Board of Education Meeting Minutes

May 6, 2008

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools; Mayor Moccia (8:35 p.m.)

OTHERS: Helene Becker; Bruce Mellion; Rose Emro; Paul Blumenthal

I. CALL TO ORDER – 7:45 P.M. – Rm. A300

Ms. Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Hamilton led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. SPOTLIGHT ON NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mr. Iannaccone read the following statement:

In honor of School Nurse Day, which is on May 7, 2008, the Norwalk School District “thanks” its nurses for the work that they do throughout the school year. School nurses are incredible people. They are experts at multi-tasking while responding to the physical and emotional needs of their students and school communities. They bring a special kind of wisdom to this job, along with dedication to working with children, a broad knowledge of health as well as insight and hope for the future.

The National Association of School Nurses has designated May 7, 2008 as School Nurse Day. This nation-wide celebration, scheduled during National Nurses’ Week, offers school communities the opportunity to recognize their own school nurses and the positive impact they have on the health and education of every student.

Also, teams from Roton Middle and Rowayton Elementary School captured the Gold Medal at the Odyssey of the Mind state competition recently. Another team from Roton Middle School won the Bronze Medal. A Brien McMahon/Roton team placed 4th. The teams from Roton Middle School and Rowayton Elementary School will have the honor of representing their schools and their city at the World competition at the University of Maryland later this month.

Odyssey of the Mind is a highly competitive academic competition that stresses creativity, divergent thinking skills and teamwork in students. Teams of seven work together to solve a long-term problem over 5 months that is presented to judges. On competition day, teams are also judged on their ability to solve an unknown problem simultaneously.

The Roton team was challenged to present a technical representation of an original theory of why the dinosaurs became extinct and the Rowayton team designed and built a vehicle that completed sports related tasks. Two teams presented humorous performances about three eccentric characters that solve a problem with one of earth’s spheres.

Congratulations to Alex Thompson. The Ponus Ridge Middle School student placed fifth in the state Geography Bee.

The Board members then presented awards to the students of Roton Middle School, gold medal team, Roton Middle School bronze medal team, and Rowayton Elementary School gold medal team.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that all the teams did well, and the competition was highly competitive. The Rowayton Elementary School consisted of mostly third graders, competing against fourth and fifth graders, which was quite an accomplishment.

IV. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Presentation on ELL Program

Dr. Corda thanked Ms. Bishop-Pullan for all of her efforts for Odyssey of the Mind, along with others who were involved.

Dr. Corda mentioned that in addition to the recognition of School Nurse Day, it is also Teacher Appreciation Week. He thanked all of the teachers who work so very hard in the Norwalk Public Schools. He said that he received a Proclamation issued from the Mayor in recognition of the work of the teachers.

Dr. Corda said the Board of Estimate approved the budget last night for the City. The status is a reduction in the budget of $1.4M. The goal is to do any refinements possible, in the least painful way possible. The Early Reading Success money ($1,037,000.00) is in jeopardy. It is used to support Reading Teachers and Literacy Specialists. He said he will keep everyone up to date regarding the latest budget news.

Ms. Helene Becker, Instructional Specialist, gave a power point presentation on English Language Learners. The presentation focused on key areas, such as Programs, Curriculum and Instruction, Policies, and Record Keeping/Data. Ms. Becker said that ESL is currently in all elementary schools, and in 2008-2009, bilingual support will be in all elementary schools. The three schools that currently have ESL and bilingual support are Ponus Ridge, Roton, and West Rocks. Nathan Hale currently has ESL and in 2008-2009, will have bilingual support. There is ESL and bilingual support at Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School. Ms. Becker outlined the major recommendations and next steps for the program.

Mayor Moccia arrived at 8:35 p.m.

Ms. Becker answered some questions from the Board members, saying that the two added staff members will make a difference towards having an effective program, as it is rapidly growing. She said that the Steering Committee, currently in the process of being formed, will consist of mainstream teachers from elementary, middle and high school, ESL teachers, parents, a Director of Education and Secondary Education, and Principals or Assistant Principals.

V. PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Bruce Mellion suggested that the Proclamation from Mayor Moccia for Teacher Appreciation Week should be emailed to all the teachers. He said that there will be a special retirement this June for a Norwalk teacher, Ms. Carol Seirup, who has taught her entire 35-year career at West Rocks. She taught home economics, science, and computers and technology. She has been involved in many roles during her teaching career.

Mr. Mellion then spoke about the process for interviews. He said he would be concerned if the Board tried to pre-determine the number of candidates and if they were internal or external. He said if there was a criteria put in place for the various committees, then everyone would be aware of what the qualifications are and there would be a sense of fairness across the Board.

Ms. Rose Emro said she has a student at Norwalk High School who is in special education, and she said it is not easy to advocate at the school for a child in special education services. She felt that parental involvement is not welcomed. She said the treatment she has received from the special education department is appalling, in addition to receiving the same kind of treatment from the Central Office. She thanked the Board for their time, and offered any Board member to call her for more information.

Mr. Paul Blumenthal, a Norwalk resident with two children in the school system, spoke about Dr. Corda’s message regarding budget constraints. He said that the budget announcement underscores the need for some fallback position to establish so that financial times don’t indicate how their level of services will be provided to the students.

Mr. Blumenthal thanked the Board members for their commitment to education. He then mentioned the Cambridge Report, and mentioned that he heard it will take a long time for the district to turn around. He said he was looking to the Board to do what they think is necessary to help the administration achieve it’s long term goal without sacrificing the immediate attention to the problems.

VI. ACTIONS

A. Consent

1. Personnel actions

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ACTIONS.

** MS. MURRAY SECONDED.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan mentioned that Mr. Opdahl’s last day of work was Friday. She mentioned how much he had accomplished, and on behalf of the board, she appreciated his efforts.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Budget Transfers

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET TRANSFERS.

** MR. BURNETT SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Approval of field trips

1. Norwalk High School to Galapagos Islands

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET TRANSFERS.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

Some discussion took place regarding this trip, and the Marine Biology Teacher answered some questions for the Board members. There was an eligibility concern, financial concerns, and safety concerns. The trip is open to juniors and seniors in general science and biology. A trip of this size has not been offered to the science classes in 5 years. The group will visit the Darwin Institute. The teacher pointed out the information that was provided that indicated the strict regulations the group had to follow in order to just reserve the trip. They will have one bi-lingual guide with them for the entire trip, as well as another guide when they reach another point in the trip. Currently, there are no travel concerns to the U.S. Government regarding Ecuador. Most of the area is remote, but the group will be staying on Santa Cruz Island, which is heavily populated.

** MOTION PASSED WITH EIGHT VOTES IN FAVOR (CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN, IANNACCONE, MURRAY, HAMILTON, BURNETT, RIVAS, MOSBY) AND ONE VOTE OPPOSED (KIMMEL).

D. Approve request for extended sick time

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR EXTENDED SICK TIME.

** MS. MURRAY SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approve policy #6146 – Graduation Requirements

** MS. MURRAY MOVED TO APPROVE POLICY #6146-GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. Approve number of candidates to be interviewed by the Board of Education members for the position of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction (3 candidates)

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION (3 CANDIDATES).

** MR. BURNETT SECONDED. Mr. Kimmel said he would vote on this, but said he would not be in favor of putting restrictions on any of the committees that would indicate 2 internal, or 2 external, etc. He wanted to have faith in the committees, and he liked Dr. Corda’s suggestion of the spirit of their process and being conscious of the needs of the employees in the school system to move up the ladder.

Mr. Chiaramonte said he is not in favor of this option.

Mr. Burnett said he is in favor of this option, but asked why the word “competitive” is not mentioned in the paperwork regarding the candidates. He asked to clarify it to read “3 competitive candidates” in the motion.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO AMEND THE PREVIOUS MOTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THREE COMPETITIVE CANDIDATES TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION (3 CANDIDATES).

** MR. BURNETT SECONDED.

Mr. Iannaccone said he would not vote in favor of this.

Dr. Corda said that the committee interviewed the candidates. The consultant vetted the candidates and submitted a slate.

** MOTION TO AMEND FAILED WITH THREE VOTES IN FAVOR (KIMMEL, HAMILTON, BURNETT) AND SIX VOTES OPPOSED (CHIARAMONTE, IANNACCONE, BISHOP-PULLAN, RIVAS, MOSBY, MURRAY).

** ORIGINAL MOTION FAILED WITH THREE VOTES IN FAVOR (BURNETT, KIMMEL, HAMILTON) AND SIX VOTES OPPOSED (CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN, IANNACCONE, MURRAY, RIVAS, MOSBY).

G. Approve number of candidates to be interviewed by the Board of Education members for the position of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction (2 internal/2 external candidates)

** MR. CHIARAMONTE MOVED TO APPROVE THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION (2 INTERNAL/2 EXTERNAL CANDIDATES)

** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

Mr. Burnett asked what would happen if there are not two internal and/or two external candidates. Some discussion followed, and a suggestion was made to amend the motion to add “if applicable”.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO AMEND THE PREVIOUS MOTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION (2 INTERNAL/2 EXTERNAL CANDIDATES) “IF APPLICABLE”

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED WITH SEVEN VOTES IN FAVOR (CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN, IANNACCONE, MURRAY, RIVAS, MOSBY) AND TWO VOTES OPPOSED (KIMMEL, HAMILTON, BURNETT).

** ORIGINAL MOTION PASSED AS AMENDED WITH SIX VOTES IN FAVOR (CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN, IANNACCONE, MURRAY, RIVAS, MOSBY) AND THREE VOTES OPPOSED (KIMMEL, HAMILTON, BURNETT).

Dr. Corda and the Board members had a discussion regarding the interview process in order to clarify the steps involved and how the committee(s) were selected.

H. Approve number of candidates to be interviewed by the Board of Education members for the position of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction (2 internal/3 external candidates)

This was not discussed.

VII. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Hot Line

Ms. Mosby discussed the possibility of having one central person be in place to answer calls from the community regarding schools, education, etc. Dr. Corda confirmed with Ms. McReady that a hotline is in place, and that she gets many general calls from the community. The hotline number is on the website. Dr. Corda suggested clarifying on the website the purpose of the hotline.

B. Videotaping of Board Meetings

After some discussion among the Board members, it was decided not to go forward with this at this time.

C. Board members’ announcements

There were no Board members’ announcements.

VIII. DISCUSSION OF UPCOMING NEGOTIATIONS DISCUSSION OF EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFIT - NFT EMPLOYEE DISCUSSION OF SEVERANCE BENEFIT – NASA EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION NEGOTIATION – SUMMER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR (Executive Session Anticipated)

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS UPCOMING NEGOTIATIONS, EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFIT FOR NFT EMPLOYEE, SEVERANCE BENEFIT FOR NASA EMPLOYEE, AND COMPENSATION NEGOTIATION FOR SUMMER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR.

** MS. MURRAY SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board entered into Executive Session at 10:35 p.m.

X. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Marr Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes