MINUTES
WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
Swift Middle School
250 Colonial Street, Oakville
Library
Monday, June 8, 2009 – 7:30 PM
Members Present: Gina Calabrese, Chairman
Richard Mazzamaro, Vice-Chairman
Mary Colangelo, Secretary
Thomas Lambert
Joseph Apicella
Kevin Killeen
Jacob Irwin
Others Present: Karen Baldwin, Superintendent of Schools
Thad Hasbrouck, Director of Curriculum & Professional Services
Gary Miller, Interim Director of District Operations
Fran Palmer, Swift Teacher
Matthew Geary, Principal W.H.S.
Richard Mastroianni, Student Council Representative
Lisa Rommel, Principal of Judson Elementary School
Ms. Butterly, Teacher, JTPS
Kathy Scully, Principal JTPS
Emily Gribbin, Student JTPS
Michael Hanis, Student JTPS
Margaret Luddy, Student Judson School
Marcus Witherspoon, Student Judson School
Julianna Rinaldi, Student Polk School
Gavin Butler, Student Polk School
Other interested guests
Absent: Todd Griffin
Janice Pond
A. Convene Regular Meeting
The meeting convened at 7:30 PM
B. Salute to the Flag
Ms. Calabrese led the Pledge of Allegiance
C. Recognition
1. The Board of Education wishes to recognize the following winners in the Superintendent’s CAPSS Awards from the elementary schools. The high school and middle school participated last fall. Awards are based on community service and service to others; academic prowess; and leadership service to the school community.
Emily Gribbin – John Trumbull Primary School, Grade 2
Michael Hani – John Trumbull Primary School, Grade 2
Margaret Luddy – Judson School, Grade 5
Marcus Withersp – Judson School, Grade 5
Julianna Rinaldi – Polk School, Grade 5
Gavin Butler – Polk School, Grade 5
Ms. Baldwin: Good evening members of the Board and the public, and it is my great pleasure tonight to introduce six students to the Board of Education and the community for recognition. This is part of the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendent’s Program, where we recognize children for their scholarship, their service and their commitment to their school and their community. In the fall, if board members recall, we recognized two high school students and two middle school students, now in the spring it is that time where we can recognize our elementary students and our primary school students for their contributions to their community and their academic achievement and their commitment to their studies in their school.
It gives me great pleasure at this time to bring up Emily Gribbin from John Trumbull Primary School, grade 2. Emily was nominated by Mrs. Butterly. Emily is a second grader at John Trumbull and Mrs. Butterly writes, “Emily is an exceptional person. She is a caring, compassionate child with lovely manners. She is an outstanding student and a curious learner who reaches out to learn outside the walls of my classroom. What other things do you seek to learn?
Emily Gribbin: I like to read. I play sports.
Ms. Baldwin: Mrs. Butterly goes on to say she exemplifies everything our character education program strives to develop in our children. She is responsible, respectful, caring, trustworthy and a fine citizen at the John Trumbull Primary School. Emily, on behalf of the Board of Education, your teacher, Mrs. Butterly, your administrator Mrs. Scully, your family, I’m going to present you with a certificate of excellence. It says,
“Emily Gribbin, having duly qualified under the standards prescribed by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents is hereby awarded this Certificate of Excellence in witness whereof the seal of the Association and the signature of the Superintendent of Schools are here unto affixed.” Congratulations.
I’d now like to ask Michael Hanis to come up. Michael is also a second grader at John Trumbull Primary School. Michael’s teacher, Mrs. Petrocelli recommended him for this award. She writes, “Michael is a model second grader. He shows good citizenship in the classroom. He cares for others, is polite and friendly. He works hard and is dedicated to being successful. What’s your favorite subject?
Michael Hanis: Playing sports.
Ms. Baldwin: I like that too. What else do you like to study?
Michael Hanis: Reading and writing.
Ms. Baldwin: “He’s an all around positive, cooperative and great child.” It is my great pleasure, Michael, to hand to you this Certificate of Excellence. It says,
“Michael Hanis, having duly qualified under the standards prescribed by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents is hereby awarded this Certificate of Excellence in witness whereof the seal of the Association and the signature of the Superintendent of Schools are here unto affixed.” Congratulations.
We now have students from the Judson School. I’d like to call up Margaret Luddy from Judson Elementary School. Maggie was a member of the Judson Student Council and is charged with bringing student concerns to the principal. As a member of student council, Maggie has also organized Judson Jammin’ and Fifth Grade Celebration. What’s Judson Jammin?
Margaret Luddy: Judson Jammin is a part of ACES which is All Children Exercise Simultaneously, but this year instead of doing ACES, we organized Judson Jammin, which is we dance and we exercise just to get kids interested in exercising and to tell them that it is important to stay healthy.
Ms. Baldwin: That’s fantastic. Maggie has been the recipient of the Superintendent Award in 2004, the Golden Apple Award in 2008. Maggie is an active participant in WOAH, The Watertown Oakville Adolescent Heroes and has created a self-defense website and was featured in the Waterbury Republican-American for her commitment to make all children safe. Maggie participates in everything from town sports to acting in the town musical, “Whimsicality”. Congratulation Maggie. I’d like to award to Maggie the Certificate of Excellence.
Margaret Luddy, having duly qualified under the standards prescribed by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents is hereby awarded this Certificate of Excellence in witness whereof the seal of the Association and the signature of the Superintendent of Schools are here unto affixed.” Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Marcus Witherspoon; Marcus is currently serving as the Vice President of the Judson School Student Council and is involved in many Student Council activities. He is a member of the 5th grade band and marched in the Memorial Day Parade. What instrument do you play?
Marcus Witherspoon: I play the trumpet.
Ms. Baldwin: I’m a former trumpet player also. Marcus represented Judson at the State Celebration of the arts as Judson’s Outstanding Musician. Marcus has earned perfect homework awards throughout his tenure here at Judson School and played a variety of sports in the town leagues. This coming October, Marcus will be representing the Watertown District in Washington D.C. at the People to People Student Leadership Conference. Congratulations.
Marcus Witherspoon, having duly qualified under the standards prescribed by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents is hereby awarded this Certificate of Excellence in witness whereof the seal of the Association and the signature of the Superintendent of Schools are here unto affixed.” Congratulations.
Now from Polk School, Julianna Rinaldi. Mrs. Barlow recommended you for this award. She writes, “Julianna Rinaldi attends Polk School and is my fifth grade classroom. When I read the requirements for this award, she immediately came to my mind. She is definitely worthy of the CAPSS Superintendent Student Award. Julianna is a fantastic student who demonstrates excellent character at all times. She sets goals for herself and works very to achieve those goals. What are some of those goals?
Julianna Rinaldi: I would like to be a journalist and maybe go to Yale University.
Ms. Baldwin: That’s a great goal. She is a great listener, leader, volunteer and role model. Throughout the year, she has worked cooperatively with others both in and out of the classroom to make our community a better place. For example, she has baked for the soup kitchen, sold cookies for the troops oversees, participated in the Math-A-thon for the children at St. Jude Hospital and visited convalescent homes to spread holiday cheer along with her fellow Girl Scouts. In addition to being a Girl Scout, Julianna is President of the Student Council at Polk. She runs bi-weekly meetings, organizes fundraisers, voices student’s concerns, helps solve problems that arise within the Polk School and raises the flag every morning. You could almost be a Board Member. Education is very important to Julianna. In fact, she hangs up posters with creative jingles to persuade voters to go out and vote on the budget. Julianna attends church in her community and is always willing to help others in need. She is a wonderful citizen who excels in everything she undertakes. Julianna deserves this award for her accomplishments in the community service, academics and leadership. I think you’re a very fine choice. Let me present to you this Certificate of Excellence.
“Julianna Rinaldi, having duly qualified under the standards prescribed by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents is hereby awarded this Certificate of Excellence in witness whereof the seal of the Association and the signature of the Superintendent of Schools are here unto affixed.” Congratulations.
We have Gavin Butler from the 5th grade at Polk School. Gavin’s teacher is Mrs. Coon. She recommended Gavin for this award. She writes, “Gavin Butler is a remarkable young man. He is responsible, respectful, trustworthy, tolerant and caring student who’s admired by his peers. Gavin always maintains a positive attitude towards school and is eager to do well. He strives to do his best in all subjects and has excelled academically. What’s your favorite subject?
Gavin Butler: Science.
Ms. Baldwin: He is an enthusiastic student who consistently demonstrates leadership in the classroom and school. He is extremely willing to help his peers and his teachers with all tasks. Gavin is a loyal friend and a good citizen on a daily basis. He has participated in many fundraisers, collections and food drives to help those less fortunate than himself. Gavin also participated in the Buddy Walk to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and the Math-A-Thon that helps support children fighting cancer. Gavin’s compassion for others is evident in all that he does. As an active member of the Watertown Recreation Swim Team and his church, as well as being a piano and saxophone student, Gavin is a very talented and determined individual. Gavin Butler’s strong character makes him a role model in our school and our community. Congratulations Gavin.
This Certificate of Excellence is presented to Gavin Butler, having duly qualified under the standards prescribed by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents is hereby awarded this Certificate of Excellence in witness whereof the seal of the Association and the signature of the Superintendent of Schools are here unto affixed.” Congratulations.
What a very fine collection of young people and Congratulations to your parents and your teachers and everyone who helped support them in making good choices everyday. We certainly appreciate all your efforts in supporting your children. Thank you and congratulations again to all of you.
2. The Board of Education wishes to recognize the Student Council Representative to the Board for school year 2008-2009.
Richard Mastroianni, Grade 12
Ms. Baldwin: At this time on behalf of the Board, I would like Rick Mastroianni to come up. Richard has served as the Student Council Liaison and Representative to the Board of Education for the 2008-2009 school year. He has done just a fabulous job of keeping the Board and me current on the activities of Watertown High School and the student contributions and specifically of the Council. I think you’ve been a great delegate, a tremendous voice and a big help to me during the budget process, being courageous at the Senior Center and coming out most recently with this Senior Senior Prom. We’re going to here a little bit about it tonight during your presentation. Your contributions really set the standard for the person who replaces you. You’ve done an excellent job. I appreciate that and I know the Board is very thankful. We have a gift for you, wrapped, so you will get an opportunity to unwrap this gift as a token of our appreciation. I also want to give you a Celebration of Excellence Award for appreciation of your work as the Student Council Representative to the Watertown Board of Education for the 2008-2009 school year, presented by the Watertown Board of Education on Monday, June 8, 2009, signed by the Board of Education Chair Mrs. Calabrese and myself. We wish you the best of luck in your future; somehow, I think politics may be in your future. Go to school and make sure you come back and continue to serve the community of Watertown. Thank you.
D. Report from Student Council Representative – Richard Mastroianni
Mr. Mastroianni: On June 5th, we threw a Senior Senior Prom, that is the Student Council, Honor Society, and Interact Club. We got together and we decided that this would be a great idea and it turned out that it was. I have some pictures to show you. It was at the Falls Avenue Senior Center from 4-6:60 PM. There were 42 Senior Citizens and 40 students and staff roughly that helped set, we danced with them and we even cleaned up too. The Jazz Band came and performed five numbers and there was food, drink and dance. We mingled with the seniors and I had a lot of stories that were told to me. It was awesome. I sat at four different tables and everyone there was so friendly and so nice. One of them is here today, Roy.
We set it up as a “Night in Hollywood”. We had gold, white and red balloons, also had black balloons and the tablecloths were gray and red and we ordered pizza. That is a picture of Mercedes Austin; she is going to be the Student Council President next year.
The Watertown High School Jazz Band came, Mr. Hart was there, the Jazz Band teacher, they performed five songs. As soon as the music started, everyone was up on the dance floor and we didn’t stop for a long time. Honor Society had a really good idea, which was to get boutonnières for everyone. We actually had them donated to us. The carnations with baby’s breath and we handmade them during the day and there was one for everyone including us. It was like a real prom.
I have a few quotes; the president of Student Council said it was an exciting experience. I’m glad to have been part of it since the beginning. I hope we set the precedent for future years because something like this is truly worthwhile.” Joey from the picture said, “I had a wonderful time dancing with everyone. The Senior Senior Prom was a great idea and it brought together the whole community. I would love to go to another one.”
Hopefully, this will be done next year and the year after that and we’ll get a bigger crowd. Prom king and queen, Roy and Tillie and they’re here tonight. The conclusion of this is the Senior Senior Prom is an absolute must for next year.
Ms. Calabrese: Anyone in the audience chooses not to spend the rest of the evening with us; they are certainly welcome to exit at this time. We’ll briefly recess.
Recess 7:48 PM
Meeting resumed at 7:55 PM.
E. Public Participation
Ms. Calabrese: I can see that someone has already stepped up to the podium for public participation. Go ahead.
Justine Hayes: That was Roy, the 2009 Prom King. He just dropped off a letter written by the Falls Avenue Senior Center and I’d like to share it with you.
“On Friday, June 5, 2009 the members of the Watertown Oakville Senior Center were honored by the Watertown High School National Honor Society and the Interact Club with a Senior Prom. In early May, the seniors received a personal invitation for their very own Senior Senior Prom given by these WHS groups. The seniors were instructed to come “dressed to impress”. Did they ever. The evening began with the seniors walking down a red carpet into their festively decorated Senior Center. Members of the school band provided the jazz ensemble to set the mood for an evening of dance and entertainment. The honorees were treated like royalty when greeted at the door with flowers for the women and boutonnières for the gentlemen. There was an abundance of food including hor d’eurves, salad, pizza and dessert, which were enjoyed tremendously by all. The students really thought the evening through even to the point of being sure that there was a dance partner for all by having young ladies and gentlemen available to dance with honorees that did not attend with a guest. They each carried themselves so eloquently and blended so nicely with the seniors. They really went above and beyond to contemplate every detail for a truly magnificent evening. Roy Dilger and Tillie Brinkman who are active members of the center were crowned Prom King and Queen of the evening. On behalf of the seniors who attended this evening to remember, there are no words to describe our inner feelings of gratitude that these young people would put forth such efforts in honoring us with such a beautiful memory that they have made. Hats off to the Watertown High School Student Council, National Honor Society and the Interact Club. This type of honor has never been bestowed upon us before. Each of you should be very proud of your hard work and efforts. You are truly special to us and we are forever grateful.
F. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee
Ms. Colangelo: No report
2. Athletics Committee
Joseph Apicella: No report
3. Budget Committee
Thomas Lambert : I would like to make sure that everybody’s aware of our budget referendum on June 16th and welcome everyone to please vote.
4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee
Kevin Killeen: Work in Curriculum & Instruction is ongoing, as noted in Item H-3 of agenda this evening as well as the motion under K-2. I would just like to bring some attention to the Infinite Campus. This was an initiative that both Principal Geary and Mr. Hasbrouck had focused on significantly as to our curriculum in an excellent manner. I’m certain that the Superintendent is going to comment on it, so I won’t further delay the meeting.
5. Facilities Committee
Richard Mazzamaro: No report
6. Policy and Labor Committee
Mary Colangelo: The policy committee brings to the full Board this evening for second reading and approval, the Use of School Facilities policy.
7. Cablevision
No representative at this time.
8. PBC Representative
Richard Mazzamaro: The PBC got together for a special meeting on June 4th where they awarded Montagno Construction the contract for the Polk School project. Montagno is in the process of obtaining their bonding as required by Watertown and they are scheduled to start on August 1st.
9. Education Connection Representative
Ms. Calabrese: Ms. Pond is not here this evening.
G. Communications - Secretary
Ms. Colangelo: No communications this evening.
H. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 26, 2009
MOTION: Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Mazzamaro
TEXT OF MOTION: To approve the minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting May 26, 2009.
DISCUSSION: None
ABSTAINED: None
OPPOSED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
I. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
Ms. Baldwin: Item number 1 under letter I helps the Board to see that our work is ongoing in the area of hiring. We are trying to be as close to being fully staffed by June 30, 2009 as we can. You can see that we have been able to hire two math teachers at Watertown High School, replacing retirees, a world language teacher, we are in process with a guidance counselor and also instrumental music. This work is ongoing. You can also see that we are gearing up for our Special Education summer school program and certainly many staff members are involved in that and you can see that information detailed under all of the appointments lettered a through d, as well as at the top of the page we obviously, in order to run our summer school, we need a secretary, a school nurse and OT and PT support. That is all there under appointments.
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Nicole Anglis to the position of Mathematics Teacher at Watertown High School, effective with the 2009-2010 school year, hired on Step 2, Bachelors Degree, at a contractual salary of $40,076.00.
b. Mr. Warren J. Campbell to the position of Computer Ed Teacher at Watertown High School, effective for the 2009-2010 school year, being hired on Step 7, Masters Degree, at a contractual salary of $53,677.00.
c. Ms. Mary Ann Donagher to the position of long-term substitute Art Teacher at Swift Middle School commencing Tuesday, May 26, 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 WEA’s contract of $38,815.00 prorated.
d. The following people have been appointed to positions in the 2009 Summer School Program at John Trumbull Primary School. The program is for 3 hours each day from Monday through Thursday and will run from July 1 through July 24, 2009: (15 days)
Special Ed Teachers – 45 hour program – salary $1,440.00
Annette Pietro
Layne Allison
Cindy Murphy
Regular Ed Teachers – 45 hour program – salary $1,440.00
Diane Gaulzetti
Janet Sweetland
Danielle O’Leary
Paraprofessionals – 45 hour program – hourly rate per contract
Yvonne Walsh
Colleen Ferrucci
Kathy Pilecki
Annamarie Davino
Dianne Bigham
Beverly Bouffard
Sharon Amos
Interns – 45 hour program – salary $427.50
Christopher DeLauretis
Alyson Hill
Kate Lafferty
Kimberli Davino
Brian Gaulzetti
Sara Shea
Occupational/Physical Therapist Services – salary $53/hour
Children’s Therapy Services – contracted as needed
School Nurse – 45 hour program – salary $1,440.00
Lynn Kelly
Secretary – stipend $500.00
Marilyn Ebreo
2. Three School Project Update
Ms. Baldwin: In terms of the three school project update, a lot of work taking place at the high school and also at Judson Elementary School. In terms of the high school, all our mechanical, electrical and plumbing are in place in areas A and B. The sheetrock and taping is approximately 90% complete in those areas. Preliminary paint coats in areas A and B are currently at 50% completion and the ceiling grid in those areas continues to be installed. The auditorium rigging is being worked on this week and contractors have been working in the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms to put in the MEP’s below the slab and will be shifting to above slab roughins by the end of this coming week.
Outside you can see a lot of changes taking place in terms of our field. We’ve moved all of the existing field top-soil, we have begun about 10% completion on the infill there. We hope to have the turf installed in the next three to four weeks. That field is off limits to us all summer and we hope to have it back by September 1 if we’re lucky.
We are working on the furniture order requirements with Kaestle Boos for high school September 2009 ordering, as well as the technology. As you recall with complex phasing here, we bring in new furniture with each new phase. We are working on that right now. Mr. Geary, the principal and Ray Ceniccola and Mr. Miller are coordinating that effort with KBA.
At Judson, tremendous progress is taking place. If you’ve noticed, the construction trailer for O & G has been moved to the baseball field to allow for more site work. All of the classrooms in areas B & C are now tiled. The ceiling grid and tiles are installed in B and C and almost complete and we do have power form CL&P to the building now. It’s fully powered. Case work for areas B and C will be starting and once this is complete, we move forward to hardware and installing the doors. The office area is sheet rocked and taped, and painting has begun there. The cafeteria ceilings grids are in place and the ceiling has been sprayed with paint. Kitchen equipment is being installed as well, and so it’s moving at a fast pace. There will a walk through of the Judson project on this Saturday at 9:00 and I would encourage board members to attend. I think you will feel better about the completion and what’s taking place and also outside, you can see that sidewalks are being installed. It really is picking up. Also at Judson, we are working on the furniture ordering and paying very close attention to our budget relative to this making sure that we are within budget. Mr. Miller, Ms. Rommel and Ray Ceniccola are working on that as well.
As Mr. Mazzamaro mentioned, there was a PBC meeting last Thursday to award the Polk contract. We’re looking forward to that transition and to an August 1 start date for Polk.
Mr. Mazzamaro: I have one question. As far as the track goes at the high school, what is the board’s liability if people are, in fact, using the track. I happened to be there one night for something and I saw several people still walking and there’s a lot of equipment. Is the board liable if somebody was to get hurt or if something happens on that track?
Ms. Baldwin: Yes, we would be. That’s why we have signage up and have taken every measure to inform the public. The next step for us is aggressively enforcing that. That requires some manpower.
The next item is the Infinite Campus Student Management System Update. The Watertown Public Schools used an old student management system called the Rediker System and clearly to keep current with our demands in accessing data and student performance information and using data to make instructional decisions, we needed to convert and update our software system. Mr. Hasbrouck has really led this charge for the district and has developed a comprehensive training plan. We went live with this Infinite Campus System February 1st and that was an aggressive time schedule and had to train a cadre of teachers to be teacher leaders and helping people become more facile with this technology. Mr. Hasbrouck has a tremendous skill set with technology and has been very helpful to us in this implementation. He’s put together a wonderful overview of what Infinite Campus is, its capabilities, and how he’s helped to engage our colleagues across the system in this leadership work. I’ll turn it over to Mr. Hasbrouck for his presentation.
3. Infinite Campus Student Management System Update
A presentation of the Infinite Campus Student Management System and an update will be given by Thad Hasbrouck.
Mr. Hasbrouck: Thank you. As Karen pointed out to you, we’ve been using Infinite Campus since early February and what I want to do tonight is provide you with an overview of where we were, what we’ve gone through and what lies ahead for us in our use of this program. We replaced Rediker Administrative Plus. It’s a program that actually the high school was one of the first schools to utilize the program from its inception. It’s been in use in the district for over 20 years and district wide in all of the schools for at least 5 years. There are a number of short-comings and limitations to the program aside from the fact that it’s very old. It’s school based, not district based. Each school ran its own separate program. There was no live communication from one building to another with that data. It was very specific computer dependent, so the teachers had to go to their room, log into their computer to get to their information and access in the same process. Believe it or not, it still has a DOS underpinning. It has a Windows front screen, but underneath, it’s still operating in DOS. It kind of outlived its growth potential for us. The most frustrating thing for us was the difficulty in trying to retrieve data. We just couldn’t get it out to utilize it. It was glad to accept it, but didn’t want to share very well with us. We found that to be a bit frustrating.
Last school year there was a committee of teachers, and administrators that reviewed some administrative software. We really narrowed our focus to two programs; Power School and Infinite Campus. There are benefits to both programs. There are staff members who liked both programs and what I did in the early stage, I spent a couple of days on phone doing reference checks, much like you would with candidates for our teaching positions. That’s what tipped it toward Infinite Campus based on the comments of users of both systems in districts around the state. Some of the advantages we have; first of all it’s web based. It’s done on a secure web system. It’s bullet proof. Obviously with any computer program, web program, there have been attempts to try to get in and no one has been successful. The nice piece for us is that it provides accessibility. Anywhere you have access to the internet, you have access to Infinite Campus, be that at school or home or Starbucks or any other place where your wi-fi is accessible.
It is a district wide solution. All the school information is integrated so that we can see what’s going on in the different places, be it at the Central Office that needs some information of a particular student or a family. We have access to it. We don’t have to call the schools and have them fax it over. It just expedites our process. It’s also live information that is, any time you make a change, i.e. someone calls and says I have a new cell phone, once someone puts it in, it’s done. There’s no passing paper around.
The nice piece for us is the security that I alluded to before. It’s password accessible only. Different district rules will have different levels of access. The other feature was, with one of the big shortcomings with Rediker, we could get information out of this system.
The process that we went through was in October, we had a core committee meeting and that committee took a look at with Infinite Campus representatives, established our expectations. What Infinite Campus was going to be doing for us and what we would be doing for them in the course of our data conversion and going live. For five months we worked on the data conversion, getting the five discreet school programs all that information amalgamated and synthesized and brought forth to Infinite Campus. In January, virtually the entire month, at least four days a week, we had In Infinite Campus trainers in working with a vast array of people training very extensively and February 9th, we had our goal live day of Infinite Campus.
The kinds of things we converted; all of the demographic data for the staff and the students, marking terms grades for this school year for the first two terms brought over, high school transcript information going back 5 years were brought in. All of this year’s attendance and the schedules, both the master time table for the building and the individual student schedules were brought into Infinite Campus, so that when we went live, it would be with accurate information.
The staff training, 19 days over the course of January and early February involved a train the trainer model, which is something we’ve utilized in a whole array of professional developmental activities in our district over the years.
The building coaches, teacher coaches, a wide range of support staff were all trained during this period of time. It was always fun when we had snow days. I had all the phone numbers for the trainers and we had back up plans and we somehow managed to pull it off. The building coaches are the go-to people at the building level. These are the folks, I’m not sure that they really knew what they were signing on to when they did so. They received extensive training over a period of 4 full days, the whole gambit of all the operations of the program. Just as a note, you’ll see at Judson, they have 3 people and the other schools in the district have 2. The reason for that is there are also teacher coaches, folks who in turn teach the grade book and lesson design program, modules of the program to the teachers. You’ll see at Judson, there’s one, really there are 2 teachers who are building coaches also. They kind of double hit for us. Many of the building coaches stepped in and helped the training of the teachers for the use of the grade book as well. These people have done an outstanding job through the course of the winter and spring working with staff and making Infinite Campus hum.
On top of those two groups, the building and teacher coaches, the computer system administrator had a full day of training, the school administrators had about 5 ½ days of training spread out over the course of this time. Secretaries were in and out for 4 days, receiving training in their areas as well as our counselors and psychologists receiving some view only. There’s a nurse module in this program and they have training as well. It was a pretty robust aggressive training schedule.
February 9th was our go live date. When we went live, we really just focused on attendance. Just take attendance and then we’ll add as comfort levels, a) we know the data is there and it’s accurate and b) comfort levels rise and we can add additional features. The nice piece was we had a trainer on site both the 9th and the 10th and he and I just went building to building helping trouble shoot any questions. Secretaries were checking out information, things they’d learned in training. Now it’s live data, can we tweak this or that, and we worked on that kind of thing.
Come April 3rd, we added a whole new layer and that was report cards. The third term marking reports were generated in Infinite Campus. The first two marking term grades had been ported over and the April 3rd in service day, the teacher coaches worked with the teachers in each of their buildings and they entered at the end of the day, third marking term grades were in and we were proof editing them a few days later and getting report cards out.
The nurses maintain their daily logs instead of on paper and transcribing it two or three times over. They one touch it in the computer and it’s there and it’s done. Behavior logs, anytime there’s a registration of a new student the information goes right into Infinite Campus and it is there. Administrators are working on next year’s building schedules.
I’d to take you on a brief mini tour just showing a couple of highlights of Infinite Campus, what happens as a user. This is the log in screen and as you can see, each staff member has a unique user name and a unique password. You get several shots to get in and if not you are locked out and they have to call me and say they forgot their password. If they can’t get in, we could see that maybe somebody was trying to get in under their name. Fortunately we haven’t had that yet, but nonetheless, it is a secure system. After they hit the login they come to the main page. You can see over on the right side there are district notices, an opportunity for school notices. We keep a reminder in front of people as to who they can go to if they have questions. And at the bottom of the screen, there’s a process in box. Each day, depending on the schedule for the high school, the A day or B day, at Swift, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday with the rotations. There’s one of these each day for the elementary schools, but the teacher simply clicks on the period, up comes their class list, they mark the students who are absent or tardy, attendance is done and that particular period disappears off the screen next time they log in. It makes it easy to get in, get out and get back to teaching.
Over in the left side, you’ll see in the index, and that is a dynamic based on what your role is in the district. This is actually one of our high school teacher’s log in page. She has instruction, a little bit of system administration information and she can check her access log, and she can change her password as well. Periodically people can do that. If you click on one of those icons, in this case the instruction, that is where the heart of the teachers’ work is going to be, up come all of the sub menus in which can then go into their grade book. They can check their attendance. When you’re done with attendance, it’s disappeared off the front screen and in comes Mr. Mastroianni with his pass from his guidance counselor. The teacher can go in and correct the attendance and make it whole again. They can do the lesson planner, set up assignments which can then be brought into the grade book as well. They can pull up a grading by task and take the marking term grade and apply the grade or check it periodically as well. There is a whole host of options for the teacher to work with.
A unique structure of Infinite Campus is the household means of demographic information. Instead of every student having his or her own file, in come Mom and Dad registering their new students, all seven of them. Instead of having to go school by school, all of the information, seven times over, you put in the household information, and then you link that to the students. This is the place that says when Mom calls and says I’ve changed my cell phone number, you change it in one, and you change it in all. When you do a search by household, what you would see for a typical student’s household is the household name, the address, all of the people who are linked to that household, Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters, they’re all there. When you call up the student information you see a list of the rest of the family members, if you have access to see that as well if you have that demographic. It’s a unique structure and because Infinite Campus keeps this information from year to year, if someone moves away and another family moves in, you can confirm all that kind of information, or when someone comes in and they’re the fourth family today that has the same address, the flag goes up. I blocked out the student name, but maybe you can see the whole host of tabs with a wide range of information that people depending on their level of access privilege, have at their access, the general summary information, their schedule, their attendance, their report cards, as years progress, their transcript. At the high school level, if you have to see that, we already have 5 years of information in there. If there’s a behavior record, again, not everybody can see things depending on their accessibility. I’ve opened to enrollments so you can see how easy it is to roll from one school to another. Here’s an eighth grader who’s currently at Swift, next year is going to be at the high school and over time you can follow the history of the student and where they’ve been. Instead of having to go to a file and pulling out their permanent record, we can over time, follow the student’s enrollment patterns in the district.
The schedule is kind of a neat activity. For building administrators and those of you who have been involved know what fun it can be. This is like working off a huge magnet board, except it’s electronic and it’s interactive. This is the high school for next year about a week ago with just one snapshot of a couple of courses. You see those white rectangles with those little numbers in there, that’s course number, section number, and then in parentheses, how many students out of the maximum number of students have been scheduled in there. As an administrator, you decide your going to move them around, it adjusts the schedule so you know you have more kids in there, fewer kids in there. Everything is live information when you’re using Infinite Campus. The data reporting is an important piece and through the filter designer, we can create a whole host of filters. These are just a few that I’ve created and then each person in district who is utilizing the program has done this quite often. You can select students, you can select staff, parents or you can have course information. Those are dynamic because it brings up the kind of information that’s related to them. Over on the left screen, all of the different categories, pick the fields you need, when you click on next, you come up to the filter area. You can see over on the right side, you can put in what order you want these to appear on your report. Do you want to sort them on any particular set up? Over on the left side, do you want to filter this information out? For instance, where it says “Student active today”, what it tells you is I only want the students who are active on the role. I don’t care about kids who have withdrawn from school, moved to another district. I just want our active students, but you notice I didn’t check that so it’s not going to report. It’s not going to be printed out, but it’s working behind the scenes. If I only want students who’s last names start with a letter, the first half of the alphabet, I just put “less than” and put in a letter and it does the filtering and screening for me. When I save that, I’ve got a list of reports up there and as well, I can save them and share them with other people in the district. Secretaries can create a report, rather than everybody creating their own report over and over again. So it’s I’ll create this report and you create that report and we’ll put them in the secretary file and we both have access to them for our use. It’s just a way to more efficiently and effectively utilize our time.
Things we have to look forward to for the future: the scheduling process for next school year is ongoing. That will continue well into the summer. We continue almost daily to expand our use of report templates, that filtering data that you saw, as we see and think of more things that we need to utilize. There’s a whole module in the program dealing with assessments, standardized tests, whether it’s our district or the standardized test for the state or SAT’s. That kind of information can be imported and we can do some data analysis comparing that to our student progress and help us to enhance our work, understanding our student performance and how we can improve.
We still have on a contract with Infinite Campus, four days of training. We’re going to save them to see how we’re going to need them. We’ll be working with teacher coaches later in the summer as they prepare to roll out the full grade book to the staff. There will be three other days beyond that that we’ll use them as we see the need to have them come forward. At the end of this school year, our use of Rediker comes to a close. Because we went live in February, we told the teachers, you’ve got better than half of the school year in Rediker’s grade book program. It would be unfair to say now in the middle of the year, transfer all that stuff over. It just would be unworkable. Teachers, if they’ve chosen to can work in Infinite Campus’ grade book or continue with their Rediker grade book and then at the end of the year they’ll simply put in the fourth marking term grades, but next year, everyone will be on Infinite Campus because Rediker will be a legacy system. Next year, there will be a staff committee taking a look at the parent’s portal. The information that we have on Infinite Campus can be seen by parents. They can check attendance, they can check on how a child is doing in particular courses. Again, it is secure password accessible and you can only see your child’s information, but nonetheless, we’re looking at how to roll that out. Infinite Campus’ recommendation was wait a full year so that everybody is up and comfortable with it and the reality is that all teachers are just starting the grade book in September this coming year, so we’ll looking at how do we roll that out for 10/11. The other thing is because Infinite Campus is a school information operability framework compliant program, SIF compliant, it can push selected information out to other programs, one being food service, so there can be a point of sale system set up and not have counting the stuff and getting the bill and change back to kids. You can really speed up the process and the food service department can more accurately keep track of what kinds of things that they’re selling, what is their profit margin. Hopefully, they can tweak their work as well.
As we continue to grow with Infinite Campus, we’ll discover ways that it will be a benefit to us and really say to you, in a year, we’re going to be doing this. It’s hard to say, because it’s really as we discover needs, the program has the ability to expand for us. Infinite Campus truly is infinite possibilities.
J. Report from the Chairman
Ms. Calabrese: The school system continues to receive guidelines from the Department of Public Health and the State Department of Education relative to the handling of the H1N1 Flu, otherwise known as Swine Flu. Our school nurses are in close communication with local physicians and parents of children who are sick with flu-like symptoms. We are monitoring our attendance at all of the buildings and overall, the students and the staff are well.
We are in the process of finalizing the roofing project at John Trumbull Primary School. The Watertown High School and Judson School renovations projects are moving along nicely. As Mr. Mazzamaro reported, the Public Building Committee met last Thursday and voted to award the Polk contract to Montagno Construction. We have also advertised for the clerk of the works position of the project and the Polk School faculty has toured Heminway Park School, which will be their new home for 2009-2010 school year.
K. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
1. Consideration of the Approval of the Use of School Facilities Policy – Second Reading
MOTION: Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Mazzamaro
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval of the Use of School Facilities Policy – Second Reading
TEXT OF MOTION: At its meeting on May 4, 2009, the Policy & Labor Committee reviewed the Use of School Facilities Policy and presented the policy to the Board for the first reading at its meeting on May 26, 2009. The policy is presented to the Board this evening for the second reading and for Board approval. (See Attachment A.)
It is recommended that the Board approve of the Use of School Facilities Policy effective for the 2009-2010 school year.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Miller: I just wanted to remind the board that you’re not approving the fee schedule or the form. That’s the old form. We’ll be coming up probably with a four tier fee schedule and we’ll have that in place.
Ms. Calabrese: So, it’s really just the policy.
Mr. Miller: The policy drives everything else.
Ms. Calabrese: OK, thank you for that information.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
2. Consideration of the Approval of the Proposed New/Revised Textbooks for the 2009-2010 School Year, Including Additions and Deletions to the 2009 Suggested Summer Reading Books – Second Reading
MOTION: Made by Mr. Killeen, sec. by Mr. Lambert
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval of the Proposed New/Revised Textbooks for the 2009-2010 School Year, Including Additions and Deletions to the 2009 Suggested Summer Reading Books – Second Reading
TEXT OF MOTION: In accordance with Section 10-229 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a list of textbooks was presented to the Board at its meeting on May 26, 2009 for the first reading to provide a minimum notification of one week of our intent to adopt said books for instructional use. This list has been reviewed by all program leaders, administrators, and Central Office personnel. The Curriculum and Instruction Committee reviewed and endorsed these books and materials at its last meeting. The list of proposed New/Revised Textbooks is presented this evening for the second reading and for Board approval. (Please see Attachment B.)
It is recommended that the Board approve of the Proposed New Revised Textbooks for the 2009-2010 School Year, Including Additions and Deletions to the 2009 Suggested Summer Reading Books.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Killeen: I’d just like to make a statement on behalf of some on going interest in our curriculum and specifically our textbooks. It’s really a deficient area. Our educational leaders have been doing a tremendous job evaluating and prioritizing replacement and we’ll be coming back to look at more replacements text. It’s critical.
Ms. Calabrese: Thank you so much.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
3. Consideration of the Approval of the Acceptance of Gifts
MOTION: Made by Mr. Mazzamaro, sec. by Mr. Killeen
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval of the Acceptance of Gifts
TEXT OF MOTION: The Watertown Foundation wishes to donate $6,500.00 to Watertown High School to be used for band instruments.
DISCUSSION: None
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
_____________________________________________________
MOTION: Made by Mr. Mazzamaro, sec. by Mr. Irwin
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval of the Acceptance of Gifts
TEXT OF MOTION: The Connecticut Community Foundation wishes to donate a check in the amount of $5,000 to the Watertown Family Resource Center at John Trumbull Primary School.
DISCUSSION: None
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
Ms. Calabrese: It is recommended that the Board accept these generous gifts and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.
4. Consideration of the Approval of Family Medical Leave of Absence
MOTION: Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Mazzamaro
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval of Family Medical Leave of Absence
TEXT OF MOTION: Ms. Donna Gagnon, teacher at Judson School, requests a Family Medical Leave of Absence commencing June 1, 2009, through the remainder 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 Family Medical Leave of Absence for Ms. Donna Gagnon, teacher at Judson School, commencing June 1, 2009, through the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.
DISCUSSION: None
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
5. Consideration of the Approval to Waive Board of Education Policy - Purchasing Regulations, Sec. 3-8 E (c)
MOTION: Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Lambert
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval to Waive Board of Education Policy - Purchasing Regulations, Sec. 3-8 E (c)
TEXT OF MOTION: It is recommended that the Board approve of waiving Board of Education Policy - Purchasing Regulations, Sec. 3-8 E (c) in order to extend the rubbish removal contract of Copes Rubbish Removal. (See Attachment C.)
DISCUSSION: Mr. Killeen: I would just like to question why we’re waiving the policy to make it a matter of record.
Ms. Baldwin: So you’re asking why did we waive this policy.
Mr. Killeen: Yes, I want to make that a matter of record.
Ms. Baldwin: Because Mr. Bill Dunbar who is the owner of Copes provided us with a tremendous opportunity to renew the contract for 2009-2010, as Mr. Miller sent in a memorandum in attachment C. Copes is a Watertown business and it does currently provide service to us for rubbish removal and Mr. Dunbar has proposed no increase for 2009-2010 school year and only a 2% increase for two subsequent years, 2010-2011. This is within the amount of money that we have budgeted at the board for this service. It’s a good business decision on the board’s part to entertain this contract with Copes for the next three years and therefore, in order to do it, we do need to waive the purchasing policy sec. 3-8 E.
Mr. Killeen: Superintendent, I agree and thank you for clarifying and making that read into the record.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
6. Consideration of the Approval to Extend the Copes Rubbish Removal Contract through June 30, 2012.
MOTION: Made by Mr. Mazzamaro, sec. by Mr. Killeen
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval to Extend the Copes Rubbish Removal Contract through June 30, 2012.
TEXT OF MOTION: It is recommended that the Board approve of extending the Copes Rubbish Removal Contract through June 30, 2012, at a no increase for the 2009-2010 school year and only a two percent increase for the two subsequent school years – 2010-11 and 2011-12. The Board would agree to adjustments to the current rates if tipping fees are increased by the Town or CRRA. Please see attached memo from Gary Miller, Interim Director of District Operations. (Attachment D.)
DISCUSSION: None
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
7. Consideration of the Approval of Furlough Day for WEA and WAA
MOTION: Made by Mr. Lambert, sec. by Mr. Mazzamaro
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval of Furlough Day for WEA and WAA
TEXT OF MOTION: It is recommended that the Board approve of April 16, 2010 as a furlough day for members of the WEA and the WAA. Schools will not be in session for students on this day.
DISCUSSION: Ms. Colangelo: I hate to bring this up, but is this going to still hold if our budget gets reduced further?
Ms. Baldwin: The furlough will not hold if in fact on Tuesday, June 16th, the referendum fails and the board is forced to make further reductions, if those reductions include the elimination of teaching positions, then the furlough becomes null and void. The next item on your agenda requires that we change the calendar. The change in the calendar would still take place. What would happen is we would make the 16th a professional development day. We wouldn’t have to change the calendar again; we would just no longer have the opportunity to receive the $91,000 in furlough.
Ms. Colangelo: That being the case, is this a little premature or should we hold off after next Tuesday until our next meeting?
Ms. Baldwin: That’s the Board’s pleasure, but it seems that because it does not impact the calendar and it may in fact be better timed that way in terms of the change of April 16 versus April 9, it’s at the Board’s pleasure if they would want to wait until the 22nd and therefore, not address the calendar, that would be fine.
Ms. Colangelo: I’m talking about this motion here, not the calendar. I’m talking about item 7.
Ms. Baldwin: You could wait until the 22nd if you want to, but we put it forward because it’s an opportunity for the Board to publically recognize the work of the WEA and the Administrator’s Association. In recognizing them in significant economic challenge, it puts it on record before the 16th which is the date of the referendum and so, that was the thinking relative to expediting this process.
Mr. Killeen: Superintendent, I’m glad you brought that up because it is something that I wanted to recognize that in good faith WEA and WAA had realized the gravity of our situation and really in good faith cooperated with the Board. That certainly doesn’t go unrecognized by us and it speaks to their level of professionalism. I would just like to say thank you.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
8. Consideration of the Approval of Revised Calendar for School Year 2009-2010
MOTION: Made by Ms. Colangelo, sec. by Mr. Killeen
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Approval of Revised Calendar for School Year 2009-2010
TEXT OF MOTION: It is recommended that the Board approve of the attached revised calendar for school year 2009-2010. (See Attachment E.)
The calendar reflects April 16, 2010 as a furlough day for members of the WEA & WAA. Schools will not be in session for students on this day. April 9, 2010 will be an all-day instruction day for students and staff.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Killeen: The discussion with Mary was whether or not we really need to approve this in recognizing the furlough day relative to the budget coming, it will pass or not pass. We’ll be coming back to the Board a month from now to readdress it.
Ms. Calabrese: Well, we would be saying that April 16th would be a professional development day. That would be the only change. I don’t think it’s a major issue. It’s not like we’re recreating the calendar, we’re just going to change one day. One particular day. In my opinion, I think we should go along with it.
Mr. Killeen: OK.
Mr. Apicella: On the calendar that we approved in November, the 16th was a professional development day?
Ms. Baldwin: No, the calendar that you approved in November, April 9th is a professional development day, April 16th as an instructional day and so what we’re proposing is that April 9th becoming an instructional day, April 16th become a furlough day, should the 2.7% budget pass.
Ms. Calabrese: any other questions, Ms. Colangelo?
Ms. Colangelo: Yes, I do have a question. I believe that there is a February vacation. Is that also due to the construction, the same as this year?
Ms. Baldwin: Yes, Ms. Colangelo, that is correct. We built that in to accommodate further abatement and phasing work specifically at Watertown High School.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
L. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments
Mr. Lambert: Getting back to the school grounds maintenance, lawn mowing and so forth. I assume now, we have a full staff of maintenance people for lawn mowing, and college kids coming in.
Ms. Baldwin: We have not hired summer help yet. We are in the process of hiring summer help. Summer help funds are available to us for the school year 2009-2010, we’ve already expended summer funds for the most part. We’re in process.
Mr. Lambert: I know you had some absences and some issues, so hopefully, you’ll be back on track to get our school grounds back in order.
Mr. Miller: I did address your concerns with Ray Ceniccola. With the summer help, just because of the timing of the arrival of furniture and things for the construction projects and the computers and things coming in. We’ve interviewed the staff, we know who we are going to hire. We’re just trying to time it with the money that’s in the budget, the phasing in of those people so that we have the people that we need to deal with all the business that is going to be going on, particularly in August. Custodians and the maintenance people can do custodial work and maintenance work and we’ll have our summer help doing a lot of the other work, but also helping with un-boxing and setting up computers and dealing with everything else. We are addressing it and they certainly took to heart your comments.
Mr. Lambert: Thank you very much.
M. Public Participation
None
N. Executive Session
Personnel Matter - Superintendent’s Evaluation
MOTION: Made by Mr. Mazzamaro, sec. by Ms. Colangelo
TEXT OF MOTION: To enter into executive session at 8:45 PM with the Board members present and the Superintendent, Karen Baldwin.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
O. Regular Session
P. Adjournment
MOTION: Made by Mr. Mazzamaro, sec. by Mr. Lambert
TEXT OF MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 10:00 PM.
OPPOSED: None
ABSTAINED: None
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Colangelo, Secretary
Board of Education
Patricia A. Barber, Minutes Secretary
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