North Branford Board of Education Board of Education Meeting Wednesday, June 13, 2018 Stanley T. Williams Community Center 1332 Middletown Avenue Northford, CT I. A brief reception for retiring North Branford Public School Employees was held in the Board Meeting Room of Stanley T. Williams Community Center, retirees were presented with proclamations and thanked for their service to the district. II. III. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board meeting room of Stanley T. Williams Community Center on June 13, 2018. Roll Call VINCENT MASE: Superintendent of Schools: Director of Business/Personnel: Scott Schoonmaker Donald Winnicki IV. Salute to the Flag V. Visitors Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Tracy Wootton Director of Special Services: Suzanne Wright Director of Technology: Bruce Williams Principals: Todd Stoeffler, NBHS Keith O Rourke, NBIS Carter Welch, TVES Elizabeth Parker, JHS Rose Angeloni Charlene Ramsey Marilyn Mozdelewski 6/18/2018 Page 1 of 11
Bill Savastano Megan Peterson Kimberly Williams Joan Williams Meghan Ruszczyk Arnold Palmieri Maria Begte Joanne Palmieri Lynn Lanzoni Bill Lanzoni Linda Humphrey Wayne Humphrey Jude D Allessio Joseph D Allessio Ja Zetzo Alexandra Almerg Jen McGrath Sue Bush Ron Siena Mary Criscuolo Jaime Madoule VI. Student Representatives Michael Madoule reported on the following: Recognition was given to NBHS junior Caitlin May named as recipient of the Shoreline Conference Social Studies Award Program. NBHS junior Logan Frandsen was named the school s recipient for the Shoreline Conference Math Award Program. NBHS Sophomore Marisa Helf and freshman Elizabeth Sarenas were recognized during the annual Shoreline English Department Writers Conference. NBHS Spring Sports, which included participation in the Shoreline and CIAC State Tournaments. Sarah Criscuolo reported on the following: North Branford High School Academic Awards Ceremony was held on May 16 th. May 17th & 18th NBHS Assistant Principal Gregg Gwudz and Dean of Students Megan Lee presented a regional PBIS workshop in Mystic Connecticut. The Senior Class Reflection and breakfast is scheduled for June 15 th. VII. Approval of Previous Minutes a. May 17, 2018 Board of Education Meeting The Superintendent provided the Board with the minutes of the May 17, 2018 Board of Education Meeting for approval. ALL VOTED VIII. Personnel a. Resignations Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2018 Board of Education meeting as submitted. The Superintendent received a resignation from Mr. Brett Gagliardi, one-year only physical education teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, effective May 22, 2018. Vice-Chairman Onofrio moved, seconded by Jana Balsamo to approve the resignation of Mr. Brett Gagliardi, one-year only physical education teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, effective May 22, 2018. ALL VOTED 6/18/2018 Page 2 of 11
The Superintendent received a resignation from Mr. Thomas Hart, North Branford Intermediate School custodian after 19 years of service. This resignation was announced for information only and did not require Board action. b. Appointments - None. c. Leaves Don Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business informed the Board that information regarding leave requests from certified staff members will need to be discussed in Executive Session IX. Superintendent s Report a. Recognition 2017/2018 District Retirees Superintendent Schoonmaker presented Proclamations and thanked all 2017/2018 retirees for their many years of dedicated service to the children of North Branford: Marie D Alessio North Branford High School World Language Teacher 46 years Linda Humphrey Jerome Harrison Elementary School Music Teacher 27 years Lynn Lanzoni North Branford High School Family & Consumer Science 20 years Joanna Palmieri North Branford High School School Nurse 29 years Gail Pearson Central Office Payroll Specialist 17 years Joan Williams North Branford Intermediate School School Psychologist 17 years 2017/2018 Board of Education - Student Representatives Superintendent Schoonmaker recognized North Branford High School students Michael Madoule and Sarah Criscuolo who served as Student Representatives to the Board of Education for the past school year. Class of 2018 Representatives Superintendent Schoonmaker presented information to the Board on this year s Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Essayist who will play a major role in the graduation exercise scheduled for Friday June 15, 2018. Valedictorian Zelda Galdenzi Salutatorian Christopher Candelora Essayist Abigail Esposito b. Donations None at this time. c. Field Trips None at this time. d. Communications Board of Education Briefs The Superintendent directed members to the Board of Education briefs from schools for the month of June. Superintendent Schoonmaker directed Board Members to their board packets and acknowledged the accomplishments of NBHS High School English Teacher Robert Ford for his work with UCONN Early College Experience Course. 6/18/2018 Page 3 of 11
e. Post High School Plans Superintendent Schoonmaker provided information to the Board on current Post High School plans. There was discussion regarding the information provided and the format that was used. f. North Branford School Food Service Healthy Food Certification The North Branford School Food Service Healthy Food Certification was addressed at the June 11, 2018 special meeting. No further discussion was needed. g. Certified Evaluations Per Section 10-151b of the Connecticut General Statutes, Superintendent Schoonmaker reported on the status of teacher evaluations and overviewed the time and work involved in evaluations Superintendent Schoonmaker informed the Board that year-end summative evaluations on all certified employees are currently in progress. It is expected that this will be completed on or about June 30 th, 2018. h. Superintendent s Evaluation The Board will discuss the evaluation of the Superintendent of Schools during Executive Session. i. Principal Search Superintendent Schoonmaker updated members on the present interviewing process that is taking place for the Jerome Harrison Elementary School principal. Members discussed the present status of the hiring process for North Branford Intermediate School. j. Authority to Hire Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed the need for authority to hire as well as the past practices. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Vincent Mase to approve that authority be granted to the Superintendent to hire certified teaching personnel effective immediately until the September 20, 2018 Board of Education meeting. VINCENT MASE: MOTION FAILED 4-3 in a roll call vote. 6/18/2018 Page 4 of 11
k. 2018/2019 Budget Superintendent Schoonmaker opened discussion on the 2018/2019 budget. Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel reported that insurance information will take place in Executive Session as it is related to collective bargaining. There was discussion on the budget and the best way to move forward with a budget motion. Chairman Papa-Holzer opened discussion on the retiring custodian. Upon a request from the Board, Mr. Winnicki and Superintendent Schoonmaker overviewed custodial staff. Members discussed the role of the Board as communicated from CABE as well allowing the district to achieve goals. After discussion on the proposed budget, Superintendent Schoonmaker requested specific guidance from the Board if they are not satisfied with the most recent budget request. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, second by Vincent Mase to approve the establishment of a 1% operating reserve from the 2017/2018 operating budget in accordance with Section 10-248a of the Connecticut General Statutes and as authorized by the Town Council on April 17, 2018. MOTION PASSED in a roll call vote. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Vincent Mase to approve the operating budget in the amount of $31,647,175 as submitted, contingent upon a temporary $350,000 deduction to be allocated by future budgetary line items transfers as required. Reduce object 111 (certified salaries) by $418,815 Reduce object 211 (fica and medicare) by $ 1,545 Increase object 212 (Unemployment) by $ 15,938 Reduce object 213 (Health insurance) by $ 47,054 Reduce object 510 (transportation by $ 51,000 Reduce object 611 (instructional supplies) by $ 42,196 Total Reduction $544,672 6/18/2018 Page 5 of 11
VINCENT MASE: MOTION FAILED 4-3 in a roll call vote. Superintendent Schoonmaker informed the Board he will wait for their direction to move forward. X. Committee Reports a. Negotiations Don Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel reported negotiations will be discussed in Executive Session. b. Budget & Operations Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel distributed information to members on recent bids. Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Secretary Siena to Amend the Agenda of the June 13, 2018 Board of Education meeting, under section X. Committee Reports, h. Building Committee, to include discussion and possible action regarding RFP 02-2018 Asbestos Abatement at North Branford High School and RFP 03-2018 Asbestos Abatement at Totoket Valley Elementary School/STW Community Center (Central Office). ALL VOTED Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Secretary Siena to authorize the award of contract (RFP 02-2018) to Cherry Hill construction (low bidder), in the amount of $14,064.50, for asbestos abatement at North Branford High School. There was discussion on references from the low bidder as well as timing. 6/18/2018 Page 6 of 11
Motion was withdrawn by Cynthia Rice; second was withdrawn by Secretary Siena. Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Secretary Siena to authorize the award of contract (RFP 02-2018) to Cherry Hill construction (low bidder), in the amount of $14,064.50, for asbestos abatement at North Branford High School pending satisfactory reference checks. Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Secretary Siena to authorize the award of contract (RFP 03-2018) to Cherry Hill construction (low bidder), in the amount of $6,250.00, for asbestos abatement at Totoket Valley Elementary School and Stanley T. Williams Community Center (Board of Education lavatory) pending satisfactory reference checks. Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel opened discussion regarding the 2018/2019 schedule of subcommittee meeting dates. Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Secretary Siena to approve the Budget and Operations Subcommittee proposed meeting Dates for the 2018/2019. ALL VOTED c. Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Tracy Wootton, Director of Curriculum and Instruction reported they did not meet. Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel opened discussion regarding the 2018/2019 schedule of subcommittee meeting dates. Cynthia Rice moved, seconded by Secretary Siena to approve the proposed meeting dates for the Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Subcommittee for 2018/2019. ALL VOTED 6/18/2018 Page 7 of 11
d. Pension Pension did not meet. e. Policy Secretary Siena reported the Policy Subcommittee met and reported on the following: Secretary Siena reported that Policy #P1240 was presented to the Board at the last meeting and directed members to the information from the attorney for clarification. This was presented as first read. Policy #P1240 Clarification Policy #P1240 Immunization Members discussed advice from the attorney on #P1240. Secretary Siena overviewed additional policies to the Board for first read: Policy #P2400 Prevention and Report of Child Abuse Policy #P2500 Prevention and Report of Abuse of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Policy #P4010 - Fundraising Members had discussion on suggestions from the attorney on crowdfunding. Secretary Siena submitted and briefly overviewed the following policies to the Board for second reading and approval: Policy #P1040 Free School Accommodations Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve Policy #P1040 Free School Accommodations as submitted. MOTION PASSED 7-0 in a roll call vote Policy #P1120 Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process 6/18/2018 Page 8 of 11
Members discussed unauthorized walkouts and potential conflicts. Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to approve Policy #P1120 Student Discipline Suspension/Expulsion: Due Process as submitted. MOTION PASSED 7-0 in a roll call vote Policy #P1140 Restraint and Seclusion Members discussed potential upcoming changes in this policy. Secretary Siena moved, seconded by Cynthia Rice to Table Policy #P1140 Restraint and Seclusion as submitted. ALL VOTED f. ACES Jana Balsamo reported she was unable to attend the meeting, however shared information that ACES will lose their Wintergreen building after next year. Did not meet. g. Building Committee h. Communication Superintendent Schoonmaker informed members that email invitations were sent out for the July 10 th meeting prior to the Town Council Meeting and encouraged all members to respond. Chairman Papa-Holzer moved to item XII. Good of the Board and XIII. Visitors and Press. XII. Good of the Board Vice-Chair Onofrio commented on the National Honor Society Ceremony she attended. Secretary Siena commented on the Author Study she attended. Jana Balsamo commented on the High School Scholarship Night she attended. 6/18/2018 Page 9 of 11
Vincent Mase commented on the High School Year Book and the success of the students in the district. He applauded the district for a job well done. XIII. Visitors and Press John Florio, president of the Maintenance and Custodial Union commented on the Boards suggestion of custodial cuts and the overviewed the work the custodians do at the schools as well as the money the teams have saved the Town. Chairman Papa-Holzer returned to XI. New Business XI. New Business Vice-Chairman Onofrio moved, seconded by Chairman Papa-Holzer to adjourn to executive session as per Section 1-225 of the Connecticut General Statutes as permitted by Section 1-200 (6)(a) and (e) of the Connecticut General Statutes to discuss agenda item IX c. Leave request of a certified staff member, item IX h. Superintendent Evaluation, and item X a. AFSCME union negotiations. ALL VOTED The Board moved into Executive Session at 8:56 p.m. Chairman Papa-Holzer reconvened the regular meeting at 10:30 p.m. Chairman Papa-Holzer announced that the Board reviewed the Superintendents goals and unanimously agreed that the Superintendent met his goals. Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by Vincent Mase to extend the Superintendents contract by one year through the school year 2020/2021 with the other terms of the contract to be negotiated no later than the August Board meeting. MOTION PASSED 7-0 in a roll call vote XIV. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 19, 2018. 6/18/2018 Page 10 of 11
XV. Adjourn Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by Vincent Mase to adjourn this North Branford meeting at 10:33 p.m. ALL VOTED Respectfully Submitted, Mary Caruso BOE Clerk 6/18/2018 Page 11 of 11