North Branford Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2016 *revised for correction 8/19/16* The North Branford Board of Education met on Thursday July 21, 2016 and was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room at Stanley T. Williams School. I. Roll Call CHAIRMAN DAHLMEYER: VICE-CHAIR O ROURKE: SECRETARY VUMBACK: MARCEY ONOFRIO: DEBORAH PRUNIER: SARA QUERFELD: ELIZABETH SIENA: Superintendent of Schools: Director of Personnel and Business: Scott Schoonmaker Donald Winnicki II. III. Salute to the Flag Visitors Sue Bush Charlene Ramsey Susan McMahon Ron Siena IV. Student Representatives No report at this meeting. Vice Chair O Rourke moved, seconded by Sara Querfeld to approve the addition of two resignations to the July 21, 2016 Board of Education Meeting agenda. Moved by Vice Chair O Rourke, seconded by Sara Querfeld to remove item VIII e. Parking Prohibitions at Jerome Harrison School from the agenda and defer the matter to the North Branford Town Council. V. Approval of Previous Minutes a. June 16, 2016 Board of Education Regular Meeting The Superintendent submitted the minutes of the June 16, 2016 Board of Education Meeting. 07/21/2016 Page 1 of 5
Moved by Sara Querfeld, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2016 Board of Education Meeting as submitted., with one abstention from Elizabeth Siena. VII. Personnel a. Resignations The superintendent received a resignation from Ms. Stephanie Byrd, English teacher at North Branford High School, effective July 15, 2016. Moved by Deborah Prunier, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the resignation from Ms. Stephanie Byrd, English teacher at North Branford High School, effective July 15, 2016. Chairman Dahlmeyer and Sara Querfeld both expressed heartfelt disappointment on the resignation of Stephanie Byrd. The Superintendent received a resignation from Mr. James Neufeld, mathematics teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, effective July 18, 2016. Moved by Deborah Prunier, seconded by Marcey Onofrio to approve the resignation from Mr. James Neufeld, grade 7, mathematics teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, effective July 18, 2016. Superintendent Schoonmaker echoed the sentiments of the Board Members and spoke about Ms. Byrd s and Mr. Neufeld s successful career with the North Branford school district. He congratulated Ms. Byrd for her move to an administrative position in Branford and Mr. Neufeld s new position at his hometown school. b. Appointments Covered under g. Authority to hire. c. Leaves None at this time. VIII. Superintendent s Report a. Recognition None at this time. b. Donations None at this time. c. Communications None at this time 07/21/2016 Page 2 of 5
d. Field Trip- None at this time. e. Parking Prohibitions at Jerome Harrison School Previous motion removed this item from the agenda. Superintendent Schoonmaker informed members that the Town Manager informed him that the Town Council would handle this item. f. 2016/2017 Calendar Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed past conversations on the calendar and presented the Board with the modified 2016/17 School Calendar, which is in line with the ACES Calendar. Vice-Chair O Rourke commented on the amount of professional days and questioned the number of early dismissal days; Superintendent Schoonmaker gave an explanation on the rational in setting up professional days. There was discussion on strategies taken in other towns as well as some of the obstacles teachers and administrators encounter today. Moved by Marcey Onofrio, seconded by Deborah Prunier to approve the 2016/17 School Calendar as submitted. CHAIRMAN DAHLMEYER: VICE CHAIRMAN O ROURKE: SECRETARY VUMBACK: MARCEY ONOFRIO: DEBORAH PRUNIER: SARA QUERFELD: ELIZABETH SIENA: NO MOTION PASSES 6-1 g. Authority to Hire Superintendent Schoonmaker distributed information and overviewed all positions filled since the June Board Meeting for the 2016/17 school year. There was an overview from Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business regarding positions and levels of salaries after a question on any savings with the new positions. After a question on potential openings there was discussion on openings throughout the district. h. Evaluation of the Superintendent To be discussed in Executive Session. 07/21/2016 Page 3 of 5
IX. Committee Reports a. Negotiations No Report b. Budget & Operations Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business provided the Board with a list of proposed 2016/17 Budget and Operations Subcommittee Meeting dates. Moved by Marcey Onofrio, seconded by Sara Querfeld to approve the proposed 2016/17 Budget and Operations Subcommittee Meeting dates as amended. Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business provided the Board with a list of year-end line item transfers for review and approval. Moved by Deborah Prunier, seconded by Secretary Vumback to approve the list of yearend line item transfers as submitted by Mr. Winnicki during our Budget Subcommittee Meeting. c. Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Moved by Secretary Vumback, seconded by Sara Querfeld to approve the proposed 2016/17 Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Subcommittee Meeting-modified as discussed in our previous meetings. Sara Querfeld asked for an update on the new strategic plan, Superintendent Schoonmaker explained they have been working on the Strategic Plan with plans to present it at the August meeting. d. Pension - Did not meet. e. Policy Did not meet. f. ACES - Did not meet. g. Building Committee Did not meet. h. Communications - Did not meet. Sara Querfeld opened discussion on the positive activity that goes on throughout the district and suggested beginning a PR campaign emphasizing this positive image throughout Town and beyond. Ms. Querfeld stated they would begin a strategic plan for this campaign. 07/21/2016 Page 4 of 5
Members discussed how grateful and excited they were about this new venture however a caution was raised regarding Board Members speaking to the press. Members discussed best ways to move forward with the idea. XI. XII. Visitors and Press: None Good of the Board: None XIII. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2016. X. New Business: Moved by Marcey Onofrio, seconded by Sara Querfeld 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 h. Evaluation of the Superintendent. Chairman Dahlmeyer reconvened the regular meeting at 9:55 p.m. Chairman Dahlmeyer stated the Board met regarding the evaluation of the Superintendent. The Board found that Superintendent Schoonmaker met or exceeded expectations in all areas. XIV. Adjournment Moved by Marcey Onofrio seconded by Sara Querfeld to adjourn this North Branford Board of Education meeting at 9:56 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Mary Caruso BOE Clerk 07/21/2016 Page 5 of 5