June 7, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Special Meeting

Rationale: 

Johnson and BMS Odyssey of the Mind Teams competed last week at Iowa State University against teams from all around the world. 

Bethel Public Schools was represented in the national spelling bee this week in Washington DC.  BMS student Rod Chittem, 7th grade, headed to Washington DC to compete in the National Spelling Bee. Congratulations Rod!

 On Wednesday, May 30, 53 students earned 71 scholarships totaling over $710,000 at Scholarship Night. Of the awarded scholarships, Christiana Ruiz was presented with a certificate of appointment to become a member of the Class of 2022 of the United States Naval Academy.   This scholarship is valued in excess of $350,000.  Aman Malkani was presented with a four year Navy ROTC scholarship.  Aman will attend Rutgers University majoring in Mechanical Engineering.  This Navy ROTC scholarship is valued in excess of $175,000.  Ryan Marji was presented with a four year scholarship to attend Western Connecticut State University.  This scholarship, provided by Clarisse and Henry Arnhold will cover the four year cost of tuition and fees.  We want to thank all those who generously contributed to our students. Congratulations to all students and their families.

Boys' Baseball won the SWC Championship

Jazz Band took 1st place and Concert Band took 2nd place at a regional competition in Williamsburg VA.

Jason Zhang, is a National Merritt Scholar and has received a scholarship from the University of Southern California.

Class of 2018 Valedictorian is Kaitlyn Kondos, and Salutatorian is Cosette Domkofski.

 

GIFTS, GRANTS, & BEQUESTS:

Systemwide Grants:

Painting a Brighter Future 2018 Grant, True Value retailer will be donating 30 gallons of paint to your school as part of True Value Foundation’s 2018 Painting a Brighter Future program.

Rationale:  (Please note:  The Board welcomes Public Participation and asks that speakers please limit their comments to 2 minutes.  Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them.  The Board will not permit any expression of personal complaints or defamatory comments about Board of Education personnel and students, nor against any person connected with the Bethel Public School System.)

Rationale: 

Governor has signed the School Construction bill.  

Update on Regional Efficiency Workgroup.  

 

Rationale: 

Briefing Summary:

• Our current phonics program, The Wright Skills, by McGraw Hill for grades K-2 was adopted in 2004.

• This program is not aligned to Connecticut’s Core Standards and is no longer published, so we did not explore updating our existing program.

• We surveyed districts across Connecticut to ascertain what programs they use.

• Of the 25 districts that we heard back from, 17 of them use Fundations.

• A team of elementary teachers, led by Mrs. Rutledge, reviewed 3 phonics programs using specific criteria~ Guidelines for Examining Phonics and Word Recognition Programs

• Fundations emerged as the top choice based on the criteria and the teachers piloted the program this spring.

• With Board of Education approval, we would like to launch this in our PreK-Grade 2 classrooms.

• We have found that Fundations:

• Has a solid research base with many studies to support achievement

• Demonstrates a comprehensive and strategically well thought out progesion of skills and a multisenory approach to teaching

• Includes the integration of phonics, spelling and handwriting so that students see the connections

• Has comprehensive and systemic professional learning support to ensure fidelity and sustainability

We are requesting the following:

Rationale:  The Board of Education currently does not have a policy regarding New Media Relationships.  In the attached packet are several sample policies from CABE to consider and a version from Waterbury Public Schools.   All sample policies address access to the schools and guidelines or expectations for the media.  Although on the agenda at our last Policy meeting, we did not hae an opportunity to discuss in depth.   The adminstration recommends selecting one policy as a model to revise for the needs of the Bethel Public Schools. 

Rationale:  We have periodically used the Therapy Dogs in our schools.  We have found the programs to be extremely beneficial to our students, causing in an increased  demand.   We feel that developing a policy and regulation would help to formulate guidelines for use of Therapy Dogs within the schools.  Two of our employees, Lois Brockmann (Physical Therapist) and Danielle Egan (Media Specialist) are certified handlers for Therapy Dogs and have participated in the development of this policy.  We used the policy from Manchester Public Schools as a basis for revision. This is the first reading of the policy within the committee structure.  

Rationale:  While developing the policy for Therapy Dogs, we recognized that we also need a policy for Service Dogs.  Service Dogs fall under a different category than Therapy Dogs as they are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.  The model policy attached was provided to us by Shipman and and Goodwin.  We currently have an employee who requires a Service Dog.   There are many school districts whose students also require Service Dogs.  We felt it critical to develop policies for both.  This is the first reading for the policy.  

Rationale: 

Dr. Brooks organized a committee of teachers and administrators to research effective homework practices and make suggested recommendations to district policy.  The committee work included: 

• Literature review of effective practices for homework.  
• Development of surveys for stakeholder (parents, teachers, students) to get input on current practice (see attached summary).  
• Review of other district policies regarding homework.
• Revising BPS district policy and regulations.  

Because the changes from our original policy were so significant, it was too confusing to track change.  We have included the old policy for your information.  

Rationale:  The Administration is satisfied with the performance of Sodexho as our food service provider.  They have met their contractual obligations.  The Director of Fiscal Services will be requesting that the Board approve the renewal of the contract.

Rationale: 

The updated job descriptions reflect the necessary qualifications and responsibilities of these positions to ensure our technology is meeting the needs of the Bethel Public Schools.  Attached are the updated descriptions, which reflect the additional duties and qualifications.

*Updated education qualifications to ensure skill set

* Updated performance responsibilities

* Define reporting structure

* Updated duties reflect current technology needs

Rationale:  Annually, the Bethel Board of Education sets the increase for all non-union employees.  A motion will need to be made after coming out of executive session regarding increases based on Board of Education consensus.