November 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

• Congratulations to Johnson School has been recognized as National Unified Champion School! The official National Unified Champion School Banner was presented to

Johnson School this week.

 

• The Bethel Marching Wildcats placed 1st in our division (Division 1) at the V-USBands State Championships. The last time they won this award was 2016, so we're very excited to

bring the State Champions title back to Bethel this year!

• The Bethel Marching  Wildcats were named the  2020 V-USBands Division 1 New England Region Champions!!

  

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• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Appreciation and share - Erika Fry

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.)

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• A Message to the Bethel School Community from The Board of Education

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• Parent Survey Results - As was previously communicated, we sent out a survey to parents.  We sent separate surveys to parents who have their children in distance learning and those who attend in-person.  We will provide an overview of themes between all schools.    

• SAT Data - As you know, the "all school day" SAT was not administered last Spring to the Class of 2021 (Juniors at the time).  The SAT to the Class of 2021 was administered in October of this year or the "all school day" sample. We have attached the progression of the Class of 2021.   
  
  
• COVID - 19 Update - With Laura Vasile, our Director of Public Health, we presented to staff an overview of the decision making process in determining the learning model based on trends in data. We have attached that presentation and will briefly provide the Board of Education a similar update.  
  
  
• SPED Update - Dr. Sipala

• Nonnewau/Shepaug Discussion.   https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/WhctKJWJDXwxNCLPwKNBCtSFvSGRCGwtTPDZRMthPLZqdHVdTTzvLbcsRszQbjgHkLBhWGG?projector=1

• Open Choice Request 

 

 

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BOE Equity Statement

Equity is achieved when student outcomes are not predicted by gender, race, ethnicity, class, or special needs and where all students reach a level of efficacy and competencies that support a rewarding and productive life. This requires the elimination of the inequalities that contribute to disproportionate learning and achievement by students of different social groups while ensuring all students are prepared for a productive and meaningful life.

BOE Board Goal: 

Civility, Inclusion, Racism, Discrimination- Assess, review, and revise the district’s curriculum, policies, procedures and practices to create systems of equity for all of our students and allow for civil discourse among stakeholders. 

 

Curriculum Committee Goals:

1. Integrate  diverse, meaningful, and affirming cultural perspectives into curricula 

2. Ensure all students have access to learning opportunities and corresponding resources that foster high academic standards and growth

Significance of Culturally Responsive and Equitable Education:

According to the Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, "Across the country, rigorous evaluations and studies have shown that culturally responsive curricula increase student academic engagement, attendance, grade point averages, graduation rates, civic engagement, positive racial self-images, and self-definition (Browman, 2011; Butler-Barnes, 2017; Cabrera, 2012; Carter, 2008; Dee & Penner 2016; Morell, 2013)."

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This regulation is for your information only.  When there was an adjustment by the Connecticut State Department of Education to require preschool students to wear masks/face covering, there was a requirement to develop a regulation to the policy.   This regulation has been shared with the Board of Education previously.  

Regulation 4118.237/4218.237/5141.8 - Use of Face Coverings In School

Rationale: 

This policy has not been reviewed since 2004.

Policy Policy 4135.1 - Political Activities of School Employees

Rationale: 

There were significant changes in the federal regulations for sexual harassment and sexual discrimination.  Our current policy has not been reviewed since 2018.  Because the policy had so many legal adjustments, the administration is asking the Board of Education to consider reviewing and adoption of the Shipman and Goodwin model policy for employees.  We have attached the model policy.  Due to the fact that it is a redlined version of the policy, you can get an overview of the substantial changes.  

Shipman Model Policy

Rationale:  At the Board of Education's request, Policy 6151P class size was added to the agenda.  The policy has not been reviewed since 1992.  We will be collecting data from surrounding school districts to see it thier district policy delineates class sizes and/or ranges. It would also be important to do a research review to determine recommended sizes and note that potential ranges could have budgetary impacts.  

Rationale:  The administration is committed to providing the Board of Education a montly update on expenditures as a result of COVID.  The attached spreadsheet will be reviewed.   It will also be presented to the Board of Finance at the December regular meeting. 

Rationale:  The budget transfer of $7,700 represents .02% of the overall budget.   

Rationale: 

By November 30th of each year, the Board of Education needs to submit to the Board of Selectman the Capital Plan. The major change to the previous plan is the addition of HVAC unit replacement at Bethel High School.   The units outlined in the plan, were not replaced as part of the renovation project and are nearing the end of their life span.  In addition, the security package that was submitted last year, but was not funded due to the economic impact of COVID, is included as a separate tab on the spread sheet.  

Capital Plan 2020-2030

Rationale:  We will provide a verbal update on the overall status of the projects.  The October (not available last meeting) and November monthly reports are attached.  In addition, also attached is the cash flow projection to the end of the project.