September 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Rationale: 
1. Barbara Provenzano - Teacher - South Side, Greene-Hills, Stafford, Jennings and Edgewood - 9/1/60 - 6/30/89

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Finance/ Operations	Policy	School, Family & Community Partnership	School Safety	Student Achievement & Outcomes	Labor Relations (Ad-Hoc)
Eric Carlson, Chair	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula, Chair	Maria Simmons, Chair	Lorianne Osenkowski, Chair	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula, Chair	Eric Carlson, Chair
Russell Anderson	Maria Simmons	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Russell Anderson	Kristen Giantonio	Dante Tagariello
Dante Tagariello	Lorianne Osenkowski	Jennifer Van Gorder	Maria Simmons	Maria Simmons	Maria Simmons
Alternates:
Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Dante Tagariello	Kristen Giantonio	Eric Carlson	Lorianne Osenkowski

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
Abigail Wasta - Senior                              Peyton Troth - Senior                                                        

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

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Iris White will report/update the Board on the following topics:
1. School Opening Update
2. Back to School Bash Update
3. HQI Report - Carly Fortin

Rationale: 
Congdon, Denise - DW - Dean of Personnel Pupil Services effective August 26, 2024
Dietter, Michael - BoE - Deputy Superintendent effective TBD

Rationale: 
Kulig, Sara - GH - Dean of Students effective date TBD

Rationale: 
Ellison, Effrin - BCHS - Business Teacher effective August 12, 2024
King, Elizabeth - BCHS - TESOL Teacher effective August 19, 2024
Mason, Derek - CHMS - Special Education Teacher effective September 6, 2024

Rationale: 

Basroon, Jenifer - CHMS - Grade 7 Science Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Bedlack, Karen - BCHS - CW TESOL Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Boutote, Jacob - SS - Grade 5 Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Cassidy, Haley - BAIMS - Grade 8 Math Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Conklin, Madison - EPH - Special Education Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Downes, Jason - GH - Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher effective September 3, 2024
Elkey, Rachel - EPH - Literacy Coach effective August 26, 2024
Giancarli, Alyssa - ID - Grade 5 Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Greger, Logan - WB/NEMS - Speech and Language Pathologist effective August 26, 2024
Grenier, Bridget - BCHS - Social Studies Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Hamel, Meghan - ID - Grade 5 Teacher effective September 4, 2024
Heiden, Mykala - WB - Grade 2 Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Hernandez, Jessica - ID - Grade 2 Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Larson, Brianna - WB - Grade 3 Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Laviero, Jennifer - NEMS/BAIMS - PE/Health Teacher effective September 3, 2024
Morin-Scata, Madison - ID - Special Education Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Needham, Heather - EDGE PreK - PreK Special Education Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Nichols, Krista - BAIMS/BPA - Art Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Olmstead, Melanie - CW @ WB - PE/Health Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Park-Knowles, Lory Lena - WB - Grade 8 ELA Teacher effective August 26, 2024
Spatafore, Daniel - CHMS - Grade 8 Science Teacher effective September 3, 2024
Thomas, Trevor - GH - Grade 6 ELA effective August 26, 2024
Torres, Maria - ID/MTV - Special Education Teacher effective August 28, 2024
Villanueva, Kenisha - CW @ ID/EDGE - Speech and Language Pathologist effective August 26, 2024
Wiese, Gina - CW @ WB/GH - Grades 6-8 Library Media Specialist effective August 26, 2024
Witkewicz, Rachael - ID - Social Worker effective August 26, 2024
Wolf, Ryan - SS - Grade 4 Teacher effective August 26, 2024

Rationale: 
Fleischman, Jeffrey - BEHS - Social Studies Department Head
Sisson, Suzanne - CHMS - Yellow Team Leader

Rationale: 

Bourke, Logan - BEHS - Mathematics Department Head
Dilernia, Elizabeth - BEHS - Science Department Head
Nugent, Alyssa - BEHS - Social Studies Department Head
Petrillo, Amy - CHMS - Yellow Team Lead
Sisson, Suzanne - CHMS - Purple Team Lead

Rationale: 
Bittel, David - BEHS - National Honor Society

Rationale: 
Germain, Eileen - CHMS - Math Curriculum Coordinator
Palermo, Cynthia - BAIMS - Math Curriculum Coordinator
Quinto, Julie - GH - Co-AVID Coordinator

Rationale: 
O’Rourke, Neil - BAIMS - Math Curriculum Coordinator
Rubbo, Cary - GH - AVID Coordinator

Rationale: 

Name	Assignment	Transcripted Course Work	Total  Credits
Banda, Kara	Special Education Teacher, BCHS	30	30
Broderick, Colin	Special Education Teacher, BEHS	30	30
Carlisle, Laura	Special Education Teacher, EDGE PreK	30	30
Dinnan, Sarah	English Teacher, BCHS	30	30
Ellison, Effrin	Business Teacher, BCHS	30	30
Grabowski, Joseph	Social Studies Teacher, CHMS	30	30
Haseltine, Rachel	Literacy Coach	30	30
Latko, Eliza	Physical Education Teacher, WB	30	30
Mastroianni, Rosetta	World Language/TESOL Teacher, NEMS	30	30
Nugent, Alyssa	Social Studies Teacher, BEHS	30	30
Pratt, Colin	Grade 8 Social Studies Teacher, CHMS	30	30
Troche, Steve	World Language Teacher, BCHS	30	30

Rationale: 
The Bristol Alliance Grant focuses on resources to support the areas of Talent, Climate, Academics, and Operations within BPS. All positions and programs help to increase academic performance and support district climate initiatives.  Grant funding supports literacy coaching for teachers (4.75 literacy coaches) and support for students in grades K-3 who are reading below the Bristol reading benchmark (8.3) Instructional Support Teachers). In addition, we fund 26 kindergarten teachers, 12 Kindergarten Teaching Assistants, 8 mathematics coaches, 4.75 Library Media Specialists, 3  Deans, a .5 Elementary STEM Supervisor, 3 IT Specialists, a Pre-K teacher 20 para-educator, AVID stipends, 10 SSW, a Communication and School Partnerships Director, 1 Family Liaisons,  1 Engagement Coordinator, 1 Inclusion Specialist, .75 TESOL Staff, 1 Multilingual Tutor,  translation services, 1 School Psychologist, 8 School Climate/Security Personnel, 1.6 CTE Teacher, 1 Data Analyst, a Math Intern at NEMS, 3 UCONN Interns, substitute services, consultant services, and portions of salaries in the grants office and all employee benefits associated with positions listed previously. Annually BPS submits a grant proposal to the SDE aligned to the goals of our district strategic plan and performance indicators, this year's grant award totals $12,061,630, which is a $3,048,007 increase from FY 24.

Rationale: 
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance grant provides funding to support Bristol Homeless Family Liaisons who assist Bristol students experiencing homelessness.  The Homeless Family Liaisons facilitate connections between our public school system and our social service agencies, arrange transportation, ensure that students have basic necessities, and arrange after school and/or vacation camps for students.  The grant also includes funding for after school and vacation camp membership fees for homeless students and for student supplies, which includes necessary school supplies and winter clothing.  A portion of the grant is dedicated to providing transportation for students experiencing homelessness to and from afterschool programs.  Finally, the grant provides the opportunity for Bristol Homeless Family Liaisons to attend professional learning regarding new legislation and policies related to the McKinney-Vento Act.   The total funds applied for in this grant were $117,865 for a three-year period.   The grant is pending CSDE approval.

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 distributed to all Board Members and placed on file.
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 CT State Board of Education adopted new CT Educator and Leader Evaluation and Support Models in February 2024 aligned with the non-negotiables for leader and educator evaluation as described in the CT Guidelines for Educator and Leader Evaluation 2023.  Bristol convened an Evaluation Steering Committee who met biweekly from September 2023 through to July 2024 to reimagine the Educator Evaluation system in Bristol consistent with the approved guidelines.  Bristol Public Schools seeks to adapt the Model for Educator Evaluation and Support and adopt the Leader Evaluation and Support Model as it was designed.

This is the first reading. Questions and comments can be directed to Carly Fortin, Chief of Academics, and/or Dr. Kimberly Culkin, Chief of Talent Management prior to the second reading, when approval will be sought, in October.

Rationale: 
Dr. Kimberly Culkin, Chief Officer of Talent Management will present the New Teacher Hiring Overview for 2024-2025.

Rationale: 
Amy Martino, Director of the Office of Pupil Personnel Services, will update the Board regarding Pupil Personnel programs and topics.

Rationale: 

This is the second reading of the curriculum for French ECE, first presented to the Student Achievement Committee on August 21st. This course serves as the culmination of a student’s French language study in high school and provides students the opportunity to earn 3 UConn credits. In this year-long course, students continue to develop proficiency and integrate speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills using authentic materials and sources that address a wide variety of topics related to the French-speaking world, such as lifestyles in rural and urban France, the role of the media in France, and immigration and assimilation in French culture.

Rationale:   

This is the second reading of the curriculum for Holocaust and Human Behavior, first presented to the Student Achievement Committee on August 21st. Developed using grant funding from the State of Connecticut to expand dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, this course serves as an introductory course in the Human Rights Pathway, building towards the Human Rights ECE course offered in partnership with UConn. In this semester-long elective, students examine the holocaust to analyze patterns in human behavior and the choices individuals have made in the past in the face of injustice. Students will explore readings, primary source material, and short documentary films to examine the challenging history of the Holocaust and prompt reflection on our world today.

Rationale:   

This is the second reading of the curriculum for Human Rights ECE, first presented to the Student Achievement Committee on August 21st. Developed using grant funding from the State of Connecticut to expand dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, this course serves as the capstone course in the Human Rights Pathway, providing students the opportunity to earn 3 UConn credits. In this semester-long elective, students study the history of human rights and the creation of international human rights law. Students will learn about how human rights have evolved throughout time and across different cultures, and explore specific, current human rights issues.

Rationale: 

This is the second reading of the curriculum for Media, Freedom and Power, first presented to the Student Achievement Committee on August 21st. Developed using grant funding from the State of Connecticut to expand dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, this course serves as the capstone course in the Journalism Pathway, providing students the opportunity to earn 3 credits from SCSU. In this semester-long elective, students learn how the media, including the internet, provide news and information to the public with an emphasis on the First amendment, media power, ethics, and taste. Students will explore how tensions surrounding the freedom of expression have played out in American history as well as the present day.

Rationale: 

This is the first reading of The Power of Free Expression in America (Second Edition). Bristol Public Schools recently developed the curriculum to offer Media, Freedom and Power as a dual enrollment opportunity in partnership with SCSU. This is the first reading of The Power of Free Expression in America (2019), which is a required textbook for that course. 

Rationale: 
This is a Connecticut School Climate mandated policy recommended to be adopted by the Bristol Board of Education. This was reviewed in the Policy Meeting on August 28, 2024. Policy 5131.91 was approved to be moved to the full board for approval.

Rationale: 
This is a CABE model Bylaw 9326 recommended to be adopted by the Bristol Board of Education. This was reviewed in the Policy Meeting on August 28, 2024. Bylaw 9326 was approved to be moved to the full board for approval.

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.

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