:29:17,600 --> 01:29:22,440
26,550,000
blah blah blah, you know, something like

1332
01:29:21,400 --> 01:29:27,280
that.
Um it then left your hands, went to the

1333
01:29:25,080 --> 01:29:32,640
Board of Selectmen. Since the amount has
moved, I wanted to just remind us

1334
01:29:30,400 --> 01:29:37,880
what has changed in the budget since you
approved it. Um and then ask you to just

1335
01:29:35,800 --> 01:29:41,320
approve it as the Board of Education's
revised budget and I have the number

1336
01:29:39,680 --> 01:29:45,760
here for whomever wants to make that
motion.

1337
01:29:42,400 --> 01:29:49,720
» Are we moving any money out of
>> So, why don't you explain

1338
01:29:46,800 --> 01:29:54,880
» Right. So, I'm going to tell you
without [clears throat] We are actually

1339
01:29:51,080 --> 01:29:58,200
working on um updating the budget book.
Um

1340
01:29:56,120 --> 01:30:01,680
because we should have an accurate book,
but that takes a little longer, as you

1341
01:30:00,080 --> 01:30:05,320
might imagine, than
the pace of things and how they're

1342
01:30:03,040 --> 01:30:08,800
moving. So, in the short term, we've
updated, you know, the cover sheet and

1343
01:30:07,360 --> 01:30:12,600
we know where everything is coming and
going from, but

1344
01:30:10,520 --> 01:30:15,080
um when it let since it left your hands
it has been reduced by a million

1345
01:30:13,960 --> 01:30:20,960
dollars.
So, to mitigate that, um we had

1346
01:30:19,000 --> 01:30:24,600
a reduction in our tuition bill from
Gilbert for $285,714

1347
01:30:25,440 --> 01:30:32,360
and we have received the good news that
we will get $320,998

1348
01:30:30,760 --> 01:30:36,200
in state aid.
Um the information I'm reviewing is the

1349
01:30:34,120 --> 01:30:39,880
same information that I handed you at
the special meeting last week.

1350
01:30:38,360 --> 01:30:44,720
Um
the long and short of what's no longer

1351
01:30:42,320 --> 01:30:48,520
in the budget that
was in the budget when you last approved

1352
01:30:46,600 --> 01:30:51,920
it is that we have eliminated the
position special education assistant

1353
01:30:50,600 --> 01:30:56,600
director.
We've eliminated a grade two teacher.

1354
01:30:54,000 --> 01:31:01,452
We've eliminated two interventionists.
We've eliminated the position of

1355
01:30:58,680 --> 01:31:03,760
director of data and information.
>> [clears throat]

1356
01:31:01,600 --> 01:31:08,840
» We've eliminated one preschool teacher
and one corresponding paraeducator.

1357
01:31:07,000 --> 01:31:12,800
Those are things that are no longer in
the budget that were there when you last

1358
01:31:10,800 --> 01:31:15,280
approved it.
Um

1359
01:31:15,880 --> 01:31:25,680
we are maintaining the school safety
officers by

1360
01:31:21,400 --> 01:31:29,240
utilizing the 440 account funds.
The way we've done that is I asked Nancy

1361
01:31:27,720 --> 01:31:33,400
to leave just a couple of thousand
dollars in the budget so that when we're

1362
01:31:31,040 --> 01:31:37,520
looking like at a list of who works here
they still appear, but they are largely

1363
01:31:35,840 --> 01:31:41,560
being funded
through the 440 account. But, just like

1364
01:31:40,040 --> 01:31:46,800
for example our reading teachers are
funded through grants, but we have like

1365
01:31:43,880 --> 01:31:49,800
$3,000 in the budget for each of them.
So, again, they just appear so that

1366
01:31:48,640 --> 01:31:53,280
they're not
invisible.

1367
01:31:51,120 --> 01:31:58,920
Um
we have um

1368
01:31:56,920 --> 01:32:03,880
also in that work with the million
dollars fixed some things that have

1369
01:32:00,880 --> 01:32:08,120
changed since the time that you saw the
budget just in terms of things that went

1370
01:32:06,320 --> 01:32:11,320
up and down.
Um

1371
01:32:09,760 --> 01:32:16,240
there is a line in the budget called
unawarded reserve. We use that um

1372
01:32:14,320 --> 01:32:19,880
because we're in contract negotiations.
Those are raises for positions that we

1373
01:32:18,240 --> 01:32:24,400
don't know what those raises will be cuz
we haven't negotiated the contract. It's

1374
01:32:22,360 --> 01:32:28,640
for people whose jobs are not in a
union, so there is no set raise for

1375
01:32:27,640 --> 01:32:33,360
them.
So, we decrease the amount in that line

1376
01:32:30,760 --> 01:32:38,240
because there's
nine less people work seven less nine

1377
01:32:35,880 --> 01:32:43,120
less one seven less people working here
now that we put back the SSOs.

1378
01:32:40,720 --> 01:32:46,520
Um
what else?

1379
01:32:44,480 --> 01:32:46,520
Um

1380
01:32:47,600 --> 01:32:53,600
one of uh what else can I tell you? So,
we know our federal grants went down.

1381
01:32:51,600 --> 01:32:57,680
So, we've made the adjustments, but the
things that are changed the significant

1382
01:32:56,000 --> 01:33:02,640
changes in the budget are the reduction
of those positions. The one offset to

1383
01:33:00,320 --> 01:33:07,960
the director of data and information is
that work doesn't go away. So, we are

1384
01:33:05,600 --> 01:33:12,760
contracting with Twin Lakes, which is a
company that does remote servicing of

1385
01:33:11,280 --> 01:33:15,880
all of your student data and state
reporting.

1386
01:33:13,960 --> 01:33:20,240
There are other aspects of that position
that we'll lose and some of us will

1387
01:33:18,320 --> 01:33:25,600
absorb the work of
um because that's what we do.

1388
01:33:22,760 --> 01:33:32,920
So, if someone were willing to motion to
approve the Board of Ed revised budget

1389
01:33:27,800 --> 01:33:32,920
in the amount of 25 million 50,562

1390
01:33:33,600 --> 01:33:38,960
then it would be official that that was
the Board of Ed's budget.

1391
01:33:36,960 --> 01:33:42,240
» I have a question about the elimination
of the special ed assistant director's

1392
01:33:40,600 --> 01:33:46,920
position. I mentioned before that's an
administrative position. And our bylaws

1393
01:33:44,840 --> 01:33:51,640
say that we should be
making a motion to approve or not

1394
01:33:48,840 --> 01:33:55,240
approve administrative positions.
I To my thinking, that's So,

1395
01:33:53,600 --> 01:33:58,600
» you're approving the budget that
knowingly does not include that

1396
01:33:56,680 --> 01:34:02,760
position. If you wish to motion it
separately. You

1397
01:33:59,560 --> 01:34:07,560
» I think the bylaws reference if it was a
termination

1398
01:34:05,000 --> 01:34:12,240
if it was more of a termination aspect
and not

1399
01:34:09,040 --> 01:34:16,960
a cut a cut aspect.
Um

1400
01:34:13,840 --> 01:34:21,560
it it does reference that the board
um

1401
01:34:18,960 --> 01:34:27,040
could vote on when it deals with
administrator but I I feel like and

1402
01:34:23,840 --> 01:34:29,960
maybe we should look at that language.
>> Which section is that?

1403
01:34:28,280 --> 01:34:32,840
» The bylaws are on our webpage
>> Yeah, but what section?

1404
01:34:30,520 --> 01:34:36,280
» under bylaws of the board
November 12th, 2024.

1405
01:34:35,080 --> 01:34:40,520
» Yep.
>> Okay, and if you go to

1406
01:34:39,570 --> 01:34:43,160
» [clears throat]
>> Yeah.

1407
01:34:43,480 --> 01:34:49,080
» So I think the language needs to be
clarified for future.

1408
01:34:46,840 --> 01:34:52,520
» It's under
>> cuz it can be interpreted.

1409
01:34:53,120 --> 01:34:56,320
» Well, that's a whole 'nother
conversation about

1410
01:34:55,520 --> 01:34:58,640
» Yep.
>> Superintendent will also make

1411
01:34:57,360 --> 01:35:01,560
recommendations for termination
administrator

1412
01:35:00,400 --> 01:35:05,720
the board will also have the right to
approve any hiring and the terms and

1413
01:35:04,120 --> 01:35:09,000
conditions
of such administrator's contract. The

1414
01:35:07,360 --> 01:35:13,000
board shall have the right of approval
of any involuntary termination. Is this

1415
01:35:11,240 --> 01:35:15,480
an involuntary termination?
>> This is not a termination.

1416
01:35:13,800 --> 01:35:19,480
» of an administrator's employment.
>> Not a termination.

1417
01:35:16,280 --> 01:35:19,480
» It's not a termination.

1418
01:35:20,320 --> 01:35:24,920
Such personnel shall have the aids
duties of such other duties

1419
01:35:23,320 --> 01:35:29,640
superintendent shall prescribe.
>> Maybe the language needs to add

1420
01:35:27,560 --> 01:35:32,880
that it doesn't deal with budget cuts.
>> So what is involuntary termination?

1421
01:35:32,240 --> 01:35:36,320
Firing?
>> Yeah.

1422
01:35:33,840 --> 01:35:38,760
» Termination is definitely a specific
>> That is when the board has to

1423
01:35:38,521 --> 01:35:41,440
» [cough]
>> So this would be classified as a layoff

1424
01:35:40,360 --> 01:35:43,240
then, correct?
>> Mhm.

1425
01:35:41,880 --> 01:35:48,000
» Reduction in force, yes.
>> So what does that mean her position is

1426
01:35:44,800 --> 01:35:48,000
held for

1427
01:35:48,160 --> 01:35:53,160
future for future or is it Uh, in that
sense?

1428
01:35:51,120 --> 01:35:57,640
» So if she were say a teacher in the
teachers union, there's language in her

1429
01:35:54,880 --> 01:36:02,760
contract that would say, um, if we
reduce our force and you're laid off,

1430
01:36:00,680 --> 01:36:06,560
there's a recall list. Because this
position is not a union position,

1431
01:36:04,680 --> 01:36:10,600
technically there probably isn't any
language that says she needs to be

1432
01:36:09,160 --> 01:36:15,240
brought back if we bring back the
position. The reality is, more than

1433
01:36:13,360 --> 01:36:18,400
anything, we don't want to lose this
position.

1434
01:36:16,480 --> 01:36:22,800
Um, and we
don't want to lose the person either.

1435
01:36:20,760 --> 01:36:27,000
Why am I not getting this to load?
Um,

1436
01:36:24,240 --> 01:36:29,080
so if, you know,
Santa Claus drops off

1437
01:36:28,956 --> 01:36:32,680
» [snorts]
>> a hundred thousand dollars, we would put

1438
01:36:31,200 --> 01:36:37,480
the position back and put the same
person in it, for sure.

1439
01:36:34,200 --> 01:36:42,960
» You've given up on the uncle?
>> Um, yeah, the rich uncle, I'll take

1440
01:36:40,280 --> 01:36:46,480
really any source at this point, sure.
Um, you know, should [clears throat]

1441
01:36:44,160 --> 01:36:50,280
something change in grants and there's
more money than we're aware of, um,

1442
01:36:48,720 --> 01:36:55,120
that's probably the next thing I would
put back. I mean, it's a huge loss.

1443
01:36:52,760 --> 01:36:58,960
» How How about notice in the
contract in the state law? I mean, these

1444
01:36:56,960 --> 01:37:01,840
persons have been noticed, like May 1st
was notice by the state law. That's

1445
01:37:01,200 --> 01:37:08,120
different.
>> May 1st is for non-renewal of contract,

1446
01:37:05,240 --> 01:37:12,440
meaning, um, Nora, you're in your first
four years, you're not tenured, and

1447
01:37:11,040 --> 01:37:15,640
you're lovely, but you don't meet the
standards of the district, and we are

1448
01:37:13,800 --> 01:37:16,400
not going to offer you a contract next
year.

1449
01:37:15,960 --> 01:37:18,040
» Okay.
>> That's the May 1st.

1450
01:37:17,680 --> 01:37:21,360
» All right.
>> Reduction in force can happen at any

1451
01:37:19,760 --> 01:37:23,920
time that your budget can't support a
position.

1452
01:37:22,000 --> 01:37:26,520
» And you don't need to notice that. Or do
you have notice?

1453
01:37:24,640 --> 01:37:29,880
» have to pink slip it, but it's not a May
1st thing. It's a

1454
01:37:27,600 --> 01:37:33,560
» Okay. And there's nothing in the admin
contract that speaks of anything like

1455
01:37:32,000 --> 01:37:35,680
» This position is not in the admin
contract.

1456
01:37:35,400 --> 01:37:40,480
» Oh.
>> It's a individual contract. It's an

1457
01:37:38,360 --> 01:37:42,520
at-will employee contract.
I don't know what's going on with the

1458
01:37:41,960 --> 01:37:44,800
Wi-Fi.
>> Okay.

1459
01:37:46,680 --> 01:37:53,640
Okay. Any other questions or concerns on
that?

1460
01:37:49,600 --> 01:37:57,480
» Um I will make the motion to approve the
Board of Education revised budget of 25

1461
01:37:56,360 --> 01:38:00,480
million
$50,562.

1462
01:38:00,640 --> 01:38:04,160
Do we have a second?
>> Second.

1463
01:38:02,760 --> 01:38:07,200
» Carol.
Uh all in favor?

1464
01:38:07,480 --> 01:38:10,880
Ellie?
>> I'm in favor.

1465
01:38:09,800 --> 01:38:13,560
» Okay.
8 to 0.

1466
01:38:11,680 --> 01:38:16,400
» With Carol the second on that.
>> Yes.

1467
01:38:14,080 --> 01:38:22,160
» Okay.
>> Okay. On to adoption of a preschool

1468
01:38:20,120 --> 01:38:24,280
tuition rate.
>> Okay.

1469
01:38:22,920 --> 01:38:26,360
I
Um

1470
01:38:25,120 --> 01:38:29,480
so, let me give you a little background
first.

1471
01:38:27,560 --> 01:38:34,200
Um
we have been

1472
01:38:31,160 --> 01:38:38,280
talking about um our preschool program.
We charge no tuition for any students,

1473
01:38:36,760 --> 01:38:41,360
and that's something that's been brought
up um

1474
01:38:39,760 --> 01:38:44,920
a few different times, I think, with the
board.

1475
01:38:42,520 --> 01:38:49,720
We did the research to see what other
people charge. It does seem that most

1476
01:38:47,440 --> 01:38:53,520
districts do charge.
Um so, I'm going to share with you, and

1477
01:38:52,040 --> 01:38:56,840
I think Matthew, you have a chart as
well. Um

1478
01:38:54,920 --> 01:38:59,920
what our research showed us, you know,
we could go [clears throat] broader, but

1479
01:38:58,280 --> 01:39:03,920
we felt the most relevant would be the
towns sort of around us.

1480
01:39:02,080 --> 01:39:09,120
Um
so, preschool programs can

1481
01:39:07,720 --> 01:39:13,360
um look different in different
communities.

1482
01:39:10,680 --> 01:39:16,880
Sometimes they are half day only,
sometimes they're 4 days a week,

1483
01:39:15,160 --> 01:39:20,720
sometimes they're full day only,
sometimes you have both options,

1484
01:39:18,600 --> 01:39:25,560
sometimes it's 3-year-olds are half day,
4-year-olds are full day.

1485
01:39:23,640 --> 01:39:29,760
So, if it doesn't say anything, you can
assume it is full day, well, not full

1486
01:39:28,000 --> 01:39:33,080
day, cuz I've separated full day and
half day, but you can assume it's 5 days

1487
01:39:31,760 --> 01:39:36,720
a week.
For the ones that are regions, I've

1488
01:39:34,520 --> 01:39:40,480
listed for you the participating towns,
so that you can sort of

1489
01:39:38,680 --> 01:39:42,960
see comparables.
Um

1490
01:39:43,000 --> 01:39:49,760
so, Region one [clears throat] is a
four-day a week program and it's only

1491
01:39:46,680 --> 01:39:53,800
half days. Region 10 is a five-day a
week, but it's only half days.

1492
01:39:52,320 --> 01:39:56,760
Region 20
>> No, preschool.

1493
01:39:55,920 --> 01:40:02,320
Go ahead.
>> It is a half-day program. Shared

1494
01:40:00,280 --> 01:40:04,560
services hosts
um

1495
01:40:02,960 --> 01:40:08,480
the full-day program is five days a
week, the half-day program is four days

1496
01:40:06,840 --> 01:40:15,400
a week.
Um Torrington's is a five-day full day.

1497
01:40:13,120 --> 01:40:20,480
So,
because we are um eliminating a

1498
01:40:18,000 --> 01:40:25,240
preschool teacher and paraeducator,
instead of having three teachers and

1499
01:40:21,920 --> 01:40:30,320
three classrooms, we have two teachers,
two classrooms. Our intention for next

1500
01:40:27,920 --> 01:40:34,360
year will be to have one full-day class
and two half-day classes.

1501
01:40:32,640 --> 01:40:37,840
We don't really have a choice about that
because

1502
01:40:35,600 --> 01:40:42,320
one of the purposes of hosting a
preschool program is that allows us to

1503
01:40:39,920 --> 01:40:47,240
deliver special education services to
three-year-olds and four-year-olds

1504
01:40:44,600 --> 01:40:52,680
um in an integrated setting. Based on
the number of students

1505
01:40:49,280 --> 01:40:58,480
who will need spots in that program,
we need three places because you can't

1506
01:40:55,720 --> 01:41:03,120
have more than a 50% ratio. So, there
will be three classes, one full day, two

1507
01:41:00,720 --> 01:41:08,680
half days. The team at the school will
look, along with Kathy, closely at the

1508
01:41:05,800 --> 01:41:15,280
ages of the kids and decide if they are
specifically age-driven or um

1509
01:41:12,840 --> 01:41:20,240
skill-driven or who knows what, but
we'll navigate that.

1510
01:41:18,040 --> 01:41:24,640
Um because there are less spots, it
feels like it, you know, supply and

1511
01:41:21,760 --> 01:41:30,040
demand. It might be a good moment to um
test pilot having a modest tuition.

1512
01:41:28,520 --> 01:41:36,880
Um students who are placed in the
program because their IEP needs a place

1513
01:41:33,280 --> 01:41:40,320
to be um achieved will not pay, and that
is

1514
01:41:38,400 --> 01:41:45,520
similar across districts.
Um because they're there because we

1515
01:41:43,320 --> 01:41:49,920
placed them there in order to meet their
IEP goals.

1516
01:41:47,200 --> 01:41:52,600
Um but for the half of the students or
more than half the students who are

1517
01:41:51,440 --> 01:41:54,600
there
um

1518
01:41:53,480 --> 01:41:57,560
because it's a great preschool
experience, they would be charged

1519
01:41:56,120 --> 01:42:01,320
tuition.
Um

1520
01:41:58,640 --> 01:42:04,920
» So, this is we already have a lottery,
correct?

1521
01:42:02,200 --> 01:42:08,800
» So, we ask people to sign up and request
a spot. And

1522
01:42:06,400 --> 01:42:11,600
» So, this is now shrunk because we're
pulling my attention.

1523
01:42:10,200 --> 01:42:14,480
» less spots to offer.
>> Right.

1524
01:42:12,280 --> 01:42:18,480
» And when we did that, we did not say
we'd be charging tuition. So, what we

1525
01:42:16,520 --> 01:42:24,960
would likely do rather than have people
re-sign up is start with

1526
01:42:22,960 --> 01:42:27,520
um the full-day spots because that's
typically well, I shouldn't say that.

1527
01:42:26,560 --> 01:42:30,480
There's some people who ask for a
half-day spot, but we would start with

1528
01:42:29,160 --> 01:42:34,040
what, you know,
run a lottery, pull the numbers for the

1529
01:42:32,560 --> 01:42:37,920
first,
you know, eight people for the full-day

1530
01:42:35,880 --> 01:42:41,680
section, saving spots for the kids who
are identified, and um

1531
01:42:40,200 --> 01:42:45,640
eight spots in each of the half-day
classes or 10 in each of the half-days.

1532
01:42:44,480 --> 01:42:49,040
Um
and offer them to people and say,

1533
01:42:47,760 --> 01:42:53,920
"You've
you're you got lucky. You've gotten a

1534
01:42:51,320 --> 01:42:57,480
spot in this um but there is a tuition
due. Accept or not accept." And then if

1535
01:42:55,640 --> 01:42:59,880
they don't accept, move on to the next
and

1536
01:42:58,640 --> 01:43:02,840
um
>> Wait, this is a change from the past. We

1537
01:43:01,920 --> 01:43:07,600
haven't
>> charged tuition. We have as far as I

1538
01:43:05,160 --> 01:43:11,520
know, never charged tuition. Um
something I think is wonderful.

1539
01:43:10,280 --> 01:43:13,320
» Yeah, everybody else is doing it,
though.

1540
01:43:11,920 --> 01:43:16,200
» But
>> because

1541
01:43:14,560 --> 01:43:20,240
one of the things that I'm worried about
is when you start charging tuition, you

1542
01:43:18,080 --> 01:43:24,880
start to you know, you're talking about
resource-rich families versus

1543
01:43:22,200 --> 01:43:29,160
resource-not-rich families.
And that perpetuates who gets access to

1544
01:43:26,920 --> 01:43:34,320
a program, and often persons that are
not resource-rich really needs this

1545
01:43:31,320 --> 01:43:38,160
program. That's what I'm worried about.
>> Um so our thoughts were also I would say

1546
01:43:36,720 --> 01:43:42,240
does anybody remember from our
conversation like when Sedaria child

1547
01:43:39,920 --> 01:43:46,000
care costs
$8,000

1548
01:43:44,200 --> 01:43:49,960
for the year?
I a lot more money.

1549
01:43:48,400 --> 01:43:53,440
Um
So compared to

1550
01:43:52,600 --> 01:43:56,640
» And there's
>> child care programs

1551
01:43:54,680 --> 01:44:01,200
» There's sliding scale.
>> That's the other thing. So um

1552
01:43:59,640 --> 01:44:05,600
You're talking with a couple of people
in other districts what I would

1553
01:44:02,560 --> 01:44:10,920
recommend is rather than
if you're doing this with federal funds,

1554
01:44:08,080 --> 01:44:14,080
you have to use the sliding scale which
is just a little bit complicated and it

1555
01:44:12,480 --> 01:44:18,640
puts us in a position of having to
determine who's eligible for what.

1556
01:44:16,800 --> 01:44:22,520
Um in speaking with a business director
from another district, since we don't

1557
01:44:20,800 --> 01:44:27,360
accept federal funds, we could do what
they do which is you say if you're Husky

1558
01:44:25,200 --> 01:44:29,600
part A um
I'm going to say this backwards. I

1559
01:44:28,400 --> 01:44:33,000
forget
which is a higher level of need but if

1560
01:44:31,000 --> 01:44:37,040
you qualify for Husky A then you get
free tuition. If you're Husky B, you get

1561
01:44:35,160 --> 01:44:40,560
half price tuition and if you're
neither, you pay the full boat.

1562
01:44:39,120 --> 01:44:44,520
What's different about that is it puts
the state in the position of figuring

1563
01:44:42,280 --> 01:44:48,120
out who qualifies for the reduced rather
than us and again

1564
01:44:46,360 --> 01:44:52,880
you're looking at our business office,
the entire department sitting there. So

1565
01:44:50,480 --> 01:44:56,200
the thought of also now taking on the
role of determining

1566
01:44:54,480 --> 01:45:00,160
» administrator of that
>> Right, the finances of each family and

1567
01:44:58,360 --> 01:45:03,720
who qualifies for what. So using
something where the state makes those

1568
01:45:01,480 --> 01:45:06,520
decisions keeps us out of conflict with
our families.

1569
01:45:06,600 --> 01:45:12,840
Which I think is important. So if we
adopt a tuition, I would suggest that we

1570
01:45:11,240 --> 01:45:17,000
also adopt
>> that

1571
01:45:13,320 --> 01:45:21,720
» that the Husky determinant for reducing
the tuition. I also So if you think

1572
01:45:19,560 --> 01:45:25,240
about it um
just to pick a number, if we did say

1573
01:45:23,200 --> 01:45:29,640
$2,000 a year
that's roughly $200 a month or $50 a

1574
01:45:28,440 --> 01:45:31,600
week.
>> So, we currently don't

1575
01:45:31,480 --> 01:45:34,640
um
>> We charge zero.

1576
01:45:32,480 --> 01:45:38,440
» And if we do charge, then it's a net
benefit, correct?

1577
01:45:37,080 --> 01:45:41,200
Because we're generating income.
>> We would be generating a benefit to the

1578
01:45:39,800 --> 01:45:44,840
district, not to the family.
>> Well, and but if

1579
01:45:43,000 --> 01:45:48,480
let's say nobody
um signs up because of financial

1580
01:45:46,920 --> 01:45:51,120
constraints, what's the financial
impact?

1581
01:45:51,360 --> 01:45:57,520
» I guess if we couldn't fit Well, so
right now we didn't budget based on this

1582
01:45:55,240 --> 01:46:03,560
income, and I would not recommend that
we suddenly weave it into our financial

1583
01:46:00,560 --> 01:46:06,280
plan cuz we really uh we didn't know
this until today that we're thinking of

1584
01:46:05,040 --> 01:46:11,360
it, right?
Um I see this is sort of a test case,

1585
01:46:08,760 --> 01:46:15,560
and if it generates some income, then we
could look at going forward, we'd be

1586
01:46:13,400 --> 01:46:18,000
able to predict if we're able to fill
sections

1587
01:46:17,120 --> 01:46:22,280
um
with a tuition rate attached to it, and

1588
01:46:19,920 --> 01:46:26,240
then we could build that into defraying
the cost of the preschool teachers.

1589
01:46:24,000 --> 01:46:28,440
» Um so, are we able to like make a motion
at any point or

1590
01:46:27,360 --> 01:46:33,120
» I'd like to suggest [clears throat] that
before you make a motion

1591
01:46:30,440 --> 01:46:38,440
that you discuss A, your appetite to do
it at all, and B, if you're going to do

1592
01:46:35,200 --> 01:46:41,240
it at all, what you feel um a reasonable
rate.

1593
01:46:39,520 --> 01:46:45,400
And again, my thought would be that
we're sort of piloting right now, see

1594
01:46:42,960 --> 01:46:50,240
how it goes. Um you know, it also puts
us in the position of charging money,

1595
01:46:48,120 --> 01:46:56,320
collecting money. Um we do that
currently for the Champs program, and

1596
01:46:52,600 --> 01:47:00,120
that's no little job um at all. So,
there's a lot that goes with it that as

1597
01:46:58,080 --> 01:47:03,880
a very um
thinly resourced district in terms of

1598
01:47:01,880 --> 01:47:08,240
staffing, we want to make sure that we
can handle it appropriately and well,

1599
01:47:05,600 --> 01:47:12,280
and you know, you end up having to
um follow up and pursue families that

1600
01:47:10,320 --> 01:47:15,640
haven't made payments, and that's not a
great dynamic. So, there's a whole bunch

1601
01:47:14,120 --> 01:47:21,000
about it that I think
will require us to make a decision

1602
01:47:18,080 --> 01:47:23,440
tonight, try it out, and then revisit
whether or not it was successful.

1603
01:47:22,560 --> 01:47:27,760
» All right, listen.
>> Nancy, how long have we not charged for

1604
01:47:26,000 --> 01:47:29,320
for preschool?
>> No.

1605
01:47:28,120 --> 01:47:31,920
» As long as
>> 11 years at least, right?

1606
01:47:30,840 --> 01:47:37,760
» Yeah.
>> Um I think that this direction

1607
01:47:36,520 --> 01:47:42,080
is
not acceptable.

1608
01:47:39,440 --> 01:47:47,920
I think that in a in a community such as
ours, we've long held the value of

1609
01:47:45,640 --> 01:47:53,600
ensuring that there's access for every
kid and that finances are absolutely not

1610
01:47:50,560 --> 01:47:57,600
a barrier, nor are finances
it could lead it to it even a chilling

1611
01:47:55,480 --> 01:48:01,320
effect for a family
who who would be worried about even

1612
01:47:59,760 --> 01:48:06,240
applying for it because they are not
sure about next month's bill.

1613
01:48:03,720 --> 01:48:08,880
And I think that this would be and I'm
not sure how much you would actually

1614
01:48:07,440 --> 01:48:11,880
generate in revenue and I don't think we
should be a revenue-based

1615
01:48:10,080 --> 01:48:14,080
decision-making here on this about
whether it's going to help us. I don't

1616
01:48:12,920 --> 01:48:17,200
think it will help us much.
>> We're cutting our budget by a million

1617
01:48:15,480 --> 01:48:21,200
dollars, so
we have to figure something out.

1618
01:48:18,760 --> 01:48:25,720
» But it's peanuts. It's peanuts and when
we're talking about this age group,

1619
01:48:22,720 --> 01:48:32,360
we're talking little ones, babies, who
absolutely need to have the services in

1620
01:48:29,560 --> 01:48:38,920
such a a needy community as ours,
changing a policy that we've had for 11

1621
01:48:34,640 --> 01:48:38,920
years to me is abhorrent.

1622
01:48:40,320 --> 01:48:43,640
I will not support this.

1623
01:48:44,200 --> 01:48:50,360
» Um
do we have

1624
01:48:47,200 --> 01:48:54,280
an estimated number of of students for
pre-K 3 and 4 right now?

1625
01:48:54,400 --> 01:49:02,080
» So we have we will have
16 16 16. We will have 48 seats and we

1626
01:49:00,400 --> 01:49:05,520
have
like people we could put names to for

1627
01:49:04,000 --> 01:49:08,800
special education, if that's what you're
asking, for 16. We anticipate that that

1628
01:49:08,560 --> 01:49:14,640
number
>> asking like do we have an idea of what

1629
01:49:11,640 --> 01:49:19,680
the estimated enrollment would have been
for the upcoming year?

1630
01:49:16,760 --> 01:49:23,480
Cuz we were anticipating four sections.
>> Right. So, we

1631
01:49:21,040 --> 01:49:27,880
» So, there there is an overflow, right?
>> We filled the the full day sections.

1632
01:49:26,080 --> 01:49:33,800
There is no question about it. The full
day section will fill. The unknown for

1633
01:49:30,200 --> 01:49:37,760
me is our half day sections are not at
16. People don't love half day.

1634
01:49:36,760 --> 01:49:42,160
» Right.
>> But, when we eliminate 16 full day

1635
01:49:40,160 --> 01:49:46,520
sections, I think it's more likely that
we will fill the half days because there

1636
01:49:43,960 --> 01:49:51,160
are some people who got full day who
will accept half day now that there are

1637
01:49:48,760 --> 01:49:54,800
less full day spots.
>> So, not only are there fewer spots for

1638
01:49:53,320 --> 01:49:59,400
our community. I mean, have we filled in
these spots in the past?

1639
01:49:57,680 --> 01:50:01,480
» Again, we fill the full day spots
always.

1640
01:49:59,840 --> 01:50:05,800
» 100%
and we've had four sections and we've

1641
01:50:03,080 --> 01:50:09,400
100% filled them with tuition free kids.
>> No.

1642
01:50:07,040 --> 01:50:13,640
No, we don't fill the half day sections
fully. We fill full day sections. I

1643
01:50:11,680 --> 01:50:15,280
think if we offered four full days, we
would fill those.

1644
01:50:14,640 --> 01:50:19,680
» Okay.
>> But, the half we've done two Recently,

1645
01:50:17,600 --> 01:50:25,080
we have done two full days and two half
days with three teachers.

1646
01:50:22,000 --> 01:50:30,000
And we fill the full days. The half days
get to maybe nine or 10 in a class, not

1647
01:50:28,120 --> 01:50:34,440
the full 16.
>> Okay. So,

1648
01:50:31,960 --> 01:50:38,120
reducing it down to one full day, two
half days most likely will fill.

1649
01:50:36,880 --> 01:50:41,920
I think is what you're saying.
>> I'm speculating because we'll have 16

1650
01:50:40,240 --> 01:50:45,160
less full day spots.
>> What's the percentage of students in

1651
01:50:44,000 --> 01:50:49,960
like that
So, there's 16 in the full day class.

1652
01:50:47,720 --> 01:50:52,440
Our eight would be tuition free because
they're special ed.

1653
01:50:51,680 --> 01:50:57,640
Place students.
>> wouldn't place more than eight

1654
01:50:54,800 --> 01:51:01,960
identified students, right?
>> Okay. So, then we're looking at eight

1655
01:50:59,400 --> 01:51:04,920
eligible tuition students.
>> 48

1656
01:51:03,960 --> 01:51:08,480
seats.
>> So, then you'd be half.

1657
01:51:06,200 --> 01:51:13,000
» We would fill theoretically if we have
enough kiddos, we would fill at At 24 of

1658
01:51:11,200 --> 01:51:16,520
them with tuition paying students.
>> And then we have the Husky A and the

1659
01:51:14,560 --> 01:51:18,880
Husky B. So, some of those might not be
eligible.

1660
01:51:17,760 --> 01:51:23,040
» For the state takeover?
>> They would

1661
01:51:20,960 --> 01:51:25,880
If they are offered a spot and accept
it, and then they are reduced tuition,

1662
01:51:25,680 --> 01:51:30,680
they
>> I'm just saying $24,000 isn't going to

1663
01:51:28,440 --> 01:51:35,200
put it down in the million and a half,
but it's going

1664
01:51:32,600 --> 01:51:40,240
» No, 16 is the absolutely most. In a
perfect world, I would cap it at 14, but

1665
01:51:38,360 --> 01:51:43,800
The other thing I'll Something you said
reminded me. There's something else the

1666
01:51:41,640 --> 01:51:49,320
state offers called Care for Kids, which
we're in the process of enrolling for.

1667
01:51:46,360 --> 01:51:54,040
What Care for Kids is is families
directly contact with the state, and if

1668
01:51:51,880 --> 01:51:58,640
their finances make them eligible, the
state says, "I've got you. You pay this

1669
01:51:57,120 --> 01:52:02,720
piece, and we'll pay the rest of it."
And so, we get the full tuition, but the

1670
01:52:00,880 --> 01:52:04,800
state makes up the difference that they
feel the parents can't.

1671
01:52:03,880 --> 01:52:07,080
» And we don't have to do the
administrative side of that. That's all

1672
01:52:06,880 --> 01:52:10,760
on
>> We just have to do the setup, and I

1673
01:52:08,880 --> 01:52:15,200
imagine we probably have some billing
work with that with the state as well,

1674
01:52:12,520 --> 01:52:20,120
but but the state pays part of the
family's tuition in that case.

1675
01:52:17,120 --> 01:52:24,240
» So, if you did, all right, 16 kids
half day at $2,000 a kid, it would be

1676
01:52:22,680 --> 01:52:27,440
$32,000.
If you did the eight full day, I'm just

1677
01:52:27,200 --> 01:52:30,480
running
>> Yeah, we want to do a 2,000 for half

1678
01:52:29,480 --> 01:52:34,160
day, right?
>> It'd be 1,000 for the half day.

1679
01:52:32,320 --> 01:52:35,720
» for half day. How much? 1,000 for half
day.

1680
01:52:34,360 --> 01:52:39,520
» Okay, so then cut that in half. Cuz I
would if you go up with the 2,000, which

1681
01:52:37,600 --> 01:52:43,840
is basically here, and then if you go up
with the 5,000 for the full day, that's

1682
01:52:41,720 --> 01:52:48,400
another 40,000. So, if you did 2,000 and
5,000

1683
01:52:45,280 --> 01:52:51,120
for eight kids and 16 kids, it comes to
$72,000.

1684
01:52:49,720 --> 01:52:54,240
» We want to do 5,000 for full
>> just saying that would replace one of

1685
01:52:53,040 --> 01:52:58,320
the positions we're eliminating.
>> Yeah, we would be We'd do 2,000 for full

1686
01:52:56,680 --> 01:53:00,440
day, 1,000 for half day.
>> But

1687
01:52:58,960 --> 01:53:03,920
I would cover
with my

1688
01:53:01,320 --> 01:53:07,440
» It could a paraprofessional.
>> a good position we're eliminating cuz we

1689
01:53:05,960 --> 01:53:09,240
don't have to fund
>> Two players.

1690
01:53:07,960 --> 01:53:13,920
» And and again,
we I mean, I feel like I know I mean,

1691
01:53:11,920 --> 01:53:16,480
nobody Everybody else charges. Like, why
are we not charging?

1692
01:53:14,520 --> 01:53:20,200
» So, I didn't have I didn't have a pot to
piss in when my kids were babies, and my

1693
01:53:18,480 --> 01:53:22,280
kids still went to nursing school. I
paid for it out of my pocket, actually.

1694
01:53:21,960 --> 01:53:26,480
» So,
>> And I didn't have a pot to piss in. I

1695
01:53:24,000 --> 01:53:31,600
spent $20 a week on groceries, okay?
>> So, Nora, I have a question for you, cuz

1696
01:53:28,720 --> 01:53:36,480
you brought issue with it. What Why
would you if they could be funded from

1697
01:53:34,720 --> 01:53:38,840
the state, why would you then have an
issue?

1698
01:53:37,440 --> 01:53:43,080
Because it would be funded from the
>> state, it's a different story, cuz

1699
01:53:41,000 --> 01:53:47,920
that's how sometimes we've we've paid
for this in some other ways. And Care

1700
01:53:45,760 --> 01:53:50,280
for Kids is totally different story. But
I'm talking about out of the parents'

1701
01:53:49,480 --> 01:53:52,040
pocket.
>> I agree with you.

1702
01:53:50,760 --> 01:53:55,480
» You're going to find parents saying,
"Sorry, I'm not even going to apply."

1703
01:53:54,200 --> 01:53:59,400
And so then you don't know how much
their Husky would be. And And will they

1704
01:53:57,280 --> 01:54:03,720
know that they can kind of get a reduced
cost for Husky? Great. Fine, it might

1705
01:54:02,320 --> 01:54:07,840
reduce some cost, but the point is
you're sending a message that is not

1706
01:54:05,920 --> 01:54:12,160
going to be clear to parents, and they
don't know where they're going to see it

1707
01:54:09,160 --> 01:54:16,520
stand in the summer fiscally.
And how it's going to roll out for

1708
01:54:14,360 --> 01:54:20,880
budgetary purposes, you're going to
dissuade people.

1709
01:54:19,080 --> 01:54:25,560
And in this community, remember, we're
an alliance district for a reason, or

1710
01:54:22,640 --> 01:54:29,160
we've been and we still are. Um we're
absolutely We've been talking about the

1711
01:54:27,480 --> 01:54:32,200
needs for a budget and passing our
budget and needy families and fixed

1712
01:54:30,920 --> 01:54:35,920
incomes.
Um this is the most vulnerable group of

1713
01:54:34,640 --> 01:54:40,960
people
that we need to invest in the most.

1714
01:54:38,520 --> 01:54:45,680
And as I said, we've done it for 11
years.

1715
01:54:42,120 --> 01:54:51,240
And so we can raise $70,000,
but I think the cost in the long term

1716
01:54:48,000 --> 01:54:54,120
and tier two and tier three needs are
are going to be in the long term more

1717
01:54:53,360 --> 01:54:58,800
costly.
>> So, Nora, to your point, um

1718
01:54:57,360 --> 01:55:02,360
just the public perception, I'm saying a
lot of parents are saying they need to

1719
01:55:00,280 --> 01:55:06,360
raise the school budget, correct? You
know, for all this stuff. So, I would

1720
01:55:04,000 --> 01:55:11,080
say, you know, parents, if they're
willing to raise the budget unilaterally

1721
01:55:08,760 --> 01:55:14,440
for, you know, every
you know, town member that, you know,

1722
01:55:13,040 --> 01:55:18,240
they'd be more than willing to pay for
their child's,

1723
01:55:16,120 --> 01:55:21,640
you know, preschool.
>> If they can.

1724
01:55:19,200 --> 01:55:26,600
» So, but you're saying with that,
you know, if they can't afford preschool

1725
01:55:23,920 --> 01:55:28,800
now, how would they afford the proposed
increase in

1726
01:55:28,000 --> 01:55:31,320
their taxes?
>> Well, they're going to be paying the

1727
01:55:29,640 --> 01:55:35,160
increase in the taxes, and then if they
want their kids to go to this, they're

1728
01:55:32,920 --> 01:55:40,920
also paying on top of that. And so,
that's a double burden on a family that

1729
01:55:37,880 --> 01:55:45,680
is trying to feed their kids
in a household that I think that would

1730
01:55:43,840 --> 01:55:49,480
going to get lost is the message is
that's going to cost family monies. And

1731
01:55:48,280 --> 01:55:53,200
I think that's going to have a chilling
effect on families.

1732
01:55:51,120 --> 01:55:56,360
And for 11 years, we've been managing
this.

1733
01:55:54,720 --> 01:56:00,960
» So, before we get lost in the weeds on
that, I think one of the things is, just

1734
01:55:58,800 --> 01:56:06,160
like we would advocate for a budget, we
should then advocate for the proper

1735
01:56:04,000 --> 01:56:10,480
information to the families to know that
those that are not in a financial

1736
01:56:08,080 --> 01:56:15,760
position where they can, and those that
are in a financial position where they

1737
01:56:12,600 --> 01:56:20,560
right? Where they can't afford, have
options, and those who can

1738
01:56:18,920 --> 01:56:25,880
do have options as well, and they would
pay a tuition. So, you're you're going

1739
01:56:23,240 --> 01:56:32,040
to advocate for and provide information
for. So, from my standpoint, as long as

1740
01:56:30,360 --> 01:56:36,120
there is the proper information
disseminated to the parents to be able

1741
01:56:34,320 --> 01:56:40,640
to have the option,
uh if they cannot afford, that they do

1742
01:56:38,280 --> 01:56:44,640
have an option to have their children in
that program just the same.

1743
01:56:42,400 --> 01:56:48,480
» Yeah, I like your I like your if they're
on Husky A and Husky B.

1744
01:56:46,360 --> 01:56:52,200
I like that, cuz one is family, one is
one is complete family, one is just the

1745
01:56:50,120 --> 01:56:56,760
kids, right?
Um I don't know I think Husky has you

1746
01:56:54,760 --> 01:56:59,360
would make it a funny, so you are on it,
like on it.

1747
01:56:57,800 --> 01:57:01,680
And the other one is you make enough
money, but your kids can be on it.

1748
01:57:01,280 --> 01:57:05,120
Right?
>> Right. So, that sets your two levels.

1749
01:57:03,640 --> 01:57:08,040
» So, it's A and B, whichever which is
which.

1750
01:57:06,000 --> 01:57:12,320
So, there is a level there. I like that
with you. What you're saying is like

1751
01:57:10,160 --> 01:57:16,240
okay, if you have Husky A and your Husky
B, you know, please contact us for it's

1752
01:57:14,320 --> 01:57:20,480
going to be reduced or
whatever we decide.

1753
01:57:18,080 --> 01:57:26,200
» If we look at the math of it though,
like so if we're charging $2,000

1754
01:57:23,320 --> 01:57:30,800
for the full day, that's eight kids.
That's $16,000.

1755
01:57:28,440 --> 01:57:35,000
And then we're charging $1,000
$1,000

1756
01:57:32,920 --> 01:57:40,760
for eight kids twice for the two half
days, we're looking at $32,000.

1757
01:57:37,920 --> 01:57:44,400
Assuming all of none of those students
qualify

1758
01:57:42,360 --> 01:57:49,040
for any of the Husky programs. Like why
are we going to put the families through

1759
01:57:46,560 --> 01:57:56,320
that additional stress
for $32,000? Like we're here to support

1760
01:57:54,720 --> 01:58:00,080
the members of our community, in
particular the students of our

1761
01:57:57,920 --> 01:58:05,120
community. Adding an additional burden
for at the most $32,000

1762
01:58:03,720 --> 01:58:09,800
seems
I could see if it was going to be 80,

1763
01:58:07,080 --> 01:58:15,040
90,000 dollars, we'd think about it.
$32,000 doesn't seem like it's worth it.

1764
01:58:13,040 --> 01:58:18,440
And all it a little bit seemed the
parents of this community have been

1765
01:58:17,160 --> 01:58:21,920
slapped in the
slapped in the face through this entire

1766
01:58:20,160 --> 01:58:26,200
budget process.
So, have the

1767
01:58:24,240 --> 01:58:30,120
the members the staff members of all of
our schools.

1768
01:58:27,520 --> 01:58:33,720
The board of of selectmen selectmen
referred to all of our our schools as

1769
01:58:32,200 --> 01:58:39,080
failing.
Um which is incredibly disrespectful to

1770
01:58:36,600 --> 01:58:45,200
our superintendent who has been
disrespected continually for the last

1771
01:58:42,160 --> 01:58:50,680
two months, and that was a disrespectful
statement that was made towards every

1772
01:58:47,440 --> 01:58:55,560
staff member in our schools.
Um our schools are not failing.

1773
01:58:53,440 --> 01:59:00,000
The staff in our schools are not
failures. They're actually being failed.

1774
01:58:58,720 --> 01:59:02,000
They are not failing, they are being
failed.

1775
01:59:01,200 --> 01:59:06,040
The
parents of our community were also

1776
01:59:03,880 --> 01:59:10,880
incredibly disrespected during that May
20th meeting when they were all their

1777
01:59:08,280 --> 01:59:16,160
concerns were completely ignored. To
slap the community in the face again for

1778
01:59:13,720 --> 01:59:19,480
maybe $32,000
is something I will not support.

1779
01:59:17,920 --> 01:59:24,320
» I I agree with what you're saying, but I
also it's about it's about putting money

1780
01:59:22,600 --> 01:59:29,280
back in the budget. And that's what this
whole craziness for the last 2 months

1781
01:59:26,360 --> 01:59:31,440
» But $32,000, $1.5 million.
>> here and $20,000 there and $30,000

1782
01:59:31,280 --> 01:59:34,880
there.
>> It adds up over time.

1783
01:59:32,040 --> 01:59:39,760
» And and making income on I'm not dissing
you, Manzi. On our 440, I mean, there

1784
01:59:37,960 --> 01:59:44,000
all these little things add up and
you're fighting over money all the time.

1785
01:59:42,320 --> 01:59:48,520
Like, I literally just went this for 2
months of my life. And like, we're

1786
01:59:46,400 --> 01:59:52,320
looking at an option where every other
town is doing it. It's not It's not just

1787
01:59:50,840 --> 01:59:57,280
us coming up with this idea.
>> They're larger I'm assuming they're

1788
01:59:54,400 --> 01:59:59,560
making more than $32,000, potentially
$32,000.

1789
01:59:59,040 --> 02:00:02,720
» Well, I mean
>> That's per student. It's not telling us

1790
02:00:01,080 --> 02:00:05,240
how many students are paying those
tuition.

1791
02:00:02,920 --> 02:00:10,800
» You're talking me
These are two These are apples and

1792
02:00:07,280 --> 02:00:15,560
oranges. Region 10 is a different DRG.
Region 20 is a different DRG. Region 1

1793
02:00:13,960 --> 02:00:19,000
is a different DRG. New Hartford's a
different DRG. The one that I see that's

1794
02:00:17,520 --> 02:00:21,080
comparable is Torrington.
>> to agree with you. I think we should

1795
02:00:20,080 --> 02:00:23,800
have,
you know, prices comparable to

1796
02:00:22,120 --> 02:00:28,120
Torrington. I mean, I always thinking,
you know, if we you know, maybe undercut

1797
02:00:26,800 --> 02:00:30,880
Torrington a little bit because I don't
know what can we do with the money? Do

1798
02:00:29,160 --> 02:00:34,400
we have to uh
appropriate that money towards something

1799
02:00:32,840 --> 02:00:39,520
or can that go into a non-lapsing fund
or our 440 fund?

1800
02:00:36,760 --> 02:00:44,920
» Uh, the income would be revenue, you
know, when we do our um

1801
02:00:42,720 --> 02:00:47,920
budget book, there's a page there with
um uh,

1802
02:00:45,600 --> 02:00:52,680
not revenue, resources. And amongst the
resources is revenue.

1803
02:00:50,240 --> 02:00:56,760
So, for example, the Champs program
brings in money, and that money is used

1804
02:00:54,560 --> 02:01:00,000
to pay for the Champs program, but
revenue [snorts] from the preschool

1805
02:00:58,200 --> 02:01:05,960
arguably could be used to defray the
cost of preschool, but it's

1806
02:01:02,480 --> 02:01:09,000
un- un- um,
unassigned money, if you will.

1807
02:01:07,480 --> 02:01:12,880
» So, theoretically, we could put this
into the non-lapsing fund or the 440

1808
02:01:10,680 --> 02:01:18,400
fund to to grow that. So,
we could even do, you know, maybe

1809
02:01:15,480 --> 02:01:22,280
$600 for a half-day rate and $1,200 for
a the for a full-day rate, and just

1810
02:01:20,400 --> 02:01:26,120
stock that money away
for, you know, issues that arise. We

1811
02:01:24,360 --> 02:01:30,280
don't have to appropriate this money for
the special education, or not special

1812
02:01:28,560 --> 02:01:36,240
education, sorry, the uh,
preschool, because we we haven't been

1813
02:01:32,720 --> 02:01:39,040
paying, you know, tuition now, so for
the future,

1814
02:01:37,880 --> 02:01:43,200
you know, we can just assume that
they're zero and stockpile that money

1815
02:01:40,600 --> 02:01:46,280
away for a rainy day fund that actually
generate income.

1816
02:01:47,560 --> 02:01:53,240
» And how would the billing go to the
families? Would it be monthly, weekly?

1817
02:01:51,480 --> 02:01:56,880
» Probably monthly, just based on our
research with surrounding communities,

1818
02:01:55,080 --> 02:02:00,560
they seem to do it monthly.
Some places do like by the semester, but

1819
02:01:59,040 --> 02:02:03,440
I don't know that that's realistic for
people.

1820
02:02:01,840 --> 02:02:07,360
» That Yeah, cuz it's there's big
difference between them having to pay

1821
02:02:05,840 --> 02:02:10,280
the bill every month and them having to
pay

1822
02:02:08,520 --> 02:02:15,400
and one large bill at the beginning.
>> Another caveat to this is, so like our

1823
02:02:12,880 --> 02:02:19,920
preschool program, correct? Um, it's not
just for Windsor, we can open it up to

1824
02:02:17,920 --> 02:02:23,280
other towns, correct?
>> So, we

1825
02:02:21,720 --> 02:02:28,840
the board would need to adopt a policy
about out-of-town students, but with

1826
02:02:26,000 --> 02:02:32,880
just two teachers, we will not be in a
position to do that, but if we, you

1827
02:02:31,440 --> 02:02:36,120
know, we are working really hard on our
Naya accreditation and growing the

1828
02:02:34,840 --> 02:02:44,800
program,
we have the physical space to have four

1829
02:02:39,720 --> 02:02:48,840
preschool rooms. So, if we add sections
because we think there's demand, we can

1830
02:02:46,880 --> 02:02:51,280
take out-of-town students after we've
accepted all of our own students.

1831
02:02:50,640 --> 02:02:53,160
» Okay.
So, then

1832
02:02:51,520 --> 02:02:55,800
» And we could charge an in-town rate and
an out-of-town rate, or we could charge

1833
02:02:54,600 --> 02:02:58,440
the same rate.
>> Cuz my my feeling is, you know,

1834
02:02:57,000 --> 02:03:02,520
Torrington would be our closest ally cuz
they're the closest. If we, you know,

1835
02:03:01,160 --> 02:03:07,440
have our tuition rates lower than that,
that could potentially draw students

1836
02:03:04,120 --> 02:03:09,960
from Torrington to us too, you know.
>> Families do the transportation, is that

1837
02:03:08,880 --> 02:03:11,880
right?
>> Out-of-town families would absolutely.

1838
02:03:11,105 --> 02:03:15,920
[clears throat]
In-town actually transport our kiddos on

1839
02:03:14,040 --> 02:03:20,200
the same buses with our big kids.
>> Where does [clears throat] the slap in

1840
02:03:17,560 --> 02:03:23,200
the face come from in the fact that it
would still be provided for those

1841
02:03:21,920 --> 02:03:29,400
families [clears throat] that do not
have the financial means, and those that

1842
02:03:25,920 --> 02:03:33,320
do could so that we could offset some of
these costs, and when you look at it and

1843
02:03:31,600 --> 02:03:37,400
we
go back and forth and have long

1844
02:03:35,240 --> 02:03:41,000
drawn-out meetings that go nowhere and
we're talking about budget cuts, which

1845
02:03:38,840 --> 02:03:46,240
are very unfortunate, and we have a way
to offset or defray those

1846
02:03:43,400 --> 02:03:50,680
budget cuts, we shouldn't be turning uh
our face to that and say, "How

1847
02:03:48,000 --> 02:03:54,640
disrespectful." Even if we've done that,
we do not not ever want to go back, nor

1848
02:03:53,400 --> 02:03:58,640
are you You mentioned this in the
special meeting, I believe. You said we

1849
02:03:56,120 --> 02:04:02,440
had $18 in the account. Just because we
had it at one time means we never want

1850
02:04:00,480 --> 02:04:05,320
to go back there. Let's not revisit the
past. Let's look to the future. How do

1851
02:04:04,360 --> 02:04:10,040
we
not go back? I think this is great to

1852
02:04:07,600 --> 02:04:12,600
think of, and it's not perfect, right?
It's There's going to be some people

1853
02:04:11,240 --> 02:04:17,160
that are disgruntled, but we have to
look at all options.

1854
02:04:14,360 --> 02:04:21,000
Um I think keeping
those in district, like was mentioned

1855
02:04:18,960 --> 02:04:25,760
before, uh thank you, Kathy. I think
that that's another great thing, not

1856
02:04:23,160 --> 02:04:30,640
just cost-wise, but just looking to keep
it in our district as much as possible,

1857
02:04:27,920 --> 02:04:36,360
and how could we get back to having a
third uh

1858
02:04:33,360 --> 02:04:39,080
uh teacher for, right? So, we we let go
of one of our pre-K teachers, Did we not

1859
02:04:38,480 --> 02:04:42,400
do this?
>> We lost a staff.

1860
02:04:39,600 --> 02:04:46,960
» So, if we do this, could we not at some
point bring back that teacher and now

1861
02:04:44,280 --> 02:04:49,960
have more to offer? So, I think looking
at it from the standpoint of it's a slap

1862
02:04:48,480 --> 02:04:53,960
in the face, I think is the wrong way to
look at it. I think it's trying to look

1863
02:04:52,280 --> 02:04:58,400
and say, "Okay,
what we've done maybe has worked

1864
02:04:56,880 --> 02:05:02,240
somewhat, but there might be a better
way."

1865
02:04:59,480 --> 02:05:07,160
» So, 30,000 could be a paraprofessional.
It could be field trip experiences. It

1866
02:05:04,360 --> 02:05:10,960
could be things that
we

1867
02:05:08,920 --> 02:05:14,880
look to
eliminate

1868
02:05:12,520 --> 02:05:18,560
when we come into budget season. So, it
could be something that could provide

1869
02:05:17,400 --> 02:05:22,040
for
the entire student population to

1870
02:05:20,720 --> 02:05:27,600
benefit.
Um we have very little opportunities to

1871
02:05:24,840 --> 02:05:32,880
create revenue as a public school
um other than grants.

1872
02:05:29,960 --> 02:05:37,480
Um and we all know
grants dry up, grants go away.

1873
02:05:35,880 --> 02:05:41,720
Um
and

1874
02:05:38,720 --> 02:05:46,480
as we saw this year, our district is not
the only district that's hurting.

1875
02:05:44,400 --> 02:05:53,600
All districts in this state are hurting.
All districts are trying to find ways to

1876
02:05:49,720 --> 02:05:56,720
um cut, ways to you know, maximize our
costs.

1877
02:05:55,080 --> 02:06:03,400
And
I don't see that going away.

1878
02:05:59,680 --> 02:06:06,600
So, we need to be creative. We need to
think outside the box. That's what we

1879
02:06:05,480 --> 02:06:10,640
tasked
Julie to do.

1880
02:06:09,000 --> 02:06:14,960
We need to start thinking outside the
box and

1881
02:06:12,720 --> 02:06:19,560
this isn't out of the box.
Just because we haven't done it, doesn't

1882
02:06:16,920 --> 02:06:22,440
mean that we shouldn't consider it.
>> I do appreciate the creativity and that

1883
02:06:21,160 --> 02:06:26,080
was one of the charges is to try to
figure out some creative ways. Um but I

1884
02:06:24,680 --> 02:06:29,440
think this is the most vulnerable part
of that. And I think that we're going to

1885
02:06:27,800 --> 02:06:34,160
lose some kids in the process and our
families because it it it yeah, it's

1886
02:06:32,440 --> 02:06:37,200
going to be you know, we got care for
kids, some families will qualify. We've

1887
02:06:35,720 --> 02:06:41,560
got Husky A and B, some parents will
qualify. It's the marginal family that

1888
02:06:39,360 --> 02:06:45,680
qualifies for neither one that I'm
afraid we will lose

1889
02:06:43,360 --> 02:06:50,400
because all of our kids, you know, need
need help and support and this I'm

1890
02:06:47,880 --> 02:06:53,320
afraid we'll lose that the third tier of
parent.

1891
02:06:52,040 --> 02:06:54,440
And
um

1892
02:06:53,840 --> 02:06:58,080
» So then why don't we
>> Yes, you can communicate and tell the

1893
02:06:56,000 --> 02:07:01,240
parents if you qualify, but it's going
to it's

1894
02:06:59,120 --> 02:07:04,960
kind of reminiscent of how some families
don't get financial aid, would love to

1895
02:07:03,400 --> 02:07:09,080
have, but they're caught in that
financial zone in terms of income and

1896
02:07:07,680 --> 02:07:12,280
they don't get any financial aid, but
they want to send their kid on to

1897
02:07:10,320 --> 02:07:16,680
college. This is kind of I'm worried
about that kind of family who

1898
02:07:14,720 --> 02:07:20,880
just needs to hit the groceries. And so
yeah, they don't qualify for Husky, they

1899
02:07:18,080 --> 02:07:23,920
don't qualify for the care for kids and
would love to send my kid, but now I

1900
02:07:23,040 --> 02:07:25,960
nope.
>> So then we eat it, we just accept them

1901
02:07:25,280 --> 02:07:30,320
and don't charge them.
>> the long-term cuz I'm thinking penny

1902
02:07:28,080 --> 02:07:34,200
wise, pound fuel foolish. Long-term
consequence of this

1903
02:07:32,400 --> 02:07:38,000
if you if you talk about what cover, I
mean this is not about COVID, but

1904
02:07:36,440 --> 02:07:43,240
when you're talking about learning at
this vulnerable age, the growth is

1905
02:07:40,160 --> 02:07:47,680
tremendous and if they're not up with
their age level peers in each of the

1906
02:07:45,800 --> 02:07:52,560
grades and matriculating in each of
those on level,

1907
02:07:49,800 --> 02:07:57,400
it's going to show up in secondary
schools, middle school and that is one

1908
02:07:55,480 --> 02:08:03,040
of the things that has helped this
community with about average or above

1909
02:08:00,760 --> 02:08:05,920
average on our standardized tests year
in, year out is the investment in

1910
02:08:05,120 --> 02:08:08,320
preschool.
>> But if we don't do this, who knows next

1911
02:08:07,360 --> 02:08:13,360
year we could lose that preschool
teacher and then have nothing.

1912
02:08:10,920 --> 02:08:18,120
» But I'd rather put maybe three more kids
in a teacher's room than to dissuade a

1913
02:08:15,600 --> 02:08:22,120
family that absolutely needs to get kids
in those programs.

1914
02:08:19,240 --> 02:08:24,480
» Three kids versus maybe 16 losing out on
the opportunity.

1915
02:08:22,720 --> 02:08:28,880
» I would talk to the experts. I mean when
you talk about investment in education,

1916
02:08:26,880 --> 02:08:30,640
the most vulnerable is in the elementary
levels.

1917
02:08:29,560 --> 02:08:34,200
» Exactly. And we're giving we're
providing support financially for the

1918
02:08:33,360 --> 02:08:38,680
people that can't pay.
>> If they qualify, but we like for as I

1919
02:08:36,560 --> 02:08:41,920
said, 11 years this has been free for
everyone.

1920
02:08:40,480 --> 02:08:45,360
» And we also cut a million dollars in our
budget.

1921
02:08:43,040 --> 02:08:49,200
I don't I mean I'm just this is a way to
fix a potential problem long term.

1922
02:08:47,400 --> 02:08:52,840
» I would rather find some other creative
way to find savings in sixth grade.

1923
02:08:51,240 --> 02:08:57,960
» Hold on.
Am I

1924
02:08:53,640 --> 02:09:03,600
wrong that we had the option
of going through our programs, I think

1925
02:09:00,920 --> 02:09:07,400
they were called the owl or whatever.
>> Little owls.

1926
02:09:04,280 --> 02:09:12,520
» Little owls or doing at advance and at
advance charged on a sliding scale. Am I

1927
02:09:10,000 --> 02:09:16,320
right in that in that still was
within our building when at advance ran

1928
02:09:15,360 --> 02:09:21,240
a preschool.
>> At advance has two preschool classrooms

1929
02:09:19,320 --> 02:09:25,120
that are housed at Pearson.
>> And those are the front doors and one in

1930
02:09:23,280 --> 02:09:30,440
the locker room. Those are paid.
>> One is head start, they accept a sliding

1931
02:09:27,560 --> 02:09:33,280
scale and the other is
>> That's what we did.

1932
02:09:31,640 --> 02:09:37,400
» Something. And they also are
>> We we chose

1933
02:09:35,560 --> 02:09:42,240
early start.
>> Which were supported by

1934
02:09:40,440 --> 02:09:44,600
Parents didn't have to pay.
>> No, they did.

1935
02:09:43,400 --> 02:09:48,120
» Early start.
>> Sliding scale.

1936
02:09:45,480 --> 02:09:54,400
» For a Husky B, a family of four, if you
make under $121,000

1937
02:09:51,280 --> 02:09:59,840
a year, you qualify for Husky B for a
family of four, $121,000.

1938
02:09:58,440 --> 02:10:01,520
So, most of the kids are going to
qualify.

1939
02:10:00,440 --> 02:10:05,600
» $121,000?
>> Yeah, for a family of four, you qualify.

1940
02:10:04,480 --> 02:10:08,400
That's the limit.
>> I see. That's it.

1941
02:10:06,360 --> 02:10:13,640
» That's the That's what I'm saying.
>> And Husky A So, that's your

1942
02:10:11,400 --> 02:10:16,920
» Husky A is a lot less. This is Husky B.
Husky B is just for the children. Husky

1943
02:10:15,960 --> 02:10:22,320
A is for the entire
>> So, I'm saying the town has have

1944
02:10:19,440 --> 02:10:28,400
programs like this that they've chosen
outside of the school program. So,

1945
02:10:25,240 --> 02:10:32,680
families have had this choice.
And

1946
02:10:30,360 --> 02:10:36,960
it's not like it's it
there is a concept to it already in this

1947
02:10:34,600 --> 02:10:36,960
town.

1948
02:10:37,080 --> 02:10:40,480
» Can I say something?
>> No.

1949
02:10:40,440 --> 02:10:44,720
» [laughter]
>> Yeah, go for it.

1950
02:10:43,480 --> 02:10:50,480
» Um
I think preschool, if you're just paying

1951
02:10:47,480 --> 02:10:56,000
out of pocket, um is
you know, usually pretty expensive. I

1952
02:10:52,680 --> 02:10:59,920
remember paying $1,000 a month and
making it work.

1953
02:10:57,800 --> 02:11:05,960
Um
I think making sure that we're I think

1954
02:11:03,720 --> 02:11:11,560
if we follow the MassHealth, so if we
follow HUSKY A, HUSKY B,

1955
02:11:08,560 --> 02:11:17,240
um those recommendations, I think we
will

1956
02:11:12,880 --> 02:11:20,760
catch a lot of the most vulnerable,
um members of

1957
02:11:20,080 --> 02:11:28,840
you
know, that age group in our town.

1958
02:11:23,480 --> 02:11:28,840
I think keeping the cost still low,

1959
02:11:29,000 --> 02:11:37,480
I think
you know, also maybe even for the people

1960
02:11:33,600 --> 02:11:42,400
that are not on HUSKY A, HUSKY B,
making it so that they can apply for

1961
02:11:39,920 --> 02:11:47,400
financial aid or hardship or have some
sort of program for them, too.

1962
02:11:45,320 --> 02:11:51,480
And
I mean, I I think that would

1963
02:11:49,480 --> 02:11:57,440
I think probably the majority of our
kids are going to be on HUSKY A and

1964
02:11:53,640 --> 02:12:02,840
HUSKY B, honestly.
And for the rest of them, I think

1965
02:11:59,080 --> 02:12:07,600
keeping the cost low
is a wise choice.

1966
02:12:04,640 --> 02:12:11,640
Um of course, we want to give all all
the young ones

1967
02:12:09,520 --> 02:12:16,200
a chance at preschool because really it
sets such a foundation for them. You

1968
02:12:14,240 --> 02:12:20,520
know, we've talked about
all of the the price that we pay further

1969
02:12:18,520 --> 02:12:25,880
down the line. Um
Special education and IEPs and

1970
02:12:22,840 --> 02:12:30,640
everything. If we can help make that
foundation for them at a reasonable

1971
02:12:28,640 --> 02:12:33,840
cost,
I think that will greatly help us in the

1972
02:12:32,240 --> 02:12:38,280
long run.
So, I I

1973
02:12:35,640 --> 02:12:45,160
I don't think charging is a bad idea,
but I do think we need to be careful

1974
02:12:41,440 --> 02:12:50,520
about the amount and provide
like a financial hardship kind of option

1975
02:12:47,160 --> 02:12:56,400
for the people that are not caught in
um eligible for Husky A O B.

1976
02:12:53,480 --> 02:12:56,400
The extra expenses.

1977
02:12:56,680 --> 02:13:04,000
» Okay, so
if if we were to do this,

1978
02:13:01,280 --> 02:13:07,760
let's let's discuss
a a reasonable rate. You you see the

1979
02:13:06,360 --> 02:13:12,200
numbers there.
Um

1980
02:13:09,520 --> 02:13:15,280
Torrington is at 1,600 for a year.
>> I think we would match Torrington and do

1981
02:13:14,000 --> 02:13:18,680
half year.
We do N and do 800

1982
02:13:17,520 --> 02:13:21,880
» I would say 1,200.
>> No, I would stick with stick with

1983
02:13:20,320 --> 02:13:24,680
Torrington.
I mean, Torrington's not

1984
02:13:24,040 --> 02:13:27,960
any better
>> any better

1985
02:13:25,720 --> 02:13:31,040
» Right. They're as equal as we and their
taxes are super

1986
02:13:28,880 --> 02:13:36,600
» So, let me let me ask you a question. Do
we know how many are enrolled in a class

1987
02:13:34,640 --> 02:13:39,880
for Torrington? Like how many kids are
in a class?

1988
02:13:37,920 --> 02:13:44,800
» I don't know, but I would speculate that
it's got to be give or take 16. Most

1989
02:13:41,760 --> 02:13:48,600
districts cap either at 14 or 16. You
get to 16, people start looking at you

1990
02:13:46,600 --> 02:13:51,600
sideways. It's a lot of 3-year-olds in
one place.

1991
02:13:49,360 --> 02:13:55,640
» For sure. Well, I was just I I guess
mostly I was just wondering the amount

1992
02:13:53,640 --> 02:14:00,400
of kids because I think the original
proposed cost like so if you're saying

1993
02:13:57,640 --> 02:14:04,640
2,000, 1,000, though it would be more
than Torrington, I know in

1994
02:14:02,800 --> 02:14:09,280
I would assume in Torrington some of
their class sizes can be quite large.

1995
02:14:08,040 --> 02:14:11,920
I don't know if they're more or less,
but

1996
02:14:10,480 --> 02:14:14,520
No, you're shaking your head no.
>> I have no idea.

1997
02:14:13,200 --> 02:14:17,760
We don't know that data.
>> So I'd be interested

1998
02:14:16,120 --> 02:14:21,680
» than we do because they're just a bigger
community than we are.

1999
02:14:19,280 --> 02:14:25,760
» Sure, and they have far more people,
right? Like it's five or six times.

2000
02:14:24,920 --> 02:14:28,280
Yeah, much bigger.
>> The classes still could be 16, but we

2001
02:14:27,400 --> 02:14:30,760
don't know.
>> Yeah.

2002
02:14:29,240 --> 02:14:35,720
Um
Do we have to Can we like workshop this

2003
02:14:33,360 --> 02:14:38,480
a little bit more and or now we have to
do it now because

2004
02:14:36,520 --> 02:14:40,440
» We really need to tell families they're
in or not in

2005
02:14:40,120 --> 02:14:44,040
» Got it.
>> because they need to make their Right

2006
02:14:41,960 --> 02:14:46,680
now we're late in terms of like if
they're not getting a spot with us,

2007
02:14:46,120 --> 02:14:49,520
» Sure.
>> they're behind the eight ball getting a

2008
02:14:47,720 --> 02:14:51,320
spot somewhere else if they need child
care.

2009
02:14:50,200 --> 02:14:53,680
» Yeah.
Got it.

2010
02:14:51,520 --> 02:14:56,640
» So should we vote on it and then also
what if

2011
02:14:54,960 --> 02:15:00,360
what would we charge? Cuz you're we
could do 2,000 1,000

2012
02:14:58,960 --> 02:15:04,880
do 16 and eight.
>> I think we match Torrington's, you know,

2013
02:15:03,600 --> 02:15:08,560
comparable.
>> I think Torrington's would be good.

2014
02:15:06,520 --> 02:15:13,240
Okay, so they're 16 so and they don't
have a half day. So just half day now.

2015
02:15:11,080 --> 02:15:15,280
So 16 and eight.
Right?

2016
02:15:13,680 --> 02:15:19,920
» Torrington's mill rate is much higher
than ours. Also to take into account

2017
02:15:17,320 --> 02:15:23,400
their tax their tax their tax base is a
lot more. So more people but

2018
02:15:22,080 --> 02:15:25,120
» I mean negligible. I mean mill rate's a
variable that's [snorts]

2019
02:15:24,080 --> 02:15:27,200
» So
okay,

2020
02:15:25,240 --> 02:15:31,320
» Okay, but they pay more in taxes
>> in taxes plus they're paying

2021
02:15:28,800 --> 02:15:37,640
» So so my point being
if those that are able

2022
02:15:34,440 --> 02:15:41,680
and willing and if you if you uh
if you are in the

2023
02:15:40,600 --> 02:15:45,840
uh
Husky A Husky B and you apply for that

2024
02:15:43,960 --> 02:15:49,920
and you can get that, you're going to
have that financial aid.

2025
02:15:47,960 --> 02:15:53,280
For those that are
able and willing, I mean

2026
02:15:52,160 --> 02:15:56,600
again,
so what would that be over a monthly

2027
02:15:55,560 --> 02:16:01,520
rate? Cuz I was looking at the
>> So you were saying 2,000 would be about

2028
02:15:58,560 --> 02:16:06,400
$50 a month if you did the yearly.
>> Not quite.

2029
02:16:02,480 --> 02:16:09,720
» 2,000 is $200 a month is $50 a week is
$10 a day.

2030
02:16:08,120 --> 02:16:13,600
It's $10 a day.
>> Which is

2031
02:16:10,720 --> 02:16:17,600
inexpensive for what that is. Now we
want preschool costs.

2032
02:16:15,880 --> 02:16:23,000
And that's a that's a full day rate. I
know that for a two-day half-day rate,

2033
02:16:20,800 --> 02:16:25,000
it
it's a lot more than

2034
02:16:23,840 --> 02:16:26,400
» I would say what are you paying right
now?

2035
02:16:25,360 --> 02:16:28,904
» So
>> It's got to be a ton.

2036
02:16:27,200 --> 02:16:33,040
» So point being, those that
[clears throat] do not have the means to

2037
02:16:30,040 --> 02:16:37,719
do so will have an opportunity. And
again, I appreciate the

2038
02:16:35,400 --> 02:16:43,240
out of the box thinking.
And because again, those that do it

2039
02:16:41,000 --> 02:16:49,000
because again, while we haven't done it
for 11 years, clearly

2040
02:16:45,760 --> 02:16:54,160
what we have been doing from a financial
basis is not working. And

2041
02:16:51,480 --> 02:16:58,360
the only thing that I would love to hear
is the parents have been very vocal. And

2042
02:16:56,800 --> 02:17:04,080
I think that's a good thing because
you're invested in your children's

2043
02:17:00,080 --> 02:17:07,280
education. And I would love to hear what
like

2044
02:17:06,080 --> 02:17:11,120
what they would have to say. I know
we're out of time. I wish we had more

2045
02:17:09,280 --> 02:17:14,800
time for this, but
personally, so if I was I would say

2046
02:17:12,840 --> 02:17:20,160
2,000 1,000 because I think that's still
a fantastic deal. It would be a big

2047
02:17:16,360 --> 02:17:26,280
jump, but I would only vote yes on that
based upon the idea that we have

2048
02:17:24,200 --> 02:17:30,840
we're really sure about the financial
aid for those that do not have the

2049
02:17:27,760 --> 02:17:34,760
means. And that it is easy enough and
the information so that they're not

2050
02:17:32,519 --> 02:17:38,519
dissuaded in any way. Because I do agree
with you, Nora.

2051
02:17:35,880 --> 02:17:42,639
Uh this is a extremely important
developmental age and you're either

2052
02:17:40,920 --> 02:17:48,840
setting yourself back
or you're jumping forward based upon how

2053
02:17:45,920 --> 02:17:52,599
these ages are. So I agree, it's very
important.

2054
02:17:50,320 --> 02:17:57,320
But also, we've heard a distinct amount
of parents come out and say

2055
02:17:54,400 --> 02:18:04,120
I will pay for my kids' education like
in a tax increase. And that lack of a

2056
02:18:01,240 --> 02:18:04,120
better term

2057
02:18:05,240 --> 02:18:11,440
the those that are financially able can
put their money where their mouth is in

2058
02:18:09,599 --> 02:18:16,519
this particular case and I would do so
as a parent in the town and I would I

2059
02:18:14,000 --> 02:18:21,719
would back that because
even if it off offset one teacher's

2060
02:18:18,800 --> 02:18:26,080
salary we're looking at advancement not
regression.

2061
02:18:23,120 --> 02:18:30,000
» Care for kids would pay, right?
Care for kids has their own like sliding

2062
02:18:28,360 --> 02:18:33,200
scale and they make up the difference.
So we would that would come into a

2063
02:18:31,040 --> 02:18:35,160
pocket here. Right. And then Husky A B
would just be a reduced rate.

2064
02:18:34,880 --> 02:18:38,240
» Correct.
>> So this community would still have to

2065
02:18:36,519 --> 02:18:41,559
our taxes still have to pay for that one
student.

2066
02:18:38,920 --> 02:18:46,080
» So Husky B is 121,000 and change for a
family of four.

2067
02:18:42,880 --> 02:18:47,000
That's Husky B. Husky A is 44,000 for a
family of four.

2068
02:18:46,559 --> 02:18:50,840
» So
>> So if they're not So if you're applying

2069
02:18:48,920 --> 02:18:55,040
for for A I mean not your willing
poverty rate if you're getting Husky.

2070
02:18:52,800 --> 02:18:56,440
» So Husky A would be a reduced rate.
Let's just say

2071
02:18:55,800 --> 02:18:58,920
» No,
Husky A is free.

2072
02:18:58,280 --> 02:19:02,080
» Free.
>> And then Husky B is

2073
02:19:00,080 --> 02:19:08,400
» would have a reduced
So free does Husky A free does that

2074
02:19:06,080 --> 02:19:11,240
revenue come from to us in any
>> Nope.

2075
02:19:08,920 --> 02:19:15,160
» So we have to we have to comp that.
>> We need to comp that. I need to learn a

2076
02:19:13,200 --> 02:19:18,960
little bit more about Care for Kids to
see if Care for Kids would kick in at

2077
02:19:17,519 --> 02:19:24,200
all with that. I don't know.
>> If it's Husky B we're comping that.

2078
02:19:21,719 --> 02:19:27,800
» Again, I don't know if we can get
families to apply for Care for Kids to

2079
02:19:26,120 --> 02:19:30,639
make up any of the difference. Care for
Kids is a new concept for us. We're not

2080
02:19:29,960 --> 02:19:33,559
up with them yet.
>> So we don't know what the reimbursement

2081
02:19:32,760 --> 02:19:37,400
rate would be.
>> Assume that we're getting nothing for

2082
02:19:35,240 --> 02:19:42,519
Husky A and Husky B we're getting half
price. And if we can recoup some of that

2083
02:19:40,040 --> 02:19:46,040
through Care for Kids good on us.
>> So if we can recoup for Care for Kids as

2084
02:19:44,559 --> 02:19:49,560
much as possible, we're still going to
have to comp Husky whatever that's going

2085
02:19:47,800 --> 02:19:53,040
to be and then we're going to have
parents

2086
02:19:50,840 --> 02:19:56,560
paying for
the those that don't qualify. Like in

2087
02:19:55,200 --> 02:19:59,720
bucket three.
>> Yeah.

2088
02:19:57,280 --> 02:20:05,520
» So the the savings of this program for
this community for the board of that is

2089
02:20:01,960 --> 02:20:09,160
what do we say? $32,000?
Because we're going to have to pay the

2090
02:20:07,240 --> 02:20:11,840
other half of whatever Husky doesn't
pay.

2091
02:20:10,200 --> 02:20:14,520
We don't know what Care for Kids pays,
but we still have to pay for the other

2092
02:20:13,120 --> 02:20:18,440
half to run the program. We have to pay
for the program.

2093
02:20:15,760 --> 02:20:22,560
So, in the end, I really don't think the
cost is a mean it's not you know it's

2094
02:20:20,600 --> 02:20:28,000
not amazing. And I think what's going to
happen is as I said, we're going to

2095
02:20:25,280 --> 02:20:31,360
dissuade even it's $10 a day, but
there's some families that can't even do

2096
02:20:29,560 --> 02:20:35,160
that.
>> The one thing I do is I I appreciate

2097
02:20:33,800 --> 02:20:39,000
these discussions because there's
something Kurt said that actually really

2098
02:20:37,400 --> 02:20:44,800
stuck out to me
is it's not going to bring us really

2099
02:20:42,000 --> 02:20:49,080
back another staff member, but it can
bring back some experience for our

2100
02:20:46,920 --> 02:20:55,120
students, which is not something I had
pre- previously thought about.

2101
02:20:51,840 --> 02:20:58,480
Um so, even bringing something like that
back for our students could be valuable.

2102
02:20:58,280 --> 02:21:00,000
And
>> Any money back in the budget.

2103
02:20:59,480 --> 02:21:03,520
» And currently you
>> And you're also cutting I mean right now

2104
02:21:02,320 --> 02:21:07,200
first of all, the money's already
allocated. We already have it in our

2105
02:21:04,800 --> 02:21:13,320
budget. So, anything we make on top of
that is gravy, right? Okay. And we just

2106
02:21:10,400 --> 02:21:16,680
cut a pre- a preschool class. So, all
those kids that were where are they

2107
02:21:14,600 --> 02:21:20,480
going to go? I mean, you know, we got to
start thinking out I mean, you're

2108
02:21:18,240 --> 02:21:24,480
worried about all the the little ones,
but you we just cut a pre-K class.

2109
02:21:22,640 --> 02:21:26,560
» Listen, the the parents the kids are
going somewhere.

2110
02:21:25,480 --> 02:21:31,400
» Right, they're going somewhere.
>> to be going somewhere.

2111
02:21:28,520 --> 02:21:34,800
Um and it's whether it's at a reduced
rate with us

2112
02:21:33,520 --> 02:21:38,360
or
they're they're going to have to find

2113
02:21:36,040 --> 02:21:41,400
other especially if it's it's for child
care.

2114
02:21:39,560 --> 02:21:46,320
Um let's let's
not all of it is academic for some of

2115
02:21:43,560 --> 02:21:50,760
these parents. Some of these parents
they it's there for child care.

2116
02:21:48,680 --> 02:21:55,000
Um and
it it's free child care now, but I mean

2117
02:21:53,520 --> 02:21:58,760
it it's
it is what it is and they're going to

2118
02:21:56,600 --> 02:22:01,640
have to find child care somewhere.
>> And we're currently paying for the full

2119
02:21:59,880 --> 02:22:04,360
bill. Why not help reduce that cost a
little bit?

2120
02:22:02,680 --> 02:22:09,120
» It's just going to defray. I mean it's
minuscule. I'm not saying it's going to

2121
02:22:06,760 --> 02:22:14,440
it's minuscule, but again it could it
can create something good out of it.

2122
02:22:11,880 --> 02:22:17,960
» also arguably make it easier to add the
teacher back next year if we know that

2123
02:22:16,760 --> 02:22:21,320
we have
the cost of the para and only have to do

2124
02:22:20,000 --> 02:22:24,280
the teacher or
>> Right.

2125
02:22:21,920 --> 02:22:28,360
» I would have loved the idea of shifting
some of the burden onto the parents for

2126
02:22:27,000 --> 02:22:32,880
our budget.
Um I understand

2127
02:22:31,280 --> 02:22:36,440
and my heart breaks for those parents
who are going to be really, really hurt

2128
02:22:34,160 --> 02:22:39,360
by this and their kids who are this is
going to

2129
02:22:37,800 --> 02:22:45,000
they're going to struggle with this
because one of the I do before I moved

2130
02:22:42,880 --> 02:22:46,280
to Winsted, one of the things was
free pre-K.

2131
02:22:45,840 --> 02:22:51,520
» Yeah.
>> So it is something that parents in

2132
02:22:49,280 --> 02:22:54,880
surrounding areas know about. Um taking
that away I don't think is awesome. I

2133
02:22:53,320 --> 02:23:00,160
understand
other districts are doing it. Um I do

2134
02:22:57,800 --> 02:23:05,560
see that it's it is less expensive than
other pre-K programs.

2135
02:23:02,440 --> 02:23:09,200
Um again, I don't love it, but Kurt
something Kurt said really did stick out

2136
02:23:07,400 --> 02:23:14,440
to me where we could give back some of
the things that our students lost in

2137
02:23:11,920 --> 02:23:17,960
this catastrophic
cut in the last month and a half.

2138
02:23:16,640 --> 02:23:22,320
» I would want to know what parents are
thinking. I'd want to know whether or

2139
02:23:20,040 --> 02:23:25,960
not this affects the number of persons
enrolled and applying for it. I'd want

2140
02:23:24,200 --> 02:23:31,920
to know what the numbers would be in the
last say, you know, 11 years and whether

2141
02:23:29,600 --> 02:23:34,659
or not this makes it change.
The impact. I'd want to try to measure

2142
02:23:33,520 --> 02:23:36,680
the impact
>> [snorts]

2143
02:23:35,080 --> 02:23:40,720
» in some way.
Um I'm not in favor of it and so we

2144
02:23:38,640 --> 02:23:44,000
could just move ahead on a vote because
um I think it's unfortunate that we're

2145
02:23:42,400 --> 02:23:48,600
looking to the most vulnerable
population for moneys and savings when

2146
02:23:46,400 --> 02:23:51,720
we should look to and we have been, the
state of Connecticut doing more with

2147
02:23:50,000 --> 02:23:56,440
their ECS money.
Um other ways to just look at costs, uh

2148
02:23:54,240 --> 02:24:00,160
charging for other things, uh maybe
after school programs as opposed to

2149
02:23:58,680 --> 02:24:04,160
looking at the most vulnerable group of
kids.

2150
02:24:02,040 --> 02:24:08,520
As a profit way or way to save money.
>> Well, we we have to take initiative.

2151
02:24:06,520 --> 02:24:12,480
We have to take initiative as a district
and not rely on the state because

2152
02:24:11,000 --> 02:24:18,440
the state's not reliable.
>> And you're talking you're talking 24

2153
02:24:14,480 --> 02:24:21,640
kids, and half of those are are special,
right?

2154
02:24:20,440 --> 02:24:25,560
» We're uh
we're looking at for the coming year 48

2155
02:24:23,960 --> 02:24:27,880
seats, of which
>> 24, well.

2156
02:24:26,440 --> 02:24:33,240
» Well, we probably wouldn't need to hold
all 24. We [snorts] probably would hold

2157
02:24:30,480 --> 02:24:37,000
maybe 20 spots so we could theoretically
charge for 28 spots.

2158
02:24:35,400 --> 02:24:40,640
» 28 spots. So, we're we're talking 28
kids. And don't forget, we just nixed

2159
02:24:39,480 --> 02:24:44,160
made
a classroom of What's the average

2160
02:24:42,920 --> 02:24:45,000
classroom for the pre-K?
>> 16.

2161
02:24:44,960 --> 02:24:48,160
» 16.
>> You just nixed nixed made 16 kids that

2162
02:24:46,920 --> 02:24:50,080
got cut from other stuff.
>> So.

2163
02:24:48,640 --> 02:24:54,360
» So, it's not like we're
>> So, I'm going to move I'm going to move

2164
02:24:51,760 --> 02:24:58,840
this I'm going to move this to a vote
I'm going to first move this to a vote

2165
02:24:56,360 --> 02:25:04,840
on whether to proceed with it, and then
we can vote on how we want to set the

2166
02:25:01,760 --> 02:25:06,880
tuition if if we approve
it.

2167
02:25:05,880 --> 02:25:10,720
» I'll make a motion.
>> Go hold on. Go ahead. You I'll give you

2168
02:25:08,800 --> 02:25:16,160
one more.
>> Just to the point that

2169
02:25:13,120 --> 02:25:20,240
we cut the class, if this gives us any
opportunity of bringing it back, you

2170
02:25:18,120 --> 02:25:27,560
talk about the most vulnerable, is that
not an opportunity to then work towards

2171
02:25:24,240 --> 02:25:31,440
better, right, and bring back students?
Possibly?

2172
02:25:29,120 --> 02:25:34,200
» Bringing them back to what? Like grade
three because you're hiring another para

2173
02:25:33,400 --> 02:25:38,360
or
>> No, eventually getting that teacher that

2174
02:25:37,440 --> 02:25:42,800
we lost
>> back.

2175
02:25:38,920 --> 02:25:45,360
» Yes, 16 that we lost. So,
>> Due to the budget.

2176
02:25:43,440 --> 02:25:48,440
» Okay. Anyways, so
>> All right. So, I'm going to move this to

2177
02:25:47,320 --> 02:25:54,600
vote
on whether to adopt a pre-script pre-K

2178
02:25:52,520 --> 02:25:57,360
school tuition rate.
Um

2179
02:25:55,720 --> 02:25:59,400
Would anyone like to make a motion?
>> So moved.

2180
02:25:58,440 --> 02:26:03,920
» Joseph?
>> So, Joseph is making a motion to adopt a

2181
02:26:02,200 --> 02:26:05,840
tuition for preschool.
>> A tuition for preschool.

2182
02:26:05,440 --> 02:26:11,240
» Second.
>> Anyone?

2183
02:26:06,840 --> 02:26:11,240
Uh Shane second. All in favor?

2184
02:26:11,280 --> 02:26:14,960
» I'm in favor.
>> Okay.

2185
02:26:13,280 --> 02:26:18,680
Opposed?
Okay.

2186
02:26:16,160 --> 02:26:24,440
All right. Uh being that that has been
approved, we now will s-

2187
02:26:21,480 --> 02:26:29,200
We'd like to I Would anyone like to
So,

2188
02:26:26,840 --> 02:26:32,520
I think we're settling on 1,600.
>> And half And half of that for

2189
02:26:30,360 --> 02:26:35,400
» And 800 for half day.
>> Yeah, that sounds fair.

2190
02:26:33,840 --> 02:26:39,800
» Up.
>> And then Husky A would get free

2191
02:26:37,800 --> 02:26:43,880
» We I mean, that's not that's Yeah,
that's That's that's not that's not us.

2192
02:26:42,200 --> 02:26:48,360
So, 1,600
>> But wouldn't that wouldn't be set

2193
02:26:45,480 --> 02:26:52,560
» We're just setting We're just setting
>> Probably more operational, but I'm

2194
02:26:50,160 --> 02:26:54,880
telling you that we would use Husky
>> Instead of No, not the sliding scale.

2195
02:26:54,400 --> 02:26:56,680
The Husky
>> I know on the A and B.

2196
02:26:55,640 --> 02:27:00,000
» Yes. Yes.
>> But we're not That's not our decision

2197
02:26:58,240 --> 02:27:02,760
» And she'll also research the
>> Care for kids. We're already underway of

2198
02:27:02,160 --> 02:27:06,320
figuring that out.
>> We're just We're setting what the cost

2199
02:27:04,440 --> 02:27:07,600
» The tuition rate for the people that
will be paying.

2200
02:27:07,120 --> 02:27:11,640
» Okay.
>> Um so, 1,600

2201
02:27:10,320 --> 02:27:17,800
for
uh for full day and 800 for half day.

2202
02:27:15,960 --> 02:27:22,360
Okay. Would anyone like to make a motion
to set a rate of 1,600 for full day,

2203
02:27:21,120 --> 02:27:24,800
800 for half day?
>> Motion to set the rate at 1,600, 800 for

2204
02:27:24,640 --> 02:27:26,560
half day.
>> Jonathan?

2205
02:27:25,600 --> 02:27:30,360
» I'll second.
>> Joseph second. All in favor?

2206
02:27:30,640 --> 02:27:34,520
» I'm in favor.
>> Okay. All

2207
02:27:33,040 --> 02:27:38,440
opposed?
Okay.

2208
02:27:35,840 --> 02:27:44,600
So moved.
Okay.

2209
02:27:41,000 --> 02:27:50,160
All right, on to item E of action items.
Superintendent evaluation. This will

2210
02:27:48,440 --> 02:27:52,360
require executive session.
>> Yes, we'll require someone to make a

2211
02:27:51,680 --> 02:27:56,320
motion to go.
>> So, would anyone like to make a motion

2212
02:27:54,680 --> 02:28:01,240
to go to executive session?
>> a motion to go into executive session

2213
02:27:58,320 --> 02:28:06,240
inviting Superintendent Judy Luby
at 9:28 p.m.

2214
02:28:04,840 --> 02:28:08,480
» Would anyone like to second?
>> Second.

2215
02:28:07,000 --> 02:28:12,720
» Jonathan.
All in favor?

2216
02:28:11,040 --> 02:28:14,400
Al?
>> We can bring Ellie with us.

2217
02:28:13,960 --> 02:28:18,520
» You good?
>> We can bring Ellie with us. Um you all

2218
02:28:16,400 --> 02:28:22,760
should go home. Thank you.
I just want to say I can um it's safe to

2219
02:28:21,200 --> 02:28:25,840
say there's not going to be any public
comment.

2220
02:28:24,080 --> 02:28:29,160
I'll do the rest of this. You should go
home.

2221
02:28:27,640 --> 02:28:33,520
Matthew,
you really you can thank you. I don't

2222
02:28:31,280 --> 02:28:34,680
know how to get us out of this.
>> Good night.

2223
02:28:33,880 --> 02:28:35,560
» Good night.
Good night.

2224
02:28:34,960 --> 02:28:39,320
» Good night.
>> Good night.

2225
02:28:36,800 --> 02:28:39,320
Thank you.

2226
02:28:40,200 --> 02:28:43,360
Uh microphones off.

2227
02:28:47,240 --> 02:28:51,600
Cap, uh this way.
>> Oh.

2228
02:28:49,600 --> 02:28:53,480
See, I don't think Cathy even worked
out.

2229
02:28:52,560 --> 02:28:54,800
But the taste?
>> Do you like the taste of it?

2230
02:28:54,600 --> 02:28:58,520
» Yeah.
>> Well, let's say whoever makes it first.

2231
02:28:56,320 --> 02:28:58,520
» Yeah.

2232
02:29:17,160 --> 02:29:22,520
Yeah.
No, just one.

2233
02:29:20,480 --> 02:29:25,200
Go to executive session.
Oh, yeah, that's it.

2234
02:29:28,760 --> 02:29:31,640
Yeah, cuz she said there was no

2235
02:29:40,000 --> 02:29:45,200
» Not the what?
>> I'll leave the name tags.

2236
02:29:42,120 --> 02:29:45,200
» Yeah, I didn't follow the