Agenda
WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
JOHN TRUMBULL PRIMARY SCHOOL LIBRARY
Monday, August 22, 2005 – 7:30 PM
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
B. Salute to the Flag
C. Public Participation
D. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
E. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee, James Marks, Chair
2. Athletics and Facilities Committee, Mr. Victor Vicenzi, Chair
3. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair
4. Policy and Labor Committee, Mary Colangelo, Chair
5. Cablevision, James Marks
F. Communications - Secretary
G. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – July 25, 2005
H. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Lisa French to the position of One to One Paraprofessional, Category #1, at Heminway Park School starting August 31, 2005 for 6.5 hours paid per day at an hourly rate of $11.09.
b. Mr. Matthew Geary to the position of Assistant Principal at Watertown High School effective August 15, 2005, being hired on Step 1 of the Watertown Administrator’s Association at a contractual salary of $75,000.00.
c. Ms. Amanda Geddis to the position of Biology/Chemistry Teacher at Watertown High School effective for the 2005-2006 school year, being hired on Step 4, with a Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years of experience, at a contractual salary of $38,564.00.
d. Ms. Wendy Hulme to the position of Special Education Teacher at Judson School, effective for the 2005-2006 school year, being hired on Step 3, with a Masters Degree, 2 years of experience, at a contractual salary of $40,707.00.
e. Ms. Emily Judd to the position of Principal of Polk School effective August 15, 2005, being hired on a contractual salary of the Watertown Administrators Association, Step 3, $90,000.00.
f. Ms. Rajee Julian to the position of Long-Term Substitute Guidance Counselor at Watertown High School, effective August 22, 2005 through January 16, 2006, being hired at $60.00 per day for the first ten days, and then on day eleven, placed on the first step of the teacher’s salary contract for $35,350.00 prorated ($190.05 per diem).
g. Ms. Kathleen Kottwitz to the position of Chair School to Career Advisor at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $4,000.00.
h. Ms. Jacquelyn Lavallee to the position of Biology Teacher at Watertown High School, effective for the 2005-2006 school year, being hired on Step 3, with a Bachelor’s Degree, with 2 years of experience, at a contractual salary of $37,493.00.
i. Ms. Lydia Petrocelli to the position of Grade 2 Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, effective for the 2005-2006 school year, being hired on Step 2, with a Bachelor’s Degree, with one year of experience, at a contractual salary of $36,422.00.
j. Ms. Kathleen Sklanka to the position of Science Teacher at Swift Middle School, effective for the 2005-2006 school year, being hired on Step 2, with a Master’s Degree, at a contractual salary of $39,100.00.
2. Transfers – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Joann Barthelmess from full-time Library Media Specialist at Swift Middle School to .40 Library Media Specialist and .60 Art Teacher at Swift Middle School.
3. Resignations – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Lauren Brown from the position of School Psychologist at Swift Middle School effective June 30, 2005 to accept another position.
b. Ms. Christina DaSilva from the position of Secretary I Grade II at Watertown High School effective August 15, 2005 to accept other employment.
c. Mr. F. Scott Mazuroski from the position of Grade 2 Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School effective August 8, 2005 to accept another position.
d. Ms. Marybel Mucciaro from the position of Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School effective July 29, 2005 for personal reasons.
4. Cafeteria Report – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Attached for your information is the Student Lunch Program Report for June 2005. (See Attachment A.)
5. Superintendent’s Goals for the 2005-2006 School Year – First Reading
The Superintendent’s Goals for the 2005-2006 School Year are presented this evening for the first reading. (See Attachment B.)
6. Celebration of Excellence
The Board of Education would like to recognize the maintenance workers and custodians that do a terrific job all year for providing the best possible teaching and learning environment for our staff and students. (See Attachment C.)
7. School Readiness Tour
The Annual School Readiness Inspection will take place on Friday, August 26, 2005 and will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Judson School. Board of Education members are invited and encouraged to attend.
8. Convocation Day
Convocation Day will take place on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 with the formal presentation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at John Trumbull Primary School. Administration is hoping that the Board of Education Chair, or her designee, will be available to address the district’s staff.
9. Staffing Update
All vacant positions have been filled with the exception of two late resignations, that being a school psychologist and a requested one year leave of absence from a kindergarten teacher.
10. 2005-2006 Heating/Fuel Budget
Mr. Todd LoFrese, Director of Operations/Technology has provided details of the current heating/fuel budget. The budget is based on the assumption that all schools will use oil to heat the buildings, with the exception of John Trumbull Primary School and Polk School.
Account Line Budgeted Amount Anticipated Cost Anticipated Shortage
Diesel Fuel $102,000 $130,000 $ 28,000
Oil Heat $307,000 $420,000 $113,000
Gas Heat $137,000 $142,000 $ 5,000
Total $546,000 $692,000 $146,000
We use approximately 200,000 gallons of fuel oil and 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year. During the cold winter days, Watertown High School uses up to 800 gallons per day.
The Region #15 oil consortium continues to monitor prices daily. In addition, Todd met with Yankee Gas on Friday, August 19, 2005 to determine what pricing options may exist utilizing natural gas in all schools where it is available.
11. Overview of Test Results – (Information Only)
A report will be given tonight by Dr. Philip A. Pelosi in relation to our students’ test scores. The tests that will be discussed are the Stanford Achievement Test (Grades 3, 5, 7), the Connecticut Mastery Test (Grades 4, 6, 8), the Otis-Lennon Test (Grades 2, 4, 7, 9), and the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (Grade 10).
I. Report from the Chairman
J. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
a. Consideration of the Approval of The Superintendent’s Evaluation Tool – Second Reading
The Superintendent’s evaluation tool to be used for the evaluation of the Superintendent of Schools was presented to the full Board of Education for the first reading at its meeting on July 25, 2005. The Superintendent’s evaluation tool is presented for the second reading tonight and for Board of Education approval. (See Attachment D.)
It is recommended that the Board approve of the Superintendent’s Evaluation Tool.
b. Consideration of the Approval of Childrearing Leave of Absence
Ms. Tricia Cote, Kindergarten Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, requests a childrearing leave of absence without pay for the 2005-2006 school year effective August 29, 2005.
It is recommended that the Board approve of a childrearing leave of absence for Ms. Tricia Cote, Kindergarten Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, without pay for the 2005-2006 school year effective August 29, 2005.
c. Consideration of the Approval of Extended Family Medical Leave of Absence
Ms. Sarah DeLeo, .5 Developmental Preschool Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, requests an extended Family Medical Leave of Absence commencing August 29, 2005 for four weeks without pay.
It is recommended that the Board approve of an extended Family Medical Leave of Absence for Ms. Sarah DeLeo, .5 Developmental Preschool Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, commencing August 29, 2005 for four weeks without pay.
d. Consideration of the Approval of Childbearing Leave of Absence
Ms. Sherri Marquadt, .5 Kindergarten Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, requests a childbearing leave of absence commencing approximately September 1, 2005 for six weeks with use of 10 sick days and then leave without pay and a medical doctor’s note to return.
It is recommended that the Board approve of a childbearing leave of absence for Ms. Sherri Marquadt, .5 Kindergarten Teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, commencing approximately September 1, 2005 for six weeks with use of 10 sick days and then leave without pay and a medical doctor’s note to return.
e. Consideration of the Approval of Acceptance of Gifts
1. Ms. Ann Marie Reeser, on behalf of the Junior Scouts, Troop #4208, would like to donate a community service project by the Junior Scouts. The project would include repainting the fire truck playscape at Polk School and cleaning up the area with an approximate estimate of materials to be $50.00 which would be their gift to the community.
It is recommended that the Board accept the gift of repainting the fire truck playscape at Polk School and cleaning up the area with an approximate estimate of materials to be $50.00 by the Junior Scouts, Troop #4208 and a letter of thanks to be sent to the Junior Scouts.
2. An anonymous donor wishes to donate funds to repair and reseal the basketball blacktop at Heminway Park School.
It is recommended that the Board accept this generous donation and a letter of thanks to be sent to the donor.
f. Consideration of the Approval of Increase in Daily Rate for Substitute Teachers and Substitute Nurses
It is recommended that the Board approve of an increase in the daily rate for Substitute Teachers from $60.00 to $65.00 and Substitute Nurses from $72.00 to $85.00. The enhanced per diem rate will move Watertown’s daily pay rate just below the mean average of the surveyed districts. (See Attachment E.)
K. Future Agenda Items
L. Public Participation
M. Adjournment