LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATIONREGULAR MEETING February 15, 2006 |
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A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, February 15, 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. Mac Donald; Mr. Zaremski; the public and the press.
MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2006 meeting as submitted.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Mr. Gorman arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Public Comment and Correspondence
Board members were notified of a request for Board representation on the Scholarship Committee to read applications for scholarships during the month of June to be held in the Guidance Suite at the high school.
Mr. Murray commented on the limitation of the new 3-minute guideline for public comment along with budget issues, a robotics article, and attendance at the meetings.
Special Presentations
Mr. Waugh reported on the school building process including: photographs of the construction site; demolition status; underground work; drainage; foundation; temporary athletic office; changes in orders; possible tree removal; Inlands-Wetlands approval; and continued discussion on the tile issue tomorrow evening at the scheduled meeting.
Board members discussed the following: using parts of the trees being removed as some type of mementos to raise funds for the Litchfield Education Foundation; and the drop in pressure issue.
The high school robotics demonstration took place in the gym and included three handouts: LHS Robotics Team #1784; How It Works; and The First Robotics Competition.
Dr. Breslin reported on the following at the high school: an update on the scheduling process; course configuration; and status.
Board members discussed the following: substance abuse expert; involvement of the student right from the beginning; never giving up; and making help a good thing.
New Business
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Noone: 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.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to accept the resignation of LHS math teacher Lindsay K. Tirrell effective February 17, 2006.
Board members discussed the exit interview process and a substitute replacement for now.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita reported on the new safety and security procedures including: staff identification badges; workers in the building; positive working relationship with O&G; after house security; and a series of steps to be taken over the next year.
Board members discussed the following: ID badges for substitutes and visitors; photo ID for students; volunteer finger printing at Center School; and possible funding for student IDs from STPC.
Dr. Vita thanked Mrs. Longobucco and the technology staff for the new ID badges at minimal cost.
Old Business
Dr. Vita reported on the operating budget process that includes everyone and is now at $14,890,000.00, which is a 3.95% increase. The significant impacts on the budget include heating oil, diesel fuel, electricity, Vo Ag tuition, Special Education tuition, elimination of Pay to Participate; world language at the Intermediate School, insurance, fringe benefits, salaries and wages. Three positions have been eliminated. Reductions in insurance, benefits, furniture, supplies, library media, technology supplies and professional development have been made.
The budget does reflect significant improvements including: language arts and math K-6; expansion of the remedial reading program at the elementary level; world language in grades 5&6; reorganization of curriculum resource support K-12; redefine facilities and operations support; enhance instruction in technology program K-12; funding extra-curricular programs; text books for the high school; inter-district coop with Wamogo; enhancement of integration at the high school and the Intermediate School; and math development. The bottom line is that this budget is fiscally responsible.
Board members discussed the following: tracking other school districts; of 47 reported 2 are less than 3.95%; zero percent would be impossible; all work has been done; biggest change is health insurance at 3 ½ %; self insured savings; percent put in account; parking fees still charged; and Anthem projections for the year.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the Litchfield Public School District operating and capital budget for 2006-07.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita noted that the budget will be discussed with the Board of Finance on March 6th.
MOTION made buy Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to approve the new and revised policies #5141.12, #5141.21, #5141.22, and #5141.3 as presented in the agenda for a third 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
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Mr. Fairchild announced that a meeting will be scheduled to discuss policy #9270 Conflict of Interest since legal counsel has advised regarding it.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Noone: to table the third reading of policy # 9270 pending revisions from the Policy Sub Committee.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita discussed the information from The League of Women Voters and National Sleep Foundation re: “Too Sleepy To Learn.” Both sides of the argument are being considered. Making a change for Litchfield is more difficult because there are only 2 tiers of buses and it wouldn’t work to switch the elementary run to start at 6:30 a.m. There is a possibility to starting a little bit later and not affect the elementary students too much.
Board members discussed the following: even 15 minutes could make a difference; flipping is too difficult; possible topic for discussion for Community Conversation; Community Conversation might not be held until October; need to get parents and students involved; after school activities with other schools; need to get sister districts involved; co-op with Wamogo issues; need to take a long term look with everyone involved.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Vita reported on the following:
Administrative ReportsDr. Stuhlman reported on the following at the Intermediate School: status of the intergenerational study; feeling crunched with no swing space; planning for CMTs; and planning for transition program from 6th grade to 7th grade.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following at Center School: read aloud day held last Monday; 100th day celebration tomorrow; and professional development to be held on Friday.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on technology including the following: afternoon workshops for staff on Friday; draft of technology plan is almost completed; progress in the disaster recovery plan; and presentation of the smart boards, large format printer and electronic microscopes from the Litchfield Education Foundation.
Mr. Zaremski distributed copies of a DCF Determination of Reviewer form that Litchfield could be responsible for in certain instances.
Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: parking issues for the buses still not resolved; ongoing budget; shortfalls with fuel and diesel; and status of the building project.
Committee ReportsCurriculum and Technology Committee
Mr. Costa noted the agenda items in a handout and reported that the next meeting will be held on March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. prior to the building committee meeting.
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