WILLINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION
March 29, 2005
Minutes
I. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7 p. m by Vice Chair S. Bourbeau.
Present: Board Members: S. Bourbeau, C. Cushman, C. Psathas, L. Semprebon and D. Tharp.
Absent Member: H. Arico
Also Present: C. Berglund, D. Harding, B. Lysik, staff and parents.
II. Election of Board Chair:
Motion #1: D. Tharp moved to: elect Shannon Bourbeau as Willington Board of Education Chair to fill the vacancy.
L. Semprebon 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
III. Communications:
A letter was received from James and Patricia Phillips.
Region 19 held a public hearing 3/29/05 at 7 p.m.
IV. Present to Speak:
A number of parents spoke in support of the 2005-06 education budget and asked questions about the process. They were also troubled by the receipt of anonymous notes after their attendance at the Board of Finance Meeting on March 24. C. Berglund advised reporting this incident to the police.
V. Presentations:
A. Teachers Magali Hannegan and Liz Peczuh showed a video on the Hall Spanish program which they had created with assistance from Paul Nash. They discussed their program and were enthusiastically complimented by the board and the audience. The lack of three levels of Spanish for grade 9 was discussed by board members, parents and teachers. Many
Willington students would do well in second year Spanish but are not ready to be successful in second year honors. However, having them repeat first year Spanish is also inappropriate. This problem was described in a memo by Principal Harding. The parents were supportive of further discussion about Spanish 9 placement.
VI. Consent Agenda:
Motion #2: L. Semprebon moved to: approve the consent agenda.
C. Psathas 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
VII. Superintendent Reports:
Agenda items were reported on. C. Berglund also noted that Eric Mann would be at Hall to work
on his PhD research with seventh grade students. Enrichment teacher Pat Pinney read the results
of History Day on March 19. Willington students did exceptionally well. There will be History Day presentations by Hall students on April 13 at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium.
VIII. Old Business:
A. Motion #3: D. Tharp moved to: accept with regret the resignation of Willington
C. Psathas 2nd Board of Education Chair Deborah Tulis.
Unanimous Motion Carried
B. C. Berglund reported on action of the town CIP Committee. Since the majority of education requests were refused, she recommended the board complete as many as possible this spring. A budget report and priorities will be presented at the next meeting.
C. A meeting for the 2004-2005 superintendent evaluation will be scheduled.
IX. New Business:
A. Motion #4: L. Semprebon moved to: elect Amy Vasington to the vacancy on the
C. Psathas 2nd Willington Board of Education until the
November 2005 election.
Unanimous Motion Carried
B. C. Berglund discussed a request by Melissa McDonough, WYSS Director, to have a for-profit
arts program at Hall for one week this summer. This item will be acted on at the April 12 meeting.
X. Committee Reports:
A. The Use of Facilities Policy was discussed extensively at this meeting.
XI. Board Comments:
C. Psathas and L. Semprebon complimented the Read Across America Program at Center, as well as
History Day and Technology Night at Hall Memorial. Parents were thanked for attending this board
meeting. K. Cushman thanked the Spanish teachers for a “fabulous presentation” and stated she was sorry to lose Deb Tulis as a board member.
XII. Adjournment:
Motion #5 C. Psathas moved to: adjourn at 9:15 p.m.
L. Semprebon 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Corinne S. Berglund
Recorder
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