LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATIONREGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2005 |
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Present were: Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Costa, Fairchild, Falcetti, Gorman, Noone, Shuhi, Simone and Tourtellotte; Dr. Vita; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Breslin; Mrs. Longobucco; Mrs. MacDonald; the public and the press.
Election of Board Officers
Dr. Vita took nominations for elections of Board officers for the term of two years from December 2005 through November 2007.
NOMINATION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to nominate Mr. Shuhi for Chairperson of the Board of Education.
NOMINATION made by Mr. Noone and seconded by Mrs. Reardon: to nominate Mr. Costa for Chairperson of the board of Education.
Mr. Falcetti, Mr. Simone, Mr. Tourtellotte, Mr. Fairchild and Mr. Shuhi voted for Mr. Shuhi.
Mrs. Reardon, Mr. Noone, Mr. Gorman, and Mr. Costa voted for Mr. Costa.
Mr. Shuhi is the new Chairperson.
NOMINATION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to nominate Mr. Simone for Vice Chairperson of the Board of Education.
NOMINATION made by Mr. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Costa: to nominate Mr. Noone for Vice Chairperson of the Board of Education.
Mr. Falcetti, Mr. Shuhi, Mr. Simone, Mr. Fairchild, and Mr. Tourtellotte voted for Mr. Simone.
Mrs. Reardon, Mr. Noone, Mr. Cost and Mr. Gorman voted for Mr. Noone.
Mr. Simone is the new Vice Chairperson.
NOMINATION made by Mr. Shuhi and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to nominate Mr. Falcetti for Secretary of the Board of Education.
Mrs. Reardon, Mr. Shuhi, Mr. Simone, Mr. Falcetti, Mr. Costa, Mr. Noone, Mr. Tourtellotte, Mr. Gorman, and Mr. Fairchild voted for Mr. Falcetti.
Mr. Falcetti is the new Secretary of the Board of Education.
Mr. Shuhi commented that he appreciates the opportunity to serve the Board as Chairperson and wants to focus on the work ahead including communicating well and working together for the kids in the community.
A special reward was presented to Mrs. Knox recognizing her many years of service (12 years) to the Board and the students of Litchfield.
MOTION made by Mr. Fairchild and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2005 regular meeting as submitted.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. Mr. Simone abstained.
MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to approve the minutes of the November 30, 2005 special meeting as submitted.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Vita noted that minutes will reflect all actions taken by the board and the wording is recommended in the agenda. Wording can be changed but it must be specific and clear. Minutes need to reflect the actions of the Board and are not a transcript of everything said.
Public Comment
Mrs. Fabbri reported on the activities of the STPC including the cookbook and donations made.
Ken Tingley commented on the Pay for Participation policy and how it impacted the play participants.
Angela Penny commented on the math curriculum direction for the future and how it would impact students who would benefit from levels.
Dr. Vita noted that the math curriculum is now being assessed with the intention of enhancing the math program to ensure K-12 continuity and comprehensiveness.
Sandra Newbury commented on the fact that public comment wasn’t held before the election of officers and asked to formally have the new Board members introduced.
Mr. Costa commented that the mock trial team was victorious this evening, unofficially.
Mr. Falcetti read a letter from Jim and Cynthia Tompkins re: support for Mr. Costa as Chairperson.
Mike Murray commented on how great it was to meet with Dr. Vita and to talk one-on-one with him. He also thanked Mrs. Knox for her efforts and Mr. Costa for his communication skills. He welcomed the new Board members and congratulated the new officers. He noted that it is not a bad thing for students to be responsible for paying for some of their education. He noted that in 2006 he would comment on a conflict of interest.
Jen Kalita reported on the Student Council activities at the high school.
Gary Waugh commented that the Robotics team received a grant of $6,000 from NASA to proceed with their programs.
Special Presentation
Mr. Waugh reported that at the last Building Committee meeting the following bid packages were approved for site work, masonry contract, general trades, plumbing, and electrical. The next meeting will include issuing the rest of the contracts. At the town meeting the Board of Selectmen approved the bus lot lease proposal.
Mrs. Perusse commented on the building process taking place at the schools including fencing, changes in bus runs, traffic patterns and field use.
New Business
Mr. Shuhi asked that Board members communicate with him about which committee preference they have and then the assignments will be made.
Mr. Costa suggested that committees be combined as follows: Curriculum/Technology/Personnel as one; Finance/Negotiations as one; and Policy/Facilities as one. Every member can be on one committee, which would cut down on meetings.
Board consensus was to streamline the assignments and the chair would further consider the reorganization of committees.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the payment of invoices and adjustment to line item expenditures as requested.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Dr. Breslin outlined the details of our students participating in the rain forest field trip. This year Taylor Ives and Jon Zullo were chosen to participate.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Noone: to authorize LHS participation in a cooperative program with the Forman School for the 2005-06 school year including a two-week field trip in March to Costa Rica.
Dr. Breslin will notify the parents of students who have the teacher that will be accompanying the students on the trip.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Old Business
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Simone: to approve the proposed cooperative (Litchfield and Region #6) school calendar for 2006-07 and 2007-08.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
MOTION made by Mr. Costa and seconded by Mr. Tourtellotte: to approve the Board regular meeting schedule for 2006.
MOTION carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Vita reported on the following:
Administrative Reports
Dr. Breslin reported on the sports program at the high school and past graduates invited back next Thursday the 22nd.
Dr. Breslin presented an outline of the high school schedule option, goals, background and related program adjustments to the Board. Information regarding possible schedule changes will be communicated to students and parents. References were made from research and studies regarding schedule types related to AP courses and CAPT issues.
Board members discussed the various schedule issues and concerns and will discuss it further at the January meeting.
Lynn Scozzafava (LEA President), commented on the proposed new schedule for the high school with her thoughts and concerns as shared by many of the teachers at the high school. The main concern is the timing and they ask that the Board refrain from implementing any change in the schedule for 2006-07 school year. Several reasons were outlined for this request. The main concern has to do with having this change during the renovation process. Time is needed to acclimate to the building changes first then the new schedule can be implemented. The faculty today confirmed this request to keep the block for one more year and asked the Board to stand behind the staff.
Board members requested further discussion on the matter to be held at the January meeting.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the NEASC conference, NCLB lawsuit, NEASC report results, math meetings, grade level meetings and holiday happenings.
Mrs. Longobucco reported on the technology/library meeting to be held to evaluate technology in the library and visits to other schools to view their curriculum.
Mrs. Perusse reported on the following: impact on the schools with the renovation project starting; budget is due Friday for review; capital budget forms were received today, deadline for the requests is tomorrow; auditors were present at the Board of Finance meeting; representative to CASBO; Tools for Schools; and tag sale profits.
Dr. Vita noted that the auditors suggested that the schools get financial software compatible to the town. The cost for MUNIS would be $68,000 per year for two years. He also indicated this software package may exceed the needs of the district. Other options are out there that are not so costly and the town should hold off before making such a decision.
Committee ReportsCurriculum/Technology Committee
Mr. Costa reported that the committee met last week and discussed the schedule for the high school.
Facility Committee
Mr. Noone reported that the committee met on December 8th and discussed the Center School roof project, the school project update and the gift of the school bus lot.
Correspondence
Dr. Vita reported that at a recent CAS meeting the Litchfield BOE was asked to consider supporting the State of Connecticut’s NCLB legal action. It was asked if the Litchfield Board of Education would endorse or provide support to the Attorney General’s actions. The action has been initiated based upon the state’s position that the testing requirements of NCLB are unfunded mandates. Litchfield is now in the minority since other towns have endorsed this action.
Board members discussed the issue and Board consensus was to put this discussion on the January agenda.
MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 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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