November 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

As Chairman of the Bethel Board of Education, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Dr. Christine L. Carver, Superintendent of Bethel Public Schools, has been named the 2025 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS). 

As the Board's longest-serving member and member of the initial hiring committee, I can personally attest to the implementation of several initiatives to improve student learning, including a standards-based grading system, a STEM vision, and Career Pathways at the high school. Dr. Carver has also focused on strengthening partnerships with local businesses and community leaders to prepare students for future success. Dr. Carver has consistently presented fiscally responsible budgets and has been receptive to feedback, which is a great quality of an effective leader.  

Hallmarks of Dr. Carver's leadership and reasons why this award is so well deserved have been her legislative advocacy, communication, educational leadership, fiscal responsibility, and student outcomes.  This award recognizes her outstanding leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and innovative approach to education.  

Please read the full press release from CAPSS. CAPSS Press Release

The CABE Board Recognition Awards are designed to recognize boards which provide effective leadership to their districts through the use of good practices. This program, which acknowledges the importance of school board members and superintendents working together as effective teams, strengthens public education in Connecticut and across the country.  This award recognizes Boards which are truly exemplary. The award was presented at the 2024 CABE/CAPSS Conference last week.  

I would like to thank the Board for their hard work and dedication to the families and children of Bethel Public Schools and their tireless commitment and support to fulfilling the mission of the Bethel Public Schools. 

• 3 Byrd's Books gift cards for Rockwell's storybook Pumpkin Competition.

• Books for teaching & circulation, $193.00, DonorsChoose

• Memo to Board of Selectmen from Dr. Carver, Superintendent, and Jen Variale, Dir. of Finance & Business Operations regarding Facilities expenditures for Safety and Security Upgrades and Repairs.
• Email to Dr. Carver from Connecticut Administrative Services (CAS) regarding Final Audit Report- BETHEL; 009-0059 RNV; RMT JOHNSON SCHOOL
• Email to Dr. Carver from Connecticut Administrative Services (CAS) regarding Final Audit Report-ON SITE Bethel; 009-0058 RNV;ANNA ROCKWELL

• 2023-2024 Accountability Index Data

Every year, the State scores districts on a set of indicators, creating a system of accountability toward outcomes for students across the state.  We use these measures as a mechanism to track our progress as a district.  I am pleased to announce that this year, our Accountability Index for student outcomes, is the highest it has ever been as a district. People have asked, to what do we attribute to the growth in our outcomes.  At the risk of oversimplifying the answer, it is related to the high-quality teaching and learning provided by our teaching staff, access to rigorous grade-level instruction, and focused leadership, which promotes a culture of improvement.  

Connecticut’s Next Generation Accountability System "is a broad set of 12 indicators that help tell the story of how well a school is preparing its students for success in college, careers, and life. It provides a holistic, multifactor perspective of district and school performance. Districts/schools earn points on a broad set of 12 indicators (achievement, growth, chronic absenteeism, college and career readiness, high school graduation, post-secondary entrance, physical fitness, and the arts). Performance on each indicator is measured against a target. Student group performance receives additional weight in the system. The Accountability Index is the percentage of points earned across all available indicators." Our overall score this year on the 12 indicators was 83.3, which is higher than our score pre-pandemic, tied for the top in our District Reference Group or DRG and also our regional communities, much of which are wealthier communities, which have very different demographics, which influences outcomes.  Again, we are extremely pleased with the results. 
 

• Western Connecticut State University & Bethel Public Schools Apprenticeship/Residency initiative 

Key Points of the Briefing: 

• We are seeking approval of the BHS Spanish Curriculum (levels 1, 2, 3, and 4) and Spanish Film curriculum.

• These curricula address the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) standards which supports communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. 

• We use Senderos as our core instructional resource. 

• The curriculum is as follows:

  • Level 1

    • Spanish 12

  • Level 2

    • Spanish 21 Honors

    • Spanish 22 

  • Level 3

    • Spanish 31 Honors

    • Spanish 32 

  • Level 4

    • Spanish 41 Honors

    • Spanish 42 

  • Spanish Film

• Students increase their proficiency with the language throughout the levels. Our district offers students the ability to graduate with the Seal of Biliteracy.