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Watertown Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Meeting Date: October 22, 2007
Meeting Time: 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Watertown High Technology Center
Members Present: Ms. Mary Dzioba, Board Chairperson
Mr. Richard Mazzamaro, Board Vice Chairperson
Mr. Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
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. Philip Pelosi, Interim Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Amelia Grover, Dir. of Budget and Financial Planning
Mr. Thad Hasbrouck, Director of Curriculum and Professional Services
Mr. Todd LoFrese, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Mary Raiola, Director of Special Services
Mr. Chris Terzigni, W.H.S. Student Representative
Absent: Ms. Kace DuPlissie, PTO Representative
Press: Tom Burns and Jim Taylor, Town Times
Jonathan Shugarts, Waterbury Republican American
Guests: Matthew Geary, Marylu Lerz, Fran Palmer, Sandra Greenwood, Whitey Greenwood, Anna Jedd, Marc Balanda, and Dean Pietrorazio
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
Anna Jedd, 12 Sandbank Rd, Watertown
I would like to address the issue of seat capacity at the High School Auditorium in the upcoming renovations. I would ask that the consider the needs of the music department, the theater group, the high school itself and the community as this stage is the primary performance area and meeting place for all of Watertown. During the last school year, the Swift concerts were held at the High School due to the renovations at Swift. Because of the design of the Swift renovations, and especially the safety and handicapped restrictions, the seating capacity at the Swift auditorium has gone from about 500 to under 450. We currently have approximately 225 students in the Swift music department, therefore, if the concerts return to Swift for 7th and 8th graders, the families involved will not be able to bring two guests to each event. I am also concerned about the performance space for our sixth graders after this year when Heminway closes. All sixth graders are in chorus to the tune of about 300 students. It will be impossible to hold a sixth grade concert in the Swift auditorium. We have considered holding concerts on several evenings but most of our music teachers teach multiple grades and in several schools. It would be difficult for them as well as our students and their families to commit to several evenings for each winter and spring concert. In addition, police and fire costs would be double for every event. Polk School used the High School auditorium last spring for their concert due in part to the size of the performance space at Polk. The music department has used the High School auditorium for town wide concerts. I hope that we will be able to restore these later in the year, I think we will be with the help of the Recreation Department. We need one large performance space to accommodate these events. The High School theater group performs its musicals for three evenings each spring; most performances have been given to capacity crowds. Lowering the seating capacity would mean that the ticket costs to the parents and members of the community would have to increase substantially to off set the production costs. Within the High School itself, there is a need to be able to bring together large groups of students. If a large space is not available, assemblies and enrichment programs must be given three or four consecutive times for all ninth through twelfth graders to attend. The expense in time and costs grows exponentially with a small auditorium. There are also community groups and town meetings that need the ability to accommodate large groups. I would ask you to endorse renovating the High School auditorium to seat a minimum of 600 people. I appreciate that this is an expensive project however seating capacity is a one time expense that will not be upgraded in ten or twenty years. Building the High School auditorium to be the showcase of our community will serve us all well for many generations to come.
Dean Pietrorazio, 267 Bioski Road, Middlebury, CT -President of Connecticut Combustion Corporation
I am here tonight to address the Board regarding the issues at Judson School. We were the heating contractor for the Watertown Public School System for 26 years from 1977 to 2003. Our firm provided the boiler room renovation installation at Judson School in the year 2000 in 2006 the Watertown Board of Education brought litigation against our firm claiming that the installation was incomplete, resulting in thermal shock and the cracking of two out of the three boilers at that site. And that we had breached our contract for the project. That litigation was subsequently withdrawn and the Watertown Board of Education later admitted that our firm was not at fault. However, we were left to wonder exactly what happened with regard to this equipment. After all the boilers had performed without issue for nearly five seasons, and then suddenly two boilers reportedly cracked simultaneously. It seemed to us that an explanation of some type was in order. Accordingly, following the withdrawal of litigation, we decided to undertake our own inquiry into the matter. Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, we solicited information regarding the repairs required to the boilers, the service history to the job site, purchase orders and invoicing and technical reports. We performed this examination to determine exactly what happened to this equipment, and why a relatively new project reportedly required revision work.
To begin, it was reported that both boilers were damaged by thermal shock. In short thermal shock results from extreme temperature differences placed upon a boiler. The obvious analogy one typically associates thermal shock as putting cold water into a hot boiler. The boiler cast iron is a durable but somewhat brittle material and is damaged by such stress. The litigation asserted that this occurred as a result of missing components and later it was asserted that the system be accordingly re-piped to prevent such damage. In summary, it was asserted that the boiler installation design did not meet with the system design and that normal operation of the system resulted in cold water routinely entering the boiler. In short, it was stated that the boiler installation required new piping and pumps to change it and correct the situation to prevent future boiler failures. In looking at the situation the obvious question arose to us, why didn’t this happen within the first five years of operation? Again, the boilers operated for those five years without issue and then two boilers cracked at the same time. This simply didn’t smell right.
On a hot water heating system, it is critical to maintain flow through the heating boilers at all times. When heating system water circulation is interrupted on a hot water heating system such as Judson School’s, especially during cold weather, a large temperature difference between the heating system’s water and the water remaining within the boilers is quickly created. Our study revealed that on December 5, 2005 the system circulation pumps at Judson School were served and system circulation was interrupted for an extended period. The records for this service reveal a time period of 5 ½ hours. Additionally the weather on the 5th of December had a mean temperature of 25 degrees. Our examination further revealed that hand written makeshift warning signs were placed on the pumps, boilers and electrical equipment on December 8th, explaining the operation of the equipment. The signs were dated and signed. Days later, the two boilers were reported at leaking and damaged. A third party engineer confirmed that the units were damaged by thermal shock. It is reasonable to conclude that the conditions for thermal shock may have been met as a result of the lose of system water circulation through the boilers as documented on December 5, 2005 by the service records. It is additionally reasonable to conclude that the knowledge of this event was the reason for placement of the warning signs on the equipment. Our study additionally revealed that the basis for the subsequent revision project at Judson School at a total cost of approximately $68,000 was erroneous and that the system did not in fact require modifications from the original installation performed in 2000. This project may therefore be referred to as elective in nature. Our research found that this project, and its cost, were fully known to the Watertown Board of Education in fiscal year 2005 & 2006 specifically in June of 2006. Therefore, funding for this work should have been accounted for accordingly in the 2006-2007 budget regardless of the expected outcome by the Watertown Board of Education of litigation against our company. Lastly, our study revealed that the Watertown Board of Education utilized executive session procedures to review several aspects of this entire issue in apparent disregard of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act including voting to commit and later withdraw the Town of Watertown to this course of action. As such public review of these issues was not permitted.
In closing, including the initial repairs, legal fees, engineering services and system piping revision project, a total of $95,700 has been spent by the Town on this issue. Our studies conclusions are supported with project records and data as received from the Watertown Board of Education, which we have assembled, and we present to you for your further review.
Mr. Pietrorazio distributed booklets to each Board Member for review.
Ms. Dzioba: Thank you, we will review this and will obviously be in touch with you for further update and discussion. Thank you.
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Chris Terzigni
Mr. Terzigni: We have been really busy in the past two weeks since the last meeting. We organized our bonfire/coffee house that is going to be coming up next week, November 21st actually. We have a meeting about it next week. We are going to have alumni bands come and play so past classmates of ours can come and we can all get back together and socialize. We are also organizing a battle of the bands with Mr. Saccoman, that is his big project for the year. That is going to be March 20th, you guys are all invited. One of my main focuses of the month is going to be paint the school pink. It is going to be, October is national breast cancer awareness month so on October 26th, this Friday. We are encouraging all students, even the guys, to wear pink to school. We are going to sell ribbons for $1 and then donate the money to two charities, Friends for Early Breast Cancer Detection and the Connecticut Breast and Cervical early detection which helps support free mammograms to women over 40 without insurance. That is going to be our big thing for this week. I will have more information about that at the next meeting.
No PTO/ PTA Report
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 Munson House.
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 evening
3. Budget Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
Mr. Griffin: The budget committee did meet this evening for review of volatile accounts and the application of a State grant for security.
4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair
Ms. Calabrese: There is no report this evening
5. Facilities Committee, Rich Mazzamaro, Chair
Mr. Mazzamaro: I have quite a report. The Facilities Committee met jointly with members of the Curriculum and Instruction subcommittee, members of the PBC, as well as school principals from Watertown High School and Judson on October 15th. Mr. Todd LoFrese led a tour of Swift including the new bus loop, the area where the new library and media center will be and the newly renovated café and kitchen as well as the two new gyms. We also looked briefly at some of the prep work on the new turf field and most of that is complete and the first rolls of turf were to be laid starting the next day on the 16th. After the committees toured the building, we met in the conference room to discuss the three school projects. There were three major issues discussed, first the design choices for the Watertown High School auditorium, second the air-conditioning for all three renovations and also, well no the auditorium and the a/c were the two big ones. First on the auditorium at Watertown High school, KBA presented three options. Option A, which would include roughly 520 seats, control booth and an elevator. Option B, which would have about 670 including a mezzanine, of which the mezzanine would hold 164 of those 670 seats and an elevator. Option C would have about 550 seats, this is the simplest design and this is the option that was used for the estimate for the renovation at the High School. Currently, the Watertown High School Auditorium holds about 750 to 800 people. Ms. Anna Jedd, music director, also attended the meeting to lend her thoughts on what the seating needs are at the High School. The committee discussed the pros and cons of each option. Options A & B would add about 1 million to 1.75 million to the cost of what we have already estimated. A major consideration on the cost is that we loose State reimbursement for anything more than 50% of the schools population. For example, the current population at Watertown High School is approximately 1050 students. The state will reimburse for a 520-seat auditorium at the 56% rate. Anything above that, we would be responsible for the cost per square foot for any remaining seating. The consensus that night of the committee was to favor the option that will yield the most seats in the auditorium. It was suggested that the option be considered as an add alternate on the current design. There is an action item on tonight’s agenda where all Board Members are encouraged to give their thoughts and input on the situation.
The second item was the A/C at the three schools. There was a relatively short discussion, the cost to fully air condition all three schools for the renovation is cost prohibitive on two fronts. One the design phase, and more importantly, the actual operation of the air conditioning during the months, which we figured, would be May, June, September and October. As an example that was used by KBA, the High School alone during that period would probably cost about $100,000 to operate the AC. So, it was a relatively short discussion, it was decided by the committee that we would keep the areas of all three schools that are currently specified to have air conditioning which are: the media centers, administration, auditorium and a like, gymnasium and cafeteria at Judson and Polk.
The third thing that we discussed was the phasing of the construction on the schools. Many areas of the buildings will be disrupted during the construction especially at Polk and Judson. The disruptions could include closing some kitchens, moving some classrooms and the possibility of working off portable carts. Recognizing that this would potentially disrupt the curriculum several options were discussed including changing the gym and café at Polk and Judson to classrooms or administration offices or use portable classrooms. Portable classrooms were the least desirable option due to the high cost, it is estimated that portable classrooms would cost about $700,000 and is not budgeted as part of the projects. The third option that was discussed included using Heminway Park School for swing space for one school year. Doing this would eliminate the need for much of the phasing at Polk and Judson and would potentially save phasing costs at both of those schools. The savings could be significant. The use of Heminway would in no way disrupt any plans to turn the building over for use as a Government Center as has been discussed and proposed. It was the consensus of the committee to go with this option. A meeting with Chuck Frigon and Joe Pawlak will be scheduled to discuss this option and reassure them that this will not delay their plans.
One last item discussed under other was the School Security Grant that was mentioned earlier in the Budget Committee report. Money is available to our district from the State to supplement a security budget line item. We currently do not have a specific for security equipment. It was recommended that a joint meeting be held with the Budget committee, that was held tonight, to discuss setting up the line item and decide how we would proceed. The deadline for the application is 11/15 and before we can apply the District must complete a self-assessment that includes the Police, Fire Personnel and an Emergency Coordinator. Under the grant, our district will be reimbursed $.56 for every $1.00 spent on the security equipment. The budget committee recommended applying for the grant with the understanding that we may have to decline the grant if funds are not available in the Board’s budget in January of 08 when the grant would actually be awarded.
6. Policy and Labor Committee, Mary Colangelo, Chair
Ms. Colangelo: No report this evening; however, committee members will be contacted this week for a possible meeting for next week.
7. Cablevision, Kevin Killeen, Chair
Mr. Killeen: No report this evening
8. PBC Representative, Rich Mazzamaro
Mr. Mazzamaro: There is no report this evening
9. Education Connection Representative, Mary Dzioba
Ms. Dzioba: There is no report from Education Connection.
10. Town Hall Joint Committee, Mary Dzioba, Thomas Lambert –
Mr. Lambert: There is no report.
F. Communications – Secretary
Mr. Griffin: There are no communications this evening
G. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 9, 2007
Motion Presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Ms. Pannone, to accept the Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes of October 9, 2007.
Motion Passed
(8-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 1 Abstained)
In Favor: Ms. Dzioba, Ms. Calabrese, Ms. Colangelo, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Killeen, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Mazzamaro and Ms. Pannone
Abstained: Mr. Lafferty
H. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
Dr. Pelosi: The first item deals with appointments. It is for information only, no action is required. Are there any questions on any of the appointments that were made?
The Board had no questions regarding Item #1
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.
Dr. Pelosi: Resignations is Item 2, again this is presented for information only, no action is required by the Board but questions are welcome.
The Board had no questions regarding Item #2
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.
Dr. Pelosi: Item #3, summer school program. At the Policy and Labor Committee meeting, the existing format for the summer school was endorsed, and it was decided that all courses, which are to be offered within the summer school program, be presented to the Board of Education prior to the program actually being put in place. It was also recommended that if any new course, or any type of enrichment programs were to be offered, that the Curriculum and Instruction subcommittee of the Board of Education review and endorse such programmatic changes. And that that subsequently be brought forward to the full Board, again for the Board’s information and approval. So, at this point, the existing program which is more tutorial and remedial in nature will remain the major thrust of the program unless it is to be changed with Board and Subcommittee approval. Are there any questions or comments that anyone on Policy and Labor or Chair has to offer?
The Board had no questions regarding Item #3
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.
Dr. Pelosi: Dress code policy, at the Policy and Labor Committee again, it was requested that the Board be updated as a full entity in terms of how the new dress code policy is being enacted and enforced. In discussion and in written communication, as well with all of the administrators of all six schools, it seems as though there have been some minor concerns with the warmer weather but no major concerns at all. It has been off to a much better start this year and this will continue to be monitored continued to be asked for input and update and especially as we approach the spring weather. This will be information brought back to Policy and Labor in the event that we want to tighten up some rules or change some things, and then reports will be given to the Board as requested. Any questions?
The Board had no questions regarding Item #4
4. Dress Code Policy - Update
All schools have reported that the revised dress code policy is working out well overall.
Dr. Pelosi: The disposal of excess equipment property, this is presented to the Board for its first reading. A major concern of Policy and Labor again was that whatever is disposed of be reviewed by the Central Office. A administrator at Central Office prior to just being disposed of and that is contained within the disposal policy. It was added that..”Excess Obsolete, aged or irreparable equipment, books and supplies whose item value is estimated to be less than $300 may be disposed of based upon the recommendation of a school or district administrator and approval by Central Office Administrator.” So again, nothing would be disposed of unless it has been reviewed and approved by Central Office. And then also in addition “Records of the equipment disposed of will be kept at the Central Office.” So you would have a running record of everything that is eliminated. “Donations to other organizations or families are permitted.” In the event textbooks are changed or obsolete, and can be used elsewhere by an impoverished country for example, or a private school or foundation, we would be able to donate that. Any questions?
The Board had no questions regarding Item #5
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.
Dr. Pelosi: The Cafeteria report is again presented for your information, no action is required. Mr. LoFrese could answer any questions that the Board may have if there are any concerns or questions on that report.
The Board had no questions regarding Item #6
6. Cafeteria Report – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Attached for your information is a copy of the Watertown Student Lunch Program report.
Dr. Pelosi: As you can see tonight, we have a change in the artwork that is displayed, and we are very fortunate to have an active art department which takes care of displaying this for us, and also students who are really learning and displaying their talents willing to share them with us.
Dr. Pelosi read the names of students displaying art.
Dr. Pelosi: We will send a letter of appreciation tomorrow to all of these students indicating the Board’s pleasure.
The Board had no questions regarding Item #7
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 Grunschow – 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
Ms. Dzioba: This is the last meeting that this Board will serve together. The next Board Meeting will have different Board Members. It is also my last Board Meeting as Chairperson. Two Board Members have chosen not to run for re-election so this is their last meeting of their careers. Joanne was gracious enough to come forward and step in for a Board Member who resigned. She has been on the Board off and on for over 10 years.
Ms. Pannone: Eleven
Ms. Dzioba: Along with this, we will give her the definition of retirement. But at this time, we would like to thank you for all your time, dedication and wisdom and hope that you enjoy your Monday Nights.
Applause - Ms. Dzioba presented Ms. Pannone with a gift from the Board.
Ms. Dzioba: Our other Board Member that won’t be coming back yet is Chris Lafferty. Not to embarrass him, but Chris Lafferty is the youngest Board Member ever to serve the Town of Watertown. I just have to say how much I admire Chris. I think that as other college students were doing other things during their college careers, Chris was attending meetings. I appreciate his deep thought and wisdom that is beyond his years. Chris, you have done an incredible job, and I wish you all the best in you future career.
Applause - Ms. Dzioba presented Mr. Lafferty with a gift from the Board.
Ms. Dzioba: The only other thing I have to say is that this has been a Board that has worked together well, and I hope that continues in the future. We will now move on to action items. I need to add a motion to add to the agenda the item which would be J g – the motion for approval to apply for the school security grant at John Trumbull School. We will get more information on that later.
Addition of Action Item Jg – Consideration of the Approval of the Submittal of an
Application for a School Security Grant for John Trumbull Primary School
Motion presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Ms. Pannone, to approve of the addition of Action Item Jg – Consideration of the Approval of the Submittal of an Application for a School Security Grant for John Trumbull Primary School.
Discussion: None
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Ms. Colangelo: Madame Chair, I would also like to add something to the agenda. I would like to add for discussion and possible action purchase orders and work orders.
Ms. Dzioba: Ok, so, that would be Jh.
Addition of Action Item Jh – Addition of Action Item J h – Discussion and Possible Action on Request for Purchase Orders and Work Orders
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Lambert, to approve of the addition of Action Item Jh – Addition of Action Item J h – Discussion and Possible Action on Request for Purchase Orders and Work Orders.
Discussion: None
Motion Passed
(8-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 1-Abstained)
In Favor: Ms. Calabrese, Ms. Colangelo, Ms. Dzioba, Mr. Lafferty, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Mazzamaro and Ms. Pannone
Abstained: Mr. Griffin
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.
Motion presented by Mr. Mazzamaro, seconded by Ms. Colangelo, to 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.
Discussion:
Mr. Killeen: Should the motion include the words as an add alternate?
Ms. Dzioba: We had…
Mr. Killeen: If so, I would like to amend the motion to include that.
Mr. Mazzamaro: We had that discussion earlier today and could Todd, could I ask if maybe you could just explain the add alternate option to the Board? Would that be possible? What that means by having that as an add alternate.
Mr. LoFrese: Certainly. If it is an add alternate with the building project, when the construction documents are created, there would be two options at bid time that the bidders would be providing a number for.
Mr. Lambert: Rich, do you estimated design cost right now?
Mr. Mazzamaro: Right now, in the Facilities Committee meeting last week, it would cost about $50,000 to have two designs. Which in the scope of the project, a $56 million project, it is not a lot of money. The way I understand it. The add alternate gives the Board a bit of flexibility in the fact it knows up front what the cost of both of the options is going to be, so there is no guessing. Actually, you get the best bang for your buck by having it on as an add alternate.
Mr. Killeen: So the motion, to clarify for myself, that motion that we are making now includes, is with it as an add alternate, correct?
Ms. Dzioba: No.
Mr. Mazzamaro: It is not in the wording as an add alternate right now.
Ms. Colangelo: I think we ought to amend it to include that.
Ms. Dzioba: But it was also discussed that first before we add or amend, why don’t we discuss if we think it is worth doing the High School with less seating capacity as required, essentially needed by the school. The motion is stated that we have the optimum number of seats, which is really what we should be doing. I would like to hear Board Members’ opinions on whether we should consider adding less, or doing the auditorium with less seating than is necessary. The project with this scope, to down size the auditorium just doesn’t make sense to me and the cost of $50,000, although in the ratio of the millions of dollars on the project is still $50,000.
Mr. Mazzamaro: That point is well taken, but if I understand the add alternate correctly, and I had spoken with the Chairman of Public Buildings to kind of clarify the add alternate as well. What it does is it gives us the best price, the best quote on the bid process so that there would be no surprise I guess as far as…I guess it puts the Board in a better position, that is why I asked Todd to clarify. It puts the Board in a better position to understand exactly how much that option is going to cost. I will speak for myself, I am completely in favor of maximum the number of seats, I don’t want to get any of this wrong, I certainly want the more seats. However, I also want to be able to put us in the best position to get the best bid, the best quote at the time the project goes out to bid. My understanding is that having it as an add alternate will give us that.
Ms. Colangelo: Isn’t it also that if you go out for the maximum capacity you are also not getting the full reimbursement because they are only going to reimburse you for 50% of your enrollment?
Mr. Mazzamaro: Yes.
Ms. Colangelo: And then the other issue is that you have an add alternate, you will get the two bids for what is allowed by the State and then the alternate which is the maximum capacity. So, I think that is the advantage of doing the add alternate if I understand it correctly.
Mr. Killeen: That is correct.
Ms. Pannone: That is for an extra cost of $50,000, correct?
Ms. Colangelo: It would cost you more if you had to redesign later and go out to bid a second time.
Mr. Mazzamaro: The problem is it would be designed and if it came in too expensive, if it blew the budget out then we would have to go out to design fees again and once it is designed it would cost far in excess of $50,000 to redesign. Doing it this way with the add alternate, if gives us the flexibility at a much, much reduced cost should, I will speak for myself not all the Board, I want the most seats possible in there, but if it blows the budget out of the water then we need a back up plan that will not cost a lot of money.
Ms. Dzioba: Ok, then we need a motion to amend, oh I am sorry Chris.
Mr. Lafferty: I was just going to say so the issue now is do we amend the motion or not, that is really all we have to discuss right now.
a 2. Consideration to Amend Action Item J a to include the addition of “Add Alternate” for the
Design of the Watertown High School Auditorium
Motion presented by Mr. Killeen, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro, to amend Action Item J a. as follows - That the
Board of Education approve of requesting the Public Buildings Committee to include the option which
maximizes the number of seats in the auditorium as an Add Alternate in the design documents for bidding.
Discussion:
Mr. Lafferty: I just want to speak of adding as an add alternate with the maximum amount of seating. This design was the mezzanine option, which was discussed. After the meeting, I had an opportunity to perform in a school show that I am working on and one of the schools that I was in had a mezzanine. It was just strikingly similar to what we would be doing and structurally if you want to speak to that, acoustics you know sure it is going to be different, naturally it was still a quality room. It added about an extra third to the attendance capabilities which were there. And I think that Mrs. Jedd brought up several great points about what the benefits are of adding the maximum amount of people and I think that outweighs the negatives to it. I would also just like to say that adding this option, for the way the Town is moving forward, I would rather have this not be one of those mistakes that is made because we are not thinking about the future. I am entirely in favor of adding this.
Mr. Mazzamaro: Just a clarification, putting this add alternate language in is not a way to downsize the auditorium. It is a way to make sure we can optimize the number of seats at the best possible price for the Board.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Ms. Dzioba: Now we can vote on the motion. Is there any other discussion?
The Board had no further comments
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
b. Consideration of the Approval of the Graduation Date for Watertown High School
It is recommended that the Board approve of June 23, 2008, as the date for graduation exercises
for the Watertown High School Class of 2008. This date meets the state’s 180-day requirement.
Motion presented by Ms. Pannone, seconded by Mr. Lafferty, to approve of June 23, 2008, as the date for graduation exercises for the Watertown High School Class of 2008. This date meets the state’s 180-day requirement.
Discussion:
Mr. Lafferty: Would this be where we amend the motion to correct the date? It is listed as a date of June 23, 2007.
Ms. Colangelo: It should be 2008.
Ms. Dzioba: Ok, we can clarify the date.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
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.
Motion presented by Ms. Calabrese, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro, to approve of the submission of the
aforementioned grant to the Connecticut State Department of Education.
Discussion: None
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
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.
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro, to approve of 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.
Discussion
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
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.
Motion presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Ms. Pannone, to approve of the acceptance of these generous gifts and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.
Discussion
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
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 12, 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.
Motion presented by Mr. Mazzamaro, seconded by Ms. Colangelo, to approve of Community Service Day for approximately 112 students at Watertown High School on Tuesday, November 12, 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.
Discussion:
Mr. Killeen: Madame Chair, I have no discussion, but I have a question whether or not Mr. Geary would like to elaborate on the days events or have someone else do so.
Mr. Balanda distributed a flyer regarding W.H.S. Community Day. ( See Attachment A)
Mr. Balanda: I do have some permission slips and things like that we put together, this is basically modeled after a similar program done two years previous I believe it was last done in 2005, it was not done in the fall of 2006. As I started in this position, this was something that I found as I was going through some old papers and I thought it would be a great thing to kind of resurrect. Basically, we are going to put an ad, not an ad but a press release in the Town Times and I am also going to contact the Waterbury Republican-American and basically offer raking for senior citizens. The senior citizens would essentially provide the leaf bags, and we would provide the muscle and the labor needed to rake those leaves. There is an application form that we put a some local schools with the assistance of the principals at all the local schools, Polk, Judson, John Trumbull, Swift and Watertown High School. Senior citizens can then pick up that application, fill it out, return it to the High School. And then we will also have an application process for students here in the school where they can sign up, we will assemble them in teams, we will mapquest directions. It is given that they are supposed to provide the rakes, the students are going to provide rakes and muscle power, and then it is a first come first served basis. We are also going to put some applications at the senior center and at Adams where there is a bus stop I believe, and do our best to get out students engaged toward their graduation requirement of getting involved in the community. And also, I have hopes, in the back of my mind of maybe doing one in the spring as well. The reason for the date being the 12th and not the 6th, originally it was the 6th, it was election day two years ago, but by the time I got around to doing it, it was about a week later, it just so happens we have Monday the 12th off as well, so I figured why not push it back a week to make sure we can do it the right way.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
g. Consideration of the Approval of the Submittal of an Application for a School Security Grant for
John Trumbull Primary School
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve of the submittal of a School
Security Grant for entrance updates at John Trumbull Primary School with the acceptance to be reviewed if awarded.
Motion presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro, to approve of the submittal of a School
Security Grant for entrance updates at John Trumbull Primary School with the acceptance to be reviewed if
awarded.
Discussion:
Ms. Dzioba: Todd, can you give more background on this before we vote?
Yes, I can. This is a grant available to us from the State of CT. It is a grant for school security including the high priority focus of the grant, which is front entrance security. At the conclusion of the Swift Middle School project and the three school projects, all of the buildings identified in this construction work will have a separate entrance for visitors who will be buzzed into the main office area. The rest of the building is secured during the school day and when a visitor comes to the building they are buzzed into the building and they are immediately directed, by physical barrier means, into the main office where they can sign in and go about their business in school. John Trumbull would be the only school that does not have this set up. And the application that we would be submitting would be a rework of the front entryway at John Trumbull School to provide a separate entrance into the main office area, outside of the main entrance of the school during hours when school is in session. It is a state grant application; they are matching every $1 we spend with $.56 cents so it is a 56% match on expenditures.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
h. Discussion and Possible Action on the Request for Purchase Orders and Work Orders
It is recommended that the Board of Education discuss the continuation of providing copies of Purchase Orders and Work Orders to Individual Board Members
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Lambert, to discuss the continuation of providing copies of Purchase Orders and Work Orders to Individual Board Members
Discussion:
Ms. Colangelo: Since the beginning of this fiscal yea, the Central office has been providing copies of purchase orders and work orders to Board Members. This practice was initiated by an individual without the full consensus of the Board, and it has been continued without our knowledge as I learned this past week. This places an undue burden on a very small staff; it is extremely costly in labor and supplies, paper, toner, binders, tabs, as these number in the hundreds. I would like to know if the Board would like this practice to continue or should the individuals look at these purchase orders at Central Office without having them copied.
Mr. Lambert: Amelia, do you have any estimate of how many labor hours have been put into this project so far?
Ms. Grover: No, I wouldn’t have an estimate because I haven’t kept track.
Mr. Lambert: No guesses?
Ms. Colangelo: Minutes or hours?
Ms. Grover: Well, if we are sending a packet, I would have to say at least an hour a week to make the three copies. The third copy is for me, because I need to know what I am giving out. I would say at least an hour, if it is a lot more purchase orders than that would take longer.
Ms. Colangelo: The binder that we saw was approximately a 5-inch binder that was full, that must have been…
Ms. Grover: That is my binder; I don’t send the purchase orders in a binder.
Ms. Colangelo: Ok, so they are sent separately
Ms. Grover: I just keep them in a binder so I know, and it is tabbed with the dates so I know what is sent when.
Ms. Dzioba: The purchase orders to the, to myself and the budget director, are not in any kind of binder or anything to that effect. And the request for these was so that it would give Board Members, because we do discuss them in Budget meetings, an idea and overview of just where our money goes. And just for information, they are very informative, if this continues we can pass them on to other Board Members and bring the whole packet to the Budget Committee. I would like to see it, at least for the time being continued. I don’t understand what we are asking here, that Board members not be able to get the purchase orders as requested or…
Ms. Colangelo: No, this again, was asked by individual Board Members without the full consensus of the Board. Nobody came to the Board and said this is what we want to do; we didn’t have the consensus of the Board. It was an individual who initiated it.
Ms. Dzioba: But basically…
Ms. Colangelo: I don’t think it should continue we have a budget process in place, we review the budget line by line for weeks and weeks before it is approved the full board and sent to the Town Hall. We receive a summary with every agenda of how the money
Ms. Dzioba: But all Board members…
Ms. Colangelo: Can I finish please.
Ms. Dzioba: Sure.
Ms. Colangelo: We receive a summary with every agenda on how the money is spent. Once a month we meet as a budget committee and we review the volatile accounts or anything else that might come up as a surprise or unexpected. We approve transfer of funds periodically throughout the year and then there is an annual audit as required by law. So why the individual purchase orders need to be reviewed is beyond me, because all that money has been approved by us for expenditures. We have to trust that our managers are spending the money in accordance with the budget, which they have to do.
Ms. Dzioba: Alright so, are you done?
Ms. Colangelo: Yes.
Ms. Dzioba: So you are saying that you don’t want the copying, that any Board Member, even though if they have a full time job, they would have to take time off to go in and review the ….
Ms. Colangelo: I don’t find the need….
Ms. Dzioba: My problem with this Mary is that any board member has the right to ask for information.
Ms. Colangelo: I agree with that.
Ms. Dzioba: And you know to say that they can’t would really tie the hands of any board member. I can see that in a time to come that maybe it wouldn’t have to be continued. It was just continued until the end of this Board. But I would hate to make a motion that Board members couldn’t request information and wouldn’t be able to get information.
Ms. Colangelo: Anybody has a right to information under FOI, I agree with that. But to,,,
Mr. Lambert: As a policy that is another issue.
Mr. Killeen: Madame Chair, I too am concerned with the flow of information from our Central Office to the Board, but I think I would take perhaps a different approach. I would request at this time that the matter be referred to the Policy Committee for their discussion and their recommendation prior to it being an action item this evening.
Ms. Dzioba: Ok, so would you like to make a motion to table it and to go to…
Ms. Colangelo: I can withdraw it as a motion and refer to Policy.
Ms. Dzioba Ok, that sounds fine.
Motion withdrawn by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Lambert.
Motion Withdrawn
K. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments
Mr. Killeen: I just want to take the opportunity to thank our departing members of the Board and I thoroughly
enjoyed working with you and certainly will miss you. We will see what happens in a few short weeks, maybe
I won’t be there too.
Mr. Lafferty: Thank you, and I had this comment, I would just like to mention, also I would just like to wish good luck to our three Board Members up for election, and also I hope that the Board can continue to work as well as we have for the past two years now. Thank you.
Ms. Colangelo: Good luck to you Chris and thank you.
Mr. Lafferty: Thank you.
Mr. Lambert: Thank you very much.
L. Public Participation
None
M. Executive Session
Cancelled
N. Adjournment
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Lafferty, to adjourn the Regular Board of Education Meeting of October 22, 2007.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
Bonnie Goulet, Board Clerk
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