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Agenda
WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
Watertown High School
Technology Center
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 – 7:30 PM
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
B. Salute to the Flag
C. Oath of Office
Newly elected members of the Board of Education will be sworn in.
D. Reconvene Regular Meeting
E. Election of Officers
Sec. 10-218. Officers. Meetings. “Each board of education shall, not later than one month after the date on which the newly elected members take office, elect from its number a chairperson and elect a secretary of such board and may prescribe their duties. The votes of each member of such board cast in such election shall be reduced to writing and made available for public inspection within forty-eight hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays, and shall also be recorded in the minutes of the meeting at which taken, which minutes shall be available for public inspection at all reasonable times. If such officers are not chosen after one month because of a tie vote of the members, the Town Council, or if there is no Town Council, the selectmen of the town shall choose such officers from the membership of the Board. The chairperson of the Board of Education or, in case of such chairperson’s absence, or inability to act, the secretary shall call a meeting of the Board at least once in six months and whenever such chairperson deems it necessary, or is requested in writing to do so by three of its members. If no meeting is called within fourteen days after such a request has been made, one may be called by any three members by giving the usual written notice to the other members.” The organization, according to this statute and policies of the Board of Education, shall be as follows:
1. A Chairperson of the Board
2. A Vice Chairperson of the Board
3. A Secretary of the Board
F. Public Participation
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Chris Terzigni
Report from PTA/PTO Liaison – Ms. Kace Duplissie
G. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
H. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
2. Athletics Committee,
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
I. Communications - Secretary
J. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 22, 2007
K. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Barbra Engelhard to the position of Cafeteria Paraprofessional at Polk School, starting October 29, 2007, for 1.5 hours paid per day, at an hourly rate of $12.82.
b. Mr. Paul Kowalski to the position of Custodian, 3rd shift, at Watertown High School, starting November 5, 2007, for 8.0 hours paid per day, at an hourly rate of $17.54.
2. Transfers – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Mr. Antonio Baratta from Custodian 2nd shift at Heminway Park School, to Custodian 2nd shift at Watertown High School, effective October 5, 2007, for 8.0 hours paid per day, at an hourly rate of $18.53.
b. Mr. Tobie Nelson, from Custodian 3rd shift at Watertown High School, to Custodian 2nd shift at John Trumbull Primary School, effective October 12, 2007, for 8.0 hours paid per day, at an hourly rate of $18.53.
c. Mr. John Marburger from Custodian 2nd shift at Watertown High School to Custodian 3rd shift at Watertown High School.
d. Mr. Edward Stack from Custodian 3rd shift at Watertown High School to Custodian 2nd shift at Heminway Park School.
3. Strategic School Profiles 2006-2007
Board members have received a copy of the Strategic School Profiles 2006-2007 under separate cover.
The State Department of Education has provided the final version of the 2006-2007 Strategic School Profiles for the Watertown School District. The law requires that profiles must be presented to local boards of education… at the first regularly scheduled public meeting following the receipt of these documents.
Due to the complexity of the November 13 meeting and the State Board of Education requirements that it be presented to the Board of Education at the first Board of Education meeting upon receipt of the Strategic School Profiles, it is being presented tonight for informational purposes only. Dr. Pelosi will highlight the salient areas at a later meeting.
4. Eligibility to Attend Watertown Public Schools Policy – First Reading
At its meeting on October 29, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Eligibility to Attend Watertown Public Schools Policy and presents it to the full Board for the first reading tonight. (See Attachment A.)
5. Personnel – General Policy – First Reading
At its meeting on October 29, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Personnel – General Policy and presents it to the full Board for the first reading tonight. (See Attachment B.)
6. Charges for Copies of Public Records Policy – First Reading
At its meeting on October 29, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Charges for Copies of Public Records Policy and presents it to the full Board for the first reading tonight. (See Attachment C.)
7. Proposed New or Revised Textbook for the 2007-2008 School Year – First Reading
In accordance with Section 10-229 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a textbook is presented this evening to provide a minimum notification of one week of our intent to adopt said book for instructional use. This book will be proposed for approval at our next Board meeting. This book has been reviewed by all program leaders, administrators, and central office personnel. The Curriculum and Instruction Committee reviewed and endorsed this book and related material at its last meeting. (See Attachment D.)
8. W.A.T.C.H. – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Ms. Mary Raiola has filed an application for a grant for $3,300.00 for W.A.T.C.H. (Watertown Action Team For Community Health) from the Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Action Council. The grant’s focus is on underage drinking and drug use, education and prevention. It was submitted to the Local Prevention Council which our W.A.T.C.H. Group is the local agency. The targeted group is students in grades 5-12 as well as adults. These funds will enable us to disseminate information, provide direct teaching (peer advocates and mentors), community involvement, Project Graduation and identification of students at risk.
9. Investigation of Required Summer Reading at Swift Middle School – (Information Only – No Action Required)
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the investigation of Required Summer Reading at Swift Middle School. (See enclosed notebook.)
10. Change to the Swift Middle School Promotion/Graduation Policy – (Information Only – No Action Required)
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the change to the Swift Middle School Promotion/Graduation Policy to include Reading (Exploring Literacy) as a required course for promotion/graduation, as attached. (See enclosed notebook.)
This will now be referred to the Policy and Labor Committee for its review.
L. Report from the Chairman
M. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
a. Consideration of the Approval of the Disposal of Excess Property Policy – Second Reading
At its meeting on October 9, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Disposal of Excess Property Policy and presented the policy to the Board for the first reading at its meeting on October 22, 2007. It is presented tonight for the second reading and for full Board approval. (See Attachment E.)
It is recommended that the Board approve of the Disposal of Excess Property Policy, effective immediately.
b. Consideration of the Approval of the Change in Names on the Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition and Child/Family/School Partnerships’ Form, ED-099
It is recommended that the Board approve of the change in names on the ED-099 Agreement for Child Nutrition, Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition and Child/Family/School Partnerships’ Form to reflect the names of Dr. Philip A. Pelosi, Interim Superintendent, as the Signature #1 authorized to sign the Agreement for Child Nutrition Programs and to sign claims for reimbursement, and Mr. Todd LoFrese, Assistant Superintendent, as Signature #2 authorized only to sign the claims for reimbursement in the absence or incapacity of the first designated individual. (See Attachment F.)
c. Consideration of the Approval of Family Medical Leaves of Absence
1.) Mr. Michael Cerrato, History/Social Studies Teacher at Watertown High School, requests a Family Medical Leave of Absence commencing approximately January 8, 2008, for approximately four weeks, with use of accumulated sick time.
It is recommended that the Board approve of a Family Medical Leave of Absence for Mr. Michael Cerrato, History/Social Studies Teacher at Watertown High School, commencing approximately January 8, 2008, for approximately four weeks, with use of accumulated sick time.
2.) Ms. Janet Sweetland, Grade 6 Teacher at Heminway Park School, requests a maternity leave of absence under FMLA, commencing approximately January 11, 2008, through May 1, 2008, with use of accumulated sick time.
It is recommended that the Board approve of a maternity leave of absence under FMLA for Ms. Janet Sweetland, Grade 6 Teacher at Heminway Park School, commencing approximately January 11, 2008, through May 1, 2008, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.
3.) Ms. Beth Wolf, Speech/Language Pathologist at John Trumbull Primary School, requests a childbearing leave of absence under FMLA, commencing approximately December 8, 2007, through March 31, 2008, with use of accumulated sick time, and then leave without pay, and a medical doctor’s note to return.
It is recommended that the Board approve of a childbearing leave of absence under FMLA, for Ms. Beth Wolf, Speech/Language Pathologist at John Trumbull Primary School, commencing approximately December 8, 2007, through March 31, 2008, with use of accumulated sick time, and then leave without pay, and a medical doctor’s note to return.
d. Consideration of the Approval of Acceptance of Gifts
1.) The Community Crusade for Children, Inc. would like to donate $465.75 from the Community Crusade for Children’s Kiducation Fund. These funds were generated from the donation containers at Rite Aid in Watertown for the 2nd Quarter 2007.
2.) Ms. Dorothy Stransky would like to donate books to the library at Judson School with an approximate value of $50.00.
It is recommended that the Board accept these generous gifts and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.
e. Consideration of the Approval of the Participation in the Fuel Consortium
At the Facilities Committee meeting on November 1, 2007, the committee recommended that the Board of Education participate with the Fuel Consortium for the purchase of Diesel Fuel and Fuel Oil for the 2008-2009 school year.
It is recommended that the Board of Education participate with the Fuel Consortium for the purchase of Diesel Fuel and Fuel Oil for the 2008-2009 school year.
f. Consideration of the Approval of the Watertown High School Schematic Design for the Science Wing
At the Facilities Committee meeting On November 1, 2007, the committee reviewed and endorsed changes to the Watertown High School schematic design that dealt with science rooms as presented in Option #2. (Board Members have received a copy under separate cover.)
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve of the changes to the Watertown High School schematic design with respect to the science rooms as presented in Option #2.
g. Consideration of the Approval of the Watertown High School Schematic Design for the Athletic Fields
At the Facilities Committee meeting On November 1, 2007, the committee reviewed and endorsed changes to the Watertown High School schematic design that dealt with the athletic fields as presented in Option #4 with the synthetic surface being an “add alternate.” (Board Members have received a copy under separate cover.)
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve of the changes to the Watertown High School schematic design with respect to the athletic fields as presented in Option #4 with the synthetic surface being an “add alternate.”
h. Consideration of the Approval of the Music Curriculum Revision,
Pre-K - 8
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the Pre-K – 8 Music Curriculum Revision. (See Pre-K – 8 Music Curriculum under separate cover.) The Music Department staff updated the curriculum to align with the State and National Standards, as well as the Understanding by Design model.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Pre-K – 8 Music Curriculum Revision as presented under separate cover, effective immediately.
i. Consideration of the Approval of the Modification of the Watertown High School Biology Curriculum
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the modification of the Watertown High School Biology Curriculum. (See enclosed notebook.) This modification was made to accommodate the inclusion students that are not on the same level as the regular class.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the modification of the Watertown High School Biology Curriculum as presented under separate cover, effective immediately.
j. Consideration of the Approval of the Update to the Watertown High School Advisory Program Activities
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the updated Watertown High School Advisory Program Activities. (See enclosed notebook.) The update includes the activities that proved to be most successful with the students, and eliminating the least successful activities.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the update of the Watertown High School Advisory Program Activities as presented under separate cover, effective immediately.
k. Consideration of the Approval of the Watertown High School Video Production Curriculum
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the Watertown High School Video Production Curriculum. (See enclosed notebook.) The course utilizes the Technology Center and was developed by Michelle Goldfarb and David Hoffman.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Watertown High School Video Production Curriculum as presented under separate cover, effective immediately.
l. Consideration of the Approval of the Swift Middle School Wood Lab Curriculum, Grade 8
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the Grade 8 Wood Lab Curriculum. (See enclosed notebook.)
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Grade 8 Wood Lab Curriculum as presented under separate cover, effective immediately.
m. Consideration of the Approval of the Swift Middle School Family and Consumer Science Sewing Curriculum, Grade 8
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the Grade 8 Family and Consumer Science Sewing Curriculum. (See enclosed notebook.)
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Family and Consumer Science Sewing Curriculum as presented under separate cover, effective immediately.
n. Consideration of the Approval of the Swift Middle School Exploring Technologies Curriculum, Grade 7
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the Grade 7 Exploring Technologies Curriculum. (See enclosed notebook.)
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Grade 7 Exploring Technologies Curriculum as presented under separate cover, effective immediately.
o. Consideration of the Approval of the Title Change of the Grades 7-8 Reading Course
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the change to the title of the Grades 7-8 Reading Course. (See enclosed notebook.) Exploring Literacy is the suggested title change for the current Reading course, which would better reflect the content of the course.
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the title change of the Grades 7-8 Reading course to Exploring Literacy, effective Fall, 2008.
p. Consideration of the Approval of the Proposed Pilot of an Advisor/Advisee Program for Grades 7-8, 2007-2008
At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of November 5, 2007, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the proposed pilot of an Advisor/Advisee Program for Grades 7-8. (See enclosed notebook.)
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the proposed Pilot of an Advisor/Advisee Program for Grades 7-8, effective immediately.
q. Consideration of the Approval of the Job Description - Facility Manager of Buildings and Grounds
At its meeting on October 29, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Facility Manager of Buildings and Grounds Job Description and presents it to the full Board for approval tonight. (See Attachment G.)
r. Consideration of the Approval of the Job Description - Network Coordinator – 10 Month Job Description
At its meeting on October 29, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Network Coordinator – 10 Month Job Description and presents it to the full Board for approval tonight. (See Attachment H.)
s. Consideration of the Approval of the Job Description - Network Coordinator – Full Year Job Description
At its meeting on October 29, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Network Coordinator – Full Year Job Description and presents it to the full Board for approval tonight. (See Attachment I.)
t. Consideration of the Approval of the Job Description - Lead Network Coordinator Job Description
At its meeting on October 29, 2007, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Lead Network Coordinator Job Description and presents it to the full Board for approval tonight. (See Attachment J.)
N. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments
O. Public Participation
P. Executive Session
Personnel Matters
Q. Regular Session
R. Adjournment
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