LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATIONREGULAR MEETING August 23, 2006 |
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LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 23, 2006
A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, August 23, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School library.
Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Messrs. Costa, Fairchild, Falcetti, Noone, Simeon and Tourtellotte. Mrs. Reardon and Mr. Gorman were excused.
Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Breslin; Dr. Stuhlman; Mrs. Longobucco; Mr. Zaremski; the public and the press.
MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the minutes of the July 19, 2006 meeting as submitted.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Public Comment and Correspondence
Mrs. Fabbri reported that STPC will be meeting on Thursday’s this year and the first meeting will be on September 21, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the High School Library.
Mr. Murray commented on the following: thanks for legal info; educational and other issues from the plan for development and conservation; and tax increase concerns.
Board members received the following:
Special Presentations
Mr. Waugh reported on the school building project including the following: school’s opening on time; timing for the project; technology committee report; gym wall issues; ceiling issues; budget status; and parking issues.
Board members discussed the following: gym logo; and voicing concerns before the next meeting.
Mrs. Horrigan reported on the Plan of Conservation and Development including the following: where recommendations came from; members involved; vision plan; integrating the schools; and school issues.
Board members discussed the following: map and vision; long range plan; possible benefactor reply; sharing spaces; and linking community together. New Business
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to add to the agenda as V. f. a discussion and vote to authorize the administration to select and accept a bid for the purchase of a new van (mini-bus) for student transportation and to request that unexpended capital funds for a completed capital project be transferred to the capital project to make up the difference between the $35,000 allocation and the cost of the new vehicle.
Dr. Vita discussed the bid process and adjustment needed to cover the cost.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the payment of invoices and adjustments to line item expenditures for July 2006 as required.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Mr. O’Connell presented an overview of the new Science framework developed by the State, possible textbooks needed to deliver the curriculum and online access.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Simone: to authorize the selection of science textbooks as recommended by the administration and Curriculum and Technology Committee.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita reviewed the resignations, appointments and vacancies, which have occurred since June 2006. An outline of the new hires was reviewed along with a copy of a press release welcoming the new teachers and recognizing Patricia O’Neil as the District Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Vita acknowledged the resignation of Cynthia Tompkins from the Cablevision Advisory Council and noted that a vote is needed to recommend a replacement to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Board members were asked to think about a name to be recommended for approval at the next meeting and submitted to the Board of Selectmen for appointment.
Dr. Vita reviewed the student athlete “code of conduct” that is a school based practice and not a Board policy. Mr. Crowe consolidated the information and updated it so everyone knows up front the expectations involved. Board input is now needed.
Board members discussed the following: need to schedule a Policy Committee meeting to go over the specifics; one form has “will” and the other has “may” in the explanation; regulations and code of practice do not require Board approval; need to be supported by Board including extra curricular activities; CIAC guidelines; need to be equitable with all activities; best interest of the students; need to review policies from other similar systems; need for CABE input; zero tolerance policy; extenuating circumstances; administrators need to make judgments; issues with regulations extending beyond the school day; parents need to be involved; affects of after school activities with school time; issues with drugs, alcohol and tobacco; need to apply the policy in a reasonable way; policy need to help improve student behavior; “will” applies to substance abuse, “may” applies to sportsmanship; need for common sense; extension to all extra curricular activities; some extra curricular activities already have rules; training issues in sports; community opinions; higher standards for athletes, needs to extend to the rest of the student body; and need to include a more full spectrum.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Noone: to support the code as presented in the yellow form pending a thorough discussion of the code in the Policy Committee.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative with the exception of Mr. Simone who voted in the negative. There were no abstentions.
Board members reviewed a memorandum re: the purchase of a type II activity bus.
MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to authorize the administration to select and accept a bid for the purchase of a new van (mini-bus) for student transportation and to request that unexpended capital funds for a completed capital project be transferred to the capital project to make up the difference between the $35,000 allocation and the cost of the new vehicle.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. Mr. Simone abstained.
Old Business
Dr. Vita reviewed the outline of the Substitute Pay Schedule for 2006-07 with Board members.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the short term and long term substitute rate for 2006-07.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Vita reported on the following:
Administrative Reports
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following at Center School: staffing changes; need for K-6 guidance; summer building use; teachers in during the summer; Kindergarten bus orientation tomorrow; professional development days on Monday and Tuesday; new hall rugs installed and being cleaned; highlights of repair needs including windows not working, painting issue, casing issues, leaks, bathrooms, gym roof leaks, plaster cracking, rotten window sashes, cabinet finishes peeling off, top floor leaks, pointing replacement, ground water seepage, ceiling sheet rock in dining hall.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following in Technology: intensive moving done during the summer; four labs at high school ready; one lab ready but doesn’t have enough power yet; 5 new machines in teachers’ room; classroom machines are limited; lab ready in the Intermediate School; wiring casualties; kudos to tech team; and email to staff to be sent regarding machines.
Dr. Stuhlman reported on the following at the Intermediate School: tour of school went well; need for teachers to get into rooms; newspaper had a “N” in the 6th grade reading score but that is incorrect; percentage score compared to scale score; scale score better indicator; and open house during school day on Thursday and Friday next week.
Mrs. MacDonald reported on the summer school status including: seven students attending; home issues with some; parent cooperation and contact; students happy to be there; cost $225/student; four hours total (2 math, 2 English); teachers build relationships with students; and thank you to Mrs. Longobucco for the use of Center School.
Dr. Breslin reported on the following at the high school: postponement of the open house; new schedule starting; co-op program starting with 50 students involved; students received schedules in June; course requirements for this year; need to reduce requirements for next year; course distribution changes; New England process status; follow through with recommendations; October 1st report due; have report to faculty on September 12th; 10 year plan for school improvement; reports to be presented to the Board; concerns for 7 class expectation; plan for credit; plan for areas of transition and long term basis.
Mr. Zaremski reported on the following: special education staffing changes; need for staff at the high school; 55 openings for special ed in the state; difficult to attract applicants; and hopeful to continue to hire excellent candidates.
Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: “new” carpet at Center School is recycled from the Intermediate School; custodians did an incredible job; no elevator at the I.S.; office staff displaced; things improving by the hour; accounting; grants; rewriting; review of summary of budget status as outlined; and $32,381.40 returned to the general fund.
Committee ReportsCurriculum and Technology
Mr. Costa reported that the committee met a few weeks ago and discussed the schedule, text books, technology request for the building project as outlined in the document; most was funded as requested; the next meeting will include a review of NEASC and the new schedule.
Finance and Facilities
Mr. Noone reported that the committee walked through the buildings this evening. The committee would like to include the new facilities director and Barry Berman (DPW director) from the town to attend some of the meetings. Also, it is requested to have other Board members in attendance if at all possible since we are now sharing responsibility with the town regarding maintenance. Center School needs as outlined in the handout are important to follow through with especially the ceiling lighting in the dining hall. The light needs to be capped temporarily.
Negotiations/Liaison
A meeting will be held after this meeting.
Other
Dr. Vita asked Board members to let him know if they can attend the CABE/CAPSS Annual Conference in November.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to adjourn the meting at 9:45 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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