Agenda

WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Monday, November 14, 2005 – 7:30 PM

A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM

B. Salute to the Flag

C. Oath of Office

Newly elected members of the Board of Education will be sworn in.

D. Reconvene Regular Meeting

E. Election of Officers

Sec. 10-218. Officers. Meetings. “Each board of education shall, not later than one month after the date on which the newly elected members take office, elect from its number a chairperson and elect a secretary of such board and may prescribe their duties. The votes of each member of such board cast in such election shall be reduced to writing and made available for public inspection within forty-eight hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays, and shall also be recorded in the minutes of the meeting at which taken, which minutes shall be available for public inspection at all reasonable times. If such officers are not chosen after one month because of a tie vote of the members, the Town Council, or if there is no Town Council, the selectmen of the town shall choose such officers from the membership of the board. The chairperson of the Board of Education or, in case of such chairperson’s absence, or inability to act, the secretary shall call a meeting of the board at least once in six months and whenever such chairperson deems it necessary, or is requested in writing to do so by three of its members. If no meeting is called within fourteen days after such a request has been made, one may be called by any three members by giving the usual written notice to the other members.” The organization, according to this statute and policies of the Board of Education, shall be as follows:

1. A Chairperson of the Board

2. A Vice Chairperson of the Board

3. A Secretary of the Board

F. Recognition

1. The Board of Education wishes to recognize Watertown’s 2006 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Paulette Koosed, Special Education Teacher at Heminway Park School. The Board would like to present a gift and Certificate of Excellence to Ms. Koosed.

The Board would like to recognize this year’s nominees for 2006 Teacher of the Year and present each of them with a small gift and Certificate of Excellence.

Ms. Michelle Benedetto, Art Teacher, Watertown High and Polk Schools

Ms. Deborah Bortolan, Grade 2 Teacher, John Trumbull School

Ms. Patricia Chipko, Grade 3 Teacher, Judson School

Ms. Donna Iacoviello, Kindergarten Teacher, John Trumbull School

Ms. Mary Lou Kuegler, Social Studies Teacher, Watertown High School

Ms. Patricia Mauriello, Grade 1 Teacher, John Trumbull School

Ms. Cynthia Murphy, Special Ed Teacher, Judson School

Mr. Michael Watson, Math Teacher, Watertown High School

The Board would like to thank Ms. Janice Curulla-Pond, Principal of Heminway Park School, for serving as the Teacher of the Year Chairperson.

2. At the last Board of Education meeting, three Board members were recognized for their commitment to the students in the Watertown Public Schools because their terms have expired.

Tonight, State Representative Sean Williams is with us to present to Ms. Mary Ann Rosa, outgoing Chair, a state proclamation in honor of her many years of dedication and service to the Watertown Public Schools.

G. Public Participation

Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Matthew Dzioba

H. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)

I. 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

J. Communications - Secretary

K. Minutes

1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 24, 2005

L. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report

1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)

a. Ms. Amy Dawson to the position of One to One Paraprofessional, Cat. #1, Special Ed Program at John Trumbull Primary School starting October 31, 2005 for 30.00 hours paid per week, at an hourly rate of $11.45.

b. Ms. Roseanne Mancini to the position of SSCLSC Paraprofessional, Cat. #2 Special Ed Program, at Judson School starting November 9, 2005 for 5.5 hours paid per day at an hourly rate of $11.45.

2. Transfers – (Information Only – No Action Required)

a. Ms. Marisa Sinopoli from the 5.5 hours paid per day position to a 6.0 hours paid per day position of Paraprofessional, Cat. #2, Special Ed Program at Judson School starting October 25, 2005 at an hourly rate of $14.39.

b. Ms. Michele Yerger from the position of Judson School Cafeteria Para and John Trumbull Primary School Kindergarten Classroom Para to Resource Room Paraprofessional at Judson School, Cat. #2, Special Ed Program, starting October 27, 2005 for 30.0 hours paid per week, at an hourly rate of $13.34.

3. Strategic School Profiles 2004-2005

Board members have received a copy of the Strategic School Profiles 2004-2005 under separate cover.

The State Department of Education has provided the final version of the 2004-2005 Strategic School Profiles for the Watertown School District. The law requires that profiles must be presented to local boards of education”… at the first regularly scheduled public meeting following the receipt of these documents.”

Due to the complexity of the November 14 meeting and the State Board of Education requirements that it be presented to the Board of Education at the first Board of Education meeting upon receipt of the Strategic School Profiles, it is being presented tonight for informational purposes only. Dr. Erardi will highlight areas of accommodation at the December meeting.

4. Student Artwork on Display

The artwork on display this evening was done by the following young and talented artists:

Mary Ryan, Grade 1, John Trumbull Primary School

Erin Montambault, Grade 4, Judson School

David Guo, Grade 3, Polk School

Heba Omar, Grade 6, Heminway Park School

Chelsea Carlson, Grade 8, Swift Middle School

Drew VanSteenbergen, Grade 11, Watertown High School

M. Report from the Chairman

N. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent

a. Consideration of Approval of Medical Leave of Absence

Ms. Carole Weaver, English Teacher at Swift Middle School, requests a medical leave of absence commencing December 5, 2005 for approximately four to six weeks, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.

It is recommended that the Board approve of a medical leave of absence for Ms. Carole Weaver, English Teacher at Swift Middle School, commencing December 5, 2005, for approximately four to six

weeks, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.

b. Consideration of Approval of Change of Location for Board of Education Meetings

It is recommended that the Board approve of the change of the location of the November 28, 2005 and December 12, 2005 Board of Education meetings from the John Trumbull Primary School Library to the Watertown High School Technology Center and authorize the Superintendent of Schools to notify the Town Clerk’s

office.

c. Consideration of Approval of the Acceptance of Gift

Ms. Susan Atkins, on behalf of The Watertown Education Foundation, would like to donate this new Technology Center at Watertown High School to the Board of Education with an estimated value of $100,000.00. This state-of-the-art studio will benefit the students and the entire Watertown community.

It is recommended that the Board accept this generous donation and a letter of thanks to be sent to the donor.

O. Future Agenda Items

P. Public Participation

Q. Executive Session

R. Adjournment