Hartford Public Schools CT public meetings in 2020
45 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Board of Education is meeting to vote on the appointment of Bethany Silver as Chief Performance Officer and the second reading and adoption of the Bring Your Own Device policy. Committee reports cover instructional vision, reading programs, school facilities, and enrollment updates.
- Approve Bethany Silver as Chief Performance Officer, salary $175,000, effective Feb 8, 2021
- Second reading and adoption of Bring Your Own Device Policy
- Roof replacement at Buildings & Grounds facility with added drains, plumbing, exhaust fans
- Bulkeley High School schematic design; field house cost prohibitive, demolition/abatement phase
- 110 Washington Street building to be returned to City of Hartford (further vetting)
Finance & Audit Committee
The Finance & Audit Committee of Hartford Public Schools is meeting virtually to discuss contracts, COVID-related funding, the budget process, and a monthly budget report. The agenda includes informational updates and discussions, with no specific decisions listed.
- Contracts/Items for Regular Meeting
- COVID Related Funding update
- Budget process update and timeline
- Monthly Budget Report for Period 4 (General Fund and other funds)
- Follow-up items discussion
Policy Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee will hold a virtual meeting to conduct a final review of a draft Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, which also covers acceptable use and social media. The committee will also discuss ongoing review of board bylaws and other policies if time permits.
- Final review of draft BYOD, Acceptable Use, and Social Media policy
- Ongoing review of board bylaws
- Discussion of other policies as time allows
Family & Community Engagement Committee
The Family & Community Engagement Committee is meeting virtually to discuss several informational reports, including the monthly Welcome Center report, Title I funds for the 2020-21 school year, and an update on the Family Learning Institute. The committee will also discuss students unaccounted for and FCE policies. No votes are scheduled; all items are for discussion and information.
- Monthly Welcome Center Report (November 2020) with intake data
- Update on Title I Funds for 2020-21 school year
- Family Learning Institute update with event dates and families reached
- Discussion on students unaccounted for
- Discussion on FCE policies
School Choice & Facilities Committee
The Hartford Public Schools School Choice & Facilities Committee is meeting virtually to discuss and receive information on several facilities and enrollment items. The agenda includes a schematic design presentation for Bulkeley High School, roof replacement drawings for a B&G facility, an informational item on 110 Washington Street, an update from the Office of Enrollment & School Choice, a general facilities update, and community inquiries. Most items are informational or discussion items, with no final votes scheduled.
- Presentation on Bulkeley High School schematic design
- Roof replacement drawings and preliminary cost estimate for B&G facility
- Informational item on 110 Washington Street
- Office of Enrollment & School Choice update
- Facilities update and community inquiries
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Public Schools Board is holding a virtual workshop to discuss updates to the Strategic Operating Plan, focusing on school culture and climate (student attendance data) and teaching and learning (early literacy assessment data). This is a discussion and information session, not a voting meeting.
- Discussion of Priority A: School Culture and Climate - student attendance data
- Discussion of Priority C: Teaching and Learning - student assessment data (early literacy)
- Presentation of BOE Workshop Quarter 1 PowerPoint (825 KB)
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Teaching & Learning Committee is meeting virtually to discuss the district's instructional vision and a continuous plan for building strong readers in grades 6-12. Both items are listed as informational and discussion topics, with no votes or decisions scheduled.
- Discussion of the District's Instructional Vision
- Presentation on HPS Continuous Plan to Building Strong Readers in 6-12
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Public Schools Board of Education is holding a regular meeting with reports from the chair, superintendent, and several committees. Key discussions include high chronic absenteeism rates, the district's COVID-19 response, a proposed Bring Your Own Device policy, and a contract dispute with Autumn Transportation over $2.5 million in shutdown costs.
- Chronic absenteeism: 47% of students (7,686) chronically absent; 50% of fully remote learners vs. 43% of in-person learners
- Autumn Transportation dispute: HPS offered $600K for bus driver/monitor costs during shutdown; company's attorney seeks $2.5M
- Bring Your Own Device Policy draft presented for first reading, in response to malware attack
- Alliance Grant application and roof replacement project moved to regular meeting
- MERV 13 filters installed at HPHS; RTUs upgraded at Sanchez and Rawson
Finance & Audit Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Finance & Audit Committee is meeting virtually to discuss COVID-related funding, the budget development calendar, and a projected $30 million deficit mitigation plan for the 2021-22 school year. They will also review the end-of-year budget report for 2019-20. No contracts for the Nov. 17 regular meeting are listed.
- Discussion of projected $30 million deficit mitigation for 2021-22 school year
- Update on COVID-related funding
- Review of budget development calendar
- End of year budget report for 2019-20 (General Budget and Special Funds)
Family & Community Engagement Committee
The Family & Community Engagement Committee will receive reports and discuss the monthly Welcome Center report, Title I funding for the 2020-21 school year, an update on the Family Learning Institute, and students unaccounted for. All items are informational or discussion items; no votes are scheduled.
- Monthly Welcome Center Report (October 2020)
- Title I Funds 2020-21 SY: funding levels and allowable spending
- Family Learning Institute Update: event dates, families reached, planning, facilitators
- Discussion of Students Unaccounted For
Policy Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee is meeting virtually to discuss and review several policies, including a Bring Your Own Device policy, the CROWN Act (which prohibits race-based hair discrimination), and equity and anti-racism policies. The CROWN Act item is informational and for discussion, as is the ongoing review of board bylaws. No votes are listed on this agenda.
- Bring Your Own Device Policy (1.01)
- CROWN Act (2.01) - informational discussion on prohibiting hair discrimination
- Equity and Anti-Racism Policies (3.01)
- Ongoing Review - Board Bylaws (4.01) - informational discussion
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Teaching & Learning Committee held a virtual meeting to discuss instructional updates, attendance and truancy data, and the district's COVID-19 response process. The agenda consisted entirely of informational and discussion items, with no votes or decisions recorded.
- Discussion on what is working and where improvements are needed in teaching and learning
- Review of attendance and truancy data
- Review of the COVID Response Process
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Board of Education is holding a regular meeting with reports from committees and action on contracts. Key items include approving contracts with Capital Community College and Virtual High School to offer courses during remote learning, and receiving updates on facilities, enrollment, and COVID-19 funding.
- Contract with Capital Community College for $92,690 to provide courses not offered due to pandemic
- Contract with Virtual High School for AP courses
- Discussion of $10 million Alliance grant for maintenance projects
- Update on RSCO lottery: 8,478 magnet students, up 86 from last year
- COVID relief funding: $10.3M ESSER and $11.9M state funds
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Public Schools board is holding a virtual workshop meeting to discuss and receive information on an update to the Strategic Operating Plan regarding COVID health and safety. This is a discussion and information item, not a final decision.
- Strategic Operating Plan Update: COVID Health & Safety (discussion/information)
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Teaching & Learning Committee is meeting virtually to discuss agenda items for the October 20 regular meeting, including a Soliant amendment, AP courses through VHS and Capital Community College, a leadership academy, and graduation policy. These are informational and discussion items, not final decisions.
- Soliant Amendment (informational/discussion)
- AP courses via VHS and Capital Community College
- Leadership Academy
- Graduation Policy
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Board of Education is holding a regular meeting with reports and action items. The board approved a $50,645 amendment to the PowerSchool contract to move to cloud hosting, adopted two Title IX policies, and approved minutes. The agenda also includes reports on enrollment, facilities, and finance.
- Approved $50,645 PowerSchool contract amendment, total $402,711
- Adopted Policy 4118.32 Title IX Sexual Harassment - Personnel
- Adopted Policy 5163.2 Title IX Sexual Harassment - Students
- Approved minutes of August 18, 2020 Regular Meeting
- Facilities update: Bulkeley project over budget, redesign in progress
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Board of Education is meeting to vote on administrative appointments and several contracts, including a $201,825 deal for COVID-19 supplies and a $300,000 contract for speech-language services. They will also hold first readings of Title IX sexual harassment policies for personnel and students. The board approved the appointments and contracts, with one nay vote on the chief of staff appointment.
- Approve Amanda Aponte as Chief of Staff ($175,000 salary)
- Approve Amanda Martinez as Principal of Burr Middle School ($126,748 salary)
- Approve $201,825 contract with Jeff Love, LLC for COVID supplies
- Approve $300,000 contract with Soliant Health for speech-language services
- First reading of Title IX sexual harassment policies
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Board of Education held a virtual meeting to approve several contracts related to the 2020-2021 school year, including services for online learning, teacher recruitment, and arts integration. The board also reviewed the Superintendent's report on 'Return to Learn and Accelerate' planning, noting that approximately 33% of surveyed families reported they would prefer to homeschool. All presented contract motions were passed, with one abstention and two nays recorded across the items.
- Contract with Our Piece of the Pie (OPPortunity Academy) for $888,800 to support over-age, under-credited students
- Contract with LINCSpring for $310,750 for teacher professional development on online learning, funded by federal COVID grants
- Contract with The New Teacher Project for $164,956 to develop academic strategy and conduct school-level diagnostics
- Contract with Teach for America for $60,000 to recruit and train 20 teachers for the 2020-2021 year
- Contract continuation with Hartford Performs for $314,000 to provide arts-integration programs in all PreK-Grade 8 schools
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Public Schools Board is scheduled to vote on educational specifications and grant applications for the Kennelly, Betances, and Wish schools to meet a June 30 deadline. The meeting also includes the swearing-in of new board member David Jimenez and reports on the HPHS Turnaround Plan and construction updates for Weaver, MLK, and Burns schools.
- Approval of educational specifications and construction grant applications for Kennelly, Betances, and Wish schools
- Oath of office for new Board Member David Jimenez
- Report on the Commissioner’s Network Turnaround Plan for Hartford Public High School
- Construction status updates for Weaver, Martin Luther King, Burns, and Bulkeley schools
- Discussion of the Raptor Technologies contract for school security and volunteer management
Finance & Audit Committee
The Finance & Audit Committee is reviewing contracts and items for the June 16th regular meeting, including renovation plans for three schools, a visitor management system, and a $2.9 million agreement with MCC. They will also receive the monthly financial report through April 2020.
- Betances Learning Lab Magnet School renovation estimated at $39,257,939 with 95% state reimbursement
- E.B. Kennelly School renovation estimated at $44,908,493 with 95% state reimbursement
- Fred D. Wish School renovation estimated at $45,424,024 with 95% state reimbursement
- Raptor visitor management system contract (GSA-based) for school safety
- MCC/Great Path Agreement contract not to exceed $2,900,000 for 2020-2025
School Choice & Facilities Committee
The School Choice & Facilities Committee met virtually to discuss construction project updates and educational specification drafts. The committee also reviewed plans for bus safety and capacity for the Fall 2020 term.
- Construction updates for Weaver, MLK, Burns, BoE/BHS
- Review of Ed Specs Drafts for Kennelly, Betances Learning Lab, and Wish
- Discussion on Fall 2020 bus safety including CDC recommendations and sanitizing
- Update on Grant Application status
- Office of Enrollment & School Choice update
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Teaching & Learning Committee is meeting virtually to discuss two agenda items for the June 16th regular meeting: the MCC/Great Path Agreement and the Commissioner's Network HPHS Turnaround Plan. Both items are listed as informational and for discussion, with no votes scheduled.
- MCC/Great Path Agreement (informational/discussion)
- Commissioner's Network HPHS Turnaround Plan (informational/discussion)
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Public Schools Board of Education is holding a public hearing on the 2020-21 budget and a regular meeting. The board will hear public comment on the budget and receive reports from its committees, including updates on the continuity of learning plan, summer school planning, school choice, facilities, and transportation.
- Public hearing on the 2020-21 budget
- Teach for America contract increase due to resignations
- Quarter 4 grading guidelines: Pass/Fail, no final exams, no retentions in PreK-8
- Summer school planning: cost unknown, exploring blended learning
- Transportation: bus drivers laid off, payments to Autumn stopped
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Board of Education held a virtual workshop meeting to discuss and receive information regarding the 2020-21 budget. The session focused on reviewing the budget book and presentation materials.
- Discussion of the 2020-21 Budget Book
- Review of the 2020-21 Budget Presentation
Family & Community Engagement Committee
The Family & Community Engagement Committee is meeting virtually to review the monthly Welcome Center report, discuss the Caring and Connected Response Taskforce, and consider a potential contract with Raptor Technologies. The agenda is largely informational and discussion-focused, with no formal votes listed.
- Monthly Welcome Center Report for April 2020, including parent call data
- Caring and Connected Response Taskforce (CCRT) informational update
- Potential contract with Raptor Technologies for FCE Impact
Policy Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee is meeting virtually to follow up on data requests from an April 6 meeting, review the civility code and bylaws, and discuss policy impacts of a potential contract with Raptor Technologies. The agenda is largely procedural and discussion-oriented, with no votes or dollar amounts listed.
- Follow-up on data requests from the April 6 meeting
- Review of the civility code and bylaws (informational, discussion)
- Discussion of policy impact for potential contract with Raptor Technologies
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Teaching & Learning Committee is meeting virtually to discuss agenda items for the May 19 regular meeting, including Teach for America. They will also receive an update on the Continuity of Learning Plan, covering end-of-year grading guidelines and initial thinking on summer school.
- Teach for America discussion
- Quarter 4/End of Year Grading Guidelines
- Summer School initial thinking
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Public Schools board held a virtual regular meeting on April 21, 2020, receiving committee reports on contracts for curriculum review and performance management, a distance learning update, and a potential lease to speed up Bulkeley High School construction. The board also discussed expulsion policy and family engagement during the COVID-19 shutdown.
- New Teacher Project contract for Phase 1 curriculum review and school diagnostic moved to Finance Committee and Regular Meeting.
- Decision Ed contract for K-12 performance management system, funded by Title IV, moved forward.
- Distance learning started March 30; 43% of students had devices as of April 19, with 4,000 more ordered.
- Potential lease at 245 Locust Street to vacate Bulkeley, saving $20 million and speeding construction by 1 year, pending City Council approval.
- 848 calls received by Welcome Center since March 16; device distribution and Google Classroom help ongoing.
Finance & Audit Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Finance & Audit Committee is meeting virtually to review the monthly financial report through February 2020 and discuss four contracts/items slated for the April 21 regular meeting. These include a visitor management system, a curriculum audit, an educational data platform, and a roof/lease item. The meeting is informational and discussion-focused, with no final votes expected.
- Monthly Financial Report through February 2020 (informational)
- Raptor Technologies visitor management system contract (GSA-based)
- The New Teacher Project (TNTP) curriculum and assessment audit
- Decision Ed scope (educational data platform)
- Ed Specs B&G Roof and Locust St. Lease
Family & Community Engagement Committee
The Family & Community Engagement Committee of Hartford Public Schools is holding a virtual meeting on April 9, 2020, with a single agenda item: an informational discussion on 'Distance Learning: Next Steps for Families.' No decisions or votes are listed; the item is for information only.
- Discussion of distance learning next steps for families (informational only)
Policy Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee is meeting virtually to discuss two items: a review of the civility code and board bylaws, and a discussion of the expulsion policy. Both items are informational or discussion-only, with no votes scheduled.
- Review of Civility Code and Bylaws (CABE model policy attached)
- Discussion of Expulsion Policy (5000 Series Students policy attached)
School Choice & Facilities Committee
The Hartford Public Schools School Choice & Facilities Committee is meeting virtually to discuss items for the April 21 regular meeting, including educational specifications for a roof replacement at B&G Facility, a monument at Bulkeley, a construction update during the pandemic, and the RSCO lottery update. The meeting is primarily informational and discussion-focused.
- Ed Specs for B&G Facility roof replacement
- Monument at Bulkeley with letters of support
- Construction update during pandemic
- RSCO lottery update
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Teaching & Learning Committee is holding a virtual meeting to discuss agenda items for the April 21 regular meeting, including contracts with The New Teacher Project (TNTP) and Decision Ed, as well as a Continuity of Learning Plan. These items are listed as informational and discussion topics, meaning no final votes are scheduled at this meeting.
- Discussion of The New Teacher Project (TNTP) contract
- Discussion of Decision Ed contract
- Discussion of Continuity of Learning Plan
Finance & Audit Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Finance & Audit Committee is meeting virtually to discuss contracts for distance learning preparation, including LINCspring and Edgenuity, Inc., as well as an item related to The Village at Burr School. They will also consider authorizing Clarence Zachery as a signatory. These are informational and discussion items, not final votes.
- LINCspring distance learning preparation proposal
- Edgenuity, Inc. contract discussion
- The Village at Burr School item
- Authorized signatory change for Clarence Zachery
Finance & Audit Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Finance & Audit Committee is meeting to discuss contracts for the March 17th regular meeting, including Allovue, Edgenuity, The Village at Burr School, and a Frontline contract amendment. They will also review the monthly financial report through January 2020 and receive a budget development update. All items are informational and for discussion only.
- Allovue contract
- Edgenuity contract
- The Village at Burr School contract
- Frontline contract amendment
- Monthly financial report through January 2020
Family & Community Engagement Committee
The Family & Community Engagement Committee is meeting to discuss updates on the Welcome Center, a family toolkit, community schools, and FCSSP cohorts. These are informational reports and discussions, not final decisions.
- Welcome Center update report through February 2020
- Family Toolkit discussion
- Community School update
- FCSSP cohorts informational discussion
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Board of Education held a special meeting on March 3, 2020, at Weaver High School. They adopted the 2020-2021 school calendar, appointed Kimberly Oliver to the Hartford School Building Committee, and approved the schematic design for the Burns Latino Studies Academy renovation. The board also held a workshop on high school design as part of its Equity in Excellence initiative.
- Adopted 2020-2021 district-wide school calendar
- Appointed Kimberly Oliver to the Hartford School Building Committee, replacing Julio Flores
- Approved Burns Latino Studies Academy renovation schematic design (State Project #064-0312 RR)
- Workshop on high school design and Portrait of a Graduate
Policy Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee met on March 2, 2020, to discuss several policy items. The agenda included a review of the Civility Code and Meeting Conduct, an Anti-Racism Policy Discussion, and the Equity Toolkit. Additionally, the committee discussed Community Conversations on Equity. No specific votes or final decisions are recorded in the provided agenda text.
- Discussion of Civility Code & Meeting Conduct
- Discussion of Anti-Racism Policy
- Discussion of Equity Toolkit
- Discussion of Community Conversations on Equity
School Choice & Facilities Committee
The Hartford Public Schools School Choice & Facilities Committee is meeting to discuss several informational items, including the Burns renovation, the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) lottery update, a Sheff update, residency verification, and the Bulkeley Monument. All items are listed as informational or discussion topics, with no votes or decisions indicated on the agenda.
- Burns Renovation
- RSCO Lottery Update
- Sheff Update
- Residency Verification Update
- Bulkeley Monument
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Teaching & Learning Committee is meeting to review agenda items for the upcoming regular meeting, receive an update on the curriculum audit, and discuss a potential literacy strategy (LETRS). These are informational and discussion items, with no final decisions expected.
- Review of agenda items for the 3/17/2020 regular meeting
- Curriculum audit update
- Discussion of potential literacy strategy (LETRS)
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Board of Education will hold its annual organizational meeting to elect officers, hear public comment, and receive reports from committees. The board will vote on a $900,000 contract amendment for speech language pathologist services. The agenda also includes discussion of a proposed 2020-21 school calendar with additional professional development days.
- Election of officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, and Secretary
- Contract amendment with Soliant Health, Inc. for $900,000 for speech language pathologist services
- Proposed 2020-21 school calendar with 7 full professional development days (up from 5)
- Residency verification enforcement starting July 1, 2020
- Public comment session
Family & Community Engagement Committee
The Family & Community Engagement Committee of Hartford Public Schools is meeting to discuss updates on school governance councils, communications, the 2020-2021 school calendar, family learning guides, and a recap of the Hopes & Dreams event. The agenda includes informational reports and discussions, with no votes or decisions listed.
- Monthly School Governance Councils/Welcome Center Update
- Communications Update with reports on social media, website, and family messages
- Review of School Calendar 2020-2021
- Family Learning Guides discussion
- Recap of Hopes & Dreams Event
Imported Meetings: 2018- 2025
The Hartford Public Schools Board of Education is holding a retreat to discuss and set board goals and priorities. The agenda contains only this single discussion item, with no other business listed.
- Discussion of Board Goals/Priorities
Policy Committee
The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee is reviewing several policies ahead of the February 18 regular meeting, including those on student 504/ADA accommodations, School Governance Councils, smoking, and sexual harassment. The committee will also discuss the 2020-21 school calendar, a draft crowdfunding policy, and debrief an equity symposium. These are review items, not final decisions.
- Review of policies for adoption at 2/18/20 meeting: Students 504/ADA, SGC, Smoking, Sexual Harassment
- Review of 2020-21 school calendar
- Draft crowdfunding policy with legal memo from Pullman & Comley
- Equity symposium debrief
Teaching & Learning Committee
The Teaching & Learning Committee is meeting to review agenda items for the upcoming 2/18/2020 regular meeting and to discuss assessment trends. Both items are informational and discussion-only, with no votes or decisions scheduled.
- Review of agenda items for the 2/18/2020 regular meeting
- Discussion of assessment trends with attached presentation (HPS Overall Assessment Trends Jan 2020 PPT.pdf)