[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6578698,"mediaKeyId","3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972","parentId",3142744,"title","Votes at a glance: minutes, investment policy and health policies approved unanimously","audioSeconds",1694,"startMs",3196000,"endMs",4890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972&start=3196&end=4890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972/thumbnail_3196000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578698/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-investment-policy-and-health-policies-approved-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578698-ce39a6ab7c8e5a8384e99a5f78df5f02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770748243&Signature=k4CZVP9lFLXM3yGfWsrWadMSghk~AG3rQRzX5O~NQpPq1dChLGMUWB9HMpYr8fDuH9tQ8LjFTDwM2cArqlhc44f1ENfqH5oNMug2DiGYwfAZG0gNKLY-ZOzQUb~7ZVjh5RgzO2gHL7C2V0PMScVScL-C5CA1stm-v49s0otvyFKkAYKwFBdJ8aOPb49HYTyjzPGiUk6W0IFMCUD2cRKZ0~yvJY~5esbeg4Ht9Wuxuv1JZXdzAP~B2YCaxkNMLu9x1LDbY7RmeiBbZaaiscdRTUP2lfV05z3YbBQ~L60nN4ng6CM6RiMo9WYpeynjkMOPZFqNrGtQWOEM785Z3VXCvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Regional School District 15","date","2025-04-29T02:09:08.413Z","article","The Regional School District 15 Board recorded several routine and policy votes on April 28. All motions below passed unanimously.

Votes
- Approval of minutes (04/07/2025 regular meeting): Motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. (Mover/second not specified in the record.)

- Investment of funds policy (Policy 3,292): The board approved Policy 3,292 (Investment of Funds) as presented. Board members discussed a provision in the policy that sets a two‑thirds approval requirement for withdrawals from a newly described “educational expense” account; presenters said the higher bar was intended as a safeguard against drawing down reserves for regular operating expenses. The vote to adopt the policy as presented was unanimous. (Second recorded as Heather Rogers; initial mover not specified.)

- Block approval of student health and safety policies: The board approved a package of policies recommended by the Policy & Curriculum committee. Policies approved included administering medication (5141.2), psychotropic drug use (5141.231), special health care needs/food allergy management (5141.25), first aid/emergency medical care/AED use (5141.27), sudden cardiac arrest (5141.28), health assessments and immunization (5041.3), reporting of child abuse and neglect (5141.4), student sports concussion/head injury (5141.07), breathalyzer testing (5141.124), and suicide prevention/intervention (5141.5). The motion carried unanimously.

Notes on procedure
Board discussion recorded comments about the rationale for a higher threshold for use of the educational expense account; members also noted the board retains the ability to suspend policies by vote. The minutes record each motion and a second; roll-call vote details were not provided in the transcript excerpt beyond unanimous outcomes.

Ending: The board’s unanimous action on the policies and minutes clears the way for policy implementation and the district’s ongoing administrative processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-28-25 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 28 meeting the Region 15 Board approved the April 7 minutes, adopted an amendment to the investment-of-funds policy and approved a block of student-health policies; all motions passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Regional School District 15, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",61089,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578703,"GESPES feasibility committee narrows options, schedules public conversations and think tank sessions",148,3677000,3825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972&start=3677&end=3825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972/thumbnail_3677000.jpg","/articles/6578703/Connecticut/GESPES-feasibility-committee-narrows-options-schedules-public-conversations-and-think-tank-sessions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578703-312c698af4ec97e284f8ff9c189646e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770748243&Signature=VIIxja69DzwRTCuLS6Oy0T1MbSYYm93BEf2-0VKo1KH61bJAYTc9-OxvKVo~TcoU2HB1C6IW0zsDUL9Zu0Beb7rEExAxEgsfdGJdGQfA6e0dQm0iHAFjp2~UKByMMBMevX1o-jR6p7mgzWOsJOdKAKYUY6yhjCgZwoDF2Q2RHlAqsuv42zSkIjDgu74D7a87DC4YffbWHEVBd68uTnSDdFFcTT6MxXyhqjgPbHNHR8LiI2VjElSI1F62v0Os8CYB2gpk0MFwNIMbail9s3e3ksBC8L0PykiMT0cU5UIK3Py2BxDp-Yix-UWaJOm-p1Y084rXqOiSRo-E0rlGU~HvjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The GESPES feasibility study committee reported to the Regional School District 15 Board on April 28 that work is ongoing to evaluate renovation and new‑construction scenarios and to identify feasible sites.

Tecton, the district’s architect/consultant, presented multiple concept scenarios and outlined constraints for each option. Committee members said further site research is underway and that practical constraints will narrow the initial range of options.

Community engagement and schedule
The committee added a public committee meeting on Monday, May 5 (5:00 p.m.) to continue scenario review; the meeting will be open to the public except for any executive session portion. The committee also scheduled a Think Tank meeting on Wednesday, April 30 (4:00–6:00 p.m.) by invitation, and a broader community conversation on Thursday, May 22, 6:00–7:00 p.m. at LMES.

Teacher polling and input
Committee members discussed teacher input and whether to poll staff before narrowing options. Presenters and committee members said they want teacher voices included but cautioned against asking staff to vote on options that may later prove infeasible; the committee’s current approach is to refine options based on site feasibility and then solicit targeted staff and community feedback on the realistic alternatives.

Ending: Committee leaders encouraged board members to attend May meetings and said work will continue to refine site options, cost estimates and public-engagement plans ahead of any recommendation to the board.","The committee reviewed initial concepts from Tecton for renovation or new construction, scheduled additional public and committee meetings in May, and discussed how and when teacher input and polling would be gathered as the feasibility work continues.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578706,"Board adopts ‘Portrait of a Learner’ after multi-year development and briefing",0,2913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972&start=2913&end=2913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972/thumbnail_2913000.jpg","/articles/6578706/Connecticut/Board-adopts-Portrait-of-a-Learner-after-multi-year-development-and-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578706-33e50a9e3bfbb331d1121631a1e67949/orig.mp4?Expires=1770748243&Signature=RVGfq3DXQP5WqACMRHAOyjjmmwtR84U1hvz0EEFnpCu5dPeB2hJYBc2uah35UwpE4A7ZD7ItWn-YG~aCQHwvfEyswPL8edM0uD~scTMPXshrBu2f1-F2Dmcyb8cBw0py8OUQY7-1g50ZRW3tEm7ZByq6matckgm3HE37k8tCih2BbUbvNhOJeimxJJAKy4JOqaD4Kbk69VxwAzSNz0w15nSPX-Yatxrc4UyjfaE-DbLIJ4z8aP9k-j9IxVYlu08YT-cEi4mDsaFMhkChcf~L4Wt5D0kxz4cI5rF8H568wqCPdBK~~ue1XuBJUbVXIimZ3z3qrx-6liHDE7pJwlfVLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Regional School District 15 Board of Education on April 28 voted to adopt the district’s Portrait of a Learner, a multi-year framework that sets out competencies and habits of mind the district intends students to develop from kindergarten through graduation.

The board’s final motion, amended during discussion, approved the Portrait “upon recommendation of the Portrait of a Learner Steering Committee.” The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: district staff described the Portrait as an organizing framework intended to make explicit the non-content skills students build (for example, collaborative problem solving, metacognition and adaptability) and to align those indicators with curriculum, instruction and assessment over a multi-year rollout.

What the presentation covered
Staff reported the district began work on the Portrait the previous summer, conducted multiple surveys and focus groups (12 student groups, five staff focus groups and three community focus groups) and worked with an outside consultant. Presenters said the steering committee reviewed feedback and asked for clearer, age‑appropriate definitions of competencies such as “empowered learner” and “innovative problem solver.” The document was placed on the district website ahead of the vote.

Board questions and implementation plan
Board members raised how the Portrait will affect day‑to‑day instruction, professional development needs and measures of success. In response, presenters and the superintendent described a phased plan: a first year of awareness (defining competencies and creating “I can” statements by grade band with instructional teacher leaders), a second year focused on classroom implementation and teacher coaching, and a third year aimed at broader curricular integration and fuller implementation. Staff said the district intends to use teacher leaders and PD days to develop grade‑level, student-facing statements and to produce artifacts — student projects and videos — that demonstrate the competencies rather than relying on a single rubric score.

Vote and amendment
An initial motion to approve the Portrait was moved and seconded on the floor. Board member Tom moved an amendment to the motion to specify that the approval was made “upon recommendation of the Portrait of a Learner Steering Committee.” The amendment was seconded and adopted; the amended motion then carried unanimously.

Ending: District leaders said adoption begins a multi-year effort that will include drafting student‑facing “I can” statements by grade band, targeted professional development and periodic board check-ins on implementation.","The Regional School District 15 Board approved a multi-year Portrait of a Learner framework, with the board adding that the adoption came on the recommendation of the steering committee; the board discussed implementation timelines and professional development.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578711,"Region 15 reviews new school safety tech, training and grant-funded upgrades",2134,786000,2920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972&start=786&end=2920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142744-e77c62be949f32e69121ad903ec9b972/thumbnail_786000.jpg","/articles/6578711/Connecticut/Region-15-reviews-new-school-safety-tech-training-and-grant-funded-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578711-705ddb53f57667a5e89dcc0ac5cc7f8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770748243&Signature=onyLGfd~2ROTvE41l1H62EG3b1~cInfGif0FREHXGfWjGsrOJey2cetXRSEN9S80jFNl5An-wUeaiwPnxzg7sjKhsu5oMQ4YIT7GynFgXqzwiee4IKoOW~VkSoFk973eP64~FVACjE3vGZ813Zum~BQXA3sWziVbBTXTh6WBNwXEDfRiTI-3qQ5nge4DFDmjsftkQGnX8dCMh3tFBLn-6Z3Si2BkW9sy9n23YPIsJYPERv~bihDQyvAV4HZNDilbMp67rbt0h6LegzRP9t3RBOQ-8pgmwxS-g0y20QcL~5LWqg69HIQHUdGqhqnhH9qBo9CWgXKaSLw44AkW-5iQyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Regional School District 15 leaders on April 28 described a multi-year effort to upgrade school safety systems, increase staff communications during incidents and expand training for security personnel and first responders.

Superintendent Smith introduced the presentation and turned the briefing over to Mr. McKean and Mr. Martino, who walked the board through recent work: a staff-only emergency app (Rave), upgrades to the district phone and public-address systems, new exterior doors and card access, expanded camera coverage (Evigilon), bus GPS and cameras, and recurring staff training and background checks.

Why it matters: district staff said the upgrades are intended to speed staff-to-staff communication during medical or security incidents, give administrators better situational awareness and improve coordination with local police and emergency management while preserving clarity about parent-facing communications.

The presentation and board Q&A
District staff described the Rave application as a geo‑fenced, staff-only tool that allows two‑way messaging and a set of “panic” options that, when used inside a school’s geofence, generate an internal alert stream; if pushed from outside the geofence the app triggers a 911 call. Staff said the district will roll the app out to employees soon and that staff use is opt-in. The district also plans to move away from its current parent notification system (SchoolMessenger) to a new communications tool that will allow targeted phone, text and email groups for teams and activities.

Officials noted other upgrades already completed or in progress: a near-complete replacement of high-school PA equipment to a digital system that ties to the fire panel and can play preloaded audio files; new tablets and a cloud card-access system at selected exterior doors; expanded use of the Evigilon camera platform at multiple schools; replacement of window film in key locations; bus GPS and camera systems (with onboard audio); and refreshed walkie-talkie radios with a police-connect feature.

Funding and grants
District presenters said part of the camera and security work has been paid with school security grant funds; they referenced a grant figure of $188,000 covering six schools and said other work is supported from operating or capital budgets. Presenters did not provide a full budget breakdown for all items presented and said some work is being staged over several years.

Training, operations and human factors
Staff reiterated that all employees and volunteers undergo background checks through the district system; hired employees receive fingerprint-based clearances. The district also described recurring training and drills (lockdown, evacuation) and noted the presence of a district “rover” law-enforcement function covering multiple middle schools as well as local school resource officers. Steve Schnell was identified in the presentation as the district’s emergency manager; presenters said Schnell coordinates drills and files state-required security plans.

Board concerns and clarifications
Board members pressed on device security and substitutes. Mr. Bertino asked how the app prevents accidental activation; presenters said the panic options require a sustained press and that use outside of a geofence triggers 911 rather than a district lockdown. Board members asked how the district prevents unauthorized users from triggering alerts if they obtain a logged‑in phone; presenters said user lists will be automated from HR, that multi‑factor authentication options are available, and that the district will provide alternatives for staff who decline to install staff-facing apps on personal phones. Several members asked about substitutes and short‑term permit holders: presenters said some emergency functions will remain available via classroom phones and established building protocols while app-based features may be reserved for staff who are regularly assigned to a building.

Implementation timeline and next steps
District staff said they expect to finalize the staff app rollout “within days” for staff previews and that full parent‑facing communications changes will be phased in next year. Additional camera and PA upgrades will be staged through spring and summer work windows; some equipment installations were tied to recent school safety grant awards and to an ongoing capital refresh schedule.

Ending: District leaders said the work is continuing and invited board members to follow up with administration as the district rolls out training, refines authentication and documents substitute and volunteer protocols.","District leaders briefed the board on recent and planned security upgrades — including a staff-only emergency app, camera and PA-system replacements, card access and training — and answered board questions about geofencing, substitute coverage and grant funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: minutes, investment policy and health policies approved unanimously

GESPES feasibility committee narrows options, schedules public conversations and think tank sessions

Board adopts ‘Portrait of a Learner’ after multi-year development and briefing

Region 15 reviews new school safety tech, training and grant-funded upgrades