TRUMBULL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT Regular Meeting June 2, 2010 Long Hill Administration Building Lorraine R. Smith Assembly Room The Trumbull Board of Education convened in the Long Hill Administration Building for a Regular Meeting. Members present: E. Lovely, Chairperson D. Herbst, Vice Chairperson (7:35 p.m.) T. Kelly, Secretary L. Chory, Board Member (7:35 p.m.) L. Labella, Board Member (7:30 p.m.) M. Ward, Board Member S. Wright, Board Member (left at 7:40 p.m.) Agenda Item I Preliminary Business A. Salute to the Flag - The Public Session began at 7:01 p.m. followed by a salute to the Flag. Chairman Lovely stated that many students in the district have received awards and recognitions and information regarding these can be found on the individual school s websites. He also noted that Memorial Day is a time to remember our troops and those who gave their lives for the freedoms we have in the United States. B. Correspondence There was no correspondence this evening. C. Comments and Questions There were no comments or questions this evening. At this time, Chairman Lovely asked to take Agenda Item II Personnel out of order. Agenda Item II Personnel (out of order) A. Personnel It was moved (Wright) seconded (Ward) to accept the resignation of Jennifer Baxter, math specialist (.5) at Frenchtown School since August 2006, resigning effective June 30, 2010. Vote: unanimous in favor. It was moved (Wright) seconded (Kelly) to accept the resignation of Abigail Schultz, English teacher at Trumbull High School since August 28, 2006, resigning effective June 30, 2010. Vote: unanimous in favor. Agenda Item I Preliminary Business D. Recognition 1.Tenure Teachers The following staff members were recognized and commended for attaining tenure status with the Trumbull Board of Education: Jonathan Albers, Charles Anderson, Kathleen Anderson, Gabrielle Ballatore, Jennifer Baxter, Bethany Buco, Charles Callahan, Margaret Cassidy, Victor Chaves, Hannah Cohen, Rachel Cresman, David DeAngelo, Paulo DeOliveira, Persefone Dikegoros, John Evans, Kelly Flanagan, Elizabeth Flatto, Maria Manso-Garcia, Anita Gasparini-Carney, Cindy Gomes, Hanna Grabinski, Shannon Healy, Cathy Huffman, Elizabeth Intemann, Allison Johnson, Kirsten Karlan, Lesley Kitchener, Jacqueline Knapp, Matthew Landin, Andrea Lorenz, Todd Manuel, Jianine Martin, Jordan Miller, Suzanne Minatti, Cheryl Monaco, Linda Paslov, Dana Pierce, Julia Saad, Samar Sakakini, Shannon Sampar, Matthew Scerbo, Karlen Shupp, Maureen Steinberg, Thomas Vrabel, Cheryl Wallace, Matthew Wheeler, Amy Williams, Margaret Wyckoff. 2. TPSLD Awards Trumbull Parents of Students with Learning Differences (TPSLD) are a group dedicated to increasing awareness of learning differences
between children. An award has been established by them to recognize outstanding achievements by people who improve the lives of students with disabilities. Award recipients include: Youth Jayna Pacelli, Niko Gach, and Ashley Thoessen; Youth Above and Beyond Colleen Joyce; Adult Kim Piccolo, Maegan Amon, Kim Krafick, Aimee Marini, Kelly Nilan, Lindsay Lee, Julie Amoroso, and Mary Palmer; Adult Above and Beyond Judi Chisarik and David Vargas. The Board adjourned for a brief recess at 7:39 p.m. and the meeting resumed at 7:44 p.m. 3. Trillium Yearbook Trumbull High School s 2010 yearbook, under the advisorship of Sue Berescik and Jordan Miller, was recognized for its many prestigious awards. Several editors presented yearbooks to the Board and Mrs. Berescik was presented with certificates awarded to each contributing editor. 6. Teacher Board Representative Jane Ryan teacher Darlene Ference, who has served for two years as Teacher Board Representative, was recognized and commended for her outstanding service. Agenda Item III Consent Agenda A. Approval/Minutes Regular Meeting 5/18/10 By unanimous consent of members present at that meeting, the minutes were approved as presented. It was moved (Labella) seconded (Chory) to take Agenda Item VI-A out of order. Vote: unanimous in favor. Agenda Item VI Old Business (out of order) A. 2010-11 Operating Budget Update Mr. Iassogna noted that at the May 18, 2010 meeting, the Board directed the Superintendent to identify the $1,225,074 in budget reductions and to make a recommendation with regard to balancing the following non-operating budget accounts: THS Musical, Elementary Strings/Band, Adult Education, Continuing Education and THS Athletics. A funding chart was presented identifying the budget reductions, and use of the following: $984,000 in unspent 2009-10 monies, ARRA funds and ECS monies. It was noted that the THS Musical and Elementary Strings/Band accounts had already received supplemental Board appropriations and the Adult Education has been shifted to the BOE operating budget for 2010-11 as it is a mandated program. It was further noted that the Continuing Education Program should receive a one-time adjustment so as to synchronize with recent accounting modifications. As for THS Athletics, it was noted that the diversified program, operating in deficit for the past 2 ½ year, has become increasingly difficult to fund. Mr. Iassogna further noted that the Board has options to address the deficits including developing new protocols, additional budget monitoring, reducing operating costs, and possible elimination of activities/sports. A lengthy discussion ensued including using monies in dormant accounts for balancing accounts in deficit; pay to participate for sports; using credit cards to pay for participation fees; excess monies in Open Choice and Head Start food accounts; joining with neighboring communities to offer Adult and Continuing Education programs; forming a committee composed of Board members, administrators, athletic director, those involved directly with accounts, and parents whose charge is to make recommendations to the Board regarding the accounts in need of balancing to make them revenue neutral. It was moved (Labella) seconded (Kelly) to direct the Superintendent to create an ad hoc committee with the Board Chair to review and evaluate the 4 accounts, THS Musical, Elementary Band/Strings, Continuing Education, and Trumbull High Athletics and to bring back to the Board recommendations for making these accounts revenue neutral for their August 17, 2010 meeting. Vote: 5 in favor (Chory, Herbst, Kelly, Labella, Lovely); 1 opposed (Ward). Motion passes. It was moved (Chory) seconded (Herbst) to move to Agenda Item IV-A at this time. Vote: Unanimous in favor. 2
Agenda Item IV Reports A. THS Renovate as New Project Update Mr. Iassogna noted that the THS Renovate As New Project is the beginning stage of Phase II and noted that both the THS Building Committee and Town Council have strongly approved moving forward. Mr. Barbarotta began with a status report on Phase I and then proceeded to the Phase II bidding process, which came in approximately $5,300,000 less than budgeted. Fourteen bid alternates or options were reviewed, with 7 approved, 4 rejected, 2 placed on hold and 1 withdrawn, with most bids awarded and waiting on 4 contracts. Mr. Barbarotta noted that among the Alternate Plans approved were replacing bleachers and flooring in the gymnasium and adding seating for the football stadium; and the THS Building Committee is investigating possible renovation of the concession stand to add bathrooms and team rooms. Further noted is that conversion of the old auditorium to swing space should start by June 15. He concluded that construction is on schedule. Agenda Item VI Old Business (discussion resumed) A. 2010-11 Operating Budget Update Discussion resumed with Mr. Iassogna further reviewing the Funding Chart presented, noting it was developed following Board direction. He also emphasized the importance of addressing all items this year, especially accounts to be balanced, as next year maybe more difficult due to the funding cliff. It was moved (Ward) seconded (Labella) to accept the recommendations of the Superintendent as outlined in the June 1, 2010 funding chart regarding the 2010-11 BOE operating budget. Discussion ensued. It was moved (Ward) seconded (Labella) to amend the motion to accept the recommendations of the Superintendent as outlined in the June 1, 2010 funding chart regarding the 2010-11 BOE operating budget with the exception of the $316,000 earmarked for the balancing of the Board of Education Program accounts in deficit pending review at the June 15, 2010 meeting. Vote on amended motion: 5 in favor (Chory, Herbst, Kelly, Labella, Lovely); 1 opposed (Ward). Motion passes. Vote on original motion as amended: 5 in favor (Chory, Herbst, Kelly, Labella, Lovely); 1 opposed (Ward). Motion passes. It was moved (Lovely) seconded (Herbst) to move into Executive Session at 10:30 p.m. to discuss the Board and Superintendent Evaluation; Personnel; and Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction Evaluation and to invite the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. Vote: 5 in favor (Chory, Herbst, Kelly, Lovely, Ward) 1 opposed (Labella) Motion passes. Adjournment Board Members gave unanimous consent to adjourn the Executive Session at 10:43 p.m. and the Public Session at 10:44 p.m. 3
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