Board of Education Meeting Minutes

August 19, 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

OTHERS: Esther Bobowick, CES; Tony Daddona; Dr. Cook; Troy Calhoun; Bruce Mellion

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

Ms. Hamilton called the meeting to order at 8:25 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

III. DISCUSSION WITH BOARD COUNSEL REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (EXECUTIVE SESSION ANTICIPATED)

** MS. MOSBY MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION.

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:26 p.m. to discuss pending litigation.

The Board reconvened from Executive Session and resumed public session at 9:05 p.m.

IV. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT District Improvement Plan

Dr. Corda introduced Ms. Esther Bobowick, from CES, who has worked closely with Dr. Corda and Mr. Daddona on the District Improvement Plan.

He explained that the District Improvement Plan focuses on three elements - goals related to achievement, the implementation process, and the process for accountability. It is a multi-year plan. The goals are literacy, numeracy, and linkage between the District and parents and the community.

Dr. Corda said that the School Growth Plan will vary from building to building regarding objectives within the three areas of literacy, numeracy, and linkage between the District and parents. He explained that there are now certain non-negotiable expectations that must be met with a greater sense of urgency.

He said that they will develop a high level of competency in the following areas: identifying power standards, unwrapping standards, using data teams, using research based teaching strategies; differentiating instruction, collaborative teacher work, creating and using formative assessments, developing District benchmarks, and engaging parents in routine ways in the life of our District and schools to support student achievement. This will be the work of all schools, by grade level and departments, and all of central office.

Dr. Corda said that the overall goal is in the areas of literacy and numeracy, that the particular objectives within the overall goal will change from year to year based on student performance and the analysis of data.

Ms. Bobowick said the most important person in this effort is the school principal, who will then relate back to each of the grade level teams.

Ms. Mosby asked if the Curriculum Committee could receive monthly updates. Dr. Corda said that updates could be provided at the monthly Curriculum Committee meetings, as well as at the Board meetings.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked what “unwrapping the standards” meant. Ms. Bobowick responded, saying that it meant that the work has to be done in the amount of time given. The standards have to be prioritized for graduates, and for the other classes to move to the next grade level, in the 4 core curriculum areas. The more understandable term is priority standards.

Dr. Corda concluded by saying that the overall responsibility for the implementation of the District Improvement Plans rests with the Superintendent of Schools and is coordinated throught eh Asst. Supt for Curriculum and Instruction. The work is supported by consultants from CES and the State Education Department. Implementation of the plan is monitored by the Board of Education and the State Education Department.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please note that these public comments are not verbatim.

Troy Calhoun introduced himself as the new Director of a school program at the “Y” in Norwalk, and he said he looked forward to working with the Board of Education.

Bruce Mellion made a comment as a follow-up to the Superintendent’s presentation, that the word teacher is absent from the document and the presentation, except for one line. He provided copies of three different articles for the Board members, from the Connecticut Post, that addressed “No bid” teacher training, a system to track down out-of-district students, and parents and coaches to be more aware of the dangers of concussions.

VI. ACTIONS

A. Consent

1. Approval of personnel actions

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO ADD THE ITEM REGARDING THE SILVERMINE PRINCIPAL TO CONSENT/PERSONNEL ACTIONS.

** MR. CHIARAMONTE SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED WITH EIGHT (8) VOTES IN FAVOR (CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN, KIMMEL, IANNACCONE, MURRAY, HAMILTON, BURNETT, MOSBY) AND ONE (1) VOTE ABSTAINED (RIVAS).

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

** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED WITH EIGHT (8) VOTES IN FAVOR (CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN, KIMMEL, IANNACCONE, MURRAY, HAMILTON, BURNETT, MOSBY) AND ONE (1) VOTE ABSTAINED (RIVAS).

B. Approval of minutes (August 5, 2008)

Minutes of August 5, 2008

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 5, 2008.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

The corrections to the minutes of August 5, 2008 are:

Mr. Kimmel said that he would like to see more detailed minutes when the board members discuss a certain topic at length. Ms. Rivas mentioned that she would also like to see more details as well as a summary of what the minutes consisted of.

** MOTION PASSED WITH SIX (6) VOTES IN FAVOR (CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN, IANNACCONE, MURRAY, HAMILTON, BURNETT) AND THREE (3) VOTES ABSTAINED (KIMMEL, RIVAS, MOSBY).

C. Approval of use of Nathan Hale Middle School by ACHIEVE for daily afterschool program

** MR. BURNETT MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF NATHAN HALE MIDDLE SCHOOL BY ACHIEVE FOR DAILY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Approval of use of Ponus Ridge and West Rocks Middle Schools by the YMCA for daily afterschool program

** MR. BURNETT MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF PONUS RIDGE AND WEST ROCKS MIDDLE SCHOOLS BY THE YMCA FOR DAILY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.

** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approval of policy #5125 – Student Records policy

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE POLICY #5125 – STUDENT RECORDS.

** MS. MOSBY SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VII. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Board member announcements

Ms. Hamilton said that she will send out a calendar outlining some upcoming events.

Ms. Murray requested a report for time and attendance that drives the payroll. Dr. Corda said he believed that the professional staff is paid every two weeks, and the secretarial staff is paid on a weekly basis; he said he will confirm this for her. She would like to see a report given to the Board that tracks accountability of employees on the 3rd floor, and time in and out of the building, whether it’s a timeclock or a finger press, etc., as well as the reason for leaving early, i.e. sickness, etc.

Mr. Kimmel mentioned that they want the Central Office staff to be in the schools, and asked if there is a procedure for them to sign in and out. Mr. Daddona explained that they will be requiring the Curriculum Department and Instructional Specialists to fill out a calendar on a day-by-day basis.

Ms. Murray wanted to clarify that her request is not the same as Mr. Kimmel’s. She confirmed that her request is for sick time, vacation time, time out of the office, etc. and a printout report from payroll that would reflect this.

Mr. Daddona said that there is a sign-in sheet at each school for monitoring purposes.

Ms. Rivas said that she would like to include in her request tracking and attendance for Central Office staffing, including administrators, supervisors and managers per department. She asked if Administrators sign in, and who receives their attendance record. Dr. Corda said that he receives the absence card if Mr. Daddona is absent, and the reason why. The Directors report to the Assistant Superintendent. The reporting is consistent for everyone. He said that if a Principal is out, the call goes to the Assistant Superintendent.

B. Board member request for reports

1. consultant services, explanation of service, dates, location and purpose of service, cost

Ms. Hamilton asked Ms. Rivas, as it was her request, to either explain more of what she was requesting, or have it moved to an action item for a vote. She said that Dr. Corda explained to her that requests for reports have to come from the board as a whole. Members.

Ms. Mosby clarified that it was her request.

Ms. Rivas said that even though the minutes had been approved from the last meeting, what she had requested of Ms. Hamilton, as Board Chair, an explanation of the process in which she could attain information that she needed. She said she re-phrased the request to say that she wanted to see the different types of consultant services per school, and why that particular item was needed and requested. She said that as a new board member, she was unsure of the procedure and asked for guidance on how to request a report, and how to get the other board members to request what she wanted. She said she also stated that her reasoning for wanting a particular request may not be the same concerns, and that is why they have a diverse board representing different areas of Norwalk, even though they represent everyone as a whole. She said she didn’t understand why her request took so long. She originally requested it on July 3rd, and it is now August 19. She said for the record that she didn’t understand why Karen Lang, the former Superintendent, was used for consulting services after June 30, before her retirement. She said the Superintendent responded to her that she basically had no authority as an individual board member to ask such a request. She felt it could have been run by the board to determine the feasibility of the request. Now it is being asked of her to clarify her request again, and she still didn’t receive any information on how to go about requesting it, nor did she receive any report. She felt that she had a right to request the report, but now the other board members have to be made aware of it, and they might vote against it if they don’t need the report.

Ms. Hamilton said that they operate as a board, and they follow procedure going from Information and Reports to Actions.

Ms. Rivas said that she followed procedure in requesting the report, and she said that her request should have been under Actions, not under Information and Reports, Board member requests.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO BRING A REQUEST FOR A REPORT ON CONSULTANT SERVICES, EXPLANATION OF SERVICE, DATES, LOCATION AND PURPOSE OF SERVICE, COST TO AN ACTION ITEM.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. MOSBY MOVED TO GET A REPORT ON CONSULTANT SERVICES, EXPLANATION OF SERVICE, DATES, LOCATION AND PURPOSE OF SERVICE, COST, SINCE JULY 2008, GIVEN TO THE ENTIRE BOARD; MS. RIVAS MOVED TO GET A REPORT ON CONSULTANT SERVICES, EXPLANATION OF SERVICE, DATES, LOCATION AND PURPOSE OF SERVICE, COST, FOR THE 2007/08 SCHOOL YEAR UP UNTIL JULY 2008, GIVEN TO THE ENTIRE BOARD

** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED.

Dr. Corda said this report would not be a printout. They would have to identify the vendors who performed consulting services and identify the dates, location, and for what purpose. He clarified that Ms. Mosby’s request is the same as Ms. Rivas’s. He said a report of this nature would take some time to prepare. Ms. Mosby clarified that they would also have to identify costs.

Ms. Mosby said that her request was generated at the last meeting when they discussed budget shortfalls, teacher shortage, etc. She said her request is for how much money was spent on consultants, and for what reason. She said that they need to get assistance in areas that are lacking personnel.

Ms. Mosby clarified for Dr. Corda that she wants to see how much of the budget allocation has been used for consultants since July 1, 2008 and for what reason, and she wants to see how much is left over to determine what they are going to do with it.

Ms. Rivas said that she wants her report to start with the Central Office for the school year 2007-2008.

Ms. Murray asked why they were doing a manual report vs. an electronic report. Dr. Cook explained that they first look at the 300 codes, Professional and Technical Services, then they trace the contract dates from the pay records from when the consultant started.

Ms. Murray wanted to make sure that it was a level playing field for all requests, that it doesn’t become a situation of doing for one but not doing for another.

Dr. Corda asked for clarification on Ms. Mosby’s request and Ms. Rivas’s request. He asked for the timeframe of the request, if they were expanding Ms. Mosby’s request for all of the 2007/08 school year and this school year up until this point. And is Central Office the start point exclusively, and then the Board will decide to go to the schools, or is it Central Office and all of the schools.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that Ms. Mosby’s request would be handled more quickly, and Ms. Rivas’s request was more comprehensive. She said they could get an understanding of what’s happening in the district from the consultant information, as well as be able to use the information for future planning purposes.

Mr. Kimmel said that code reports can be hard to read and it’s difficult to get a grasp on the money spent. He would like to see a detailed printout to see how the budget works. He said he also wanted to see the size of the expenditures, and he would like to see a threshold for when it has to come before the board.

Ms. Rivas agreed with Mr. Kimmel, and said that the State Board of Education assigns the budget codes.

Ms. Mosby said that she would like her report, since July 2008, quickly and the comprehensive report, from 2007-2008 through July, when it is available.

2. list of achievement programs by schools with subgroups

Ms. Hamilton said the board needs to put this to an action item to vote on it.

Ms. Murray questioned why they were doing this. She asked if the procedure would continue like this at every meeting. Ms. Bishop-Pullan explained that they ask for these requests during board member announcements or in the Friday report. There is a mechanism in place to get reports. Ms. Murray said that when a board member goes to a staff person to request a report, then the entire board received the report. She said that how they did things tonight was not wise.

Ms. Rivas explained that this request came about because her request for available programs at different schools at the last board meeting went unanswered. She said that Nathan Hale Middle School had a pilot program with only 10 slots available that went to that school. She said it was an excellent program. She also wanted to know why the other middle school principals didn’t participate. She said they need to have consistency and have the children benefit from the programs offered.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO BRING A REQUEST FOR A LIST OF ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAMS BY SCHOOLS WITH SUBGROUPS TO AN ACTION ITEM.

** MS. MOSBY SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO GET A REPORT OF ALL PROGRAMS OFFERED IN EACH ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL BY SCHOOL BY SUBGROUP AND PARTICIPATION.

** MS. MOSBY SECONDED.

Mr. Kimmel asked what type of programs Ms. Rivas referred to. Dr. Corda asked for clarification. Ms. Rivas said she was looking at programs like UPals that was offered from Stamford that had 10 slots, or programs that are offered on a scholarship basis. She also said that she is looking at programs that are unique to a particular school, and programs that foster achievement in all areas of social skills or academically. Dr. Corda said that West Rocks offered a program where the three administrators took 10 students under their wing. He confirmed with Ms. Rivas that this was a program she could be looking for.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Discussion of circumstances concerning the discussion of the draft report of RSM McGladry with the consultant and Chair of Budget Advisory Committee and Superintendent as related to alleged Board By-law violations.

Ms. Hamilton explained that she received Ms. Rivas’s concerns via email, and she sent copies to the Executive Committee. She said she also wanted to get legal clarification in order to have a discussion about Ms. Rivas’s request.

Mr. Burnett said that his request for legal clarification in terms of further action was related to integrity, and he said he made it clear in the minutes that if that type of discussion, maybe it should be continued in a legal setting. Ms. Hamilton said they can either go forward with this discussion or request Executive Session, as it involves a single individual. She said she is in the process of getting legal counsel. Mr. Burnett said he didn’t understand how it could be considered to go forward when a formal letter was sent out about him with allegations about him and he didn’t see it. He asked what happened to due process.

Mr. Iannaccone confirmed that the letter he was referring to was an email, and it’s contents reiterated what was said at the meeting. It was clarified that it was a direct quote from Robert’s Rules of Orders and a direct identification of the by-laws which Ms. Rivas alleges in the email that he violated. Mr. Burnett said that he has not seen that particular email.

Ms. Hamilton said that she agrees with Mr. Iannaccone’s suggestion that they table the discussion.

Ms. Rivas said the email she sent to the Executive Board was the same information as in the minutes regarding possible by-law violations. She further read from the minutes and said as stated on page 7, “Ms. Rivas asked the Chair to take action upon the appointed Chair for these violations of the by-laws.” She said she used the Robert’s Rules of Order to allow her to present what she believed was in violation, and she wanted to do it accordingly. She was not using the Robert’s Rules of Order to quote the Robert’s Rules of Order by-laws. She said the by-laws and policies are what govern our principals and how the district is run. She said she had stated that she wanted some type of action to have taken place.

Ms. Hamilton said she, as Board Chairman, can’t take an action against another board member. Ms. Rivas said that if they are not following their own policies, how can they expect the school district to abide by their policies when they have to enforce them at the school level. She read some information from the Code of Ethics.

Mr. Burnett said they have one board member that is not trained or certified and who is making an allegation and an interpretation without giving him an opportunity to understand what the allegations are. He said he made it clear at the last board meeting that the only thing they was done incorrectly was that they reviewed the draft of the audit report. He said that no single item in the report was changed, there was no advantage or profit gained by anyone, and that was in his opinion proper procedure based on his personal training. That was brought to his attention that this was incorrect. He said Mr. O’Neill asked him if he wanted to review the final report, and Mr. Burnett’s response was no, that he would review it when the entire board reviews it. He said he didn’t understand the allegations of violations, because there was nothing changed in the report. He didn’t think it was fair.

Mr. Kimmel said that many board members over the years have made mistakes and have had differences of opinion. He said in the future the reports need to be done differently by coming to the entire board. He said he didn’t understand why they have to pursue this. A mistake was made, but they need to move on and he would like to look at it as a growing experience and put it behind them. He said there is no point in continuing to discuss this particular topic, especially since he felt that it didn’t have any material affect on the report itself. He said it was not a question of integrity, but of procedure. He said he didn’t want to find themselves in this situation again. Policies are violated sometimes, but if it is a constant, repetitive occurrence, then they would have to address it.

Ms. Rivas said it was stated that it was brought to his attention and everyone realized it was the wrong thing to do. She said the issue was not the report. The issue and the violation was in the procedure in which it was conducted. She said she does not have to be a legal attorney; she sits on the policy committee and reviews the policy(s) that the Board adopts. She said it is her right as an official and as a taxpayer to bring it to people’s attention. An apology to the committee or to the board would have sufficed. She takes the by-laws and policies seriously. She said she will continue to put the item on the agenda until she gets an answer or an explanation.

Ms. Mosby said this is a clear example of how each board member should consider how other people feel and consider what they say before saying it. She said there is now hurt feelings and anger which compromise things. Everyone has an expertise in something, so no one should say that other people lack expertise. People should also admit when they are wrong or when they made a mistake.

Mr. Iannaccone agreed with Mr. Kimmel, saying that Mr. Burnett admitted he made a mistake, and he knew he wouldn’t let it happen again. He said they have to move on as a Board.

Ms. Murray said that a fresh start will come in about three months when they reach the home stretch, and time is on their side. She said they need to have practices in place so they can operate consistently.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said it was a good reminder from Ms. Rivas for the board members to review the by-laws and Robert’s Rules of Order.

Mr. Burnett said he isn’t an expert on the by-laws, that he doesn’t read them regularly. The Budget Committee didn’t meet on any regular basis prior to November, when he became the Chair. He said he used his outside experience to the table when they work on and get involved in different situations. That is all they have to rely on, as they don’t go through an extensive board member training practice to receive all the information they need to go forward. He said he now knows that an improper procedure was used in reviewing the report without the full board, and this could possibly be the first time the board used a consultant, so everyone learned at the same time. He said he felt it was unfair to be accused. It could have been a simple discussion point of this not being done correctly and how to fix it. He said they would all make mistakes and they are all learning. He said that if every time a mistake was made and people accuse others of violating by-laws, etc, then nothing would get done on the board. Everyone would be gun-shy.

Ms. Mosby said she agreed that everyone does make mistakes, but people should apologize.

Mr. Burnett said he should have been notified before they went in front of the public and the board that there was a concern about his actions. He said they could have had the discussion in private. He said that his first knowledge of the problem was when he read it on the agenda.

Ms. Mosby said prior to that, the disappointment was made known.

Mr. Burnett said the disappointment was made during the Budget Committee meeting, but no one referenced violations of by-laws and then had it put on the agenda.

Ms. Mosby said people tried to voice their concerns, but at the Budget Committee meetings Mr. Burnett doesn’t let people talk.

Mr. Burnett mentioned to Ms. Hamilton that more accusations were being made.

Mr. Kimmel called for procedure, saying that he had the floor. He said the dialogue is not appropriate.

ADJOURNMENT

** MS. MURRAY MOVED TO ADJOURN.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Marr Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes