May 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Rationale: 
 

Rationale: 
Each year the Board of Education selects staff members who go above and beyond the expectations of their job description to be honored with a BPS Staff Achievement Award.

Staff Achievement Award Winners - 2024-2025
Christine Carother - Food Service, Bristol Eastern High School
James Hahn - Math Teacher, Bristol Eastern High School
John Kelley - Climate Intervention Specialist, Bristol Central High School
Bill Mancini - Special Education Teacher, Ivy Drive
Megan McCarthy - Physical Therapist, District Wide
Dr. Karlene Richardson - Health Occupation Teacher, Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central
Courtney Sugarman - Supervisor, Edgewood PreK Academy
Eric Turner - Special Education Teacher, West Bristol School

Rationale: 
The CABE Student Leadership Awards Program was developed to allow local boards of education to recognize student achievement and potential. Students nominated by their school principal should exhibit the following leadership skills: Willingness to take on challenges, Capability to make a difficult decision, Concern for others, Ability to work with others, Willingness to commit to a project, Diplomacy, Ability to understand issues clearly and Ability to honor a commitment.
 

School	Student	Grade
BCHS	Lissette Castillo	12
	Matthew Mauriello	12
BEHS	Kyleigh Sutula	12
	Luke Viens	12
CHMS	Nicole Marie Rodriguez	8
	Lola Jane Aiken	8
GHS	Aitor Pulla Urgilez	8
	Norah Ekpen	8
NEMS	Gavin Martin	8
	Yuliya Samoylyuk	8
WBS	Jada Shaw	8
	Blake Ferrucci	8
BAIMS	Annalee Andrew	8
	Alyssa Gilbert	8
BPrep	Elvin Torres	12
	Nana Santos	11

Rationale: 
1. April 2, 2025 - Regular Meeting Minutes
2. April 4, 2025 - Special Meeting Minutes
3. April 28, 2025 - Special Meeting Minutes

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.

Rationale: 

The board welcomes public input and appreciates the diverse perspectives of the community. While the meeting is open to the public, it is fundamentally a meeting of the board. The public comment period allows community members to share their insights with the governing body about the agenda items that the board will be reviewing or deciding on. The board values this input and will consider it when making their decisions. Community members are encouraged to express their views on any topic related to the agenda. To comment on a topic that is not on the agenda, please email your comment via the contact link on the BPS Board of Education Website. 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 to for further study and not necessarily acted upon at this meeting.
 
Comments May be Submitted in Writing - 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 not be read at the meeting, they will be distributed to all Board members and placed on file.
6. All comments should be written in an appropriate manner, comments regarding personal or confidential student information shall not be discussed under public comment.
7. Any comments not adhering to the guidelines will not be placed on file

Public Comment Rules During a Meeting

1. Everyone is requested to address the Chair for recognition.
2. Each speaker must state his/her name, address and the topic they are commenting on.
3. Comments are limited to items on the agenda.
4. All speakers must observe rules of common etiquette.  Personalities are not to be injected. Speakers should not attack or question the motives of others. Anyone violating this rule will be denied the floor. Unless waived by the Chairperson.
5. Each speaker shall limit his/her remarks to three (3) minutes.
6. A speaker will have one opportunity to speak per meeting.
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. However, the Superintendent may direct the question to the appropriate staff member for follow-up when appropriate.
10. The chair has the discretion to provide brief factual information. For example, the chair might explain that legal limitations on the board’s authority prevent the board from considering the requested action.
11. Speakers cannot donate their time to other people or speak on behalf of other people.
12. Disruptive behavior, harassment, and violence are not permitted. In cases of disruptive behavior, the chair has the authority to warn the speaker, request them to leave, or, in extreme cases, clear the room.

Rationale: 

The Athletics Department has received a very generous donation of $174,637.00 to cover the cost of replacing the BE and BC baseball field, softball field, gym, and turf scoreboards. Our current scoreboards are over 20 years old and run on a lightbulb system (rather than electric) and will no longer be serviced by the company due to no longer producing parts for this type of scoreboard. The Finance and Operations Committee approved this donation proposal on 4/9/2025. The Director of Athletics is looking for the Board of Education to approve this donation.

Rationale:  The contract for professional services for the redistricting of the Bristol Public Schools awarded to MP Planning Group LLC in the amount of $55,575.00.

Rationale: 
Central Office staff will review April 1 enrollment figures for the Board.

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

Rationale: 

We are asking the Board of Education to offer a VSIP to eligible certified teaching staff who may be considering a transition from their current roles. 

The goal is to provide a voluntary separation option that can help mitigate the impact of the necessary reductions in force for the 2025-2026 school year.

Rationale: 

Ms. White will report/update the Board on the following topics:
1. ALICE Training
2. Legislative Update
3. Budget Update

Rationale: 
O’Donnell, Ana - NEMS - Special Education Teacher
Philippon, Paul - BEHS - Special Education Teacher

Rationale: 
David, Elizabeth - BCHS - Special Education Teacher

Rationale: 

Teachers trained to serve as TEAM (Teacher Education and Mentoring) mentors and cooperating teachers provide assistance and support to student teachers and beginning teachers in the district. Cooperating teachers are those teachers who are trained to work with student teachers. Mentors must be assigned to first-year teachers to provide mentoring and support to newly certified teachers.  This program is required by the State Department of Education. Principals recruit teachers to apply to be TEAM mentor/cooperating teachers; the applications are reviewed by the TEAM Coordinating Committee. The following teachers were approved by the TEAM Coordinating Committee and are recommended to be TEAM Mentors/Cooperating teachers.  Approved teachers must attend a virtual training program and update their training regularly.
 

Teacher	Assignment
Sandra Robair	BCHS, Science
Griffin Colopy	GHS, ELA
Jordan Rebello	GHS, ELA
Michelle Guastella	CHMS, Science
Stacy Rivoira	GHS, Kindergarten
Emily Colombie	WB, Grade 3
Erica Clapp	WB, Kindergarten
Kenneth Gardiner	BCHS, Social Studies
Friecka Baldwin	CHMS/WB, Math Coach

Rationale: 

The Kindergarten literacy curriculum revision  was designed to ensure that all kindergarten classrooms align with Connecticut’s approved K-3 reading curriculum models or programs, increase ease of use of Wit & Wisdom for classroom teachers, and update resources. 

The curriculum revisions provide specific student learning targets, success criteria, learning sequences/activities to ensure quality instruction to meet the VOG, ensure equity for all and align to the CT’s approved curriculum programs. 

Rationale: 
Kindergarten Music is a revision to the 2014 curriculum.  It was presented to the Student Achievement Committee on 4/30/25 and passed to the full board for adoption.

Rationale: 

ECE Chemistry allows students to earn 8 college credits through UConn

• CHEM 1127Q General Chemistry I: Designed to provide a foundation for more advanced courses in chemistry. Atomic theory, laws and theories concerning the physical and chemical behavior of gases, liquids, solids, and solutions.  Quantitative measurements illustrating the laws of chemical combination in the first semester lab.

• CHEM 1128Q General Chemistry II: Equilibrium, thermodynamics, nuclear chemistry, and kinetics. Properties of some of the more familiar elements and their compounds. Equilibrium in solutions and reactions of the common cations and anions in the laboratory component.

The curriculum was revised to ensure alignment to UConn’s requirements for offering the course.

Rationale: 

Students gain real-world experience through a 50- or 100-hour internship in a career field of interest. Students will apply academic knowledge and develop essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving. Through hands-on learning, students will gain a better understanding of professional expectations, workplace safety, and ethical responsibilities. They will engage in meaningful reflection to identify their strengths, areas for growth, and future career goals. Students will also create and maintain a career portfolio to support their career readiness. This course helps students connect classroom learning to real-world applications, build confidence, and prepare for life beyond high school.

Teachers at both BEHS and BCHS reflected on their taught curriculum, what students need to be successful, and created a curriculum document to guide them in how to support all students.

Rationale: 

PLTW Principles of Engineering, a second-level Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course for grades 9-12, explores diverse engineering fields and careers through real-world problem-solving. Students develop technical skills using various engineering tools and apply the design process to areas like mechanical, robotics, and environmental engineering.

Teachers at both BEHS and BCHS unpacked the PLTW curriculum, reflected on their past two years of teaching the course, and created a curriculum document that communicates clear and high expectations for all students.

Rationale: 

PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design (IED), a Project Lead the Way (PLTW), introduces high school students to engineering tools and a problem-solving design process. Through activity-, project-, problem-based learning, students advance from structured tasks to open-ended challenges, developing planning, documentation, communication, and professional skills. Individually and collaboratively, they apply systems thinking to consider factors like material selection and sustainability, develop technical representation skills using CAD software, and create 3D-printed prototypes. Students use testing protocols and computational methods to inform iterative design improvements and build competency in project management, peer review, and environmental impact analysis.

Teachers at both BEHS and BCHS unpacked the PLTW curriculum, reflected on their past two years of teaching the course, and created a curriculum document that communicates clear and high expectations for all students.

Rationale: 

This laboratory-based exploratory course introduces students to a variety of materials and to the tools and machines used to process them. Materials utilized may include woods, metals, and plastics. A variety of manufacturing processes will be surveyed, including separating, forming, combining, joining, conditioning, and finishing.  The hands-on instructional aspects of this course focus on proper operating procedures and safe operation of tools and machines.

Teachers at both BEHS and BCHS intentionally revised the curriculum for this course to ensure alignment with Construction Technology and Construction Applications.

Rationale:  CABE Model Policy P5145.44 (a) 4000.1, 4200.1 was reviewed and adopted in the Regular Policy Meeting on April 23, 2025. This CABE policy was approved to be moved to the full board for approval.

Rationale:  CABE Model Policy P6171.2 (a) was reviewed and adopted in the Regular Policy Meeting on April 23, 2025. This CABE policy was approved with changes: where the language of Special Education is printed in paragraphs one and two, to be replaced with Pupil Personnel Services. The committee voted to move the policy revision to the full board for approval.

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

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.