A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School library.

 

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

 

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

 

MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2007 minutes as submitted.

 

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

 

MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to add to the agenda as item X an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation.

 

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

 

Public Comment and Correspondence

 

Mr. Torrant, Litchfield Sports Booster Club Vice President, commented that he wanted to set the record straight that a past letter sent from one of the coaches is not from the Booster Club.  The Booster Club’s intent is not to dictate policy but to support athletics and the Litchfield schools. 

 

Mr. Wilson commented that he and his wife are opposed to all day Kindergarten and are concerned about how the Board came to that decision.

 

Mrs. Penny commented that the State is considering changing the cut off date for Kindergarten to September 31^st. If it is hard for some students to complete a half day program, how will it be to complete a full day session?

 

Mr. Murray commented that he is glad to see item IX d. Negotiations on the agenda.  Also, he reminded the Board of the special meeting to approve the LEA contract and how his comments were not included in the minutes.  He expressed concern over the limited time it took to ratify the contract. 

 

Dr. Vita commented that he was going to discuss negotiations later in the meeting but instead replied that under state statutes, negotiations are not considered meetings of the Board of

 

Education nor are they executive sessions.  There is no agenda nor are minutes available. These deliberations are not open to the public.  Work on the contract went on for months and the ratification meeting was the culmination of this process.  All Board members, other than those who recused themselves due to potential conflict of interest, were informed during the negotiations process.

 

Mr. Zullo, a member of the Building Committee and Board of Finance, expressed his concerns regarding using a tractor with chains to clean the snow.  He also commented on the school district’s request for a maintenance garage to replace the current garages which are being dismantled as part of the school building project and indicated this will be brought to the attention of the Building Committee.  

 

Mrs. McKenna commented on the limited physical education time at LIS. and her understanding of the State recommended time of 150 minutes per week for physical education. She asked if physical education time would be increased.  She also asked when will the LHS gym be open for more use by the community?

 

Dr. Vita commented that the athletic director should be contacted regarding use of the gymnasium and indicated that LIS students get 100 minutes of recess and 40 minutes of P.E.  Next year the students will get 100 minutes of recess and 90 minutes of P.E.  He indicated that this issue was discussed a few years ago in response to proposed legislation addressing physical activity and nutrition.  This legislation was not passed.

 

Mrs. Reardon reviewed a list of 8 families who sent emails to Board members supporting all day Kindergarten including Marie McFadden; Karen Nugent; Margherita Luzzi; Jennifer and Dan Parsons; Melanie and Dan O’Leary; Sanna and Brian Lillie; Terry Harran-Rodriguez; and Peter and Cameron Bove. 

 

A copy of the Education Connection scholarship information was received and sent on to the guidance department at the high school.

 

Special Presentation

 

Wendy Welshans and John Markelon made a presentation to the Board on “The Forman School Rain Forest Project” and distributed information on this topic. They described the program and noted that Litchfield and Wamogo students participated in this year long activity which includes a field trip to Costa Rica. The project is a community project with a global vision.  Students work with real scientists and endangered species.  The students learn about the environmental, scientific, and legal issues that go along with this type of research. 

 

Mr. Markelon commented that he is looking forward to joining the team and is impressed with the experienced and knowledgeable biologists that the students will be exposed to in a remarkable opportunity.

 

Board members expressed agreement that this is a great opportunity and should continue.

 

New Business

 

MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Gorman: 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. Falcetti: to approve the request for a student, son of Lisa M. McKinney, to attend LHS on tuition basis for the remainder of the 2006-07 school year in accordance with policy #5118. 

 

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

 

Old Business

 

MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to approve the ongoing participation of the Litchfield High School in the cooperative Rainforest project with Forman School and other area schools.  

 

Board members discussed the fact that students will receive grades and high school credit for participation in the project. 

 

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

 

Mrs. Perusse distributed copies of the 2007-08 preliminary operating budget.

 

Dr. Vita presented an over view of the factors impacting the 2007-08 operating budget.  These included:

Recommended Program Enhancements –

Center and Intermediate School

• LIS schedule
• Comprehensive Kindergarten program
• Expanded K-3 Science program
• Activity and Enrichment
• Increased specials
• Spanish Language and Cultural Enrichment K-6
• Instrumental Music opportunity for 4^th grade students
• Upgraded math program K-5
• Humanities/Liberal Arts and Technology Studies Blocks
• Classroom libraries
• Elementary Music books
• Red Cross Certification program
• Special Education auditory processing

 

Middle and High School

o   Academic Support for Language Arts and Math (9-12)

o   Basic Skills program 7 & 8

o   Course Adjustments 7 – 12

o   Impact Math

o   Refined Middle School organization

o   Adjust high school schedule

o   Expanded coop and sustainable foods opportunity

o   Restart of Information Technology Specialist (redeployed)

o   Computers/printers/scanner for art program

o   World language workbooks and DVD

o   Digital animation books

o   Digital camcorders

o   Graphic design software

o   Computers for tech labs

o   Technology for high school math program

o   Audio Systems for Chorus Room

o   PE equipment

o   Science textbooks

o   History books

o   Replacement history books

o   Special Education materials

o   Computers/printers for career education/Guidance

 

Dr. Vita further presented a list of staffing adjustments, additions, and deletions for 2007-08 in all schools as well as other factors which would impact the budget for next year.  2007-08 staffing changes were noted in Physical Education, Art, Music, Science, Kindergarten, Elementary Education, Social Studies, Business, World Language, Consumer Science, Basic Skills, Administration, Information Technology, Instructional Assistants, and Custodial Assistants/Cleaners.  He also noted several areas of budget impact including Retirement severance fees, Retiree Health Benefits, Pension program adjustments, potential Heating Oil/Electricity; Utilities increases, reduced Professional development consultants, reduced budget for legal expenses, increases and reductions to transportation.

 

Dr. Vita summarized previous budget increases noting past budget totals and percent increases.  The current Litchfield Board of Education budget is $14,890,000 which reflects a 3.95% increase over 2005-06. He indicated that the preliminary budget requests for 2007-08 reflect a 4.8% increase over the current budget. However, the administration and Board will work to bring this to within the 07-08 budget goal of under four percent. The target number is $ 15,450,000 which would reflect a 3.75% increase over the current budget.

 

The Board’s Finance & Facilities, Curriculum & Technology, and Policy & Personnel Committees will meet with the administration to continue work on the budget in the hope of bringing a final number to the Board at its regular meeting of March 14, 2007.

 

Board members discussed the following: scheduling, specials, overall decrease of approximately up to 1 staff position; enrollment figures at the high school, world language and culture options; changes at LIS (1 teacher all morning; maintenance; insurance and benefits; adjustments to pensions; staff replacement costs; supplies and materials; technology issues; how to use technology in the classroom in the future; long term plan; farmers’ market costs should not affect the budget at all; $5,000 grant from LEF to cover sustainable foods initiative;  increase costs related to special education transportation $64,000; $60,000 for tuition; $64,000 for regular transportation; $34,000 for Vo Ag tuition; reduction of costs for mid day kindergarten transportation; high percentage of students identified with disabilities; benefits of early childhood programs; significant cost savings and educational benefits for students who are successful; special education increases between grades 2-4; as grade level increases, disparity in grade increases; no quick fix; make sure disparity doesn’t start in Kindergarten; need for differentiated programs of instruction to keep students here in school; 25-26 Vo Ag tuition for next year; as many students from Litchfield as from Wamogo.

 

The Board of Education and Superintendent will be presenting the factors influencing the preliminary budget at the Board of Finance meeting on Monday February 26, 2007.

 

MOTION made by Mr. Gorman and seconded by Mr. Noone: to approve, and incorporate into the 2007-08 budget, all changes and improvements to programs PK-12 for 2007-08 including middle/high school courses; elementary school science program, restoration of full day kindergarten, new textbook purchases, reorganized math programs, adjusted school starting/dismissal times and adjusted school schedules as considered and presented by the Curriculum/Technology and Finance/Facilities Committee and school administrations. 

 

Board members discussed the following: full day Kindergarten; don’t want to see other programs or services reduced; need for more courses to support students staying in Litchfield.

 

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

 

Board members received the revised technology specification and discussed the following: adjustments made; flexibility; need for State approval; consultant hired; all changes have been taken care of; still in compliance; timing for bids.

 

MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to approve the revised technology specifications for both Litchfield Intermediate School and Litchfield Middle/High School dated February 15, 2007 for submittal to the State Office of School Facilities.

                                   

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

 

Board members discussed the adjustments to the 07-08 school calendar with regard to early dismissals synchronized with Region #6 schools and the possibility of early dismissals on the last day of school in June 2008 and the day before winter recess – December 21, 2007.

 

MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the adjustments to the 2007-08-school calendar related to early dismissal on the last day of school. 

 

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

 

MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the adjustment to the 2007-08-school calendar related to early dismissal on December 21. 

 

MOTION failed.  All votes were in the affirmative except Mrs. Reardon, Mr. Simone, Mr. Falcetti, Mr. Fairchild, and Mr. Noone who voted in the negative. Mr. Gorman abstained. 

                                   

Superintendent’s Report

 

Dr. Vita reported on the following:

• Meeting held with the building committee regarding need for maintenance garage.  Current garage will be used in the renovation so a new one is needed.  Mr. Crowe provided the schematic diagram.
• Meeting held with Leo Paul to discuss the status of the agreement between the town and the school.  Board members and administration still have reservations regarding the town taking over custodial functions.  Further review of the matter will be take place this summer and throughout the 2007-08 school year with no action being contemplated at this time.
• Mr. Crowe commented on the comments made by Mr. Zullo.  The town is responsible for the clearing of the snow but if it is not done adequately for the school, further removal has to be done with the school equipment.  The new sidewalk, road and parking lot plan are difficult to plow.  He is working with the Public Works Department on this issue. 
• District news letter is in progress and will go the graphic design committee and then to CJR for printing.  They will be included as flyers in the local mailings which will be less expensive than mailing.  This will be a pilot to see how distribution works. For those who might not receive the newsletter, copies can be placed in locations within the community. 

 

Administrative Reports

           

Dr. Breslin reported on the following at the high school: opening of gym celebration to be held on Friday 2/23; senior night that evening; remarkable boys basketball team possible 2^nd in league; schedule changes and gain in class time; consistent with Wamogo for coop program; advantages and disadvantages of different schedules; student course loads; possible supervised homework time for those who participate in sports after school; academics more important than sports; separate middle school schedule; and issue of sharing staff.

 

Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: the Board of Finance was concerned about getting a financial report; Board receives it first then sent to town hall; internet balancing report; seamless transition of school bus transportation from Laidlaw to All Star transportation company; local contractor; keep same drivers; just ownership changes; fifth year of contract; and next year new contract will come up.