September 16, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  The first goal of the Bethel Board of Education is written as follows:   

Based on assessment, implement instructional practices to accelerate learning to rebound our students back to grade-level standards.  

Dr. Brooks and Mrs. Rutledge will be providing a report to the Board on how we will use assessment data to accelerate students to grade level standards. 

It might be helpful to review the presentation from last October as background knowledge or a general overview of district assessment practices.  .  

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:  Bethel Education Foundation - Octoberfest
2021-2022 School Calendar, possible adjustments for BHS only

Rationale: 

The MOU regarding School Resource Officers has not been reviewed or revised since 2017.  A few weeks ago, Mrs. Yonsky, Chief Pugner, Capitan Burnes and I met to review our existing MOU and made the suggested changes in the document.  As a matter of process, once the Board adopts the MOU, it will then need to go to the Police Commission and the Selectman for approval.   

Rationale:  This year, to be eligible for the CABE Level II - Board of Distinction Award, a motion must be made at a Board meeting to approve applying for the Level II award.  Only Boards which have achieved Level I at least twice in the prior four years are eligible to receive the Board of Distinction Award.  

Rationale:  This policy is being revised as part of our overall review process.  The policy has not been reviewed since 2005.   Specifically, it changes the approval process from the Board of Education to the Superintendent, removes transfers between districts, clarifies documentation for families moving to/ building in Bethel and the decision to grant tuition waivers to non-residents.   
Policy 5118 - Nonresident Students 

Regulation 5118 - Nonresident Students 

 

Rationale:  This policy is being reviewed as part of our broader policy revision process.  It has not been reviewed since 2010.  After reviewing both the policy and the regulation, the administration has no suggested changes.  

Policy 1140 - Distribution of Materials

Regulation 1140 - Distribution of Materials

Rationale:  This policy was last reviewed in 2010.  There was only one small suggested edit to the previous version.  

Policy 1170 - Recognition of Citizens, Staff Members, Members of Board of Education, Students

Rationale:  Public Relations has not been reviewed since 2005.  Upon initial review, it appeared that there were a number of legal issues associated with this policy.  As a result, I had our attorney from Shipman and Goodwin review the policy and suggest edits.   All of my suggested edits in the document are with specific input from Attorney Santiago.  

Policy 1312 - Public Relations

Rationale:  This policy was last reviewed in 2011.  The revision specifies that, pursuant to Connecticut law, a Board of Education may use any cleaning product approved by Federal Law.  While the issues were specific to the use of disinfectant with COVID, it could apply in other situations.  

Policy 3524.2 Green Cleaning

Rationale:  This policy needed revision due to shifts in the legal definition of bullying. All of the suggested changes in the policy come from the Shipman and Goodwin model policy.  I have provided a copy of the District Climate Plan with suggested revisions, but that document was developed by the District Safe School Climate and Wellness Committee.    The committee will be reviewing that document at the beginning of October.              

Bullying Policy 5131.911 

Per state law, I am having the District Safe School Climate Committee look at the regulation or the District Climate Plan. 

Rationale:  The suggested revisions were made as a result of the elimination of the religious exemption for vaccinations in children.  The suggested revisions were made based on the Shipman and Goodwin model policy.  

Policy 5141.3 Health Assessment and Immunizations  Policy - Based on the new law
Regulation 5141.3 Health Assessment and Immunizations Regulation 

Rationale: 

This policy is required to be reviewed as part of our audit of our School Lunch Program.  The requirement is that the policy is reviewed every three years.  

 

Policy 6142.10

Rationale: 

This policy is required to be reviewed as part of our audit of our School Lunch Program.  The requirement is that the policy is reviewed every three years. 

 

Policy 6142.101