City of Norwalk

Board of Education

Regular Meeting

December 1, 2009

 

ATTENDANCE:      Glenn Iannaccone, Chair; Susan Hamilton, Secretary;

                                     Sue Haynie, Erin Halsey, Steve Colarossi,

                                    Sue Haynie, Jody Bishop-Pullan, Heidi King, Mayor

                                    Richard A. Moccia, Jack Chiaramonte (7:50 p.m.)

                                    Migdalia Rivas (7:50 p.m.)

 

STAFF:                      Dr. William Papallo, Interim Superintendent of Schools;

                                    Dr. Dan Cook

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Mr. Iannaccone called the meeting to order at 7:47 p.m.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Mr. Iannaccone led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

Ms. Hamilton read the Spotlight on Norwalk Public School and explained that Mr. McCain has been identified as an Local Hero Award winner, and designated the Norwalk Education Foundation

 

Let it be noted that the comments from all speakers have been summarized and are not necessarily verbatim.

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

Ms. Rutolo introduce the new Marvin Assistant Principal, Ms. Christine DePalma to the Board.

 

Dr. Papallo said that the budget process was starting very early and that the current document was for next September.  There have been a number of meetings with administrators to hear their input.  The recommendations from the staff resulted in savings of about $300,000.  He said that while this was a good effort, there were still items that needed to be pared down.  He said that he felt that another person was needed in the Curriculum Instruction and one position that he had hoped to restore one position, which had to be cut.  All the programs are being analyzed by both Dr. Cook and Mr. Daddona.  The goal for the 15th is to discuss the outline that would be presented tonight.  On the 5th of January, the goal is to have the Board approve a budget to send to the City.  Last year, there were several reductions and the District is paying the penalty.  He pointed out that last year there was someone working full time in IT to post items on the website.  That position was cut.  Currently, there are only nine people to serve 1,600 staff members and all the students.  The Board must present the budget to the City by January 15th.  He said that the staff would get as much information to everyone as soon as possible. 

 

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked how the budget would be presented.  Dr. Papallo said that the Superintendent’s budget would be presented to the Board and from that point on it would be the Board’s budget.  He suggested that the Board members save the 4th of January for a possible budget meeting.  Dr. Papallo said that last year, there were major cuts, so this year, there is less to cut.  Mr. Iannaccone said that they were still working with the Board of Estimate and Taxation to look for savings.   Dr. Papallo said that what happened last year, the Superintendent presented the budget to the Board, the Board presented their budget to the City and then it is presented to the City.

 

CABE report on Leadership

 

Ms. Holcomb and Dr. Jacoby came forward and introduced themselves.  Ms. Holcomb then thanked the community members who took the time to share their thoughts with the forums.  She said that approximately 198 people took time to participate in the various forums.  She indicated that on pages 3-10 has the Leadership Profile results.  This is not a scientific survey, but a reflection of the comments made to Dr. Jacoby and Ms. Holcomb.

 

Dr. Jacoby then directed everyone’s attention to page 2 of the report.  She emphasized that all the respondents felt that there was great respect for the staff members.  The students were seen as a major strength.  While everyone is proud of the diversity, but there are also challenges associated with the diversity.  Many felt that the system of structure needed to be restructured. One major concern in identifying the new superintendent was the issue of integrity.  Visibility was also important to many. 

 

Other issues that Dr. Jacoby and Ms. Holcomb heard were centered on recruitment, professional development and follow through.  Another key factor would be having someone who was able to manage finances.  Dr. Jacoby said that there was a strong feeling that the new superintendent should be able to develop relationships and partnerships rather than just collect money. 

 

Ms. Holcomb said that as the final stage of the search process comes closer, it would be important that the Board use this document when they interview potential candidate.  The document could be posted on the website.  Dr. Papallo said that it would be possible to email copies of the document and that there would be hard copies available in order to get the report out to as many people who wish to have it.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Let it be noted that the comments from all speakers have been summarized and are not necessarily verbatim.

 

Mr. Chiaramonte said that no one has signed up but asked if anyone present who wished to address the Board.

 

Mr. Bruce Kimmel of 9 Toilsome Avenue, came forward and greeted the new Board members.  He said that there were some things in Dr. Papallo’s report that he would like to address.  He said that he believed that every member of the Board could understand every line and item in the budget.  He suggested that the insurance agent be invited to address the Board.  He said that the enrollment numbers were key to planning and needed to present a decent budget to the Finance Committee.  He suggested that the Finance Committee hold meetings to deal with certain issues on the budget.  Mr. Kimmel said that there had been a few nights when the Budget was presented to the public, including the BET and the Common Council Finance Committee and the Common Council in general.  No mention was made of a public hearing and there should be one prior to transmittal so that the public can weigh in on the budget, and also one during reconciliation.  He said that he hoped that a copy would be posted on the website.  Mr. Kimmel said that one thing he never was comfortable with was when the discussion of the Capital and Operating Budget were combined.  He said that he felt that it was too much to work with at once.  He suggested that the Staff try to separate the Capital Budget and Operating Budget.

 

Mr. Chiaramonte then asked if there was anyone else who wished to address the Board.  No one came forward.  He then closed the Public Comments portion of the meeting.

 

ACTIONS

 

Consent

 

Ms. Bishop-Pullan requested that the Approval of the Personnel Actions be handled individually.

 

APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS

 

Retirement

 

RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT

 

Lane, Alaine – Briggs – Principal   - EFF: 06/30/09

 

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE RETIREMENT OF MS. LANE.

** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

 

Ms. Bishop Pullan said that she thought that Ms. Lane’s retirement would be a loss to the District.  Mr. Iannaccone said that he agreed and that she would be missed.

 

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

RECOMMENDED FOR TERMINATION WITHIN 90 OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Leo, Katherine – Norwalk High School – Special Education  - EFF. 11/25/09

 

** MS. BISHOP PULLAN MOVED TO TABLE PERSONNEL AGENDA ITEM #2.

** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

 

Dr. Papallo said that Mr. Mellion, as President of the NFT, has agreed that the clock would stop with the tabling of the item.

 

** the motion passed unanimously.

 

RECOMMENDATION FOR TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Hanson, Jennifer – Roton – Science   -EFF. 12/01/09

 

** MS. BISHOP PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE PERSONNEL AGENDA ITEM #3.

** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES (NOVEMBER 17, 2009)

 

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 17, 2009.

 

The following corrections were noted:

 

Page 1, under ATTENDANCE: please add “Migdalia Rivas”

 

Page 1, under ATTENDANCE: please change “Susan Haynie” to “Sue Haynie”

 

Page 2, under SPOTLIGHT ON NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS: please change

“Ms. Reynolds to “Mr. Reynolds” throughout.

 

Page 3, under PUBLIC COMMENT, paragraph 4, please change “Ms. Caroline Fuller” to “Ms. Carolyn Fuller”.

 

Page 4, under PERSONNEL, Ms. Keyes stated that she did not move the Personnel

Items.

 

Page 7, under APPROVAL OF FIELD TRIPS, PLEASE ADD THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS:

 

Norwalk High School Winter Guard to Richmond, VA

 

** MR. CHIARAMONTE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

 

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL WINTER GUARD TO RICHMOND, VA FOR WGI WINTER GUARD REGIONAL COMPETITION MARCH 12-14, 2010.

 

** MS. HALSEY SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Norwalk High School Winter Guard to Dayton OH

 

** MS. BISHOP PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

 

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL WINTER GUARD TO DAYTON, OH FOR WGI WINTER GUARD REGIONAL COMPETITION APRIL 6-10, 2010.

 

** MR. COLAROSSI SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Norwalk High School Winter Percussion to Dayton OH

 

** MS. BISHOP PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

 

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL WINTER PERCUSSION TO DAYTON, OH FOR WINTER GUARD PERCUSSION NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS APRIL 13-16, 2010.

 

** MS. HALSEY SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Ponus Ridge Middle School Grade 7 to Nature’s Classroom

 

** MR. COLAROSSI MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

 

RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: Ponus Ridge Middle School Grade 7 to Nature’s Classroom, SILVER BAY, NY, APRIL 26-30, 2010.

 

** MS. HALSEY SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Page 8, under INFORMATION AND REPORTS: please replace the following text:

 

Information AND REPORTS

 

** Mr. Colarossi moved to suspend the rules to add a report to the agenda.

 

Mr. Colarossi said that the report was emailed to all the Board members.  Ms. Rivas objected and said that she did not receive it. Mr. Colarossi said that he had sent it out to all the Board members in the afternoon.  Ms. Rivas asked him how he knew that she had received it.  Mr. Colarossi replied her email had not bounced back to him.  Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that in order to add a report to the agenda the process was to send it to the Executive Committee, unless it is something time sensitive.  Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that she had received the report late in the afternoon.  She said that she would like to make sure that the Superintendent was aware of it. 

 

** Mr. Colarossi withdrew the motion.

 

Mr. Iannaccone then suggested that this report be included in the Friday report.  Mr. Colarossi said that the new members were looking to post all the information on the website, including the Friday reports. 

 

Ms. Rivas said that since that this was supposed to be a bi-partisan Board and that she did not feel that the Board should be discussing anything through email.  Ms. Haynie said that two Board members did not receive action items with their packets in email.  Ms. Rivas said that the Board was talking about transparency but she felt that email communications were wrong.  She also told Mr. Colarossi that introducing an action this way was not right, either. 

 

WITH THE FOLLOWING TEXT:

 

Information and  reports

 

Ms. Rivas said that when the Board members received their Friday packets for review, usually the way that this was done at the Board meeting, the questions should have been asked in Committee.  Mr. Colarossi said that there had been a delay in receiving the background information.  Ms. Rivas said she did not mean Committee work but suggested that Mr. Colarossi email Dr. Cook with questions.  Mr. Iannaccone reiterated Mr. Colarossi’s earlier statement that the new Board members had not received their packets on time.  Ms. Bishop Pullan commented that often these items were time sensitive.  Ms. Rivas then said that Dr. Cook could provide Mr. Colarossi with a list of the codes.

 

Mr. Colarossi said that he would like to add a report to the agenda so that the Executive Committee might take it up.

 

** MR. COLAROSSI MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO DISCUSS ADDING A REPORT TO THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND REFERRAL TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

** MS. HAYNIE SECONDED.

 

Mr. Colarossi said that he would pass out copies although all the members had already received the document by email.  Ms. Rivas then asked whether all the members included or excluded her. Mr. Colarossi said that it did include her since he had emailed the document to everyone. Ms. Rivas then asked Mr. Colarossi how he knew she had received the email. Mr. Colarossi replied that the email had not bounced back. Ms. Rivas then asked when the email had been sent.  Mr. Colarossi said that he believed it had been sent at 12:30 p.m. 

 

Ms. Rivas said that she would like to have a discussion on this. Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that in order to add an item, the motion had to include a specific item. She said that this was why the statement was made that they did not know what the document was. She said that typically at the Board meetings, items were not added to the agenda unless they were time sensitive. The process that the Board follows is for items to be submitted to the Executive Committee and it is then put on Information and Reports for discussion. The item then goes for a vote at the following meeting unless it is time sensitive. Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that this was how everyone knew what was on the agenda. She said that she had seen the email and received it late in the afternoon, but needed time to think about this and discuss it. She said that while Mr. Colarossi had time to think the issue through, nothing was ever simple with the Board of Education.  The Superintendent needs to be aware of the item, and there may be recommendations from the staff.

 

** MR. COLAROSSI WITHDREW HIS MOTION.

 

Mr. Iannaccone said that having the item included in the Friday report and follow the proper procedure.  Mr. Colarossi said that the new members were looking to have not just the agendas on the website, but also the Friday report along with other reports.  He said that this was a concern for many people.  Mr. Colarossi then said that he would deferred to Mr. Iannaccone’s judgment and the judgment of the Executive Committee.

 

Ms. Rivas said that seeing as how the discussion was continuing, she admitted that she had seen the email.  She said that since the Board members were trying to work together to make sure that the Board was bi-partisan in working together for the children and the community.  She said that she did not think it was good to conduct Board meetings in an email because the public would not be aware of what was being said back and forth between the members. She said that she did not feel comfortable putting anything on the agenda without knowing  that everybody knows.  She then asked Mr. Colarossi how he knew whether she had looked at her email.  She then said a simple phone call would have been good and stated that her number had been on the website for years and was the same number.  Ms. Rivas went on to state that everyone knew her address and could mail her a letter. She said that the Board was supposed to think about communication and that the communication starts at the top and that if she was not receiving communications, then there would be a problem.  She then said that the community needed to be notified.   Mr. Iannaccone then said that the items would be processed through the normal procedure.

 

Page 8, under NFCC – please change the following from: “The request for            $50,0000 for the elementary school was approved.” To “The request for

            $50,000 for the elementary school study was approved.”

 

Page 8, under NEF and CES,  please replace the following text:

 

NEF –

 

Ms. Hamilton said that with NEF she had attended the council last night and that she enjoyed her time there.  Although she would not be the liaison for NEF any more, NEF is working on a strategic plan.  They are working to raise funds for the Norwalk students.

 

CES –

 

Ms. Hamilton said that the CES meeting was in the beginning of November, which is a regional consortium serving all over the state.  They provide training for teachers in areas of special needs, a regional center for the arts and a preschool program.

 

WITH:

 

NEF – Ms. Hamilton attended the NEF Board Meeting on November 16, 2009.  She announced that she would no longer serve as liaison from the BOE to NEF.  NEF will begin to develop strategic plans in January.

 

CES – Ms. Hamilton said that the CES meeting was in the beginning of November.  She then explained for the benefit of the new Board members what the CES function is.

 

Page 9, under Board Member Announcements, paragraph 1, line 1: please

             correct the following from “Ms. Hamilton visited the Cooperative Educational                              Services this morning.” To “Ms. Hamilton visited the Cooperative Educational                                 Services Special Education program this morning.”

 

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO TABLE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 17, 2009 UNTIL CORRECTED.

** MR. COLAROSSI SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

APPROVAL OF FIELD TRIPS

 

Norwalk High School Chamber Singers/Orchestra to Williamsburg, VA

 

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

 

RESOLVE, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIP: NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS/CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (GRADES 10-12) TO HERITAGE FESTIVALS, WILLIAMSBURG, VA – APRIL 15-18, 2010

Category: Minutes