Board of Education Regular Meeting March 8, 2011, 7:00 PM Middletown Common Council Chambers

Transcription

1 Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7:00 PM Middletown Common Council Chambers I. CALL TO ORDER Board Members Present: Sally Boske, Bill Boyd, Sheila Daniels, Corinne Gill, Jay Keiser, Ryan Kennedy (arrived at 9:05 PM), and Ted Raczka Board Members Absent: Bill Grady and Renee Johnson-Thornton Others Present: Superintendent of Schools Michael J. Frechette, Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Barbara Senges, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Ann Perzan, Special Education Supervisor Laurie Slade, Director of Facilities Ken Jackson, Director of Grants Elizabeth Nocera, Manager of Transportation Mike Milardo, Middletown High School Principal Robert Fontaine, WWMS Principal Chuck Marqua, Bielefield School Principal Renata Lantos, Moody School Principal Yolande Eldridge, Spencer School Principal Amy Clarke, Wesley School Principal Joe Cassella, Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Secretary Marcy Poppel, Middletown Press Reporter Claire Michalewicz, Hartford Courant Reporter Shawn Beals, and twenty-two (22) visitors. Chair Raczka called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Move to add an additional item to the Agenda as Agenda Item XIII. Pending Litigation and an XIII.A. Executive Session passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and second by Mr. Keiser Adoption of the Agenda, as amended, passed with a motion by Ms. Daniels and a second by Ms. Boske IV. DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS SCHOOL SAFETY Middletown High School Assistant Principal Colleen Weiner provided an overview on the School Safety Committee, membership, emergency manual, committee efforts, working with City Emergency Management head Bruce Driska, and School District administrator training. IV.A. School Evacuations Moody School Principal Yolande Eldridge, Bielefield School Principal Renata Lantos, Spencer School Principal Amy Clarke, and Wesley School Principal Joe Cassella shared what transpired on February 4, 2011 at both schools when they were evacuated to another elementary school. All principals mentioned and commended the efforts from faculty, staff, cafeteria, fire, police, and Central Office. They thanked Transportation Manager Mike Milardo and he noted the quickness of Dattco getting drivers/buses to each school for the rapid relocation of the students. Board members Sheila Daniels and Corinne Gill acknowledged the fine work of the schools and all staff and Corinne Gill commented that this is an example of what elementary schools do everyday paying off and commended the principals.

2 Page 2 V. PUBLIC SESSION Chair Raczka explained the rules of Public Session Alexa McClain addressed the Board with regard to alleged bullying of her granddaughter. Kinte Barnes expressed concern about an alleged bullying situation. Mr. Darden spoke on behalf of a WWMS family and asked the Board to act immediately. Douglas McClain spoke in support of a WWMS family and alleged bullying. Alycia McClain addressed the Board about alleged bullying of her daughter at WWMS. Johnny Callas, Executive Director of the Boxing Academy and coach spoke in support of a WWMS family and asked the Board to help resolve the matter. Elizabeth Emery, a Middletown resident, spoke in support of a family in the district and urged the Board to take action. Art Michael, Middletown resident, stated he ed the Board Chair with regard to a situation of a family and did not receive a response. Jim Carroll spoke in support of a family. Jennifer Mahr addressed the Board about alleged bullying. Mitchell Wynn spoke in support of a family and alleged bullying. VI. COMMUNICATIONS Dr. Frechette shared that Justin Carbonella, Youth Services Bureau (YSB), received an from Emily Trachtman Hill, a writer and law and media fellow at Yale Law School, who visited a recent YSB bullying program, and requested future participation at Middletown events to assist her in a book she is writing. VI.A. Report of Student Representative Student Rep Michael Durso gave an update of Student Council activities, especially with regard to providing vegetarian fare in the Cafeteria. VII. CONSENT AGENDA Move to adopt the Consent Agenda was made by a motion from Ms. Boske and a second from Ms. Daniels. Mr. Keiser requested the removal of Agenda Items VII.D. Community Development Block Grant and VII.E. Interdistrict Cooperative Grant Youth Mathematics and Technology Academy. VII.A. VII.B. VII.C. Minutes of February 8, 2011 BOE Regular Meeting Minutes of February 15, 2011 BOE Special Meeting Personnel Action Approval of the Consent Agenda, as amended, passed unanimously.

3 Page 3 VII.D. Community Development Block Grant - Hall House Mr. Keiser stated that he removed this item from the Consent Agenda as he had questions. Ms. Nocera responded to his and other Board member questions. Approval of the Community Development Block Grant passed with a motion by Mr. Boyd and a second by Mr. Keiser VII.E. Interdistrict Cooperative Grant - Youth Mathematics and Technology Academy Mr. Keiser said he removed this item from the Consent Agenda and expressed his concern. Ms. Nocera responded and explained isolated students. Approval of the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant Youth Mathematics and Technology Academy passed with a motion by Mr. Boyd and a second by Mr. Keiser unanimous vote. VIII. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT VIII.A. District Bullying Initiatives Supervisor of Special Education and Chair of the Climate Subcommittee of the District Data Team, Dr. Mindy Otis distributed a hypothetical scenario of a bullying case and provided an overview and update with regard to the District s efforts to eliminate bullying in our school district. At each Board member s place were packets containing five documents. Dr. Otis responded to Board member questions on the timeline of the process for informing parents/students, how information on options is shared, number of cases, focusing on school climate, curriculum starts at PreK, significant number of family violence cases currently in the courts, vast district efforts have taken place district-wide within the bounds of the law, surveying of students. Dr. Otis was recognized by Ms. Daniels for all her work and efforts, both on the committee and on the report. Ms. Daniels said the Climate Committee is comprised of many people, however, there is a need for community representation. Ms. Daniels noted the need for something to be put into a policy. Ms. Gill requested that the Climate Committee look into setting timelines for the process of addressing bullying/mean behavior issues and Ms. Boske noted that the parent/community member spot on the Climate committee was still vacation. Folks are urged to contact Dr. Otis to participate and be part of the solution. VIII.B. District Data Team (DDT) Associate Superintendent Barbara Senges reported that she ed Board members the minutes last evening and went over the areas of discussion by the DDT. VIII.C. Building Project: Middletown High School Director of Facilities Ken Jackson said he recently met with a company who specializes in acoustics. The company will come up with a possible solution for the natatorium and Mr. Jackson would forward that information on to the Building Committee. VIII.D. Transportation Report Transportation Manager Mike Milardo responded to Board member questions about buses and the school evacuations, impact of inclement weather with buses and the major problems with the

4 Page 4 roads, future planning, no children at risk at any time, and few parental complaints on length of time waiting for buses. IX. COMMITTEES IX.A. Budget Committee Budget Committee Chair Jay Keiser reported that the Committee met last evening. He noted a correction to the Financial Statement Explanation. In the last paragraph, the word not should be removed from the first sentence. Mr. Keiser explained the areas which would have a negative financial impact if the proposed Local 466 Contract is approved by the Common Council. The total is over $131,000. The newspaper incorrectly reported a $40,000 financial impact to the City. The contract is retroactive to the beginning of this school year and funds were not allocated in the Board of Education budget. IX.A.1. Financial Statement See above. IX.B. Communications Committee Communications Committee Chair Corinne Gill stated that the Committee did not meet. IX.C. Curriculum Committee Curriculum Committee Chair Bill Boyd reported that the Committee met and discussed Advanced Placement. There was a discussion. IX.D. Policy Committee Policy Committee Chair Sally Boske said the Policy Committee meeting minutes are in the packet and there are two policies first reading policies in Action Items this evening. IX.E. Representative Reports Ms. Boske reported that ACES and TEMS recently. Mr. Boyd reported on the TEMS meeting which he attended on Ms. Boske s behalf. He said there was a discussion at the meeting about a universal school calendar schedule for the entire State. X. ACTION ITEMS X.A. VOTE: Bylaw #9325 Meeting Conduct (revision) - First Reading Move to approve the first reading of Bylaw #9325 Meeting Conduct is coming from Committee and a second is not needed. Ms. Boske said correspondence was received from a teacher as well as the MFT President which led to the changes. She reminded everyone Board meetings are open to the public, however, they are not public meetings. There was a discussion. Approval of the first reading of Bylaw #9325 Meeting Conduct passed unanimously. X.B. Bylaw # Order of Business (revision) - First Reading Move to approve the first reading of Bylaw # Order of Business is coming from Committee and a second is not needed.

5 Page 5 Ms. Boske explained the changes and there was a discussion. Mr. Boyd asked for clarification that the addition of VIII.C. MPS District Issues/News, that the words are a placeholder and will contain the specific topic name. Ms. Boske said yes that is the case. Mr. Kennedy arrived at 9:05 PM. VOTE: XI. Approval of the first reading of Bylaw # Order of Business passed with a FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS XI.A. New Items Ms. Gill recommended For the Good of the Board be added to the Agenda each month and be a topic selected from the Board development items pending from the workshops. Move to go into Executive Session at 9:10 PM passed with a motion by Ms. Boske and a second by Ms. Daniels XII. NON-RENEWAL OF NON-TENURED TEACHERS XII.A. Executive Session Move to return to Public Session at 9:26 PM was made by Ms. Gill, seconded by Ms. Boske and was unanimously approved. Move to go into Executive Session at 9:27 PM passed with a motion by Ms. Boske and a second by Ms. Daniels XIII. PENDING LITIGATION XIII.A. Executive Session Move to return to Public Session at 9:50 PM was made by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Ms. Daniels and was unanimously approved. XIV. ADJOURNMENT Vote to adjourn at 9:51 PM passed with a motion by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Ms. Daniels Respectfully Submitted, CEG/mkp Corinne E. Gill Secretary