North Branford Board of Education Meeting April 20, 2017 I. The North Branford Board of Education met on Thursday April 20, 2017 and was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room at Stanley T. Williams School. II. Roll Call CHAIRMAN DAHLMEYER: VICE-CHAIR O ROURKE: SECRETARY VUMBACK: MARCEY ONOFRIO: DEBORAH PRUNIER: SARA QUERFELD: ELIZABETH SIENA: 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 Kris Lindsay, TVES Carter Welch, JHS Keith O Rourke Greg Gwudz Sue Campagna Charlene Ramsey Ethan Sabetta Shawn D Aversa Grace Garra Scoirse Burke Joan Williams Carrie Sabetta Al Sabetta Angelique Burke Eileen Nuzzo Sandra Grimm Julie Shadman Liz Hoskins Moved by Vice-Chair O Rourke, seconded by Sara Querfeld to amend the agenda of the April 20, 2017 Board of Education meeting.
Moved by Vice-Chair O Rourke, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to add the Midyear Evaluation of the Superintendent under Item X. New Business. V. Student Representatives Austin Gibilisco reported on the following: English Department Chair Robert Ford was named Teacher of the Year at North Branford High School. Mr. Ford continues to lead the English Department and has continued with many additional responsibilities during his tenure. The NB Choral Spectrum Concert took place on April 5th with performances by each level. The Instrumental Spectrum Concert took place on April 18 th with a similar format. The NBHS GSA, led by Faculty Advisor and Health Educator Mrs. Nicole Lacroix, attended the annual True Colors event at UCONN on March 17 th. Twenty-one students participated and 5 were also presenters at the important annual event. Deanna Sgambato reported on the following: SAT testing for juniors took place on Wednesday, April 5 th. The College Board provides districts with testing requirements and procedures. Grade 10 students continue to prepare for the upcoming Science CAPT testing is scheduled for April 18-19 and April 25-26. NBHS hosted another Full Circle Assembly on April 7 th with students from each grade level recognized for their efforts during the second semester. Faculty nominated students for above and beyond examples of conduct aligned with the expectations associated with PBIS acronym CIRCLE. The National Honor Society hosted the annual spring Senior Citizen Luncheon on Tuesday March 28 th at NBHS. Ms. Lanzoni s Food Service Classes prepared lunch and the NBHS Concert Choir performed for the citizens in attendance. In response to a question on SAT testing, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Tracy Wootton gave a brief overview of SAT testing. April 20, 2017 2
VI. Approval of Previous Minutes a. March 16, 2017 Special Meeting The Superintendent submitted the minutes of the March 16, 2017 Board of Education Meeting. Moved by Vice-Chair O Rourke, seconded by Secretary Vumback to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2017 Board of Education Meeting as submitted. CHAIRMAN DAHLMEYER: VICE-CHAIR O ROURKE: SECRETARY VUMBACK: MARCEY ONOFRIO: DEBORAH PRUNIER: SARA QUERFELD: ELIZABETH SIENA: MOTION PASSES 7-0 VII. Personnel a. Resignations None at this time. b. Appointments Superintendent Schoonmaker provided the Board with recommendations from North Branford Intermediate School and North Branford High School spring coach positions along with a brief overview of some of the recommendations. Moved by Cahirman Dahlmeyer, seconded by Secretary Vumback to approve the Spring coaching recommendations for both NBHS and NBIS as submitted. Vice Chair O Rourke inquired how the budgeted amount is used when a coach is not hired. Mr. Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel explained the budgeted amount can be used elsewhere. c. Leaves None at this time. VIII. Superintendent s Report a. Recognition None at this time April 20, 2017 3
b. Donations Superintendent Schoonmaker recognized Mrs. Lauren Danner, NBHS Science Teacher and Connecticut Teacher of the Year, who has received a donation of $2,500 from the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council. Moved by Sarah Querfeld, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the donation in the amount of $2,500 from the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council with grateful appreciation. Superintendent Schoonmaker informed the Board that Mrs. Rebekah Polemeni, NBHS Science Teacher, has been awarded a donation from the Fund for Teachers in the amount of $4,964. This award recognizes Mrs. Polemeni as a 2017 Fellow for the Fund for Teachers. Moved by Deborah Prunier, seconded by Secretary Vumback to approve the donation in the amount of $4,964 from the Fund for Teachers with grateful appreciation. Donald Winnicki overviewed Ms. Polemeni s plans for her project. Secretary Vumback offered information on other projects that were done in her district and commented on the wonderful opportunity this donation fund awards the teachers. c. Communications Superintendent Schoonmaker directed the Board to the BOE briefs and stated the schools remain busy and announced administrators were present for any questions. Mr. Schoonmaker directed the board to letters (Exhibit E & F) from the University of Michigan and the Connecticut Science Teachers Association. April 20, 2017 4
d. Field Trips Superintendent Schoonmaker informed the Board that there is a field trip request from Mr. Brett Joly, world language teacher at NBHS for a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. This field trip will focus the French culture and history of New Orleans. Moved by Marcey Onofrio, seconded by Sara Querfeld to approve a North Branford High School field trip to New Orleans, Louisiana which will depart on Saturday, February 17, 2018 and return on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. Vice-Chair O Rourke commented on the opportunity and value of the culture of this trip. e. Board of Education Spotlight NBIS ADL Mentors Superintendent Schoonmaker introduced NBIS school psychologist Joan Williams and School social worker Danielle Johnson to speak about the extraordinary students as the NBIS ADL Mentors. Vice-Principal Keith O Rourke gave a brief history and overviewed the ADL Mentor program. Mr. O Rourke introduced Ms. Williams and Ms. Johnson who gave detailed information to the Board on the essence of the program with a focus on the students teaching the 6 th grade students various topics based on the PRIDE Program. Each student spoke personally about what the program means to them. A short video on the program was shown. f. 2017/2018 Preschool Update Superintendent Schoonmaker informed the Board that the district has been awarded $215,689 of Smart Start Preschool Grant funding. He explained the opportunity this offers the district for students prior to kindergarten. Ms. Wootton, Director of Curriculum and Instruction overviewed updated information on the program including acceptance of applications. She also directed people to the website and explained the main focus is to make the preschool part of the district curriculum. Mr. Schoonmaker also gave brief information on logistics of the program and thanked Ms. Wootton and Jerome Harrison Principal Carter Welsh for their hard work on the grant. April 20, 2017 5
g. Graduation Date 2017 In accordance with State Statute, the North Branford Board of Education has established a firm graduation date of Friday June 9, 2017. Superintendent Schoonmaker commented on the early graduation date this year. Moved by Vice-Chair O Rourke, seconded by Sara Querfeld to establish the 2017 North Branford High School graduation date for Friday, June 9, 2017. h. 2017-2018 Budget Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business updated the Board on the status of the 2017-2018 budget request stating the Town Council met on Tuesday April 18 th and finalized the budget to send it to a referendum on May 9 th. The BOE received a 1% increase over the current year. During the May meeting the Budget subcommittee will establish an additional Budget Workshop to discuss the consequences of the budget. i. ACES-ECA Enrollment 2017-2018 Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed the ACES, ECA program which the district presently has 7 returning students and 5 additional students accepted. Mr. Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business overviewed the expenses as well as the responsibilities of the district. Mr. Winnicki stated there is an $18,000 short fall. There was discussion on the program, responsibilities of the district as well as the students accepted in. Members discussed the potential of waiting until after the budget workshop to decide on this motion, as well as additional potential strategies. Members agreed the ECA program is a great opportunity for students. April 20, 2017 6
After additional discussion, Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business gave a history of the program and there was discussion whether it is permissible to have families contribute. Moved by Sara Querfeld, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve 12 students from North Branford Public Schools attending the ACES Educational Center for the Arts for the 2017/2018 school year at the above noted rate. After a question by Marcey Onofrio on whether students have ever been turned away, members discussed the record number of students accepted this year as well as the diversity of the program. Members requested including on the next agenda the potential of developing a policy on the number of students from the district allowed into the ACES program. Secretary Vumback requested some historical data as well as additional programs available to help set a policy. Mr. Winnicki gave some guidance on financing possibilities. CHAIRMAN DAHLMEYER: VICE-CHAIR O ROURKE: SECRETARY VUMBACK: MARCEY ONOFRIO: DEBORAH PRUNIER: SARA QUERFELD: ELIZABETH SIENA: MOTION PASSES 7-0 j. Certified Staff Non-Renewals Mr. Winnicki stated this would be discussed in Executive Session. IX. Committee Reports a. Negotiations Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business reported they are negotiating with four AFSCME units. The next meeting is scheduled for May 9 th, he will meet with the negotiations committee before then. b. Budget & Operations Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business reported they met and discussed the current year s budget which is unremarkable, they also discussed the 2017/18 budget process and April 20, 2017 7
will defer until the May meeting for further discussion. Additionally, they discussed the high school boiler bid which was due to open, however an addendum had to be issued. There was a brief discussion on a potential opportunity for DATCO to offer free bus service during certain times of day. c. Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Tracy Wootton, Director of Curriculum and Instruction reported they met and discussed the preschool program as well as the updated strategic plan, which was distributed to members and is on the website. d. Pension did not meet. e. Policy Vice-Chair O Rourke presented the following policies for second reading and approval. Policy #P2160 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Moved by Vice-Chair O Rourke, seconded by Chairman Dahlmeyer to approve Policy #P2160- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness as submitted at the March 16, 2017 Board of Education meeting. Policy #P2550 Prohibition of Recommendations for Psychotropic Drugs Moved by Vice-Chair O Rourke, seconded by Elizabeth Siena to approve Policy #P2550-Prohibition of Recommendations for Psychotropic Drugs as submitted at the March 16, 2017 Board of Education meeting. Policy #P4010 Fundraising Policy Moved by Vice-Chair O Rourke, seconded by Elizabeth Siena to approve Policy #P4010- Fundraising Policy as submitted at the March 16, 2017 Board of Education meeting. April 20, 2017 8
f. ACES Sara Querfeld stated the Committee met and reported that the two assistant directors are both retiring, Aces is in tough financial times, laying off 12 people. Because of the financial problems, they are assigning a separate Financial Board, which their Chairman will appoint. g. Building Committee Did not meet. h. Communications - Did not meet. XI. XII. Good of the Board - none Visitors and Press - none XIII. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, 2017. X. New Business Moved by Sara Querfeld, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to adjourn to executive session as per Section 1-225 of the Connecticut General Statutes as permitted by Section 1-200 (6)(A) of the Connecticut General Statutes to discuss agenda item VIII j. Non-renewal of certified staff and item X. a. Mid-year Evaluation of the Superintendent. The executive session will include the Director of Personnel and Business to discuss item VIII j. only. Board members returned from Executive Session and Chairman Dahlmeyer reconvened the Regular Meeting. Moved by Chairman Dahlmeyer, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the nonrenewal of the one-year contract of employment of Monica Reynolds, math teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, for the 2017/2018 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. Moved by Chairman Dahlmeyer, seconded by Secretary Vumback to approve the nonrenewal of employment of Kelly Jakiela, long-term substitute at Jerome Harrison Elementary School, for the 2017/2018 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. April 20, 2017 9
Moved by Chairman Dahlmeyer, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the nonrenewal of employment of Samantha Danielle, long-term substitute at Totoket Valley Elementary School, for the 2017/2018 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. Moved by Chairman Dahlmeyer, seconded by Deborah Prunier to approve the nonrenewal of employment of Ashley Rodrigues, long-term substitute at Totoket Valley Elementary School, for the 2017/2018 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. Moved by Chairman Dahlmeyer, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the nonrenewal of employment of Kristine Sward, long-term substitute at North Branford Intermediate School, for the 2017/2018 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. Moved by Chairman Dahlmeyer, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the nonrenewal of employment of Lauren Horsefield, long-term substitute at North Branford High School, for the 2017/2018 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. XIV. Adjournment Moved by Marcey Onofrio seconded by Secretary Vumback to adjourn this North Branford Board of Education meeting at 9:23 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Mary Caruso BOE Clerk April 20, 2017 10