February 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

The Bethel Public Schools received federal & state funding for general education in the amount of $516,865

Title I

The purpose of Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.

The Bethel Public Schools will be receiving $359,584

We use this money to support our Intervention programming in the district.

 

Title II

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: 

• Need a Board member for Foods Services Negations
• BOS & BOF Presentation - Please see attached presentation from the meeting last Tuesday. 
• Overview of the Open Choice Program - State of Connecticut and proposed bill for Danbury and Norwalk to participate in the program.  

Rationale: 

The 2021-2022 Calendar is presented for Board approval. Again, here is 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, as has been previously communicated, we are starting with review of all policies in the 1000 series.  This policy was last reviewed in 2010 and sets the frame for community relationships with the Board and district.  Upon review of the policy, I have made some suggested changes and comments regarding the clarity of some of the statements.   

 

Polcy 1000:  Community Relations:  Concepts, Goals and Roles in Community Relations

Rationale: 

This policy is included in our overall review of the 1000 series.  The policy was last reviewed in 2010.  The policy primarily speaks to the posting of meetings and community participation in the process.  Some minor changes were suggested.  

 

Policy 1120:  Community Relations:  Board of Education meetings.   

Rationale: 

This policy is being reviewed as an overall review of the 1000 series.  This policy was last updated in 2002.  Comments and suggested revisions were made for your consideration.  

 

Policy 1316.2 - Use of Alcohol by Adults

 

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: 

This policy has not been reviewed since 2004.

Policy Policy 4135.1 - Political Activities of School Employees

First Reading 11/19/20

Second Reading - 12/17/20 - Tabled 12/17/20

 

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: 

Key Points of the Briefing:

1. The current contract with First Student will be extended for one year.
2. The renewal rate is reasonable at 3%.
3. First Student has been the vendor for Bethel Public Schools for many years.
4. The Board of Education would like to explore alternative fuel buses. This research will take several months after which the BOE will decide how to move forward with a school bus transportation contract for the school year 2022-2023 and beyond.

Rationale: 

Please see attached:

• Owner's Representative Report
• Cash Flow Summary
• Tracking Budgets 
• Schedules