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LITCHFIELD BOARD OF
EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 14, 2007 |
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A regular meeting of the Litchfield
Board of Education was held on Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Costa, Fairchild, Falcetti, Gorman, Simone and Tourtellotte. Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Mrs. Longobucco; Mr. Zaremski; and the public. Call To Order: Mr. Shuhi (Chairman) called the regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2007 meeting with the following correction on page 2576 it should read, “Mrs. Perusse distributed copies of the preliminary 2007-08 operating budget.” MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. Mr. Costa abstained. MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Simone: to add to the agenda as item 9e Executive Session to discuss pending litigation re: JF. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Public Comment and
Correspondence Mr. Noone arrived at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Waugh reported on the school building committee updates including the following: punch list items; add alternates; lighting and sound issues; changes to be tested on mock up rooms; tile issues; prioritize issues on the 28th with a walk through; co-decisions between the committee and the Board; tech package sent to state; parking lot progress; wall panels; additional mats in gym; water fountain issues; heating issues in I.S. library; deflection of door; contingency could be around $800,000 to $1,000,000; cafeteria and library completion around April with building to be finished around June 1st; H.S. on schedule; science wing is progressing well; and joint meeting on the 28th. Mark Donne reported on the student council activities at the High School. Mrs. Harrison commented on the parking lot issues and the concerns she heard at the last building committee meeting. She asked the Board to put pressure on them to make sure it is done. Mr. Murray apologized for responding improperly to the Board at the last meeting and stated that he realizes the Board votes its conscience and he shouldn’t shout in response. The Board received the following correspondence:
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. Board members reviewed for the first reading the revised policy #5127.1 High School Graduation Requirements. Dr. Vita outlined the revisions that were made and indicate that this policy would go into effect for the 2007-08 school year. Board members discussed the following: students are now scheduling classes for next year so the guidance department will need this before its third reading is done; if Board consensus is positive then guidance can use guidelines now in scheduling; more flexibility for students; possible study hall choices; 6 credits the norm but 7 or 5 could be taken if necessary; 2 semesters of P.E. have to be in classes; concerns if P.E. is put off until the last minute since it is a graduation requirement; possible alternate assessment; 4 credits of electives; and 7 & 8 grade math credits. Board members reviewed for the first reading the new policy #5141.25 Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs (Food Allergy Management). Mrs. McCormick reported that the school has always had guidelines for food allergies and now the plan is in a policy which takes into consideration the maturation of students as they go through the system. Old Business Dr. Vita reported that the proposed budget was reviewed last week and stands at 3.76% increase. It is a $560,000 increase over the 2006-07 budget. The total for the budget is $15,450,000. It will be presented to the Board of Finance on April 2nd and not March 26th. If approved, the budget could be delivered to Paul Parsons and the Board of Finance for their review before the meeting. Board members discussed the
requests of the Board of Finance for specific
information including: technology education, funding
history in Litchfield, program improvements – including
full day kindergarten which may be required in the
future.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the 2007-08 budget as developed by the Board and administration. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Dr. Vita presented the “Litchfield High School Participation, Conduct, Attendance & Substance Use Requirement” to the Board as a procedure that addresses all the issues discussed by the Board. This process provides for progressive interventions as desired by the Board. This has already been distributed to spring sports families. Adjustments to wording will be incorporated in the next distribution. MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to endorse the “Litchfield High School Participation, Conduct, Attendance and Substance Use Standard” related to student participation in extra-curricular activities – including athletics. Board members discussed the following: Change “requirement” to “standards” in the title; Change “penalties” to “interventions” in the 4th paragraph; change “doctor” to “medical practitioner” in the 9th paragraph; eliminate “who” in the 17th paragraph; possibly change the word “consequences” in the Contract section; good document with nice compromises and gradual steps; intension is to keep kids safe; the standard applies to all extra curricular activities; and anything school related needs to be signed. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Vita reported on the following:
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and
seconded by Mr. Gorman: to move to Executive Session
at MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Executive Session Present were all the above Board members and Dr. Vita. Open session resumed at MOTION
made by
Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Gorman : to adjourn
the meeting at 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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