LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATIONREGULAR MEETING March 26, 2006 |
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A regular meeting was held on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School Library.
Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Costa, Falcetti, Gorman, Noone, and Tourtellotte. Mr. Fairchild and Mr. Simone were excused. (Mr. Simone arrived at 8:55 p.m. and attended Executive Session.)
Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Breslin; Dr. Stuhlman; Mr. Zaremski, the public and the press.
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Costa: to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2006 meeting with the following corrections: on page 2476 the ‘wee’ should be ‘were’ in the second paragraph, Mr. Tourtellotte name should be spelled correctly and Mr. Noone has volunteered to serve on the scholarship committee, not Mr. Costa.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Public Comment and Correspondence
Mrs. Fabbri reported on the STPC activities including: cookbooks are in and on sale for $12.00; and many high school departments forfeited their $200.00 allotment to give to the robotics team to help them go to Atlanta for the next level of competition.
Mr. Murray commented on the following: good job on the budget; 6 out of 9 Board members could be part of a conflict of interest; need for a standing negotiations committee; voting on issues that could be a conflict of interest; and appreciation of the student representative.
Dr. Vita clarified the negotiations process and how it happens outside of the regular meeting in complete confidence.
MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Noone: to change the new business and old business agenda items to after the committee reports.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Special Presentations
Dr. Vita reported that the School Building Committee discussed the glass façade at the Intermediate School; resolved architectural design issues; working on the fixtures, furniture and equipment issues; hooked up the new oil tank; poured footings for the cafeteria; and the baseball field is expected to be ready for the season.
Presentation on School Psychology and Social Worker Services
Lisa Heuschkel, School Social Worker, reported on the following: Pre-K – 12 Program; outline of main services provided every day; school social worker services; specialized services; generally confidential; individual and group counseling issues; crisis intervention and assessment; collaboration with community agencies; identify and report child abuse and neglect; parent support; interventions with students who have poor attendance and truancy monitoring; and activities to build rapport with students.
Jan Wilson and Mary Lou Hunchak, School Psychologists, distributed pamphlets and reported on the following: school psychology services; learning in schools; data based decision making; communication/collaboration/consultation; effective instruction and development of cognitive/academic skills; systems structure and organization; and ethical/professional development.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Vita reported on the following:
Administrative Reports
Dr. Breslin reported on the following at the high school: scheduling update; graduation date background; senior input; possible Warner Theater location; possible payment taken from the senior class; Thursday, June 22nd end of 181 days; robotics advancing to the finals in Atlanta; Amanda Sanford testified before the state legislature regarding emissions testing for diesel cars; the swim team is second in the Berkshire League; the 4 swimmers in the 400 yard relay achieved All State status; Adam Benet is an All State basketball player; 7th grader Lindsey Carter applied to the New York ballet and qualified; and Chelsea Knox has been accepted to Julliard School of Music as a flutist.
Board consensus was to plan on the graduation ceremony to be held at the Warner Theatre with funding coming from the administration.
Dr. Stuhlman reported on the following at the Intermediate School: multi sensory experience with the building project; final day of the CMT’s tomorrow; end of year plans are progressing; 4th grade parent night to be held; work with the high school on a long transition time; and 6th graders shadowing 7th graders for an elaborate transition.
Mr. Zaremski praised the work of the high school special education department noting that 18 students appear on the high school honor roll, which is gratifying to see.
Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: building project moving along; and timing for the project is still not firm.
Committee ReportsCurriculum and Technology Committee
Mr. Costa reported that the committee would meet next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Center School to review the draft of the technology plan.
Finance and Facilities Committee
Mr. Noone noted that the Board of Finance approved the budget and it is important to educate the public in order to get it approved by the community.
New Business
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to approve the payment of invoices and adjustment to line item expenditure as required.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to approve the out of state field trip for the Robotics Team as requested.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to approve the out of state field trip for the 5th grade to go to the Bronx Zoo as presented on June 16th.
Dr. Vita noted that the trip request to attend a Broadway play by the 6th grade music students has been withdrawn. Something that includes all the 6th grade students will be investigated with a better plan forthcoming.
Dr. Vita also noted that it is not a Board policy but the bus company policy that states that their buses cannot leave the state. There is a possibility of using other school buses, which is more cost affective than renting coach buses.
Board members will discuss the graduation date for June 2006 at the April 5th meeting.
Old Business
The Board of Finance has reviewed the operating budget and the next step is to bring it to a town hearing and meeting.
Board members reviewed policy #9270 Conflict of Interest for a third reading but without everyone present it could not be voted on at this time.
Board members reviewed policy #5141.5 Suicide Prevention for a second reading, #5145.14 On Campus Recruitment for a first reading, and #5145.15 Directory Information for a first reading.
Board members discussed the following: military rights to present to students at secondary level; same as colleges and employers; limits on elementary grade information; possible add written consent; possible internet safety policy; limits on distributing pictures and names; parent input; kids safety most important; and need to enforce and simplify policy.
MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Costa: to move to Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss pending litigation and a security matter.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
All board members in attendance and Dr. Vita. F. Simone arrived at 8:55 p.m.
Open session resumed at 9:19 p.m. No action taken
MOTION made by D. Falcetti and seconded by F. Simone: to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 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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