Budget Workshop Redding Board of Education
Thursday, February 4, 2021- 7:30 p.m.
Held Remotely Pursuant to Executive Order NO. 7B
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/92603611072?pwd=MmpXNWdDUjlKWndPY1drdDVXUHc4UT09
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJhKa9oQfe3lydov_I-EvA
Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board members: Parkin, Whaley, Pilato, Hocker, Oulton, Reilly
Administration: Harrison, Pierson Ugol, Zachery, Del Conte
Others: 37 members of the staff and public, a Danbury New Times reporter, and the recording secretary.
CALL TO ORDER
C. Parkin called the Redding Board of Education Regular Meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Carolyn Baker, Indian Hill Road: She hopes the budget discussions remain mindful of the impact of the greatest interruption to education our students have ever faced, and questioned town spending while cuts to the school budget are being considered.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
C. Pilato thanked the panel of volunteers that are assisting in the JRMS Principal Search, she thanked the members of the other boards that are attending the Board of Education meetings and she thanked the members of the community that have communicated with Board via email.
C. Hocker also thanked those that have submitted their opinions to the board in writing and explained that after participating in many years of budget cycles, he does not jump onto any one specific issue until he has heard everything.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: 2021-2022 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS
The discussion highlighted budget priorities and reviewed possible reductions. Dr. Harrison listed the following as priorities: the new 5th Grade teacher position, the 0.4 PE RES position, and the new 1st Grade position. Dr. Harrison also lead the group through a lengthy discussion of possible reductions that included: the proposed new custodian position, the proposed new the Library Commons Paraprofessional, the RES intern position, Chromebook purchases, math curriculum payment adjustments, RES Garden Club. Areas for further investigation included the music program at JRMS, the lawn maintenance contract, field trip and conference trip budgeting, updates to Special Service placements, update to possible Federal COVID Funding, insurance, and optimal funding of the Health Insurance Reserve, professional development, extracurriculars, and maintenance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
J. Reilly thanked the group for a great discussion and expressed his support of the Bridges program.
C. Parkin said he appreciates everyone’s time and explained the timeline for establishing the budget and announcing the new JRMS Principal.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education Regular meeting be adjourned. (Whaley, Hoffman). Approved. Deemed approved by unanimous consent.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen Pilato
Secretary, Redding Board of Education
Recorded by Colleen Pilato