Board of Education Meeting Minutes

January 20, 2009

ATTENDANCE: Jody Bishop-Pullan, Vice Chair; Jack Chiaramonte, Secretary; Mayor Richard A. Moccia, Bruce Kimmel, Susan Hamilton, Glenn Iannaccone, Migdalia Rivas

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chair Bishop-Pullan called to order at 7:50 p.m.

SPOTLIGHT ON NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Board recognized the Norwalk High School Marching Bears for winning the recent Champs Sports Bowl award in Florida.

The Board also recognized a number of National Merit Scholars, who were not able to attend last month’s meeting.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda said that the Early Childhood Council was working to equip Norwalk’s students for school success.

Ms. Mary Budrawich and Ms. Mary Peniston came forward and introduced themselves to the Board. Ms. Budrawich distributed paper copies of a PowerPoint presentation that was recently presented to the public about Norwalk’s Early Childhood Education program.

Ms. Budrawich reminded everyone of the goal was to have all Norwalk’s children from birth to age eight healthy and ready to learn about life. The report is very similar to the Childhood Development Plan. Ms. Budrawich said that the program had been hoping to expand to 100 slots, but with the help of the Board of Education, the program was able to expand to over 100 slots. Discussion followed regarding the impact of pre-school experience.

Ms. Rosalie Witt then was introduced by Ms. Budrawich, who explained that Ms. Witt was the Early Childhood Analysis. Ms. Budrawich then pointed out that there are students who are entering kindergarten with strong skills and others who were not as well prepared. She said that Ms. Witt was analyzing this and the District hoped to be able to discover how to provide all the Norwalk students with strong skills.

Ms. Budrawich then reviewed the various goals for the Early Childhood Council and gave a brief overview of the process. Ms. Budrawich then thanked the Board for their support of the Brighter Futures program. She explained that the program allowed the staff to identify a number of incoming kindergarten students who needed extra support for their school experience.

The health partners have worked diligently to provide intervention for the preschool students. Services are available in both English and Spanish. This includes basic pediatric care and dental care. Mr. Kimmel asked if vision exams and hearing exams were being provided for the students. Ms. Peniston explained that one of the key goals of the program was to insure that the children have health care provider relationships with a primary health care provider on an ongoing basis, so the issue of vision and hearing are addressed. Discussion then followed.

Ms. Peniston explained that the District and the program recognized that a critical component was supporting the parents. Norwalk has three Family Resource Centers, which have received statewide recognition. She then gave a brief overview of the scope of the outreach program. Ms. Peniston then thanked the Board for their support and hoped that this would be the first of many progress update reports to the Board.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked about the level of attendance at the programs. Ms. Budrawich said that Norwalk has excellent attendance and that the programs are running at 100% capacity. PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no one present who wished to address the Board at this time.

ACTIONS

A. Consent

1. Personnel

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ITEMS:

RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT:

BERKEY, YANESTY AT NATHAN HALE FOR SPANISH EFFECTIVE 01/26/09

RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT

KEOGH, JOHN -- CENTRAL OFFICE – INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST – MATH EFFECTIVE 06/30/09

REQUEST FOR MINI CHILD REARING LEAVE

KALMANIDES, TRACEY – WOLFPIT – GRADE 4 - EFFECTIVE 01/21/09 – 03/29/09

REQUEST FOR CHILD REARING LEAVE

DUQUE, CHERIE – JEFFERSON – KINDERGARTEN EFFECTIVE 02/05/09 – 06/30/10

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Approval of budget transfers

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING BUDGET TRANSFERS:

RESOLVED UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED BUDGET TRANSFERS:

THE SUM OF $1,000.00 FROM ACCOUNT # 15411100-611-54 CURR./INSTR. IND. ARTS – INSTR. SUPPLIES TO ACCOUNT # 15410003-733-54 TO CURR. INSTR. SOFTWARE FOR CMT PREP SOFTWARE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

THE SUM OF $1,000.00 FROM ACCOUNT #15411090-611-54 CURR./INSTR. HOME EC. – INSTR. SUPPLIES TO ACCOUNT # 15410003-733-54 TO CURR. INSTR. SOFTWARE FOR CMT PREP SOFTWARE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

THE SUM OF $1,000.00 FROM ACCOUNT # 15411030-611-54 CURR./INSTR. BUSINESS. – INSTR. SUPPLIES TO ACCOUNT # 15410003-733-54 TO CURR. INSTR. SOFTWARE FOR CMT PREP SOFTWARE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

THE SUM OF $400.00 FROM ACCOUNT #15410003-690-54 CURR./INSTR. DISTRICT – OTHER SUPP. & MATS. TO ACCOUNT # 15410003-733-54 TO CURR. INSTR. SOFTWARE FOR CMT PREP SOFTWARE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

THE SUM OF $1,000.00 FROM ACCOUNT #15410003-611-54 CURR./INSTR. DISTRICT – INSTR. SUPPLIES TO ACCOUNT # 15410003-733-54 TO CURR. INSTR. SOFTWARE FOR CMT PREP SOFTWARE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

THE SUM OF $3,000.00 FROM ACCOUNT # 15023210-330-50 COMM. & PARTNERSHIP – OTHER PROF. TECH. TO ACCOUNT # 15023210-540-50 COMM. & PARTNERSHIP – FOR A NEW ACCOUNT FOR ADVERTISING.

THE SUM OF $146.00 FROM ACCOUNT # 11624100-641-16 PONUS RIDGE PRINC. – TEXTBOOKS H/C TO ACCOUNT # 11611110-810-16 PONUS RIDGE MATH – DUES, FEES AND MEMBERSHIP TO REGISTER FOUR STUDENTS FOR MATHCOUNTS COMPETITION PROGRAM.

** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Approval of minutes (January 6, 2009 Special Meeting; January 6, 2009; January 7, 2009; January 8, 2009)

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED THE JANUARY 6, 2009 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES. ** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED. ** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6, 2009 SPECIAL MEETING AS SUBMITTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED THE JANUARY 6, 2009 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6, 2009 REGULAR MEETING AS SUBMITTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED THE JANUARY 7, 2009 MEETING MINUTES. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 7, 2009 REGULAR MEETING AS SUBMITTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED THE JANUARY 8, 2009 MEETING MINUTES. ** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

The following correction was noted:

Page 3, paragraph 3, please change “portable classrooms at Roton ” to “portable classrooms at Rowayton School”

** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2009 MEETING MINUTES AS CORRECTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Approval of field trips

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION:

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL 91-10 STUDENTS FROM MUSIC DEPT.) TO HARTFORD, CT ALL STAR MUSIC FESTIVAL, APRIL 2-4, 2009.

** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approve use of Tracey School for YMCA summer 2009 program.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION:

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE USE OF TRACEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR YMCA SUMMER PROGRAM.

** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. Approve use of Jefferson School for A.C.H.I.E.V.E. Summer 2009 Enrichment program

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION:

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE USE OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL FOR A.C.H.I.E.V.E. SUMMER 2009 ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

G. Approve agreement between the Norwalk Board of Education and the CT Health Care Associates National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO 9/1/2008-8/31/2011

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION:

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NORWALK BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE CT HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES NATIONAL UNION OF HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CARE EMPLOYEES, AFSCME, AFL-CIO SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 – AUGUST 31, 2011.

Mr. Kimmel announced that this item had previously been discussed at Board meetings.

Mr. Iannaccone said that he felt it was important that the public know that the net cost will be 2.78% because of the increase in the co-payment.

H. Approve cancellation of February 17, 2009 Board of Education meeting.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CANCELLATION OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2009 MEETING. ** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.

Discussion then followed about rescheduling the meeting. Ms. Bishop-Pullan suggested that the Board wait until the February 3rd meeting to decide whether to reschedule.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

Policy #4115.3 Athletic Coaches

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that this issue had been discussed and a settlement had been reached.

Agreement with the Human Services Council – Mentor program.

Dr. Corda said that there had been a previous discussion regarding this issue and Ms. Mosby had expressed concerns about some of the details of the agreement . Mr. Iannaccone said that he felt that this was a win-win situation and that he was for the agreement.

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO MAKE THE AGREEMENT WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL – MENTOR PROGRAM INTO AN ACTION ITEM. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED.

Ms. Rivas said that she felt that the item should not be moved for action tonight because the Board member that had concerns was not present. Mayor Moccia said that continual delays because of the worries about future funding being available in two years. He said that he felt that it would be appropriate to take action now rather than letting it languish for another month. Mr. Kimmel agreed.

** THE MOTION TO MOVED THE AGREEMENT WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL – MENTOR PROGRAM INTO AN ACTION ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION AT THIS TIME PASSED WITH FOUR IN FAVOR (IANNACCONE, HAMILTON, KIMMEL AND CHIARAMONTE) AND TWO OPPOSED (BISHOP PULLAN AND RIVAS).

** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO ADOPT THE AGREEMENT WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL FOR THE MENTOR PROGRAM AS PER THE AGREEMENT FOR THE NORWALK MENTOR PROGRAM MADE BETWEEN THE NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE HUMAN SERVICES.

** MR. CHIARAMONTE SECONDED.

There was a brief discussion regarding the changes that Ms. Mosby had requested. Dr. Corda said that he had not received any communications from Ms. Mosby. Ms. Rivas said that she felt that it would be a good thing to keep the mentoring program within the District and raising the money within the District. Discussion then followed.

** THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGREEMENT WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL FOR THE MENTOR PROGRAM AS PER THE AGREEMENT FOR THE NORWALK MENTOR PROGRAM MADE BETWEEN THE NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE HUMAN SERVICES PASSED WITH FOUR IN FAVOR (IANNACCONE, HAMILTON, KIMMEL AND CHIARAMONTE); ONE AGAINST (RIVAS) AND ONE ABSTENTION (BISHOP-PULLAN).

Discussion of Stamford Elementary Magnet Program.

Dr. Corda said that when the program was first brought to the District, the District did not have the Magnet program at Jefferson and that the budget would not support the transportation costs. Ms. Hamilton then gave a brief overview of the new Stamford magnet program to the Board. She explained that the program was K-8 and that it covered more than just science. For those parents who work in Stamford, there could be advantages in allowing the parents to bring and pick their children up at the school. Ms. Hamilton said that she would like to make parents aware of the program, just as they have with ATI and other programs. Discussion then followed.

Discussion of proposed work/study group with BET to consider possible consolidation

Mr. Kimmel said that he had brought this up following one of the joint meetings with the BET. Joint purchasing and combination of duplicate services could result in saving money for both the District and the City. Mr. Kimmel then asked how the committee would be established and whether it would needed to be formally voted upon.

The Mayor said that he did not think that the Board would need more than two members from the Board in the group. Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that she thought the Board would look at it as an appointment. Mr. Kimmel said that the Finance Board would continue to have regular meetings with the BET in order to establish a working relationship. Ms. Bishop-Pullan suggested that a resolution be drafted to permit the Chairman to appoint two members of the Board to the work/study group, one of which would be from the Finance Committee. Dr. Corda noted this. Discussion on the details then followed.

Discussion of Director of Administration position recommendation by Negotiations Committee

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that Mrs. Murray had requested that she bring up consideration of not having the Director of Administrator’s position, have the ASI take the responsibility of the Director for Secondary Education and re-establish the Director of Elementary Education.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION POSITION, THE TRANSFER OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION TO THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE PROPOSED DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION POSITION RECOMMENDATION BY NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AS AN ACTION ITEM. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED.

Mr. Iannaccone said that he would want to have more information about this before moving it to an action item.

** THE MOTION TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION POSITION, THE TRANSFER OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION TO THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE PROPOSED DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION POSITION RECOMMENDATION BY NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AS AN ACTION ITEM PASSED WITH FIVE IN FAVOR (HAMILTON, KIMMEL, CHIARAMONTE, BISHOP-PULLAN AND RIVAS) AND ONE OPPOSED (IANNACCONE).

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO REINSTATEMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION POSITION, ASSIGN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION TO THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION POSITION. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED.

Mr. Kimmel then said that this may eliminate some of the union negotiations.

Dr. Corda said that this was the first he had heard about this issue. He explained that there would need to be some discussion with the Superintendent and with Mr. Daddona about this. He added that he was not sure that there would be any financial savings by reverting back to the original model. Discussion about the details of this then followed.

Mr. Iannaccone reiterated that he felt that this was rather sudden and that he would not be able to support it without further information or discussion.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM UNTIL THE FEBRUARY 3, 2009 MEETING.

** MS. RIVAS SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

FINANCE - Mr. Kimmel reported that the Finance Committee had not met since the last report.

CURRICULUM - Mr. Iannaccone announced that the next meeting would be on January 21st at 7 p.m.

POLICY - Ms. Bishop-Pullan reported that the Committee met on January 15th and that one policy would be presented to the Board about contracts. Other policies are currently being sent to the educational community for feedback. The next meeting will be the first week in February. School lunches were discussed and it was felt that there was not enough information about procedures to make a decision at this time.

BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Hamilton announced that the NEF business breakfast at Hilton Gardens would be at 7:45 a.m. on January 21st. All are invited. The organization will be honoring the restaurants that participated in the wine tasting. She added that the Mentoring Breakfast would be on Monday morning, January 26th.

Dr. Corda said that the CREC report meeting is being scheduled for Tuesday, February 10th, for the public at 7 p.m.

Mr. Iannaccone announced that Mr. Burnett’s mother had died and that the wake and funeral would be handled through Collins Funeral Home.

ADJOURNMENT

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services Category: Minutes