LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION

SPECIAL MEETING

AUGUST 12, 2003

A special meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in the Center School library.

            Present were: Mrs. Knox, Chairperson; Messrs. Doyle, Fairchild, Falcetti, Noone, and Waugh; Dr. Tindall-Gibson; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Stuhlman; Dr. Breslin; Mrs. Longobucco; Mrs. McDonald; the public and the press.  Mr. Costa, Dr. Kavle and Mr. Johnson were absent.

Renewal Non-tenured Staff

            Dr. Tindall-Gibson reported that of the three non-renewal staff members two have been given contracts.  Alison O’Leary and Andi Cantele have been placed in positions that have been vacated through retirement, leave or taking another position elsewhere.  Eleven positions were replaced and seven positions were cut.

Request for Waiver of Tuition

            Board members reviewed a letter from Henry and Jean Reeves, 11 Litchfield Hollow Road, including a copy of a letter from the building contractor and copies of the Board policy regarding non-resident attendance and waiver of tuition/tuition charges.  Mr. and Mrs. Reeves anticipate moving into their home by late September.

                        MOTION made by Mr. Doyle and seconded by Mr. Waugh: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the request for waiver of tuition from Henry and Jean Reeves for up to six weeks for their two children to be enrolled in LHS.  

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

Building Committee

            Dr. Tindall-Gibson reviewed the resolution regarding the appointment of a Board of Education representative to serve on the Building Committee. 

                        MOTION made by Mrs. Knox and seconded by Mr. Doyle: to approve Mr. Waugh as the Board of Education representative to serve on the Building Committee.

            Board members discussed the fact that Mr. Waugh will be retiring in November and wondered if that would cause any problems.  Mr. Waugh already discussed this with different people and decided that if a problem arises, he would step down and someone else would replace him.  

MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  Mr. Waugh abstained. 

2003-04 Budget

            Dr. Tindall-Gibson distributed copies of the 2003-04 Budget Reductions – Revised 8-12-03; Litchfield Public Schools Program Outline; and Litchfield Public Schools Reductions 2003-2004 Budget.  Items 1 – 14 on the revised list were reviewed with a total reduction of $520,000. 

            Board members discussed the following pay for participation concerns; fee amount; need to grant waivers in some cases; more realistic figure; need for policy; effect on marginal student participation; Pomperaug findings; possible activity fee for all students; effect on student transcripts; alternative funding; common in the mid-west; management concerns; try for first year and adjust the following year.   Other concerns included: need for external people to cover the psychologist’s workload; loss of Mr. Sweeney’s involvement; possible funding from student activity account; need to explain to the community the budget process; possible column in the newspaper explaining the adjustments; third grade numbers and issues; possible alternative enrichment services; addressing the gifted student in the regular classroom; and pressure on the classroom teacher. 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the revised budget reductions of $520,000, as presented.

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

Payment of Bills

                        MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Doyle: to pay bills in the amount of $48,767.49. 

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

Requests for Leave

            Dr. Tindall-Gibson reviewed the leave request from Darlene Torrant asking for an extended leave from November 2003 to the beginning of the 2004/2005 school year.  The LEA contract specifies an extended leave without pay for one year.  This one year will be up in November 2003 for Mrs. Torrant.

            Board members discussed the following: language in contract is not clear; last year approved two other leaves for more than one year; hard to find replacement when mid year to mid year of the following year so leave was just extended to June in both cases; inclination to not recommend is not good for the students; if approve, can set a precedent; Board will seek better contract language during negotiations; concerns about Board making decisions based on past decisions made; need to talk to the union representatives; possibly table until further input is sought; legal advice was to decline the request with the condition that could be approved if something worked out with the union; teacher might come back if not approved; hiring is better for a full year and better for the students; if grant leave then caveat that not guaranteed a position unless one is open with no bumping privileges; concerns about hiring; if delay, will tie hands of those hiring; and qualified candidates are available.

                        MOTION made by Mr. Waugh and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept Darlene Torrant’s request for leave of absence for the 2003/2004 academic year pending some kind of agreement can be reached with the LEA. 

            Board members discussed the following: A memorandum of agreement would be sought noting that this is a one-time thing and is not setting a precedent.  If this is denied she will have to return in November or relinquish her position.  If this is carried, a full time teacher could be hired which is better for the students.

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

            Dr. Tindall-Gibson reviewed a request from Judith Hogan for a one-year leave of absence from her Nurse/Teacher position in order to serve in the Peace Corps.  The LEA provisions do not govern this nor do we have a policy for this. Long-term leaves pertain to primary care givers or medical leaves. The Board needs to make their own decision.  The administration recommends approving the leave with access to medical benefits but they carry the expense on their own.

                        MOTION made by Mr. Waugh and seconded by Mr. Noone: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the leave of absence for Judith Hogan for the next academic year. 

            Mrs. Hogan outlined the process she will go through with the Peace Corps and noted that there is a lack of diversity in our own schools. She looks to make a connection with students in the Ukraine. There will be a complete cultural immersion, which she would like to share with Litchfield.  The Peace Corps provides primary medical insurance but recommends that a supplemental policy be retained.  It is hoped that the Board will assume the cost of the supplemental insurance. 

            Board members discussed the following: because they are giving so much of themselves perhaps the Board could find a way to step forward to cover the insurance; cost $11,000; setting a precedent; Litchfield only has full insurance and not backup insurance; possibly seek cheaper insurance through our insurance agent; coverage out of the U.S.; similar to Mrs. Torrant’s request where the coverage is available through her expense; will have to pay benefits for Mrs. Hogan’s replacement; and approve leave but get further information on insurance.

                        MOTION withdrawn by Mr. Waugh and second withdrawn by Mr. Noone.

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

                        MOTION made by Mr. Waugh and seconded by Mr. Noone: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to grant the leave of absence request from Mrs. Hogan for the academic year 2003-2004.

            More information will be sought regarding insurance and will be further discussed at the next meeting.

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

Discussion of Proposed Memorandum of Agreement LEA, Job Sharing

            Dr. Tindall-Gibson reviewed the Memorandum of Agreement outline with the Board.  Two employees will work half time in the fourth grade for this year.  The memorandum specifies how two people will share a job and has been reviewed by the LEA. 

            Board members discussed the following: all agree with memo; best for students; everything except math will be shared by subjects; benefits are .5 coverage; will be the strongest fourth grade class; some parents have requested this class; and parents have the option to change if desired.

                        MOTION made by Mr. Doyle and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Memorandum of Agreement as presented.

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

                        MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Doyle: to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

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

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Donald Falcetti, Secretary

                                                                                    Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary