December 12, 2019 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting - Annual Meeting

Rationale:  This action is required by State Statute and needs to be posted with the Town Clerk no later than December 31st.  Dates can be changed at later dates to meet the requirements of the business of the Board.

Rationale:  The success of our school system depends on an effective working relationship between the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools.  This code incorporates those standards and responsibilities most critical to productive Board and Superintendent relations.  Board members will sign the Code of Ethics for 2020.

Rationale: 

Gifts:

Districtwide - Tools to be used by custodial staff, $650.00, David Horvath, Emcor Facilities Service, Inc., Westport, CT

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

• Memo to Board of Selectman regarding Capital Plan

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:  Attached you will find the most updated Bethel High School National Clearinghouse Report.  This report, issued annually tracks the post-secondary progress of our students.  The report provides extensive data on enrollment, persistence, college graduation rates, etc.  

Rationale: 

Key Points of the Briefing: 

• We are bringing forward several items in the Applied Studies Department:

  • Graphics Curriculum

  • A new baking course in Family & Consumer Sciences

  • 5 new textbooks

• Graphics Curriculum

  • Focus shifted from learning software skills to application of skills along with understanding of the graphic design field

  • Used the new Understanding by Design (UbD) framework

Rationale: 

• New Baking Course

  • This course will be an extension to the existing courses, Culinary I and Culinary II, that students can take in Family & Consumer Sciences. 

  • Currently piloting the course now.

  • Students will learn about ingredients and methods used in creating pastries, breads, desserts, and more.

  • Students will prepare baked goods, set prices, and sell their products.

Rationale: 

• Culinary Essentials

  • This book will be used in Culinary I, II, and Baking. We are currently piloting it in the pilot baking course.

  • There are specific opportunities for students to respond to critical thinking questions related to the field

  • Continual review of nutrition and healthy eating habits is noted throughout the book

  • Emphasis on content specific vocabulary 

  • Cost of book- $66.34

  • Requesting 25 books

  • Estimated cost- $1,658.50

• Introduction to Accounting: An Integrated Approach (8th edition)

  • This book will be used in Accounting I and II (no current textbook used)

  • Integration of life and business skills providing an accessible, engaging introduction to accounting. Rather than separating financial accounting from managerial accounting, this textbook demonstrates how to plan and evaluate business activities from external and internal reporting perspectives. 

  • Cost of book- $99

  • Requesting 15 books

  • Estimated cost- $1,485

• Working with Young Children (9th edition)

  • This book will be used in Child Development I (no current textbook used)

  • Alignment to course objectives, including a safe and healthy environment

  • Exposure to technical and practical readings

  • Clear workplace connections

  • Cost of book- $84

  • Requesting 18 books

  • Estimated cost- $1,512

• Child Development: Early Stages Through Age 12

  • This book will be used in Child Development II (no current textbook used)

  • This book includes part of the course sequence from Child Development I as well as the ECE Individual and Family Development. It provides students with information regarding prenatal development and child development up to the school years without the focus on teaching.  Rather the book has a more general perspective on development in family and social settings.

  • Cost of book- $79.96

  • Requesting 18 books

  • Estimated cost - $1439.28

• Development Through Life: A Psychological Approach (13th edition)

  • This book is aligned to course objectives put forth by UCONN’s ECE program and recommended by UCONN

  • Cost of book- $142.50

  • Requesting 18 books

  • Estimated cost- $2,565

Total Amount Requested: $8,659.78

Rationale: 

This policy was last reviewed in 2004 and does not reflect current practice or laws.  There is also significant overlap with FERPA and Directory Information.   The administration has reviewed the policy and made the suggested edits.    

 

Rationale: 

The administration is recommending review of Policy 5118.2 Children of Certified Staff:  Qualified Tuition Reductions.  We are doing it for a few reasons:  

1. The policy as written only reflects certified staff.  This happens very rarely, but we do get requests from other staff members to have their children attend the Bethel Public Schools.   
2. The current policy, does not reflect SBRI services, which is above the per student expenditure.  
3. We want to be explicit about stating that the staff member does not get priority nor can they make any placement requests.  

 

 

Rationale: 

The policy committee wants to make the Board aware of the possible changes in the Bylaws for consideration at a later date.

Attached is suggested new Bylaw on the Board's Use of Social Media.  (Three versions) The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education is recommending BOE adoption of policy on this topic.  

 

Bylaw 9372.1

Rationale:  Our owners representative needs feedback on a plaque for dedication of the new buildings.   I will be providing a sample for discussion and feedback.