January 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Rationale: 
Moment of Silence:
Linda Kopsak - Teacher - Stafford School, Memorial Boulevard M.S. and Bristol Central High School - 1972 - 2008
Ann Matrazzo - Cafeteria Worker - John J. Jennings School - 1983 - 2009

Rationale: 
The Business Education Foundation, through donations, grants and partnerships is able to fund programs not normally included in the school or City budget. The Foundation also promotes partnerships that enable Bristol Public Schools to benefit from corporate grants and matching gifts. These partnerships educate the community on the needs of Bristol Public Schools and deepen community support.

Mini-Grant Winners:
1. Alyssa Gokey - Hubbell/Ivy Drive - Nutmeg Book Bowl - Awarded: $1,177.58
2. Kara Banda - BCHS - Dress for Success - Awarded: $1,000.00
3. Holly Caruso Pugliese - South Side School - Zen Dens - Awarded: $1,998.42
4. John Stavens - BEHS - United Nations High School Conference - Awarded: $2,000.00
5. Bridget Gohla - ACCESS Program - BEHS/BCHS - Sewing for Success - Awarded: $836.00
6. Crystal Caouette - BAIMS - 3 D Printing - Awarded: $567.96
7. Gina Gallo - BCHS - Michelangelo Comes to Bristol - Awarded: $658.99
8. Ken Boudreau - West Bristol - Robotics - Awarded: $1,025.00
9. Paige Flint - Mountain View - Sensory Space - Awarded: $500.00
10. Erin Hall - West Bristol - Classroom Enrichment CT Humane Society - Awarded: $300.00

Rationale: 
December 6, 2023 - Regular BoE Meeting Minutes
December 12, 2023 - Board Retreat Meeting Minutes 
December 20, 2023 - Board Retreat Meeting Minutes

Rationale: 

Communication & Community Relations	Finance	Operations	Personnel	Policy Committee	Student Achievement
Maria Simmons, Chair	Dante Tagariello, Chair	Eric Carlson, Chair	Dante Tagariello, Chair	Shelby Pons, Chair	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula
Shelby Pons	Kristen Giantonio	Russell Anderson	Eric Carlson	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Kristen Giantonio
Russell Anderson	Eric Carlson	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Maria Simmons	Kristen Giantonio	Maria Simmons
Alternates:
Lorianne Osenkowski	Shelby Pons	Lorianne Osenkowski	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Dante Tagariello	Eric Carlson

Rationale: 
Student representatives from Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern will share activities, surveys, suggestions, and topics of interest in their respective schools.
Bristol Central                                         Bristol Eastern
Isabel Paolina - Senior*                             Rita Gao - Senior*
Abigail Wasta - Junior                               Peyton Troth - Junior                                                         

Rationale: 
Chair Tagariello will update the Board and the public on topics related to the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

Dr. Carbone will report/update the Board on the following topics:

1. District Priorities 2025-2030 Feedback

2. 2024-2025 Budget Workshop Dates:
    Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
    Tuesday, January 23, 2024 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Rationale: 
McConnell, Robert - CHMS - Technology Education Teacher

Rationale: 
Dehey, Alicia - BAIMS/GH - Special Education Teacher

Rationale: 
Gordon, Sonia - BEHS - Math Teacher - Effective January 4, 2024
Hull, Amanda - EDGE PK - PreK Special Education Teacher - Effective October 31, 2023
Lyons, Shannon - WB - TESOL Teacher - Effective December 13, 2023
Tramontanis, Brittany - WB - Grade 1 Teacher - Effective December 18, 2023

Rationale: 
Abucewicz, Danielle - WB - Special MS Performing Groups - Choral

Rationale: 
LaMarre, Marie - SSS - Grade 2 Teacher effective on or about June 7, 2024 through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

Rationale:   

Members of the public are invited to comment to the Board on any topic related to school business. Items requiring consideration by the Board must be approved as an agenda item by a 2/3ds vote of the Board members present.  Such items may be referred for further study and not necessarily acted upon at this meeting.

Anyone wishing to address the Board should adhere to the following procedures:

Before a Remote Meeting - Submitted Public Comment must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

1. Send your comments to: susaneverett@bristolk12.org
2. Be sure to put PUBLIC COMMENT - BOE in the subject line.
3. Include your name and address.
4. Direct your comments to the Board Chair.
5. Your comments will be read at the meeting by the Board Chair.
6. All comments should be written in an appropriate manner, comments regarding personnel or confidential student information shall not be discussed under public comment.
7. Any comments not adhering to the guidelines will not be read at the meeting.

During a Meeting

1. Everyone is requested to address the Chair for recognition.
2. Each speaker must state his/her name and address.
3. All speakers must observe rules of common etiquette.  Personalities are not to be injected. Anyone violating this rule will be denied the floor. Unless waived by the Chairperson or a majority of the Board,
4. Each speaker shall limit his/her remarks to three (3) minutes.
5. A speaker will not be recognized for a second time on the same topic.
6. The public may speak as agenda topics come up for discussion or information.  Anyone digressing from the topic will be ruled out of order.
7. Written statements and materials may be made available, in advance of comments, for distribution to Board members.
8. Speakers shall state their positions on the subject being discussed.
9. Board members will not respond directly to comments during the Board meeting. The Superintendent will direct the question to the appropriate staff member for follow-up

Rationale: 
The Operations Committee reviewed the suggested projects on the 24-25 CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) and voted to accept it as it was presented and to forward the CIP to the full Board to take any action necessary. The next step is for the BOE to approve it and forward it to the 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan Committee and the City Board of Finance.

Rationale: 
The Schematic Design estimate was reviewed by the NEMS Project Committee and the Operations Committee. The schematic design estimate is $102,367,574. This is over the conceptual estimate by $13,298,611. Part of the process is for the BOE to approve this increase, and forward it to the City Council and Board of Finance. Upon full approval by all boards inclusive of the City of Bristol Joint Board, the BOE will request the additional funding from the State of Connecticut.

Rationale: 

In honor of Nicholas Parenti, Alex Hamzy and Dustin DeMonte, a donation has been received by the Bristol Public Schools from MOVIA Robotics. The donation includes the use of 4 MOVIA’s Teacher’s Aide RAI (Robot Assisted Instruction) system which includes the Kebbi robot, tablet, and laptop, as well as MOVIA’s proprietary software and curriculum. Additionally, they are donating a 3-year software license as well as staff training and support. The total donation is $ 40,356.80.

Rationale: 

Dr. Gina Gallo would like to provide students at Bristol Central High School the opportunity to expand their classroom by visiting Taormina, Italy in either November 2024 or March 2025. Students would stay with host families for the duration of their trip, attend classes at the Babilonia Center for Italian Studies, and participate in a variety of excursions and cultural activities, such as local tours, hikes, and hands-on cooking demonstrations. Full details can be found in the attached itinerary.

In addition to gaining greater cultural sensitivity, global citizenship, and an international perspective on their studies, students return home feeling more confident and independent in their use of a second language, qualities that stay with them throughout their academic, professional and personal lives. This is especially true for opportunities such as this proposed trip, where students are able to live with host families to truly experience local culture. 

November and March are proposed dates in response to student surveys and would allow athletes the opportunity to participate. Students would miss class time for this trip, but would be attending classes in Italy.

Rationale: 
Amy Martino Director of Special Services will update the Board regarding Special Services programs and topics.

Rationale: 
The Board will discuss any new business proper to come before the Board.

Rationale: 

Any communications/information regarding building projects:

1. Chippens Underground Storage Tank
2. BAIMS Building Update
3. NEMS Building Committee Report
4. ESSER/ARP Building Committee Update
5. Edgewood Project Update
6. Culinary Arts Project Updates
7. Athletic Fields and Site Improvements

Rationale: 

Commissioners will report to the Board on any groups/organizations in which they serve as Board of Education Liaisons and information pertinent to the Board.

Commissioners at Middle and K-8 schools will give reports.

Rationale: 
There being no other business to come before the Board, the meeting should be adjourned.