North Branford Board of Education Board of Education Meeting Thursday, April 12, 2018 Stanley T. Williams Community Center 1332 Middletown Avenue Northford, CT I. Vice-Chair Papa-Holzer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room of Stanley T. Williams Community Center on Thursday, April 2018. II. Roll Call VICE-CHAIR ONOFRIO: CAROLYN CANDELORA: VINCENT MASE: ABSENT Superintendent of Schools: Director of Business/Personnel: Scott Schoonmaker Donald Winnicki III. Salute to the Flag IV. Visitors (Visitor comments are limited to items on the Agenda.) Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Tracy Wootton Director of Technology: Bruce Williams Principals: Todd Stoeffler, NBHS Keith O Rourke, NBIS Carter Welch, TVES Elizabeth Parker, JHS Nancy Bianchi Carrie Sabetta Dan Izzo Eric Izzo Keith Shadman Alex Shadman Nathan Higgins Brian Higgins Joshua Higgins 4/25/2018 Page 1 of 9
Rosemarie Higgins Paige Rossicone Taylor Levine Theresa Frandsen Nicole Park Mia Park Jerry Prell Marcella Ardine Meghan Rusczcyk Marie Diamond George Miller Virginia Fallon Paul Izzo V. Student Representatives Not present VI. Approval of Previous Minutes a. March 22, 2018 Board of Education Meeting Minutes - Exhibit A The Superintendent submits to the Board minutes of the March 22, 2018 Board of Education Meeting. Vice Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2018 Board of Education meeting as submitted. VICE-CHAIR ONOFRIO: PASSED 6-0 in a roll call vote Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by Cynthia Rice to amend the agenda of the April 12, 2018 Board of Education Meeting to add discussion and action to agenda item a. resignation under 7. Personnel and to add Agenda item k. Superintendent Evaluation Tool under section 8, superintendents report for discussion. ALL VOTED VII. Personnel a. Resignations Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the resignation of Ms. Dana Zambelletti, mathematics teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, effective at the end of the 2017/2018 4/25/2018 Page 2 of 9
school year. ALL VOTED b. Appointments Chairman Pap-Holzer informed members that the Superintendent announced two additions to the secretarial staff bargaining unit. Veronica Perez has been hired to fill the 10-month secretary position at Jerome Harrison Elementary School. Carol Longo has been hired to fill the Payroll Specialist position at Central Office. Welcome and best wishes to Veronica and Carol! Spring Coach Recommendations (NBIS & NBHS) Chairman Papa-Holzer informed members that The Superintendent provided the Board with recommendations from North Branford Intermediate School and North Branford High School administration for spring coaching positions. Motion: Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the spring coaching recommendations for both NBHS and NBIS as submitted. Vice-Chair Onofrio suggested they attempt to approve the coaching recommendations in July for fall sports and add any additions as needed. Members discussed best way to move forward with the coach recommendations in the future. ALL VOTED Non-renewal contracts Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve the nonrenewal of the one-year contract of employment of Chelsea Colonese, school psychologist at Jerome Harrison Elementary School, for the 2018/2019 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. ALL VOTED Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the nonrenewal of the one-year contract of employment of Brett Gagliardi, physical education teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, for the 2018/2019 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. ALL VOTED Vice-Chair Onofrio stated for clarification, these non-renewal positions were hired as one year contracts and do not reflect any performance. c. Leaves None at this time. 4/25/2018 Page 3 of 9
VIII. Superintendent s Report a. Recognition None at this time. b. Donations None at this time Vice-Chair Onofrio thanked Lynn Riordan of Matts Mission for the donation of $462.00 for girls lacrosse jerseys. c. Communications Superintendent Schoonmaker informed members that the student representatives were not in attendance due to the Band trip to Florida for a performance and competition. Mr. Schoonmaker thanked Mr. Stoeffler for supporting the students and the Board for supporting their ability to perform and compete. d. Field Trips None at this time. e. North Branford High School Renovation Presentation Superintendent Schoonmaker gave background on history and condition of the high school as well as the qualifications of Marie Diamond for doing this research. Mr. Schoonmaker introduced Town Council Member, Marie Diamond to present research and recommendations to pursue a renovate-as-new plan for the high school. Ms. Diamond briefly overviewed her background with school evaluations and presented a video slide show on needed improvements at the high school. Ms. Diamond made recommendations to the Board on best ways to move forward and spoke about specific improvements needed in the areas of ADA compliance, safety, and energy conservation as well as creating a positive learning environment. She also cited general recommendations by NEASC (New England Associations of Schools and Colleges). Vice-Chair Onofrio thanked Ms. Diamond for bringing her expertise forward and stated that she did this work due to her qualifications not because she is a member of the Town Council. Vice- Chair Onofrio also informed Board members that she visited East Hampton s recently renovated as new school. She reported that the cost of their project was fifty-three million dollars. Chairman Papa Holzer addressed the renovation presentation and stated that although the Board has some hard work with the recent budget cut, they will still look at the necessities of the high school and make a presentation to the Town Council. f. Board of Education Spotlight NBIS Creative Connections: ArtLink Program Superintendent Schoonmaker gave a brief background and introduced NBIS School Principal Keith O Rourke. Mr. O Rourke overviewed the ArtLink Program and the value Mr. Davis felt with the program. A video preview was shown overviewing the program. NBIS teachers Ms. Marcela Ardine, Mrs. Carrie Sabetta and Mr. Jerry Prell overviewed the ArtLink Program, how the program began, what it has meant to the students and the real value 4/25/2018 Page 4 of 9
the program has been for creative learning. NBIS students currently and previously in the program presented their input and expressed their learning experiences with the ArtLink Program. g. Graduation Date 2018 Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed the challenges of the weather this year and presented the Board with a graduation date of Friday June 15, 2018. Moved by Marcey Onofrio, seconded by Vincent Mace to establish the 2018 North Branford High School graduation date for Friday, June 15, 2018. ALL VOTED h. Voluntary Early Retirement Plan Don Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business, informed members that there were only four responses to the Early Retirement Plan, with the minimum required at six, it would not make sense to move forward. i. Principal Search Process Superintendent Schoonmaker informed the Board that due to the uncertainty of the 2018 budget, he recommends they suspend the principal search process. He felt the current leadership in place is sufficient at this time. Members agreed with this decision. j. Certified Staff Non-Renewals Discussed previously in the minutes. IX. Committee Reports The Board of Education will review and take possible action on committee reports. Vice-Chair Onofrio reviewed the Committee Assignments and asked if members would like to address any vacant committee positions. Totoket Valley Elementary School Principal Dr. Carter Welch briefly overviewed the Wellness Committee meetings. Cynthia Rice volunteered for the Wellness Committee. a. Negotiations Don Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business reported that he began meeting with the paraprofessionals, with another meeting scheduled for April 23. Chairman Papa-Holzer overviewed the reasoning behind doing the superintendents evaluation in 4/25/2018 Page 5 of 9
a timely manner and ways they will do that evaluation moving forward. Ms. Papa-Holzer explained the importance of having hard data and her commitment to becoming more proficient in understanding the tools for the evaluations. b. Budget & Operations Donald Winnicki reported they met in April and discussed the following: Status of this year s budget The work ahead for the 18/19 budget to bring it to the same level as the 17/18 budget Capital (most of which was eliminated) The voluntary retirement plan, which only had four interested Energy audit request from the Town How to approach the budget reduction that is required from the 18/19 year Chairman Papa-Holzer made a statement on the budget reduction and asked Superintendent Schoonmaker to overview the procedure for the referendum. Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed the procedure for the May 8 th referendum. Chairman Papa-Holzer discussed Board involvement with addressing the Budget reduction. Members discussed Board involvement with the administrators to help understand the budget reduction. Members discussed a date of April 30 th, 6:00 pm for a budget workshop. c. Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Did not meet. d. Pension Did not meet. d. Policy Secretary Siena stated the Policy Subcommittee submitted the following policies for first read: Policy #P1005 Non-Discrimination (Students) Policy #P2010 Employment Checks Policy #P2210 Non-Discrimination (Employees) Policy #P4010 Fund Raising Secretary Siena stated the Policy Subcommittee submitted the following policies for second read and possible approval: Policy #P1120 Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process Motion: Moved by Secretary Siena, seconded by Vice-Chair Onofrio to approve Policy #1120 Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process as submitted. 4/25/2018 Page 6 of 9
Member Rice opened discussion on the motion, and suggested removing some language. Donald Winnicki Director of Personnel and Business gave members an overview of the process for the first and second reads and the language that is received from the attorneys. Member Siena withdrew her motion, Vice-Chair Onofrio withdrew her second. Superintendent Schoonmaker explained best ways to submit comments which would then be sent to the attorneys. Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by Secretary Siena to table #1120- Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process as submitted. ALL VOTED Policy #P1215 High School Graduation Requirements Member Siena opened discussion on what the State requires and the requirements of the high school. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Tracy Wootton and Director of Personnel and Business Donald Winnicki overviewed the requirements of the high school compared to the requirements of the State. Moved by Secretary Siena, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve Policy #1215 High School Graduation Requirements as submitted. VICE-CHAIR ONOFRIO PASSED 6-0 in a roll call vote Policy #P1260 Administering Medication to Students Moved by Secretary Siena, seconded by Vice-Chair Onofrio to approve Policy #1260 Administering Medication to Students as submitted. Secretary Siena and Cynthia Rice voiced concerns with regard to Narcan. Members discussed different opinions on the issue. VICE-CHAIR ONOFRIO 4/25/2018 Page 7 of 9
NO NO PASSED 4-2 in a roll call vote. Policy #P1290 Confidentiality and Access to Student Records Moved by Secretary Siena, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve Policy #1290 Confidentiality and Access to Student Records as submitted. VICE-CHAIR ONOFRIO: PASSED 6-0 in a roll call vote Policy #P9055 Determining Compensation Motion: Moved by Secretary Siena, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to approve Policy #9055 Determining Compensation as submitted. VICE-CHAIR ONOFRIO PASSED 6-0 in a roll call vote with one f. ACES Jana Balsamo reported they met and discussed the following: A communications award from CABE Wintergreen School presentation Update on Leeder Hill Dow Realty was selected to identify and sell property realtor 4/25/2018 Page 8 of 9
Their Annual Gala Budget approval that was presented during the May meeting. Approved an increase for substitutes Additional budget to review for next meeting The transportation grant Human resources report Job fair - April Summer Academy Program Healthy food certificate review g. Building Committee - No meeting h. Communication No meeting X. New Business The Executive session was not needed. XI. Good of the Board Jana Balsamo stated she attended the St Baldricks event, as her daughter was an honor child. Ms. Balsamo thanked the Town for all their support. Cynthia Rice commented that Carolyn Candelora attended the play at the high school and said it was great. Superintendent Schoonmaker stated the two plays at the High School and Middle School were both wonderful performances with many involved. XII. Visitors and Press No visitor or press. XIII. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2018. XIV. Adjourn Moved by Marcey Onofrio, seconded by Jana Balsamo to adjourn this North Branford meeting at 8:55 p.m. ALL VOTED Respectfully Submitted, Mary Caruso BOE Clerk 4/25/2018 Page 9 of 9