August 23, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Robin Renner has resigned from the Board of Education.  Her position is being filled by Cathy Schaefer.

Cathy Schaefer has been appointed to the Board of Education, formally approved by the Board of Selectman, and sworn in.  Please welcome Cathy to the Board.

 

 

Rationale: 

Grants, Gifts and Bequests

Gifts:

Berry School - Construction paper, Manda Hashemi, Ability Beyond, Bethel, CT

Berry School - Olds Clarinet, Patricia Rist, Bethel, CT 

Grants:

CT Suicide Prevention Grant, $20,000, Heather Spada, M.A., LPC, United Way of CT

The Grant will be used to create systems to identify at risk behaviors, build capacity of staff to recognize and respond to students at risk, promote connectedness and develop life skills that enhance protective factors.

 

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) recently received notification from the U.S. Department of Education of the Temporary Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students in the amount of $10,644,625.  Awards to eligible local education agencies were based upon the quarterly count of displaced students each district submitted which were verified by the CSDE. We two students who me the criteria.  The total amount to Bethel was $4500.00.   We will use this money to supplement our EL instruction.  

 

 

Rationale: 

• Letter from Board Member Robin Renner, resigning from the Board
• Letter to EdAdvance regarding Fingerprinting Services Request for Renovation Projects Contractors & Subcontractors
• Email from Jane Gangi regarding SBAC and Common Core

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: 

• All Sports Booster Club Turf Field Fundraiser
• Status of Schools for Opening 
• Convocation
• Start Time Committee
• Police Request

Rationale: 

To take advantage of the early bird discount for registration, we need to know if any Board Members would like to attend the 2018 CABE/CAPSS Convention.  We would need to know by August 27th to take advantage of the discount.

Click to view the workshops available CABE/CAPSS Convention Workshops

Rationale: 

 

Rationale: 

Our Middle School Principal, Mr. DaPonte, has accepted a position in another district.   He had an opportunity that presented itself, that for personal reasons, he could not pass up. This new opportunity allows him more flexibility to have time with his young family.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. DaPonte for his service to the Bethel Public Schools and wish him well in his new position.

Our priority in this transition is stability for our students and staff.   As you know, Mr. Bryan Watson, former Assistant Principal of Bethel Middle School has been serving as the Director of Instructional Technology for the Bethel Public Schools since March of 2018..  At my request, Mr. Watson has agreed to serve as the Acting Principal of Bethel Middle School. A graduate of the Bethel Public Schools, Mr. Watson began his professional career in 2005 as a Social Studies Teacher at Bethel Middle School.  In 2012, he was promoted to Assistant Principal and served in the role through March of 2018 when he was promoted to Director of Instructional Technology. He has a well established relationship with our staff, parents and most importantly, our students.  He will be working with with Mr. DaPonte to ensure a smooth transition. Dr. Fernand and Mrs. Taranovich will remain in their role as Assistant Principals.

Rationale:  The 2018-2019 school calendar has been updated to include the high school graduation date of June 14th, 2019.  As per law, if the school year is extended for emergency days beyond the Board approved graduation date, graduation can take place prior to the last day of school of the extended school year.

Rationale:  Attached are the proposed 2018-2019 Board of Education Goals as discussed at the Summer Retreat (July, 2018).  We are welcome to include any feeback Board members might have.