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MINUTES
WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
Watertown High School
Technology Center
Monday, April 27, 2009 – 7:30 PM
Members Present: Joseph Apicella
Mary Colangelo, Secretary
Thomas Lambert
Janice Pond
Richard Mazzamaro, Vice Chairman
Kevin Killeen
Others Present: Karen Baldwin, Superintendent of Schools
Thad Hasbrouck, Director of Curriculum
Gary Miller, Interim Director of District Operations
Richard Mastroianni, Student Council Representative
Fran Palmer, Swift Teacher
Marylu Lerz, Principal Swift Middle School
Matthew Geary, Principal W.H.S.
James Perucci, Reporter Town Times
Absent: Todd Griffin
Gina Calabrese, Chairman
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
B. Salute to the Flag
Mr. Mazzamaro led the Pledge of Allegiance
C. Report from Student Council Representative – Richard Mastroianni
Mr. Mastroianni: Good evening members of the Board of Education and Superintendent Baldwin and all who are with us this evening. It’s the end April and Watertown High School is preparing for prom season. Junior and senior prom tickets went on sale today for the first time this year. It’s an exciting time at the high school. Girls are starting to purchase their dresses and guys are running out of time to get their tuxes, taking into consideration just how soon these events will take place.
Junior prom will be held on May 8th at the Grand Oak Villa from 7-11:30 pm and the Senior Prom will be held on May 22nd at the Aqua Turf from 7-11:30 pm.
The Student Council has been discussing our next major event, the Senior Senior Prom. We have been in contact with members and coordinators of the Falls Avenue Senior Center for a place and a time to do this. The smaller details will be worked out in the near future, however as a group, the Student Council does know that we want as many students as possible to be involved in the process itself, whether it’s making cookies, other food, tickets or invitations, being a fancy doorman or waiter or waitress. Our goal is student involvement. I spoke on the phone earlier with one of the activity coordinators at the Senior Center. He is very interested in this idea and assured me that the senior citizens of Watertown and Oakville will be thrilled. During our conversation, this gentleman discussed the importance of opening up the lines of communication between the school and the seniors. He said and I quote, “Senior citizens and the students in Watertown have a lot more in common than you may think.” I, for one, am very excited to say that plans for this are underway. Tentatively, the event will take place in one of the first weeks of June. Music may be provided by student organizations such as the jazz band and/or students who have experience singing in front of audiences. The Senior Senior Prom will be a great opportunity to bring this community together which is so important at a time like this. Bringing the community together is what motivates many Watertown High School students. This sentiment is evident with our recent trip to France for cultural understanding, our future participation in events, like Relay for Life and the soon, the Senior Senior Prom. Whether it’s locally or globally, having a great community is important and with everyone’s help, it’s possible.
D. Public Participation
None
E. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Mr. Miller: Very little change from last time. We’ve got a few balances that were negative last time and were slightly more negative this time. After receiving the shot of Special Ed excess cost money, we look back to see how the budget was developed and pretty well discovered as we were beginning to think that particularly the DCF Agency placed, significantly underestimated. As a consequence, we’re going to have to make up a fairly sizeable surplus of excess cost money from the state. We’re looking right now to see how we might deal with that. As you can see, there’s a number of pretty significant negatives because of the way the budgeting has been done over the last couple of years. Thankfully, we’re not in jeopardy of being in the negative. We’ll be working with the Superintendent to make good use of what we can of the excess, the surplus excess cost between now and at the end of the year. We’re looking at a couple of different things.
Ms. Colangelo: How do you feel that you’re going to end the year, because it looks like it’s pretty close right now?
Mr. Miller: Other than the excess cost money, which we have yet to receive the second half, you can see there are some fairly sizeable surpluses in tuition and transportation as a result of what we’ve already received this year. I’m basically projecting forward that we’re going to take advantage of the supply monies in the professional development and custodial maintenance monies to prepare ourselves for what may come in the next budget, and we’ll look at as we get through the next budget process. We’ll work with the Superintendent and the building principals to buy if necessary some of the things that we can buy this year, so we can afford to not have them next year. We’re looking at a couple of different things. I’m looking at extending the licensing for Follett Destiny System. We’re out getting quotes for Judson and Trumbull and I think we’re probably going to look at Polk, and talk with Emily Judd and see what the time is like for her. I know we can get Judson and Trumbull started this Spring while they still have staff and parent volunteers available to work with those things. They have an opportunity to do a few things this year that we might not have had otherwise.
Ms. Baldwin: If I could just add, we will provide that sort of thinking and information to the Board in advance so that you see what we’re thinking about. It also points out what Mr. Miller is saying in terms of our current budget summary that you have. It points out the significance of excess costs calculation in Special Education tuition which is also playing a part in our current calculations for the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget. This helps us to understand things that take place in one operating budget do have impact in a future operating budget. We are learning from this and checking our numbers and building a very accurate tuition budget for 2009-2010.
F. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee – Mary Colangelo
Ms. Colangelo: No report this evening, but I would like to ask, we were going to have a meeting and it was cancelled. Are we going to have one soon?
Ms. Baldwin: We’re trying. It seems like other things between Policy and Labor and Finance fill our calendars, but we are trying because we want to review some of the costs as it impacts the community so we can share that information with the board.
2. Athletics Committee – Joseph Apicella
Mr. Apicella: No report.
3. Budget Committee – Thomas Lambert
Mr. Lambert: We have some meetings scheduled between the Board of Ed and the Town Council Finance Sub-committee. One of them is scheduled May 5th and these seem to be fluid dates for some reason. Tentatively, Tuesday, May 5th between the Town Council Finance Sub-committee and the Board of Education Sub-committee. A special town meeting tentatively on May 7th, and a public hearing tentatively on May 19th. Those are some dates, I hope they hold.
4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee – Kevin Killeen
Mr. Killeen: There’s no report, but work in the district is on-going. The Superintendent is poised to continue her work at the high school on curriculum related to the Math department.
5. Facilities Committee – Richard Mazzamaro
Mr. Mazzamaro: No report
6. Policy and Labor Committee – Mary Colangelo
Ms. Colangelo: The Policy and Labor Committee met on April 13th at the Polk School and reviewed several policies, and we bring to the full Board this evening the following policies for First Reading. One is the Bullying Policy which is being updated due to changes in the law. Another is the Tax Sheltered Annuities also being updated due to changes in the law. The Purchasing Policy is old and required updating. We will be meeting again on May 4th at 7 p.m. at John Trumbull Special Ed conference room to further review the policies.
7. Cablevision –
Mr. Mazzamaro: We don’t have a representative, no report.
8. PBC Representative – Richard Mazzamaro
Mr. Mazzamaro: I attended a walk-thru of the Judson Elementary project on April 15th with the Public Building Committee and several board members. Progress is being made on the addition as well as the renovation area. Sheetrock and painting were underway in several areas of the project. At the PBC meeting that followed the walk-thru, Mark Sedensky, project manager for Judson project reported to the Public Buildings Committee that the project completion date of August 14, 2009 is on track. He also reported the physical progress of the buildings as follows:
• The renovation and addition work is 55% complete.
• Site work is 45% complete.
• Abatement is 100% complete.
There is also discussion about the use of the field adjacent to the school where all the seed is growing. The feeling was that the new seed would be trampled on by spectators of the various sports. Bob Porter was working with Mark Sedensky and the Superintendent to alleviate this issue and I believe the decision was made to put up a temporary fence up in the spectator area to avoid trampling the seed, so town organizations will still be able to continue to use the field while grass grows.
Also, Joe Vetro, the project manager at Watertown High School updated the Public Building Committee on the progress at Watertown High School. As of the 15th, as far as the site work is concerned, the sanitary sewer work was on-going on the south side of the site, rough grading is on-going on the west side of the football field and site light pole base installation has also started. In area A, interior masonry installation in the renovation and the new addition area is ongoing and exterior masonry is ongoing. Rough plumbing and electrical is on-going, steel is complete and roof installation is ongoing. Exterior brick-work is also ongoing. In area B, plumbing, electrical roughings in the renovation area are ongoing and miscellaneous steel is ongoing. Roof installation is ongoing in the middle. Stud partitions in the auditorium are complete. Exterior brick work is ongoing and interior painting has started and sheetrock in the auditorium is also started.
9. Education Connection Representative – Janice Pond
Ms. Pond: I did attend a meeting the beginning of this month and whenever I get information, I do forward it to Barbara and you have it in your packet. I’ve gotten involved in a couple of committees and one is the Scholarship Committee for Education Connection, and I just scored with the rubric 20 scholarships. The other is I’m on a committee to select a slate of officers for the Board of Directors for Ed Connection.
G. Communications - Secretary
Ms. Colangelo: None this evening.
H. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 23, 2009
MOTION made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Lambert
TEXT OF MOTION: That the Board of Education approves the minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting of March 23, 2009
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: Mr. Killeen
VOTE: Motion carries (5-0-1)
2. Special Board of Education Meeting – April 13, 2009
MOTION made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Lambert
DISCUSSION: Ms. Colangelo: I think I’d like to offer a correction to the meetings. There were three board members absent at that meeting and I think that should be noted in the minutes. The absences were Janice, Todd Griffin and Kevin Killeen.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: Mr. Killeen, Ms. Pond
VOTE: Motion does not pass (4-0-2)
This motion will be put back on the May 11th agenda for another vote.
3. Joint Meeting BOE / PBC – April 13, 2009
MOTION made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Ms. Colangelo
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: Mr. Killeen, Ms. Pond
VOTE: Motion does not pass (4-0-2)
This motion will be put back on the May 11th agenda for another vote.
I. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Ann Marie DosSantos to the position of Resource Program Paraprofessional (Category #2 – Sp Ed Program) at John Trumbull Primary School starting April 6, 2009 for 4.0 hours paid per day, at an hourly rate of $12.23.
b. Ms. Margaret Germain to the position of Softball Coach at Swift Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year at a contractual stipend of $1,691.00 payable at the end of the season.
c. Ms. Rachel LaFlamme to the position of Co-Cheerleading Coach at Swift Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year at a contractual stipend of $845.50 payable at the end of the season.
d. Mr. Joseph Nappi to the position of Baseball Coach at Swift Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year at a contractual stipend of $1,824.00 payable at the end of the season.
e. Ms. Diane Valunas to the position of Co-Cheerleading Coach at Swift Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year at a contractual stipend of $1,108.50 payable at the end of the season.
f. Ms. Alicia Baker to the position of long-term substitute grade two teacher at John Trumbull Primary School commencing on or around May 1, 2009, through the end of the 2008-2009 school year, being paid the substitute teacher’s rate of $65.00 per day for the first ten days, and on the eleventh day, placed on the first step of the Watertown Education Association’s contract of $38,815.00.
Ms. Baldwin: Item I, number 1 are just very straight appointments. One is a coaching appointment, one confirms a co-cheerleading assignment that took place this past winter and also the assignment of a paraprofessional at John Trumbull. Items d,e and f are just the regular business of the school system relative to coaching assignments and long-term substitute positions.
2. Resignations – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Sharon Martino from the position of Payroll Officer for the Watertown Board of Education, effective April 22, 2009, for personal reasons.
Ms. Baldwin: Item number 2 is the resignation of our payroll clerk that was effective last Wednesday and as the board is aware, we have temporarily reassigned another employee in the school system to perform those functions and we’re very pleased that that employee is working with us and helping us out.
3. Location of July / August 2009 Board of Education Meetings
Ms. Karen Baldwin will inform the Board Members that the Watertown High School Tech Center will not be available during the months of July and August 2009, for meetings due to construction, and she will discuss a different location for the meetings.
Ms. Baldwin: Item number 3 is just a matter of discussion for the Board to entertain. Because of the high school project this summer, this facility will not be available to us for summer board meetings. Planning and Zoning is using Swift. It is my understanding through discussion today with the town, the Town Council will likely follow our lead if, in fact, we choose to use the Swift Library Media Center as well. The advantages to using Swift are pretty straight forward. The microphones will be set up there because of the Planning and Zoning meetings. It seems to make sense to me, but I thought I would put it out to the board for discussion and confirmation.
Mr. Lambert: I agree. The size of that sink hole in front of the driveway coming in here without cones being around it, I think we ought to be…
Ms. Colangelo: I think we should move June, July and August because for people to come, it’s very difficult getting in and out of there. You don’t want to be leaving yourself open for a liability issue.
Ms. Baldwin: It sounds like at the Board’s pleasure that we move to Swift Library Media Center for our meetings beginning the end of June and for the two summer meetings, July and August. We will inform the public of that.
4. Three School Project Update
Administration will present an update on the three-school project.
Ms. Baldwin: I have a little more information. As Mr. Mazzamaro shared with you, at the high school over the past week, the site work does continue at the Mills complex. The foundation for the new maintenance building has been completed and the slabs should be poured this week. Footings for the new home side grandstand are currently being formed. Utility duct structures from French St. to the complex are under construction. Staircase and the handicap ramps leading to the complex from the bus loop sidewalks are also being forms. Abatement of the gymnasium and associated locker rooms was completed during the April recess period. Selected demolition of the boys and girls locker room interior walls and the mechanicals and roughens are nearly complete. An interior wall that was scheduled to be demolished collapsed prematurely. Three workers did sustain minor injuries but were back on the job the following day.
At Judson, the building demolition in all areas is complete. Area A exterior walls and associated roofing are currently under construction and according to plan are nearly complete. Exterior veneers and glazing are approximately 40% complete. Interior masonry walls continue to be constructed according to the plan. Metal wall framing is in progress in area A. Sheetrock and ceiling tile framing is being applied to all areas where the roughens are complete. The site work does continue according to plan and as Mr. Mazzamaro referenced, we have been able to find a workable solution so that Judson field is back in use for both Board athletic activities as well as activities through the town, such as Little League, and basically, it was determined that site work needed to be furthered on the field anyway and so with the help of this snow fence keeping spectators away from the field, it made sense for us to continue to use that. We’re pleased to be able to accommodate. The building connectors at Judson for area A to C, the new area that goes to the back to area C and B and C are currently under construction. Those two connectors are behind schedule. It’s a steel issue and I know the Board is aware of some of our challenges relative to the steel contract at Judson. We will continue to monitor that, but as Mr. Mazzamaro referenced, we are on schedule. Everything that O & G is saying is that August 14th still continues to be the date. I do have a meeting with Mr. Brennan from O & G this week, and he and I will also walk the site again.
Ms. Colangelo: It seems amazing that they can do all that work in four months.
Ms. Baldwin: It is extraordinary, and we will continue to press them to make sure that their August 14th date holds. That is the update on the three-school project. The contracts did go out for Polk on April 14th after our special meeting. We anticipate having those return back to us May 14th for review.
5. Watertown High School Graduation Site
Administration will discuss the site for the Watertown High School graduation scheduled for June 25, 2009.
Ms. Baldwin: Item number 5 is the Watertown High School graduation site. As board members are aware, the high school administration, Mr. Ceniccola, the Facilities Director and I have kind of been anticipating high school graduation since January and we’ve thinking about how to accommodate it this single year, the 2009 graduation because of construction. As you know, we have been leaning towards an outside ceremony at Veteran’s Park, obviously dependent on fine weather and an indoor ceremony at the Swift Middle School. One of the challenges and I’m sure all of you are familiar with this at outdoor graduations is forecasting the weather. We really want to be able to be outside and we’d like to be at Veteran’s. We sought the help of local businesses to see if we could purchase at a reasonable price a shelter of some sort, but because of the size that we would need, it was just not feasible and it was cost prohibitive. Our challenge is if it rains, and we choose to have it at Veteran’s, we have to make that decision very quickly and in advance to end up at Swift and Swift has its challenges. It’s certainly a wonderful facility, but it certainly has its challenges to our high school graduation. I did reach out to our neighbor in Southbury, Region 15 public schools and Dr. Sippy, the Superintendent there and as I shared with the board in my update. They were very gracious and accommodating. They themselves host their high school graduation indoors at Pomperaug High School. They are graduating over 300 children, they have had their ceremony inside since 2001, since the terrorist attacks and have seen great success. Their facility is air-conditioned. Dr. Sippy shared with me that the bleachers alone hold 1400 people. The only cost that the Board of Ed would have to absorb would be a $75.00 electricity fee which would cover air conditioning and that we would have to reach out to the Southbury Police Department to arrange for appropriate police presence there. He graciously allowed us to practice there without cost during the week of June 22 and the other associated cost for us would be transportation. I spoke with Mr. Geary, the high school principal, we would transport all the graduates to and from the high school to Region 15 and back. I wanted to hear from Board. This is a one time decision, but I think it’s a good opportunity for us to look at this option should the Board want to.
Mr. Lambert: I think it’s a great idea. Plenty big enough and quite frankly, I’m tired of lugging chairs in and out when it’s raining and air conditioned, that’s a bonus.
Ms. Colangelo: Would this be rain or shine?
Ms. Baldwin: Yes, and that’s what the benefit was. It just seemed like we really needed a safety net, rain or shine and to quote Ray Ceniccola, he said, “It seems like a no-brainer”.
Ms. Pond: I think it’s very gracious.
Mr. Mazzamaro: What was the reaction, has there been any from the students?
Ms. Baldwin: I have not heard any reaction from students. We really have not gone public with this because I did not want to go public without contemplating the decision of the board. We are getting phone calls from parents about where it will be held. It would seem that we could announce that and help the community to understand that this is a one time occurrence. Next year, we anticipate being back here at the high school. It just seemed fiscally sound, from a climate standpoint it just makes sense and they were very gracious. Any other facility that we looked into was thousands of dollars to rent.
Mr. Mastroianni: I think it’s an excellent idea. It goes back to what I had mentioned earlier with being a community with everyone else and it’s not just limited to our town, but with other towns as well. It’s great. I’m sure everyone is going to be thrilled with air conditioning.
Ms. Baldwin: I will move forward and complete a facility use form with Region 15 and process that paperwork so that we can get the information out to the graduates and to their families and perhaps the Board may want to consider making a donation to Region 15 to a scholarship fund.
Ms. Colangelo: This doesn’t interfere with their graduation?
Ms. Baldwin: No, they are graduating June 19th and as a matter of fact, they invited us to come over the 17th, 18th or 19th to review the setup and they said they would keep the setup arranged for us if we want so that we can go over the 22nd, the 23rd and 24th; however we schedule rehearsal. Dr. Sippy is my mentor through the Superintendent’s network. He is very accommodating, and I am very thankful that the Board has the same thinking here that it makes sense for this year.
Ms. Pond: Is that the same night as Project Graduation?
Ms. Baldwin: It is. Children will be bussed from here to Region 15, participate in the ceremony, get back on a bus and back here for Project Graduation.
6. Student Artwork
Ms. Baldwin: I’d like to draw your attention to the new artwork that is up in this facility. It is beautiful.
The artwork that is on display this evening was done by the following young artists:
Alana Doucette -Kindergarten, John Trumbull Primary School
Makenna Bertrand -Grade 1, John Trumbull Primary School
Tori Cammarata -Grade 2, John Trumbull Primary School
Zandria Oliver -Grade 3, Polk School
Annie Romano -Grade 4, Judson School
Sabina Barbino -Grade 5, Judson School
Reagan Stokes -Grade 6, Swift Middle School
Greta Wagner -Grade 7, Swift Middle School
Aurora Matraku -Grade 8, Swift Middle School
Heba Omar -Art 1, Watertown High School
Sara Rosales -Art 2, Watertown High School
Brianna Pitino -Art 4, Watertown High School
Colleen Murphy -Art 4, Watertown High School
7. Bullying Policy – First Reading – (No Action Required)
At its meeting on April 13, 2009, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Bullying Policy submitted by Shipman & Goodwin and presents the policy to the Board for the first reading tonight. (See Attachment A.)
Ms. Baldwin: Just as a point of reference, this is due to legislative changes pertaining to bullying and school climate. Some of those changes, just to highlight for board members and the public, deal with the definition of bullying. It also deals with how to be responsive to anonymous reports of bullying and there’s also a very large professional development component now required in the law to make sure that school districts are providing opportunities for all staff inclusive of coaches, school bus drivers, support personnel, that they are aware of what bullying is, how to report it and how to ameliorate those circumstances. Our policy is part of a model policy provided to us by our labor attorney and it’s here for the board’s first reading this evening.
8. Tax Sheltered Annuities – First Reading – (No Action Required)
At its meeting on April 13, 2009, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Tax Sheltered Annuities policy and presents the policy to the Board for the first reading tonight. (See Attachment B.)
Ms. Baldwin: Again, this is just an updated Board of Education policy, much like the Bullying Policy needed to be updated, this reflects the changes that the board engaged in relative to implementing a revised 403B plan and also providing opportunities for 457 plans. This language just replaces the existing TSA language in the board policy, which is updated.
9. Purchasing Policy – First Reading – (No Action Required)
At its meeting on April 13, 2009, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the Purchasing Policy and presents the policy to the Board for the first reading tonight. (See Attachment C.)
Ms. Baldwin: Mr. Miller spoke to the Policy and Labor Committee about the major tenants of this policy and the benefits of it and how it looks consistent with other Board of Education policies relative to purchasing. I don’t know, Mr. Miller, if you have any comments.
Mr. Miller: This is a very common style policy for most Boards of Ed now, to have this kind of three-tiered approach. The real point of this is section E which is the exceptions to bids and quotations. We’re involved in so many consortia, where somebody else has already bid for it, to take maximum advantage of that. The reason to ever go to bid is minimal at best. Someone somewhere, the state, some other school district, Connecticut law is very liberal for education authorities to take advantage of other bids. This policy takes advantage of all that.
Mr. Lambert: Would that put any kind of strain on our resources in the purchasing department? Anything over $1000 we have to get the bid. Is that a timeline issue?
Mr. Miller: Not really because all our school supplies from paper to pencils, everything is all done through consortia. Very little do we buy isn’t bid out with 60 or 70 other towns or in many cases, national bids. There are sometimes when something over $20,000, obviously, you’re buying one of, you could probably get a better price by going out to bid, get a local price. Very little of that is already pre-bid. Pretty much everything else the school system uses, somebody’s already done hard work, we’re really just participating.
Ms. Baldwin: So this is the first reading of those three policies and as Ms. Colangelo mentioned in her update on Policy and Labor, there is another meeting May 4th to review other policies. Through our work on the evening of April 13th, the Policy and Labor sub-committee determined that it would be a valuable exercise for that committee to attempt to meet monthly over the next year and go through each section of Board Policy as some are outdated and we can really identify what needs to be revised and further our work in the school system. We will be seeing many more policies coming to the board for first and second readings.
J. Report from the Chairman
Mr. Mazzamaro: Since Ms. Calabrese is not here this evening, there will be no report.
K. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
1. Consideration of the Approval of Accepting the Swift Middle School Project as Complete
MOTION: Made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Ms. Colangelo
TEXT OF MOTION: It is recommended that the Board approve of accepting the Swift Middle School Project as complete.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Killeen: It’s great.
Mr. Mazzamaro: I had one question. Todd LoFrese put together a plaque, a dedication plaque. Has that ever been put up in either of the lobbies?
Ms. Colangelo: I was wondering if they were going to do a dedication.
Mr. Mazzamaro: They did in September.
Ms. Baldwin: I have not noticed either of those plaques. I will take a look and find out where they are and we can get them installed. I’ll talk to Mr. Ceniccola, our Facilities Director. I also know that through our work on the current project, the high school project and the Judson project that KBA has sent to us, draft plaques. Clearly, they were created for Swift, so we will get them installed.
Mr. Lambert: While we’re on the subject of Swift, I think O & G, along with Joe Vetro did a fine job on that school, KBA, our design architect did a great job. Bob Porter in PBC and everybody came together and did a really fine job on that school. A lot of people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes and hard work by these organizations, and I personally would like to thank them for their jobs well done.
Mr. Killeen: Adding to that, to be around the school, there’s a renewed sense of pride, a sense of mission to the staff, to the children. To community members who visit the school or public events, there really is a positive sense about it. Going forward as a board, I think that’s why we’ve engaged the work that we’ve engaged and embraced our educational professionals the way we have. It’s why we all, not simply the board, why we do what we do.
Ms. Pond: I think there was a lot of collaboration which people don’t realize between two different school buildings and staff, being Heminway and Swift. I think two faculties came together so well. It’s probably due to the leadership of Ms. Lerz and her support people. It was an easy transition for a group of people who were not really happy about moving. I think the collaboration, them working together was also an excellent job.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Consideration of the Approval of Tuition Rates for the 2009-2010 School Year
Discussion and possible action on waiving Board of Education Policy Sec. 3-12 tuition rates for the 2009-2010 School Year. (See Attachment D.)
DISCUSSION: Ms. Baldwin: I do believe that the board needs to take action to waive its current policy Sec. 3-12 on the tuition rates. We have a revised policy going to the Board, but the current policy indicates that it would see an increase in rates of approximately of 6.5%. We need to take action tonight to waive the tuition policy as it stands today and then move forward with the approved rates.
MOTION: Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. Mr. Killeen
TEXT OF MOTION: That the Board waive Board of Education Policy Sec. 3-12 tuition rates for the 2009-2010 school year.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: MOTION and Second Withdrawn
Mr. Miller: At this point, we’re going to be bringing rates to you in groups. Right now, because of the timing, we need to do the “Just Friends” and the “Community Therapies”. Our proposal is to hold those level for the coming year and the other rates, particularly the rates we charge for tuition, we’re still looking at.
Ms. Colangelo: OK, which ones do you want?
Mr. Miller: The Half-Day Day Care and the Just Friends are the ones at this point. We already have parents calling wanting to send in checks and we really need to get a number. Shirley and I have been very careful at what we get in, what our costs are versus what we collect in tuition and we’re very comfortable with keeping the 08-09 rates constant through next year.
MOTION: Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Killeen
TEXT OF MOTION: The the Board approve of the Half-Day Day Care Program rates and Pre-School Just Friends tuition rates for the 2009-2010 school year as listed on the attached.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Consideration of the Approval of Family Medical Leave of Absence
MOTION: Made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Ms. Colangelo
TEXT OF MOTION: Ms. Allyson O’Hara, Supervisor of Special Education, requests a childbearing leave of absence, under the Family Medical Leave Act, commencing approximately June 21, 2009, through the end of the 2008-2009 school year, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.
It is recommended that the Board approve of a childbearing leave of absence, under the Family Medical Leave Act, commencing approximately June 21, 2009, through the end of the 2008-2009 school year, for Ms. Allyson O’Hara, Supervisor of Special Education, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Consideration of the Approval of the Acceptance of Gifts
a) MOTION: Made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Ms. Colangelo
TEXT OF MOTION: The Connecticut Community Foundation would like to donate a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the John Trumbull Primary School Family Resource Center for providing educational opportunities and programs for preschoolers and their parents.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
b) MOTION: Made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Ms. Colangelo
TEXT OF MOTION: Horns 4 Kids would like to donate a half-size violin valued at $200.00, a half-size cello valued at $500.00, and a three-quarter size cello valued at $500.00 to the Strings Program.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
c) MOTION: Made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Ms. Colangelo
TEXT OF MOTION: Ms. Debra Donahue would like to donate a full-sized violin valued at $300.00 to the Strings Program.
It is recommended that the Board accept this generous gifts and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
L. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments
Mr. Killeen: I’d like to comment on my participation in the St. Baldric’s event that was held at Swift Middle School and was participated by families, staff, administrators. Board members were there. At the last minute I decided to get involved and I couldn’t have been happier. It is a wonderful cause and it really gave me a whole sense of community and certainly a whole sense of what it is to be professional learning community. It’s what we do and it’s what we foster being done. It was just extraordinary to see the kids participate all out like they did and the staff. If people didn’t get their haircut that evening, they were there to support those that did. For the naysayers and the doubters, I wish they were there, because that’s what community’s about.
Ms. Pond: I wanted to thank Superintendent Baldwin and all those involved in
resolving the Judson School playground. There are so many kids involved in
Little League and Lacrosse and I’m glad that was resolved. Thank you.
M. Public Participation
None
N. Executive Session
a. Collective Bargaining – Discussion on Settlement for Local 1049 of Council 4 Cafeteria Negotiations
b. Personnel Matters – Superintendent’s Evaluation
MOTION Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Lambert
TEXT OF MOTION: To enter into executive session.
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The Board Members listed as present and Karen Baldwin, Superintendent, entered into executive session at 8:14 pm.
O. Regular Session
The Board Members listed as present and Karen Baldwin, Superintendent, came out of executive session at 8:45 pm.
P. Adjournment
MOTION: Made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Ms. Pond
TEXT OF MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm.
VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Colangelo
Secretary, Board of Education
Patricia A. Barber
Board Clerk
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