LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATIONREGULAR MEETING JULY 13, 2004 |
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A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in the Center School library.
Present were: Mrs. Knox, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Costa, Doyle, Fairchild, Falcetti, Noone; Shuhi and Simone; Mrs. Perusse; Mrs. Longobucco; Dr. Stuhlman; Mrs. MacDonald; Mr. Zaremski; the public and the press. Dr. Tindall-Gibson was excused.
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Simone: to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2004 meeting as submitted with the following correction on page 2512 under the second motion should note that Mr. Shuhi abstained.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Public Comment
Mike Murray commented on the following:
Board members noted that a process has begun to provide a policy for public comment to get some kind of response back by filling out a form.
Ben Buck commented that regarding Dr. Tindall-Gibson it is not clear what the Board’s decision was.
Jessica Buck noted that she supports Dr. Tindall-Gibson who is hard working and does not understand the Board’s reason for their decision.
Communications
The Board members received the following:
Building Committee Update
Mr. Waugh reviewed the July 1, 2004 minutes and discussed the following: hiring additional consultants; traffic, theatre, forensic, food service, information technology; early schematic designs Intermediate School and high school; site work increases due to bus drop-offs; further discussions on ways to save money; new gym design; alternative idea of maintaining existing gym and its footprint; boilers underneath; concerns about present gym; update from construction manager; possible cushion put into project if you keep present gym; and public expectations.
Board members discussed the following: possible savings if some site work is done by town employees; strong feelings from the community regarding a new gym site; cost is issue; possibility of coming in under bid; increase steel and construction material costs; site work for safe drop off not in original plan; nothing out to bid yet; possible design changes; rather less building than less quality; numbers based on historic square feet costs; and community approval included a new gym.
CMT 2003 District Results
Mr. O’Connell presented the results including: Grade 4, 6 and 8 Annual Results – Fall 2003 in math reading and writing; Grade 4, 6 and 8 Comparative Results – Fall 2003 in math, reading and writing; Grade 4, 6, and 8 Proficient or Better – NCLB for math, reading and writing; Participation Rate; Class of 2010 Grades 4, 6 Report; and Class of 2008 Grades 4, 6, and 8 Report.
Board members discussed the following: tracking results; very challenging, difficult test; sophistication and trickery involved; third graders included in the near future; teach testing strategies; math applications; some are a guessing game; kids and readiness levels; and development issues.
2004-2005 Budget Update
Mrs. Knox reported the $170,000 taken from the fund balance to reduce the budget slightly.
Board members discussed the following: poor location for budget hearing; need to be proactive for next year; find ways to run schools with much fewer people; start budget process early; issue of labor costs; need for technology to play a role; schedule and alignment with other districts to share services; 18% voted, 82% didn’t care; percent goes down with further votes held; possible negative vote on July 27th; turnaround for another vote goes into the next school year; and need to run school on last year’s budget.
Policy Committee
Board members discussed the potential activity fee and the need to create a draft policy for implementation of the activity fee.
Facilities Committee
Mr. Noone noted that the buses will be parked in the upper parking lot at Center School but a permanent lot will still be sought.
Board members discussed the following: type of pavement used on the parking lot; possible letter to be sent to parents regarding the use of the lot; critical time between 8:30 and 8:45 in the morning; and Plumb Hill issues.
Old Business
Mr. Fairchild presented policy number 1110.1 Communications with the Public, 1120 Board of Education Meetings and 9325 Meeting Conduct for a second reading.
New Business
Board members acknowledged the gift donation of a Rifton Chair from the Waterbury ARC organization.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the out-of-state field trip for the LHS Envirothon team to attend the international competition in Buckhannon, West Virginia.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Mrs. Perusse distributed copies of the School Building Maintenance Agreement and a memo regarding this agreement and discussed the following: need to meet with the Public Works supervisor; suggestions made; growing pains; small window to get things done at the schools during the summer; savings are still unclear; and need for more time.
Board members discussed the following: issues of scheduling painting; Public Works conflict with summer vacations and their own needs; condition of Center School always immaculate; new surfaces make it easier; renovations in ’88 and still looks newly renovated; outside use of buildings impacts cleanliness; and concrete won’t shine.
The board reviewed the list of non-tenured teaching staff for the 2004-05 school year.
MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to support the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the renewal of the Non-tenured teachers.
Center School Erin Bates Cynthia Zeller Brian Mongeau
LIS Vanessa Kass Alison O’Leary Melissa Mikaitis Kimberly Bradish Shelly Hill Alisa Patasuis Tara Kraut Elizabeth Lynn
LHS Stephen Brookes Allison Hennessey Anthony Hibbert Carmela Wescott Lisa Heuschkel Richard Brunelli Matthew Coon Nathaniel Southard Stephanie Sorak Sara Orefice Lianne Maeder
Board members discussed the following: teacher evaluation process; administrators’ recommendations; budget issues if rejected again; eliminate positions for lack of funding; possible wait until after the vote; staffing needs; no new positions have been created; need to operate on present budget; possibly send bad message to community; need to put qualified staff before students; technicality of the vote; continuing with the same staff; need to avoid these people leaving for other positions; possible complete in June; not done by all districts; not a state statute to send letter; possible cuts if budget does not pass and cuts based on Board of Finance input.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Payment of Bills
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to pay bills in the amount of $27,830.47.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
New Hire
MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Noone: to move to Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. to discuss personnel.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Executive Session
All the above Board members were present and Mrs. MacDonald.
Open session resumed at 9:40 p.m.
MOTION made by J. Costa and seconded by D. Falcetti: to approve the hire of Geoffrey Fischer as a Social Studies teacher at Litchfield High School.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by F. Simone and seconded by H. Fairchild: to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 p.m.
Motion carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Respectfully submitted, Donald Falcetti, Secretary Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary
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