Board of Education Meeting Minutes

April 22, 2008

ATTENDANCE: Susan Hamilton, Chair; Rose Murray, Vice Chair; Glenn Iannaccone, Jody Bishop-Pullan, Bruce Kimmel, Shirley Mosby, Greg Burnett, Jack Chiaramonte

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

OTHERS: Ms. Turner, Dr. Vincenzi

I. Call to Order – 7:45 P.M. Rowayton Elementary School

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Spotlight on Norwalk Public Schools

IV. Superintendent’s Report

V. Public Comments

VI. Actions

A. Consent

1. Personnel actions

B. Budget transfers

C. Approval of field trips

1. West Rocks Middle School to China June 30 – July 11, 2008

D. Approve Healthy Foods and Beverages in Schools

E. Approve exception to Sections 2 and 3 of Public Act 06-03, an Act Concerning Healthy Foods and Beverages in Schools

F. Approve policy #5131.6 Students – Tobacco

G. Approve policy #4118.231 Personnel – Smoking, Drinking, Use of Drugs on School Premises

H. Approve the use of Columbus School by NEON/South Norwalk Community Center for summer day camp

I. Approve utilization of available unallocated funds for Norwalk High School

VII. Information and Reports

A. Policy 6146 Graduation Requirements

B. Elementary After School program for 2008/2009

C. Board interviews for Cabinet positions

D. Board/Parent Forums

E. Hot Line

F. Process for ASI Search

G. Videotaping of Board Meetings

H. Board members’ announcements

VIII. Hear CT Health Care Associates Employee Grievance

Ms. Turner spoke about Dr. Vincenzi attending a workshop and stated that in terms of her role of that of a school nurse, it was not critical for her to attend this particular workshop. It was her choice as to whether she would attend the workshop. Ms. Turner said that there were two other offerings that were relevant, which is why the District supported her attendance there for the day, but the speaker did not feel that overnight was necessary.

Mr. Burnett asked about the use of the letter. Ms. Turner replied that Dr. Vincenzi was not the first employee where a letter of clarification had been issued. Mr. Burnett then asked if approval had been given to other employees to attend similar conferences. The speaker replied that the overnight conferences were usually directly related to school nursing, such as the National Association of School Nurses Conference or the New England School Nurse Conference. Mr. Burnett then asked if this was due to location. The speaker explained that the National Association of School Nurses Conference was located in a different part of the country each year.

Mr. Chiaramonte then said that as a parent he felt more comfortable knowing that there was a school nurse on site in the event of a cardiac problem. He then said regarding the reimbursement, he felt that it was an honest mistake on the part of the employee involved. Ms. Turner said that there was a contract that needs to be followed and the issue was reading and following the contract. A brief discussion then followed about the issue of adhering to the process followed.

Mr. Iannaccone asked for clarification about the forty dollars. He was told that the sum had nothing to with the issue at hand. Dr. Corda said that the issue was whether or not the language of the contract was violated. The grievance is based on the Dr. Vincenzi’s assertion that the letter of clarification that was placed in her file was a reprimand because she had filed grievances. The issue of whether the forty dollars was paid or not is irrelevant to the case. Dr. Corda then reminded everyone that the contract stated that “No reprisals of any kind shall be taken by either party against any participant in the grievance procedure by reason of such participating. Dr. Vincenzi did not allege that the letter of clarification was related to a grievance. There is no reprisal associated with that letter. Dr. Corda explained that the case centered around whether the letter, which Mrs. Turner claims was a letter of clarification, but Dr. Vincenzi views as a letter of reprimand, is actually a reprisal for participating in a grievance. Dr. Corda then went on to explain the details of this.

Ms. Mosby then asked if anyone had a copy of the letter that the Board could read in order to determine whether the language was a reprimand or not. Dr. Corda then asked Mrs. Turner when she wrote the letter, if it was proximate to any grievance that Dr. Vincenzi had filed. Ms. Turner replied that it was not. Dr. Corda then asked if there was any discussion about the letter with Dr. Vincenzi in any connect to any grievance that had been filed. Ms. Turner answered no.

Ms. Turner then read the letter dated December 16, 2005, which was titled “Request for Reimbursement for Professional Meeting” to the Board members. Discussion then followed about the details of the letters and Dr. Vincenzi’s evaluation. Dr. Vincenzi asked when she would be allowed to speak. Dr. Corda said that she had already had her opportunity. Dr. Vincenzi replied that addition items had been brought forward and that this did not seem fair. Dr. Corda said that if the Board had additional questions, they could ask Dr. Vincenzi.

When asked by a Board member, Dr. Vincenzi then reviewed her history and commented that she had been nationally certified as a school nurse and this did not appear on her evaluation. She added that she had secured two NEF grants for $2,000 each and this was also not included in her evaluation. Dr. Vincenzi said she had been given an award at the Washington, D.C. Conference, which was not included in her evaluation, along with many other clerical things that were omitted. She said that many nit picking things had been done to her because of the grievances, and this caused her to become active in the union.

Dr. Corda then asked Dr. Vincenzi if she could establish a connection between a grievance that she was involved in and the issuance of the letter. Dr. Vincenzi replied that she felt because she was taking part in grievances procedures, particularly the first grievance, reprisals had been taken against her. She said that she did not realize that there were reprisals in the beginning but a pattern started to emerge. She said she felt the letter was put in her file because she was willing to speak up to the Board. She commented that when things are followed to the letter of the law, justice does not happen.

Mr. Burnett asked Dr. Vincenzi for clarification about when she began to interpret the letters as reprisals. Dr. Vincenzi said that she thought it was poor judgment. Mr. Burnett then asked Dr. Vincenzi if she had pointed out to her supervisor the fact that there were items missing from her evaluation. Dr. Vincenzi replied that she had not shared this with her supervisor because she felt it would be to no purpose.

Mr. Kimmel then had several questions about Dr. Vincenzi’s request to be granted professional face and clarification on the procedure.

Mr. Chiaramonte then asked for clarification of the review process. Ms. Turner gave an overview of this.

Ms. Mosby then asked when the evaluation was given. Ms. Turner replied that she did them every two years. Dr. Corda said the date on the document was Februrary 13, 2007.

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE A REQUEST FOR EXTENDED SICK LEAVE FOR NPS TEACHER AND TO DISCUSS THE CT HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES GRIEVANCE. ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IX. Request for Extended Sick Leave for NPS teacher Discussion of CT Health Care Associates Grievance (Executive Session anticipated)

X. Action re: CT Health Care Associates Grievance

XI. Adjournment

Category: Minutes