Board of Education Meeting Minutes

February 24, 2004

NORWALK BOARD OF EDUCATION

FEBRUARY 24, 2004

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Bishop-Pullian led the Committee members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

SPOTLIGHT

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

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Budget Update

Dr. Corda said that the Board has made recommendations for reduction of the budget. Dr. Corda said that this year the budget request was increased by 8.9%. He said that because of the difficulty in the city’s expenses the Board has been asked to reduce the budget. Dr. Corda said that tonight’s presentation was to rearrange ways of providing services with the budget revisions.

Dr. Corda reviewed the reduction of the advertisement by $6,000 and legal fees by $10,000. He said that a reduction of 10.5 teachers in the ESL department would not reduce or cut back on the comprehensiveness of the program. Dr. Corda said that the same service would be available as last year. Dr. Corda said that Dr. Lang would give an in-depth report at the next meeting.

Dr. Corda said that the curriculum development has been reduced by $120,000. He said that there was a reduction of two instructional specialists for $221,808. He added that this could be re-visited next year.

Dr. Corda said that he was not sure if any reductions can be made as a result of collaboration with the city. He said that this option would be explored at a meeting tomorrow. Dr. Corda said that if there were any reductions realized, the Board would make the determination based on the recommendation of the Superintendent. He added that depending on the final budget allocation, then recommendations can be made as far as priorities.

Dr. Corda said that the NCLB budget is recommending a reduction of $363,000. He said that the academic support would be cut back from twelve to six.

Dr. Corda said that there is a reduction in appropriation of $100,000 in the areas of occupational therapy and physical therapy services. He added that this would mean providing these services through different means.

Dr. Corda said that there are two positions in the special education budget that are set aside as reserves in the event that the special education population increases. He said that the budget could be reduced by an additional $121,000 and another $72,000 in aids.

Dr. Corda said the special education budget could be reduced by 4.5 teachers and save $270,000.

Dr. Corda said that there would be changes in the transportation line within the athletic departments.

Dr. Corda said that as of 12/03 there were 29 letters from teachers indicating that they would retire, therefore seeing a reduction of $406,000.

Dr. Corda said that the city notified the Board that there was reduction in the liability insurance by $53,000 representing more savings.

Dr. Corda said that these proposed changes would reduce the budget by $3.6 million dollars.

Ms. Rivas asked if the bilingual program would be impacted by the ESL reductions. Dr. Corda said not at this time.

Ms. Murray asked to have a presentation by Dr. Lang on the gap for the ESL when the presentation is made for the ESL reductions.

Mr. Cole said that the primary issue was on education. He said that there could be a reduction in the ice hockey sport because it costs the most per student. He said that this represents a significant expense for a small number of students.

Dr. Corda said that the Board was not at the point of eliminating any sport.

Dr. Corda said that the primary mission was education. He said that research over the last 15-20 years have shown poor performance among every child. Dr. Corda distributed the Model for Student Success information to the Board and audience. He said that the chart has been used before. Dr. Corda reviewed the Supportive Learning Community chart of components, where they are and where they need to go. He also reviewed the Standards for High Levels of Achievement and the Highest Potential for Success charts.

Dr. Corda said that this would always be a work in progress because the Board would always get new students that would have to perform at high levels.

Mr. Vetter asked where the high expectations began. Dr. Corda said responded that having strong elementary and middle school curriculum would prepare the student to expect rigorous work in high school.

Dr. Corda said that this was a continuous effort and the Board must move forward and not stop.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Monica Zombar, ESL teacher at Norwalk High School was at the meeting with several Hispanic people to ask the Board to reconsider reducing the ESL budget.

Angeles Galan said that her son was in the first grade but would fall behind in other subjects if he could not keep up with English.

Carmen Holtz, Silvia Garcia, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Yessenia Tarazona and Melvin Rodriguez were also present to ask the Board to reconsider reducing the ESL teachers because of family or siblings that were attending the ESL class.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

1. Approval of minutes (February 3, 2004) 2. Approval of Personnel Actions 3. Approval of Field Trip(s) 4. Approval of Budget Transfers

** MR. VETTER MOVED APPROVAL THE CONSENT AGENDA WITHOUT THE MINUTES. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. MURRAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 3, 2004. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. COLE).

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Educational Specifications Committee

Dr. Corda said that the recommendations for the change to the Education Specifications Committee are ready to bring to the next meeting for a vote.

B. 2004/05 Calendar

Dr. Corda said that he would like to share the comments received about the calendar and the February vacation. He said that schools have been closed for tradition on both days of Rosh Shashana. Dr. Corda said that with those holidays of 9/16/& 9/17 the school closing would have to be extended to June 21, 2005.

Dr. Corda said that the recommendations from the teachers bargaining group were to restore the early dismissal for the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas vacation. He said that Ms. Cary and the PTO Council said the students could go a full day before the holiday.

Dr. Corda said that he was recommending that the February recess move from 2/21/05 to 2/14/05. He said that the reasoning behind that was for people that travel. He added that Presidents Day fall the week of 2/21/05 and travel was difficult for most everyone because that was a busy travel week. Dr. Corda said that from an educational point of view it does not make a difference one way or the other what week was decided upon.

Ms. Hamilton asked what other districts were doing about this. Dr. Corda said that Darien has the vacation scheduled for March because of construction. He said that the Fairfield and Westport school districts have 2/21/05 recess. Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that the later week was preferable at Brien McMahon because of the construction at that school.

Mr. Cole said that not to close early the day before Thanksgiving would make a hardship on family and faculty because of travel. Mr. Vetter said that he agreed with the Superintendent about not having an early dismissal. Ms. Murray said that enough notice should be given regarding the February recess so that people could make plans. Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked if the calendar was ready for a vote for the next meeting. Dr. Corda said it could be set and that the other districts have the next school calendar approved already.

Dr. Corda said that people should not make plans based on a draft and there was enough opportunity extended to presidents of the groups for people to share their view.

C. Status Report: Racial/Cultural Balance Committee

Dr. Corda said that the copies have been done and the reports would be in the libraries for the public to read. Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that the Racial/Cultural Balance Committee did a wonderful job with the research and development of plans for racial balance in the schools.

Ms. Murray said that sites are still being identified for public hearings regarding this and would set up a calendar so that the public was aware of the dates. Ms. Murray said that this moves the Committee from Phase I to Phase II and to move forward and have community input.

D. Board Member Announcements

Dr. Corda said that there would be a focus group that would meet on March 1 at 7:00pm at Norwalk High School and the public was invited to attend. He added that this would be a general meeting and an invitation would be extended to attend a focus group, which would give an opportunity to interact and to know what the Board was looking for in the new principal.

Dr. Corda said that in March there would be an opportunity for faculty and parents to meet with the consultants that would be forming the focus groups. Dr. Corda said that there are two city residents that by profession conduct focus groups and has volunteered their services. He added that an outside consultant would also be used at a fee of $6,000. Dr. Corda said that a higher number was in the paper last week but that number was not correct.

Mr. Cole said that he sent an email to the Racial/Cultural Balance Committee for the next task to be done. He said that the middle schools were next to discuss. Ms. Murray said that the Executive Committee decided to put that process on hold. She said that it was put on hold because of the amount of information obtained with the elementary schools. Mr. Cole said that he would ask for guidance because he had not heard this before. Ms. Murray said that this would be discussed at another time with the Executive Board.

Mr. Poley read a letter from a parent regarding her appreciation about an article in the December 3rd paper and about the effect of the No Child Left Behind Act on the school system.

ADJOURNMENT

** MR. COLE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

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