LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATIONREGULAR MEETING February 1, 2006 |
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A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, February 1, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School library.
Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Costa, Fairchild, Falcetti, Noone, Simone, and Tourtellotte.
Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Breslin; Dr. Stuhlman; Mrs. Longobucco; Mrs. MacDonald; Mr. Zaremski; the public and the press.
MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Simone: to approve the minutes of the January 18, 2006 meeting with the following correction on the bottom of page 2463 #1 should read Policy and Personnel Committee – Harold Fairchild (chair).
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Mr. Gorman arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Mr. Shuhi read a statement entitled, “Public Comment,” which clarified the process and guidelines to be observed. Copies were made available to the public.
Public Comment and Correspondence
Emily Skelton reported on the Student Council activities at the high school.
Jessica Buck reported on the status of the recent STPC fundraisers and fund distributions.
Mike Murray distributed a copy of CABE’s Connecticut Code of Ethics for Board of Education outline and commented on the 6th one listed re: striving to ensure that the community is fully and accurately informed about our schools…. He also remarked on the new public comment guidelines and forms that need to be completed. He also questioned how many members of the Board of Education are members of teacher’s unions and/or have a family member on such an organization.
Board members received a letter from the Attorney General thanking the Board for their support in the lawsuit against NCLB and a copy of the 2006 Legislative Priorities CABE pamphlet.
Special Presentations
Mr. Waugh reported on the school building process including: flooring choices; ceiling surface choices; foundation footings; and LIS progress.
Board members discussed the following: info re: flooring material; architect involvement; and possible generator backup included in the project.
Mrs. McCormick, the Intermediate School nurse, Mrs. Simaitis, High School nurse and Mrs. D’Fiore, Center School nurse reported on the school health services including: focus on children; healthy to learn; emotional wellness; ready to learn; physical health; coordinated school health programs; yearly monitoring; monitoring as needed; assessment intervention; referrals; evaluations; PE class; sports; school involvement; community involvement; state mandates; federal legislation affecting school nursing; law effect on school nurses and children; typical day outlined; and the role of the school medical advisor.
New Business
MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to discuss and vote to approve the payment of invoices and adjustments to line item expenditures as required.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Mrs. Perusse reviewed an audit report from 2005 and outlined what will be reported when the auditors present to the Board of Finance at its April 9th meeting.
Board members discussed and received information on the Student Activity Funds.
Dr. Breslin requested an early dismissal approval in order to complete NEASC follow through. Dr. Vita noted that the LIS and Center School could also requested the time for curriculum work and NEASC reports.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to discuss and vote on request from LHS, IS, and CS for early dismissal for NEASC follow-up, curriculum work and NEASC reports on March 23, 2006.
The principals will notify parents immediately.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita reviewed the working draft of the Superintendent’s 2006-07 operating budget and highlighted the items most significantly impacting the budget. These include: heating oil, Diesel fuel and gasoline, electricity, salaries, benefits, Vo-Ah tuition to region#6, Special education costs, Elimination of “pay-to-participate” at high school, new textbooks and instructional materials required for modified schedule at high school, expansion of world language / of Spanish to grades 5 and 6, and insurance premium increases. Reductions to the initial budget include elimination of teaching, teacher assistant, and custodial positions. Reductions also were made in books, supplies, materials, professional development, and technology.
As previously requested by the Board , Dr. Vita presented three alternatives to the “pay-to-participate” fees at the high school. Options include (1) Extra-curricular transportation fees, (2) Student activity fees, (3) adaptations to the current “pay-to-participate”, or (4) Eliminate the fees entirely and incorporate these costs back into the budget as in the past. Board members discussed these options and expressed their varied opinions. However, no decisions were made at this time.
The preliminary draft of the budget presented reflects an approximate 5.67% increase over the 2005-06 budget. The Superintendent’s and Board’s goal is to reduce the budget increase to less than 4% or approximately $14,895,000.
The timeline for the budget process continues next Tuesday (2/7) with a facilites and Finance Committee meeting, continued discussion of the budget by the Board on Wednesday (2/15), and submission of the budget to the Board of Finance on February 28th. The budget will be presented to the Board of Finance on March 6th.
Dr. Vita reviewed the Long Term Plan (2006-2010) with the Board and agreed that the suggested addition of an assessment component to Goal #1 be added to the plan. The Board expressed its universal support for the Long Term Plan as the general guide for the district for the next five years.
MOTION made by Mr. Cost and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to approve the Litchfield Public School District Long Term Plan (2006-2010) as developed and presented by the Long Term Planning group with added changes.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Board members reviewed the following policies for the second reading: 1. #5141.12 Use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) 2. #5141.21 Administering Medications 3. #5141.22 Communicable/Infectious Diseases 4. #5141.3 Health Assessments & Immunizations 5. #9270 Conflict of Interest
Board members reviewed the Conflict of Interest policy #9270 and excerpts from the town code of ethics and discussed the areas of conflict; #3 and #4; need to update ethics codes; issues affecting people who want to run for the Board; CABE policy restrictions; conflicting policy issues need to be fixed; right thing to do; not removing other policy just restating it; and need to know Board policy before running.
Board consensus was to go forward with the policy for a final reading on February 15th.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Vita reported on the following:
Administrative Reports
Dr. Breslin reported on the following at the high school: uplifting Student Council activities; sports teams progress; CABE leadership awardees to be presented at a later meeting; welcoming 2 new AFS students; new schedule update; and course selection process.
Dr. Stuhlman reported on the following at the Intermediate School: the renovation process; new walls construction; creating new room configurations for the construction process; tight spaces during construction; very receptive construction managers; cultural awareness speaker on Tuesday morning, progress with the intergenerational studies; and DARE graduation for 5th graders to take place on Wednesday.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following at Center School: preparation for CMT’s in March for grades 3 and 4; CT loves to read day on Friday; and February 13th N.W Chamber of Commerce read aloud day with guest readers.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on technology including: progress with the building process; 3 network specialists working on plans for new infrastructure; group visiting a Darian school to observe other solutions for video distribution; and technology workshops for K-6 to be held on February 17th.
Mr. Zaremski distributed copies of the “Steps to Protect a Child’s Right to Special Education: Procedural Safeguards” and reviewed what the steps include.
Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: praise for Litchfield bus drivers winning the safety challenge for Laidlaw; fuel oil budget and construction helped with break in weather; pleasant, respectful construction people; custodians progress in moving and storing supplies while construction is underway; and construction status of the cafeteria.
Committee ReportsFinance and Facilities
Mr. Noone reported that the committee will meet on February 7th in the Superintendent’s office to work on the budget and Board members are urged to attend. The budget will be adopted on February 15th and sent to the Board of Finance on the 28th. On March 6th the budget will be formally presented.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to move to Executive Session at 10 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter/employment and pending litigation.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Executive Session
Present were: all the above Board members and Dr. Vita.
Open session resumed at 10:28 p.m.
No action was taken
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to adjourn the meeting at 10:29 p.m.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Respectfully submitted, Donald Falcetti, Secretary Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary
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