Board of Education Meeting Minutes

May 4, 2004

BOARD OF EDUCATION

MAY 4, 2003

ATTENDANCE: Jody Bishop-Pullan, Chairman; Thomas Vetter; Judith Rivas; Richard Fuller; Susan Hamilton; Rosa Murray; Robert Polley; David Cole.

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools; Stuart Opdahl

OTHERS: John Hawley, Gilbane

CALL TO ORDER

Mrs. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 7:45 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All presented recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Vetter read the written report, Spotlight on Norwalk Public Schools.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda suggested that this was a bit like a case of “sorry I forgot” as last week was National Secretaries’ week; he apologized to the staff and said he would make up for it. Dr. Corda went on to say how much they are appreciated for the tremendous work of all the secretarial and administrative staff.

With regard to the current status of the proposed budget for next year, Dr. Corda indicated that the Board of Estimate and Taxation took an action that allocated $2.5 million that was intended for the school and moved it to the city’s contingency fund. This was with the understanding that should the District be successful in any contractual discussions with the teachers’ group; any savings would be shared between the city and the Board of Education. The position of the Board of Education is that this action is not consistent with what the law requires and as a result they have received an opinion of counsel that the Board will deliberate over on how it wishes to respond. Last night at the Board of Estimate and Taxation’s meeting the discussion concerning this matter resulted in the matter being tabled for further discussion at the next meeting; that meeting is in the first week in June. Therefore they are operating under the present time with a budget that was approved by the Board of Estimate of Taxation that is some $2.5 million less than they had anticipated receiving. The resolution is uncertain. The reality is that there is a budget that was approved and at this point in time it is a budget they are going to have reconcile. It is now a budget that is $2.9 million shy of where they need to be and they will be examining all of the options to get to that number; it is something they have to do. He added that they are going to begin this process and they will be able to provide some numbers at the next meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Reverend Lindsay Curtis said on behalf of the NAACP that he was here to speak about diversity hiring. There are several positions vacant at the moment at senior levels, especially at Norwalk High School and he suggested it was very important to hire somebody that represents the community. Rev. Curtis asked for due consideration to be given to diversity hiring as it is a role model of the children; he added that of course the candidate should be qualified and be able to perform the role.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

1. Approval of Budget Transfers

2. Approval of Personnel Actions

3. Approval of Educational Specifications Committee Charges

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO ADD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO BE TAKEN DURING PUBLIC SESSION. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Polley requested that requested that Item 1 be removed from the consent agenda.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS DISCUSSED. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MR. POLLEY MOVED APPROVAL OF BUDGET TRANSFERS ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED.

Mr. Polley requested explanation of the transfer procedures. Mr. Opdahl provided the explanation.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. APPROVAL OF FACILITIES REPORT

Mr. Hawley distributed revised documents for the Facilities Audit and Analysis and Priority Needs Assessment Update; he said they had reconciled the detailed estimate but there was no change to the overall budget.

Mr. Opdahl said with regard to the contingency funds that there is flexibility in each school account.

Mr. Hawley added that this budget is based on the walk-through of the buildings; the next stage is the design stage.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan addressed the two portable classrooms at Jefferson.

Mr. Hawley noted that $400,000 had been added for this after going through the priorities of each school; he said they had decided to get rid of the portable classrooms and there was now more allocated for the design of the building.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked where the money had come from to accomplish this.

Mr. Hawley replied that there were several areas. Money was allocated for wall work, but that had already been taken care of as part of the roofing work so the money was moved over. Mr. Opdahl added that there was also money available under the priority grant funds.

Mr. Vetter said in trying to get the ed. Specs filed by June 30, 2004 what would they need to do to make sure that this happens.

Mr. Opdahl replied that they would need to appoint committees and to develop a narrative that will need to be presented to state by June 30, 2004; at that point it would be a year before the revenue would flow. He added that several of the papers had already been filed.

Mr. Hawley mentioned that they anticipated four filings in June.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said regarding Norwalk High School, during the accreditation process there were some concerns about going from one plan to another they lost a lot of things; she confirmed that those things had been put back.

Mr. Opdahl confirmed that the original budget had been restored to $33 million as this is a large school and they would need to catch the enrollment bubble.

** MR. COLE MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE FACILITIES REPORT PRESENTED BY GILBANE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON MAY 4, 2004. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. GILBANE – REPORT ON FACILITIES

Previously discussed under Item VI. B.

B. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Cole announced that for the Memorial Day parade they have asked the children to honor the World War II veterans by having floats dedicated to the veterans.

Ms. Murray said next Monday (May 10, 2004) they will be having their second community meeting for the Cultural Balance Committee; it will be in the George Washington Community Center at 7:00 pm.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said she is almost finished with the development of the ed spec committees but they need a community member with construction experience so if anybody knew of a suitable candidate to please let her know.

Mr. Fuller asked about the graduation for the middle schools.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ACTION IN PUBLIC SESSION. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board went into executive session at 8:20 pm; they reconvened into public session at 9:35 pm. The following resolution was adopted.

** MR. COLE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE LEGAL COUNSEL TO INSTITUTE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WITH REGARD TO THE UNLAWFUL PLACEMENT OF FUNDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF TEACHER HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS IN A CITY CONTINGENCY FUND. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Fuller and Mr. Polley left the meeting at 9:36 pm.

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS NEGOTIATIONS. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board went back into executive session at 9:36 pm. They reconvened into public session at 10:14 pm.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes