Board of Education Meeting Thursday, January 17, 2019

Transcription

1 North Branford Board of Education Board of Education Meeting Thursday, January 17, 2019 Stanley T. Williams Community Center 1332 Middletown Avenue Northford, CT I. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room of Stanley T. Williams Community Center by Chairman Papa-Holzer. II. Roll Call Superintendent of Schools: Director of Business/Personnel: Scott Schoonmaker Donald Winnicki III. IV. Salute to the Flag Visitors Director of Special Services: Director of Technology: Principals: Suzanne Wright Bruce Williams Todd Stoeffler, NBHS Keith O Rourke, NBIS Carter Welch, TVES Elizabeth Parker, JHS Bill Savastano Meghan Ruszczyk Patricia Carafeno Dawn Jara Craig Browell Dominic Savo Stephanie Savo Charlene Ramsey Nicole Carfora Benito Guerrero Meg Peterson Rose Angeloni Nancy Bianchi Liz Hoskins Frankyn Venturini Nino Venturini Michele Simpson Marie Diamond 3/15/2019 Page 1 of 10

2 David Elleston V. Student Representatives were not in attendance due to exams. VI. Approval of Previous Minutes a. December 20, 2018 Regular Meeting The Superintendent provided the Board the minutes of the December 20, 2018 Board of Education meeting. Motion: Vice Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Secretary Siena to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2018 Board of Education meeting as submitted. CHAIRMAN PAPA-HOLZER ABSTAIN VOTE PASSED 6-0 in a roll call vote, with one abstention from Chairman Papa-Holzer. VII. Personnel a. Resignations - None at this time. b. Appointments - None at this time. c. Leaves - For discussion in Executive Session. VIII. Superintendent s Report a. Recognition - None at this time. b. Donations None at this time. c. Communications The Superintendent directed members to the Board of Education Briefs for the month of December and thanked all schools for their various activities. Members were informed that administrators were in attendance for any questions. d. Field Trips None at this time. e. Board of Education Spotlight Totoket Valley Elementary School Enrichment/Coding 3/15/2019 Page 2 of 10

3 Superintendent Schoonmaker gave a brief introduction into the work of the Totoket Valley Elementary School students and introduced Library-Media Educator Ms. Carey Seiden. Ms. Seiden overviewed the work done by the students and explained some of thei4 learning experiences. Students introduced themselves as they gave demonstrations on their work with robots. f. Kindergarten Early Registration Request Superintendent Schoonmaker informed members that he received a request for consideration to allow a student to register for kindergarten prior to reaching age five. He overviewed the Connecticut State Statute (Section 10-15c) as it pertained to this item. Members discussed various aspects of the request, the value in staying within the guidelines of the State Statute as well as the potential ramification of setting a precedent. Superintendent Schoonmaker stated he would follow the direction of the Board and notify the applicant that the Board will continue to follow the State Statute. g. ACES Educational Center for the Arts Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed the ECA program and distributed information to the Board regarding the number of students currently enrolled as well as possible enrollment for the 2019/2020 school year. He explained there would be two spots open due to graduation and asked the Board for direction. Vice-Chair Onofrio opened discussion with an overview of past years and decisions the Board has made. Members discussed other expenses paid by parents for activities for their children. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to reduce the ECA Enrollment to two seats for a total of six seats next year. CHARIMAN PAPA-HOLZER NO NO NO NO VOTE FAILED 4-3 in a roll call vote. h. ACES Open Choice Superintendent Schoonmaker provided the Board an update on the current enrollment of Open Choice students in the North Branford Public Schools and overviewed the program. He informed the Board that there would be seven vacancies for the 2019/2020 school year. Todd Stoeffler, Principal of NBHS briefly overviewed the current status of the program. 3/15/2019 Page 3 of 10

4 Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice the Board of Education endorses Open Choice for the 2018/2019 school year with its continuation of 26 seats. i. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Chairman Papa-Holzer opened discussion and asked for an update on the Board following FERPA regulations. Vincent Mase asked for clarification for what aspect of FERPA they were addressing. Chairman Papa-Holzer explained they should have an update as well as ensuring the Board follows the law. Superintendent Schoonmaker gave an overview of reasoning behind the information submitted only to the Board. Chairman Papa-Holzer requested the past information in question be sent to the attorney for a legal opinion. j. North Branford School Food Service After School Snack Program Superintendent Schoonmaker distributed information to the Board with an update on the North Branford School Food Service After School Snack Program. Mr. Schoonmaker overviewed the information that Mr. Augur used to make decisions on moving forward with the snack program. k. Security Cameras update on bid results and rebidding. Upon the request of the Board, Superintendent Schoonmaker provided members with an update on bid results and a brief history on the rebidding of the project, which included grant information. l. North Branford High School Feasibility Study- Request for Proposal Superintendent Schoonmaker directed members to the proposals distributed at the Budget Sub-Committee meeting. 3/15/2019 Page 4 of 10

5 Members discussed the additional funds needed for the study. IX. Committee Reports a. Negotiations Superintendent Schoonmaker distributed information to members regarding a question on health insurance. b. Budget & Operations Superintendent Schoonmaker distributed information on the auditorium work and updated members. Members discussed the past funds allocated for the waterproofing. Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed procedures for allocating funds for projects. Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel stated that John Florio was currently collecting specs for the ventilators to obtain accurate pricing for bidding. c. Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Did not meet. d. Pension No meeting. e. Policy The Policy subcommittee did not meet in January but Secretary Siena provided clarification regarding the following policies which were presented for second read and approval: Policy #P1020 Student Attendance, Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism Secretary Siena Moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve Policy #P1020 Student Attendance, Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism as submitted. Policy #P Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Onofrio to approve Policy #P1120 Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process 3/15/2019 Page 5 of 10

6 Carolyn Candelora requested clarification regarding wording for dangerous weapons, stating she was also confused as she believed there was zero tolerance for any weapons. Members discussed the policy as well as State Statutes. Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed procedure by the district and police department for any weapon incident. Secretary Siena withdrew her motion, Vice-Chair Onofrio withdrew her second until further clarification. Carolyn Candelora asked for a clarification with the attorney on the wording of weapon and dangerous weapon in the policies. Director of Special Services Suzanne Write gave an overview of the policy. The motion was tabled until clarification with the attorney. Policy #P1125 Drug and Alcohol Use by Students Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve Policy #P1125 Drug and Alcohol Use by Students as submitted. Policy #P1140 Physical Restraint and Seclusion of Students and Use of Exclusionary Time Out Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve Policy #P1140 Physical Restrain and Seclusion of Students and Use of Exclusionary Time Out as submitted. 3/15/2019 Page 6 of 10

7 Policy #P Immunization Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Onofrio to approve Policy #P1240 Immunization as submitted. CHAIRMAN PAPA-HOLZER Policy #P Health Assessments Secretary Siena stated she had some questions and issues on this policy, gave an overview of her concerns and suggested this be tabled until there is clarification by the attorney. Motion was tabled until further clarification by the attorney. Policy #P2400 Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Assault Reporting Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve Policy #P2400 Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Assault Reporting as submitted. Chairman Papa-Holzer made a statement for the record on the difficulty of having this number of second read policies at once. f. ACES Jana Balsamo reported they met and heard a presentation from Patrice McCarthy of CABE, discussed legislative items, the status of the Wintergreen building, the potential of a lease at Gateway Community 3/15/2019 Page 7 of 10

8 College Campus in North Haven, professional development on Anti-Semitism, they received 10.4% reimbursement from the state. g. Building Committee No meeting. h. Communication No meeting. i. Calendar Don Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel distributed draft calendars to members. He reported the committee met and overviewed the recommendations. He informed members they could wait to vote on the 20/21 calendar until it is done in the alternate format. Vice Chairman Onofrio moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve the 2019/2020 School Calendar as recommended by the Calendar Committee. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve the 2020/2021 School Calendar as recommended by the Calendar Committee. XI. Good of the Board Vice-Chairman Onofrio announced the Education Foundation shining stars have been announced and NBHS high school teacher Elisabeth Caplan has been named as well Liz Hoskins among others. Secretary Siena stated she attended the district basketball game saying it was well done and a great time. XII. Visitors and Press - None 3/15/2019 Page 8 of 10

9 X. New Business Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice 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 and IX a. Negotiations. ALL VOTED Chairman Papa-Holzer reconvened the regular meeting at 10:10 p.m. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve the Superintendent s recommended 2.25% wage increase for the 2018/2019 school year for all unaffiliated employees who are not classified as exempt under P9055. NO VOTE PASSED 6-1 in a roll call vote. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve a wage increase of 2.5% for William Choti, Supervisor of Operations, for the 2018/2019 school year. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to a wage increase of 2.25% for Scott Schoonmaker, Superintendent of Schools for the 2018/2019 school year. CHAIRMAN PAPA-HOLZER 3/15/2019 Page 9 of 10

10 X. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 21, XI. Adjourn Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to adjourn the North Branford Board of Education meeting at 10:20 p.m. ALL VOTED Respectfully Submitted, Mary Caruso BOE Clerk 3/15/2019 Page 10 of 10