March 6, 2024
Present: Liz Barlow, Heather Lombardo, Monica Logan, Donna Nolan, David Peling, Karen Richmond-Godard, and Rosemarie Weber. Absent: Chase Alexander and Katie O’Neill (Student Representatives).
Public Comment
Mike Kramarenko read a letter on behalf of a parent who could not attend the meeting. He also commented regarding incidents that occurred at a middle school dance and said the student handbook needs to be revised in reference to student discipline.
Increasing Educator Diversity Plan
The board considered approval of the Increasing Educator Diversity Plan to be submitted to the Connecticut Commissioner of Education. Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Parsons said recent legislation requires that every Connecticut district submit plans to the commissioner for how they plan to increase diversity within their educator population. Diversity is defined as racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse candidates and educators. A Theory of Action document was shared regarding certain tasks that are the responsibility of the human resources coordinator and the assistant superintendent in the areas of recruitment, hiring and selection and retention. Weber inquired if the Granby Equity Team should be added because educators are part of the team. Parsons agreed and she will make that addition. Barlow suggested using the Granby Equity Team to evaluate the experiences of candidates of color about any struggles or recommendations for the district. The board approved the Increasing Educator Diversity Plan as amended be submitted to the Commissioner of Education.
Superintendent’s Report
Congratulations to Lauren de Los Reyes on winning second place in the statewide Poetry Out Loud contest.
March 20, 2024
Present: Liz Barlow, Heather Lombardo, Monica Logan, Donna Nolan, David Peling, Karen Richmond-Godard, Rosemarie Weber and Student Representatives Chase Alexander and Katie O’Neill.
Chairperson’s Report
Logan shared a series of events that occurred at the middle school in mid-March. One was a tripped fire alarm and Burke is working with facilities to remedy the issue. Soon after a pipe burst leading from the well to the ecology center, impacting the fish holding tanks. DEEP was called to assist with the fish, and 300 older fish were safely released with students assisting. The source of the leak was determined and repaired; water flowed again the next day.
Both boilers failed. One was fixed and the other is beyond repair. The school can operate for the remainder of this heating season on one boiler. Logan stressed that aging infrastructure as well as inflation are driving up the budget.
Awards and Recognition
The board recognized Evie Bunz, seventh grader at GMMS, for her first-place finish in the National Young Writers Contest. Evie was also recognized for her first-place finish in the United Kingdom.
Public Comment
KC Petruzzi, science teacher and president of the Granby Education Association, said she wanted to share her perspective on the staff’s response to decisions that are made about our schools. Petruzzi spoke about teacher recruitment and retention statewide. Granby has historically had excellent teachers who have had long tenures in the system. In recent years, staff turnover has presented challenges to maintaining that quality. Petruzzi expressed her thanks to the community for demonstrating support for competitive pay for teachers during contract negotiations this past fall. She expressed concerns that cutting 6.0 FTEs might be efficient right now, but the cuts send a message of unreliable job security to potential new hires. She concluded by saying education is a service industry that costs money to do well and asked the board to consider what they are being asked to do in cutting services to meet a dollar figure. The board has an obligation to students, their families and employees—not just taxpayers in town.
Schools in the Spotlight
Ann Buckley, science teacher at GMMS, and students in grades 7 and 8 in the Fish Kids Club ,presented the history and activities performed at the Salmon Brook Ecology Center. Students presented information about the Ecology Center. Noah Woodman shared what is housed in the Ecology Center, such as tanks for raising juvenile fish as well as the water flow system that goes through the tanks, explaining that it is a closed loop system. Callum Tomala explained the classes held in the Eco Center where students observe Alevin (juvenile fish), under a microscope. Thomas Ladouceur explained the weights and measures of the fish that help to determine how much they are fed. Thomas Erickson spoke about the nursery, stating the eggs live in trays in the nursery until they are ready to hatch. Evie Bunz shared that hydroponics, the art of gardening without soil, is used in the Eco Center and uses 90 percent less water than traditional agriculture. Annabelle Leitao explained the purpose of the Fish Kids Club, the jobs performed by students in the center as well as necessary things that need to be done. Fish Kids are responsible for measuring food for the weekend and scrubbing the tanks, which is essential for keeping the system clean.