A special meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, in the Litchfield Intermediate School Art Room.

 

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

 

            Also present were:  Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Longobucco, Ms. Marinelli; Mr. Zaremski; Mr. Crowe; Dr. Nardone; M. Coon; the public and the press.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to approve the meeting minutes of October 24, 2007.

 

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

 

Public Comment and Correspondence

 

            Mrs. Harrison questioned the Building Committee moving funds to/from the technology area.

 

            The board congratulated Mr. Katzin and Ms. Carr on  their election to the board and thanked Mr. Fairchild for his 10 years of service.

 

New Business

 

            Matt Coon of the LHS Guidance Dept. made a presentation on “Power School”, its features and implementation.  The program accesses student grades, emergency information, attendance, and schedules.  Grade book is a main component; parents have access; a very productive tool.

 

                        MOTION made by F. Gorman and seconded by D. Falcetti: to approve the payment of invoices and adjustments to line item expenditures, including those tabled from the October 24^th meeting.

 

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

 

                        MOTION made by F. Simone and seconded by D. Falcetti: to approve the appointment of Robert Robles to the full time certified teaching position of library/media specialist with initial assignment to Litchfield High School.

 

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

 

 

                        MOTION made by J. Katzin and seconded by H. Fairchild: to accept the resignation of Kimberley Jones as a sixth grade teacher at the Intermediate School.

 

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

 

            The board acknowledged gifts from (1) the Litchfield Education Foundation of projection equipment for Center School, and (2) the rental of lighting by Arthur Deacon & Son, Inc. in September for the Plumb Hill athletic fields’ ceremony and night athletic events.

 

            A review of the 2006-07 Strategic School Profile took place.

 

Old Business

 

            Dr. Vita will be reviewing the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 calendars with area superintendents. 

 

            The board reviewed meeting schedule options for 2008 and will adopt final dates at their meeting on December 12^th.

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

            Center School roof project is moving forward and installation of lavatory partitions.  The LIS/LHS building project is reaching a “punch list” phase; final 3 classrooms at LHS will be completed soon; the LHS kitchen is not completed.

 

            Dr. Alex Nardone – Interim Principal LHS was introduced.  The search for a new principal is ongoing; applications will close on November 15^th and the search committee will begin its review.  Interviews will be conducted and a special meeting of the board may be held on December 19^th.

 

            The Litchfield High School Forensic class (Mr. Phil Fowler) will be requesting permission for a field trip to the Museum of Science in Boston on December 19^th.

 

            Parent Academies will be held throughout the year, sponsored by the PTA and STPC.  Planned activities will include: School Bus Safety; CMT/CAPT– content/expectations/interpretation and standards; School Security and  Safety  (crisis management in the schools); Healthy Foods/Healthy Kids - Inter-district program with Torrington at Ed Connection;  Parent / School Collaboration – Differentiated Instruction; and in the Fall of 2008, Internet Safety  (monitoring our children on the internet)

 

            The first meeting of the district’s Leadership Council was held today.  Mr. Johnson made a presentation on the work to be done on curriculum and instruction in the next two years based upon the State Board and Department of Education draft proposals for redesigning secondary education.  Coordinators, team leaders and administrators attended.

 

Administrative Reports – None

 

Committee Reports

 

            The Curriculum/Technology committee met this evening.  State guidelines being implemented were discussed.  Technology equipment has been purchased and is being installed.  Preliminary negotiations with AFSCME are ongoing.

 

                        MOTION made by F. Simone and seconded by F. Gorman: to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

 

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

 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted

                                                                                    Donald R. Falcetti, Secretary