LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATIONREGULAR MEETING April 5, 2006 |
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A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School library.
Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Fairchild, Falcetti, Noone, Simone, and Tourtellotte. Mr. Costa was excused.
Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Stuhlman; Mrs. Longobucco; Mrs. MacDonald; the public and the press.
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2006 meeting as submitted.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. Mr. Simone and Mr. Fairchild abstained.
Public Comment and Correspondence
Mrs. Fabbri reported on the STPC activities including the sale of the cookbook and applications ready for four $500.00 scholarships.
Jennifer Kalita reported on the student council activities at the high school.
Mr. Shuhi reported on the Tools for Schools letter thanking the Board for their participation.
Warren Lundquist, Computer/Network Specialist, submitted his resignation effective April 13, 2006. The job has been advertised and interviews held as soon as possible.
Mr. Murray commented on the following: email sent to Board members re: the pension fund; possible resolution passed to urge state to do the right thing; Superintendent’s message on the internet re: SAT scores; comparing scores with the state and ERG; and scores being an educational issue.
Mr. Gorman arrived at 7:10 p.m.
Special Presentations
Mr. Waugh reported on the school building project including: meetings on March 16th and 28th; interest rates on loans; building inspector fees; architect costs; glass update; final flooring numbers; monthly cost reports; soft costs; completion percentages at both schools; special meeting on March 29th to pay bills; issues at the high school site; asbestos and oil; and budget.
Board members discussed the following: cost of glass decision; possible shortfall later; affect on heating costs; is insulation quality; façade and appearance; money could be spent on technology; possible super fund support not needed; and issues with the pipes found on the site.
Mr. Crow presented an overview of the 2005-06 Litchfield Athletic program including the following: LHS Athletics; CIAC membership; 11 schools; evidence of sportsmanship and fair play; grateful to White Memorial; Forman; Wamogo; CJR; Litchfield Country Club; Plumb Hill Playing Fields, Inc.; fall, winter, spring offerings and numbers; athletic participation; pay to participate results; what an AD does-preseason, during season and post season; samples of websites; example of sports poster; and weather station monitoring.
Board members discussed the following: first AD presentation in 40 years; positive web site experience; issues of basketball match ups; and need for dramatic change with that.
New Business
MOTION made by Mr. Simone 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. Simone and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to set the high school graduation date for Thursday June 22, 2006 at the Warner Theater in Torrington.
Board members discussed the following: possible use of Warner Theater every year; need to see how it goes; 1,700 seats; parking; no constables needed; no speaker system or chairs needed; Board responsible for graduation expenses; lobby for reception; rooms for kids to prep; and filming is professional.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita reported that the grant application has been completed with a variety of co- sponsors participating.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to authorize the Superintendent to submit a grant application to the Connecticut Community Foundation and League of Women Voters for a Community Conversation on Education in fall 2006.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Old Business
Dr. Vita reported that Leo Paul and he would be participating in a budget presentation hosted by Jeff Ziner at the local TV station to get the message out to the community.
Board members reviewed policy #5141.5 – Suicide Prevention for a third reading and #9270 – Conflict of interest for a fourth reading. Voting would have to wait for the full Board to be present.
Board members reviewed policy # 5145.14 – On Campus recruiting for a second reading and #5145.15 – Directory Information for a second reading.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Vita reported on the following:
Administrative Reports
Mrs. MacDonald reported on the following at the high school: Dr. Breslin is attending the CASS recognition this evening honoring Chelsea Knox and Elaina Pignetelli; robotics fundraising going well; jamboree taking place on Sunday; on Saturday, Housatonic Reg. H.S. will be holding a pasta supper to support the robotics team; music trip April 6 – 9; Scott Benge to participate in a summer program at Cornell University; Mr. Tucker participating in a summer program in South Carolina through the Foundation for Teaching Economics; mock trial finished in a tie and then won the tie off and will go on in the competition; April 30th telethon dance competition; last boxes from CAPT and CMT were sent out; AP exams scheduled for the first half of May; NFLHS induction on May 10th; May 11th Youth Service Day Recognition in the café; 8th graders to Boston; Envirothon schedule; senior class trip; prom; concerts; Mabry Awards; 7th grade trip to NYC; sports awards; academic awards; 8th grade moving up ceremony; high school schedule for next year; transition plan for 6th graders moving to the 7th grade including lockers and locks, shadowing, 7th grade staff visiting 6th grade classes, and open house scheduled earlier in the year.
Dr. Vita noted that Mrs. MacDonald organized the testing at the high school so that both tests were given and students remained in school for their classes. Most high schools administer the tests while the rest of the school shuts down.
Dr. Stuhlman reported on the following at the Intermediate School: successful science fair with 150 participants; parent/teacher conferences; career day in April; 4th grade transition plans; 4th grade parents night May 25th; 5th grade team available; 6th grade to 7th grade transition; locks and lockers are being used; shadowing to be done May 19-25; students will ride the early bus; high school staff meets with the students; students know staff before they go to the school; may need tweaking after first year; concerts in June; Bronx Zoo trip; moving up ceremony; spring mile run; after budget passes students will switch to meet their next year’s teacher and see their classroom; and concerns about being with the older students at the high school.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following at the Center School: science fair last week; spirit day last Friday; book fair and art show; parent/teacher conferences; spirit day this Friday; kindergarten orientation; Warner Science project; Norman Rockwell Museum; end of year plays; field day last week of school; Beardsley Zoo trip; and Flag Day program on June 14th.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following technology updates including: continued work on the technology plan; 4 kindergarten students participating at the tech expo at the Legislative office in Hartford; spending critical time on the technology building plan specifics and working on the LEF telethon.
Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: town technology; disaster recovery plan for technology; student activity handbook; financial software; upgrade on SASI will help with bus routes; summer activities in the schools; high school drama rehearsals can happen in auditorium; end of year budget projections to hopefully end in the black; upgrade in financial management system; visit to two schools to see Munis installation; leaning toward Budget Sense for our needs which is just an upgrade; will change to Windows based product; payroll personnel module; costs involved; and could write a bridge to communicate with the town software.
Committee Reports Curriculum and Technology
Mr. Shuhi reported that the committee met a week ago and talked about the technology plan; 21st century literacy’s; input from Education Connection in a few weeks; and the world language program at the Intermediate School.
Finance and Facilities
Mr. Noone reported that this is a critical time for the budget with the budget hearing scheduled for April 26th and the town meeting for May 10th. The cable 5 presentations will help to educate the voters.
Policy and Personnel
Mr. Fairchild noted that the policies will have to be voted on when a full Board is present.
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Simone: to move to Executive Session at 9:13 p.m. to discuss pending litigation and school security matters.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Executive Session
Mr. Gorman left the meeting at 9:13 p.m. Present in executive session, board members and Dr. Vita.
Open session resumed at 10:10 p.m. No action taken.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by D. Falcetti: to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 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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