January 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Bethel High School was only one of sixteen across the state to recieve the Michaels Cup Award from the CIAC.   This award is given for commitment to sportsmanship in the 2019-2020 academic year.  They will be recognized in February during the virtual Sportsmanship Conference.

Rationale: 

• Letter from Dr. Carver to Commissioner regarding the change in designation of the agriscience program for Bethel students to Shepaug.
• Correspondence email regarding Superintendent's communication - Michelle Cleary
• Correspondence email regarding Superintendent's communication - Erin Khuth
• Correspondence email regarding Superintendent's communication - Megan Richardson
• Correspondence email regarding Superintendent's communication - Bill and Danelle Egan

Rationale: 

(Please note:  The Board welcomes Public Participation and asks that speakers please limit their comments to 2 minutes.  During "Audience Participation", attendees who wish to speak, after being recognized, will be required to state their name and address for the public record prior to speaking.  Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them.   The Board of Education does not discuss personnel items or student matters in public.  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. The Board does not engage in dialogue during the public comment period.)  

Rationale: 

• President-Elect Biden Selected Connecticut Commissioner Miguel Cardona as U.S. Education Secretary.

Rationale: 

Learning Model Update

Uk Variant and impact on mitigation strategies

Vaccination Clinics - Over 75

Vaccination Staff 

Costa Rica Trip

Rationale: 

The 2021-2022 Calendar will be on the February agenda for Board approval. We wanted to give you an overview of some of the recommended changes:

• There was mistake with the first day for students.  On the previous draft, it was Wednesday the 25th.  It should have been Monday the 30th (typical, preconstruction timeline).  The teachers would start Thursday the 26th.  
• We moved fall conferences to the last week of October, allowing teachers more time to collect data.  
• We embedded early dismissal days to approximately 1 per month for teachers planning to address student needs as a result of the pandemic.  
• The team felt that we should reinstitute Veteran's Day as a holiday.  We will continue to provide all of our Veteran's Day Programs.  
• All other holiday's and vacations remain the same.  

Rationale: 

As part of our overall policy review, we have decided to look at the 1000 series.   This policy and regulation addresses public performances by students or conditions under which our students participate in events within the community.   I have reviewed the policy and regulation and provided comment/input.  

 

Policy 1321 - Public Performances by Students

Regulation 1321 - Public Performances by Students

Rationale: 

This policy is being reviewed as part of are overall review.  We are currently working on the 1000 series.  This policy was last reviewed in 2010.   I have some minor suggestions for consideration.  

Policy 1321.01 - Student Performances, Television and Radio Broadcasts

 

 

Rationale: 

This policy was last reviewed in 2010.  We are reviewing the policy and regulation as an overall review.  We have made some small suggestions and/or comments for consideration.  

 

Policy 1330.2 - Use of Public Schools to Publicize Outside Events

Regulation 1330.2 - Use of Public Schools to Publicize Outside Events

Rationale: 

This policy was last reviewed in 2004.  The policy raises a number of questions regarding gifts from parents to teachers.  Comments and suggested revisions were made for consideration.  

 

Policy 1313 - Gifts to School Personnel

Rationale: 

At the Board of Education's request, Policy 6151P class size was added for review.  The policy has not been reviewed since 1992.  We have been collecting data from surrounding school districts to see if their district policy delineates class sizes and/or ranges. The data is in the linked document below.   Board members have provided input to some wording.  I have added it in the linked policy for purposes of discussion.  

First Reading 11/1/20

 

Rationale:  We will provide an update to the both projects.  I have attached the monthly report, updated project schedule (from January 5th), tracking budgets, cash flow reports, and open punch list items.  The current uploaded punchlist is for Johnson.  I am waiting for Rockwell School's punchlist.  I likely will be uploading it over the weekend or as soon as I receive it.