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Watertown Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Meeting Date: September 10, 2007
Meeting Time: 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Watertown High Technology Center
Members Present: Ms. Mary Dzioba, Board Chairperson
Mr. Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
Mr. Richard Mazzamaro, Board Vice-Chairperson
Ms. Gina Calabrese, Board Member
Ms. Mary Colangelo, Board Member
Mr. Kevin Killeen, Board Member
Mr. Chris Lafferty, Board Member
Mr. Thomas Lambert, Board Member
Ms. Joanne Pannone, Board Member
Dr. Joseph Erardi Jr., Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Philip Pelosi, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Todd LoFrese, Director of Operations
Ms. Mary Raiola, Director of Special Services
Ms. Kace DuPlissie, PTO Representative
Mr. Chris Terzigni, W.H.S. Student Representative
Absent: Ms. Amelia Grover, Dir. of Budget and Financial Planning
Press: Tom Burns, Town Times
Jim Taylor, Town Times
Guests: Thad Hasbrouck, Marylu Lerz, Lisa Rommel, Pat Corvello, June Legge, Kathy Scully,
Emily Judd, Matt Geary, Marc Balanda, Stephen Whitaker, Fran Palmer, Brenna
Czudak and Guy Buzzancco
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
Ms. Dzioba convened the Regular Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m.
B. Salute to the Flag
Ms. Dzioba led the Salute to the Flag
C. Public Participation
None
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Chris Terzigni
Mr. Terzigni: We had a meeting last Thursday, September 6th. It was quite possibly the longest Student Council Executive Board Meeting I have ever been at. We talked about many different things including a new umbrella group, which is going to consist of key members from every sport, club or organization at the High School to meet once a month so we can get our schedules together and nothing conflicts. As well as the new teacher reception for all of our new teachers which I think will be next week. One thing I would like to say is that Brenna Czudak is here tonight, she was our Vice President last year, she is a hard worker and I don’t think she ever leaves this school. She has lots of great ideas and she is off to a great start. So I would just like to give a hand to Brenna (Applause). Just to finish off, Watertown High School news this week, pep rally Friday to support our teams, games started today. The club fair is September 20th in the courtyard during all lunches, along with open house that night at 6:45 PM.
Report from PTA/PTO Liaison – Ms. Kace DuPlissie
Ms. DuPlissie: There is not much to report, I just wanted to inform everyone of when the PTO meetings are. Judson School is on the second Tuesday of every month, there first meeting is on 9/11 at 7 PM. Both Polk and Watertown High School will meet on the second Wednesday of every month beginning 9/12 at 7 PM. Heminway is the second Thursday and is this coming Thursday the 13th at 7 PM. Swift will be the third Wednesday, which is 9/15 at 7 PM and John Trumbull had theirs always on the first Wednesday at 7.
Polk has given me something. The beginning of the year is off to a great start, this month Polk will be having their fall fund raiser which will support our educational programs for the year. We will also be having a clothing sale for the children. The garden club will be starting their fall work later this month and they will be also starting something new with the students which will be looking for a student PTO rep from each class to help spread the PTO events to other students each month. This will begin in October. They will be having a welcome back breakfast for the staff on September 19th and as I said their first meeting is September 12th at 7 PM.
Heminway, their fundraiser is out and it is due back on the 21st. I also would like to say that I encourage parents to please get involved in the schools. If you can’t come to the PTO meetings, volunteer for one hour, I know it is hard but one hour is not going to kill and it helps every school. Thank you.
D. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Ms. Dzioba: Budget summary is in the packet for all Board Members, if you have any questions you can direct them to the Superintendent’s Office.
E. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
Mr. Griffin: There is no report this evening
2. Athletics Committee, Chris Lafferty, Chair
Mr. Lafferty: No report this tonight but we will have one by the next meeting.
3. Budget Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
Mr. Griffin: There is no report this evening.
4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair
Ms. Calabrese: There is no report this evening.
5. Facilities Committee, Rich Mazzamaro, Chair
Mr. Mazzamaro: The facilities committee met on September 5th with the Public Building Committee and the Principals of the three schools to be renovated. Representatives from KBA, the architect for the three school upgrade project reviewed the schematic designs for Watertown High School, Polk and Judson. Each representative stated that the current schematics being presented were very close to the final designs. KBA fielded questions from the committee members as well as Public committee members as well. Another facilities committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12th. We will continue to review the schematics for all three schools and take questions in keeping with the timeline outlined by Todd LoFrese at the last meeting. Public Building committee members are invited and encouraged to attend. KBA will present information to the full board at our next meeting on the 24th for full board action.
6. Policy and Labor Committee, Mary Colangelo, Chair
Ms. Colangelo:
7. Cablevision, Kevin Killeen, Chair
Mr. Killeen: No report this evening
8. PBC Representative, Rich Mazzamaro
Mr. Mazzamaro: No report
9. Education Connection Representative, Mary Dzioba
Ms. Dzioba: There is no report
10. Town Hall Joint Committee, Mary Dzioba, Thomas Lambert –
Mr. Lambert: Further information will be forthcoming on Agenda Item #4 Town Hall Study Update.
F. Communications – Secretary
Mr. Griffin: There is one communication this evening. We have been receiving Board correspondence from Connecticut Combustion Corporation; I would like to direct this toward Todd LoFrese and to Dr. Erardi. The first letter was due on the 31st and the second was due on September 7th, I would like to know if this has been answered and if so I would like a copy of the response.
Mr. LoFrese: I would need to see the specific letter just to know which letter they are referencing but as far as I understand all communication to Connecticut Combustion has been delivered to them.
Mr. Griffin: Can I just get a copy of that?
Mr. LoFrese: Certainly
Mr. Killeen: Excuse me, I am just wondering what correspondence you are referring to.
Ms. Dzioba: We are going to send a copy with the..um… it is ones that we included to the Board Members before. I have a copy of it too that I can pass around. But a copy of both will be in your packets on Friday if we could please. And that just came to us in our packet on Friday.
Ms. Colangelo: I am sorry I don’t understand what you are referring to and I don’t understand why the rest of us don’t have what you have.
Ms. Dzioba: Because it is addressed to, it comes certified mail through the address of DeForest Street and then one copy goes to me and one goes to Mr. Griffin and that is what, oh here it is. Last time I got one I gave it back and asked for it to be put in all Board Members packets as information. And it is saying that it is a second request, so that is why Mr. Griffin questioned what was answered.
Mr. Mazzamaro: Would the originals have gone to Todd or somebody? Or would the first notice have come to the same two addressees?
Mr. Griffin: The originals did go, they were forwarded to them.
Ms. Dzioba: Yes this is what we are, and that is why Mr. Griffin has added it into his correspondence as he received it on Friday. Any other questions or comments about that or are there any other correspondence?
Mr. Griffin: No other correspondence.
Mr. Killeen: For me it is a little difficult to gaze at at this point in time but if that could be sent for whoever didn’t get it review, I think that would be an advantage to us.
Mr. Griffin: I’m sorry it should have been in your packet on Friday.
Ms. Dzioba: No they were sealed to us on Friday that is why we are putting it in…
Mr. Griffin: But the first correspondence was.
Ms. Dzioba: Oh the first correspondence you’re right.
(Mr. Griffin submitted correspondences, See attachments A & B)
G. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – August 27, 2007
Motion Presented by Ms. Pannone seconded by Mr. Griffin to accept the Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes of August 27, 2007.
Discussion: None
Motion Passed
(7-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 2 Abstained)
In favor: Ms. Dzioba, Mr. Griffin, Ms. Calabrese, Mr. Killeen, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Mazzamaro and Ms. Pannone
Abstained: Ms. Colangelo and Mr. Lafferty
2. Special Board of Education Meeting – September 5, 2007
Motion presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro to accept the Special Board of Education Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2007.
Discussion: None
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
H. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
Dr. Erardi: Thank you Mrs. Dzioba. Before I start with items #1 & #2 I would just like to share with the Board of Education that as we round into our second week of school our certified staff remains in full with the exception that we are close but not across the finish line with the school psychologist. We will have an update on that position as soon as we make that hire. In regards to item #1, H. 1. under the Superintendent’s report I am pleased to share with the Board of Education Marc Balanda. Marc if you would just raise and stand, Marc joins us at Watertown High School as Mr. Hasbrouck’s Assistant Principle, Mr. Balanda is about 1 ½ weeks old, he still remains vertical with a smile and we are real pleased to hear you are doing a terrific job. (Applause)
The Board had no questions regarding Item #1 or #2
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Mr. Marc Balanda to the position of Assistant Principal at Watertown High School effective August 23, 2007, being hired on Step 1 of the Watertown Administrator’s Association’s contract for an annual salary of $80,497.00 prorated.
b. Ms. Donna Coppola to the position of English Teacher at Watertown High School effective for the 2007-2008 school year, being hired on Step 6, with 5 years of experience, with a Masters Degree, at a contractual salary of $48,040.00.
c. Mr. Christopher Lacilla to the position of Long Term Substitute Reading Teacher at Swift Middle School effective August 29, 2007 for approximately six weeks, being paid the substitute teacher’s rate of $65.00 per day for the first ten days, and on the 11th day, placed on the first step of the Watertown Education Association’s contract of $37,685.00 prorated.
d. Ms. June Legge to the position of Athletic Director for the 2007-2008 school year at a contractual stipend of $5,243,00, plus an additional $5,500.00 for compensation, approved by the Personnel/Policy Committee at its meeting of May 2, 2001, for a total salary of $10,743.00.
e. Ms. Susan Petrok to the position of One to One Paraprofessional, Special ED Program, Polk School starting August 31, 2007 for 22.0 hours paid per week, at an hourly rate of $11.82.
2. Resignations – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Mr. Kristopher Boyle from the position of School Psychologist at Swift Middle School, effective September 1, 2007 to accept another position.
b. Ms. Denise Hotchkiss from the position of Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School effective August 31, 2007 for personal reasons.
c. Ms. Donna Tartaglia from the position of Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School effective August 31, 2007 for personal reasons.
d. Dr. Joseph V. Erardi, Jr. from the position of Superintendent of Schools effective at a date to be determined by the Board to accept another position.
Dr. Erardi: Our lead administrators are here this evening prepared for a brief presentation starting in PreK and working up through Watertown High School. If our lead administrators could just come and sit in front we will start with Cathy and end with Thad.
Ms. Scully: Good evening, on September 4th John Trumbull Primary opened its doors for the 8th year to 799 students. Our enrollment in June was 840 students so although our numbers are a little bit lower I assure you that we continue to take registrations on nearly a daily basis. How can I describe the opening, I usually look at how many crying children we had and how well our buses ran. I can assure you that in both areas we did very, very well. By the second day of school every child was on the right bus and delivered home safely so we are in very good shape with that. This year our kindergarten AM and PM sessions have 17-19 students. Our half-day kindergarten, half-day daycare classes are at 20 students. Our first grade classes have 21 to 22 students and our second grade classes are at 24-25 students. So I feel we have made quite a bit of progress there as well.
Next year we should be in really great shape. The K-2 staff is very excited about the implementation of a new reading program that will be used for the first time this year. The program called Storytown by Harcourt School Publishers is filled with a variety of literature. Nonfiction that supports reading includes news articles, biographies and research. Fiction stories include narratives, poems, plays and fantasy. The program offers materials that are tailored to each student’s reading level and offers many opportunities for differentiated instruction. For the first time the staff will also be implementing the DRA2. Which is the developmental reading assessment. This assessment will identify the students reading achievement, will document their progress and will allow teachers to tailor their teaching methods to drive reading instruction. We are also fortunate this year that we can provide services to our English language learners. This is really new territory what we will consider hopefully an expert on board to help us with this population. With the addition of an ESL teacher to the John Trumbull staff we will now offer specialized support to students who need specific instruction in order to begin to master the English language.
We will also continue to pay significant attention to the implementation of a co-teaching model in order to provide opportunities for special education teachers to spend the majority of their day with general educators as we move to a more inclusionary model for all students with disabilities. As Kace mentioned, our first PTO meeting was held the second day of school on September 5th. We had approximately 180 parents attend that very first meeting and they are very eager to join our John Trumbull family. So overall it appears that this year will prove to be one of the finest at John Trumbull. We are certainly off to a great start and I would be happy to answer any questions that you might have at the close of the presentation. Thank you.
Ms. Judd: Good evening everyone. Thanks to our office staff our custodial staff, grounds workers, PTO volunteers and teachers, Polk school successfully opened its doors to 360 enthusiastic students ready to start a new year filled with great learning and adventure. Currently Polk School has six sections of third grade, five sections of fourth and fifth grade. The average class size in grade three and four is 22 students and in grade five 24 students. We don’t have any specific new programs that we are implementing this year but we focus on our school improvement plan, which continues to support the six strategies identified by the Watertown Board of Education. Polk School continues to strive for a strong home/school connection. Supporting this focus Polk School has planned several informational opportunities for parents such as an orientation for new parents, an orientation for special needs students, a homework conversation, grade level curriculum brochures, a packet for summer work and tips for parents on our website.
In the area of data analysis and instruction Polk School is committed to the concept of continuous improvement. Analyzing student work, ongoing assessment data and implementing best practices in reading, writing and math are key components. This year time for staff to collaborate with one and other and study student progress will be increased. Explicit instruction of reading comprehension strategies, math application strategies and skills for composing continue to be the priority goals. Differentiated instruction through the pairing of products, the pairing of process and the content as well as co-teaching are ingredients found in all of our classrooms to meet the needs of our students. Our motto this year is “Curve it up with a smile”, this simply means working with a positive attitude while impacting or accelerating the learning curve of every student. At Polk School we are most proud of the work that we do to bring our community to our school. This year we continue to work with the Siemon Company to provide mentors to several of our students. We continue to work with the Porter and Chester Institute to provide an after school reading program and with the Litchfield Bancorp to create interdisciplinary studies highlighting the arts. Our goal this year is to design and implement a career week to bring community members into the school to share their careers as they relate to the basics of reading, writing and math. Lastly our school has implemented a comprehensive approach to promoting positive social development within our school community. Virtues that build character are discussed daily with students, studying these traits during their class meetings. Town meetings or school assemblies highlight these traits using music, art and written expression bringing alive the meaning of good citizenship. In any one school year there is much to be done. with great expectations of great staff and our great students I think Polk School is certainly off to a fine start. We are determined to “curve it up with a smile”. If you have any questions I will take them later.
Ms. Corvello: Judson School opened with 383 students but like John Trumbull and I am sure Polk, we take registrations daily. We are down about 10 or 11 students from last year. We have classes in grade three of 19 and 20, in grade four we are down a section from six sections last year to five sections this year, we have one class of 22 students, three of 23 and one of 24. The fifth grade class sizes are the largest with one class of 24 and four of 25 and one of 26. I want to thank our PTA for everything they have done thus far for Judson School; the grounds look wonderful from the mums that they planted out front. And they helped direct the third grade students and parents on the first day of school. They are again funding our JETS program, which this year is going to have everything from Little Red Riding Hood in opera to a program on seeing how physics effects our everyday lives. Open House is this Thursday and again thanks to the PTA it is a very festive evening with an ice cream make your own Sunday and a book fair.
We have actually no brand new programs with the exception of the reinstitution of band in fifth grade, which we share that with our actual band teacher coming back, Mrs. Borbus. However we are really deep into the co-teaching and the inclusive models with co-teaching occurring in at least two classes at each grade level. Literature circles and guided reading continue to be the heart of our literacy program. And going along with the co-teaching the basic skills teachers in both reading, writing and math spend at least half of their time in the classroom, getting into every classroom at least once a week. The Judson School staff has already begun its data analysis and grade level meetings and has submitted to me the CMT strands that they will be working on in particular at each grade level this year. We also opened with a full bank of swings. I want to also say that I will answer any questions, thank you.
Ms. Rommel: Heminway Park School began the year with 272 smiling eleven-year-old faces. Last year we closed with 310 so we actually have a little breathing room at the moment. We continue to follow the Swift model, which is two levels, one of middle high, one middle low. The two levels use the same materials and curricular, the only difference really between the two levels is the pace of the class on the sixth grade level. The middle-high classes this year average 26-27 students, the teachers can’t believe it, they are used to 32 and 33 and the middle-low classes are averaging between 19 to 20. A typical child goes through their week at Heminway Park School; they will have English, math, science, social studies and reading classes every day. In addition to these full time academics they will have spelling three days a week, PE class twice a week, one class each of art, music, chorus, computers and library. We are initiating a new program this year called 50 minutes reading challenge and it is in conjunction with the parents group. During library time students are going to be challenged to read at least 30 minutes of their 42-minute library time and keep a log. The librarians have the logs. When the student has read a total of 500 minutes they will get to pull a prize or gift certificate from the Parents’ group prize box. Which is going to be down in the library being very tempting. We really believe that reading is key and we want to be sure that they all become avid readers this year.
In the classroom the teachers’ activities and creativity has already come to life. I have watched already, just in the past four or five days, scavenger hunts, small group instruction, whole class instruction, paired learning, they really are just off and running. It is just wonderful to see. The biggest change from fifth to sixth grade is that students are asked to develop more reasoning and understanding and them take it to the interpretation and demonstration of critical stance. This year they are going to just take it and be able to hypothesize, make some more prediction and apply a particular principal when they are creating their answers. So for example in English class, instead of just writing and expository essay they will be actually be bumping it up a notch and doing something more persuasive. In addition the school has been divided into three teams this year, red, white and blue, we are going for a banner year (laughter). The focus groups, which helped all the teachers really focus on specific strands and the structure of the CMTs, are going to become more data driven this year. We are looking at possibly creating and initiating data teams. Co-teaching is really blooming this year. Co-taught classes have evolved in all curricular areas. We also will continue working with the mentors from the Siemon Company. There has been a lot of motion, a lot of action, a lot of students getting lost and we are helping them find their way. Next Tuesday night, the 18th will be our annual open house and the parents will get to try their sons or daughters schedules and we can watch them get lost as well. It will be a really fun evening if you would like to join us next Tuesday. Thank you very much.
Ms. Lerz distributed newsletters (See Attachment C)
Ms. Lerz: Swift was very eventful in a positive way. It was like opening a brand new school. The students were really excited. When I first addresses our 8th grade class I said you are the first group of students to be in our brand new cafeteria, which if you came in to see it, it is absolutely beautiful, and they all clapped. They are very, very excited and so are we. We have 601 students, 313 seventh graders and 288 eighth graders. Our class sizes range anywhere from about 21 students to 32. We are delighted to have two new social studies teachers with us. And we have a new woods teacher and a new sewing teacher and I owe that all to you. Our unified arts program has been restored and I thank you for your support in that area. We still have a little bit more to go but we are on the right track. We also have a new band teacher for our eighth grade students, John Harp who we share with the High School. Everyone has settled into their rooms, it was tenuous at the end of August but with special thanks to Todd and Charlie Beliveau and to our custodians and our secretaries we were able to open the school. The teachers were wonderful as they were in April when they came in on their vacations and the holidays to make the school welcoming and inviting. So we were very excited. One thing I do want to talk about is the bus loop, it is fabulous. It is one of the best things we ever did. We had Diane O’Neil from the Bus Company come to join us and she stayed for the first week with, I think her name was Michelle and it was perfect. We had no glitches, as soon as the front of the building is open they will feel the same way, the students, the walkers. We are thrilled.
For you Chris, the CMTs, our students scored very well and we are having a pizza party so you are invited, you all are invited. For any of the students who improved, so we are working on that now. We continue with our Swift initiatives and I think two of the most important things are the completion of the expansion/renovation project and the transition of Heminway Park to Swift. Lisa and I will work very closely together to make sure that we have a very easy transition. We are also continuing with our differentiated instruction and co-teaching. We are data driven, we will continue to use protocols, analyze data and improve our CMT scores. We are working on a school plan and as always we work on our school climate. I thank you very much and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask, thank you.
Mr. Hasbrouck: Good evening, thank you for inviting us. I know for all of us it is a great pleasure to be able to talk about the excitement of a new school year. When Dr. Erardi mentioned to us that we would be presenting to you, I won’t say the initial reaction was great joy, but I think as school opens and you see the excitement of staff and students being able to share that with you is one of the good things we have in our position. The High School opened with 980 students; we had 272 freshmen, 251 sophomores, 241 juniors and 216 seniors. I was pleased to be able to go around the building and see on day one instruction had begun. To see kids heading home the first night with their books, not only because they were supposed to put book covers on them but they had homework assignments, learning had begun at Watertown High. On our third day of school, we had some class meetings so we had an opportunity to meet each of the grade levels individually and talk about our expectations for them for the year. An informal poll of students was that they were glad to be back and felt that they were off to a good school year. And continued to monitor that today and the responses continued to be the same. All this was preceded on Wednesday the 29th with our LINK Crew 9th grade orientation. This was the second year with the LINK Crew program and it was an overwhelming success. We had approximately 95% of the incoming Freshman class in attendance that morning. Later in the morning we had an orientation for their parents and followed that with a pizza party and the weather was gorgeous so we were in the courtyard and it was just a great way for those ninth graders to kick off their high school career. They felt as though they were better prepared and less anxious coming to school on day one.
Concurrent with our LINK Crew activities we had a variety of professional activities for our staff. This included some differentiation instruction updates, WebPage updates as well as smartboard training. We are looking forward to the opening of the renovated building and hope that it will be filled with that kind of technology and we will be ready for it, as well as motivating students to learn strategies. The Art Department worked with artists on pastel techniques as well as visiting the Wadsworth Athenaeum and having an opportunity there on how to better utilize museum resources. We opened our doors with 14 new certified staff members, you met one earlier this evening as well as having 13 teachers on board, one of whom was a long-term sub. It is always not only a challenge but also a joy to see new folks coming in and leading their classes. For several of our new people this is their first teaching assignment, this is where they are initiating their career. As one person kept telling me all summer, “I can’t wait, I can’t wait, I can’t wait to get started”. At the end of the first day I asked how did it go and she said “It was so cool, I can’t wait for tomorrow”. That kind of energy gets transferred to the students and they in turn are enthused about their learning. We have a student teacher with us this year, as well as continuing with the intern who began his work with us last January. We have three new paraprofessionals coming on board and as well we have several new custodians, several new staff in the cafeteria, all and all a great group to work with. I am particularly appreciative of the work the custodians did, I know several of them were drawn to work on some maintenance tasks as some people were out as well. Several had spent some time at Swift getting it ready for opening and in spite of that the building looked tremendous. Their lamentation was that they didn’t get an opportunity to do all the painting they wanted to do but they certainly did the cleaning as people came in and noted on just how clean the building was.
Also the computer technology was up and running at the High School. We had one new teacher who is a veteran at other schools and he came in and I said how did it go and he said “You know what was really cool, the computer worked. I logged in, I got to my email, I got to my webpage and it all worked”. Apparently that is not the case elsewhere. Todd to you, to Mike and Joe, and Shawn, thank you.
The master schedule was developed in incorporating a number of new initiatives and I would like to take the opportunity to thank Matt Geary who devoted countless hours to putting that together. Not only in terms of coordinating new programs into the schedule but also coordinating common preparation times for team teachers, for our ninth grade cohort and our ninth grade pilot team. His work was monumental in making that happen. Our new programs, we have 80 students participating in a pilot team for grade 9, we have 16 honors cohort team members. We have introduced three new AP classes; we have some new courses in video production, Spanish 4 Culture and Communication, Jazz Band as well as Intro and Advanced Band Technique. Our virtual High School program we currently have about 15 students on board and a number of others sniffing around with great interest looking towards second semester so I anticipate that number growing considerably. We have one student participating in the Bristol Tech Program where he is attending there on a full time basis, concentrating on his trade of interest. He will be certificated at the end of the year and will be graduating from Watertown High School as part of that program. We also reintroduces the alternative program, it is now in the form of an after-school program, as you are familiar from hearing reports on that last spring. and we currently have 9 students engaged in that program and doing quite well. Probably the major item on our front page is the building renovation preparations. As well we are monitoring the new programs that we have in place and you saw last spring Watertown High School 2010 and ambitious curriculum plan that we will be unfolding over the next two to three years in anticipation of the opening of a renovated building. We continue with our inclusion model, we have 15 inclusion teams working in courses and as well we have teaching teams in several other programs areas as well. Two of which identify with the cohort and the pilot team and as well through interdepartmental publishing and a few other programs of that sort.
Upcoming events, PTO as Kace said a few moments ago, we meet for our first meeting on Wednesday.
And as Chris stole some of my thunder with Open House and Club Day on the 20th, thank you for bringing that up because those are key events in the early life of our school. The other major event which you are going to become a part of at the next Board Meeting is the NEASC two-year report comes due on October 1st. We are in the finishing stages of a draft which will be further refined and you will see the final draft and upon your approval we will be sending it to NEASC for their review by the Public Schools Commission. In terms of our class sizes, in Math, English, Science and Social Studies our class sizes are in the low 20s, in World Languages they are in the mid and upper 20s. Our Vo-tech courses are in the 16-20 range, depending on the course and in music our chorus number is about 60 and band is about 70. Our fall sports are off and running and tomorrow afternoon our season opens up and Watertown High School will never close, seemingly so at least. It has been great start and I thank you for your time.
Dr. Erardi: Questions at this time from the Board?
Mr. Lafferty: I have one question for Mr. Hasbrouck. This new program the after school alternative education program, what are the responses or feedback you are getting or just the observations about how well it is running, the efficiency of the after school aspect of it. How are the students taking to that?
Mr. Hasbrouck: The initial response and obviously it is five days old, so I would be hard pressed to tell you…
Mr. Lafferty: That is why I only asked so far, I understand that.
Mr. Hasbrouck: The students who have participated continue to participate, continue to show enthusiasm. As I noted to a couple of students, all last year I didn’t see them coming into school with a smile on their face and when they are coming in for this program, they are upbeat and their pleased. It seems to be fitting a need for them and therefor they are still in school, which the alternative certainly would have been less desirable for them. Thank you.
Mr. Lafferty: Just one final comment, thank you all for coming tonight. I just noticed that when you were speaking to us tonight that generally you are all very excited and very proud. I think that as you keep talking about the successes that you are having, especially just on opening day, it is going to trickle down and I think the rest of the school year will be just as successful. So keep the attitudes. Thank you
Dr. Erardi: Further questions from the Board?
Mr. Killeen: To Mr. Hasbrouck, Ms. Rommel and Ms. Corvello, you had mentioned some higher class numbers and that kind of concerns me. What I am wondering is that in the areas or the classrooms that have over say 20 students, are those rooms being co-taught or do you have teacher’s aides at least assisting the teachers to give the best we can to the students under those large numbers? That would be a concern of mine.
Dr. Erardi: Mr. Killeen let me start with the answer and then I want to defer to the building principals. Three years ago we were talking about, in elementary school and middle school of consistent numbers in the low to mid 30s. And nobody was flinching in regards to the community. Through the work that this Board of Education has done to make the numbers where they are today is truly significant over the past two years. You ask a very good question though because we do have, we still have bumps of 24s and 25s. But overall from where we were to where we are I think the administration, site level administrators would agree that we are in a better place, we have a ways to go but we are in a much better place. I will defer at this point to the three administrators that were asked.
Ms. Corvello: To answer your question whether or not there is co-teaching in the classroom, yes there is but the focus of the co-teaching in the classroom is because, except for the basic skills piece, there are a great number of students with special needs in those classrooms. In the fifth grade there is a co-teaching situation in two classes and in one class with a paraprofessional but all of those classes there are children with special needs. The same things is true in the forth grade, and those needs vary.
Ms. Rommel: And I have the same thing.
Mr. Killeen: The only other question I have is, how are we applying our data driven standards and requirements? It is part of the new buzz, everything is data driven, you know that, I am just wondering how we are actually going to make use of that?
Ms. Corvello: We have started with an analysis of CMT scores and last year I pretty much gave the teachers the strands that they would be working on, this year they came up with those strands themselves. We are going to go into data teams and they will get a mini version of the training that we got. The core team with get a mini version of that training and they will trickle that down to the data team for each grade level and they will use that to look at the assessments and the data that will come from that. Does that make sense?
Mr. Killeen: It does and that is very good, thank you.
Ms. Rommel: We are doing something very similar, our October faculty meeting is going to be an overview of how data teams operate and the different (inaudible) that are used. Last year focus groups (inaudible) this year we are changing so the teachers will actually do more of the decision making with the data the way it is presented. We will be using the meeting on the 24th to really get into the meat of the data and break into teams and get the work started.
Ms. Corvello: And I want to thank the Board for still holding onto those protocol single session days, they are absolutely one of the most valuable two hours that we have once a month. I know I speak for everyone when I thank you for continuing that.
Dr. Erardi: Other questions at this point?
No Response
Dr. Erardi: Just a closing comment. I would further like to thank Mr. LoFrese, Mrs. Raiola and Dr. Pelosi for supporting the real solid back to school that Watertown students did have. You have heard me say this but I want to state it again publicly that I think the most important thing that I am responsible for is to ensure outstanding leadership in all of our buildings. And I really do believe that you have six outstanding leaders who understand children and who understand hard work. That is the reason that we have been so successful with this year’s school opening. So I would like to thank the six administrators and the cabinet of the Board of Education. Thank you.
3. School Openings
Administration will present to the Board of Education an update on each school’s opening of school for 2007-2008.
Dr. Erardi: Item #4 is on the agenda, the Town Hall Study. There are a number of Public Building Committee members in our audience. There are a number of Town Council members in our audience. Mr. Steve Whitaker is here from Whitaker and Ames. Mr. Whitaker is responsible for the work that has been done to date with the joint committee. This is an opportunity for Ms. Dzioba and Mr. Lambert, who represent the Board on the Joint Committee to share an update of the information. Just to bring the Board back, Mr. Whitaker presented at our last meeting, a comprehensive report of Heminway Park being converted to the Town Hall, which included the Board of Education. I believe the joint committee is hoping for an open discussion with this Board about the sense of direction with co-services in the same building and a sense of the Board support in regards to the future of the Town Hall. I will pass to Mr. Lambert and Ms. Dzioba at this point.
Ms. Dzioba: I defer to Mr. Lambert
Mr. Lambert: We received a fairly good show from Mr. Whitaker at our last Government center meeting and it revolved around the actual space and the outside schematics and inside schematics of the building and grounds. It is pretty eye opening actually. It filled all the needs of the square footages that we needed. It also filled all the handicapped accessible areas and parking and grounds. We looked into the new addition on the building and the meeting rooms and covered a lot of heating issues and everything seemed to be in place that we could see at this particular point. We have got a long way to go but right now everything seems to be in the design phase and moving along. I am pretty impressed with what we have so far.
Ms. Dzioba: In addition to that Mr. Lambert, I wasn’t at the last meeting but at the meeting before there was some casual request as to whether the Board expresses an interest to move into this building with Town Council and the Town Business side of things. We had said that this week we could have an informal discussion from Board Members what their ideas about the Board moving into, if this building is approved, moving into the same location as the Town would be in or whether we would express a desire to remain in an independent location or facility. Do Board members have any questions?
Mr. Lambert: I have a comment, actually I was really on the fence on this issue. I realize that the Board of Ed would like their autonomy, to be separated for a lot of reasons, for a lot of good reasons. But when you look at the entire picture, in my mind, I believe that the savings alone, of getting us all in one place, saving our autonomy by putting us one floor, the third floor wing, with the square footage that we need, in my mind I think that would be a good place for us. We could work there, we have an elevator to get there, we have our meeting rooms, we have everybody in that area, along with the Town Services and I think in my mind it would work for us, that is my opinion.
Ms. Dzioba: I agree, I went into the committee meetings convinced that we shouldn’t combine space and area and came out of the committee fully endorsing the combining of the two locations. This, as presented by Mr. Whitaker is going to solve our building needs for many, many years and it is time and an opportunity for the Board to also solve its space problems by moving into this building if it is approved by the public. So I fully endorse the move too.
Ms. Calabrese: I have never been a proponent of combining the Board of Ed with Town Offices. The main reason is that I would like the Board to retain its autonomy. I am just curious, are we sure that the savings would be that significant? I understand all that and I must say that I do think that the plan for the Town Hall is wonderful, I think it is very well thought out for many different reasons. I am still not quite sure, I think I need to be convinced that we need to be in the same building.
Ms. Pannone: What would become of Munson House if we were to leave it? We cannot sell the building correct?
Ms. Dzioba: No, it would still be for Town educational use.
Ms. Pannone: It can be used for educational use only?
Ms. Colangelo: For Town use I believe.
Dr. Erardi: I can comment on that. Ms. Pannone I know that over the past two years the historical society has expressed a great interest in the Munson House. Presently they are across that drive on the second floor, which is not a great location. I believe the Munson House Charter is written in a way that the building must be maintained and retained for Town Services, I don’t think it is specific to education. And again I know that the historical society has been very interested, if there was to be a move.
Mr. Lafferty: One comment, just initially giving this thought tonight, I feel that as long as we have our own space to conduct our own business and we are accessible to anyone that has to come in there. That we are not out of the way and as long as we can provide our employees space to work efficiently and comfortably, I don’t see why there would be no reason to put them in a separate building if this works out. If we can keep them comfortable and working efficiently I have no problem with it at all.
Mr. Killeen: I think it is kind of exciting that the Board of Education will retain a place in Heminway School since it is a school and I think it is adequate. I think what has been developed architecturally will suit the needs and growth for the Town in a way that is presently not being addressed. In part when we began the Swift project this was a question. Once the students moved from Heminway, what would we do with that school and the big conversation at the time, as I recall, was that the building would be addressed for feasibility on the basis on how it could fit in as a Town Hall. So I am quite pleased to see that effort being pursued. Thank you.
Mr. Lambert: One other side note, I don’t know if anybody else has time but I think after all is said and done and we all look at this space, I think everybody is going to be happy with it. But on a side note, I think we really need to get behind this project. I think the Board of Education and the Town Government, Town Council and everybody else has to be behind this project. When we were going for our three-school initiative, we were, everyone was behind this project and it was successful. I think we treat this project the same way with the same enthusiasm and quite frankly, help out the Town Government side. I think it will be successful, I think that we can get this through and I think everybody would be happy that we will be saving a building that has historical significance to this Town. It is and it does and it looks like a Town Hall and I think it is a beautiful, beautiful building. Thank you.
Dr. Erardi: Mr. Whitaker any further comments?
Mr. Whitaker: No, I am just here to answer any questions, I am glad I could be so persuasive so far. (Laughter)
The Board had no further questions regarding Item #4
4. Town Hall Study Update
Administration will update the Board on the architectural study that was presented to the Town Council regarding the proposed Town Hall and will further discuss with the Board the opportunity to move from the Munson House to a centralized location (Heminway) with the Town Government.
Dr. Erardi: The fifth item on the Superintendent’s Report will be an update from Mr. Hasbrouck…
Mr. Whitaker Hold on
Dr. Erardi: Mr. Whitaker?
Mr. Whitaker Yes are you going to have an official vote later this evening on this or is this just going to be the sense of the Board?
Dr. Erardi: I believe the intent of this agenda item was to bring back to the Town Council the sentiments of the individual Board Members. I will do that in the frame of a letter, share it with the Board and then share it with the Town Manager and the Town Council Chair and a copy to you.
Mr. Whitaker Thank you.
Dr. Erardi: Summer School 2007 Mr. Hasbrouck and Ms. Legge.
Mr. Hasbrouck: I will be as sysynched as Mr. Whitaker. Thank you. (Laughter) (Mr. Hasbrouck distributed a handout regarding Summer School, See Attachment D)
Coming across your seat, and I will wait just a moment to begin, is a summary report of the Summer School Program for 2007 at Watertown High School. Under Mrs. Legge’s leadership, and I won’t ask her for how many years because she will probably give me a kick from where she is sitting and I am standing. But for a number of years she has run the Summer School Program at Watertown High School and did so again this year in an admirable fashion. We began our program on June 21st and it concluded five weeks later on July 26th. We held it again this year on the upper floor of the wing of the High School. It provides several amenities, it is isolated from the rest of the building, it allows custodians to get on to their cleaning in their areas, and our kids are kind of in a quiet spot so they can focus on the reason they are there. The sessions run from 8 a.m. until 12:20 p.m., there are three sessions each morning. If there is a place where air quality is reasonable, believe it or not, the third floor of all places in the wing is probably one of the more comfortable places in the school because of some air exchange and some of the rooms being air-conditioned. The teachers that work in the summer school program do an incredible job individualizing programs for the students there. It is principally a remediation program. These are students, who are not overjoyed at being there, but none the less recognize their need to be there to recapture grades and be able to move on to the next grades. And in some cases promotion to the next grade level as those courses may hinge on that. The teachers do an incredible job working with each of the kids to provide the opportunity for them to move forward. This year of course as you are all too well aware, the High School had to close for a period of time for the weight room asbestos issues. Without a blink it was relocated to Heminway Park and I thank Lisa and Norm Elkings, the head custodian and others for really make it all possible. June working with the kids and with the staff in making it possible to complete the program there. In summary it really was a successful year for summer school.
On the backside are some data for you. We had a total of 157 class seats, some students took as many as three courses, a number took two. They come from a range of schools that are identified there. The bulk of them come from Watertown High School, the next largest number from Swift Middle School but we also draw from a variety of other schools throughout the Greater Watertown Region. We additionally this year had as an enrichment program the weight training and fitness program and we had 53 participants in that through the course of the summer. In terms of the finances of the program, we started with an account of $14, 821.99 thanks to Mrs. Legge’s careful working of the program throughout the years. We took in tuition income exceeding $21,000 nearly $22,000 program expenses totaled $19,500, leaving us a program balance at the end of the year of an additional $2,400. As June said to me, not matter how much I try to give the money away, somehow the program continues to grow income in slight amounts. Because this included a large amount of money being given, on a need base to 12 students, totaling $2,275 in credits in tuition. That is a summary of the program, I don’t know if you have any questions regarding it but I would be glad to answer those or ask June if she can provide more specific information.
Ms. Dzioba: Is there a difference in the tuition rate for Watertown residents as opposed to people from outside of town?
Mr. Hasbrouck: Yes, resident is $150 per course, non-resident is $160.
Ms. Dzioba: Thank you
The Board had no further questions regarding Item #5
5. Summer School Program
Administration and school officials will present to the Board an overview of the present summer school program offered at Watertown High School.
Dr. Erardi: The last item, Item #6 is presented to the Board as information in regards to transfer of funds. Amelia Grover is on vacation this evening, she is not here, if there are specific questions to item #6 just get them to me and I will get them back to you through Mrs. Grover. That concludes the Superintendent’s Report.
The Board had no further questions regarding Item #6
6. Transfer of Funds – (Information Only – No Action Required)
At its meeting on November 22, 2004, the Board took action to reaffirm that the Director of Budget and Financial Planning may continue to make transfers of $2,000 or less between objects without prior Board approval. Attached for information only, are a number of those transfers.
I. Report from the Chairman
Ms. Dzioba: I again would like to thank all the administrators for the wonderful presentation, I am glad to hear that we are off to a good start. I hope we will complete with a good finish in June. The Superintendent has asked me to review with Board Members the School Representatives, rather than change them, I am going to wait, the will be re-appointed after the election to see who is still on the Board but I will just review them.
John Trumbull Primary School – Mr. Griffin
Polk School – Mr. Lambert
Judson School – Mr. Mazzamaro
Heminway Park School – Mr. Killeen
Swift Middle School – Ms. Pannone
Watertown High School – Mr. Lafferty
These will continue until after the election because some Board Members will not be on the Board so changes will have to be made. I would like to move on to action items.
J. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
a. Consideration of the Approval of the Acceptance of Gifts
1. The Water Oak Community Youth Center would like to donate a check in the amount of $600.00 to the Swift Middle School F.I.R.S.T. Lego League Program.
2. The Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc. would like to donate an award of $1,000.00 to the Family Resource Center at John Trumbull Primary School.
It is recommended that the Board approve of the acceptance of these generous gifts and letters of appreciation to be sent to the donors.
Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Ms. Pannone that the Board of Education approve of the
acceptance of these generous gifts and letters of appreciation be sent to the donors.
Discussion: None
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
b. Consideration of the Approval of Termination Date for Superintendent of Schools
It is recommended that the Board approve a contract termination date for the Superintendent of Schools to be effective 9/28/07 utilizing 9 vacation day. The Superintendent’s last day on payroll will be October 12, 2007.
Motion presented by Mr. Killeen, seconded by Mr. Lambert that the Board of Education approve a contract
termination date for the Superintendent of Schools to be effective 9/28/07 utilizing 9 vacation days. The
Superintendent’s last day on payroll will be October 12, 2007.
Discussion: None
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
c. Consideration of the Approval of Interim Superintendent of Schools
It is recommended that the Board appoint Dr. Phil Pelosi as Interim Superintendent of Schools
commencing 9/28/07 for a period of approximately 6 months at a per diem rate of $543.38 per day.
Motion presented by Mr. Mazzamaro, seconded by Mr. Pannone that the Board of Education appoint Dr. Phil
Pelosi as Interim Superintendent of Schools commencing 9/28/07 for a period of approximately 6 months at a
per diem rate of $543.38 per day.
Discussion:
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained).
K. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments
Mr. Lafferty: One hopeful future agenda item, I spoke tonight previously when asked for an athletic committee report that we should have an update next meeting. What I am hoping to do in this time is work hopefully with Policy and Labor Committee and develop more of a guide book or handbook for volunteer athletic coaches. Just being a former athletic coach in the school system as a volunteer, I had no formal training or formal code of conduct to follow. I think of those Policies would be very important in the future so I am hoping to set up a date to make a meeting to discuss that soon.
Ms. Colangelo: Excuse me Chris we do have a meeting coming up, I will have Barbara contact you to set it up within the next couple of weeks.
Mr. Lafferty: I just felt that it would be important to include your committee as well, so they work hand and hand.
L. Public Participation
Ms. Legge, Athletic Director, Watertown High School
I would just like answer about the athletic volunteer. The CIAC has just made a ruling that all volunteer coaches now must be certified. So they will get the same kind of information that a certified coach will get which is a handbook and a training you are talking about. I just thought I would let you know. That is new this year.
Mr. Lafferty: Thank you, would it be possible for you to get a copy of whatever training is necessary and any requirements for regular coaches that volunteer coaches would need as well? This way I can have that for the committee.
Ms. Legge: I would be glad to.
Guy Buzzannco, 399 Artillery Rd, Watertown
I just wanted to address Dr. Erardi’s departure, the conversation you will be having a little later on tonight. I consider myself an optimist about most things but I can’t see anything good about Dr. Erardi’s departure. I think what we accomplished in the past 2 ½ years under his leadership is absolutely unprecedented. And I know personally I will be eternally grateful for the time he spent here, certainly on behalf of my three year old son who will be a customer of this school system in a couple of years. But because I am an eternal optimist I think possibly some good can come out of this experience, some positives can come out of this. I just really wanted to come here tonight with a recommendation that the entire Board and Dr. Erardi chose a time when you can meet privately to hold an exit interview. Where each of you can hear from Dr. Erardi what worked well for him during his time here, what didn’t work so well from his time here as well. Then take that information back and again in a closed strategic planning session, talk about what you folks want to start doing, stop doing or continue doing as it relates to two areas. One, in supporting your Superintendent, providing him or her with measurable smart objectives, a kind of coaching a Superintendent needs and the kind of resources they need to accomplish those expectations. And secondly to use that information to decide how as a Board you can become more effective as well. In terms of communication, the expectations you set for yourselves and decision making. That is what I wanted to share with you tonight and I think that if you go through that process something good will come out of this in terms of being able to retain and attract quality professionals for this school system. Thank you
M. Executive Session
Personnel Issue
Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Mr. Griffin to enter into Executive Session with Dr. Erardi, Dr. Pelosi and all Board Members listed as present.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Executive Session convened at 8:45 p.m.
Executive Session ended at 9:16 p.m.
N. Adjournment
Motion presented by Mr. Killeen, seconded by Ms. Pannone to adjourn the Regular Board of Education Meeting of September 10, 2007
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
Bonnie Goulet, Board Clerk
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