Watertown Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Meeting Date: September 26, 2005
Meeting Time: 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: John Trumbull Primary School Library
Members Present: Mr. Victor Vicenzi, Vice Chairperson
Ms. Mary Colangelo, Board Secretary
Ms. Gina Calabrese, Board member
Ms. Mary Dzioba, Board member
Mr. Charles Fenn, Board member
Mr. James Marks, Board member
Dr. Joseph Erardi, Jr., Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Philip Pelosi, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Todd LoFrese, Director of Operations/Technology
Absent: Ms. Amelia Grover, Dir. of Budget and Financial Planning
Ms. Betsy Hackett, Director of Special Services
Ms. Mary Ann Rosa, Board Chairperson
Ms. Maureen Caine, Board member
Ms. Joanne Pannone, Board member
Press: Mr. Tommy Valuckas, Waterbury Republican American Mr. Jim Taylor, Town Times
Guests: Lorel Purcell, Rusty Malik and Mr. Fred Khericha
Other interested citizens: Mr. Thad Hasbrouck, Ms. Marylu Lerz, Mrs. Kathleen Scully, Mr. Charlie Beliveau and Mr. Dave Hoffman.
Mr. Whitey Greenwood, Mrs. Sandy Greenwood,
Mrs. Fran Palmer, Mr. Bill Brown and Mr. Bob Grady.
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
Mr. Victor Vicenzi, Vice Chairman, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
B. Salute to the Flag
Mr. Vicenzi led the pledge to the Flag.
C. Recognition
Mr. Vicenzi presented certificates to the following students while Dr. Erardi called the names.
Dr. Erardi: I’d like to share with you that these students we will recognize in just a moment made in the area of 2,000 phone calls and I know that for at least a handful of our seniors. It was more than just an hour or two of civic responsibility. They have truly gone above and beyond.
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-No one wished to address the Board at this time.
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Matthew Dzioba
Mr. Dzioba: Good Evening. There are several things to report from the High School since we last met on the 12th. As you all know, the budget was easily passed on the 13th, a fact that the Student Council is extremely excited about. However, we understand that the budget struggle is not over, and I will be ready to address any concerns of the student body as the budgetary process continues. As for the success of the budget referendum, I just want to touch again upon the Honor Society's efforts to get word out to voters across Watertown. Although these actions surely can't claim full responsibility for the victory, they point out an important element that is often lost in the Watertown Referendum process -- communication. We all know that the referendum process works best when it consists of a broad range of attention from every voter, but it's also understandable that sometimes the actual process of going out to vote is forgotten. On budget days in the future, we hope that people will communicate with their friends, family and neighbors to ensure that more people have a say in the budget process, and I hope that the Honor Society's actions two weeks ago will act as a model to everyone.
Several clubs and organizations have met for the first time this year since our last meeting, such as Project Earth, Student Council, FBLA and more. Groups like the Yearbook club have been active since last spring through the summer, as they continue to compile information, photographs and designs for this year's yearbook. This Thursday, Watertown High School will hold a club fair for interested students to explore the many clubs offered at the High School, as every one of these clubs represents a chance for students to further expound on knowledge inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, tomorrow night the High School will hold its annual Parents Night, in which parents of High School students can interact with their children's teachers and actually experience a day in the academic life of their kids.
As September comes to a close, some interesting things are on the horizon. Activities like a school wide Variety Show are being planned for later this Fall.
Another exciting installment at the High School this year is the school website, a cooperative effort of the Administration, Computer department, teachers and students to provide streamlined information to every student at the High School. The website features school news, an events calendar, general information, and individual teacher websites that are updated daily with assignments and course information. The site can be accessed at www.watertownhigh.org.
On a final note, the news is good from the sports department. A pep rally was held on the 16th to kick off the start of the fall sports season, and many teams are starting their seasons off in good standing. Thank you.
E. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
F. Committee Reports:
1. Advertising Committee, James Marks, Chair
Mr. Marks: The Committee has not met but I hope to convene a meeting within the next two weeks before the next Board meeting. We have several things to look at. I have initiated conversations with the Cablevision people about the possibility of selling advertising on Dr. Erardi’s show. I also have asked Rep. Williams to get a collection of all relevant State mandates about what we can and cannot do relative to selling space and perhaps even selling space on uniforms. Perhaps branding golden arches on athletes’ foreheads, probably that is legal as long as it is less than 12.34 millimeters. Lastly, I can announce two things, first of all, I have recruited my wife to train volunteers when we get them to help sell advertising, and she is a long-time ad sales professional and has spent among other things, a long time selling space for Sports Illustrated. In a somewhat related item, I have an idea which I think could bring us a pile of money; that is to sell a Board of Education swimsuit calendar. I suggest that Speedo might send a lot of money to keep me out of one of their products.
2. Athletics and Facilities Committee, Mr. Victor Vicenzi, Chair
Mr. Vicenzi stated there was no Report this evening.
3. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair
Ms. Calabrese stated there was no Report this evening.
4. Policy and Labor Committee, Mary Colangelo, Chair
Ms. Colangelo: The Policy and Labor Committee did meet last week to hear some transportation complaints and we do have a meeting scheduled for next Monday, October 3, 7:30, here in this building, in the Special Ed. conference room
5. Cablevision, James Marks
Mr. Marks stated there was no Report this evening.
G. Communications - Secretary
Ms. Colangelo stated she did not have any correspondence this evening.
H. Minutes
1. Special Board of Education Meeting – September 8, 2005
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Ms. Calabrese that the minutes of the Special Board of Education meeting of September 8, 2005 be approved as presented.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(6-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
2. Regular Board of Education Meeting – September 12, 2005
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Marks that the minutes of the Regular Board of Education meeting of September 12, 2005 be approved as presented.
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
Dr. Erardi: If this Board decides to support this Motion, there will be no financial obligation from the Local Education Association. As a first read, my recommendation for the Board will be that you support the State of Connecticut in the lawsuit against the United States Department of Education and that is as simple as the Motion needs to be at our next meeting.
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.
3. Watertown High School Graduation Date – First Reading
The graduation date of June 21, 2006 for the Watertown High School class of 2005-2006 is presented this evening for the first reading.
Dr. Erardi: If you remember, there was a degree of concern last Spring because of the inordinate number of snow days and because of that, the contract that we lock in to for Project Graduation, for an extended period of time, it was the belief that Project Graduation would be taking place on a different day than Commencement. That was just not a good thing and it was resolved and it worked out fine. In order for us to avoid that for the Class of 2006, I would recommend to the Board as a first reading to allow the Superintendent to inform the State Department of Education that the graduation date for the High School would be on or before June 21, the 21st represents school days beyond our last posted day.
Ms. Colangelo: What if we go more than 5 snow days?
Dr. Erardi: That is the beauty of locking in, if you go beyond that, you still hold your Commencement on the date of June 21.
5. Swift Middle School Project Update
The Superintendent will provide additional information on the status of the Swift Middle School expansion project.
Dr. Erardi: The revised Agenda that the Board received, as did the community and the press on Friday, Item #5, I’m hoping to share a good deal of information with this Board and ideally, the Public Building Committee, which plans to meet tomorrow with Mike, a direction from the Board of Education on the Swift project.
This evening we have both O & G and Kaestle-Boos with us, let me start with information. I know there is going to be plenty of questions, and we were hoping that we’d anticipated many of those that you would be asking. I’d like to share a couple of documents that may help us this evening.
The first one is a document put together by Kaestle-Boos. This is the original look at the educational needs of Swift Middle School. The Board of Education directed the Administration at our last Special meeting to meet as administrative team and bring back a recommendation for going forward. Dr. Pelosi, Mr. LoFrese, Ms. Lerz and I met for an extended period of time and it is our belief that the educational needs of Heminway and Swift becoming a Grade 6-8 Middle School really have not changed. Your original design is the project that still is needed for the educational programming at Swift.
I’d also like to share with you a document that was prepared by Bruce Walpole, the Manager of School Projects for O & G and I thought this was an important document, not only for you but for this community, to better understand why we are brought here this evening. The document includes four examples of projects that are somewhat similar to Swift but I think more importantly, page 2 and page 3 represent the increase from August 2003 which was the inception of conversation compared to 2 years later and a percentage increase in a number of different places that pertain to this project. I think this is an important document to have.
I’d like to share the last document that I prepared this evening and then open the discussion up to the Board and certainly the involvement of our Project Coordinators, our architects and our Director of Operations, Todd LoFrese. The last item that I am sharing with you is the Superintendent’s recommendation for the Swift Middle School project. This recommendation is for this Board of Education to endorse the original project that was approved by this community in May of 2004, minus, and I have figured it out for you; the items that were extracted from the project to assist in mitigating the overage that we are looking at on the bottom of the page. Minus the bulleted items, the Board had a presentation that included 19 alternates, of the 19 the administration feel that 3 of those 19 need to be a part of the project. The Rubber Flooring, the Roof Equipment Screens that the PBC has endorsed and is requesting and the Auxiliary Gym, that was part of the original design.
In our last discussion, O & G and Kaestle-Boos were planning to meet to have 21 separate meetings with the low bidders of the project. That did take place. There were discussions with all 21 contractors that the Value Engineering according to Mr.LoFrese Friday, would be an additional $977,427. If you continue down through the math of the project, the administration’s recommendation would include a need for additional funding of $6.7 million. There would be a 58% reimbursement which we have been assured by the State Facilities Committee and the cost to Watertown would be approximately $2.8 million. I think more importantly for the individual community member, what does that mean for my tax dollar? It means that this project moving forward would be at $100,000 assessed property; approximately it would be $18 per year, for the life of the project. There are a number of questions and information that goes beyond the recommendation in the packet that I passed out, and hopefully, by the time we are done with our session, the Board will give the Superintendent direction for tomorrow evening with the Public Buildings Committee.
This concludes my remarks and now we can open it up for questions and comments and any additional comments that Kaestle–Boos or O & G may have for the Board.
Mr. Vicenzi: Any questions?
Ms. Dzioba: The additional funding, we would have to go to Referendum for that?
Dr. Erardi: That is correct. One of the things that we have been able to do and Ms. Purcell would have more factors to the answer, the original list included a 60 day lock-in for the price that was projected and because we knew that we most likely were in trouble, dollar-wise, Lorel will share the conversation that she had with the sub-contractors for extending that.
Ms. Purcell: Yes, what I have done is, in writing, I have requested from all of the essential low-bidders, an extension of 75 days beyond the 60 days that is in the contract. So, that would be until January 12. 2006, that they are to hold their prices, for the most part the majority of them have gotten back to me saying it is no problem. So, there are still 4 or 5 out there that I am still waiting on but they are not high-value contracts, so I’m not really concerned about them.
Mr. Vicenzi: The high-value contractors, you have all of them as far as the majority of the money?
Ms. Purcell: I sent them out to every contractor, the ones that I haven’t heard back from are small, like the painter, he is $181,000.
Mr. Vicenzi: But the bigger ones have signed on?
Ms. Purcell: Exactly.
Ms. Dzioba: If we went to Referendum, these items that you have taken out, is this the kind of Referendum that if this amount is rejected then we can go back with a lower bid? What I am wondering is if it were to ask for the amount that we know we need to get this project done?
Dr. Erardi: I’d have to get back to you without having the Town Charter in front of me. I believe we would be able to go back out again, but I’m not positive. I’d have to check that.
Mr. Rusty Malik, Kaestle-Boos: The Referendum is to approve. We only have the 75 day extension at that point to go back if the money were different, and we probably would not have the time.
I think it is important for the Board to realize that up to this point we have either spent or encumbered approximately $3.8 million and where this gets a little bit tricky is that the $3.8 million has been spent with 58% reimbursement to the community. If this project was aborted, with the exception of the asbestos piece, the community takes responsibility for the entire cost to date and that Mr. LoFrese can share with you. Although we have spent $3.8 million, encumbered or to pay bills, that wouldn’t be the end of this project, we would still have the back of building that is wide open. Todd, go ahead.
Mr. LoFrese: Right, the back of building is exposed, there is concrete flooring in areas where the asbestos floor tiles were removed and that doesn’t touch the 50 year-old boiler and the boiler plant, windows and doors that are corroded and concrete and brick work outside the facility that is crumbling.
Mr. Vicenzi: Are there any other questions? The next thing that we should do is amend the Agenda and add an item and we’ll make it K-a and we’ll just bump everything down one.
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Mr. Marks that the Board approve to Add an item for the Swift Middle School project to the Agenda as K-a
J. Report from the Chairman - None
K. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
a Superintendent’s Recommendations for the Swift Project
Motion presented by Mr. Marks, seconded by Ms. Dzioba that the Board accept the Superintendent’s Recommendations and approve going forward with the Swift Project and authorizing the Superintendent to so inform the Public Buildings Committee.
b. 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.
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Ms. Calabrese that the the Superintendent’s evaluation tool which was presented to the full Board for the first reading at the meeting on September 12, 2005 to be effective with this school year.
c. 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.
Motion presented by Ms. Calabrese, seconded by Ms. Dzioba 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.
d. 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.
Motion presented by Ms. Dzioba, seconded by Mr. Marks that the Board accept the gift from Mrs. Susan Minicucci, a Swift Middle School parent, who 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.
Motion Presented by Ms. Dzioba, seconded by Ms. Colangelo that the Board accept the gift from the following Swift Middle School staff members who 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:
e. 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.
Motion presented by Ms. Calabrese, seconded by Ms. Colangelo that the Board approve of the following Grants for the 2005-2006 school year:
L. Future Agenda Items-Board members did not request any Future Agenda Items.
M. Public Participation-No one wished to address the Board at this time.
N. Executive Session-Personnel Matter
Motion presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Ms. Dzioba that the Board adjourn to Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Matter.
All Board Members, Dr. Erardi, Dr. Pelosi and Mr. Beliveau left the Library to convene into Executive Session in the conference room at 8:02 p.m.
All Board Members, Dr. Erardi, Dr. Pelosi and Mr. Beliveau returned to the Library at 8:25 p.m.
Mr. Vicenzi reconvened into Open Session at 8:26 p.m.
K-f. 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
Motion presented by Ms. Calabrese seconded by Ms. Dzioba that the Board approve of a salary increase for non-affiliated staff for the 2005-2006 school year as presented.
O. Adjournment
Motion Presented by Ms. Colangelo, seconded by Ms. Dzioba to adjourn the Regular Board of Education Meeting of September 26, 2005
Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
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Respectfully Submitted:
Mary Colangelo, Board Secretary
Barbara Mordenti, Board Clerk