WILLINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION
January 9, 2007
Minutes
I. Call to order:
L. Semprebon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Board Members: H. Arico, T. Gareau, C. Mailhos, M. Makuch,
C. Psathas and L. Semprebon
Absent: D. Tharp (On Active Duty)
Also Present: C. Berglund, D. Harding, C. McNamara, D. Sullivan, staff, and community members.
II. Communications:
Letters of support for the technology education program were received from Christopher Boone, Eric Boone, Jim Hutson, and Jack Lewis.
III. Present to Speak: Phil Monty distributed a packet to the board and read a letter from Greg Kane. Ken Andrew, John Horne, Jim Hutson, Roxanne Navratil, John Patton, Valerie Pelletier, John Peters, and Geoff Prusak spoke in support of the tech ed program.
Motion #1 H. Arico moved to: advance VIII.B (Technology Position Review) to follow Present to Speak.
C. Mailhos 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
D. Harding summarized the events since last summer and an unsuccessful search for a teacher which brought the board to this review of the tech program at mid-year. He discussed the student, parent and staff surveys distributed at placePlaceTypeHall PlaceTypeSchool. Currently, computer class is successful. Another issue is space since the band has grown substantially to 156 students participating and they have moved to the tech lab. Band teacher L. Quinn spoke on the recent growth and success of the instrumental program.
L. Semprebon identified several issues. Space; the need to provide a well-rounded program; the funds available; the limited computer instruction for a few years. C. Mailhos mentioned that time is also an issue in the student day. H. Arico stated that we need to provide programs that service our students with different interests, competing among tech ed, computers and band. When we eliminate a program it is difficult to get it back.
D. Harding said teachers support the computer program for consistent instruction. Many comments were made related to the after school TSA program; TSA and tech ed programs are different.
L. Semprebon asked what direction/action the board should take and H. Arico asked for time to read the material.
A committee consisting of M. Makuch, H. Arico, L. Semprebon, C. Mailhos, T. Gareau, and
D. Harding will meet on Thursday, January 25, 3:00 p.m. at PlaceTypeplaceHall PlaceTypeSchool. They will report at the February 13 board meeting.
IV. Consent Agenda:
Motion #2: C. Psathas moved to: separate items in consent agenda.
T. Gareau 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
Motion #3: H. Arico moved to: approve the minutes of 12/12/06 with addition of “Honor and” to Board Comments.
T. Gareau 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
Motion #4: C. Psathas moved to: approve minutes of 12/20/06 Special Meeting.
T. Gareau 2nd
Aye: T. Gareau, C. Mailhos, M. Makuch, C. Psathas and
L. Semprebon,
H. Arico abstained Motion Carried
Motion #5: H. Arico moved to: approve payment of bills.
M. Makuch 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
V. Committee Reports:
Finance Committee met to review bills.
VI Superintendent Reports: C. Berglund reported on agenda items. She also discussed a letter to Recreation Commission Chair, Michael Harnad; Water Committee meeting 2/8/07, 6:30 p.m.; early dismissal of Hall Memorial School on 1/8/07. The January 16 Board Budget Review meeting at 4:00 p.m. will be at the Town Office Building. School lunch report for board review was distributed.
VII. Old Business:
A. Motion #6: H. Arico moved to: award transportation contract to Laidlaw Transit, Inc. for the
7/1/2007 to 6/30/2010 with the board’s option to extend 7/1/2010 to 6/30/2012.
C. Mailhos 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
Motion #7: C. Psathas moved to: approve the 2007-2008 Tri-Town Calendar.
T. Gareau 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
Motion #8: C. Psathas moved to: approve purchase of grade 4, Houghton Mifflin Social Studies texts.
T. Gareau 2nd
Aye: T. Gareau, C. Mailhos, M. Makuch, C. Psathas and
L. Semprebon
M. Makuch abstained Motion Carried
VIII. New Business
Motion #9: T. Gareau moved to: add to agenda discussion of 1/9/07 letter to Michael Harnad.
C. Psathas 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
Motion #10 C. Psathas moved to: place letter to Michael Harnad on 1/16/07 Special Meeting agenda and invite John Sahi and Michael Harnad to attend.
C. Mailhos 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
C. The 2007-2008 Budget Proposal was briefly reviewed.
IX. Present to Speak: P. Monty thanked the board for their time and willingness to read all material provided.
X. Board Comments: L. Semprebon, M. Makuch and C. Psathas complimented teachers and students on the Winter Festival and stated it was the best ever. Thank you to Brian Andle for the improvement on the web site. C. Psathas thanked the PTA Phone Tree parents for their help yesterday. The First Grade Cultural Celebration was complimented by T. Gareau and L. Semprebon who stated how well diversity was celebrated. M. Makuch read from a book on the education of early nineteenth century students and the similarity to the issues we face today. H. Arico commented on the Chronicle’s “Threads” in the board of education’s appointment of PersonNameDavid Harding as superintendent.
Motion #11: T. Gareau moved to: move to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters
regarding the Superintendent of Schools and related budgetary matters, and that the Superintendent of Schools be invited to attend to participate in the discussion.
H. Arico 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
The board entered into Executive Session at 10:25 p.m. and returned to public session at 11:15 p.m.
M. Makuch moved to approve the superintendent’s use of six professional days for a personally-funded conference with People to People Ambassadors. The superintendent will make a presentation to the board following the conference.
XI. Motion #12: C. Psathas moved to: adjourn at 11:20 p.m.
C. Mailhos 2nd
Unanimous Motion Carried
Respectfully submitted,
Corinne S. Berglund
Recorder
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