WILLINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes
January 8, 2008
Call to Order
M. Makuch called the meeting to order in the lower level conference room at the Town Office Building at 7:07 p.m.
Present
Board Members: M. Makuch, C. Psathas, L. Semprebon, H. Arico, C. Mailhos (arrived at 7:31pm). Also: Superintendent, D. Harding, M. Palmer (Water Committee Chair), Recording Secretary, N. Page and Community Members.
Absent
D. Tharp, on active duty, T. Gareau.
Communications
D. Harding received a letter from Center Elementary School’s first grade teacher, Laura Stevens expressing her intent to retire effective July 1, 2008.
M. Makuch read a passage from Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and discussed an article in the paper he read regarding percentages of fourth grade readers that read for information or pleasure.
M. Makuch discussed a letter received from CABE and CAPPS warning about a Dr. Fusco from Yankee Institute spreading word that there is a lot of corruption among Boards of Education trying to financially gain support of various groups to investigate their school district.
D. Harding met with representatives of Energy of New England regarding participation in an energy buy-back program utilizing the generator at Hall Memorial School.
Present to Speak
None.
Presentations
D. Harding led discussion about Regionalization.
Consent Agenda
MOTION #1
H. Arico moved to divide the consent agenda into three sections as listed by A, B, and C in the Agenda. C. Psathas seconded. Passed unanimously.
MOTION #2
C. Psathas moved to approve the consent agenda accepting the minutes of December 11, 2007 meeting using the revised copy dated December 18, 2007 included in handout packet. L. Semprebon seconded. 4 members voted yes. H. Arico abstained. Motion passed.
MOTION #3
H. Arico moved to accept the committee meeting minutes. C. Mailhos seconded. Passed unanimously.
MOTION #4
H. Arico moved to accept the payment of bills. L. Semprebon seconded. Passed unanimously.
Committee Reports
Facility Committee reported on discussion of continuing to identify possible projects for the capital improvement list.
Finance Committee met prior to the meeting, reviewed the bills and discussed the budget presentation for the Board of Finance.
Food Service Committee reported the next meeting is on 1/14/08 at 2:00 with J. Mayo and Food Service Director J. Boudreau to develop an evaluation instrument for annual evaluation of the food service program in Willington.
Policy Committee reported on discussion of addition of a new section added to the draft of the Video Surveillance Policy #5131.1 and review, discussion and recommendation to purchase the CABE Customized School Board Policy Service.
Transportation Committee reported on the decision to have the superintendent respond in writing to a parent transportation request. D. Harding discussed parent contact and contacting Region 19 to address the issue.
Liaisons; EastConn’s next meeting to be on January 29, 2008. Charter Communications now meet quarterly. The CABE Committee reported on discussion of transportation issue. Water Committee reported on discussion of pictures, report and completion of water project.
Superintendent Reports
D. Harding reported on agenda items including:
Project Updates:
The water project is completed as far as construction is concerned. M. Eldredge received extension to the end of February to test the water. The system is ready to activate during the February school vacation.
There is a minor discrepancy in the flashing lights at placePlaceTypeHall PlaceTypeSchool. The state contacted D. Harding and notified that the contractor did not comply with the permits. The head custodian is working with the contractor and the situation should be resolved easily.
Reading Update: The first meeting to discuss the implementation of the partnership with ECSU and UConn took place on January 2, 2008 and was very productive. A handout from the partnership was given on a four step plan to improve the reading scores.
D. Harding gave a reminder of the visit to Hall Memorial School by Congressman Joe Courtney scheduled for January 9, 2008 to see the technology integration. The Board decided L. Semprebon will attend the meeting.
D. Harding reported on the Board retreat scheduled on January 30, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in the conference room at the Superintendent’s office.
D. Harding reported that the Board of Finance has requested he present the Board of Education Budget on February 7, 2008 and discussed the timing of the approval of the Budget by the Board and the meeting dates. Board decided the Finance Committee meeting on January 9, 2008 was not necessary.
D. Harding reported his recommendation to move forward with the purchase of the CABE Customized Policy Service.
Old Business
Third reading of the Video Surveillance Policy #5131.31 followed by discussion on changes.
MOTION #5
L. Semprebon moved to accept the Video Surveillance Policy #5131.31 as presented today by the policy committee. C. Mailhos seconded. Passed unanimously.
C. Psathas led discussion of recommendation of the Policy Committee to go forward with the CABE custom policy service purchase.
MOTION #6
C. Psathas moved to hire CABE to provide the Board with their customized policy service. L. Semprebon seconded. Passed unanimously.
New Business
M. Makuch led discussion on proposed communication to CABE regarding disclosure of inaccurate settlement terms prior to contract approval.
D. Harding led discussion of 2008/2009 Capital Improvement Plan requests listing projects for new mulch for playgrounds at Center/Hall for $6,000, Technology Purchases for Center/Hall for $15,000, Carpet/Paint Classrooms for Center/Hall for $10,000, and Multi-Purpose Room Flooring for Center for $20,000.
MOTION#7
H. Arico moved to approve and submit the 2008/2009 CIP requests as presented by D. Harding for mulch, technology, carpet/paint, and multi-purpose room floor. L. Semprebon seconded. Passed unanimously.
D. Harding led discussion of Committee and Board of Education Meetings scheduled for January 22, 2008. Board meetings scheduled for January 15, 2008 and January 22, 2008. Sub-Committee meetings scheduled for January 22, 2008.
D. Harding led discussion of Board of Education budget presentation to the Board of Finance on February 7, 2008.
D. Harding led discussion of handout given of article on High School Reform by J. Callender Heminway, CABE President. D. Harding gave information about a general public notice which notified of public forum to be held at E.O. Smith High School on January 16, 2008 from 7-9p.m. for parents, boards of education, and educators for a presentation on high school reform with the chair of the statewide committee and another question and answer meeting for BOE members only to be held at EastConn on January 29, 2008 from 6-8p.m.
MOTION #8
L. Semprebon moved to move the Present to Speak and Board Comments up before the New Business Item E on the Agenda. H. Arico seconded. Passed unanimously.
Present to Speak
P. Monty questioned why there is not a curriculum committee as a standing committee of the board for development and review of school curriculum. He noted in June he asked the Board to look at how pullouts affect the classroom reading and math time of students and was told it would be reviewed mid year. M. Makuch responded it was on an upcoming agenda for March. He also requested in June for a report of the fund amount and usage from the sale of the tech equipment.
Board Comments
The Board thanked D. Harding for his hard work in gaining efficient and meaningful results for the presentation for the Board of Finance budget. Board pointed out to members the handout in packet of bylaws to go into policy manuals. Board noted the Success Assembly scheduled at Hall School on February 8, 2008 at 1:30pm. Board asked if anyone was interested in going to the CABE legislative meeting on January 24, 2008.
New Business Continued
MOTION #9
H. Arico moved to enter executive session to discuss superintendent mid-year evaluations and to invite the Superintendent for purpose of discussion at 9:02 p.m. L. Semprebon seconded. Passed unanimously.
Board exited executive session at 10:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nichole Page
Recorder
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