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Board of Education Regular Meeting January 5, 2010January 5, 2010City of Norwalk Board of Education Regular Meeting January 5, 2010
ATTENDANCE: Glenn Iannaccone, Chair; Sue Hamilton, Secretary; Erin Halsey, Steve Colarossi, Sue Haynie, Heidi Keyes, Jody Bishop-Pullan; Migdalia Rivas, Mayor Richard Moccia, Jack Chiaramonte (7:57 p.m.)
STAFF: Dr. William Papallo, Interim Superintendent; Tony Daddona, Assistant Superintendent of Schools;
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Iannaccone called the meeting to order at 7:47 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Iannaccone lead those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
Let it be noted that all comments by the various speakers are summarized and not necessarily verbatim.
Spotlight on Norwalk Public Schools
Ms. Hamilton presented the report to the Board. She then called forward a number of students to greet the Board along with Mr. Jeff Smith. Mr. Iannaccone said that he was particularly proud of Mr. Smith, who was a member of the last class to graduate from Norwalk High School when it was located on East Avenue.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Papallo said that he would like to speak briefly about the process for delaying or canceling classes. The responsibility is very heavy because there are numerous factors to consider, which he explained to those present. This includes making sure the road are clear enough to travel, making sure the parking lots and walkways are ready and considering the weather conditions where the staff and teachers live.
Mayor Moccia said that it was not an easy call to make. When school is cancelled, the plows don’t have to plow the school parking lots, but if school is delayed, the plows have to do the school parking lots as a priority. Mayor Moccia said that over the last two years, the cooperation between the City and the District has been very good.
Dr. Papallo said that he is aware of how difficult it is for those who are single parents.
Mr. Chiaramonte joined the meeting at 7:57 p.m.
Public Comments
Let it be noted that all comments by the various speakers are summarized and not necessarily verbatim.
Ms. Diane Lauricella came forward and stated that she was representing the League of Women Voters. She said that she was pleased to know that there was research being done on alternative ways to provide for the students.
Ms. Lauricella had the following comments and concerns about the budget:
Page 117, regarding the trash removal and recycling, Ms. Lauricella said that the League will be putting forth an op ed piece on recycling and making sure that recycling was done District wide.
Page 123 under paper supplies, the League recommends that the copying be done as double side copies
Page 116 – under Legal and Technical services, Ms. Lauricella said that she was happy to see the reduction in the costs and said that the league recommends the use of legal clinics such as Yale or Pace University, which might reduce the legal costs further.
Dr. Papallo said that staff members were present and taking notes on the comments.
Mr. Chiaramonte asked if there was any one else who wished to address the Board. No one came forward. Mr. Chiaramonte asked if there was any one else who wished to address the Board. No one came forward. Mr. Chiaramonte announced that this would conclude the public comment portion of the meeting.
ACTIONS
A. Consent
A. Approval of the personnel actions
** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ACTIONS. ** MR. COLAROSSI SECONDED. ** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ACTIONS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Approval of minutes (December 15, 2009).
** MS BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 15, 2009 MEETING. ** MR. CHIARAMONTE SECONDED.
The following corrections were noted:
Page 1, under ATTENDANCE: please add “Sue Haynie”
Page 8, under COMMITTEE/REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: please change the following from:
Norwalk ACTS – Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that she had attended the Advisory Board for the CGS and that there had been both enhancements to the program and significant growth. There is now a study tour program, which broadens the scope of the program.
CES – No report
TO:
Norwalk ACTS – No report.
CES - Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that she had attended the Advisory Board for the CGS and that there had been both enhancements to the program and significant growth. There is now a longer study tour program, which broadens the scope of the program.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 15, 2009 MINUTES AS CORRECTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. Approval of Budget Transfers
** MR. CHIARAMONTE MOVED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION:
RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED BUDGET TRANSFERS.
** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.
Ms. Haynie asked if there was a list that designated the specific areas each account covered. Dr. Papallo said that he would forward her the list.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET TRANSFERS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. Approval of the 2010-2011 School Calendar.
** MS. RIVAS MOVED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR 2010-2011.
** MS. Hamilton SECONDED.
Ms. Haynie asked if Ms. Aguliar’s request to reconvene the Calendar Committee has been considered. The Committee was not able to complete its mission because of a number of factors. She explained various factors that needed to be considered for setting the calendar, including possible savings by changing the bus schedule for the CAPT test. She said that she felt that it would be good to finish the task that was started and that the State does not require the calendar be filed until June 30th. Discussion followed.
** Ms. Rivas called the question.
** The motion to call the question failed to pass with one in favor (Rivas) and eight against (Bishop-Pullan, Keyes, Hamilton, Chiaramonte, Iannaccone, Haynie, Colarossi, and Halsey).
Mr. Colarossi said that there were some concerns about the number of days for Rosh Hashanah, but there were broader issues to consider. Discussion followed.
Ms. Haynie reiterated her points and reminded everyone that the State does allow the District to revise the calendar. Dr. Papallo said that the issue, like delaying or canceling school, was a complex issue. He said that the District tries to coordinate their calendars because of students who attend schools in Stamford or the students who come in to the CGS. Dr. Papallo said that he had made a note to look at the possible cost savings.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ATTACHED SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR 2010-2011 PASSED WITH eight IN FAVOR (Bishop-Pullan, Keyes, Hamilton, Chiaramonte, Iannaccone, RIVAS, Colarossi, and Halsey) AND ONE OPPOSED (Haynie).
E. Approval of 2010-2011 Operating Budget.
Mr. Colarossi said that although there was a public hearing last night, there were significant questions unanswered.
** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGET FOR 2010-2011 IN THE AMOUNT OF $154,832.896.
** MR. CHIARAMONTE SECONDED.
Mr. Colarossi said that he felt that it would be important to have the questions answered before approving the budget. Mr. Colarossi then listed a number of the areas of concern, such as the legal costs, the recycling and certain cuts. He then suggested that the budget be sent to the Budget Committee. Discussion followed.
Mayor Moccia then said that there had been a meeting with the BET and the BOE the previous evening. He then reviewed the figures that the City had in terms of income, which is a reduction of just under 37% in revenue. The unemployment rate is 7%, there were 54 foreclosures last year, there are 400 houses on the market and the Housing Court has been flooded with cases. These are the issues that the City is facing, which also mean that the BOE will also have to face. The Emergency Shelter and Catholic Charities are facing with a sharp increase in request for meals since people are struggling with keeping a roof over their heads. He said that if the recommendation went to the BET, it would not necessarily be looked upon favorably.
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