Board of Education Regular Meeting September 11, 2007, 6:30 PM Middletown High School Library/Media Center

Transcription

1 Board of Education Regular Meeting September 11, 2007, 6:30 PM Middletown High School Library/Media Center I. CALL TO ORDER Board Members Present: Sally Boske, Bill Boyd, Sheila Daniels, Corinne Gill, Jay Keiser, Ted Raczka, Judy Russo, and Barbara Weiss. Board Members Absent: John Phillips. Others Present: Superintendent of Schools Michael J. Frechette, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction John Hennelly, Assistant Superintendent for Administration Barbara Senges, Director of Pupil Services & Special Education Mariann Rossi-Ondusky (arrived at 8:16 PM), Director of Facilities Ken Jackson, Manager of Transportation Mike Milardo, Grants Coordinator Elizabeth Nocera, Woodrow Wilson Middle School Principal Gene Nocera, Keigwin School Principal Tracey Koff, Director of Athletics and Student Activities Mike Pitruzzello, Board Extern Franca Biales, Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Secretary Marcy Poppel, MFT Representative Ann Lohrand, Hartford Courant Reporter Daniela Altimari, and twenty-seven (27) visitors. Chair Boske called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. MOTION: Vote to recess passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Boyd Chair Boske reconvened the meeting at 7:00 PM. She stated that due to unforeseen circumstances this evening s meeting would not be filmed. II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG A moment of silence was held in observance of Chair Boske said this evening s reception honoring new administrators and teachers was coordinated by the Recognition/Relationships Committee, chaired by Ms. Daniels. Those introduced were: Tammy Behrens, Katherine Beyer, Sarah Burdick, Bonnie Gaboury, Pat Girard, Glen Hargan, Richard Incorvati, Hannah Jung, Alison May, Andy O Brien, Mike Pitruzzello, Christine Redding, Jon Romeo, Amy Waterman, and Carly Weiland. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOTION: Vote to move Action Item VIII.B. Extended Field Trips to the Consent Agenda passed with a motion by Mr. Keiser and a second by Mr. Raczka MOTION: Vote to add Televising of Board of Education Meetings as new Agenda Item VIII.C. under Agenda Item VIII. Action Items passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Keiser MOTION: Vote to add ACES Committee as new Agenda Item VII.E. under Agenda Item VII. Committees passed with a motion by Mr. Keiser and a second by Mr. Raczka MOTION: Vote to adopt the agenda with the changes above passed with a motion by Mr. Keiser and a second by Ms. Gill MOTION: Vote to add CABE Nomination as new Agenda Item VIII.D. under Agenda Item VIII. Action Items and adopt the agenda with the above changes and this amendment passed with a motion by Mr. Keiser and a second by Ms. Gill

2 Page 2 IV. PUBLIC SESSION Chair Boske explained the rules of Public Session. Lawrence Massey spoke regarding a waiver for his children as well as a DCF matter. Lee B. Smith spoke about plagiarism and Board member accountability. Donna Gagnon-Smith spoke about children and priorities. Jennifer Gorman, Wesley PTA President, addressed the Board regarding libraries in elementary schools and the district s plan for the future in this area. V. COMMUNICATIONS There was no discussion. VI. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. Gill requested the removal from the Consent Agenda of Agenda Item VI.C. Barnes Foundation Grant, Agenda Item VI.E. Primary Mental Health Grant, Agenda Item VI.F. State of Connecticut Afterschool Grant, Agenda Item VI.G. Vanguard School Grant, Agenda Item VI.I. Policy # Recognition of Minority Groups in American Culture, Agenda Item VIII.B.2. MHS Senior Class Trip to Catskills, NY, and VIII.B.4. MHS Indoor Track Trip to Boston, MA. MOTION: Approval of the Consent Agenda with the above items removed passed with a motion by Ms. Daniels and a second by Ms. Russo VI.A. Minutes of August 21, 2007 BOE Regular Meeting VI.B. Personnel Action VI.D. Consolidated Grant VI.H. Policy #6130 Organizational Plan (revision) - Second Reading VI.J. Policy # Statewide Proficiency/Mastery Examinations (revision) - Second Reading VI.K. Bylaw #9315 Cross Reference in Policies and Bylaws (new) - Second Reading VIII.B. Extended Field Trips VIII.B.1. MHS - FFA Trip to Indianapolis, IN VIII.B.3. MHS Boy's Swimming Trip to Orlando, FL VIII.B.5. MHS Blue Prints Newspaper Trip to New York City VIII.B.6. MHS Marching Band & Chamber Choir Trip to Orlando, FL VIII.B.7. MHS Softball Trip to Orlando, FL VIII.B.8. MHS French Student Trip to France VIII.B.9. MHS Crew Trip to Summerton, SC VIII.B.10. MHS DECA Trip to Atlanta, GA

3 Page 3 VII. COMMITTEES VII.A. Budget Committee VII.C. Communications Committee VII.D. Recognition/Relationships Committee VII.E. ACES Committee Chair Boske said at the last ACES meeting CMT scores and School Improvement Plans were reviewed. Mr. Keiser asked if they could be scanned and sent to all Board members. VIII. ACTION ITEMS VIII.A. Board of Education Meeting Dates MOTION: Approval of Board of Education Meeting Dates passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Ms. Daniels VIII.B.2. MHS Senior Class Trip to Catskills, NY MOTION: Approval of the Extended Field Trip of the MHS Senior Class to Catskills, NY, passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Ms. Daniels Senior Class Trip Advisor Meredith Walters responded to Board member questions. VIII.B.4. MHS Indoor Track Trip to Boston, MA MOTION: Approval of the Extended Field Trip of the MHS Indoor Track team to Boston, MA, passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Ms. Daniels Indoor Track Coach Jennifer Price responded to Board member questions. VIII.C. Televising of Board of Education Meetings MOTION: Vote that beginning with the October, 2007 Board of Education meeting, a tape of meetings will begin airing on Comcast from 6:00 PM 9:30 PM on Sundays following Board meetings. The unedited tapes will be given to Comcast with a disclaimer regarding editing with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Ms. Daniels passed with six (6) in favor Mr. Boyd, Ms. Daniels, Ms. Gill, Mr. Keiser, Mr. Raczka, and Ms. Russo, and one (1) opposed Ms. Weiss. Board members discussed the televising and Comcast broadcasting of Board meetings. VI.C. Barnes Foundation Grant Ms. Elizabeth Nocera responded to Board member questions. VI.E. Primary Mental Health Grant Ms. Nocera responded to Board member questions. VI.F. State of Connecticut Afterschool Grant Ms. Nocera responded to questions and said this is a new grant.

4 Page 4 VI.G. Vanguard School Grant There was discussion. Ms. Nocera explained that we are assisting a New Britain school to raise their CMT scores and incorporate best practices in line with our Vanguard School, Farm Hill School. MOTION: Vote on approval of Agenda Item VI.C. Barnes Foundation Grant, Agenda Item VI.E. Primary Mental Health Grant, Agenda Item VI.F. State of Connecticut Afterschool Grant, and Agenda Item VI.G. Vanguard School Grant passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Boyd VI.I. Policy # Recognition of Minority Groups in American Culture (revision) - Second Reading MOTION: Approval of the second reading of Policy # Recognition of Minority Groups in American Culture passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Boyd VIII.D. CABE Nomination MOTION: Nomination of Sally Boske as Vice President of Programs and Convention for the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) passed with a motion by Ms. Weiss and a second by Ms. Russo IX. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT IX.A. Opening of School Dr. Frechette thanked everyone for their efforts on the opening of school. Class size information will be given at the October Board meeting. Barbara Senges, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, spoke about the professional development held on Monday, August 27 th. The focus was on reading district-wide. Ms. Senges talked about the district s effort in developing the SMART Goals. Dr. Hennelly recognized Barbara Senges, Mariann Rossi-Ondusky, and the Reading Task Force for the ambitious professional development program. There was a discussion regarding new ideas generated from the professional development. Individual plans for students achieving below proficiency and having a shared vision about what our role is in terms of reading were two outcomes from the Professional Development. Teaching background knowledge to all students and explicit teaching of comprehensive strategies will continue to be a focus throughout the year. Ms. Senges said everyone is sharing in the same vision. IX.B. Summer School Report Dr. Hennelly provided an overview of Summer School. Student enrollment was slightly higher than previous years. He was pleased with the grades of students and said it was a successful program and made a small profit. IX.C. Building Project: Middletown High School There were no questions. Mr. Jackson encouraged Board members to visit the new high school. IX.D. Transportation Report There were no questions.

5 Page 5 X. DISCUSSION ITEMS There were clarification statements. XI. DATTCO CONTRACT MOTION: Vote at 8:32 PM to go into Executive Session passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Ms. Daniels XI.A. Executive Session MOTION: Vote to return to Public Session at 8:52 PM passed with a motion by Ms. Weiss and a second by Ms. Russo MOTION: Approval to enter into final negotiations with Dattco passed with a motion by Ms. Gill and a second by Mr. Boyd XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Vote to adjourn at 8:52 PM passed with a motion by Mr. Raczka and a second by Mr. Keiser Respectfully Submitted, BMW/mkp Barbara M. Weiss Secretary