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Agenda
WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
Watertown High School
Technology Center
Monday, October 22, 2007 – 7:30 PM
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
B. Salute to the Flag
C. Public Participation
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Chris Terzigni
Report from PTA/PTO Liaison – Ms. Kace Duplissie
D. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
E. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
2. Athletics Committee, Chris Lafferty, Chair
3. Budget Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair
5. Facilities Committee, Rich Mazzamaro, Chair
6. Policy and Labor Committee, Mary Colangelo, Chair
7. Cablevision, Kevin Killeen
8. PBC Representative, Rich Mazzamaro
9. Education Connection Representative, Mary Dzioba
10. Town Hall Joint Committee, Mary Dzioba, Thomas Lambert
F. Communications - Secretary
G. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 9, 2007
H. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Andrea Brown to the position of One to One Paraprofessional at Watertown High School starting October 17, 2007 for 32.5 hours paid per week at an hourly rate of $12.23.
b. Mr. Matthew Geary to the position of Principal of Watertown High School, effective October 10, 2007, placed on Step 2 of the Watertown Administrators’ Association’s contract at an annual salary of $107,115.00 prorated.
c. Ms. Jennifer Mancini to the position of Kindergarten – Half-Day Day Care Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School starting October 1, 2007 for 4.0 hours paid per day, at an hourly rate of $12.23.
d. Ms. Denise Suvoski to the position of Kindergarten Classroom Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School starting October 15, 2007 for 4.0 hours paid per day at an hourly rate of $14.25.
e. Ms. Karen Tesch to the position of One to One Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School starting October 15, 2007 for 15.0 hours paid per week at an hourly rate of $12.23.
f. Ms. Charlotte Zawislak to the position of Cafeteria Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School starting October 9, 2007 for 1.5 hours paid per day at an hourly rate of $15.38.
2. Resignations – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Mr. Charles Beliveau from the position of Facilities Manager, effective November 2, 2007, for personal and professional reasons.
b. Mr. Eric Bernstein from the position of Assistant Principal of Swift Middle School, effective at a date to be determined, to accept another position.
3. Summer School Program
The Policy & Labor Committee endorsed the existing Summer School Regulations Sec. 10-30 at its meeting on October 9, 2007. In essence, the summer school program will remain a tutorial/remedial program. The Board will be informed of all courses offered before the beginning of Summer School. (See Attachment A.)
4. Dress Code Policy - Update
All schools have reported that the revised dress code policy is working out well overall.
5. Disposal of Excess Property Policy – First Reading – (Information Only - No Action Required)
At its meeting on October 9, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Disposal of Excess Property Policy and now presents the policy to the Board for the first reading. (See Attachment B.)
6. Cafeteria Report – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Attached for your information is a copy of the Watertown Student Lunch Program report. (See Attachment C.)
7. Artwork on Display
The artwork on display this evening was done by the following young artists:
John Trumbull Primary School
Emily Gillate – Kindergarten
Madison Gendron – Grade 1
Mckayla Gruschow – Grade 2
Judson School
Casey Desaulniers – Grade 3
Polk School
Madison Koval – Grade 4
Shannon Pflomm – Grade 5
Heminway Park School
Christian Bennett – Grade 6
Swift Middle School
Chelsey Maynard – Grade 7
Amanda Eckert – Grade 8
Watertown High School
Amy Henion – Grade 11
Brianna Pitino – Grade 11
Swana Murrer – Grade 11
Genevieve Zasada – Grade 12
I. Report from the Chairman
J. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
a. Consideration of the Approval of Design for the Watertown High School Auditorium
At its meeting on October 15, 2007, the Facilities Committee discussed the Watertown High School auditorium seating options. The committee felt that the option which maximized the number of seats in the auditorium is the preferred option.
It is recommended that the Board approve of requesting the Public Buildings Committee to include the option which maximizes the number of seats in the auditorium in the design documents for bidding.
b. Consideration of the Approval of the Graduation Date for Watertown High School
It is recommended that the Board approve of June 23, 2007, as the date for graduation exercises for the Watertown High School Class of 2008. This date meets the state’s 180-day requirement.
c. Consideration of the Approval of the Submittal of the Local Competitive Grant for Computer Assisted Writing, Instruction and Testing
The Local Competitive Grant for Computer Assisted Writing, Instruction and Testing (2007-2008) has been written for submission to the Connecticut State Department of Education. Grant funds will be used to purchase laptop computers and software, and provide the staff involved in the program training in the use of the laptop computers and MY Access! Program. The Grant will be submitted in the amount of approximately $57,118.
The grant was prepared by Mr. Matthew Geary, Principal of Watertown High School, with the assistance of Mr. Todd LoFrese, Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Philip A. Pelosi, Interim Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. Thad Hasbrouck, Director of Curriculum and Professional Services.
The major objectives of this project are:
To improve student ability to respond to narrative, literary, text-based, and persuasive writing prompts on a variety of topics across disciplines.
To utilize technology in English, Science, and Social Studies classes in order to further motivate students and engage them in the curriculum.
To perform a long-range empirical study of the writing achievement of students who utilize My Access! during their ninth and tenth grade years.
It is recommended that the Board approve of the submission of the aforementioned grant to the Connecticut State Department of Education.
d. Consideration of the Approval of Salary Increases for Non-affiliates
At its meeting on October 9, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed salary increases for non-affiliate staff members and now recommends a 3.5% salary increase for the following staff members effective October 23, 2007:
Board Clerk, present salary $14.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour;
Substitute Call-in Person, present salary $10.00 per hour to $10.35 per hour.
e. Consideration of the Approval of the Acceptance of Gifts
1. The Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc. would like to donate a grant award in the amount of $1,000.00 to the Watertown Family Resource Center.
2. The Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc. would like to donate a grant award in the amount of $244.00 from the proceeds of their Casual Day contributions to the Watertown High School Theater program to be used to purchase materials for costumes.
It is recommended that the Board approve of the acceptance of these generous gifts and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.
f. Consideration of the Approval of W.H.S. Community Day
It is recommended that the Board approve of Community Service Day for approximately 112 students at Watertown High School on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 under the direction of Principal Matthew Geary and Assistant Principal Marc Balanda. According to CIRMA, the students will be protected under the Board of Education’s liability insurance coverage.
The purpose of this activity is:
1.) To engage Watertown High School students in a school-wide community service project;
2.) To provide assistance to senior citizens in the Watertown community.
3.) To foster a positive relationship between the school and the community at large.
K. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments
L. Public Participation
M. Executive Session
Personnel Matters
N. Regular Session
O. Adjournment
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