Board of Education Regular Meeting March 14, 2006, 7:00 PM Dr. Alfred B. Tychsen Administration Building

Transcription

1 Board of Education Regular Meeting March 14, 2006, 7:00 PM Dr. Alfred B. Tychsen Administration Building I. Call to Order Board Members Present: Sally Boske, Bill Boyd, Sheila Daniels, Corinne Gill, Jay Keiser, John Phillips, Ted Raczka, and Barbara Weiss. Board Members Absent: Judy Russo Others Present: Superintendent of Schools Michael Frechette, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction John Hennelly, Interim Assistant Superintendent John Reed, Director of Facilities Ken Jackson, Manager of Transportation Mike Milardo, Middletown High School Principal Robert Fontaine, Even Start Facilitator Cynthia Cappetta, Andres Alphonso, 9-12 Lead World Language Teacher at MHS and Co-Chair, World Language Program Evaluation Committee, Dinah Vosper, 5-8 Lead World Language Teacher at MHS and Co-Chair, World Language Program Evaluation Committee, Board Extern Cheryl Canino, Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Secretary Marcy Poppel, MFT Representative Ann Lohrand, MFT Grievance Officer Warren Jessen, Hartford Courant Reporter Daniela Altimari, and thirty-three (33) visitors. Chair Boske called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. III. Salute to the Flag Public Session Vera Pennington spoke regarding the need to support the Superintendent s budget. Ana Perez-Girones, parent and Spanish professor at Wesleyan, spoke regarding the importance of a foreign language program in elementary schools. Monica Belyea, congratulated Board member Barbara Weiss on the Healthy School Healthy Community pilot program at Bielefield. IV. Communications Ms. Gill asked if Board members could receive the financial reports electronically prior to Board meetings. Chair Boske recognized Christine O Grady, Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Site Coordinator and the PLTI students in the audience. V. Consent Agenda Ms. Gill requested that Agenda Item V.A. Minutes of the February 14, 2006 Regular Meeting be removed from Agenda Item V. Consent Agenda and added to VI. Action Items. Ms. Gill requested that Agenda Item VII.B.1. Bylaw #9310 Development, Distribution & Maintenance of Manual of Policies, Regulations, Bylaws Second Reading; Agenda Item VII.B.2. Policy #6112

2 Page: 2 School Day First Reading; VII.B.5. Policy # Computer Literacy First Reading; and VII.B.7. Policy # School Readiness/Day-care First Reading, be added to the Consent Agenda. These changes to the agenda were made by consensus of the Board. Approval of the Consent Agenda without Agenda Item V.A. Minutes of the February 14, 2006 Regular Meeting and with the inclusion of Agenda Item VII.B.1. Bylaw #9310 Development, Distribution & Maintenance of Manual of Policies, Regulations, Bylaws Second Reading; Agenda Item VII.B.2. Policy #6112 School Day First Reading; VII.B.5. Policy # Computer Literacy First Reading; and VII.B.7. Policy # School Readiness/Day-care First Reading passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Ms. Weiss unanimous vote. V.B. V.C. V.D. Minutes of February 28, 2006 Special Meeting Personnel Action Even Start Grant VII.B.1. Bylaw #9310 Development, Distribution & Maintenance of Manual of Policies, Regulations, Bylaws - Second Reading VII.B.2. Policy #6112 School Day - First Reading VII.B.5. Policy # Computer Literacy - First Reading VII.B.7. Policy # School Readiness/Day-Care - First Reading A vote was taken for approval to move Agenda Item VII.C.1. Healthy School/Healthy Community Committee Pilot Program Evaluation to before Agenda Item VI. Action Items passed with a motion by Ms. Weiss and a second by Mr. Phillips unanimous vote. VII.C. Healthy School/Healthy Community Committee Ms. Weiss provided a history of how the committee came to being, composition of the committee and information on the subcommittees. VII.C.1. Pilot Program Evaluation Members of the Committee provided the Board with an overview of the subcommittees activities and efforts in the areas of: menu, snack choices, hand washing, survey conducted, recess, mileage club, staff weight loss, healthy party suggestions and themed parties, distribution of ROARS cards (EBS), water vending machine in cafeteria, seasonal newsletter, principal's tea with parents, and open house providing information for parents on healthy snacks and tips. Bielefield Principal Renata Lantos stated that her colleagues across the district are embracing this. The Healthy School/Healthy Community Committee is formally dissolved. The next step is to implement an ongoing Wellness Policy on a district-wide basis by June 2006.

3 Page: 3 The members of the Committee were: Superintendent of Schools Michael J. Frechette; Bielefield Elementary School Principal Renata Lantos; Teachers Jill Garrity, Jennifer Fuqua, Diane Watrous, Keavy Peterson; PE Teachers Erin McCann and Mark Fong; Health/PE Director Hank Koritkoski; Nurse Lisa Griswold; Parents Christine Holley, Marci Swede, Jackie Carraway, Patricia Banks, and Jackie Turner; Dietician Cindy Cohen; Food Services Manager Lisa Melaven; At Large Cathy Branch- Stebbins and Sheila Daniels; Dr. Joseph Havlicek and Dr. Susan Hadley; Parent Coordinator Donna Marino; and Board members Barbara Weiss (Chair) and Bill Boyd. The three subcommittees were: Jill Garrity, Nutrition; Lisa Griswold, Communications; and Diane Watrous, In school activities. VI. V.A. Action Items Minutes of February 14, 2006 Regular Meeting Ms. Gill requested revisions and additions to the minutes of the February 14, 2006 meeting and asked that they be amended and come before the Board at the April 11, 2006 meeting for approval. Changes/additions would be indicated on the February 14, 2006 amended minutes in italics. Approval to table approval of the Minutes of February 14, 2006 Meeting until the April 11, 2006 Board meeting passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Keiser unanimous vote. VII. VII.A. Committees Budget Committee In response to the question about the Board of Education meeting with the Common Council in a workshop, prior to Budget Hearings on Tuesday, March 21, 2006, Dr. Frechette said the Common Council responded that there was not enough time. A question was asked regarding the Board s new 6.75% Proposed Budget and Mr. Phillips responded that the Budget Committee only discussed current budget issues. VII.B. Policy Committee VII.B.3. Policy #6114 Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness - First Reading After a discussion, both Policy #6114 and Policy # were sent back to committee. VII.B.4. Policy # Fire - Preparedness - First Reading VII.B.6. Policy # Computers: Acceptable Use of the Internet, Other Computer Networks and Internet Safety - One Reading There was a lengthy discussion regarding this policy. Approval of this mandated policy, Policy # Computers: Acceptable Use of the Internet, Other Computer Networks and Internet Safety, which will be formally adopted and shall be regarded as

4 Page: 4 official policy, in accordance with the Bylaws passed with a motion by Ms. Weiss and a second by Mr. Keiser, with six (6) in favor Mr. Boyd, Ms. Daniels, Mr. Keiser, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Raczka, and Ms. Weiss and one (1) abstention Ms. Gill. Ms. Weiss spoke about Policy #6130 Organizational Plan. She stated that the Board should begin discussions about changing the organizational plan. Chair Boske will begin planning for meetings to discuss this issue. VIII. Report of the Superintendent VIII.A. Financial Statement There was a discussion regarding custodian salaries, workers compensation, non-recurring capital fund, tutoring salaries and expulsion hearings, requesting transfers for projected deficits in this year s budget, duty aides, the $37,000 budget transfer to the Maintenance account, and reduction of overtime. Approval of line item transfers passed with a motion by Mr. Phillips and a second by Mr. Keiser unanimous vote. VIII.B. Moody School Update Dr. Frechette provided an update on Moody School. He stated that a public information meeting took place on February 28, 2006 and that there will not be a meeting on February 15, 2006 as we are waiting for testing results. The project amount to replace the roof and several other repairs is $1.5 million. Work is underway with elected officials on special legislation. The reimbursement rate would be 66.79%. A referendum will be required. VIII.C. Board of Education Adopt-A-School Program Dr. Frechette said Board members recently received a memorandum from him asking them to begin thinking about the Adopt-A-School Program. He explained that Board members would attend functions and events at the schools they are assigned. A discussion took place regarding the program, receipt of newsletters (via website, , through U.S. mail), feasibility of a district calendar, and Board members to provide the Chair with a list of specific newsletters they wish to receive. Chair Boske indicated that the administration would look into timely distribution of school newsletters to Board members. VIII.D. Grades (4)5-12 World Language Program Evaluation, Dr. Hennelly introduced and recognized the World Language Program Evaluation Committee. Committee members provided an overview of the evaluation and responded to Board member questions regarding observations, survey results, responses, course challenge, parental support of French, recommendations, need for a recommendation for more minority students to take AP courses,

5 Page: 5 earlier implementation, survey tool, administrators survey, knowledge of what is going on before and after in grade levels, and language in the evaluation having different meanings. The Board thanked the Committee for their hard work and efforts. VIII.E. Building Project: Middletown High School Mr. Jackson provided Board members with an update. The Building Committee has trimmed the budget down to $105 million. The workshop with Common Council and Building Committee is scheduled for Thursday night, March 16, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. Mr. Phillips indicated that he felt it was a good move to go with the CM agency and the project will not get done any cheaper unless the Board changes the educational specifications. Mr. Phillips updated the Board regarding Tri-Gen. It is important to look at what we are purchasing, not what we are paying for. Mr. David Wedge, State Department of Education Office of School Facilities Unit Manager, and research supports our square footage, Mr. Phillips added. They will know by June of this year if an August 2008 opening is, in fact, a reality. VIII.F. Transportation Report Mr. Milardo responded to questions regarding display of bus numbers, disciplinary issues, additional data (write ups from drivers) in his report, conduct reports, mechanical breakdowns, and age of the fleet, older bus breakdowns and impact on transportation, resolution of problems with middle school bus #37, bus protocol during inclement weather, documentation of children being released to a parent when a bus is stuck due to inclement weather, and capturing incident reports during inclement weather on Mr. Milardo s transportation report. IX. IX.A. Discussion Items Change to April 2006 Regular Board Meeting Date A discussion took place regarding the regular Board meeting scheduled for April 11, 2006 and voting on the Budget. Chair Boske asked for a change in the date of the meeting. Chair Boske said by law, the Board of Education must have a budget by June. Dr. Frechette provided the City s deadline dates. It was agreed to keep the April 11, 2006 date and hold April 24, 2006 for a special meeting if the Common Council has moved on the Budget. Vote taken too hold a Special Meeting on April 24, 2006 to discuss the Budget, if the Common Council has moved on the Budget passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Keiser unanimous vote. IX.B. Step 3 Grievance Chair Boske stated that the Federation of Teachers has requested the Step 3 Grievance be conducted in public session rather than executive session. Chair Boske acknowledged Attorney Brian Clemow. MFT Grievance Officer Warren Jessen distributed grievance documents, explained them and provided an overview of what transpired. He stated that they came before the Board in December (2005) giving essentially the same information about the numbers of large class sizes and as not much has changed, and that is the reason they are back. MFT had hoped changes would have been made for the second

6 Page: 6 semester. He said numbers are slightly different, but there are still huge classes at the high school, giving several examples. A lengthy discussion took place regarding remedy and time frame sought by the MFT. Attorney Clemow distributed three documents and explained them. Attorney Clemow and Board members asked Principal Fontaine questions regarding: how scheduling was done in the past and done currently, teacher preferences, student load, given present staff and space resources what is the possibility to offer the same courses and live within an absolute maximum of 25 students per class, physical limitations of existing building contributing to problem, preferred maximum number, creep in class size, preference to keep all classes at or below 25, Principal Fontaine and Mr. Jessen s September and December 2005 meetings and Principal Fontaine s good faith efforts, teaching an extra class not a good solution, optimum minimum, overriding of computer by Guidance, guidance personnel speaking directly with teachers prior to putting more than 29 or 30 students in a class, and supervisor s teaching an extra class would result in only a slight impact. Dr. Hennelly responded to questions and spoke about teachers participating in Best Practices, Best Portfolio, and mentor teams. A discussion took place regarding the phrasing in the contract of "preferred maximum" versus "absolute maximum". Mr. Fontaine said the maximum in Science is 24 students due to the lab stations. A question was asked what would be an acceptable resolution for the large classes and Mr. Jessen replied that four new teachers need to be hired. Mr. Fontaine commented that he has requested additional teachers in past budgets, but has not had the requests filled. Chair Boske stated that the Board has ten days to consider this grievance. Dr. Reed said Mr. Jessen is looking for a remedy this semester and for many reasons that is problematic. Dr. Reed asked Mr. Jessen if he was looking for a Board commitment for next year and Mr. Jessen said yes. He asked Mr. Jessen if he wanted new teachers hired in the middle of second semester of this year and Mr. Jessen responded that he thought something was going to be done for second semester. Dr. Frechette said two classes were added in January and in the budget an additional two teachers Social Students and Spanish, as well as two contingency teachers as needed. Ms. Lohrand said we can't offer the variety if we can't afford to pay for it. She agrees it is hard. She suggested speaking to members of the Common Council. Vote taken at 11:15 PM to go into Executive Session for the purpose of (1) to discuss a Step 3 Grievance; and (2) to discuss a non-renewal personnel matter passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Ms. Weiss unanimous vote.

7 Page: 7 X. Executive Session Vote taken at 11:34 PM to return to Public Session passed with a motion by Ms. Daniels and a second by Mr. Phillips unanimous vote. Public Session Vote taken not to support the Step 3 Grievance passed with a motion by Ms. Weiss and a second by Mr. Phillips unanimous vote. Approval to have a letter sent to the CEA Association to release grades of congressional delegates made by Ms. Gill and seconded by Mr. Phillips was tabled to the Board workshop on March 28, 2006 unanimous vote. A discussion was held regarding agenda items for the March 28, 2006 Board Workshop to include BioBlitz, televising of Board of Education meetings, and letter to CEA Association to release grades of congressional delegates. X.A. Personnel Matter - Non-Renewal Vote taken that the contract of employment of Ms. Karen Bertoni not be renewed for the following year upon its expiration at the end of the school year, and that the Superintendent of Schools is directed to advise such person(s) in writing of this action passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Keiser unanimous vote. XI. Adjournment Vote taken to adjourn at 11:37 PM passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Phillips unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, BMW/mkp Barbara M. Weiss Secretary