Board of Education Meeting Minutes

February 3, 2004

BOARD OF EDUCATION

FEBRUARY 3, 2004

PRESENT: Jody Bishop-Pullan, Chairman; Susan Hamilton; Judith Rivas; Richard Fuller; Rosa Murray; Thomas Vetter; Marina Rivera; Robert Polley

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools; Craig Reichenbach

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 7:50 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Vetter read the written report Spotlight On Norwalk Public Schools.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Budget Update

Dr. Corda stated that with regard to the budget, they are in the process of examining every line to see whether any revised estimates can be made; they are also examining the way in which they deliver their instructional services to students to see if there may by a more effective and efficient way to do that. He said their hope is that after this examination they will be able to realize ways of being more efficient and reducing costs. Dr. Corda said that this will be a difficult budget year and their intent is to minimize the impact on the instructional program as a result of any reductions that have to be made.

Dr. Corda reminded everyone that on February 18, 2004 he and Mr. Opdahl would be spending some time with the Board of Estimate and Taxation to review the recommended budget. On February 25, 2004, Dr. Corda said that there would be a meeting so that members of the community could let their feelings be known about the Board of Education’s budget and the budget across the city.

Make-up days for inclement weather

With regard to snow days, Dr. Corda provided the Board and community with an update noting that they need to make up three days as a result of the days that had to be taken due to inclement weather. He said there is more than enough time in the calendar to make up these days.

Delay in CMT results

Finally, Dr. Corda reported that they received word last week that the CMT results that are normally reported around this time of year, have not yet been released due to some difficulties regarding the scoring by the vendor. He said they do not have any firm dates for the release of firm data however the best estimate they have is some time in the spring.

Mr. Polley added that the results of the CMT are delayed throughout the state, not just Norwalk. Dr. Corda concurred.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no comments from the public this evening.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

Mr. Vetter requested that Item 4 be removed from the consent calendar.

1. Approval of minutes (January 20, 2004) 2. Approval of budget transfers 3. Approval of personnel actions

** MR. FULLER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. ** MR. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Approval of field trips

** MS. MURRAY MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED FIELD TRIPS: BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL, CENTER FOR GLOBAL STUDIES CHINESE LANGUAGE STUDENTS TO BEIJING, CHINA APRIL 15-24, 2004; BRIEN MCMAHON GLOBAL STUDIES TO JAPAN, GROUP 1 – MAY 6-21, GROUP 2 – MAY 16 – JUNE 1, 2004; PONUS RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 8 TO WASHINGTON DC APRIL 28-30, 2004. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

Mr. Polley asked if there was a mechanism in place if a trip has to be cancelled. Dr. Corda replied that there was.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan noted that there is a policy in place whereby the Board can withdraw approval at any time.

** MOTION PASSED SEVEN VOTES IN FAVOR, ONE ABSTENTION (MR. VETTER).

B. REVISION OF CHARGE TO EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS COMMITTEE

Ms. Bishop-Pullan indicated that they had been requested to table this item to the next meeting pending more revisions.

** MR. FULLER MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING. ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

C. REVISION OF DIVERSITY EMPLOYMENT PLAN AND COMMITMENT TO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Ms. Bishop-Pullan stated that this was brought forward by the Superintendent in order to broaden the teachers and parents on the committee.

Dr. Corda referred to the change in of language in the sixth line – making the word student plural.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED REVISION TO THE DIVERSITY EMPLOYMENT PLAN AND COMMITMENT TO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. CHANGE DATE OF FEBRUARY 17, 2004 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TO FEBRUARY 24, 2004.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan stated that this meeting has been changed due to the school vacation.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE DATE CHANGE FOR THE FEBRUARY 17, 2004 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TO FEBRUARY 24, 2004. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. RESCHEDULING OF GRIEVANCE HEARING

Dr. Corda said that he had provided the Board with three potential dates for the rescheduling of the grievance hearing, March 22nd , 23rd, and 25th – he suggested they go for March 23rd as it is a Tuesday.

B. REVIEW OF HIRING PROCESS/NHS PRINCIPAL SEARCH

Dr. Corda referred to a discussion held during the last meeting regarding a proposal for the search of a High School Principal; he stated that the cost of this would be between $20-22,000. He respectfully suggested that they utilize the consultants for the identification of candidates only; that would reduce the costs significantly. Beyond that in terms of the focus groups and advertising he said they could do that in-house.

Ms. Murray said during the last meeting they had talked about using a consultant to keep this process as objective as possible. Although she understood about costs, Ms. Murray asked by doing everything in-house would that still keep the process as open as possible.

Dr. Corda said that one of the steps they want to take is to conduct the focus groups this is because they want to hear from the community about what they feel is most crucial in identifying potential candidates. The process they have followed for principals in the district seems to have been successful in allowing a fairly wide spread participation in the interview process. He said the value in the consultant is that not only would he be able to identify possible candidates but he would also be available as a resource as they structure the process.

C. REPORT ON MUNICIPAL AREA NETWORK

Mr. Reichenbach gave the following presentation entitled Metropolitan Area Network Project – What it means to NPS – What is cost to NPS. He stated that this was a result of work that had taken place over the eighteen months by the Mayor’s Technology Committee, the Board of Education and the City. It was made up of the following:

· Proposed MAN · Solution 1 – Norwalk BOE · What does this mean to NPS · Norwalk Public School MAN costs

Mr. Reichenbach concluded his presentation by informing the Board that once they commit to this they have to say this will be put into the operating budget

Dr. Corda explained further that $297,000 that was in the capital budget has now been transferred over into the operating budget; the figure of $162,000 is in addition to this. He said they are looking at a total expenditure of approximately $425,000 a year. He stated that they are locked into that number and if they embark on this course of action that is the commitment they are making.

Mr. Reichenbach noted that because of the number of schools and where they are located, they would be the main provider and the major user. He reiterated that once they get into the project they couldn’t pull the plug. He suggested that it will position them well for the future but asked if it was an expense right now that they could afford.

There was some discussion of the figures.

Ms. Murray asked what the reasons were behind looking at something like this at this time.

Mr. Reichenbach replied that their network, at the Board of Education is suffering terribly because of the lack of bandwidth. He said they are not able to put a lot of applications out there that the schools want because the access that the schools have right now is not sufficient to run the software. They needed this process three years ago and has been developed over the last couple of years with the city.

Dr. Corda added if they not going to do this they would have to peruse another way of expanding their capacity. He said it seems to them, through collaboration with the city, a more efficient way of doing it.

Mr. Fuller said that they are working with the city sets the right tone. In terms of the other pieces he suggested this would have to be approved tonight to get it going.

Mr. Reichenbach gave some details with regard to e-rate money and other reimbursable figures. He added that this is something that they should not drag their feet on but members of the Board have to be comfortable in approving it.

Ms. Rivas noted that she was fairly comfortable with this because she had been following it through the libraries; she said she was supportive of this and liked the idea of collaborating with the city. Ms. Rivas also indicated that if they were to go their own way with another system if could affect security issues.

Dr. Corda said another advantage is having the library on the same ring. Mr. Reichenbach added that they would be connected to all of the municipal buildings; it is also part of the plan to include other buildings in Norwalk.

Ms. Murray asked for information on other cities that have already done this. She also asked if this would be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Dr. Corda explained that this would be put into the form of a resolution that would authorize them to proceed in cooperation with the city. He said he would like to get the sense of the Board with regard to their support so he is able to advise the Mayor’s office.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked where this would fall in terms of the budget.

Dr. Corda said for this year (the 2004/05 budget) it would not necessitate the first year’s payment. Once this is authorized it would become operational approximately January of 2005 and therefore their cost would be $81,477 for the six month period.

Ms. Murray requested further information on the security.

Mr. Vetter said regarding the recurring costs, a lot of technological costs have come down over time and asked over a period of ten years, would these costs come down.

Mr. Reichenbach said that the costs would not go up but could not see them coming down.

Mr. Polley asked if this system would enable the teachers to have voice mail. Mr. Reichenbach stated that it would.

Mr. Polley asked if the servers would be moved to a central location. Mr. Reichenbach said this has yet to be discussed at length.

Mr. Polley asked who has the network account and storage space. Mr. Reichenbach said they would be given out as they are needed.

Ms. Murray asked about instruction to the teachers. Mr. Reichenbach said they would be training the staff on how to get to it.

There was a question from the audience asking if this system demands more expertise. Mr. Reichenbach said there would be training on how to run the application; staff would not be running the system.

Mr. Buswell, added that with regard to Mr. Vetter’s questions, there is a refresh option every five years for a technology upgrade.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan confirmed that Board members would be giving the superintendent the go ahead with this and come back for approval next week.

D. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Bishop-Pullan indicated that the newly formed drama club at the Brien McMahon High School will be having their first performance on February 7, 2004 at 7:30 pm.

Mr. Fuller in honor of Black History Month they will be having a traveling museum of black inventors; he said this would help to obtain a better understanding of the many cultures. He said he would be a Carver, February 8, 2004, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan reminded everyone that there would be a special meeting at 7:45 pm February 10, 2004 held at West Rocks Middle School for a report on the Racial Balance Committee.

ADJOURNMENT

** MS. RIVERA MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes