Board of Education Meeting Minutes October 20, 2009

October 20, 2009

Rosa Murray, Chair; Jody Bishop-Pullan, Vice Chair; Jack Chiaramonte, Secretary; Amy Jimenez, Susan Hamilton, Glenn Iannaccone, Shirley Mosby, Greg Burnett, Migdalia Rivas (7:55 p.m.)

Dr. William Papallo, Acting Superintendent; Dr. Dan Cook, Tony Daddona, Joan Glass, Special Education

Ms. Katy Augustyn, a Connecticut Association for the Gifted Board Member, came forward and recognized Joan Glass as an administrator who has gone above and beyond in assisting gifted students. Ms. Augustyn then explained what the award was and some of the details of the selection process.

Ms. Glass was then presented with a certificate of appreciation and was congratulated by the Board.

Ms. Glass said that her job was unbelievable and enjoyable. She knew that her colleagues across the state had experience major program cuts, but Norwalk continued to provide the students with the services they need and deserve. Her focus is not just the students that struggle, but insuring that every student has meaningful instruction. The parents in Norwalk are very committed. She then thanked Ms. Jennie Platt who nominated her for the award.

Ms. Platt said that she nominated Ms. Glass because she was very responsive to the parents and she felt that Ms. Glass was an exception administrator.

Ms. Platt then related several parental concerns that Ms. Glass had addressed. One particular area was the emotional needs of the gifted child. Ms. Glass set up a workshop for the gifted students that addressed this issue with the students.

Let it be noted that the comments made by the speakers are not necessarily verbatim.

Dr. Sally Grose came forward and then read a statement to the Board from the Principal’s Advisory Committee from Briggs High School. She then said that the Committee was dedicated to giving a voice to the students at Briggs. Dr. Grose said that Committee had been told that the custodian’s position was being cut in half. While the custodial staff has kept the facility in very clean condition, but the custodian is not a magician.

The students who are at Briggs come from two high schools that have had major renovations in the last few years. The Briggs students do not have a library, a substandard gym, and no science lab. This is inexcusable.

When the five year plans are created for the schools, Briggs is always last on the list. There is only one girls’ bathroom and one boys’ bathroom. There is also a preschool program on the premises.

Dr. Grose stated that Mr. Mosby clocks out at 3:30 but stays until 4, which gives the district two and a half extra hours a week. She pointed out that this shows his dedication to his job.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that there was no one else signed up on the list and asked if there was anyone present who wished to address the Board. No one else present wished to address the Board.

Ms. Murray said that focus groups are being set up and that a leadership profile has been created. She said that it would be important to let the community know that the Board takes this search very seriously. There will be avenues that the public can use to communicate with the Board about this search.

Dr. Papallo said that within the next day or so, focus groups would be created. There will be a community forum, the date of which will be announced within the next few days. The search firm’s address will also be made available to the public in the next few days, so that those who wish to can write letters to the firm. He said that he did not think there was a large pool of candidates available. But he reminded everyone that it only takes one right candidate.

Ms. Jimenez said that the input is being sought on the Leadership Profile piece so that the search can be begin.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: ROTON AND PONUS RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 8 JAPANESE STUDENTS TO CHIBA, JAPAN, MAY 12-26, 2010.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL CGS STUDENTS OF ARABIC (GR. 9-12) TO EGYPT, DURING FEBRUARY 2010 VACATION PLUS ONE WEEK WITH THE PROVISION THAT UPDATES RELATIVE TO THE DETAILS OF THE TRIP BE SENT TO THE BOARD ONE MONTH BEFORE DEPARTURE.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL CGS STUDENTS OF CHINESE (GR. 9 -12) TO CHINA DURING APRIL 2010 VACATION PLUS ONE WEEK WITH THE PROVISION THAT UPDATES RELATIVE TO THE DETAILS OF THE TRIP BE SENT TO THE BOARD ONE MONTH BEFORE DEPARTURE.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL CGS STUDENTS OF JAPANESE (GR. 9–12) TO ISHARA, JAPAN DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS IN MAY 2010 WITH THE PROVISION THAT UPDATES RELATIVE TO THE DETAILS OF THE TRIP BE SENT TO THE BOARD ONE MONTH BEFORE DEPARTURE.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL CGS STUDENTS OF JAPANESE (GR. 9–12) TO TOKYO, JAPAN DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS IN MAY 2010 WITH THE PROVISION THAT UPDATES RELATIVE TO THE DETAILS OF THE TRIP BE SENT TO THE BOARD ONE MONTH BEFORE DEPARTURE.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan commented that these field trip requests had been brought before the Board at the previous meeting for informational purposes and had already been discussed by the Board.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: NATHAN HALE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 8 TO GETTYSBURG, PA JUNE 2-4, 2010.

Ms. Bishop Pullan said that it became glaringly apparent that one school had a different form for field trips than all the others. She said that the Policy Committee should review this. She then said that she needs to see the same form, so she can find the information quickly. Dr. Papallo said that it would be corrected.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH CLUB (GER. 10-12) TO AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE, APRIL 10-18, 2010.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that there had been comments in the previous meeting about this trip and concerns about the students who might not be able to go.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: ROTON MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 8 SPANISH STUDENTS TO HEREDIA, COSTA RICA, APRIL 25-MAY 2, 2010.

Mr. Chiaramonte said that there was a discrepancy in the dates. Ms. Millardo came forward and explained that the itinerary dates were originally scheduled for March, but the CAPT testing would be done during that period. The dates on the application were adjusted, but they forgot to change the dates on the itinerary.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked about the fund raising. Ms. Millardo explained that last year she took seven students to Costa Rica, and the parents raised $1,400, which paid for numerous items like exit taxes, airport travel and lunches. The ground work is laid for this year’s trip and last year’s trip cost $1,100. The funds that were raised saved the students money.

Ms. Jimenez asked if the Board was postponing the meeting or canceling it. Dr. Papallo said that most of the business items had been handled but that if something needing immediate attention came up, the Board could have an emergency meeting.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE CANCELLATION OF NOVEMBER 3, 2009 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE CABE SEARCH SERVICES TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES IN A SEARCH FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND AUTHORIZE DR. WILLIAM PAPALLO TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE FIRM.

Ms. Jimenez said that she was not comfortable with the wording of the resolution and that the Superintendent was not recommending this, the action has come from the Board.

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE CABE SEARCH SERVICES TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES IN A SEARCH FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND AUTHORIZE DR. WILLIAM PAPALLO TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE FIRM.

RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE CABE SEARCH SERVICES TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES IN A SEARCH FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND AUTHORIZE DR. WILLIAM PAPALLO TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE FIRM.

Dr. Cooke said that the class size report was in the packet. He then listed the classes that had to be added, and there were four classes that did not materialize. He said that the only overages were at the high school. BMHS had two overages, and Mr. Mecca reduced the numbers for the second semester to balance the numbers out.

Dr. Papallo said that while the final report seems very simple, Dr. Cook, Mr. Daddona, Ms. Liberatore and others worked very hard to gather the information for the report.

Ms. Mosby said that the Curriculum Committee meeting was on October 7th. She distributed an information packet to the Board. The focus of the meeting was the CMT and CAPT test scores. Students are moving toward proficiency at a rapid rate for math. The rate for reading has been somewhat slower.

Ms. Mosby then reviewed the various figures presented in the information packet with the Board. Concerns were expressed about the differences in the number of African American population at the various schools.

Ms. Murray asked about the figures about the Hispanic population because there is a difference between the Spanish speaking ELL program students and the general Spanish speaking student populations. It was explained that Nathan Hale does not have an ELL program. Next year, Nathan Hale will have the ELL program.

The discussion then moved to the growth pattern where Norwalk exceeded all of the State’s percentages. Mr. Daddona explained that the vertical scores show true growth. Ms. Mosby said that there would be a workshop in the future to explain how the District got to this point.

Mr. Burnett said that the group had met earlier in the day. Thirteen orientation breakfasts have been completed. An event for January, which is National Mentoring Month, is in the planning. Last year, there were 109 mentor/mentee matches, and this year there are 157. There is also the potential of an additional 24 mentors.

Ms. Rivas said that there was a list of schools waiting for mentors. Mr. Burnett said that most of the mentors indicate a school that is convenient for them. Those that don’t indicate a school sit down with the coordinator and determine which school would be most appropriate.

Ms. Rivas then wanted to have a report listing the number of total mentors and a break down of the mentors needed by school. Mr. Burnett said that he would request this.

The next Finance Committee meeting will be on Thursday at Roton School. In addition to the Capital Budget issue about the Title One funding, the other issue will be a school lunch update and the facility study. Ms. Jimenez said that it was helpful to have the meetings in the different buildings because for some people it is difficult to visit the school

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that several Board members had participated in an NEF/NAACP Community Conversation conference at Norwalk Community College. There will be some information coming to the Board that will be helpful.

Ms. Rivas said that she had attended the first Hispanic Heritage Day at Fox Run, which was very successful. She then described some of the various activities that were held at that event.