SPECIAL MEETING - FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE

Litchfield Board of Education

Wednesday, May 7, 2008, Central Office Conference Rm., 6:00 p.m.

Meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m.

Members Present: W. Shuhi (chair), J. Noone, E. Fabbri, and J. Katzin (ex-officio)

Also present: D. Falcetti, Dr. Vita, P. Perusse, J. Marinelli, T. Crowe, A. Longobucco, J. Moore, G. Zaremski, K. Della Volpe and Bill Burgess (Litchfield Hills Foods Systems).

Approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of January 17, 2008

MOTION made by J. Noone and seconded by J. Katzin: to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of January 17, 2008.

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

Discuss the offer of the Brandywine Corporation to donate signs for the Litchfield Schools

• Signs were created by Cliff Cooper; 2 signs offered to be donated by Brandywine Corp. for schools; sign would state “donated by Brandywine Corp.”
• No policy in place regarding signs and controlling it; discussed advertising in general; issue placed on hold at this time.

Discuss the Bus building roof

• Bus building has mold on walls and rug; plastic roof; lease stated that “signer” is responsible to maintain the building; discussed history of the bus building; not a Board of Education lease; building is leased by the town.
• Board of Education has no money designated for this project; a letter could be sent to the Board of Selectmen with a copy to the Board of Finance.

Discuss the cleaning schedule and limited use of school facilities during the summer

• Some requests for school use have been received. Only school and Parks and Recreation will be able to use buildings. Town budget will affect cleaning schedules; intense cleaning of buildings starting early in the summer; hallways last to be done; custodians have summer vacation time coming.
• Having student cleaners requires a great deal of supervision; Center school principal’s office has an ongoing odor problem needing further attention; discussed courtyard lawns at LHS; report on flooding in the Middle School wing at LHS; and truck burned at LHS. Board no longer has a truck to transport items.

Special Meeting – Facilities and Technology Sub-Committee, May 7, 2008 Page 2

Discuss other facilities related issues

• Need clarification of the conclusion of the school building project.
• Litchfield Hills Foods Systems is requesting a sign be allowed for the Farmers’ Market; program has provided $40,000 for school activities including Chef in Residence and Artist in Residence programs. State Dept. of Transportation would allow a sign on State property; the sign would be removable.

Discuss the structure and organization of the Technology Department

• A history of the department took place; until recently, three network specialists were employed; one computer network specialist retired and one resigned to take another position; recently hired one new network specialist, therefore department currently operates with two Computer Network Specialists and three Information Technology Specialists (one in each building). Discussed possible position of Technology Manager.
• Size of network has been doubled over a four year period; oldest machines are at Center; new at LHS; equipment has been standardized; all equipment updated at LHS; have an active website; have an “intranet” site; working with building project especially for LHS and LIS; worked at streamlining the budget procedure; all software has been licensed; written grants; some grants received; a needs assessment will go out to staff; technology plan approved by State Dept. of Education; need for technology integration specialist at LHS; would like to concentrate efforts at LHS.
• Technology Department is a district level entity and should emanate from the Central Office; the person would report to a Central Office Administrator.

MOTION made by E. Fabbri and seconded by J. Noone: to adjourn at 8:49 p.m.

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

Respectfully Submitted

Donald R. Falcetti

Board of Education