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LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING JULY 16, 2008 |
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A special meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Intermediate School Central Office Conference Room and LIS Cafeteria. Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room for a student disciplinary matter. Board Members Present: Messrs. Katzin (Chair), Noone, Falcetti, Shuhi, and Simone, Mrs. Reardon and Mrs. Fabbri. Mr. Gorman and Ms. Carr were absent. Also Present: Dr. Vita and K. Della Volpe (Principal LHS) MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Shuhi: to go into executive for the purpose of discussing a student disciplinary matter and confidential student records protected by law. Dr. Vita and Ms. Della Volpe were invited to attend. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Open session resumed at 6:45 p.m. MOTION made by Mrs. Fabbri and seconded by Mr. Noone: to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. and resume the meeting in the LIS cafeteria. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Meeting was reconvened in the LIS Cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. Present were: Mr. Katzin, Chairperson; Ms. Fabbri; Ms. Reardon; Messrs. Falcetti, Noone, Shuhi, and Simone. Ms. Carr was absent. Also present were: Dr. Vita; Mr. Buccitelli; Mr. Johnson; Ms. Della Volpe; Ms. Marinelli; Mr. Zaremski; Mr. Crowe the public and the press. MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: that based on the evidence in the record, and
subject to the following conditions, that Student A be expelled from school,
effective July 24, 2008 and continuing through July 24, 2009, based on
Student A’s conduct in violating the Board’s Student Discipline policy by
possessing and/or offering for sale or distribution a controlled substance on
school grounds on or about June 6, 2008. 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. 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. On
or about January 1, 2009, 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 semester of the 2008-09 school year. 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 July 24, 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. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Simone: to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2008 and July 16, 2008 meetings as submitted. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions. Public Comment and Correspondence Mrs. Harrison commented on the improved traffic flow at the schools; building committee data regarding the parking lot; and a request to abandon the plan for the parking lot and concentrate on completing the schools appropriately. Mrs. Glassman thanked the Board for the quick response to the solvent spill and commented on the costs of maintaining a new parking lot and alternatives that should be considered instead. *Mr. Gorman arrived at 7:10 p.m. Mr. Murray commented on the respectable scores that appeared in the paper; the building committee funding limit; and community members that serve on the Superintendent Search Committee. The names will be put on the web site. Mr. Burgess commented on the POCAD report that identifies a plan for sufficient parking in the schools and that this is a community wide consensus. Mr. Waugh and Mr. Healy reported on the building committee including: meetings since the last report; outstanding change requests; sidewalks and top soil issues; punch list items; coping issues; painting schedules; parking lot bids; input from the State; block popping; FF&E status; and contingency amount. Board consensus was to request a copy of the punch list. Mr. McCormick, president of the Plumb Hill playing fields board, requested a replacement liaison to serve on the board to take the place of Mr. Simone who has resigned. A presentation was made including: history of the fields; maintenance of the fields; fundraising efforts; Board members; meeting schedules; developing a facility use form; purpose of fields; possible use by other groups; need for more parking for activities held on the field; and a copy of a possible use form for Board perusal. Mr. Katzin noted that the school is well represented with Mr. Crowe and Mr. Weaver serving on the Board. Administrative Reports Ms. Marinelli updated the Board on the Intermediate School events and activities including: Social Studies curriculum; CMT data; and preparing for the opening of school. Ms. Della Volpe updated the Board on the High School events and activities including: planning professional development with Mr. Johnson; new staff; counselors available during the summer to finalize student schedules based on needs; test scores; grade distribution; building organization; senior lounge and privileges. Mr. Zaremski reviewed the IDEA 2004 Requirements: Evaluation Timelines for the Litchfield School District. Mr. Johnson updated the Board on the summer goals including: CAPT, CMT and
AP score reviews; presentation to be made on the 2nd Board meeting in
September; data drives curriculum, instruction and budget; planning
curriculum development for the year; orientation for new staff and
professional development for the opening of school. Mr. Buccitelli updated the Board on the repair of the bus house roof;
floor cleaning bid process; closing the 07-08 budget in the black;
considering the $100,000 shortfall in the budget for fuel oil due to
escalating prices of fuel and the need for a plan of action.
Superintendent’s Report Dr. Vita reported on the following: · Résumé’s of the new staff; also recent
resignation and employee transfers. · Outstanding staff to be filled by mid
August · Truck replacement status with the town
giving us the use of a used truck until 09-10 when the capital budget has money
for the replacement. · Status of Center School roofing. · Summer cleaning status. · New teacher orientation. · P.D. for the first days of school in
August. · Concerns about the status of the interior
damage to the school bus lot office. Old Business Ms. Della Volpe outlined the new high school schedule including the
following: reason for the change; need for science lab times; Dr. Nardone
began the process; 40 teachers were willing to stay after school to modify
the schedule; staff reviewed the new schedule; serves our needs including lab
period for science and more options for students to take advantage of
elective course; modified block – 8 periods with 4 every other day;
instructional advantages; brain process and cycles considered; time for remediation;
maximum number of courses to prepare for on a daily basis is 4; more course
options; could double up on courses; disadvantages include training in
instruction, meet every other day, 80 minute study hall, focusing for an
extended period of time; have evaluation tool; co-op won’t work since Wamogo
is going to 8 periods a day; will offer courses at LHS; PD days for teaching
in the block; and feedback from those who did the block before. Board members discussed notifying parents soon; advantage for clubs to
meet; gym and wellness classes; and assessment of program. New Business MOTION made by Ms. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Falcetti:
to approve the payment of invoices and adjustment 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. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Falcetti:
to approve the payment of invoices and adjustment to line item expenditures
for 2008-09 budget as required. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative.
Mr. Simone abstained. Board members discussed POCAD (Plan of Conservation and Development)
including the following: a lot of issues have been put in place already; no
liaison from the Board of Education; some items can be resolved; review the
document with the Facilities Committee; and some items are not relevant
anymore. Mr. Burgess noted that the intent is to avoid stagnating the document
and to keep it fresh; being consistent with the long-range plan of the Board;
POCAD is mandated by the State; use as a field of vision; approved, aligned
and supported; and opportunity for revenue generated with the use of the
athletic fields. Committee Reports Mr. Katzin reported on the Superintendent Search Committee including
the following: Tom Jokubaitis identifying more
candidates; 14 or 15 to consider; committee does prescreening meeting on
Monday to come up with 4 – 6 candidates; all administrators and the Board;
informal conversation with the Board with 2-3 candidates; then to large
community group again; and final vote by the Board. Board members discussed the process and timing. MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti:
to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There
were no abstentions. Respectfully submitted, Tina Reardon, Secretary Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary
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