May 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  The CABE Student Leadership Awards are given to recognize student achievement and potential.  These students were picked from among their peers for exhibiting leadership qualities as defined by the criteria developed by CABE.  The Board recognizes the level of achievement of these students.

The Board would like to congratulate the following students on receiving the CABE Student Leadership Award for 2024: Bethel High School, Sophia Ochs and Vincent Greto; Bethel Middle School, Lizzy Cullinan and Trisha Sharma.

Rationale:  GRANTS

• Steve Leinwand Teaching Grant from ATOMIC (Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut), $500
• Donors Choose Project - 1, Rockwell Library Lessons, Earth & Animals, $227.98
• Donors Choose Project - 2, Rockwell Library Lessons, Board Games for Collaboration, $494.45
• Donors Choose Project - 3, Rockwell Library Lessons, Ocean & Zoo Animals, $221.94
• Donors Choose Project - 4, Rockwell Library Lessons, Lunar New Year, $232.33

Rationale:  Jen Variale, Director of Finance and Operations has been facilitating a committee to find a replacement for Bob Germinaro, Supervisor of Facility & Security Operations who is retiring.  There were 17 applicants for the position.   The interview committee included:

• Director of Finance and Operations (Chair)
• Secondary Principals
• Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
• Director of Instructional Technology
• Teacher and Vice President of the Bethel Education Foundation
• Town Comptroller
• Custodian

There were three rounds to the process.  The first included screening interviews.  Four candidates were invited back to complete a performance task and additional questions.  

From the first two rounds, one candidate stood out as a unanimous recommendation from the committee, Ms. Variale completed reference checks and I did the final interview last week.  

The candidate has a bachelor's degree in architecture. He has a significant amount of hands-on experience in construction, HVAC, and other mechanical systems, including electrical and plumbing.  He has experience managing projects, including vendors.  He also has been in supervisory roles, engaging in labor relations. Lastly, he has had to manage budgets and demonstrated a proactive approach to maintaining facilities.  

The candidate would not officially start until July 1st, but we would like to schedule some overlap time with Mr. Germinaro.  

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: 

• Reading Spring to Spring Overview
• Reading Spring to Spring Cohort Data Overview
• Reading Growth Target Data 

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

Rationale: 

Summary of the Briefing:

• We are bringing forward a new Food Safety Course and Curriculum for approval. 

• This Food Safety semester course will examine the prevention of foodborne illness, and sanitary procedures for the preparation and service of food to the public. The class will also cover proper food handling procedures in receiving, storage, and preparation.

• Students in Grades 11 or 12 who have taken Culinary I can enroll in this course, as it extends our Culinary pathway.

• We are working toward receiving NVCC dual enrollment credit. 

• This course prepares students to take the ServeSafe test for certification.

Rationale: 

Summary of the Briefing:

• We are bringing forward the Personal Finance Curriculum for approval.

• Students study important aspects of managing their personal finances. They also learn how to draft financial smart goals, create a budget, manage credit responsibly, and save for the future.

• This semester course is a requirement for graduation. Students in either grades 10-12 enroll in the class.

• We reviewed and used portions of the CSDE model curriculum to support our work here in Bethel. 

Rationale: 

Summary of the Briefing:

• We are bringing forward the Child Development II Curriculum for approval.

• The curriculum includes family planning, prenatal health, infant care, parenting styles, and the family life cycle. 

• It is recommended for students in the Education Pathway or students interested in a career based in psychology, counseling or the health field.

• Students in grades 10-12 who have completed Child Development I can enroll in this course.

Rationale: 

Summary of the Briefing:

• We are bringing forward Fashion I, a new course and curriculum, for approval.

• Students learn basic machine and hand sewing skills, construction techniques, fashion theory, elements and principles of design, merchandising, and pattern design.

• Students in grades 9-12 can enroll in this course.

Rationale:  Key Points of the Briefing:

• CSDE requires annual certification by the Board of Education for participation in the Healthy Foods Certification Program
• In participating, Bethel can only serve beverages, foods, snacks and a la carte items that have been specifically approved by the CSDE.
• For participation, the District receives and additional 10 cents reimbursement from the State on each meal served. This is important to the financial success of our program.

Rationale: 

Key Points of the Briefing:

* It is important to the Bethel Board of Education that an excellent Food Service Management Company administer the food service operations for the district in accordance with all of the regulations of the National School Lunch Program under the direction of the USDA and the CSDE.

* The CSDE reviews all required documentation between districts and FSMCs prior to approving the contract renewal.

 

1. Sodexo can charge an increase of up to 4.6% (the CPI) for this coming school year, but they are charging an increase of 3.5% to cover rising costs but understanding the challenges of the upcoming school year.

2. Sodexo has been a good partner and will work creatively with the district.

3. The management fee will not exceed $40,905.37 and the administrative fee cannot exceed $81,601.20 for the contract year. 

Rationale: 

Key Points of the Briefing:    

1. To raise the school meal prices to cover increases in labor and food costs and continue to have the school lunch program run at or above break-even and to meet the USDA Paid Lunch Equity requirements. Proposal: Raise student lunch prices by $0.15 at all schools.  Elementary will be $3.25 and Middle School and High School will be $3.60. These increases will help the district to comply with the Paid Lunch Equity requirements set by the CSDE and USDA.  Breakfast at all schools will be increased $0.10 to $2.50 for all students. All student meals include a milk option. Adult meal prices also need to comply with CSDE guidelines, therefore, Adult lunch will increase to $5.00 and Adult breakfast will increase to $3.50. Adult meals do not include a beverage.

2. To set the price for reduced priced breakfast at $0.00 instead of $0.30 for the year 2024-2025.  This will continue to encourage participation in the breakfast program and ensure that our neediest students are fed each morning.  The cost to the board should be less than $3,000. 

3. Action Requested of the Board of Education: Motion needed.

Rationale: 

Pursuant to Board of Education Policy, the following tuition rates for non-resident students attending Bethel Public Schools are recommended:

                          2022/2023     2023/2024       2024/2025       % Increase

  Elem/Middle    $14,499          $15,064          $15,514            2.99%
  High School    $16,729          $17,381          $17,900            2.99%
 

These tuition rates do not include transportation.  Additionally, Special Education rates will be calculated as needed based on the costs of a specific program with related services.  The Special Education costs are not discounted.

Rationale: 

• Cyber Security - Protecting the data privacy of our students and staff is one of our obligations. If we are able to purchase software or services outlined in our cybersecurity plan we would like to go forward.
• Technology - One of our goals is to have technology as a catalyst for teaching and learning. There is a long-term Chromebook replacement plan for our 1:1 strategic plan initiative for Grade K through Grade 12. If we are able to purchase the next planned replacements, we would like to go forward.
• Special Education - The SPED department is still closing their books, especially for outplacement tuition and transportation and necessary student evaluations and outside services; this will all be reconciled. Budget transfers will be needed to cover Special Education overruns in certain areas which will be finalized and brought to the BOE in August 2024 as usual.
• Facilities - With a reduced 460 budget there are a few critical maintenance items that we had this year and we will need to transfer funds to cover these expenses.
• Unexpended Funds Account - Knowing that we are facing rising Special Education costs, we will plan to deposit any unspent funds to this account which is for opportunities and contingencies in the future.  We do not anticipate that there will be much at all remaining this year to deposit here.