A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School Library.

 

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

 

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

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2007 meeting as submitted.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  Mrs. Reardon abstained.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Simone: to move item IVa to IIb.

 

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

 

Mr. Gorman arrived at 7:03 p.m.

 

Special Presentation

 

            Mrs. Longobucco summarized how technology was integrated with the curriculum through an internet project with Mrs. Brady’s second grade class facilitated by Mrs. Cook. 

 

            Mrs. Brady introduced the students involved this evening including: Casey M., Hannah C., Leila C., Michaela M. and Margaret B.. The second grades completed a web quest involving the new nutritional objectives to the science curriculum.  The project included nutritional consultants; games, teams; healthy living; healthy lifestyle; formulating a plan of healthy living; research; brochures to share; math; fractions; and curricular objectives accomplished. 

 

            Board members were invited to view the project on display in the computer room. 

 

Public Comment and Correspondence

 

            Mr. Waugh reviewed an update of the building committee meeting held last Thursday evening including: items on punch list; need to prioritize; roof completion status; siding status; classrooms turned over; science wing status; media center; completion August – November of 2007; parking lot issues; kitchen; café; media center; gym; electrical work, art room; contingency

 

 

@ $800,000; wall panels; changes to new wing; ceiling tiles; hearing held; intervention; maintenance building on hold; technology underway; FF&E status; and on time and on budget. 

 

            All Board members have copies of the punch list for further editing.

 

            Mrs. Fabbri reported on the following STPC activities: parent academy held on drug and alcohol abuse; Academic Awards to be held next Tuesday; over $5,000 contributed over the past year; Moving Up Ceremony; Pre-prom to be held at the Litchfield Community Center; Sports Awards; Graduation; and book sale fundraiser next Tuesday through Friday at the high school.

 

            Mark Donne reported on the student council activities at the high school.

 

            Mrs. Harrison commented on the parking lot concerns and funding overtaking the unfinished items that would enhance student learning.  The parking lot should not be paid for out of school funds.  The proposed money for the parking lot could have built a new gym instead.

 

            Three Litchfield students commented on the Board giving their coach a fair appeal.  Mr. Shuhi commented that the issue will go to a hearing by the Board and a decision will be made at that time. 

 

            Mr. Waugh thanked Dr. Breslin for being with a student at the emergency room.

 

            Mr. Murray commented on the following: advanced writing samples for second graders; appreciate Mr. Costa’s service and time he gave to the town; suggest that the Board appoint someone who isn’t paid by the tax payers as a regular job; reconstruct the balance of the Board; and recommend that a substantial raise be given to those members during the upcoming negotiations with the non-certified union.

 

            Mrs. Penney commented that at a recent 4^th grade gathering, students and parents were told that not all 4^th graders will be eating at the same time.  They have been eating together at Center School and when questioned a statement of safety was given.  This rationale is difficult to understand. 

 

            Dr. Vita agreed to meet with Mrs. Penney to clarify the issue. 

 

            Mrs. McKenna commented on the creation of a new position for director of curriculum would like the history that necessitated this position. 

 

            This will be discussed further in the agenda.

 

            The Board received the following correspondence:

• A letter from the Litchfield Robotics Team requesting funding for the team to continue.
• A pamphlet from CABE regarding Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook.
• A thank you note from Mrs. McCormick for nurses’ day recognition.
• A notice of administrative negotiations commencing in October.
• A letter from a center school parent thanking Center School for doing such a fine job.
• A letter from Jonathan Costa of resignation from the Board effective May 14, 2007.

 

 

Mr. Shuhi commented that he spoke with the town clerk and the board was formally making an announcement of a vacancy on the board.  The Democratic Town Committee will be asked to suggest a replacement.

 

Special Presentation

 

            Mrs. Longobucco and Mrs. Woolley presented a proposal to revise the grading practices and student assessment/reporting structure at the Elementary and Intermediate School to be a trimester.  100% of the staff supports the idea.  Other districts were polled and talked to and the trimester has been successful.  Conferences will be aligned with the recording times. 

 

            Board members discussed the following: each semester will be 60 days; some private schools use a trimester with success; possible advantage for the high school too; works with CMT planning and no down side.

 

            Dr. Breslin presented a senior year design initiative that if we could put together a senior year that would be engaging to you what would it look like? The focus included the following: kids struggling in school; little reward; involvement with citizens from town; put together a discussion group including upcoming seniors; productive conversations; what make learning most engaging to you; illustrate this; own pace; use hands; make decisions; outside doing different things; transitions help; have mentors; out in community during the day (academic and vocational); and positive responses.  A second meeting with the community citizens will be held in two days to talk about the next steps.

 

New Business

 

                        MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon 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. 

 

            Dr. Vita continued the discussion from the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting to review the organization and supervision of facilities management and care for 2006-07 and the plan for continued operations of the schools for 2007-08.  He asked Board members to discuss the Facilities Manager position and organization of custodians to continue the pilot to sub contract the floors. 

 

            Board members discussed the following: mixed reviews; try one more year; review next year again; input from Leo Paul for the town department of public works to take over; need to have buildings complete before that to happen; and Athletic Director issues.

 

            Dr. Vita distributed copies of the pamphlets advertising for Principal at the Intermediate and Director of Curriculum along with the job description.   The Language Arts Position and Assistant Principal for the high school were combined into the Director of Curriculum position that will be able to take over some of the administration’s responsibilities that are becoming overwhelming.  Two positions are eliminated with one created. Art will redeploy staff from the high school to the Intermediate School.  Instrumental music at the Intermediate School will require the need to have a full time position (general music/band/choral).  Art offerings will be same at the high school based on enrollment.  The specials for seventh and eighth grade will be shared over the two years with increased number of days for each but no repeats in the following year.