LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION

SPECIAL MEETING

MAY 15, 2008

A special meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Intermediate School Art Room.

Board Members Present:   Mr. Gorman (vice-chair), Messrs. Falcetti, Shuhi, Simone; Ms. Carr, Mrs. Fabbri and Mrs. Reardon.  Mr. Katzin and Mr. Noone were absent.

Also Present:  Dr. Vita and Kristen Della Volpe; S. Jenkins and V. Beardsall (open session only, student reporters for the High School “Torch” publication to become informed regarding the process) and Attorney Wm. Conti for participation in executive session for Student A portion only.

Meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m.

MOTION made by Ms. Carr and seconded by Mrs. Reardon:  to go into executive session at 6:55 p.m. for the purpose of discussing multiple student disciplinary matters and confidential student records protected by law.   Dr. Vita and Ms. Della Volpe were invited to attend, and Attorney Conti for Student A portion only. S. Jenkins and V. Beardsall left the meeting.

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

Open session resumed at 8:15 p.m.

MOTION made by Ms. Carr and seconded by Mrs. Fabbri:  that based on the evidence in the record, and subject to the following conditions, that Student A be expelled from school, effective May 16, 2008 and continuing through May 16, 2009, based on Student A’s conduct in violating the Board’s Student Discipline policy by purchasing and/or possessing and/or offering for sale or distribution a controlled substance on school grounds on or about May 2, 2008.

a)      During the period of expulsion, the Board will provide Student A with an alternative educational opportunity deemed appropriate by the Administration, in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-233d of the Connecticut General Statutes. 

b)      During the period of his expulsion, Student A will not be permitted to be on school grounds and will not be permitted to attend or participate in any school-sponsored activities, with the sole exception of his participation in the alternative education opportunity provided by the Board.

c)      On or about November 1, 2008, the Administration shall review Student A’s conduct, as well as his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity.  If the Administration determines that Student A’s conduct, together with his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity, merits early readmission to school, the Administration may, in its sole discretion, readmit Student A to school, effective for the second marking period of the 2008-09 school year.

d)     If the Administration determines that Student A should be readmitted to school early in accordance with the preceding section, and if Student A subsequently commits any offense that would warrant suspension and/or expulsion under the policies of the Litchfield Board of Education, then the Administration may reinstate Student A’s expulsion for the remainder of the expulsion period (through and including May 16, 2009), without the need for any further proceedings before the Litchfield Board of Education. 

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

MOTION made by Ms. Carr and seconded by Mr. Shuhi:  that based on the evidence in the record, and subject to the following conditions, that Student B be expelled from school, effective May 16, 2008 and continuing through May 16, 2009, based on Student B’s conduct in violating the Board’s Student Discipline policy by purchasing and/or possessing and/or offering for sale or distribution a controlled substance on school grounds on or about May 2, 2008.

a)      During the period of expulsion, the Board will provide Student B with an alternative educational opportunity deemed appropriate by the Administration, in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-233d of the Connecticut General Statutes. 

b)      During the period of his expulsion, Student B will not be permitted to be on school grounds and will not be permitted to attend or participate in any school-sponsored activities, with the sole exception of his participation in the alternative education opportunity provided by the Board.

c)      On or about November 1, 2008, the Administration shall review Student B’s conduct, as well as his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity.  If the Administration determines that Student B’s conduct, together with his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity, merits early readmission to school, the Administration may, in its sole discretion, readmit Student B to school, effective for the second marking period of the 2008-09 school year.

d)     If the Administration determines that Student B should be readmitted to school early in accordance with the preceding section, and if Student B subsequently commits any offense that would warrant suspension and/or expulsion under the policies of the Litchfield Board of Education, then the Administration may reinstate Student B’s expulsion for the remainder of the expulsion period (through and including May 16, 2009), without the need for any further proceedings before the Litchfield Board of Education. 

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

MOTION made by Mrs. Fabbri and seconded by Ms. Carr:  that based on the evidence in the record, and subject to the following conditions, that Student C be expelled from school, effective May 16, 2008 and continuing through May 16, 2009, based on Student C’s conduct in violating the Board’s Student Discipline policy by purchasing and/or possessing and/or offering for sale or distribution a controlled substance on school grounds on or about May 2, 2008.

a)      During the period of expulsion, the Board will provide Student C with an alternative educational opportunity deemed appropriate by the Administration, in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-233d of the Connecticut General Statutes. 

b)      During the period of his expulsion, Student C will not be permitted to be on school grounds and will not be permitted to attend or participate in any school-sponsored activities, with the sole exception of his participation in the alternative education opportunity provided by the Board.

c)      On or about August 15, 2008, the Administration shall review Student C’s conduct, as well as his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity.  If the Administration determines that Student C’s conduct, together with his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity, merits early readmission to school, the Administration may, in its sole discretion, readmit Student C to school, effective for the first marking period of the 2008-09 school year.

d)     If the Administration determines that Student C should be readmitted to school early in accordance with the preceding section, and if Student C subsequently commits any offense that would warrant suspension and/or expulsion under the policies of the Litchfield Board of Education, then the Administration may reinstate Student C’s expulsion for the remainder of the expulsion period (through and including May 16, 2009), without the need for any further proceedings before the Litchfield Board of Education. 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative except for Mr. Simone who voted in the negative.  There were no abstentions.

MOTION made by Ms. Carr and seconded by Mrs. Fabbri:  that based on the evidence in the record, and subject to the following conditions, that Student D be expelled from school, effective May 16, 2008 and continuing through May 16, 2009, based on Student D’s conduct in violating the Board’s Student Discipline policy by purchasing and/or possessing and/or offering for sale or distribution a controlled substance on school grounds on or about May 2, 2008.

a)      During the period of expulsion, the Board will provide Student D with an alternative educational opportunity deemed appropriate by the Administration, in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-233d of the Connecticut General Statutes. 

b)      During the period of his expulsion, Student D will not be permitted to be on school grounds and will not be permitted to attend or participate in any school-sponsored activities, with the sole exception of his participation in the alternative education opportunity provided by the Board.

c)      On or about January 1, 2009, the Administration shall review Student D’s conduct, as well as his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity.  If the Administration determines that Student D’s conduct, together with his attendance and effort level in the alternative educational opportunity, merits early readmission to school, the Administration may, in its sole discretion, readmit Student D to school, effective for the second semester of the 2008-09 school year.

d)     If the Administration determines that Student D should be readmitted to school early in accordance with the preceding section, and if Student D subsequently commits any offense that would warrant suspension and/or expulsion under the policies of the Litchfield Board of Education, then the Administration may reinstate Student D’s expulsion for the remainder of the expulsion period (through and including May 16, 2009), without the need for any further proceedings before the Litchfield Board of Education. 

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

MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Ms. Carr: to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

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

Recorded by:

                                                                                    Dominick C. Vita, Superintendent