September 21, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

National Merit Scholar Semifinalist

Congratulations to BHS Senior, Mashnoov Chowdhury, for being selected as a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholar Program!  Mashnoov was one of 16,000 students across the nation selected as a semifinalist.

Rationale:  The purpose of the agenda item is to provide the Board of Education with an understanding of the state and local student outcome data.  This presentation will specifically focus on deepening our understanding of the State Accountability System and our progress within that system.  Next month we hope to focus on local measures we use to demonstrate progress as a school system.  

Rationale: 

Mr. Watson and Dr. Salerno will be providing a brief presentation on the BMS & JS School Improvement Plans for the 2023-2024 school year. The purpose of the presentation is to provide the Board with an overview of the focus of the schools.  Johnson and Rockwell Schools are also involved in a "pilot" with the Center for Public Research and Leadership to develop and implement research-based strategies for school improvement.   The pilot is focused on 5th and 6th grades in literacy.  

 

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:  Monthly Data  -  We include in the BOE agenda the monthly data as requested by the BOE.  

Rationale:  At our August retreat, the Board contemplated livestreaming meetings.  The suggestions in this policy would provide parameters based on the Board's recommendations.  


Policy 1120 - Board of Education Meetings

Rationale:  Policy 6141.321 - Student Responsible Use Policy for Use of District Technology Resources  (Policy last revised  5/19/20, Form last revised  5/19/20)

Shipman model regulation
 

We would like the Board to take a look at the Shipman policy.  Additionally, we've added suggested language around filtering and learning using safety management systems. 

Rationale:  Policy & Regulation 4118.5 - Employee Responsible Use Policy for Use of District Technology Resources (Policy last revised  6/25/15, Regulation last revised  6/25/15, and Form last revised  6/25/15) 
 

We would like the Board to take a look at the Shipman policy for Employee Responsible Use. 

Rationale:  Policy 5131.81 - Electronic Devices


This policy has not been updated since 2000.  It is extremely outdated.  The administration provided input.  

Rationale: 

1. The changes in the policy reflect the updated minimum requirements for insurance for groups/organizations.
2. Our Director of Athletics recently met with the Manager of the Track and Field Center to look at the rental fees.  Both think that it is appropriate to have a tiered system to include nonprofits, other high schools, and college/professional organizations.  The new fee schedule in the regulation reflects those changes.   

Policy & Regulation 1330 - Use of School Facilities
 

Rationale:  Recently Mrs. Variale met with the EMS Captain to review procedures for bus accidents.  In the previous policy, fire and EMS were always sent out for bus accidents.  This gives flexibility to the administration to determine if EMS is necessary, when often it is not.  This item is for information only, as it is a regulation. 

This Regulation was tabled at the June 15, 2023 meeting.  Since that meeting, she has had confirmation from the second firehouse that they are in agreement with the changes.  

Regulation 5141.11 - School Bus Accidents

Rationale:  4112.4 Health Examination Regulation