REGION 9 BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
February 23, 2021 – 6:00 p.m.
Held Remotely Pursuant to Executive Order No. 7B
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us.j/97989654009?pwd=dTg5d2doWWFpenhYby93aURISWJpQT09
Minutes
ATTENDANCE:
Board Members: T. Johnston, C. Graziano, J. Berry, M. D’Agostino, G. Denny, K. O’Brien, M. Pampel, M. Williams
Administration: Dr. Harrison, Dr. Pierson Ugol, Dr. Pin, C. Zachary, M. DiStefano
CALL TO ORDER
The Region 9 Board of Education special meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Shari Williams, Riley Road, Redding: Thank Dr. Pin for reopening Barlow. She sees increased parent participation and there is a group concerned with potential direction of curriculum. She supports the DEI changes and thinks that DEI might be better taught in the home. She advocates for seniors to have prom and in person graduation.
Alexis Bennett, Dallas Hill Rd, Redding would like to see spring theater production take place. Mentioned plans that surrounding towns have for alternative performances.
David Monson, Newtown Turnpike, Redding fully supports a spring theater production and offered parent involvement and help.
Dana Benson, Pond Road, Easton concerned about the CBT training occurring in the school. He feels that the role of school is to educate and identify the problem to the parents. He feels that extra funds should be returned to the town.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
M. D’Agostino fully supports the spring theater production.
C. Graziano echoed M. D’Agostino’s comments and supports a spring musical. She said many students were already participating in CDA. She hopes that we can give students a somewhat normal experience. She acknowledged the public comments and noted that all curriculum meetings are open to the public and are recorded and posted for those unable to attend.
G. Denny is in full support of the spring musical.
M. Pampel is in full support of the spring musical and also in support of the DBT training.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: COGNITIVE & BEHAVIORAL CONSULTANTS (CBC) OF WESTCHESTER & MANHATTAN PROPOSAL FOR 2020-2021 COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL-BASED DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT) TRANING AND CONSULATION SERVICES
Dr. Pin gave a presentation on the proposal for the CBC services. The $40,000 cost of the services would be paid for by line item transfer from special education transportation from the ESY program of summer 2020 (1200-510) to the psychological services consult (2140-330).
Floor was opened to board member questions. A thoughtful discussion of the topic occurred. Board members had a variety of questions from how this will benefit students to process and procedure for using funds from another line item. Board members asked for a tracking metric for measurement of success of the program and for continued funding. Administration responded that this will benefit all students and that those students who currently receive support services will get more personalized interactions with trained counselors and staff. T. Johnston and M. D’Agostino stated that there was concern about re-appropriation of funds that taxpayers had not approved for this purpose.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education, transfer funds from the ESY program of summer 2020 (1200-510) to the psychological services consult (2140-330) for the purposes of funding the CBC DBT proposal for the 2020-21 school year (Graziano, Denny). Approved, 8-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dana Benson, Pond Rd, Easton. Personal involvement in DBT process and researched other programs. Asked that we shop around for future training. Thanked everyone for their service.
Anne Manusky, Morning Glory Drive, Easton. Former school counselor and is concerned about board action for DBT training. Concerned about students wearing masks all day and breathing in carbon dioxide.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
K. O’Brien looked up the efficacy of DBT training in different districts and shared statistics. She stated that this was technique training for staff.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the special meeting (O’Brien, Graziano). Approved, 8-0.
The Region 9 Board of Education special meeting was adjourned at 7:49pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliette Berry, Region 9 Board of Education Secretary