Board of Education Meeting Minutes

December 16, 2008

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools; Sheri McCready; Dr. Dan Cook

OTHERS: Sue DeLong; Marge Costa; Betty Karkut, Executive Director Human Services Council;

I. CALL TO ORDER – 7:45 P.M. – A-300

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

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

III. SPOTLIGHT ON NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mr. Chiaramonte read the following information for the Spotlight on Norwalk Public Schools: The following students were named students of the National Merit Scholarship program. At BMHS, Zachary Gerweck, Lennifer Kiu, and Hilary Livingston; at NHS Elizabeth McLean, Marshall Weiss, and Malik Miller.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary AT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test PSAT/NMSQT – a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year – and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

IV. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda said that it will be a very difficult budget year. He explained that there are some realities that the Board and the community need to understand with respect to things that they have to put in the budget. He said they’ve heard from the parents and staff at the Rowayton School regarding the building capacity and accommodating the number of students there. There are funds in the budget to lease two portables for that school. He said they’ve heard about the need to increase the staff at Nathan Hale Middle School, and the enrollment supports the need to add an additional team. There is staffing necessary in order to provide the requisite service for our English Language Learners. He said discussions continue with building principals to try to conserve the number of staff they need. Given what it is they need to add, the opportunity for them to be able to present the budget that is respectful of the difficult financial times is going to be very severe. All positions have been looked at. The goal, to every extent possible, is to avoid having to reduce the program. The intent is to present the budget to the Board of Education on Friday, 12/19/08.

Dr. Corda said the principle costs associated with the budget lie in personnel. About 80% of the budget is salaries and fringe costs. The only way to begin to make a dent in reducing costs is to look at personnel.

Dr. Corda concluded the Superintendent’s Report, hoping that everyone enjoys the holiday season.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please note that these public comments are not verbatim.

Ms. Sue DeLong, 17 Roosevelt Street, said she is a teacher at West Rocks School. For the past several years, the Norwalk Federation of Teachers has requested employees attendance profiles. In the past, teachers received a computer printout which included personal and sick days. In September of 2007, the employees’ pay stub included personal and sick time data. The data on the stubs were incorrect, and staff members were never notified by Central Office of the error. Recently, MUNIS has made errors on employees’ paychecks, shorting them several hundred dollars on each of the past two paychecks. In addition to the base salary errors this past Friday, department heads, team leaders, subject area leaders and athletic directors did not receive their stipends. Again, there was no communication with Central Office. Each time the employees contacted Central Office, they were told the adjustments would be made in the next paycheck. The next check did not only include incorrect salaries, but also additional errors. She said they respectfully request attention to the matter be addressed and communication with all staff members via e-mail take place.

Ms. Marge Costa, Co-President of Parents for Norwalk High School, said it is the umbrella group that represents the families of all Norwalk High School students. At the November 10, 2008 PTO meeting, their Principal, Mr. Lenny Mecca, proposed a change to the current 8th period rotating schedule that had been in place at NHS for the past three years in order to accommodate a Child Development 2 class that needed to be offered. There are over 1500 students at NHS, and the Child Development 2 class would attract approximately 48 students. The announcement met with teacher, parent and student displeasure. Since that meeting, the Board of Ed and Central Office (she specifically thanked Mr. Daddona) made a concerted effort to work with Mr. Mecca to find a solution to the situation. At the December 8th PTO meeting, Mr. Mecca said that a resolution had been agreed to, and the rotating schedule would be maintained for the 2009-2010 school year. Parents for Norwalk High School wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the Board of Ed and Central Office for all of their efforts in standing by the parents and students at Norwalk High School. It was great to have their support to keep something in place that everyone worked hard to create 3 years ago. Mr. Mecca, at the December 8th meeting, said he couldn’t commit that the 8th grade rotating schedule would stay in place in the years to come. Ms. Costa wished to go on record to strongly urge the Board of Ed to take any and all action necessary to retain the existing 8th period rotating schedule in subsequent years even if problems arise with the new scheduling plan being put in place next year. She said she was confident that all parties involved will rally again should they have any conflict that would compel administration to drop the 8th period rotating schedule.

VI. ACTIONS

A. Consent

1. Approval of personnel actions

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE PERSONNEL ACTIONS.

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Approval of minutes (December 2, 2008)

Minutes of December 2, 2008

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 2, 2008.

** MR. CHIARAMONTE SECONDED.

The corrections to the minutes of December 2, 2008 are:

Under ATTENDANCE, Ms. Susan Hamilton’s name was left out.

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

C. Approval of Field Trip (s)

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE FIELD TRIP FOR PONUS RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO GO TO NATURE’S CLASSROOM IN SILVER BAY, NY.

** MR. CHIARAMONTE SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Approval of ING 403(b) Plan for NPS

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE ING 403(b) PLAN FOR NPS.

** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approval of budget transfers

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

** MR. CHIARAMONTE SECONDED.

Mr. Kimmel thanked Dr. Dan Cook for his prompt response to his questions.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. Approval of policy #5131.91 Bullying

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE POLICY #5131.91 BULLYING.

** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said this came to the Board at the last meeting in Information and Reports, and it was a result of much work by the Policy Committee. There were changes in the law. She said they received more input from Mr. Mellion. They added the word “written” after verbal in Item #2.

Mr. Kimmel said he thought it was an excellent change in the policy, and he was pleased with the way they addressed the activities that occur off school grounds after school hours.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

G. Approval of bylaws

1. #9320 Meetings

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE BYLAWS - #9320 MEETINGS.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said the change in the law states that agendas must be posted on the district website. In each school, posting the agenda in or near the school office was an addition to the bylaws.

Mr. Kimmel thought this was an excellent change in the bylaws. He suggested they begin to look at different ways to get information out about Committee Meetings. He said business conducted at the Committee Meetings has to be posted with the notice that the meeting has taken place.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. #9326 Minutes/Taping/Broadcasting

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE BYLAWS - #9326 MINUTES/TAPING/BROADCASTING.

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said the minutes must be posted on the District’s website.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VII. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Transfer of school heating assistance funds to the city

Mr. Kimmel said that the District recently received $126,485 from the School Heating Assistance program. He said they were under pressure to find savings to alleviate a budget deficit. It was suggested that it become an act of good will to leave the funds with the City.

Dr. Cook said he thought they should have enough to get through the winter.

Mr. Burnett asked Dr. Cook if the funds received were specifically earmarked to be used for Heating Assistance. Dr. Cook said that he spoke with the Superintendent to review how they would go about doing the turnover. He planned to meet with Mr. Hamilton to review it. Mr. Burnett said his concern is the way it’s being presented and shared with the community, that they are taking money specifically earmarked for heating assistance and just giving it to the City. Dr. Cook said he didn’t want to have any discussion with the City until the Board gave direction.

Dr. Corda said there are accounting issues that they have to look into. Even though the funds would be put in the account of the City’s Treasurer, it then has to go to the school district. A fund balance would be created in fuel, assuming they don’t exceed the fuel allocation. If that is the case, that would it move to the overall fund balance at the end of the year, and when is the process where the transfer actually takes place. Does it go to the City as unused fund balance at the end of the school year? These are accounting questions. The Board first has to agree to this, and then the timing would be worked out and the resolution would be formed. Dr. Corda said that the direction they take will be consistent with the auditor’s direction.

Ms. Rivas asked why the money can’t be used for the Mentor Program. Dr. Corda explained that the State approved an Act that authorized the distribution of money to school districts in order to help offset the cost of fuel when oil was selling at $120/barrel. That is the legal mechanism as to how the money came to the District. The specific amount ($126,485) gets deposited in the City’s municipal account. The process that would be used, that they don’t know the answer to yet, would either reduce our expenditures in the fuel service account or would come to the District as a Special Appropriation. Should the Board decide that they don’t want to use it for the purpose stated, then dollars that become available in the fuel service account could be used for anything.

Ms. Rivas said she thought that the money would be well utilized to address the Special Education gap, which had been brought up at a recent meeting during the presentation of the CREC report. She thought they should brainstorm to find ways to address it.

Some discussion took place regarding the budget season, fuel costs, and the possibility that this could be deferred until May or June, although Dr. Corda felt that it would be better served to decide now. If it was the sense of the Board to have sufficient support for, it was suggested that this item come before the Board at the January 6, 2009 meeting as an action item. They would then need to adopt a specific resolution so they would be in compliance with the accounting rules and regulations.

B. Discussion of proposed capital budget for 2009-2010

Mr. Kimmel said that instead of asking for $875,000, they are asking for $675,000. He said that last year, there were some non-technology items that didn’t pass through. This is a bare bones, technology driven budget, which is the continuation of a program that started several years ago. This will appear as a resolution on January 6, 2009.

C. Discussion of Human Services Council Mentor Program partnership

Dr. Corda said there were some suggestions made at the last meeting for incorporation into the agreement. Ms. Betty Karkut, Executive Director of the Human Services Council, was present to discuss the matter. Ms. Mosby asked what efforts were made to retain this partnership, either with the grant writer or other means. Dr. Corda said that Carol Marianaccio and Mary Peniston have written grants, and Sherry McCready has made overtures to seek support for this. He said that he did not give anyone charge to go out to find a grant to support the program. Ms. Mosby asked Dr. Corda if he had tried to reach out to the United Way. Dr. Corda said the United Way is not an organization that would have the resources to provide a single grant that could fund a program of this size. The United Way did approve a grant in the amount of $25,000 to the Human Services Council for this program. This program would require an amount of $170,000 over a two-year period.

Ms. Rivas asked why the agencies couldn’t give us the money, instead of having them give the money to the larger agencies.

Ms. Karkut said that the money they reached out to receive from foundations and companies was based on a collaboration of partnerships. She said the money acquired is for them to have a coordinator. Ms. Karkut said that their gain is being a community agency that helps solve problems.

Some discussion followed between Ms. Karkut and the board members regarding the grant money, the program, the program’s timing and terms, and if the City would be ready with the funding to take the program back next year. Mr. Burnett said that the Board of Education would have to find a way of funding the $65,000 if they wanted to bring it back. Ms. McCready had responsibility for this several years ago but with budget cutbacks, reassignment of responsibilities, etc., it didn’t remain within her job role. Dr. Corda said that he wanted people to understand that this is not a program that would be separated from the public school system.

Dr. Corda asked Ms. Mosby to send him the changes as they should appear in the document, and he would send the changes to the Board.

D. Policy #5114 Suspension/Expulsion

Ms. Bishop-Pullan explained that this included language on bullying and was added as a reason for suspension/expulsion. They also found other language to be updated to be in compliance with State statutes and incorporated into the document. There was a State law that was adopted regarding in-school suspension vs. out of school suspension. The State Education Department has indicated that the legislature may or may not vote to extend that because of the costs.

E. Reorganization of Finance Department

Mr. Kimmel explained that the Finance Committee reviewed job descriptions of Finance Directors of various towns. He said that in the coming weeks, there may be an additional position of the Director of Financial Operations. As a result of an audit, it was determined that there was too much responsibility on one person. He commended Mr. Burnett for doing the majority of the work on this for the past year. The cost of salaries is $140,000 per year for both positions. The current position of COO would be turned into the Operations Director. The new position, which would be the Director of Financial Operations, would be $140,000. The positions of Director of Financial Operations and Director of Administrative Operations would be on the same level as an ASI, and all three positions would report to the Superintendent. The position of the Director of Financial Operations would have direct access to the Superintendent, would report the Board of Education and would report on finances. The person in this position would hopefully not allow funds/finances to fall apart.

Dr. Corda said that neither of the two positions are part of any bargaining group, and the Director of Administration may or may not be a member of NASA. He said that the two positions are in the budget. The board members felt that they needed more time to reflect on this proposal, and it was agreed that it would be taken up at the next board meeting, with asterisks marking the document as follows: * being considered by the Board.

F. Discussion of Stamford International Environmental Inter-district Magnet School

Ms. Murray said that the Executive Committee asked to have this put on the agenda. Dr. Corda said that the transportation costs were high. Some discussion took place regarding whether or not this had come up for discussion/review in the past, and it was suggested that the minutes of past meetings be reviewed. Mr. Burnett said that it should be brought to the attention of the board when programs and/or schools are closing, that affect Norwalk students.

G. Board member announcements

Ms. Murray said they are looking into having a place on the agenda for Committee Reports. She asked all Committee Chairs to make a brief announcement tonight as an update. She said that minutes will be in the board packets for board members to review. She said that she asked Board chairs to coordinate meeting nights to avoid conflicts.

Mr. Kimmel said that some things came up at the Finance Committee meeting. He said the Finance Committee was invited to continue their discussions with the BET. The regular meeting is Monday, January 5, 2009, and they would like to discuss with them the duplication of services.

They are planning to move ahead in a stronger position on the lunch accounts. They are accumulating debt of approximately $20,000 per month. They are considering sending a letter out indicating policy changes and more consequences if accounts are not kept up to date.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said the Policy Committee will meet twice in January, because of the many large policies on both the operations side and the student side.

Ms. Mosby said that the Curriculum Committee will meet on January 14, 2009. She is in the process of putting the agenda together. Ms. Murray asked that the curriculum committee handle the CREC report (follow ups, etc).

Ms. Murray asked the Finance Committee to consider the practices and procedures at the building level for the school lunch accounts, to be an agenda item.

Ms. Murray asked the Policy Committee to review contracts for external contractors.

Ms. Murray asked the Curriculum Committee to review how the Board can have a discussion on the report received.

VIII. UPDATE FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION ON NURSES’ NEGOTIATIONS PENDING CLAIMS/PENDING LITIGATION RE: SPECTRUM KIDS AND STACY LORE (Executive Session Anticipated)

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS UPDATE FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION ON NURSES’ NEGOTIATIONS; PENDING CLAIMS/PENDING LITIGATION RE: SPECTRUM KIDS AND STACY LORE

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dr. Corda and the Board members went into Executive Session at 10:35 p.m.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Marr Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes