Board of Education Meeting Minutes

June 1, 2004

BOARD OF EDUCATION

JUNE 1, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Rosa Murray, Acting Chairman; Susan Hamilton; Judith Rivas; Marina Rivera; Rob Polley; Thomas Vetter; David Cole; Richard Fuller (8:50 pm); the Mayor, Alex Knopp.

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda; Dr. Karen Lang; Hugh McKiernan; Stuart Opdahl

OTHERS: Linda Paganina; Dr. Jim Volo; Dr. Muriel Gerhard

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All present recited the pledge of allegiance.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

** MS. RIVERA MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE PURPOSE OF: A. DISCUSSION OF PENDING LITIGATION B. NEGOTIATION UPDATE C. NASA CONTRACTUAL REQUEST D. TEACHER LEAVE REQUEST E. NAMING OF FACILITIES

Mr. Polley recused himself at 7:35pm and re-joined the meeting for the public session that convened at 7:50 pm.

SPOTLIGHT

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

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

There was no report this evening.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Dewey Amos, Principal of Norwalk High School stated that they had been asked to put together a list of items regarding the renovations and that the Ed Spec Committee had done so.

Jeff Smith distributed copies of the Norwalk High School Ed Spec Report, June 1, 2004 to all members to the Board. He asked about the timing of the next meeting for a presentation of their findings.

Mr. Opdahl confirmed that the meeting was June 9, 2004.

Terry Quell thanked Board members for giving them the opportunity to put this list together but noted her concern about the short time frame they had been given to do this.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

1. Approval of minutes (5/18/04 ) 2. Approval of personnel actions

Mr. Polley requested that the minutes of May 26, 2004 be withdrawn.

** MR. VETTER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED SIX VOTES IN FAVOR, ONE ABSTENTION (MR. POLLEY).

** MR. COLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 26, 2004 AS PRESENTED. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED SIX VOTES IN FAVOR, ONE ABSTENTION (MR. POLLEY).

B. APPROVE ADOPTION OF MATH CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOK GRADES 6-12

** MR. VETTER MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE MATH CURRICULUM AND ADOPTION OF TEXTBOOKS GRADES 6-12 AS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING OF MAY 18, 2004 AND INCORPORATING THE CHANGES SUGGESTED BY THE BOARD AT THAT MEETING. ** MR. COLE SECONDED.

Ms. Rivas commended all involved on a great presentation.

Mr. Cole said with the rapid advance of the curriculum he wished to acknowledge the hard work of Dr. Lang over the last several months.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. APPROVE ADOPTION OF SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOKS GRADES 6-12.

** MR. POLLEY MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM AND ADOPTION OF TEXTBOOKS GRADES 6-12 AS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING OF MAY 18, 2004 AND INCORPORATING THE CHANGES SUGGESTED BY THE BOARD AT THAT MEETING. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. APPROVE RENEWAL OF CONTRACT WITH CENTRAL KITCHEN AND NEON FOR THEIR SUMMER PROGRAM.

Dr. Corda noted that this Item as well as the next three are all routine items that the Board takes action on at this time of year.

** MR. COLE MOVED: RESOLVED UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT BETWEEN NEON AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CENTRAL KITCHEN. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. APPROVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR HEAD START PROGRAM 2004-05.

** MR. RIVERA MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH NEON FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE HEADSTART PROGRAM FOR 2004/05. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. APPROVE YMCA USE OF MARVIN FOR SUMMER CAMP.

** MR. VETTER MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE USE OF MARVIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BY THE YMCA FOR THEIR SUMMER CAMP 2004. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

G. APPROVE NEON USE OF COLUMBUS SCHOOL FOR SUMMER CAMP.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH NEON TO USE COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THEIR SUMMER PROGRAM 2004. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. PRESENTATION OF SCIENCE CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOK RECOMMENDATION K-8

Dr. Lang said that she wished to remind everyone that this is an outgrowth of the science evaluation that was done last year. The same time that they have been working on the curriculum the state has been in a bit of a turmoil in terms of conflicting philosophies about what science programs should look like. They are ahead of the game now and they are close to the finished program. For the high school, however, they all agreed that it did not make sense to go ahead with a formal adoption until they finally saw what the state framework looked like. The other new development as a result of the No Child Left Behind legislation, in the year 2007/08, the state will begin a required CMT in the area of science, so that in grades five and eight all students will be tested; there is sill some question about the lab experience being moved to eighth grade. Dr. Lang said they are very confident about their standards. In addition to this at the high school and many others across the state, they are adding forensics courses to their curriculum as it is very popular and it also capitalizes on motivation.

The science program, Dr. Lang continued, is the most expensive program in the entire system. They are going to be recommending a program that consists of science kits and textbooks, they are modular textbooks now, so they only buy the chapters they need. There will also be a recurring cost with this program as the items will need to be replenished and without any on-going administration of the program, she anticipated problems.

Linda Paganina showed a copy of the Biology Honors textbook that they would like to adopt; she passed it around along with a list of interesting points about the book including the fact that each point comes with a CD ROM.

Mr. Cole asked if there was a comparable book for non-honors students.

Ms. Paganina replied that they already have a new book for this, she added that the teachers would probably be able to use the same CD ROM for the non-honors class.

Mr. Cole asked if the CD ROMS would be replaced as they disappeared. Ms. Paganina said they would.

Ms. Murray asked if there was a way to share the study skills portion with other classes.

Ms. Paganina said she would enquire about getting additional copies of the guide. She said they could keep them at a central location so others could benefit from them.

Mr. Vetter said with the new technology being implemented at Brien McMahon High School, he asked would this book be enough to support technology in the future.

Ms. Paganina said they planned to have computers in the new rooms.

Mr. Vetter suggested that the books be available at the public library.

Mr. Polley noted that if the license is agreeable it might permit the contents to be put onto the school network so they would not have to use different CD ROMS.

Dr. Volo said they are in an unknown area regarding forensics, they have developed a curriculum for it, that is aligned with the national and state frameworks and the textbook they are recommending is entitled Criminalistics. He said this is a combination of everything a child would have learned about four years of science; the book looks at the whole science. Dr. Volo went through the list of reasons why the book is appropriate also noting that this book also includes a CD ROM.

Dr. Corda mentioned that there are a number of shows on television regarding forensics and he asked if it is these types of programs influence a child’s interest in this subject.

Dr. Volo replied that it was likely, but students that have opted to take the class have a pre-requisite in biology and chemistry, a very solid science background.

Mr. Polley asked is there is any plan that will provide a place for students to go if they decide to take this further.

Ms. Paganina said there is a great course at New Haven University.

Mr. Vetter asked if members of the local police department would be guest speakers.

Ms. Paganina said this is something they would certainly be looking into.

Dr. Volo said this is an unknown area and they hope to improve along the way.

At this point in the meeting Dr. Lang introduced Dr. Muriel Gerhard.

Dr. Gerhard said she wished to acknowledge all the people that have come together on this (she referred to the page of acknowledgements). Her presentation were made up of the following:

· Philosophy · Connecticut frameworks · Sequence of teaching · Example of content standards in third grade. · State Standards

Mr. Fuller joined the meeting at 8:50 pm.

With regard to the philosophy, Dr. Gerard reiterated the fact that this is a hands-on subject and that the current elementary schools textbooks date back to the 1970’s. She referred to the many examples of textbooks and science kits that were shown around the room that they are asking the Board to approve.

Dr. Lang distributed the budget K-5.

Dr. Gerhard thanked Caroline Lyons, a science teacher at Nathan Hale middle school for her input. She added that all of the teachers have spent a long time looking at the textbooks.

Dr. Gerhard went through the content of the middle schools.

Mr. Polley asked if there would be an opportunity for teachers to be able to share their lesson plans.

Dr. Lang said the lab activities can be shared by teachers. The next step is to provide staff development for all teachers.

Mayor Knopp asked how many textbooks will they be purchasing in science. Dr. Corda replied that for grades 2-8 the number of books would be for approximately 5000-6000 students.

Mayor Knopp asked how old the current textbooks are. Dr. Gerhard said the last time they bought textbooks for the elementary school was in 1978. Out of what is left, some schools have some things, and some have others.

Dr. Corda said they would see resolutions at the next Board meeting for the approval of the recommended textbooks.

B. UPDATE ON PLANNED BILINGUAL/ESL PROGRAM Dr. Corda said the testing should be concluded within the next week or two when they will have the final numbers that will allow them to figure out the staffing to the schools. He said it is their goal, to have in each of the schools, a teacher who speaks Spanish.

C. UPDATE ON ELEMENTARY REPORT CARD REVISION

Mr. McKiernan handed out back-up material. He said this comes at an important time and that all of their efforts need to be communicated clearly to parents and students and one of the most significant ways to do that is through the report card. He thanked everyone involved. He presented the following:

· Elementary Progress Report – Revision and Rationale · Grade 3 – Current Report Card · Content area · Proposed Report Card · Individual Student Plan (currently in use) · Third Generation CMT Scores · Possible Scoring Rubric

Mr. McKiernan noted that proposing a rubric permits teachers to grade children at the appropriate level.

Ms. Hamilton asked about if the IEP could get tied in. Mr. McKiernan said he would check with the teachers.

Ms. Murray commented that this would bring continuity during the parent conferences.

D. DONATION OF BOAT

Dr. Corda announced that he had accepted a gift of a 26 ft sailboat on behalf of the Board. He said that this is something that he wanted to make everyone aware of and that they will be asking for parental permission before allowing students to sail.

Mr. Polley asked about winter storage for the boat.

Dr. Corda said that he assumed that the cost for this would be absorbed by the ROTC unit – he said there would be no costs to the Board of Education.

Mr. Opdahl suggested looking into liability insurance.

E. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Cole announced the meeting of the Ed Spec committee would be tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

Ms. Murray welcomed Mr. Fuller back.

She also added that the next Racial Balance Committee meeting would be June 16, 2004.

POSSIBLE RESUMPTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no executive session.

ADJOURNMENT

** MR. COLE MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes