Regular Meeting 65 May 12, 2011

Transcription

1 Regular Meeting 65 May 12, 2011 The regular meeting of the New London Board of Education was held in the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School Library Media Center on May 12, CALL TO ORDER Mr. Kinsall called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present: Mr. Jason Catala, Secretary Ms. Susan Connolly, Vice President Dr. Nicholas A. Fischer, Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Louise Hanrahan Mr. Alvin Kinsall, President Mrs. Barbara Major Mr. William Morse Ms. Ronna Stuller Absent: None. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mr. Kinsall led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. STUDENT AND STAFF PRESENTATION/RECOGNITION Adeliz Cordero was recognized as the Jennings School Student of the Month. Carol Silva was recognized as the Jennings School Employee of the Month. Louis E. Allen, Jr. received special recognition from the Historically Black Colleges for his ongoing support of the youth of our community. Queenie Maria Diaz, Maylis Yepez and Aziah Schroth received certificates from the CT Ballet for being selected as scholarship recipients Motion by Ms. Connolly, seconded by Mrs. Major, that the Board of Education recess its meeting and reconvene the Finance Committee meeting. The Board recessed its meeting at 7:17 The Board reconvened its meeting at 8: REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION None.

2 Regular Meeting 66 May 12, COMMENTS Cheryl Lawrence, Penny Lane, New London, expressed her concern about the four full-time aides that will be transferred from the elementary schools to the New London Clinical Day (NLCD) Program. She stated that the Board is taking four highly-qualified staff members who have taken the test for paraprofessionals and sending them to the NLCD Program. Mrs. Lawrence commented that these aides are needed at the elementary schools, and she asked what will be done to replace the services they provide at the elementary level. She added that most of these aides have been at their assigned elementary school for years. Mrs. Lawrence questioned if it is the intent of the Board to replace the full-time elementary school aides with day-to-day aides who are not highly qualified? She also questioned why there are no cuts to Central Office. Mrs. Lawrence asked the Board to seriously reconsider this decision. Fredricka Gunther, Niles Hill Road, Waterford, President of the NLEA, stated that she is addressing the Board tonight as a taxpayer to the federal and state government. Ms. Gunther stated that the Board has a very difficult task in establishing a budget. She is concerned about the lack of money for technology, and she does not feel that the district is putting the money in the right place where it will benefit our students the most. Bettina Tritch, Alger Place, New London, expressed her concern about the transfer of the educational assistants. In addition to these individuals being highly qualified and having had their training, several of these aides, as well as long-term substitutes, have had additional training in such areas as literacy and special education. In situations where a salaried person with benefits is replaced by a salaried only person, Ms. Tritch requests that the policy that addresses the docking of pay for substitutes be revisited so that if a long-term sub is given a 180-day assignment, that person is not penalized if they are out sick or if something happens to them that is beyond their control which causes them to be out of work for a day. Ms. Tritch stated that the docking of their pay is a hardship for many of the aides. Ms. Tritch also stated that not putting another person in these vacant spots will result in a heavier workload for others. Responses to Public Comments: Mr. Morse asked Dr. Fischer to provide an overview of the Reduced Salary Improvement for Administration reductions. Dr. Fischer cited $15,000 that was budgeted for anticipated Intents to Retire which were not formalized and $60,430 in insurance incentives. Mr. Catala stated that he is concerned about transferring the four paraprofessionals to the New London Clinical Day Program. Mr. Catala inquired if the aides still take the Success for All (SFA) or other literacy groups, and Dr. Carver confirmed that the aides no longer take the SFA groups. She stated that there are some paraprofessionals that do take smaller intervention classes and there are some that do not. In response to the speakers who asked if the aides who are being transferred will be replaced, Dr. Carver stated that they will not be replaced. It will make the intervention groups larger, but other people will have to take over these groups. Mr. Catala inquired if any of the paraprofessionals that are being slated to move are from a kindergarten class. Dr. Carver responded that it has not yet been

3 Regular Meeting 67 May 12, 2011 determined who will be transferred, and she clarified that it might not even be an elementary para it could be a para from the high school. In order to ensure that the paras that are transferred to NLCD can handle the job and are the best fit for the program, Dr. Carver stated that we will have to look at all paras throughout the district. Mr. Catala emphasized that no one is losing their job. He also reiterated his concern about kindergarten paraprofessionals not being transferred, because he feels that it is imperative to have aides in kindergarten classes. 6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Ms. Stuller, that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of April 14, APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Mr. Kinsall, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the following items, as set forth on the Consent Agenda for the regular Board of Education meeting of May 12, 2011, be approved or received for the record, unless removed by Board member for the Superintendent of Schools. ALL CONSENT ITEMS NOT REMOVED HAVING THE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE HEREBY ADOPTED WITH A SINGLE ROLL CALL VOTE UNFINISHED BUSINESS None BRIEF INFORMATION AND REPORTS 7.2.a. 7.2.d. 7.2.f Historically Black Colleges School Governance Councils Board Committees and Board Liaison Reports 7.2.f.2. Finance 7.2.f.5. Special Services Committee Liaison

4 Regular Meeting 68 May 12, ACTION ITEMS 7.3.e. State and Federal Aid Eligibility Determination The Board of Education approved the Program Improvement (PIP) Grant for Adult Education and authorized the Superintendent of Schools, to request the establishment of a funds accrual account when the grant is approved, as submitted in Exhibit 7.3. e. 7.3.f. State and Federal Aid Eligibility Determination The Board of Education approved the ED-244 State of CT Adult Education Grant (701 Grant) and authorized the Superintendent of schools to establish a funds accrual account when the grant is approved, as submitted in Exhibit 7.3.f. 7.3.h. State and Federal Aid Eligibility Determination: The Board of Education approved the IDEA Grant and authorized the Superintendent of schools to establish a funds accrual account when the grant is approved as submitted in Exhibit7.3.h. 7.3.k. Policy Adoption: Promotion and Retention: 5123 The Board of Education referred the Promotion and Retention Policy to the Policy Committee for review and updating, as submitted in Exhibit 7.3.k. 8. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS AND SETTING OF FUTURE BUSINESS END OF CONSENT AGENDA 7.2. BRIEF INFORMATION AND REPORTS 7.2.b. NEASC Report Motion by Mr. Morse, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education receive the NEASC Report, as submitted.

5 Regular Meeting 69 May 12, c. School Improvement Grant Motion by Ms. Stuller, seconded by Mr. Catala, that the Board of Education receive the report on the School Improvement Grant, as submitted. 7.2.e. Superintendent s Report Motion by Mr. Morse, seconded by Mr. Catala, that the Board of Education receive the Superintendent s Report, as submitted. 7.2.f Board Committees and Board Liaison Reports 7.2.f.1. Administration Policy Committee Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Ms. Stuller, that the Board of Education receive the minutes of the Policy Committee meeting of May 3, 2011, as submitted. School Building and Maintenance Committee Motion by Mr. Morse, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education receive the minutes of the April 15, 2011, School Building and Maintenance Committee meeting, as submitted. 7.2.f.3. Personnel/Legal Committee Motion by Ms. Connolly, seconded by Mr. Kinsall, that the Board of Education receive the report from the Personnel/Legal Committee.

6 Regular Meeting 70 May 12, f.4. Technology Committee Liaison Motion by Ms. Stuller, seconded by Mr. Catala, that the Board of Education receive the Technology Committee Liaison Report. 7.2.f.6 Early Childhood Committee Liaison Motion by Ms. Stuller, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education receive the Early Childhood Committee Liaison Report, as submitted. 7.2.g.7. Curriculum Standards Committee Liaison 7.3. ACTION ITEMS Motion by Mrs. Hanrahan, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education receive the Curriculum Standards Committee Liaison Report. 7.3.a. Budget Planning: 3110 Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education approve the proposed Budget, as recommended in Exhibit 7.3.a. Motion by Catala, seconded by Ms. Stuller, that the main motion be amended to state that the Board of Education approve the proposed reductions to the Budget as approved by the Finance Committee at its May 12, 2011, meeting. Motion carried, 4 3 Voting No: Mr. Kinsall Ms. Connolly Mrs. Hanrahan Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Ms. Stuller, that the Board of Education approve the main motion, as amended. Motion carried, 4 3

7 Regular Meeting 71 May 12, 2011 Voting No: Mr. Kinsall Ms. Connolly Mrs. Hanrahan Motion by Mr. Catala that the Board of Education reconsider this motion. Motion died for lack of a second. 7.3.b. Policy Adoption: Graduation Requirements Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Mrs. Major, that the Board of Education approve the proposed changes to the Graduation Requirements Policy for their first and final reading, as recommended by the Policy Committee and submitted in Exhibit 7.3.b. Dr. Fischer commented that to his knowledge this will make us the first district in the state of Connecticut that has a literacy requirement for graduation. This is a statement that we consider high standards to be extremely important, and hopefully over time we will move forward to putting in similar requirements for example in the area of mathematics. It is absolutely vital that we create the kinds of standards where students have choices about what to do and where to go. Dr. Fischer expressed his appreciation to the Board for approving this. 7.3.c. Unaffiliated Negotiations Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Mrs. Major, that the Board of Education approve the recommendation of the Personnel Legal Committee and change the "Fringe Benefits" for hourly unaffiliated cafeteria staff, working less than an average of 20 hours per week, to include the following two holidays: Christmas Day Memorial Day

8 Regular Meeting 72 May 12, d. Job Description Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education approve the job description for the position of Program Coordinator for the New London Clinical Day Program, as submitted in Exhibit 7.3.d. 7.3.g. State and Federal Aid Eligibility Determination: Motion by Mr. Morse, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education approve the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant, Leaders and Innovators for Tomorrow (LIFT), and authorize the Superintendent of Schools to establish a funds accrual account when the grant is approved, as submitted in Exhibit7.3.g. 7.3.i. State and Federal Aid Eligibility Determination: Motion by Mr. Morse. Seconded by Mr. Catala, that the Board of Education approve the NLPS School Improvement Grant and authorize the Superintendent of Schools to establish a funds accrual account when the grant is approved, as submitted in Exhibit7.3.i. 7.3.j. Policy Adoption: Recruitment and Selection Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education approve the proposed changes to the Recruitment and Selection Policy for their first, and final, reading, as recommended by the Policy Committee and submitted in Exhibit 7.3.j. Motion by Mr. Catala, seconded by Mrs. Major, that the main motion be amended to state that the Recruitment and Selection Policy include language stating that a Board member, designated by the Board President, serve on the hiring committees for all administrative positions. Motion failed, 1 6 Voting No: Ms. Connolly Mrs. Hanrahan Mr. Kinsall

9 Regular Meeting 73 May 12, 2011 Mrs. Major Mr. Morse Ms. Stuller Vote on Main Motion: Motion carried, 6 1 Voting No: Mr. Catala 7.3.l. Policy Adoption: Absences for Students with Deployed Parents Motion by Mr. Morse, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education refer to the Policy Committee the establishment of a policy to address absences for students with deployed parents, as recommended by the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan in Exhibit 7.3.l. 7.3.m. Strategic School Profiles 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Ms. Stuller, seconded by Ms. Connolly, that the Board of Education approve the Strategic School Profiles, as submitted in Exhibit 7.3.m. Motion by Ms. Connolly, seconded by Ms. Stuller. that the Board of Education table its approval of the Strategic School Profiles until the June Board meeting. 9.a. Board s Self Evaluation Motion by Mr. Connolly, seconded by Mr. Kinsall, that the Board of Education recess to Executive Session to discuss the Board s self-evaluation and invite Board members only. The Board recessed to Executive Session at 9:53 p.m. Mrs. Major left the meeting at 9:53 p.m. The Board reconvened to open session at 10:58 p.m. Mr. Kinsall stated that no notes or votes were taken in Executive Session.

10 Regular Meeting 74 May 12, ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Kinsall, seconded by Mrs. Hanrahan, that the Board of Education adjourn its meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:59 p.m. Motion carried, 6 0 Respectfully submitted, Jason L. Catala Secretary

11 Regular Meeting 75 May 12, 2011 EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board met in Executive Session at 9:58 p.m. Present: Mr. Catala, Secretary Ms. Connolly, Vice President Mrs. Hanrahan Mr. Kinsall, President Mr. Morse Ms. Stuller Absent: Mrs. Barbara Major The Board discussed agenda item 9.a, Board s Self Evaluation. The Board adjourned its Executive Session at 10:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jason L. Catala Secretary