Agenda

WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Monday, January 9, 2006 – 7:30 PM

A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM

B. Salute to the Flag

C. Recognition

1. The Board of Education would like to recognize Nickolas Johnson, a grade 8 student at Swift Middle School, for Family and Civic Responsibility. The smoke detector at Nickolas’ family home sounded off and Nickolas took responsibility for calling 911 and seeing that all family members were safely out of the house.

2. The Board of Education would like to recognize Scott Casolo, a grade 7 student at Swift Middle School for Civic Responsibility. Scott recently found money in a library book at Swift and returned the money to the library office. The office was able to find the rightful owner of the money.

D. Action Item

Consideration of Approval of Mr. Thomas A. Lambert to Fill Vacant Position

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve of Mr. Thomas A. Lambert to fill the vacant position left from the resignation of Mr. Vic Vicenzi.

The Watertown Town Clerk, Ms. Virginia Stewart, is present this evening for the swearing in of Mr. Lambert.

E. Public Participation

Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Matthew Dzioba

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

G. Committee Reports:

1. Advertising Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair

2. Athletics Committee, Chris Lafferty, Chair

3. Budget Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair

4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair

5. Facilities Committee, Rich Mazzamaro, Chair

6. Policy and Labor Committee, Maureen Caine, Chair

7. Cablevision, James Marks

8. PBC Representative, Rich Mazzamaro

H. Communications - Secretary

I. Minutes

1. Special Board of Education Meeting – November 18, 2005

2. Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 12, 2005

3. Special Board of Education Meeting – December 19, 2005

J. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report

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

a. Ms. Judy Jessell to the position of Library Clerk at Heminway Park and Judson Schools, effective December 14, 2005, for 7.5 hours paid per day, 10 months per year, at an hourly rate of $12.52.

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

a. Mr. Neil Saucier from the custodial position at Swift Middle School, effective December 23, 2005, for the purpose of retirement.

3. First Reading – School Calendar 06-07 – (Information Only – No Action Required)

The proposed school calendar for 2006-2007 is presented for the first reading this evening. (See Attachment A.)

4. First Reading – Letter Regarding State Mandates – (Information Only – No Action Required)

Board Member James Marks has requested that the Board send a letter to our State Representatives and Senators and ask them to do what they can to reduce our burden of state mandates. Attached is a sample letter that is presented for the first reading. (See Attachment B.)

5. Watertown High School / Community Tours – (Information Only – No Action Required)

The Board of Education’s focus on the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Watertown High School report and the need to create an immediate, short-term, and long-term plan has led to three scheduled community tours of the school. Interested residents are welcome to better understand the school’s needs and the facility’s limitations by attending one of the following sessions:

Wednesday, January 11 7:00 P.M. High School Main Office

Wednesday, January 18 7:00 P.M. High School Main Office

Saturday, January 28 10:00 A.M. High School Main Office

Tours will last approximately 45 minutes with an opportunity for all to ask questions throughout the walking tours.

6. Watertown High School / Alumni Association

Approximately two years ago, there was a core group of graduates who worked hard to create the mission and vision for an alumni association. Their early work included organizational meetings with former graduates and they established the beginning stages of what the association could represent to our schools and the community.

Recently, the school’s administration had a chance to meet with founding members and concluded that the early work of 2004 needs to be reconvened with even a greater appeal for membership. Potential outcomes may include a “Wall of Fame”, reoccurring annual events, mentorships and partnerships with students, and with equal importance, creating a forum for all graduates to reunite with fellow classmates.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet with our community’s proud alumni as there will be a meeting with an open invitation to all graduates of Watertown High School that has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 7th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Watertown High School Technology Center. Any graduate who is in need of additional information can call the superintendent’s office.

7. Budget Update

The Superintendent will present an update on the 2005-2006 school budget and the proposed timeline for the school budget for 2006-2007.

8. NEASC Update

Mr. Thad Hasbrouck, Principal of Watertown High School, is with us this evening to give an update on the Watertown High School Accreditation Report by NEASC.

9. Technology Presentation

Mr. Stephen Wilmarth, Director of Program Development for the Center For 21st Century Skills at Education Connection, is present this evening to give a presentation on technology.

K. Report from the Chairman

a. The Board of Education has received notification that the contracts for the Custodians Local 1049 of Council 4 AFSCME, AFL-CIO and the Nurses Local 1303-262 of Council 4 AFSCME, AFL-CIO will expire on June 30, 2006.

Board members will be needed to serve on the negotiating committees.

b. Attached is a list of the various sub-committees with the names of Board members serving on them. (See Attachment C.)

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

a. Consideration of Approval of Coca-Cola Proposal – Second Reading

A proposal from the Coca-Cola Company with the Watertown Board of Education was presented to the Board for the first reading at its meeting on December 12, 2005. The proposal is presented tonight for the second reading and for Board approval. (Board members have received a copy of the proposal under separate cover.)

b. Consideration of Approval of Acceptance of Gifts

1. The Gold Circle of Sports, through Jim Kryeske, would like to donate the metal posts needed to install a score board for the Field Hockey Team with an approximate value of $500.00.

2. The Gridiron Club would like to donate $200.00 to be used for the installation of the score board.

3. Mr. Ron Webb would like to donate Business Education books with an approximate value of $1,000.00 to the business education students in the Watertown Public Schools.

4. Mr. Tim Reardon, Assistant Manager at Home Depot in Bristol, would like to donate a set of aluminum bleachers with an approximate value of $1,600.00 to be used for the home football games on the visitors’ side of the backfield.

5. Mr. Larry Santilli, Sr., would like to donate a GE microwave oven, Model JES735WJ, to Watertown High School with an approximate value of $100.00.

6. Mr. Jack Kilday, would like to donate a check in the amount of $400.00 to be used to help assist some student athletes in the baseball program. This money was collected from the patrons at Daveluy’s Restaurant in memory of their friend Mike Josfanger.

It is recommended that the Board accept these generous gifts and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.

c. Consideration of Approval of Family Medical Leave of Absence

Ms. Lauren O’Toole, grade one teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, requests a childbearing leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act, commencing approximately February 24, 2006, with use of accumulated sick time, until the end of the 2005-2006 school year, 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, commencing approximately February 24, 2006, with use of accumulated sick time, until the end of the 2005-2006 school year, and a medical doctor’s note to return.

d. Consideration of Approval of Transfer of Funds

It is recommended that the Board approve of the transfer of $18,500 from the telephone budget line to the equipment budget line to allow for the purchase of computers for the creation of an additional high school computer lab as recommended by NEASC.

M. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments

N. Public Participation

O. Adjournment