A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Litchfield Intermediate School art room.

            Board members present were: Mr. Katzin, Chairperson; Ms. Carr; Mrs. Reardon; Mrs. Fabbri; Messrs. Falcetti, Gorman, Shuhi, and Simone.  Mr. Noone was absent.

            Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Mr. Johnson; Ms. DellaVolpe; Mrs. Longobucco; Mr. Zaremski; Mr. Crowe; the public and the press.

                        MOTION made by Simone and seconded by Mr. Shuhi: to add to the agenda as VII. C a discussion of an out-of-state field trip. 

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

Special Presentation

            Mrs. Longobucco, Mrs. Schneider, Mrs. Mancini, Mrs. Downes, and Mrs. Brady presented an update on the full day Kindergarten program at Center School. A slide show of a sample Kindergarten day was also presented along with sample folders of what a Kindergartener would have accomplished last year up to this point and what they have accomplished this year showing dramatic learning differences between the two sessions because of the extra time they now have.  

            Two parents complimented the program and one parent was concerned about the possible classroom sizes next year in first grade.

            Board members discussed frameworks for setting the same kind of pace in other grades; supplementing skills as needed; recess and free time; and accommodations for variations of development.

                        MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Simone: to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2008 minutes as submitted.

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

Public Comment and Correspondence

            Mrs. Fabbri reported on the STPC activities and events.

            Mrs. Eisenhaure reported on the PTO activities and events.

            Mr. Murray complimented the work samples from Center School; commented on lack of presentations from the other two schools; and complimented the administration for putting through the all day Kindergarten. 

 

Administrative Reports

            Mrs. Longobucco updated the Board on Center School’s events and activities including thanks for listening to the presentation and supporting the Science program; three LHS students interning last week; and read aloud with the Chamber of Commerce.

            Ms. DelleVolpe updated the Board on the High School events and activities including a document of course enrollments and its format; 70% success for student requests for courses; need to make class sizes as equitable as possible; limitations of a small school; AP classes and requirements for graduation and document found on the website.

            Mr. Zaremski updated the Board on the goals and outcomes of ensuring that students with disabilities are educated in the least restrictive environment.

            Mr. Johnson updated the Board on the program of studies at the high school and middle school and the need to be clear in communicating it to the school and community. 

            Mrs. Perusse distributed to the Board additional information for the budget book.  The 2008-09 proposed budget amount is $16,014,000.

            Mr. Crowe updated the Board on the status of construction at the high school; the status of the FF&E money by the school building committee; and planning the summer program requests as soon as the capital budget is in place.

Superintendent’s Report

            Dr. Vita distributed a copy of the Torrington Public Schools Calendar 2009-2010 and reported that he will bring this to the area Superintendent’s meeting on March 7th for further review.  The Board will review it again at the next meeting when the calendar will be in the familiar format of previous Litchfield calendars.

Old Business

            Board members discussed the status of the 2008-09 operating budget including further discussion to be held at the next joint Finance and Personnel Committee meeting to be held next week. 

            Dr. Vita expressed concern regarding the suggestion of some members of the Board of Finance to reduce the budget presented last Monday evening and whether, in order to meet their request, the process to non-renew the non-tenured teachers should be started. 

            Board members discussed other possible scenarios to decrease the budget if necessary and the need to communicate additional information to the Board of Finance.