June 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Districtwide

• Accent 800, $7,595, Caryn Schajer, Bethel, CT

Rationale:  We received the Primary Mental Health Grant , which was presented to the Board of Education in the Fall.  We are required to reapply for the grant, which requires BOE approval and endorsement (for application).  The program has been tremendously successful in providing early intervention for students. 

Rationale:  Members of the Strategic Planning Committee will present to the Board of Education an overview of the proposed 2025-2030 Strategic Plan for approval.  

Rationale:  Dr. Brooks will be presenting the work of the Vision of a Learner.   The presentation will include an overview of the process, the changes from our existing Global Competencies, the newest version of the Vision and future steps.  

Rationale: 

• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Removining or reducing nursing services in our schools  C. Landgrebe
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - National School Lunch Program Update - Ellington, CT

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:  Monthly Data  -  We include in the BOE agenda the monthly data as requested by the BOE.  

Rationale:  The admission policy should have been updated last year to reflect the changes in the age of admission to 5 by September 1st.   We were hopeful that the law would be changed, but it failed in the Senate.   Therefore, we need to revise the policy to reflect state law.  We are requesting that the Board of Education waive the second reading and approve the policy.  

In addition, we feel that deleting the language about withdrawal (16, 17 or 18 years old) is appropriate. The policy is outdated and does not reflect state law.  We do not need any specific language as we follow state law.  

Policy 5111 - Admission/Placement

Rationale:  As Ms. Variale mentioned in a previous BOE meeting that she wanted to adapt the transportation regulations to provide more clarity.  Regulations can be changed by administration, without approval from the Board, but we would like to share them with you, should you have any feedback.  The linked regulation shows the changes that she is suggesting for the coming school year.  

Regulation 3541 - Transportation

Rationale:  Due to the notice from Wells Fargo Bank, the holder of the Menegay Scholarship Funds, that they no longer support Municipal Brokerage accounts the following resolutions are required:
 

• Fidelity Investments requires a board resolution to establish a new brokerage account(s) where the Menegay Scholarship Funds will be transferred from the current Wells Fargo accounts.

Rationale:  Topic: Recommendation of FSMC for 2025-2026 with 4 one-year optional renewals

Key Points of the Briefing:

* It is important to the Bethel Board of Education that an excellent Food Service Management Company administer the food service operations for the district in accordance with all of the regulations of the National School Lunch Program under the direction of the USDA and the CSDE.
* It is important that the FSMC manage the food service operations with a financial break-even or better result; otherwise the BOE operating funds must cover any loss.

Recommendation of the Review and Evaluation Committee:

1. Three comprehensive proposals were received in response to our RFP. The RFP was developed using all the requirements of the CSDE.
2. A review and evaluation committee was formed including Pat Rist (BOE Member), Suzanne Rodgers (Accounting Manager) and Jennifer Variale.
3. Based upon the independent scoring of the stipulated rubric, the committee chose Whitsons.  Several highlights of their proposal are as follows:

1. The highest year one guaranteed profit of $295K
2. A history of good management in CT school districts
3. Highest score - #1 choice of each member of the review and evaluation committee
4. The submission of a very comprehensive and innovative proposal with strong evidence of capability. A financially sound organization with an emphasis on locally sourced fresh ingredients and creative menus.