|
LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR
MEETING APRIL 9, 2008 |
|
A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the LIS cafeteria. Board members present were: Mr. Katzin, Chairperson; Ms. Carr; Mrs. Fabbri; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Falcetti, Noone, Shuhi and Simone. Mr. Gorman arrived at 7:45 p.m. Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Mr. Johnson; Mr. Zaremski; Mrs. Longobucco; Ms. Marinelli; Mr. Crowe the public and the press. MOTION made by Mr. Shuhi and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to move agenda item VII a to item III e. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. MOTION made by Mrs. Fabbri and seconded by Ms. Carr: to approve the minutes of the March 26, 2008 meeting as submitted with the following corrections: p. 2680 in the first paragraph “affect” should be “effect,” in Mr. Katzin’s comments “sometimes” should be eliminated and 2 – 1 should be 2:1, on page 282 in the fourth paragraph “state” should be “State,” in the next paragraph the last paragraph should read “than” rather than “that,” and under Mr. Shuhi’s report delete “had a meeting and” and on page 2683, the second paragraph should read “operations and procedures of the student activities book.” MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Public Comment and Correspondence Mr. Waugh reported that the school building committee has not met since the last report but will be meeting to review the roof inspection report; sidewalk areas that are deteriorating; setting up a dedication ceremony with the Board for the two schools during the end of the year activities; possible open house included in the ceremony; and donations to cover the cost of the plaque. Dana D’Amico reported on the student council activities at the high school. The Board received the following correspondence:
Mrs. Penney commented that she had heard that the Board is sending Dr. Vita to New Zealand for a professional development meeting. She expressed concern over this. Mr. Katzin noted that this was approved a year and a half ago for a total of $3,900 (06-07 budget), and these funds are not refundable. The trip was postponed from last summer. The money for the trip cannot be refunded. The system will benefit from this conference over the next 3 months. Plans were made prior to Dr. Vita’s decision to retire and he is the only one who can participate in this activity. Mrs. Harrison commented on scheduling issues noting that the Italy trip and music trip are too close together and can be challenging for parents and students financially and logistically.
Mr. Murray complimented Dr. Vita on being a true educator as well as a Superintendent. The honor roll would be difficult on the students to reform. The Book Fair posters have a punctuation error. Mrs. Longobucco extended, on behalf of all the administrators, best wishes to the Superintendent on his retirement. She also made a suggestion to the Board for the search process to include the administrators to help for the following reasons: some have background in past hiring process; cost savings to district; time saved; customize needs for district; services offered; and working as a partnership with the Board. Mr. Parker discussed the possibility of an “Adventure Education Challenge (experiential) Course” to the Board. A grant proposal to the LEF is also in the process of being completed and needs Board approval. An overview of the possible course was discussed but the computer pictures were not available for Board perusal. The cost would run approximately $28,000 and would be applied for through grants through the LEF and Sherr Thoss foundation. Maintenance, upkeep, certification, participation numbers, safety, insurance issues, injury rates, State physical fitness test, storage of equipment, adjunct to PE curriculum, ongoing costs, fit with 2005 State frameworks for wellness and PE, alternative purchases if lesser amount granted, and environment impact were also reviewed. Board consensus was to wait to see the pictures and vote on the course at the next Board meeting. Mr. Gorman arrived at 7:45 p.m. Administrative Reports
Mrs. Longobucco updated the Board on Center School events and activities including: the “healthy beginnings” program where students are introduced to growing vegetables, sampling fruits and vegetables, field trip to Wamogo’s greenhouse, cooling demonstrations, and a $5.00 coupon for the farmer’s market. There will also be a kid’s marathon with students from Center School and the Intermediate School participating and in conjunction with the LHRR with the last mile taking place during the road race kids’ race. Ms. Marinelli updated the Board on the Intermediate School events and activities including: the artist-in-residence program taking place in 4th grade classes where masks of animals are being made with a culminating performance in May. Mr. Zaremski updated the Board on the number of required meetings the special education department has to hold over the year. Mrs. Perusse updated the Board on the building punch lists, organization of the business office and meeting with the Board’s business manager’s replacement. Mr. Crowe updated the Board on the FF&E status and work to be done over the spring break with the building committee contractors. Mr. Johnson thanked Mr. Parker for the Adventure Education Challenge course presentation and taking the initiative to promote this great program. Old Business
Board members reviewed policy # 5141.21- Administration of Medications, for a third reading. MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Shuhi: to approve the revised Board policy #5141.21 – Administration of Medication. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Board members reviewed policy #5127.1 –
Graduation Requirements, for a third reading. MOTION made by Ms.
Carr and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to approve the revised Board policy
#5127.1 “Graduation Requirements.” MOTION
failed. All votes were in the
affirmative except Mrs. Fabbri, Mr. Shuhi, Mr. Falcetti and Mr. Simone voted
in the negative. There were no
abstentions. Dr. Vita distributed a copy of the
2009-2010 Calendar draft. MOTION made by Mr.
Gorman and seconded by Mr. Shuhi: to approve the 2009-10 school calendar
as presented. Discussion: Board members discussed adding the Yom
Kippur holiday date. Voting on original
motion: MOTION
failed. All votes were in the negative.
There were no abstentions. MOTION made by Ms.
Carr and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to approve the 2009-2010 calendar as
amended with the addition of September 28, 2008 as a no school day. MOTION
carried. All votes were in the
affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita noted that the two
openings due to recent resignations for the teaching positions and one
special education assistant would not be replaced in order to cover the
$100,000 reduction recommended by the Board of Finance. This would not affect
class size or programs and there are planned significant interventions for
students next year. The budget could be revisited after program enrollment is
complete. There is more flexibility with FTE reduction than program cuts. MOTION made by Ms. Carr and seconded by Mrs. Fabbri: to approve the payment of invoices and adjustments to line item expenditures for 2007-08 budget as required.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. Mr. Simone abstained. MOTION made by Ms. Carr and seconded by Mr. Shuhi: to accept Center School Annex roof project #074-0036 as complete and authorize the Business Manager to submit final cost to the State Dept. of Education office of School Facilities.
Mrs. Perusse noted that the second phase for the main building and flat roofs is at the State and is expected to go out to bid as soon as the State sends out the letter. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. MOTION made b Mr. Shuhi and seconded by Ms. Carr: to set the date for high school graduation exercises for Thursday, June 19, 2008 at the Warner Theater in Torrington.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. MOTION made by Mr. Shuhi and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve extended leaves of absence (Child Rearing) for Erin Bates and Michelle Mongeau through the end of the 2007-08 school year. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. MOTION made by Mr. Noone and seconded by Mr. Gorman: to accept the resignation of Shennen Flannery (teacher) effective the end of the 2007-08 school year, with regret. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Dr. Vita outlined several options the Board could consider for a superintendent search including: Mrs. Longobucco’s proposal on behalf of the administrators; use of consulting firms; CABE information (distributed to Board members); CAPSS input; timing issues; defining characteristics; past practices; qualifications; talent brought in with facilitators; costs of hiring consultants; free workshops at CABE available; need for speed; brochures needed; timelines involved; possible people to be on the search committee; and confidentiality issues.
Board consensus was to have the Board’s Programs and Personnel Committee meet with the administrators in the Art Room at the Intermediate School on Thursday, April 24th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the search process. Committee Reports
The Facilities and Technology Committee will meet on May 7th. Mr. Noone reminded the Board of the public hearing on the 2008-09 budget scheduled for April 30th in the Intermediate School Auditorium at 7 p.m. (The regular board meeting will follow in the LIS Art room.) Ms. Carr reported that the Policy Committee met to discuss the policies presented this evening. MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Shuhi: to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Respectfully submitted, Tina Reardon, Secretary Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary.
|
