Watertown Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Meeting Date: November 28, 2005
Meeting Time: 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Watertown High School Technology Center
Members Present: Ms. Mary Dzioba, Board Chairperson
Ms. Maureen Caine, Vice Chairperson
Mr. Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
Ms. Gina Calabrese, Board member
Ms. Mary Colangelo, Board member
Mr. Chris Lafferty, Board member
Mr. James Marks, Board member
Mr. Richard Mazzamaro, Board member
Mr. Victor Vicenzi, Board member
Dr. Joseph Erardi Jr., Superintendent
Dr. Philip Pelosi, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Amelia Grover, Dir. of Budget and Financial Planning
Ms. Betsy Hackett, Director of Special Services
Mr. Todd LoFrese, Director of Operations/Technology
Mr. Matthew Dzioba, W.H.S. Student Representative
Press: Mr. Tommy Valuckas, Waterbury Republican American
Guests: Philip Boisvert, Jake Habegger, Alex Skylar, Amy Chevalier, Maggie Dreher and Thad Hasbrouck
Other interested citizens: Whitey and Sandra Greenwood, Kathleen Scully, Bob Grady, Fran Palmer and Judy White.
A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM
Ms. Dzioba convened the Regular Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m.
B. Salute to the Flag
Ms. Dzioba led the salute to the Flag.
C. Recognition
Dr. Erardi called each of the following students who were present at tonight’s meeting forward as Ms. Dzioba presented their certificates.
The Board of Education would like to recognize the following Watertown High School music students for having been accepted into the Northern Connecticut Regional Music Festival and present them with a certificate of excellence:
Philip Boisvert (bass - chorus)
Jake Habegger (bass - chorus)
Arielle Polites (alto - chorus)
Alex Sklyar (bass - chorus)
Amber Wood (soprano - chorus)
Amy Chevalier (clarinet – band)
Britney Polites (flute – band)
These students auditioned on a prepared solo and also had to demonstrate proficiency on music sight reading. Several hundreds of students auditioned from approximately 35 area high schools back on October 22nd.
The festival will take place at New Britain High School the weekend of January 27-28, 2006. The concert will be at New Britain High School on Saturday, January 28, 2006.
C. Public Participation
Ms. Dzioba: There is no one listed tonight to speak. Is there anyone who would like to address the Board? I’d like to take this time to announce a small change in Public Participation. There are times when someone comes to address the Board and they are told that we will respond to them by mail and, of course, they get the letter answering their question or giving them the information that they have requested but it’s never given to the audience. So, from now on, when we write someone a response from their Public Participation, a copy will also go to the Board Secretary to be read into the following meeting’s Minutes so that it will be part of the public record.
Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Matthew Dzioba
Mr. Dzioba: Good evening. It's been a busy few weeks at the High School. Since we last met the student council hosted a college fair. The event was very well attended by students from both Watertown High and other area schools, and over 100 colleges and universities participated. Also, the junior class brought back a high school tradition when they hosted the school wide variety show on the 18th. The event, which hasn't taken place at the High School in over three years, was a great success. The fall sports season ended with the football team’s victory against Torrington on Saturday, and students from all classes had a great, safe time at the annual Homecoming dance on Saturday night.
Some upcoming events include the Powderpuff football game tomorrow at 2:30, and the start of the Winter sports season.
Finally, tonight I want to continue with something I had started with the old Board. I like to think that my duties here extend beyond just telling you about the different events at the High School. Seeing as you are the decision makers of our educational system, I want to assist you and the public in getting a better understanding of the academic pulse at Watertown High, and to do this, each month I sit down with a different student or teacher and talk with them about a different program at the high school. The last time I did this, I discussed the American Studies program with Mrs. Raimo, an English teacher, and this past week I was able to sit down with Mrs. Kuegler, a history teacher. Currently, the high school offers 8 advanced placement courses, and Mrs. Kuegler teachers the AP American Government class. Advanced placement classes are designed to offer students a challenging course that is reflective of an actual college class, all culminating with the national AP subject test that is given annually by the College Board in May. Students who complete the exam may earn credit towards college. Mrs. Kuegler's government class offers a comprehensive atmosphere for students who are genuinely interested in politics and government. The class itself often consists of student led discussion and interaction, while maintaining a rigorous academic agenda that spans a variety of different topics concerning government and politics. The things that make her class unique are what make every AP class at the high school unique- the students’ genuine passion for that particular subject. As an AP class, students are enthusiastic about the subject and are looking to explore the area in college. My discussion with Mrs. Kuegler was very reflective of the fact that the AP program should be approached with caution- students should not take the class just for their college applications. However, the AP course is often the only option for higher level students who do not want to take a level two class. Watertown High's AP program is a wonderful asset to the academic body; however, the classes should continue to be treated as a challenge to high school students who are serious about their field. That concludes my report for tonight, thank you.
E. Budget Summary – (Information Only – No Action Required)
Ms. Dzioba: All Board Members have a Budget Summary in your packet for your information.
F. Committee Reports:
Ms. Dzioba: There are no Reports because the Committees are being changed tonight so we will skip this item on the Agenda.
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
Mr. Griffin read a thank you note from Ms. Joanne Pannone.
Ms. Dzioba: Did you want to make a statement about a new method of communication?
Mr. Griffin: Yes, through the Chair, I would like to ask Todd LoFrese if he would set up an e-mail address for the Board Secretary so that if anyone would like to have a direct e-mail to send as well, if they have any other communications that they have another method of doing that.
Mr. LoFrese: That link will be set up tomorrow. It will be located on the Watertown Board of Education homepage, which is www.watertownctschools.org and it will be secretary@watertownctschools.org
Mr. Griffin: Great, thank you.
H. Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 14, 2005
Motion presented by Ms Calabrese, seconded by Mr. Griffin that the Minutes of the Board of Education meeting of November 14, 2005 be approved as presented.
Motion Passed Unanimously
(9-In Favor, 0 -Opposed, 0-Abstained)
I. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report
Dr. Erardi: Thank you Ms. Dzioba. Before I start, I did promise our honorees this evening that despite having a dynamic Superintendent’s Report, that Mr. Hasbrouck will take notes and that we respect the homework that you have, feel free to leave at this point. There are some refreshments on the way, don’t be shy if you need to go.
1. Appointments – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Karen Carlotto to the position of Pre-School Paraprofessional (Category #2 – Sp Ed Program) at John Trumbull Primary School starting November 16, 2005 for 27.75 hours per week at an hourly rate of $11.45.
b. Ms. Diane Chere to the position of Computer Lab Paraprofessional (Category #4 – Computer Technology) at Swift Middle School starting November 16, 2005 for 15.0 hours per week at an hourly rate of $11.45.
c. Ms. Christine Webster to the position of SSCLSC Paraprofessional (Category #2 – Sp Ed Program) and Cafeteria Paraprofessional (#5 – Other) at Judson School starting November 14, 2005 for 20.0 hours paid per week as an SSCLSC Para and 1.5 hours paid per day as Cafeteria Para at an hourly rate of $11.45.
d. Ms. Barbara Engelhard to the position of Kindergarten Classroom Paraprofessional at John Trumbull Primary School starting November 28, 2005 for 2.0 hours paid per day at an hourly rate of $11.45.
2. Resignations – (Information Only – No Action Required)
a. Ms. Susan McQuade from the position of library clerk at Judson and Heminway Park Schools effective November 25, 2005 for the purpose of retirement.
3. First Reading – (Information Only – No Action Required)
At its meeting on October 24, 2005, the Policy and Labor Committee reviewed the job descriptions for the positions of Director of Operations and the Media Consultant. These job descriptions are presented to the Board for the first reading tonight. (See Attachments A and B.)
3. Strategic School Profiles
At the November 14, 2005 Board of Education meeting, the Superintendent of Schools informed the Board of Education of the receipt of the Strategic School Profiles for 2004-2005. Tonight, the Superintendent will present to the Board information relating to the Strategic School Profiles to enable the Board members to have a better understanding of the profiles.
Dr. Erardi: I have a couple of comments that I’d like to share publicly with the Board of Education regarding our 2004-2005 Profile. My first comment is most important, for the resources that have been provided to the Board of Education and ultimately to our students, I believe our Profile is a celebration of excellence. If you look through the document line by line and page by page, you’ll find that our students continue to perform, they perform well within their Economic Reference Group and they perform well within the State average.
Areas that I think warrant further discussion as we move through our Budget season, and I’ll try to specific; on page 2 of the District Profile, I was quite concerned that our average class size in 04-05 in second grade is 24 students, within our reference group is 19 students. I was equally concerned that in grade five, our class size is nearly 27 students, within our reference group, 20 students. We are on the outer max of class size in our primary and elementary school.
On page 4 I had concern, and I think that this is indicative and reflective of the Alternative School that no longer exists in Watertown Schools, our 2003-2004 drop-out rate was 1.1%, in 2004 with the class of 2004, and the four-year aggregate is 6.9%. Those are numbers that are moving in the wrong direction. Those are numbers that we will have concern and conversation about and we will be bringing back to the Board of Education during Budget season, a plan in place that will hopefully bring that 6.9% to 0%.
My last comment is on page 6, Evidence of Sustained Improvement in Student Accomplishments. I have had the opportunity to be in three or four school districts and in every other place that I have been, Professional Development, at best, was OK and in most places, broken. I think that this District adopted three or four years ago, a plan of action. They stayed with that plan of action, which includes some intense Professional Development, much of that, if not all of that is the credit to the person on my left, Dr. Pelosi. His ability to write and receive Grant money, his insight and foresight of where this District should be with curriculum and instruction and that is the reason with my opening comments, that I believe our students do well. I think that we have a Staff and Administration all moving in the same direction for the betterment of children. If you look at the Professional Development that we have in place, that we presently are participating in and where we are going, I think that this Board should be awfully proud of the plan moving forward for all children. I think that truly is our highlight of this particular profile for 04-05. We are certainly willing and hopefully able; to answer questions you may have this evening or in the future. I know there are at least a handful of Administrators here if you have a specific question, in regards to a specific school.
My comments were meant to be general to create an umbrella in regards to the entire School District and again, I think my last comment should be that with that wonderful NCLB, that we all hear about and read about that your School District continues to be a District without concern in regards to NCLB standards and that is something that not many places can continue to talk about. Are there any questions regarding the Profile?
There were no questions from Board Members at this time.
5. Cafeteria Report
Attached for your information is a copy of the Watertown Student Lunch Program report. (See Attachment C.)
Mr. Todd LoFrese, Director of Operations/Technology and Ms. Maggie Dreher, Food Service Director, are present this evening to give a presentation on the student lunch program.
Dr. Erardi: This is a first read and first information for the Board and I know you’ll have questions, thoughts and comments with the report that have been prepared by Todd LoFrese and by Maggie Dreher. They are both here this evening to bring to life for you what we think is a plan that will move our Cafeteria Program out of red ink to a program that is once again, self-supporting and self-sustaining. One of the things that Mr. LoFrese will speak about is a place that I am very uncomfortable going, but I have no choice, and that is to move on Cafeteria lunch prices, mid-year. That is for Board consideration and hopefully Action on December 12. If the Board supports that as part of our plan, that change will take place when students return from the Holiday break on January 2. I’ll defer at this point to Mr. LoFrese.
Mr. LoFrese: Thank you and good evening. In the Board packet is the recommendations that Administration is putting forth for consideration. Before I go through that report, I’d like to touch briefly on what has occurred since I had the unfortunate pleasure of informing the Board in June of the year-end profit or sizeable loss, if you will, of the Cafeteria Department last year.
As we reported, the Cafeteria Department in 04-05 lost approximately $70,000-$90,000. Since that time, several changes have been put into effect to make an attempt to return the Department to profitability. These included raising A La Carte prices 10%. We did not fill three vacant General Cafeteria worker positions. We have started to try to reduce inventory wherever possible. We are utilizing commodities more. These are products that are provided by the Government, we had a sizeable year-end stock of these products and September and October, we sold more chicken. We started a breakfast program at Swift; this has resulted in a significant increase in our income, daily, of over a $100 a day. Lastly, we have started sending out Staff e-mails, trying to inform the Staff of the daily lunch specials that are available to them.
However, we are still faced with a rising product cost. Many vendors are charging us surcharges on our deliveries and when we reviewed the program in November we realized that we were still faced with a sizeable amount of red ink, which is where the report included in the packet picks up. As you can see, we are starting with an initial cash deficit of $95,000 if we continue to operate at the current profit and loss ratio that we experience now. That would be at the end of this year. So to correct that, we have looked at several different areas. One was to raise lunch prices 25 cents at the both the elementary and high school level. We would also increase the number of lunches at the middle school and high school where we currently do not serve on ½ days, we would serve two lunches. We are looking at increasing vending opportunities in the schools, such as adding vending machines outside gymnasiums for availability for purchases when Park and Rec has activities and evening activities are at the schools. We have a vacancy right now, we put a moratorium on the hiring and we are looking at a possible increase in vending percentages if a Coca-Cola proposal that will be coming to the Board in December, is approved. By making these recommended changes we would anticipate a slight break-even, slight profitability at the end of the year. We have reviewed the review of how our progress was at the end of February and we had a contingency in effect that would reduce Staffing levels by 6 hours a day to help out, if we need to do that. If there are any questions, either myself or Maggie would be happy to answer them.
Mr. Lafferty: Increased vending machine opportunities in the school; I know, I believe, when I was here 2 years ago, the vending machine outside the Gymnasium sells PowerAde and there is also one that sells snacks. Those are programmed to go on at 2:05, when the school days ends. Are those still?
Ms. Dreher: Yes, those are still on timers.
Mr. Lafferty: Would taking those off timers increase sales or is there just a stronger feeling from the Administration that they should be left on timers?
Mr. LoFrese: That issue hasn’t been fully discussed with School Administration but the belief is that if they were taken off timers, it would help increase sales.
Ms. Calabrese: I know that there is a matter of State law also with regard to vending machines and making healthy snacks available at all times, it’s not as simple, fortunately or unfortunately, as just changing the timer.
Ms. Dreher: There are only healthy snacks in the vending machines.
Ms. Calabrese: Right, but isn’t it something about 30 minutes before, during and after lunch?
Ms. Dreher: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after lunch, nothing can be sold that is not part of the Lunch Program, so that would be A La Carte.
Ms. Dzioba: I thought that the Cafeteria fell under one of the Sub-Committees; I thought that at one point it was under the Facilities Committee. Is that true Vic, did you ever have it?
Mr. Vicenzi: No, not when I was on.
Ms. Dzioba: I thought it was, it’s just that we discussed whether we should take the timers off and what we could do.
Mr. LoFrese: The sizeable portion of the $30,000 that is included in that line comes from adding vending machines to schools like Judson and Heminway and Polk outside the Gym, where the intent would be only to have them on after school is dismissed and to take advantage of the increased traffic with Park and Rec activities and outside groups using the schools.
Ms. Dzioba: When did you say the vote would come to the Board for increasing, what date?
Dr. Erardi: December 12, the next meeting. OK, are there any other questions or comments?
There were no other questions from Board members.
6. Residency Policy
The Superintendent will give a report to the Board regarding residency issues that have taken place during this school year.
Dr. Erardi: This is an informational item for the Board of Education. I wanted to share with the Board and the public that we do not have a Residency Officer. However, we have very sound cooperation with the Watertown Police Department and very rarely will a day go by when we are not looking to ensure that our students are, our students. Because of the vigilance that has taken place this school year we have returned a handful of students to their local community where they should be going to school and we also have 3 or 4 students who now pay tuition to the Watertown Board of Education; as they chose to remain as a paying tuition student to our School District. With our continued emphasis on residency I am hoping that our viewing community this evening, if there is any information that could to any child that is attending our school and should be attending another local community school; that would be greatly appreciated to bring that to the Superintendent office’s attention. Again, this is brought to you this evening as information, not as Action, just as an update on what has taken place during the first quarter of the new school year.
7. NEASC Accreditation
At the December Board of Education meeting, the Superintendent will offer an in-depth report on the NEASC Accreditation (New England Association of Schools and Colleges). Mr. Thad Hasbrouck and the high school administration will make a presentation at that time.
Dr. Erardi: This last item on the Superintendent’s Report is an item of great importance and I wanted to go back just for historical purposes for the Board of Education on what the NEASC Accreditation means and for the viewing audience.
Approximately three years ago, the High School began to prepare their self-study and what that simply means is, under the standards of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, there is a script to follow and to have prepared, for a visiting team that will come to Watertown High School, that has already been here, to validate and confirm the buildings’ self-study. The visiting team was here this past Spring and we have been anxiously awaiting their report, there is a draft of the report in the Town Library and in my office. If any Board member would like the full report, it’s a lengthy report, probably 100 pages, it’s available and I would suggest that you take a look at it if you are unfamiliar with the findings of the report. We have waited for nearly five months for the Executive Board of the NEASC Committee to meet and to adjudicate the visiting team’s findings. There was great rumor on the community about the High School losing accreditation. That did not happen. Watertown High School remains accredited.
The options of a school that goes into this process with full accreditation, Watertown High School entered the process with full accreditation, there are three options. The confirmation that your school remains fully accredited. That your school remains accredited but is placed on warning. That school remains accredited but is placed on probation. Those are your three options, you cannot move from accreditation to loss of accreditation.
The Executive Summary and there will be an in-depth report by the High School Administration on December 12, the Executive Summary is that the High School remains accredited, but has been placed on warning. You’ll find on December 12 that from the lens of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, that the commendation throughout the report is consistent and comprehensive. You’ll also find that in the areas of Standards on Curriculum, School Resources for Learning and Community Resources for Learning, the report is very critical. Much of that has to do from the belief of the visiting team that there needs to be an enhanced program of studies and the enhancement cannot take place because of the lack of Staffing and that there is a very critical lens on the facility that they feel needs to be upgraded. That will be in great detail, shared with you on December 12; that will be the focus of the Superintendent’s Report. Between now and then, if Board members have any questions at all that you would like to have answered that evening, please give my office a call and we will prepare those answers for you. Once again, the report is available from our office, its public information in the Library and on December 12, Mr. Hasbrouck, his Administration and his on-site Chairs within the Faculty, will be here to present to the Board of Education.
J. Report from the Chairman
Ms. Dzioba: I’d like to go over the Committee assignments, I’d like to give the Board members a warning that I increased the Committees to four Board members, so you are going to find your name on a couple of Committees. You are not obligated to attend every single one. I just thought that this would give a better opportunity for each meeting to have at least two to three Board members and give all Board members flexibility with their schedule as far as attending such meetings.
1. Reconstitute Sub-committees
Policy and Labor: Maureen Caine, Chair, Mary Colangelo, Gina Calabrese, Todd Griffin
Athletics: Chris Lafferty, Chair, Vic Vicenzi, Jim Marks, Rich Mazzamaro
Curriculum: Gina Calabrese, Chair, Maureen Caine, Chris Lafferty, Jim
Facilities: Rich Mazzamaro, Chair, Vic Vicenzi, Jim Marks, Todd Griffin
Budget: Todd Griffin, Chair, Jim Marks, Mary Colangelo, Maureen Caine
Advertising: Todd Griffin, Chair, Jim Marks, Mary Colangelo, Chris Lafferty
Marks
Ms. Dzioba: I certainly want to encourage any Board member that if there is ever anything on the Agenda that sparks your interest, that you are always welcome at any Sub-Committee meetings, your opinions are valued at any Sub-Committee meetings. I know that this is quite a bit to ask of Board members but I just thought that with the more members on the Committees, it would give more flexibility.
The other appointments are for the Superintendent's Evaluation and I would like that to be a bi-partisan.
Superintendent's Evaluation: Maureen Caine, Vic Vicenzi
Cablevision: Jim Marks
Public Buildings Committee: Rich Mazzamaro
Ms. Dzioba: If you have concerns, give me a call and we’ll adjust them. As I said before, there are going to be some changes to the Agenda. I hope that they are an improvement and if anybody has ever wished there were a change to the Agenda please, speak up. I told you that we will be reading the responses to Public Participation into the record so that everybody knows what the answer was.
The other thing is that years ago, when I was first on the Board, there was a Parent Representative, as well as the Student Council Representative. I’d like to bring that back and I met with a Committee that Dr. Erardi has with the Executive Boards of the PTOs, PTAs and I have asked them to decide whether they want one Representative to attend all of the meetings or whether they want to have it on a rotating basis. Hopefully, we will be able to work with their decision and get them on the Board soon so that they can give a report either before or after the Student Council.
The other thing is that on Item L, which is Future Agenda Items, I’d like to change that to Future Agenda Items and Board members comments. I know that a lot of times you sit here and you may have a comment or concern that doesn’t really fit into what we are voting on, it’s not necessarily a Future Agenda Item that needs Action but I would put it on the Agenda at the time so that all Board members can make a comment or ask a question.
The other thing is that the Town and Board Attorney are trying to arrange a workshop on Freedom of Information. More information will be coming forward with that I would encourage all Board members to attend.
I have saved the best for last. Tomorrow is the Referendum on Swift. I know that yesterday many people from the Community and the Board and Administration walked and knocked on doors and gave out pamphlets; trying to remind people to vote yes on this important issue. I’d like to thank all of those volunteers; I’d like to thank all the endorsements that we have gotten for the approval of this issue. I just want to remind people to please come out and vote, it’s a matter of economics, it’s a matter of safety and it’s a matter of pride in our schools and our system and for our children to have pride in their facility. So, I’d like to ask everybody in this room to, tomorrow, vote and call ten people, even if you have to go through the phone book and pick out a name, to please ask them to vote for the Swift expansion.
At this point, I’d like to ask if anybody else has any comments or hopes.
Mr. Lafferty: I would hope that tomorrow, Board members if you have time available time after work, if you are locally on lunch break, I will be at the polls, some polling places outside, greeting people, asking them for their support. Also, I will be at the intersection of 262 and Buckingham when I have some spare time, holding signs that say “Please Vote Yes” and other slogans promoting it. I feel that if they see us out there it will help raise some eyebrows and bring in a few more voters that might have forgotten for that day. So if you have time and see me around, feel free to join me at the polling places, I’ll have some signs and I hope I’ll see you tomorrow.
Ms. Dzioba: Thank you Chris. That would be great and I look forward to seeing you on 262.
2. Appoint school liaisons
Ms. Dzioba: I do have one other item another thing that I would like to bring back to the Board of Education is School Representatives. I’d like each Board member to pick a school, a school could have more than one Board member if the Board member doesn’t feel that they don’t the time or availability to do this, that is OK too. It would basically be an opportunity for Board members to go into the schools, be known, be familiar and just be available to show people that there is a Board member interested in their school and the concerns of the parents. It doesn’t necessarily have to be during the day, it doesn’t mean that you will be going into the classrooms, if you could attend their PTA meetings, concerts, that would be great. As of now, and again this is for anybody who wants to do this, we have:
John Trumbull: Todd Griffin
Polk: Vic Vicenzi
Judson: Rich Mazzamaro
Heminway: Jim Marks
Swift: Maureen Caine
Watertown High School: Chris Lafferty
I encourage all Board members to attend any function at any school they like to see who we are and get to know who we are.
K. Action Items – Adoption of Items to be Approved by Consent
a. Consideration of Approval of Names on Bank Accounts
It is recommended that the Board approve of the change of names on the bank accounts to include Mr. Todd A. Griffin, Board Secretary.
Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro that the Board approve of the change of names on the bank accounts to include Mr. Todd A. Griffin, Board Secretary.
Discussion:
Ms. Dzioba: Are there any questions? Is there an explanation as to what this is?
Dr. Erardi: Without this, we can’t write checks.
b. Consideration of Approval of Acceptance of Gift
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Lawson, would like to donate National Geographic Magazines in hardbound binders at an approximate cost of $100.00 to the Social Studies department at Swift Middle School.
It is recommended that the Board accept this generous gift and a letter of thanks to be sent to the donor.
Motion presented by Ms. Caine, seconded by Mr. Griffin that the Board accept this generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Mark Lawson, of National Geographic Magazines in hardbound binders at an approximate cost of $100.00 to the Social Studies department at Swift Middle School and a letter of thanks to be sent to the donor.
L. Future Agenda Items
Mr. Marks: I would like to put on the Agenda for the next meeting a resolution requesting that our Representatives in Hartford ask for some relief from Unfunded Mandates, in particular, but a lot of the Mandates in general. I have in my hand a letter I got from Representative Williams last Spring. It’s like six pages of Mandates on us, and frankly, it’s somewhat insulting to read. One of the Mandates says that we have to maintain clean and efficient schools, like we don’t want to do that. One of the Mandates is that we have to allow students who have a medical need to take their glucose test. Do they really think we are going to tell a diabetic child we won’t let them test their blood? So, I have a resolution in mind which I would like to present for a first reading next week.
Ms. Dzioba: OK, so I’m sure we could put that on the Agenda, our resolutions, or would it go to the Policy Committee for endorsement first?
Ms. Colangelo: One comment, we can’t do resolutions, we do a letter or something.
Ms. Dzioba: I think if it went to Policy to see what the restrictions are, and what the probability and what we should do with it, and I’m sure Maureen will set up a meeting and deal with that in Sub-Committee and then a Future Agenda Item.
M. Public Participation
No one wished to address the Board at this time tonight.
N. Executive Session/Personnel Matter/WEA Arbitration
Motion presented by Mr. Marks, seconded by Mr. Lafferty to enter into Executive Session with all Board members present, Dr. Erardi, Dr. Pelosi, Ms. Grover and Mr. LoFrese.
(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)
All Board members along with Dr. Erardi, Dr. Pelosi, Ms. Grover and Mr. LoFrese convened into Executive Session at 8:16 p.m.
Executive session ended at 8:31 p.m.
O. Adjournment
Motion presented by Mr. Marks, seconded by Ms. Colangelo that the Regular Board of Education meeting of November 28, 2005 be adjourned.
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Todd Griffin, Board Secretary
Barbara Mordenti, Board Clerk