October 17, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

• Bethel High School was ranked #39 out of the top 50 high schools in Connecticut by Niche. Niche rankings are based on test scores, academic performance, input from students, alumni, and parents, as well as quantitative data from the U.S. Department of Education in order to evaluate teachers, resources, and facilities.

Rationale:  Ms. Mannion, K-8 School Counseling Coordinator and Ms. Fuccillo, Department Chair of School Counseling will be giving a report on changes being implemented in the School Counseling Department regarding Student Success Plans and tracking for students and parents on graduation requirements, college application process, etc.  They will also provide an overview of the programs offered to students at different grade levels.   

Rationale:  Annually, the school principals present their school improvement plan aligned to our district Theory of Action and our Strategic Plan.  Mr. Troetti will be presenting the Plan for Bethel High School, with a focus on mathematics.   As requested, we will have the Principals return at the end of the year to revisit their progress towards meeting goals, strategies and action steps.  

Rationale:  Annually, the school principals present their school improvement plan aligned to our district Theory of Action and our Strategic Plan.  Due to the fact that their plans are very similar, Mr. Watson & Dr. Salerno will be presenting the Plans for Bethel Middle School and Johnson School.   As requested, we will have the Principals return at the end of the year to revisit their progress towards meeting goals, strategies and action steps.  

Rationale: 

• Email - Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Request for information - S. Heizman
• Letter of approval from Commissioner Gilman regarding the District’s 1049R request for Rockwell School
• Letter of approval from Commissioner Gilman regarding the District’s 1049R request for Johnson School
• Letter to parents from the Governor, the Commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection regarding School Security & Safety.

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: 

National School Bus Safety Week - Next week is National School Bus Safety Week, October 21-25, 2024. School Bus Safety Week reminds drivers to be aware of school buses, obey the bus's stop sign, and come to a complete stop when a school bus's stop sign arm is extended out and the red lights are flashing.  Thank you to our bus drivers for helping keep our children safe when being transported.

Science of Reading - The attached flyer was sent to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education.  Bethel was given a shout-out in the flyer.  

Performance Matters Presentation 2024 is attached.  Dr. Brooks, Mr. Watson, Ms. Legnard, Ms. Farisello, Ms. Jowdy and I were asked to present at the Performance Matters 2024 conference on how we increased outcomes in mathematics.  

EdSight updated accountability data in four areas, most of which are HS indicators.  The links below demonstrate improvement in all areas.  The full accountability scores are due to be released in November.  
#5 College-and-Career-Readiness: Course-Taking (ct.gov);
#7 On-track to High School Graduation (ct.gov) 
#11 Physical Fitness (ct.gov); and
# 12 Arts Access (ct.gov). 

The Diversity Plan - as is required by law, the district was asked to submit, and you approved a diversity plan to increase the number of educators of color.  We received conditional approval and linked  the updated document with some edits.  

Focus Groups for Strategic Planning 

1. Business Community Focus Group - We conducted a focus group on October 4th, partnered with the Town of Bethel, Department of Economic Development, with the business community aimed at identifying the critical skills, competencies, and personal qualities that will prepare our students to succeed in a dynamic and technology-driven economy. (Attached is the letter of invitation and purpose.)  Here is a summary of the notes from the meeting, which was the focus of my newsletter on October 11, 2024.  
2. Parent Focus Groups - We also conducted a focus group on October 9th in person, and virtually on October 10th.  These groups were focused on providing parents an opportunity to share their experiences, perceptions of our strengths and areas for growth, and their priorities for their child’s education. Additionally, we asked parents about the skills and dispositions they believe are essential for their child's success in college, career, and as engaged citizens in an ever-changing world. (Attached is the letter of invitation and purpose.) Here is a summary of the notes from the meeting, which was the focus of my newsletter on October 18, 2024.
3. Student Focus Groups are scheduled for next week.  I will be co-facilitating the groups with students who serve on our Strategic Planning Committee.   

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

Rationale:  Policy 0521 Non-discrimination Statement This statement of non-discrimination has not been revised since 2005 and is aligned with Federal law.  We will be deleting the regulation, which covers investigations, which we have in other policies (4010.1 & 5145.42 below).    

Rationale:  This policy is being updated to reflect best practices when utilizing therapy dogs in schools.  The policy was updated with staff members that are trained handlers.  
Checklist for Therapy Dog 
Policy 6123 - Use of Certified Therapy Dogs in Schools

Rationale:  This bi-law is being updated to reflect recent legal advise from our attorney which allows for participation in executive sessions to be done electronically.  

Bylaw 9325.43 - Attendance at Meetings via Electronic Communications

Rationale:  Policy 5114 Student Discipline.  This policy needed to be revised due to the policy objectives and guidelines, including the inclusion of restorative practices. There were also a number of legislative changes.   Changes include notification of hearings for expulsion, the lengths of in-school and out-of-school suspensions, changes in definitions for bullying, and teacher requests for a meeting of the crisis intervention team.  

Rationale:  Policy 4118.112 & Regulation REGARDING PROHIBITION OF SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE This policy and regulation goes into effect effective August 1, 2024. There were some substantial changes in the law that cause major revisions to both the policy and regulation.

Rationale:  Policy 5145.42 & Regulation PROHIBITION OF SEX DISCRIMINATION, INCLUDING SEX-BASED HARASSMENT - Students. This policy and regulation goes into effect effective August 1, 2024. There were some substantial changes in the law that cause major revisions to both the policy and regulation. It is important to note that the regulations are almost identical to those of an employee.

Rationale:  Policy 5131.911 School Climate Policy (replaces bullying policy). With this policy, which formally was entitled "Bullying", districts are required to adopt (by law) the model policy by CABE. The policy is the model policy. The District Social Emotional Learning Collaborative and Safe School Climate Committee will use it to develop the District Climate Plan.