A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School Library.

 

            Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Costa, Fairchild, Falcetti, Gorman, Noone, Simone, and Tourtellotte.

 

            Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Breslin; Dr. Stuhlman; Mrs. Longobucco; the public and the press.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2006 meeting with the following corrections; on page 2472 the last full sentence on the page should read, “Three positions have been eliminated.” On page 2473 the first paragraph should read, “…world language in grades 5 & 6…” On page 2474 the first word should be “wouldn’t” on the page.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.    

 

Public Comment and Correspondence

 

            Jennifer Kalita reported on the Student Council activities at the high school.

 

            Mrs. Buck announced that STPC will be holding a penny auction at the conferences tomorrow evening.

 

            Mr. Shuhi noted that a Mr. Noone volunteered to serve on the High School Scholarship Committee and Mr. Simone will be backup.

 

            Mr. Murray commented on the following: First Selectman’s salary compared to average teachers’ salary; information on union membership; high salaries; 12 weeks off for teachers; health presentation; no standing negotiations committee; 3 minute limit; community pays the salary; and student representative needs to participate during the whole meeting to be a representative.

 

            Mr. Zullo commended the Board for their budget effort and presentation; and is hopeful that the restrained increase in the budget will be brought to the town for approval. 

 

Special Presentations

 

            Mr. Waugh reported on the school building project including the following: new format from the construction manager; discovery of pipes in courtyard; architectural concerns; glass windows in the Intermediate School cafeteria; flooring at the Intermediate School; possible wildlife study area where the buses turn around now; miscalculation of four feet in the High School foundation; and survey error minor issue.

            Board members discussed the following: glass issue; foundation 4 feet further away from brook; architects responsibility for wiring; need for baseball field in less than 30 days; removing the fence by March 24^th; and the next meeting is on the 16^th.

 

            Dr. Vita introduced the school guidance counselors and noted that they participated in developing the suicide prevention policy to be presented later this evening. Guidance reaches every facet of the school.  They ensure students have the maximum potential for success.  He also noted that Stephanie Sorak, high school guidance counselor was unable to attend this evening.

 

Nancy Basti reported on the Center School Guidance Program including: Developmental Guidance K-3; Project Pride; Town Meeting; and special projects.

 

            Donna Begley reported on the Intermediate School Guidance Program including: Developmental Guidance – Academic; homework help; Developmental Guidance – Social/Emotional; Peer Mediation; Career Education; Role of Counselor; Community; Academic Enrichment – Outdoor Education.

 

            Matthew Coon reported on the Middle School Guidance Program including: Developmental Guidance – Academic; Developmental Guidance – Career/Vocational; Developmental Guidance – Personal/Social; SASI, district wide; PSIS upload.

 

            Patrick Brintle reported on the High School Guidance Program including: Counseling/Consultation; Workshops; College Fair; Post Secondary and Transitioning Planning.

 

            Pamphlets were distributed regarding all the programs and one on Suicide Prevention was distributed to parents too.

 

            It was noted that our guidance program is recognized on the State level.

 

New Business

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: 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.

 

            Mr. Shuhi noted that a volunteer is needed to represent the Board on the Education Connection Board.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Simone: to nominate Frank Gorman to be a representative pending confirmation of dates and times. 

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to nominate Wayne Shuhi to be an alternate representative.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Old Business

 

            Board members reviewed and discussed policy #5141.5 – Suicide Prevention for the first reading.

 

             Dr. Vita commented that start and dismissal times and schedules are still being studied.  Every possibility is being explored along with coordinating with Region 6.  It is still in the formative stage with a lot of work left to do. 

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

Dr. Vita reported on the following:

• An update on the School Wellness Policy development process including a variety of people meeting with an anticipated first reading of the proposed policy on April 19^th.
• School Bus parking lot update with P & Z approving the arrangement to use the parking lot on the old Aerospace lot.
• Photo Id’s for all Board members.
• Pins as a token of appreciation to honor Board members for CABE Board Member Appreciation Week.

 

Administrative Report

 

            Dr. Breslin reported on the following at the high school: boys’ basketball team is in the state competition; the swim team came in second in the Berkshire League; Robotics Team will participate in the New England competition this weekend; Taylor Ivy, John Zullo and Bill Conklin are participating in the Rain Forest project this week; CAPT and CMT testing in progress and is very complicated; and the status of the schedule looks doable.

 

            Dr. Stuhlman reported on the following at the Intermediate School: CMT testing; 5^th graders have 10 tests; strategies changing; finishing Jump Rope for Heart fund raiser; 6^th graders participated in Model UN in Boston and the school is coping with the tight quarters.

 

            Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following at Center School: CMT testing in grades 3 and 4; and March 27^th is the annual meeting with the area nursery schools and teachers to ensure an easy transition to Kindergarten.

 

            Mrs. Longobucco reported on technology including the following: working out the details for the building project; four Kindergarteners will participate in the Technology Expo at the Legislative Building in Hartford; and possible demo of this at a later Board meeting.

  

            Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: electrical consortium extension; fuel oil bid going out soon; consortium supply bid is in; working closely with technology; meeting with librarians re: building project; and the FF&E (furniture/fixtures and equipment) process has begun.

 

Committee Reports

Curriculum and Technology Committee

 

            Mr. Costa reported that the committee will meet tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the math curriculum, high school schedule and credits, and technology.

 

Finance and Facilities Committee

 

            Mr. Noone reported that the committee presented the budget to the Board of Finance and it went well and hopefully it will be carried to the end.

 

Policy and Personnel Committee

 

            Mr. Fairchild reported that policy # 5141.5 Suicide Prevention has been presented for the first reading this evening.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Donald Falcetti, Secretary

                                                                        Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary