Board of Education Meeting

Transcription

1 North Branford Board of Education Board of Education Meeting Thursday, December 20, 2018 Stanley T. Williams Community Center 1332 Middletown Avenue Northford, CT I. At 6:30 p.m. a performance was held by the North Branford High School Marching Band in the gymnasium of Stanley T. Williams Community Center. At 6:45 p.m. the North Branford Intermediate School Chorus performed in the Board Meeting Room. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room by Vice- Chair Onofrio. II. Roll Call CHAIRMAN PAPA-HOLZER: ABSENT Superintendent of Schools: Director of Business/Personnel: Scott Schoonmaker Donald Winnicki III. IV. Salute to the Flag Visitors Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Director of Special Services: Director of Technology: Principals: Tracy Wootton Suzanne Wright Bruce Williams Todd Stoeffler, NBHS Keith O Rourke, NBIS Carter Welch, TVES Elizabeth Parker, JHS Bill Savastano Meghan Ruszczyk Paula Huebner Tom Huebner Charlene Ramsey Greg Gwudz

2 Nancy Bianchi Elizabeth Caplan Christine Cohen Meg Peterson V. Student Representatives - were not in attendance VI. Approval of Previous Minutes a. October 18, 2018 Regular Meeting The Superintendent provided the Board the minutes of the October 18, 2018 Board of Education meeting. Jana Balsamo moved, seconded Cynthia Rice by to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2018 Board of Education meeting as submitted. VII. Personnel a. Resignations A resignation was presented from Chelsea Colonese, School Psychologist at Jerome Harrison Elementary School, effective November 30, Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the resignation of Chelsea Colonese, School Psychologist at Jerome Harrison Elementary School effective November 30, A resignation was presented from David Carlyle, School Psychologist at North Branford Intermediate School, effective November 21, Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the resignation of David Carlyle, School Psychologist at North Branford Intermediate School, effective November 21, b. Appointments A list of winter coaches was distributed to Board Members. Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve winter coaches as submitted by administration. c. Leaves Vice-Chair Onofrio announced there were two leaves that would be discussed in Executive Session. 12/20/2018 Page 2 of 7

3 VIII. Superintendent s Report a. Recognition Superintendent Schoonmaker thanked the members for arriving early to view the Marching Band as well as the NBIS Chorus. He stressed the importance of these valuable programs in our district. North Branford Public Schools 2019 Teacher of the Year Superintendent Schoonmaker offered congratulations and announced Mrs. Paula Huebner as North Branford Public Schools 2019 District Teacher of the Year! Mr. Schoonmaker gave a brief back ground and again congratulated Ms. Huebner as this year s recipient. Ms. Huebner came forward to be recognized and accept congratulations for this honor. b. Donations None at this time. c. Communications Superintendent Schoonmaker directed the Board to the Board of Education Briefs for the month of December. d. Field Trips The Superintendent updated the Board with information regarding a North Branford High School, out-ofstate field trip. This trip does not require Board approval as it does not include an overnight stay. North Branford High School instrumental music teacher, Katie Trainer, will travel with approximately 25 students to Six Flags New England in Massachusetts for an annual music competition on May 3, e. November Professional Development Update Tracy Wootton, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, provided the Board with an update on the November 5 th and 6 th professional development activities which focused on the NEASC updates at the High School, SIG improvements at NBIS, and readers and writer s workshops at TVES and Jerome Harrison. f. Veteran s Day Overview Superintendent Schoonmaker provided the Board with an update on activities held in each school in honor of Veteran s Day. The Superintendent Informed Board Members that he received positive feedback from the community and Veterans regarding these events. g. School Security Bid requests have been released for updating of cameras and a safe school grant has been submitted for these projects. The Board will discuss any details in the school security in Executive Session Vincent Mase asked about the potential for adding security personnel as it had been mentioned in the recent past by Town Council. Superintendent Schoonmaker stated he would contact the Town Manager for an update. 12/20/2018 Page 3 of 7

4 h. North Branford High School Renovate as New Project The Superintendent gave an update on the North Branford High School Renovate as New project stating administrators have been meeting and there appears to be interest in broadening the scope and looking into additional scenarios. IX. Committee Reports a. Negotiations Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel, stated information to be discussed in Executive Session. b. Budget & Operations Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel reported they met and discussed the 2019/2020 Budget Calendar for approval. Vincent Mase moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to have the Budget Meeting on January 24 th and an alternate date for snow on January 31, 2019 and to approve the rest of the Budget Calendars as recommended by the subcommittee. Mr. Winnicki reported they also discussed this year budget with nothing problematic, the 2020 budget administrative priorities and high school renovation project, RFP for cameras as well as ventilators at TVES, domestic water pump system at Jerome, the elevator at the high school and purchase of the truck. c. Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Tracy Wootton, Director of Curriculum and Strategic Planning stated they have officially been awarded the SIG grant for year one. They discussed the School by Design- skilled Interpretation Audit to explore ways to enrich the middle school, share staff across middle school and high school and redesign the campus for a combined high school/ middle school campus d. Pension Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel reported the committee met but he was not available to attend. e. Policy Secretary Siena reported the Policy subcommittee met, she presented the following policies to the Board for first read: Policy #P1020 Student Attendance, Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism Carolyn Candelora asked for clarification on this policy and directed members to page 4 of 14 and 7 of /20/2018 Page 4 of 7

5 There was discussion and clarification was given for both. There was discussion on making page 7 of 14, section E. easier to understand. Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel will ask the attorney about the feasibility of a change. Policy #P Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process Carolyn Candelora asked for clarification on several sections and disclosed her concerns with combining Saturday detentions at the high school. There was open discussion on concerns. Policy #P1125 Drug and Alcohol Use by Students Secretary Siena explained the statutory changes. Policy #P1140 Physical Restraint and Seclusion of Students and Use of Exclusionary Time Out Secretary Siena explained the statutory changes. Policy #P Immunization Secretary Siena explained this policy was updated to current immunization requirements. Policy #P Health Assessments Vincent Mase and Carolyn Candelora opened discussion on page 3 of 6, section A. and C. regarding decisions on age and on permission to conduct an oral assessment. Mr. Winnicki gave additional information and stated he would confirm interpretation of language with the Attorney. Policy #P2400 Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Assault Reporting Secretary Siena explained the changes in the policy. Vice-Chair Onofrio suggested members Mr. Winnicki with any additional questions or comments. f. ACES Jana Balsamo reported they met and she presented some of the items they produce with artwork from students. She said there was a presentation on the early head start program, updates on Bold Steps, which included school data, employee development and recognition, communication and advocacy-with a focus on all levels as well as exclusion and restraint, and the potential of adding another building since they lost the Wintergreen building. Vice-Chair Onofrio suggested Wellness Committee be added to the list of Committee reports. g. Building Committee- did not meet 12/20/2018 Page 5 of 7

6 h. Communication did not meet. i. Calendar Don Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business, opened discussion on the proposed process for finalizing the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 school calendars, with an overview on the regional calendar. He asked the Board if any member was interested in being part of this committee. Carolyn Candelora offered to continue on as a member. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved to items XI, XII, and XIII on the agenda. XI. Good of the Board Carolyn Candelora stated she attend the band concert which was creative and enjoyable. Vice-Chairman Onofrio attended the Kind assembly and praised Ms. Parker for such a great program. XII. Visitors and Press Mr. Savastano thanked Mr. Schoonmaker and the district for their Veteran s Day Programs. Christine Cohen introduced herself as the new State Senator and stated she was looking forward to working with North Branford. X. New Business Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Vincent Mace to adjourn to executive session as per Section of the Connecticut General Statutes as permitted by Section (6)(a) (c) and (e) of the Connecticut General Statutes to discuss agenda items VII. c. Leaves, VIII. g. Security, and IX a. Negotiations. Vice-Chair Onofrio reconvened the regular meeting at 8:53 p.m. Vincent Mase moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve unpaid leave for Stephanie Cangiano-Barry under Article XX of the contract between the North Branford Board of Education and the North Branford Federation of teachers through March 31, 2019 NO VOTE PASSED 5-1 in a roll call vote. Vincent Mase moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve unpaid leave for Erica 12/20/2018 Page 6 of 7

7 Bozzutto under Article XX of the contract between the North Branford Board of Education and the North Branford Federation of teachers through June 30, 2019 NO VOTE PASSED 5-1 in a roll call vote. Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Vincent Mase to approve the contract between the North Branford School Administrators Association and the North Branford Board of Education effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, NO VOTE PASSED 5-1 in a roll call vote. XIII. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 17, XIV. Adjourn Vincent Mase moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to adjourn the North Branford Board of Education meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Mary Caruso BOE Clerk. 12/20/2018 Page 7 of 7