Agenda

WATERTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Monday, January 23, 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 Kristian Kuegler, English teacher at Watertown High School, and also the girls’ and boys’ cross country coach for 2005-2006. This year Mr. Kuegler coached the girls’ and boys’ cross country teams to becoming the Naugatuck Valley League Undefeated League Champions.

The Board of Education would like to present Kristian Kuegler with a certificate of Celebration of Excellence for the Commendation for 2005-2006 for Coaching the Girls’ and Boys’ Cross Country Teams, Naugatuck Valley League Undefeated League Champions.

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, 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

G. Communications - Secretary

H. Minutes

1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 9, 2006

I. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report

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

a. Ms. Leslie McKeon to the position of Library Clerk at Watertown High School, effective on or before February 27, 2006 for 7.5 hours paid per day, 11 months per year, at an hourly rate of $13.24.

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

a. Mr. David Squillace, Mathematics Teacher at Watertown High School, effective January 20, 2006, for personal reasons.

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

Mr. Edward Stack transferred from floater custodian to custodian 2nd shift at Swift Middle School effective January 10, 2006 for 8.0 hours paid per day, at an hourly rate of $17.24.

4. Update on 2005-2006 Budget Regarding Swift Spring Sports

The Superintendent will present the quarterly report for the 2005-2006 operational plan and, included with this report, will be a recommendation for Spring sports at Swift.

5. Proposed 2006-2007 Budget

The Superintendent will present to the Board an update on the proposed budget for school year 2006-2007.

6. Town Consultant’s Findings

The Superintendent will give a report of the recent Town Consultant’s Study and how it affects the Board of Education.

(See Attachment A.)

7. Student Artwork on Display

The wonderful artwork on display this evening has been done by the following young artists:

Kayla Szabo, Kindergarten, John Trumbull Primary School

Mary Collette, Grade 1, John Trumbull Primary School

Daniel Desaulniers, Grade 2, John Trumbull Primary School

Amanda Robinson, Grade 3, Polk School

Christian Bennett, Grade 4, Polk School

Victoria Engelhard, Polk School

Claudia Ghisa, Grade 6, Heminway Park School

Katherine Ward, Grade 7, Swift Middle School

Ashley Petruzzello, Grade 8, Swift Middle School

Christina Weaver, (Art 1) Grade 9, Watertown High School

Clare Rafferty, (Art 2) Grade 11, Watertown High School

Karla Fasano, (Drawing) Grade 12, Watertown High School

Melissa Traver, (Painting) Grade 12, Watertown High School

Carla Piel, (Photography) Grade 11, Watertown High School

Shannon Hardistry, (Photography) Grade 11, Watertown High School

J. Report from the Chairman

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

a. Consideration of Approval of School Calendar 2006-2007 – Second Reading

The proposed school calendar for 2006-2007 was presented for the first reading at the Board of Education meeting on January 9, 2006. The calendar is presented tonight for the second reading and for full Board approval. (See Attachment B.)

b. Consideration of Approval of Letter Regarding State Mandates – Second Reading

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. A draft of this letter was presented for the first reading at the Board of Education’s meeting on January 9, 2006. The letter is presented this evening for the second reading and for full Board approval. (See Attachment C.)

c. Consideration of Approval of Acceptance of Gifts

1. The International Business Machines Corporation wishes to donate a grant in the amount of $1,000.00 to Watertown High School to be used for equipment. Ms. Susan Hourihan, Art Teacher at Watertown High School, is the writer of this grant.

2. Ms. Debbie Ciochetti wishes to donate a computer with an approximate value of $500.00 to Ms. Hotchkiss’ class at Polk School.

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

d. Consideration of Approval of Family Medical Leave of Absence

1. Ms. Molly Stepka, Remedial Reading Teacher at Judson School, requests a Child-bearing Leave of Absence, commencing April 24, 2006 until the end of the 2005-2006 school year, with use of accumulated sick time and then leave without pay.

It is recommended that the Board approve of a Child-bearing Leave of Absence, commencing April 24, 2006, for Ms. Molly Stepka, Remedial Reading Teacher at Judson School, until the end of the 2005-2006 school year, with use of accumulated sick time and then leave without pay and a medical doctor’s note to return.

e. Consideration of Approval of Watertown High School’s Proposed Changes to the Program of Studies Book for 2006-07

(See Attachment D.)

At the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting of January 18, 2006, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee members endorsed the following proposed changes to Watertown High School’s Program of Studies Book for 2006-2007.

Marketing #878 – College Preparatory

Reduce the credit for work study from 1 ½ to 1.

Use a separate description for the work-study component.

Chemistry – College Preparatory #431

Change prerequisites. New prerequisites: Biology, Algebra I and Geometry, Concurrently taking Algebra II, Recommended course averages of no less than 80 in Biology and Geometry.

General Chemistry #432 – Fundamental Studies

Change prerequisite. New prerequisite: Biology.

Human Biology #421 – College Preparatory

Change prerequisites. New prerequisite: College Preparatory Biology with a recommended average of 80 or Honors Biology.

Sculpture #851 – College Preparatory

Change title to “Art 2: Sculpture” and change the prerequisite to “Art I: Foundations in Art.” New prerequisite: Art 1: Foundations in Art.

Photography #861 – College Preparatory

Change title to “Introduction to Photography.”

Behavioral Studies #280 – Advanced Placement

Change prerequisite.

New prerequisite:

1. U.S. History I and U.S. History 2 or American Studies.

2. Recommended overall grade of at least 90 for American Studies or an overall grade of at least 85 in U.S. History II, Level 3.

3. Junior history teacher recommendation.

4. Completion of a summer assignment due one month after the last day of school.

Also, in the Program of Studies books, #9 on page 47 will state: Work study credit is contingent upon passing the related course where appropriate.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the aforementioned changes to the 2006-2007 Watertown High School Program of Studies Book as outlined in Attachment D.

f. Consideration of Approval of the Disposal of Non-working, Obsolete or Unneeded Equipment and Supplies at Swift During the Construction Project

It is recommended that the Board approve and authorize the superintendent or designee to dispose of or properly recycle non-working, obsolete or unneeded equipment and supplies at Swift Middle School during the construction project.

L. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments

M. Public Participation

N. Adjournment