June 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Rationale: 
Moment of Silence:
Frank Anthony Dolce - Teacher - HUB, ID, MTV, MBS, NEMS, EDGE and SSS - 1968 - 2002 
 

Rationale: 
1. 2026 Paraeducator of the Year 
2. 2026 Teacher of the Year
3. Seal of Biliteracy

Rationale: 

The 2026 Paraeducator of the Year for Bristol Public Schools will be announced at the June 2025 Board of Education Meeting. The award is named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a paraeducator who lost her life at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. The program honors one paraeducator who has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in the performance of his/her job, thereby earning that person the respect and admiration of other paraeducators, students, teachers, administrators, co-workers, and parents.

 A reception will be held in the fall to honor the Paraeducator of the Year.

Rationale: 

The 2026 Teacher of the Year for Bristol Public Schools will be announced at the June 2025 Board of Education meeting.  The Teacher of the Year Selection Committee consisted of:   Commissioner Pons,  Commissioner Simmons, Carly Fortin, Geoff Sinatro, Azra Redzic, Scott Ruel, Julia Darcy, Sharon Vocke, Scott Ruel, Sharon Campolo, Anne Tacinelli, and  Carolyn Kielma.

A reception will be held in the fall to honor the Teacher of the Year.

Rationale: 

This spring, 102 students qualified for the Seal of Biliteracy. Eight (8) of those students qualified in more than one language. Students qualified in Spanish, Latin, Polish, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Haitian Creole, and Arabic, demonstrating the proficiency they have acquired through their coursework in Bristol or their lived experiences. Students who qualify will be awarded the Seal when they graduate. Their success represents the rich cultural diversity of Bristol Public Schools and the hard work of students and teachers over the course of many years.

Rationale:  BoE Senior Student Representatives, Abigail Wasta (BCHS) and Peyton Troth (BEHS) will be recognized for their years of service as Board of Education Student Representatives.

 

Rationale: 
May 7, 2025 - Regular Meeting Minutes

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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
Amelia Brown - Junior*                             Paige Ansah - Junior*                                                         

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

Rationale: 

Iris White will report/update the Board on the following topics:
1. Budget Update
2. Legislative Update

Rationale: 

Boisvert, Lynn - BoE - Director of Finance and Operations
Culkin, Dr. Kimberly - BoE - Chief of Talent Management
Huber, Dr. David - SSS - Principal
Keane, Alissa - MTV - Interim Principal

Rationale:   

Ciralli, Vicki - CHMS - Math Intervention Specialist
Johnson, Lynn - CHMS - Literacy Intervention Specialist
Lewandoski, Walter - SSS - Art Teacher

Rationale: 

Beauchamp, Nicole - GH/BCHS - Math Coach effective May 30, 2025
Darcy, Julia - SSS - Math Coach effective June 18, 2025
Onofrio, Kelsey - WB - Grade 8 Math Teacher effective June 18, 2025
Yoder, Julianna - WB - Grade 2 Teacher effective June 18, 2025

Rationale:  The FRCs at West Bristol, Greene-Hills, South Side offer BOOST to grade level students (K-3) who need a boost in confidence, social skills, assertiveness and overall school adjustment. The program offers one-on-one sessions for 20 to 30 minutes weekly utilizing an "expressive play" intervention facilitated by trained FRC staff. The program is offered in two cycles. Cycle 1 from Nov 2025 - Feb 2026, and another group of students identified for Cycle 2: Feb - May 2026. This program is monitored with specific outcome measures through SDE/National Children’s Institute and through an on-line data collection center called COMET. Oversight of the program is under BOE Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Amy Martino and Sarah Holmes, FRC Program Director. Application is due June 30th, 2025.

Rationale:  Chippens Hill Middle is the recipient of a $2,000 Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation Grant. The grant will be used to support the One School One Book event.

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 Board of Education agreed to waive the staff dress code for monthly dress down days that would benefit students and/or staff. Attached is this year’s list of charities and the monthly amount raised. Staff donated a total of $16,358.00 for the 2024-2025 school year.

Rationale: 
With the recent leadership changes, we must update authorized signatories for the Bristol Board of Education. The Board will name Iris White, Superintendent of Schools, Mary Hawk, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, and Jodi Bond, Accounting Supervisor, as authorized signatories for the Board of Education.

Rationale:  The ED-099 Agreement for Child Nutrition Programs (Agreement) is the formal agreement between a sponsoring organization and the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to operate one or more of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs. The Agreement designates a representative authorized to enter into an agreement with the CSDE and certifies the claims for reimbursement. 'The Agreement is permanent and amended as changes occur. The CSDE recognizes that one or both authorized signers will change periodically. The sponsoring organization must execute the CSDE's Authorized Signature’s Change Form whenever there is a change to either of the two authorized signers.

Claims for reimbursement are valid only when certified by authorized signers on file with the CSDE. Action by the board of education must occur to make changes to authorized signers so that claims can be signed and submitted, and reimbursement delays are avoided. Iris White and Jodi Bond will be the authorized signers for the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

The parent conference dates initially proposed for 2025-2026 were revised due to March 20, 2026, being Eid al-Fitr. The BFT contract prohibits teachers from attending after-school meetings on the day before a non-working day. It is recommended that the parent conference dates be changed to the following week.

Rationale: 
Energy efficiency upgrades will be performed to all BoE facilities including LED lighting, and lighting controls. The project is estimated to save $724,003 in annual electricity costs.

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

Rationale: 
This informational report will update the Board on the activities and accomplishments in the Fine Arts Department for the Spring of 2025.

Rationale: 

The President and Vice President of the Student-Athlete Leadership Council at BC and BE will present the winter and spring sports season recap presentations they created to highlight the individual and team accomplishments of Bristol sport teams.

Rationale: 

This Algebra 1 course develops students' understanding of algebraic relationships, progressing systematically from linear through exponential and quadratic functions. Beginning with linear equations and systems, students learn to create, graph, and solve equations in both one and two variables. They then extend these concepts to inequalities and systems of inequalities, learning to represent and interpret constraints in context. Throughout these initial units, students also analyze bivariate data and develop linear models, connecting algebraic representations to real-world situations.

The middle portion of the course formalizes students' understanding of functions as mathematical relationships. Students learn to use function notation, analyze key features of graphs, and interpret different representations of functions. This foundation enables them to explore exponential functions, where they contrast exponential and linear growth, apply properties of exponents, and model real-world growth and decay scenarios. The course concludes with an introduction to quadratic functions, where students analyze different forms of quadratic expressions, graph parabolas, and interpret key features in context.

Throughout the six units, students engage in mathematical practices that develop their ability to problem-solve, model real-world situations, and construct mathematical arguments. The course emphasizes multiple representations of relationships (graphs, equations, tables, and verbal descriptions) and the connections between them.

Rationale: 

In Introduction to Career Work Experience (CWE) students will gain essential skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in future employment. Topics include career readiness, career acquisition, employability skills, employment laws, and job safety. Students who successfully complete the course with a minimum grade of 75% will meet the prerequisite for CWE 50/100. The CWE 50/100 course provides an opportunity to participate in an internship within the student’s chosen career pathway.

Rationale: 

is course introduces students to the fundamental principles and practices of the construction industry. Through hands-on projects and classroom instruction, students will explore residential, commercial, and civil construction techniques, materials, tools, and safety protocols. Emphasis is placed on blueprint reading, site preparation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and finish work. Students will also learn about construction math, project planning, sustainability, and career pathways in the skilled trades. This course prepares students for further study in construction-related fields and develops essential skills for entry-level employment or technical certification.

Rationale: 

The grades 3-5 Math curriculum was last updated in 2020. The goals of the revision were to transition to the new Illustrative Math 360 edition, update learning targets and success criteria, increase supports for all students and add family support materials. Some of the supports for all students include: the addition of the Universal Design for Learning teacher actions and supports for Multilingual learners.

Rationale: 

This is the second reading of the revised curriculum for AP Psychology, first presented to the Student Achievement Committee on May 21st. Prompted by revisions to the AP exam made by the College Board, the course now aligns with the updated Course Exam Description and, by extension, recommendations made by the American Psychological Association (APA) Introductory Psychology Initiative. The framework is organized into five units ranging from the biological basis of behavior to mental and physical health, and is Equivalent to an introductory college-level psychology course.

Rationale: 

This is the second reading of the revised curriculum for AP Psychology, first presented to the Student Achievement Committee on May 21st. Prompted by revisions to the AP exam made by the College Board, the course now aligns with the updated Course Exam Description and, by extension, recommendations made by the American Psychological Association (APA) Introductory Psychology Initiative. The framework is organized into five units ranging from the biological basis of behavior to mental and physical health, and is Equivalent to an introductory college-level psychology course.

Rationale:   

The textbook for our new UCONN ECE course, History of American Popular Music needs to be approved for implementation.  Because it is an ECE aligned course, we must use the recommended textbook for the course; American Popular Music; From Minstrelsy to MP3.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee met on May 28, 2025, and reviewed Policy 5131.911, Connecticut School Climate Policy, which is a mandated policy. The motion was to submit it to the full board for approval to be adopted by BPS.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee met on May 28, 2025, and reviewed Policy 6145.6, making a motion to submit it to the full board for consideration of waiving the tuition assessment for one year to accommodate exchange students in BPS.

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: 

a. Discussion concerning the Superintendent's Evaluation

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