March 15, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

The Month of March is Connecticut Board of Education Appreciation Month.  We would like to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to our hardworking and dedicated board members.  We thank you for the time and effort you devote to board business.

 

Rationale:  Dr. Brooks, Mr. Troetti and students will be providing the Board of Education with an update on our Pathway programs at Bethel High School.      

Rationale: 

• Dr. Carver's memo of testimony to the Education Committee regarding proposed legislative bills for the 2018 session.
• NELMS letter to Mr. DaPonte, BMS Principal, announcing BMS Spotlight School renewal.
• Comments regarding proposed charter school in Danbury.  
• Letter to Board of Education - M. Paulsen
• Email regarding Re-evaluation of CCSS and SBAC - J. Gangi

Rationale:  (Please note:  The Board welcomes Public Participation and asks that speakers please limit their comments to 2 minutes.  Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them.  The Board will not permit any expression of personal complaints or defamatory comments about Board of Education personnel and students, nor against any person connected with the Bethel Public School System.)

Rationale: 

• Review of 2018-2019 Calendar in April - Graduation Date
• Renovation Update 
• Therapy vs. Service Dogs Policy 
• Police Training 

Rationale: 

Summary of the Briefing:

• There is a need to update our current Algebra books, Holt Algebra I and II Common Core Edition (2012). Our teachers are continuously supplementing from other sources to align with the curriculum.

• The proposed books, enVision Algebra I and enVision Algebra II  will be used with our students in Grades 8- 12 (some students in Grade 7 take Algebra I).

• enVision Algebra I and II were selected:

  • aligned to the Standards of Mathematical Practice and the Standards for Mathematical Content

  • coherent and rigorous text that provides relevant real-world problems

  • Lesson features model & discuss, critique and explain, explore and reason features

  • ability to personalize for students

  • computer adaptive practice with immediate feedback

  • differentiated resources

  • digital access and interactive content

• Teachers have been piloting the books and these books have emerged as the best fit for our district. We have used 3 Act Lessons (which align nicely with our work at the elementary and middle school levels, student companion worksheets which include error analysis and critical thinking, and Math XL computer adaptive practice with immediate feedback).

• We are requesting the following:

enVision Algebra I

enVision Algebra II

• Total cost- $36,954.11 (both textbooks and digital licenses)

Rationale:  No motion necessary.  This is just to inform the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

As one of the BOE Goals has been to enhance school and district climate supports diversity, the Confidential Crisis Team is reviewing all district policies which relate to harassment, discrimination, racial slurs and any other form of hate talk.  We started with looking at BOE Policy 5131.9, Aggressive Behavior.  You will note, that there were a number of suggested edits by the committee which can be summarized by: 

• Alignment to practice and 
• Change in definitions to update current definitions of state disciplinary codes.  

 

(Went to BOE 1/18/18 for 2nd reading/approval - tabled for definition of terrorism, definition revised)

 

Rationale: 

Public Act 17-127, An Act Concerning Discriminatory Practices Against Veterans, Leaves of Absences for National Guard Members, Application for Certain Medicaid Programs and Disclosure of Certain Records to Federal Military Law Enforcement, added "veterans status" as a protected category for discrimination.  That triggered review of all of our discrimination policies.   After reviewing our current policy 4118.11, which was very outdated and Shipman and Goodwin's model policy, the administration is recommending adoption of the Shipman Policy.   Here is the primary reason for the adoption of the Shipman Policy:  

• The protected categories in our existing policy was significantly outdated. 
• Our existing nondiscrimination policy had information about Sexual Harassment, which the Board has a separate policy.  

 

 

BOE 1st Reading: 1/18/18

Rationale: 

As stated in the previous briefing, PA 17-127 caused us to look at all policies related to harassment and discrimination.   Again, out existing policy had not been review since 2012.  After review of our policy and review of Shipman & Goodwin's model policy, the administration felt it more succinctly addressed the definitions and complaint procedure.  

 

BOE 1st Reading: 1/18/18

 

 

Rationale: 

When reviewing policies regarding nondiscrimination, it was uncovered that we do not currently have a Section 504 Policy for Personnel.   This is a new model Shipman and Goodwin policy.  The policy outlines the rights on employees under section 504 and complaint procedures.  

 

BOE 1st Reading: 1/18/18

Rationale: 

In the 2017-2018 Session, the Connecticut General Assembly reduced the requirement for all staff members to be trained in physical management (restraint) training to members of the Crisis Intervention Team.  Mrs. Budris, Mrs. DiBiase and I reviewed the entire policy collaboratively and to make the suggested edits.   Most of the edits are minor.  The significant changes are in the parental notification forms and monitoring tools (for both restraint and seclusion).   These new forms, which are being used in practice, are based on the State of Connecticut's model forms.  

 

BOE 1st Reading: 1/18/18

Rationale: 

When reviewing all policies related to nondiscrimination, we did not have a policy for nondiscrimination of community members.   This is recommended by Shipman and Goodwin.  Upon adoption, this would be a new policy for the Bethel Board of Education.   

 

BOE 1st Reading: 1/18/18