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Watertown Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Meeting Date: April 9, 2007
Meeting Time: 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Watertown High School Technology Center
Members Present: Ms. Mary Dzioba, Board Chairperson
Mr. Richard Mazzamaro,Vice Chairperson
Mr. Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
Ms. Gina Calabrese, Board member
Ms. Mary Colangelo, Board member
Mr. Kevin Killeen, Board member
Mr. Chris Lafferty, Board member
Mr. Thomas Lambert, Board member
Ms. Joanne Pannone, Board member
Dr. Joseph Erardi. Jr., Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Philip Pelosi, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Amelia Grover, Dir. of Budget and Financial Planning
Ms. Betsy Hackett, Director of Special Services
Mr. William Zeman, Student Council Representative
Ms. Kace Duplissie, PTA/PTO Representative
Absent: Mr. Todd LoFrese, Director of Operations
Ms. Amelia Grover, Dir. of Budget and Financial Planning
Press: Mr. Jim Taylor, Mr. Tom Burns, Town Times
Guests:
Other interested citizens: Peter Tomsheck Whitey Greenwood, Sandy Greenwood, Fran Palmer and Thad Hasbrouck
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
Ms. Dzioba convened the Regular Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m.
B. Salute to the Flag
Ms. Dzioba led the salute to the Flag.
C. Public Participation
No one wished to address the Board this evening.
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. William F. Zeman
Mr. Zeman: Thank you Ms. Dzioba, the very room you are sitting in right now this morning and afternoon, all school day, was transformed by Mrs. Monit-Bovi junior Honors English class into the 1920’s on the East coast of New York. There is probably still some feather boa feathers lying around which they apologize for but it’s an amazing thing, she does it every year with her junior English class just after they finish reading The Great Gatsby by, F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s completely student run, the students have to find their own costumes, I think there is a costume shop in Waterbury a lot of people, a lot of the girls go to, to get flappers outfits. There is everyone from flappers to bootleggers and everyone looks like they are from the 1920’s, it’s completely organized by the juniors in Mrs. Monti-Bovi’s English class, they work very hard because they love it and they are graded. There is a dance done to the Charleston, it’s completely student choreographed and student taught. There is a lunch that is prepared by the students with authentic 1920’s food. There is a fashion show completely student organized, completely student supplied and there is a newspaper that is written by the students, edited by the students and published by the students about things going on in the 1920’s. It’s a great cultural learning experience and it’s really great fun for everyone involved and it’s a good program overall.
On a completely different note, there are still ads available for the Watertown High School Musical, Anything Goes, so if anyone hasn’t bought an ad yet, there is still time. I can get you forms right now.
Mr. Lafferty: Can I ask how much time Will?
Mr. Zeman: Till the end of the week Mr. Lafferty. That goes for everybody in the audience too, anybody? Price ranges for everybody. Thank you.
Report from PTA/PTO Liaison – Ms. Kace Duplissie
Ms. Duplissie: I have some things from Polk and they had Shakespeareans there a couple of weeks ago doing The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, everyone had a great time. The Polk Family Fun Night will be on May 18, and the 5th grade party which they normally get together for will have a meeting for that on April 25, at 6:30 at Polk, if anyone is interested.
The only other thing that I have is for the High School, they are having a College Fair sponsored by the Student Council on April 30. The student trip to France leaves tomorrow and I personally want to thank everyone, my son is going so I thank Mr. Hasbrouck and Mrs. Miller and the Board, thank you.
D. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Ms. Dzioba: The Budget Summary is in Board members’ packets for information, if you have any questions, please direct them to the Superintendent.
E. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
Mr. Griffin stated there is no Report this evening.
2. Athletics Committee, Chris Lafferty, Chair
Mr. Lafferty: Yes and appropriately the Athletics Committee met on opening day of baseball season, on that day we had one Agenda item where we talked about Lacrosse again. We had in the fall, the Superintendent was directed to work through legal counsel and the Lacrosse organization to draft up a contract, so it’s with the Lacrosse organization about becoming a High School team. Anyway, that contract has been drawn up and Board members received a copy in their Friday pipeline and it is up for Motion tonight.
3. Budget Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair
Mr. Griffin stated there is no Report this evening.
4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair
Ms. Calabrese stated there is no Report this evening.
5. Facilities Committee, Rich Mazzamaro, Chair
Mr. Mazzamaro stated there is no Report this evening.
6. Policy and Labor Committee, Mary Colangelo, Chair
Ms. Colangelo stated there is no Report this evening.
7. Cablevision, Kevin Killeen
Mr. Killeen stated there is no Report this evening.
8. PBC Representative, Rich Mazzamaro
Mr. Mazzamaro stated there is no Report this evening.
9. Education Connection Representative, Mary Dzioba
Ms. Dzioba stated there is no Report this evening.
F. Communications - Secretary
Mr. Griffin stated there are no communications this evening.
G. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 26, 2007
Motion presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro that the Minutes of the Board of Education meeting of March 26, 2007 be approved as presented.
Motion Passed
(8-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 1-Abstained)
In Favor: Mary Dzioba, Richard Mazzamaro, Todd Griffin, Gina Calabrese, Mary Colangelo, Kevin Killeen, Chris Lafferty, Thomas Lambert
Abstained: Joanne Pannone
H. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
Board members did not have questions for Dr. Erardi regarding Items 1 and 2.
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Mr. Keith Borkowski to the position of Varsity Softball Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $3,635.00 payable at the end of the season.
b. Mr. Leonard Bruno to the position of Varsity Golf Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,131.00 payable at the end of the season.
c. Ms. Margaret Jamieson to the position of One to One-Special Ed Program Paraprofessional, Category #1 at Heminway Park School starting April 23, 2007 for 19.5 hours paid per week, at an hourly rate of $11.82.
d. Mr. Kris Kuegler to the position of Girls’ Varsity Track Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $3,132.00 payable at the end of the season.
e. Mr. Edward A. Lopes to the position of J.V. Baseball Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,131.00 payable at the end of the season.
f. Mr. Eric Miller to the position of Varsity Boys’ Swim Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $3,259.00 payable at the end of the 2006-2007 school year.
g. Mr. Eric Miller to the position of Boys’ Varsity Tennis Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,255.00 payable at the end of the season.
h. Mr. Roger Ouellette to the position of Varsity Baseball Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $3,635.00 payable at the end of the season.
i. Mr. George Palomba to the position of Junior Varsity Softball Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,506.00 payable at the end of the season.
j. Mr. John Petruzzello to the position of Freshman Baseball coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,255.00 payable at the end of the season.
k. Mr. Garry Smith to the position of Assistant Boys’ Swim Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,255.00 payable at the end of the season.
l. Mr. Dane Street to the position of Boys’ Varsity Track Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $3,132.00 payable at the end of the season.
m. Mr. Victor S. Vicenzi, III to the position of Ice Hockey Varsity Coach at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $3,759.00 payable at the end of the season.
2. Resignations – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Barbara Bellemare from the position of Payroll/Accounting Clerk for the Food Service Department effective June 30, 2007 for the purpose of retirement.
b. Mr. Jason Calabrese from the position of boys’ Basketball Coach at Watertown High School effective at the end of the 2006-2007 school year for personal reasons.
3. Update Three School Study Project
A public hearing will take place on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Watertown High School auditorium.
Dr. Erardi distributed a timeline for tours of the three schools.
See Attachment #1
Dr. Erardi: I’d like to share with the Board a series of building tours that will be in place as early as tomorrow evening at Judson, Polk and Watertown High School, our three schools that we are looking to raise awareness within the community in regards to facility needs. Tomorrow evening at 6:00, which will be prior to the 7:00 public hearing for the Three School Project, any community member who would like to tour Watertown High School, that person should be meeting in the High School library across from the main office, Mr. Hasbrouck and Administration will be there to greet them and they should plan on about a forty-five minute tour. We are looking to offer a minimum of four and up to five sessions in every one of our buildings with Monday, June 4 being an open evening for any parent or community member that would like to view the building on their own with someone there to answer questions that that person may have. The timeline going forward as I stated, tomorrow night will start our building tour at Watertown High School, at 7:00 at public hearing in the Watertown High School auditorium. Questions at all on the Three School Study?
Board members did not have questions for Dr. Erardi on this Item.
4. Student Dismissal at Watertown High School
The Superintendent will present to the Board a timeline and update regarding student dismissal at Watertown High School.
Dr. Erardi distributed a timeline and guidelines for school dismissal at Watertown High.
See Attachment # 2
Dr. Erardi: There is an update and a timeline for Board members with after school traffic, on
April 3 there was a meeting which was also attended by the Board liaison, Mr. Lafferty representing the Board. Also in attendance was the Police Commission Chair along with a number of administrators within our district.
I put together a timeline for you; this Wednesday the commission is meeting to approve the signage, there will be guidelines and there will be student assemblies that will be coordinated by Mr. Hasbrouck and the school administration, the assemblies will take place this week. As Board members know, it’s a no-school week next week and we look to open the gate on Monday, April 23. I plan to share this document, unless Board members differ with the timeline, with the neighbors that have been involved with the decision made by the Board so they are aware of what we are doing and when we are doing it. I’d like to come back to the Board at your first meeting on Monday, May 14 with an update on how things have gone. Questions at all on the timeline for the back gate and the traffic flow at Watertown High School?
Board members did not have questions for Dr. Erardi on this Item.
5. Student Artwork
The artwork on display this evening was done by the following talented artists:
Abby Baker John Trumbull School Kindergarten
George Lyman John Trumbull School Grade One
Ashley Gillette John Trumbull School Grade 2
Jessica Fappiano Judson School Grade 3
Shannon Sniokis Polk School Grade 4
Matthew Minicucci Judson School Grade 5
Akhil Padarti Heminway Park School Grade 6
Kia Elmazi Swift Middle School Grade 7
Jamin McLaughlin Swift Middle School Grade 8
Nicole Berube Watertown High School Grade 12
Jillian Stanley Watertown High School Grade 10
Cleo Galanos Watertown High School Grade 12
Dr. Erardi read each student's name and praised their artwork and also asked if there was anyone in attendance whom the Board could recognize.
Kia Elmazi stood and was recognized by the Board for her artwork.
I. Report from the Chairman
Ms. Dzioba: My report is brief tonight, just stressing the importance of tomorrow’s meeting and how important the Three-School initiative is and that I hope we have a large audience tomorrow.
J. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
a. Consideration of the Approval of the Legal Agreement Between the Board of Education and the Lacrosse Association
At its meeting on Monday, April 2, 2007, the Athletics Sub-Committee met and reviewed the legal agreement between the Board of Education and the Lacrosse Association and presents the legal agreement to the full Board for approval tonight. (See Attachment A.)
It is recommended that the Board approve of the legal agreement between the Board of Education and the Lacrosse Association as presented.
Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro that the Board approve of the legal agreement between the Board of Education and the Lacrosse Association as presented.
Discussion:
Mr. Mazzamaro: I just want to make a comment that I am happy to see that this is coming back before the Board again. Back in the Fall our early concerns, or mine I should say, were fields and the grant money and both were taken care of at this point and we’ll now have a brand new field and turf on it as well. So, I think the timing is right.
Ms. Dzioba: I’d just like to say for the record that this agreement between the Board of Education and the Lacrosse Association represents a one-year contract and is at no cost to the Board for this 07/08 season and it is a trial basis. Again, it wasn’t possible this year because of not really fully understanding the agreement and the lack of fields so, I hope that Board members support this proposal for next year.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Ms. Dzioba: I hope they have a good season next year and thank you for all your help.
b. Consideration of Approval of Tuition Rates for School Year 2007-2008
It is recommended that the Board approve of the attached tuition rates for school year 2007-2008. (See Attachment B.)
Rates represent a 5% increase except for the Half-Day Day Care Program @ 3% and Pupil Services which remains at the 2006-2007 level.
Motion presented by Mr. Mazzamaro, seconded by Ms. Pannone that the Board approve of the attached tuition rates for school year 2007-2008.Rates represent a 5% increase except for the Half-Day Day Care Program @ 3% and Pupil Services which remains at the 2006-2007 level.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
c. Consideration of the Approval of Acceptance of Gifts
1.) Ms. Carol Quaid, on behalf of the IBM Corporation, would like to donate a grant in the amount of $1,000.00 to the photography department at Watertown High School.
2.) The Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation would like to donate a grant in the amount of $1,500.00 for a directory of services for preschool parents.
3.) The Polk PTO would like to donate $250.00 towards the purchase of a bike rack at Polk School.
It is recommended that the Board accept these generous gifts and letters of appreciation to be sent to the donors.
Motion presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro that the Board accept these generous gifts and letters of appreciation to be sent to the donors.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Ms. Dzioba: Items J-d, J-e and J-f we have to move to the end of the Agenda, they will be discussed in open session after we meet in Executive Session so we have to move those down.
K. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments
Ms. Dzioba: I’ll ask Board members if they have any Future Agenda Items or Board member comments?
Ms. Calabrese: We did vote on that I have a question Madame Chair, it’s regarding the field trip to France taking place in the High School, perhaps I’m wrong but I thought it was set in policy now that we vote on out of country. I don’t even remember doing that. We did vote on that?
Ms. Dzioba: Yes, we did vote on that.
Mr. Lafferty: That was one of my first meetings since joining; it was in November or December of 2005.
Ms. Calabrese: So it was done well in advance?
Ms. Colangelo: In 2005? No wonder I don’t remember that.
Mr. Lafferty: Yes, in November or December of 2005.
Ms. Calabrese: It was done that far in advance?
Dr. Erardi: It was, I can get the exact date for you but I recall the vote only because it was not a unanimous vote it was a split vote by the Board of Education and Madame presented that evening and the Board took action and approved the trip. I believe it was December or November of 2005 which is our policy in advance for permission for the 06/07 trip. She used the second semester of last year to solicit participation for the trip.
Ms. Calabrese: O.K.
Ms. Dzioba: Any other Future Agenda items or questions from Board members?
Board members did not have any further questions.
L. Public Participation
Ms. Dzioba: Is there anyone who would like to address the Board at this time?
Peter Tomschek, 457 Davis Street, Oakville
Mr. Tomsheck: I would just like to thank the Board on behalf of the Watertown Lacrosse Organization; we had many meetings on this subject and I would like to thank the Board for keeping an open mind. The agreement that has been reached is going to be good between your organization and ours. We also did submit for the first year, a varsity program, the agreement that was submitted to you this evening was open-ended that we will review at the end of each year. We do have figures for the varsity program that we are ready to go with; there will probably be some adjustments to those figures, minor, though they might be. We hope everything goes well and we are looking forward to working with the Board starting next year and many years in the future.
Ms. Dzioba: Thank you, we look forward to working with you Mr. Tomschek.
M. Executive Session
Personnel – Nurses’ Negotiations
Personnel – 2007-2008 Staffing
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Griffin to Enter into Executive Session.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
All Board members, Dr. Erardi, Dr. Pelosi, Betsy Hackett and Mary Raiola entered Executive Session at 7:47 p.m.
Executive Session adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Regular Meeting was reconvened at 8:35 p.m. and Action Items J-d, J-e and J-f were voted on.
d. Consideration of the Approval to Waive Policy Personnel – General, Sec. 5-2 after Executive Session Discussion
Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro for Approval to Waive Policy Personnel – General, Sec. 5-2
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
e. Consideration of the Appointment to the Position of Director of Special Services after Executive Session Discussion
Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Ms. Pannone for Approval of the Appointment of Ms. Mary Raiola to the Position of Director of Special Services effective July 1, 2007 at an annual salary of $100,470.00.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
f. Consideration of the Ratification of Nurses’ Contract following an Executive Session Discussion
Motion presented by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro for Approval of the Ratification of Nurses’ Contract
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
N. Adjournment
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Ms. Pannone to adjourn the regular Board of Education meeting.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
Regular meeting of the Board of Education ended at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
Barbara Mordenti, Board Clerk
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