WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
JOHN TRUMBULL PRIMARY SCHOOL LIBRARY
Monday, September 26, 2005 – 7:30 PM
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
B. Salute to the Flag
C. Recognition
The Board of Education wishes to recognize members of the Watertown High School National Honor Society who recently made telephone calls to households in town reminding people to vote regarding the budget referendum. As everyone knows, the budget was passed.
The Board would like to award the following students with a Certificate of Excellence for Civic Responsibility…Volunteering Time to Make Telephone Calls to Remind People to Vote:
Matthew Dzioba
Alex Germain
Caitlin Harkins
Kelsey Leach
Amelia Luciano
Hannah McCaffrey
Anuja Oak
Aleksandr Sklyar
The Board would also like to thank their advisors:
Mr. Dane Street
Ms. Patricia Walluck
D. Public Participation
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Matthew Dzioba
E. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
F. 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
G. Communications - Secretary
H. Minutes
1. Special Board of Education Meeting – September 8, 2005
2. Regular Board of Education Meeting – September 12, 2005
I. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Mr. Keith Borkowski to the position of Assistant Football Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,949.00 payable at the end of the season.
b. Ms. Denise Brown to the position of Varsity Field Hockey Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,948.00 payable at the end of the season.
c. Ms. Carrie Donofrio to the position of Assistant Field Hockey Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,089.00 payable at the end of the season.
d. Mr. Kristen Kuegler to the position of Cross Country Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,457.00 payable at the end of the season.
e. Ms. Nicole Lynch to the position of Assistant Clinical Instructor for the Nurse’s Aide program at Watertown High School effective September 26, 2006 for six hours per week at the hourly rate of $21.00.
f. Ms. Andrea Marino to the position of Volleyball Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,580.00 payable at the end of the season.
g. Mr. James McEvoy to the position of Assistant Football Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,949.00 payable at the end of the season.
h. Ms. Denise Mitchell to the position of Varsity Cheerleading Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,457.00 payable at the end of the season.
i. Mr. Tony Mucciaro to the position of Girl’s Soccer Varsity Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,457.00 payable at the end of the season.
j. Mr. Roger Ouellette to the position of Head Varsity Football Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $4,790.00 payable at the end of the season.
k. Mr. George Palomba to the position of Assistant Football Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,949.00 payable at the end of the season.
l. Mr. Garry Smith to the position of Girl’s Swim Varsity Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,949.00 payable at the end of the season.
m. Mr. Dane Street to the position of Varsity Boy’s Soccer Coach at Watertown High School for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,827.00 payable at the end of the season.
n. Ms. Elizabeth Tracey to the position of teacher of the ½ Kindergarten and ½ day – Day Care Component Program at John Trumbull Primary School effective for the 2005-2006 school year, being hired on Step 5, with a Master’s Degree for a contractual salary of $44,456.00.
o. Ms. Marie Valle to the position of High School Detention Monitor for the 2005-2006 school year at a contractual stipend of $3,376.00.
p. Ms. Diane Valunas to the position of Library Clerk at John Trumbull Primary School effective September 26, 2005 for 7.5 hours paid per day at an hourly rate of $12.52.
q. Mr. Robert VanDerzee to the position of long-term substitute Guidance Counselor at Watertown High School effective September 1, 2005 through January 16, 2006, being hired on Step 1, Master’s Degree, for a prorated salary of $37,493.00.
2. Facility
As per directive of the Board of Education, a committee is being constituted to study and recommend a 1-10 year Capital Improvement Plan. The Plan will include Board of Education members, elected and appointed officials and community members. Mr. Todd LoFrese, Director of Operations/Technology, will chair the committee and will update the Board of Education in November 2005 of the work and recommendations of the committee. Information will be shared through the Board of Education’s Facility Sub-Committee and then to the Board of Education at a monthly meeting.
3. No Child Left Behind Lawsuit – First Reading
Approximately sixty local school districts have taken action to support Connecticut’s lawsuit regarding unfunded mandates connected to the No Child Left Behind Act. Legal Counsel has advised administration that if the Watertown Board of Education votes to support the State’s Attorney General, there would be no financial impact to the local taxpayer. This is presented to the Board for the first reading tonight.
4. Watertown High School Graduation Date – First Reading
The graduation date of June 21, 3006 for the Watertown High School class of 2005-2006 is presented this evening for the first reading.
5. Swift Middle School Project Update
The Superintendent will provide additional information on the status of the Swift Middle School expansion project.
J. Report from the Chairman
K. 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 was presented to the full Board for the first reading at its meeting on September 12, 2005 and it is being presented this evening for the second reading and for possible action. (See Attachment A.)
The Superintendent suggests that possible action be taken on the evaluation tool.
b. Consideration of the Approval of Family Medical Leave of Absence
Ms. Erin Cortes, grade 4 teacher at Judson School, is requesting a childbearing leave of absence, under the Family Medical Leave Act, commencing November 10, 2005 for approximately eight weeks, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.
It is recommended that the Board approve of a childbearing leave of absence, under the Family Medical Leave Act for Ms. Erin Cortes, grade 4 teacher at Judson School, commencing November 10, 2005 for approximately eight weeks, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.
c. Consideration of the Approval of Acceptance of Gifts
1. Mrs. Susan Minicucci, a Swift Middle School parent, wishes to donate 18 notebooks at an approximate cost of $100.00 to Swift Middle School.
2. The following Swift Middle School staff members have donated monetary gifts to the Library Media Center at Swift to be used to purchase student periodicals that are no longer available due to budget constraints:
Ms. Tanya Beach $19.95
Ms. Joyce Crebase $19.95
Ms. Joan DeRosa $19.95
Ms. Lynn Engle $19.95
Mr. Andrew Hennessey $30.00
Ms. Joan Lagno $22.95
Ms. Betsy Mark $40.00
Mr. Jennifer Shea $39.93
Ms. Christine Shortsleeve $13.97
Anonymous $20.00
It is recommended that the Board accept these generous donations and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.
d. Consideration of the Approval of Grants
Grants for the 2005-2006 school year have been written by Dr. Pelosi and Betsy Hackett with the assistance of Amelia Grover. Grant applications have been submitted for the following programs:
A. Title II, Part A – Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting - $103,875 (Written by Dr. Pelosi).
B. Title III, Part A – Subpart 1 – English Language Acquisition and Language Enhancement - $8,299
Applying through consortium – EDUCATION CONNECTION. (Coordinated by Betsy Hackett).
C. Title IV, Part A – Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities - $9,028 (Written by Betsy Hackett).
D. Title V, Part A – Innovative Programs - $9,606 (Written by Dr. Pelosi).
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve of the grants as written.
e. Consideration of the Approval of Salary Increases for Non-Affiliated Staff for 2005-2006*
It is recommended that the Board approve of a salary increase for non-affiliated staff for the 2005-2006 school year.*
Name Position 2004-05 Salary 2005-06 Salary % Inc.
Pelosi, Philip Assistant Superintendent $111,247 $115,697 4.00
Hackett, Betsy Dir. Of Special Services $ 93,338 $ 97,072 4.00
Grover, Amelia Dir. Of Budget/Financial Plng. $ 57,227 $ 59,516 4.00
Beliveau, Charles Facilities Manager $ 46,088 $ 47,932 4.00
Marciano, Barbara Administrative Assistant $ 47,167 $ 49,054 4.00
Dreher, Maggie Food Service Director $ 44,800 $ 46,592 4.00
Stofko, Joseph Net Work Coordinator $ 50,644 $ 52,670 4.00
Simmons, Michael Net Work Coordinator $ 42,715 $ 44,424 4.00
*This item may qualify for executive session discussion.
L. Future Agenda Items
M. Public Participation
N. Executive Session
Personnel Matter
O. Adjournment