A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. at the Center School library.

 

            Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Messrs. Costa, Fairchild, Falcetti, Gorman, Noone, Simone and Tourtellotte.  Mrs. Reardon arrived at 7:50 p.m.

 

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

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2006 as submitted with the following spelling correction on page 2525 for spelling of Mr.  Fuessenich’s name.

 

                                    MOTION Carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  Mr. Gorman abstained.

 

Public Comment and Correspondence

 

            Board members discussed approximately seventeen questions with Jack Healy, Bill Buckley, Gary Waugh and Kent Gilliard, all Building Committee members.  Several issues were discussed and replied to including: technology funding; bathroom finishes; ceiling finishes; decision-making protocol; possible punch list; outstanding charges; possible change orders; reporting potential problems; gym completion; use of contingency fund; advantages of carpet over vinyl flooring; problems with room acoustics; additional parking; monitored fire and intrusion alarm systems; security issues; cleaning needed due to construction; reinforcement of gym walls; and timing for completion of the entire project.

 

            Mr. Shuhi distributed a copy of Education Connection’s district data and offerings. 

 

            Mike Murray commented on the following: the technology plan was well represented by Mrs. Longobucco at the Committee meeting; the Board does not inform the public well enough; possibly including the Building Committee minutes in the website; need to inform the public by publishing salaries before negotiations occur; possibly select liaisons to the negotiation procedures; SAT scores don’t seem high enough; and Superintendent’s newsletter should publish SAT scores.

 

Special Presentation

 

            Mr. O’Connell presented 2006 SAT / CMT / CAPT results including: CMT Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in Math, Reading and Writing with % at Goal, % Proficient, and State scores; CAPT scores for grade 10 in Math, Reading, Writing, and Science; CMT and CAPT Participation Rate percents; CMT Class of 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 Reports; Graduating Class of 2008 % at Goal in Math, Reading, Writing; Class of 2007 Summary; SAT Average Scores in critical reading, math, and writing.

 

*Mrs. Reardon arrived at 7:50 p.m.

 

            Board members discussed the SAT scores and strategies to improve the skills needed.

 

New Business

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte 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. 

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to table item (b) in the agenda.

 

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

 

            Mr. Noone noted that the proposed 2007-08 budget development schedule is similar to last year’s and is a good working document. 

 

            Mr. Simone noted that the Capital budget has a deadline before November. 

 

            Dr. Vita reported that the recommendations will be ready for the next meeting.

 

            Dr. Vita presented the proposed 2007 Litchfield Board of Education meeting schedule. 

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to approve setting the dates of the regular Board of Education meetings for 2007 as presented. 

 

            Dr. Vita discussed liaison appointments.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Noone and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to appoint members of the Board of Education, Mr. Costa, Mr. Simone, Mr. Falcetti and Mr. Tourtellotte as liaisons for the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations for the teacher contract. 

 

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

 

Old Business

 

            Dr. Vita reported on the status of revision to the athletic “Code of Conduct” hearing on November 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  Mr. Fuessenich or Mr. Petricone will be called to act as moderator.  The survey will be prepared soon.

 

            Dr. Vita reported that a meeting will be held with Mr. Paul and Mr. Hawkins regarding custodial fees and security issues related to use of the school facilities.  There is a concern about the rates and everyone is willing to work something out to share the fees.   

 

            Board members discussed the concern of parents and hope something can be resolved that is not problematic to the Park and Recreation programs.  

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to change the credit requirements for high school graduation to 23 credits for the class of 2008 and 22 credits for the class of 2009 and for all classes thereafter. 

 

            Mr. Costa noted that this is exactly the recommendation that came to Curriculum and Technology Committee and this is only to make it official.

 

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

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

            Dr. Vita reported on the following: 

• Update of the school bus parking lot including: Laidlaw willing to go half on the fencing; town will pay ¼ and the Board will pay ¼; moving the buses; lights installed; bid put together for the fencing; and office under construction and ready in 3 weeks.
• Math issue.  Lori Shuhi reviewed the June 2006, Math Committee Update and the handout summarizing the information on K – 6 Math Instruction as distributed to Board members.  Board members discussed the following: differentiated instruction; math information meeting; resource materials; alignment with the CMTs and State standards; strategies; grouping practices; supplemental skills and special education help; enrichment and extension activities; students given rigorous program; need for curriculum compacting; instructional priorities; need for workshops with math teachers; recommendations to Board for primary resources in January; CMT is a good test to align; parent input and concerns; misinformation; need for flexible grouping; consideration of learning styles; need to be sensitive to student needs; need to provide AP courses; possible ½ year courses; trends in Algebra courses; all students will get to level they could achieve; core skills are a concern; raise bar for all kids; and need to keep Board in loop in the process.
• Need to rethink the Library Assistant position currently in LHS library.
• To date, the K-6 guidance position as not been filled.
• Exploring options for Science including: need for more Science K-6; CMT science tests; elementary teachers are least trained in science; inquiry based science is difficult; possible science resource teacher as a specialist like art; have lab setting and relieve other

teachers; cost saving on not buying equipment for all classes but for just one class; could even try with math specialist; and more affective way to use teachers and specialists.

• Reminder of staff social scheduled for November 1, 2006 at the Litchfield Community Center, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Reminder of Community Conversation to be held at the high school cafeteria instead of the Litchfield Community Center on November 4^th.

 

Administrative Reports

 

            Mrs. Longobucco reported on the following at Center School: Fire Prevention Day held today; 27 volunteers participated; sharing community service; historical society shared treasure boxes; math committee yesterday; presentation by Jan Wilson and Seth Newton on differentiated instruction that was well received; letter home to parents regarding security in the building; and stay put drill planned for tomorrow.

 

            Mrs. Longobucco reported on technology including: whole tech list passed by the Building Committee; need to prepare a document to be sent to the state; and need to go back to the Building Committee to report the plans to them.

 

Dr. Stuhlman reported on the following at the Intermediate School: fire prevention day was held on the early dismissal day; a trip was planned to the Bantam Firehouse; mile run is now taking place; Tony Crowe is doing a wonderful job in his new position; band is sounding terrific; and thanks to the staff and students for working so well in the middle of all the construction.

 

            Dr. Vita noted that the Board of Education will have a table at the LABA event to be held the Community Center.

 

Committee Reports

Finance and Facilities

 

            Mr. Noone reported that the committee will have a joint meeting with Barry Berson and Tony Crowe on the 23^rd at 7:00 p.m.

 

Policy and Personnel

 

            Mr. Fairchild noted that the next meeting will be held on November 14^th which will be a special Board meeting.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m.

 

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

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Donald Falcetti, Secretary

                                                            Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary