Watertown Board of Education

Regular Meeting

Minutes

Meeting Date: May 8, 2006

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. Thomas Lambert, Board member

Mr. James Marks, Board member

Mr. Richard Mazzamaro, Board member

Dr. Joseph Erardi Jr., Superintendent of Schools

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

Mr. Matthew Dzioba, W.H.S. Student Representative

Ms. Kace Duplissie, PTA/PTO Representative

Press: Jim Taylor, Town Times

Tommy Valuckas, Waterbury Republican American

Guests: Ayame Whitfield, Sara Swlimovshi, Adam Kuegler, Victoria Gravel and

Kathleen Soncgo

Other interested citizens: Thad Hasbrouck, Marylu Lerz, Lisa Rommel, Kathleen Scully, Pat Corvello, Sandy and Whitey Greenwood. Fran Palmer, Charlie Beliveau and Judy White.

A. Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 PM

Ms. Dzioba convened the Regular Board of Education meeting at 7:35 p.m.

B. Salute to the Flag

Ms. Dzioba led the Salute to the Flag.

C. Recognition

The Board of Education wishes to recognize the following students from Judson School who were Invention Convention State winners:

Ayame Whitfield, Grade 3, $50 gift certificate and an Encarta program

Sara Swlimovshi, Grade 4, $50 gift certificate and an Encarta program

Adam Kuegler, Grade 5, $50 gift certificate and an Encarta program

Rachel Quidcquaro, Grade 3, $100 savings bond and a certificate from AT&T

Ms. Dzioba: We have some Recognitions tonight so I will turn it over to Dr. Erardi.

Dr. Erardi: Thank you Ms. Dzioba, tonight is a real treat for the Board of Education, our sitting audience and our Cable TV audience; we have two Celebrations of Excellence and we’ll start with our inventors, who were successful at the Invention Convention which is a state-wide competition. We are honored to have them here this evening.

Ayame Whitfield, Sara Swlimovshi and Adam Kuegler stood, introduced their family members and explained their inventions.

Ms. Dzioba presented each student with their Certificate of Excellence.

State Poster Winners for Good Citizenship:

Victoria Gravel, First Place – Save Our Soldiers

Kathleen Soncgo, Honorable Mention – People Donating Blood

Dr. Erardi: We also have two additional winners from Judson School tonight for the State-wide Poster Contest for Good Citizenship

Victoria Gravel and Kathleen Soncgo stood and introduced their family members and were

presented with their Certificate of Excellence by Ms. Dzioba.

D Public Participation

No one wished to address the Board at this time.

Report from Student Council Representative – Mr. Matthew Dzioba

Mr. Dzioba: With only five short weeks of classes left, the year is winding down at Watertown High. However, a variety of end of the year festivities are planned to make the close of the school year enjoyable not only for students, but for parents and members of the community alike. Members of the public are encouraged to attend "Music Under the Stars", which has been rescheduled to May 25th due to the poor weather report for the end of the week. Also, art and music enthusiasts are invited to attend the High School's annual Spring Concert and Art exhibition on June 1st. The Art and Music Departments have been working hard all year in anticipation for this event.

The Student Council is sponsoring some fun activities for the end of the year as well. On June 9th, the Student Council will host a battle of the bands, in which local bands will be able to compete for bragging rights. The Council hopes that this will become an annual tradition. On June 12th, the PTO and Student Council will sponsor the High School's first annual Senior Yearbook night. Seniors are invited to the high school courtyard and cafeteria, where yearbooks will be handed out, and everyone will have the opportunity to mingle and sign each other's books.

This past Friday, the Class of 2007 attended the High School's annual Junior Prom at the Grand Oak Villa. The night was safe and enjoyable for all. On Friday, May 26th, High School Seniors will attend their prom at the Aqua Turf.

In anticipation of all the end of the year festivities, the WHS SADD club, (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will host the annual Day of Reflection. Students will break off into groups where they will view skits that will provoke discussion about underage drinking. Students will finish off the day with an outdoor picnic.

While the student body eagerly awaits all the dates I've listed, one date should stand out in particular to every citizen of Watertown. In anticipation of the budget vote on May 23rd, the WHS Student Council would like to express the members of this community that we are dedicated to future of our school system. We look forward to an aggressive community wide discussion of the 2006-2007 budgets.

Ms. Kace Duplissie, PTA/PTO Representative

Ms. Duplissie: We have a myriad of field trips coming up throughout the whole school system, Swift had their Washington D.C. trip last week and everything went well, except for Mrs. Hosking and we hope she is doing well.

Polk, the Board I’m sure knows that we have a new mascot, a husky, we went from a pink panther to panther to husky, and so we will all be wearing t-shirts to that effect. May 15 is the deadline for the golf tournament so anyone who wants to golf, it is on the 15th of June, which is a half-day of school. We are also going to have our Family Fun Night on June 9, which is always fun, we have hotdogs and icepops and all kinds of fun things. The spring concert is on the 25th.

One more thing is that Janice Pond is retiring and her party is June 8 and anyone who is interested can contact Dr. Pelosi.

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

Ms. Dzioba: Budget Summary is in the packet for all Board members.

F. Committee Reports:

1. Advertising Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair

Mr. Griffin: There is no Report this evening but there has been a meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening at 6 p.m.

2. Athletics Committee, Chris Lafferty, Chair

Mr. Lafferty stated there was no Report this evening.

3. Budget Committee, Todd Griffin, Chair

Mr. Griffin: There is no official Report from the Budget Committee however, I would like to remind everyone that the Budget Referendum is scheduled for May 23. We have begun meeting with our local PTA/PTO Boards and different commissions to try to get the information out to everyone. If anyone has any questions that they have regarding this Budget they could feel free to e-mail me at secretary@watertownctschools.org or feel free to contact Dr. Erardi.

4. Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Gina Calabrese, Chair

Ms. Calabrese: There is no Report at this time however there is a meeting scheduled next week, Dr. Pelosi will help me remember exactly what the date is because we had to change it a couple of times.

Dr. Pelosi: It is May 15, 3:30 in the High School Library.

5. Facilities Committee, Rich Mazzamaro, Chair

Mr. Mazzamaro: Facilities met last Tues, May 2 to discuss procedure for equipment and furniture to be purchased for the Swift project. Todd LoFrese updated the Committee on the phases of State funding for the project which will include the asbestos removal, building, and furniture and tech equipment. The project is at the phase of furniture, tech equipment procurement and on June 28, 2006 Kaestle-Boos will present to the State’s School Facility Unit for approval for the required furniture, equipment and tech plan, including servers, AV, etc. The Board of Education will need to approve the funding for that equipment before that meeting so Todd I’m sure will have more information for you as far as that goes. Each department is in the process of submitting a standard form with the equipment needed, necessary features, catalogue name, year and page number. Our Committee will meet again before the June presentation and the full Board will be kept advised of the progress.

Mr. LoFrese also advised the Committee that the State Department of Health has issued a statement with regard to lead in the schools; one particular point of interest was a paragraph that made reference to toxic leaded art materials. The passage reads that if it has been determined that toxic leaded art materials are currently or have been used in the past, in any school facility (inaudible) and I have copies for all Board members of those procedures. Mr. LoFrese will advise the Department of Public Health on that matter.

We also discussed the Track Resurfacing account and it’s recommended that the track be resurfaced every ten years at a cost of about $125,000-$150,000, there was some discussion about putting the money into the Town Budget and the Committee will revisit this subject at an upcoming meeting. The track is brand new, we don’t feel we need to immediately worry about resurfacing, however, we do need to consider saving for the future cost.

6. Policy and Labor Committee, Maureen Caine, Chair

Ms. Caine: We met this evening and discussed the requirements that we establish a Wellness Policy in regards to nutrition; we are required to establish that policy because we take part in the Federal School Lunch Program. We are working on that and we will have a meeting next week, we certainly will meet our July 1 deadline.

7. Cablevision, James Marks

Mr. Marks stated there was no Report this evening.

8. PBC Representative, Rich Mazzamaro

Mr. Mazzamaro stated there was no Report this evening.

9. Education Connection Representative, Mary Dzioba

Ms. Dzioba stated there was no Report this evening.

G. Communications - Secretary

Mr. Griffin stated there was no correspondence this evening.

H. Minutes

1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 24, 2006

Motion presented by Mr.Lafferty, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro to accept the Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes of April 24, 2006.

Motion Passed

(7-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 2-Abstained)

In Favor: Ms. Colangelo, Ms. Dzioba, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Lambert, Mr. Marks and

Mr. Mazzamaro

Abstained: Ms. Calabrese and Ms. Caine

I. Superintendent's Recommendations and Report

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

a. Mr. Anthony Antonucci to the position of Systemwide Professional Development coordinator for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,902.00.

b. Ms. Sammi Brooks to the position of One to One Paraprofessional (Category #1 – One on One Sp Ed Program) at Judson School starting May 3, 2006 for 30.0 hours paid per week at an hourly rate of $11.45.

c. Mr. Leonard Bruno to the position of Social Studies Coordinator at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

d. Ms. Joanne Chenkus to the position of Foreign Language Coordinator at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

e. Mr. Thomas Hogrefe to the position of Science Coordinator at Swift Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $1,710.00.

f. Ms. Monica Kreuzer to the position of Science Coordinator at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

g. Ms. June Legge to the position of Director of Summer School for the 2006 Summer School at Watertown High School at a salary of $3,500.00.

h. Ms. Betsy Mark to the position of Systemwide K-12 Science Coordinator for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,903.00.

i. Mr. Thomas Mathews to the position of Vo-Ed 9-12 coordinator at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

j. Ms. Sally Rinaldi to the position of Systemwide Mathematics Coordinator K-12 for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,903.00.

k. Ms. Louisa Gae Smith to the position of Mathematics Coordinator at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

l. Mr. Stephen Sorriero to the position of Systemwide Physical Education Coordinator K-12 for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

m. Ms. Colleen Spieler to the position of English Coordinator at Watertown High School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

n. Mr. Vito J. Taccardi to the position of Math Coordinator at Swift Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $1,710.00.

o. Ms. Carole Weaver to the position of English Coordinator at Swift Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $1,710.00.

p. Ms. Donna Wright to the position of Systemwide Art Coordinator K-12 for the 2006-2007 school year at a contractual stipend of $2,411.00.

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

a. Ms. Barbara Mordenti from the position of Board Clerk effective May 29, 2006 for personal reasons.

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

a. Ms. Lisa Rommel from the position of Assistant Principal of Swift Middle School to Grade 6 Administrator at Heminway Park School effective July 1, 2006 at a contractual salary of $93,200.00 which is Step 4 of the Watertown Administrator’s Association’s contract.

4. Swift Middle School Construction Project Update

Mr. Todd LoFrese will present to the Board an update and timeline on the Swift Middle School construction project.

Dr. Erardi: I would like to mention before Todd speaks that I have been very impressed with the work of Kaestle-Boos and the work of O & G; they have been on time and they have been informative. It doesn’t mean that we haven’t had a few bumps in the road, with probably three to five times in the last five or six months, having to evacuate the building because of detectors and alarms but both of them really have done a nice job keeping our Administration informed and most importantly, our Director of Operations.

Mr. LoFrese: I have a brief update on the progress of the construction project and I’m going to break it into three areas; site work, the renovation process and also the new addition process.

The excavation of the site is nearly complete, they have been excavating for the new addition, for portions of the bus loop and over the course of the summer paving will begin on the new bus loop as well as repairs and replacement of the main driveway.

As far as the addition, the concrete work is currently under way with steel set to arrive in June, the steel work should commence in June and we should see some significant progress on the addition in the summer.

As far as the renovation, currently renovations are under way in the old, small Gymnasium as well as the Home Economics wing. When students return to school in the fall in 2006, they’ll be returning to the new Graphics Lab, the new Cooking room, and new Foreign Language rooms. The balance of the renovation will commence once the addition is complete which is slated to be completed next spring.

Some other items worth mentioning, as Mr. Mazzamaro mentioned, Staff and Administration are currently working on a furniture and equipment list which will be presented to the Facilities Committee and to the full Board for approval, this approval is necessary before we go to the State Schools Facility Unit for their approval.

Lastly, I’d like to inform the public that there are ongoing Swift updates as well as construction photographs on the District’s website which is www.watertownctschools.org

5. 2006-2007 Budget Update

The Superintendent will share with the Board an update on the 2006-2007 budget and the action taken in Hartford.

Dr. Erardi: I’d like to bring one thing to the Board of Education and to the public, there have bee a number of questions with the renovation of Swift Middle School about where the voters will be casting their ballots on May 23. To the best of my knowledge the answer to that question is that all residents who vote at Swift Middle School will be going to Polk Elementary School, so you’ll have all of Polk and Swift voting at Polk School.

6. Pre-school Partnership Update

The Superintendent will share with the Board an update on the partnership with the area pre-schools and the Board of Education.

Dr. Erardi: I have a handout for the Board of Education that a lot of folks have done an inordinate amount of work to make this happen. This has been an ongoing, emerging partnership with our Preschool Directors and parents. It started months ago with a meeting with our Directors and with our Staff, spearheaded by our Pupil Services Department that has the support of Kathy Scully and Laurie Meka. With the elimination of the Developmental Kindergarten program we think it absolutely essential and imperative that all of our new parents have a full understanding of the expectations as their child moves into Grade K. On Thursday, May 18 at 7:00, John Trumbull Primary School and this is the letter that you have in front of you that has been distributed to all of our Preschools in Watertown, we are hoping that parents will take advantage of the opportunity to meet the schools’ Administration and to get a better sense of the expectations and to have an informal gathering with questions that hopefully will be answered that night or in the immediate future. I’d also like to share with the Board of Education that at least one Preschool has taken a field trip to John Trumbull Primary School, four-year-olds, we had about twenty four-year-olds come through for a field trip and I thought that was kind of a neat thing. I don’t know if Board members have questions, Ms. Scully is in the audience, we are scheduled for May 18 at 7:00 and I expect it to last about forty-five minutes.

7. Education Trust Fund Update

The Superintendent will share with the Board an update on the Watertown Education Trust Fund. A public hearing has been scheduled for May 15, 2006 at 6:45 p.m. at the Watertown High School Technology center.

8. Artwork on Display

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

Charles Franz, Kindergarten, John Trumbull School

Delaney Stokes, Grade 1, John Trumbull School

Karina Mancini, Grade 2, John Trumbull School

Paula Atallah, Grade 3, Judson School

Zac Brown, Grade 4, Polk School

Victoria Ouellette, Grade 5, Polk School

Blerona Asipi, Grade 6, Heminway Park School

Elise Robison, Grade 7, Swift Middle School

Rebecca Pope, Grade 8, Swift Middle School

Elizabeth Sledz, Grade 10, Watertown High School

Andrew Miceli, Grade 11, Watertown High School

Clare Rafferty, Grade 11, Watertown High School

Thang Tran, Grade 12, Watertown High School

Dr. Erardi read all of the student’s names that are listed above and stated that he feels the artwork is exceptional.

9. Spring Student Art Exhibits

Student artwork will be on exhibit the following dates:

John Trumbull School – May 30th and 31st at 6:30 p.m.

Judson School – May 23rd at 6:00 p.m.

Polk School – May 24th at 5:00 p.m.

Heminway Park School – June 12th

Swift Middle School, March 2006, Youth Art Month Hallway Display

Watertown High School – June 1st at 6:30 p.m.

J. Report from the Chairman

Ms. Dzioba: I’d like to thank all those who came out to support the Budget at the Town Council’s meeting, it was a large crowd and the Council was gracious enough to raise our funds that they had previously cut. Now, I hope that the support continues and that everyone that was at the public meeting dos o out and vote and that there is a large voter turnout

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

a. Consideration of Approval of Medical Leaves of Absence

1. Ms. Jodie Angiolini, Special Education teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, requests a childbearing leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act, with use of accumulated sick days, effective September 25, 2006, with an anticipated return to work on January 2, 2007.

It is recommended that the Board approve of a childbearing leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act for Ms. Jodie Angiolini, Special Education teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, effective September 25, 2006 with use of accumulated sick days and an anticipated return to work on January 2, 2007 and with a medical doctor’s note to return.

Motion presented by, Mr. Mazzamaro seconded by Mr. Marks that the Board approve of a childbearing leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act for Ms. Jodie Angiolini, Special Education teacher at John Trumbull Primary School, effective September 25, 2006 with use of accumulated sick days and an anticipated return to work on January 2, 2007 and with a medical doctor’s note to return.

Motion Passed Unanimously

(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)

2. Ms. Valerie Sassu, Special Education teacher at Watertown High School, requests a medical leave of absence commencing May 9, 2006 for approximately three to four 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. Valerie Sassu, Special Education teacher at Watertown High School, commencing May 9, 2006 for approximately three to four weeks, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.

Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro that the Board approve of a medical leave of absence for Ms. Valerie Sassu, Special Education teacher at Watertown High School, commencing May 9, 2006 for approximately three to four weeks, with use of accumulated sick time and a medical doctor’s note to return.

Motion Passed Unanimously

(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)

b. Consideration of Approval of Acceptance of Gifts

1. O&G Industries wishes to donate the concrete for the track storage building, approximately 25 cubic yards, with a value of $2,500.00 to the Watertown Public Schools.

2. Alpha Concrete Company wishes to donate the forms and associated hardware for the concrete foundation for the Track Storage Building at the Mills Complex with an approximate value of $700.00.

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

Motion presented by Ms. Calabrese, seconded by Mr. Lafferty that the Board accept these generous donations and letters of thanks to be sent to the donors.

Motion Passed Unanimously

(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)

L. Future Agenda Items and Board Members’ Comments

Board members did not have any requests or comments at this time.

M. Public Participation

No one wished to address the Board at this time.

N. Executive Session/Personnel Matter

All Board members present entered Executive Session with Dr. Erardi at 8:04 p.m.

Executive Session ended at 8:32 p.m.

O. Adjournment

Motion presented by Mr. Lafferty, seconded by Mr. Mazzamaro to adjourn the Regular Board of Education Meeting of May 8, 2006.

Motion Passed Unanimously

(9-In Favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstained)

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted

Todd Griffin, Board Secretary

Barbara Mordenti, Board Clerk