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LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2007 |
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A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of
Education was held on Wednesday, Board members present were: Mr. Shuhi, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Fairchild, Falcetti, Gorman, Noone Simone and Tourtellotte. Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Breslin; Mrs. Longobucco; Mrs. Woolley; Mr. Zaremski; and members of the public. Board members recognized 17 students and held a brief reception for them and their families. Mrs. Woolley recognized Chris Stupak as Litchfield’s Teacher of the Year for 2007-2008.
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by
Mr. Tourtellotte: to approve the minutes of the MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. Mrs. Reardon abstained from the May 17th minutes and Mr. Fairchild and Mr. Tourtellotte abstained from the May 23rd minutes. Public Comment and Correspondence Mr. Waugh updated the Board on the School Building Committee meeting held last Thursday including the following: review of the list; prioritizing the list in categories; parking lot estimate, $300,000; electrical work not included; need to go in front of the P&Z committee; parking concerns on Constitution Way; surplus of approximately $700,000; and time schedule. Board members discussed the following: issues related to a paved driveway; possible use of stones rather than pavement; issue of maintenance during winter; and update on climate control in the I.S. central office. Mrs. Fabbri reported on the following STPC activities: hosting of the 8th grade moving up reception, Sports Awards, pre prom and graduation; book sale held; and thanks to the Board for allowing the updates from the STPC. The Board received the following correspondence:
Mr. Berson expressed his support for Mr. Katzin to replace Mr. Costa on the Board. Ms. McMahon, a representative of the Democratic Town Committee, expressed her support for Mr. Katzin since he was the candidate chosen by the committee after going through the traditional process. Mr. Murray congratulated Dr. Vita, the administrators for their emphasis on academics as evidenced by the awards presented this evening. Mrs. Knox expressed her desire to serve on the Board to replace Mr. Costa. 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. Mr. Shuhi reported that there were three people interested in replacing Mr. Costa on the Board for the 4 month interim. The Democratic Party’s recommendation is Mr. Katzin. Mrs. Fabbri and Mrs. Knox also expressed interest. Guidance was sought from CABE and their legal council as to the process to follow. MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to vote by paper ballot with voters’ names on the ballot. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. MOTION made by Mr. Gorman and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to drop the person who gets the least vote and have a runoff with the remaining two. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Mr. Katzin, a Democrat, spoke about his reasons for wanting to serve on the Board. Mrs. Fabbri, unaffiliated, spoke about her reasons for wanting to serve on the Board. Mrs. Knox, a Democrat, spoke about her reasons for wanting to serve on the Board. MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to bring all three candidates forward as nominees. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Paper ballots were completed with the following outcome: Mrs. Reardon, Mr. Gorman and Mr. Noone voted for Mr. Katzin. Mr. Fairchild, Mr. Falcetti, Mr. Shuhi, Mr. Simone and Mr. Tourtellotte voted for Mrs. Fabbri. Mrs. Fabbri was congratulated and directed to go to the town clerk’s office to be sworn in. All three candidates look forward to running in the fall election. Dr. Vita presented the new non-resident tuition rates for grades K – 6 to be set at $8,250 and for grades 7 – 12 to be set at $9,900. MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Simone: to establish non-resident tuition rates for 2007-08 as presented. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to authorize the Superintendent to set the compensation and benefit levels for all unaffiliated non certified staff for 2007-08 consistent with the parameters of the Board. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by Mr. Gorman and seconded by Mrs.
Reardon: to authorize the superintendent to accept
resignations and to appoint certified (teachers) and
non-certified staff as necessary through Board members requested that they be kept in the loop and notified when necessary. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Dr. Vita reviewed the grant process with the Board. MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to authorize the superintendent to approve and submit all state and federal grant applications (Consolidated Grants, IDEA, Adult Education, Titles I, II, IV, V, Perkins, Technology, BESB, Special Education Excess Cost, Transportation, E-Rate, Etc.). MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by Mr. Tourtellotte and seconded
by Mr. Noone: to extend the contract of employment
with the Superintendent of Schools for one year through MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by
Mr. Gorman: to vote to approve out of state/country
field trips to Board members discussed the following: security issues in traveling; students take some risk in loosing the money if cancelled; insurance is available; people are notified of all issues that may arise; and possibility of taking Latin students that don’t have the two year requirement if the 30 slots are not filled. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Dr. Vita presented the option of appointing a Board Hearing officer (panel of one) for student disciplinary hearings. Statutes provide for a Board hearing and the attorney is usually present. If a hearing officer is appointed who would be an attorney that person would conduct the hearing. The compensation would be less than if the Board’s attorney had to be used. There are difficulties if it is stipulated agreement. Board members discussed the following: have an attorney already; feel more comfortable with Board’s attorney; would be an agent of the Board and know the statutes; common in many school districts; have someone relatively local with past experience; good to save money; would serve at more typical cases; Board could do it if it is a simple case; if very complex then the Board attorney would be used; and possible wait for another year before deciding. Board members agreed to put this discussion on the next agenda.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr.
Noone: to change the date of the MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Board members reviewed a six-week tuition waiver from Bill Guilmart for his three children who be attending Center School in the fall. MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to approve a request for a tuition waiver. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Old Business Dr. Vita updated the Board on the administrative search process. There are twenty applicants for the principal’s position and twelve for the director’s position. The committees will meet and interview the semi-finalists. The intent is to have finalists come before the Board for a final interview and selection. Board members discussed the following: possible email the list to the Board; same Board members on both committees; Guidance at the high school has already been posted; and needs for the Guidance Counselor at the high school. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Vita reported on the following:
Committee Reports Negotiations Liaisons MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to move to Executive session at 8:50 p.m. to discuss personnel evaluation (DV) and contract negotiations. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Executive Session Present were all the above Board members and Dr. Vita No action was taken. Respectfully submitted, Donald Falcetti, Secretary Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary
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