Board of Education Meeting Minutes

July 20, 2004

BOARD OF EDUCATION

JULY 20, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Jody Bishop-Pullan, Chairman; Rosa Murray; Judith Rivas; Susan Hamilton; Richard Fuller; Marina Rivera; Robert Polley; David Cole; Thomas Vetter; Mayor, Alex Knopp

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

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 7:55 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda began his report by saying that although these are difficult times, they should not lose site of the important things. Regarding the action of the Common Council rejecting the agreement there are two ways this can go. The first Dr. Corda explained is arbitration where the matter will be decided to either uphold the decision or if not the other option is that the existing agreement with the NFT will have to be enforced for the 2004/05 school year. The savings that would have been coming to the district of $1.3 million will have to be removed by reducing expenditures even further. He went over the priorities of the district regarding the revised curriculum, textbooks, a plan to improve the accountability and above all the educational achievement of all students saying that these are still their goals and as a district they will take this one step at a time.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Cheryl Taccone stated that she has three children in the Norwalk school system. She said she was here tonight to speak about the possible elimination of the AT class. Although this is a minority group the children (including her son) should not be jeopardized because there is not enough money. She asked if there was any way they could keep the AT teachers as these are very important years for these students.

Rachel Ambrose stated that it was the AT class that got her through, saying the class deepened her education and it would be a mistake to cut the class.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

1. Approval of the minutes

** MR. VETTER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2004 AS AMENDED. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED.

The following correction was made:

Page one rephrase Ms. Rivas’s statement ….through the course of here career, especially during budget reconciliation and the curriculum revision….

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. APPROVAL OF SUBMISSION OF GRANT PROPOSAL – YOUNG PARENTS PROGRAM, BRIGGS HS.

** MS. RIVERA MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG PARENTS PROGRAM GRANT. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN STAMFORD MAGNET PROGRAM

Ms. Bishop-Pullan indicated that this was presented to them during the last meeting.

** MR. COLE MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN THE STAMFORD ENVIRONMENTAL INTERDISTRICT MAGNET SCHOOL (PK-8) UPON ITS COMPLETION IN 2007. THIS PARTICIPATION GIVES NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ACCESS THROUGH THE APPLICATION AND LOTTERY SELECTION PROCESS ADOPTED BY STAMFORD. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

Mr. Vetter asked if they were required to send a certain number of children.

Dr. Corda replied that they are allowing us to participate but there is no requirement to send a set number of students.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. APPROVAL OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM CONTRACTS

** MS. RIVERA MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED CONTRACTS FOR THE FOLLOWING AFTER SCHOOL PROVIDERS: YMCA OF NORWALK (BROOKSIDE, COLUMBUS, CRANBURY, FOX RUN, SILVERMINE, TRACEY AND WOLFPIT); A.C.H.I.E.V.E. (JEFFERSON, MARVIN AND ROWAYTON); COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF NORWALK (KENDALL). ** MR. VETTER SECONDED.

Mayor Knopp asked if there was any outcome regarding the discussion of the Achieve Program and students being able to attend programs outside of their particular school.

Dr. Corda replied that the issue was about whether or not a parent was able to afford a program in the child’s school of attendance. The agreement is that the first opportunity will be for the providing program to make sure all parents are aware of whatever financial assistance is available. Should they not meet the needs of the family and another program can provide service then the other program will be able to have that child. It is not only for Achieve, it is for all of the programs in the district.

Mayor Knopp said since he had to sign these agreements, he wanted to be sure that they had been reviewed by the law department first.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dr. Corda commented that the after school program is a significant step for Norwalk; it is unique in school systems as there will be access in every elementary school for after-school programs. This was generated in response to concerns expressed by parents and they are in the process of finalizing agreements so that this will be in place in each of the four middle schools.

E. APPROVAL OF CL&P ENERGY INCENTIVES

** MR. VETTER MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HEREBY AUTHORIZES THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER TO SIGN A LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH CL&P IN REFERENCE TO THE RECEIPT OF AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $230,837 IN ENERGY INCENTIVES FOR THE ADDITION AND RENOVATION TO THE BRIEN MCMAHON HIGH SCHOOL. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

Mr. Opdahl stated that a number of contracts that they participate in with CL&P, some of them have been designed by Nexgen for energy management services. Regarding major renovation projects they have a different way of looking at the project, they work initially with the architect, he referred to exhibit A in the back-up material for examples. Mr. Opdahl pointed out some corrections – on page one, the date should be December 31, 2006 and the square footage number is not correct as it stands; he added that he would have Fletcher Thompson review this further. It is important to note the revenue they would be brining into the project, for example $38,000 on the Brookside project.

Mayor Knopp stated that he had asked Gilbane to review the proposal and referred to an email sent to him today from John Hawley (project manager), mentioning the errors referred to Mr. Opdahl (the date and the square footage) it also comes with a recommendation that Fletcher Thompson review the proposal. The Mayor said they are big supporter of energy efficiency projects and this is a good way for the city and the Board to partner and save funds. He suggested that in the future that the CL&P agreements be reviewed by the NFCC and the Gilbane Company to make sure that they are accurate as part of the project.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked if this could go forward with the corrections as mentioned.

Mayor Knopp agreed that it could be wanted a further review from the NFCC.

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO INCLUDE AMENDING THE DATE ON PAGE ONE TO DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND TO INCLUDE THE ACCURATE SQUARE FOOTAGE FIGURE. THIS IS ALSO SUBJECT TO A FURTHER REVIEW BY FLETCHER THOMPSON. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan stated that they had two more action items to add to the agenda, the elementary school report cards and the approval of teacher retirement incentives.

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO ADD TO THE AGENDA THE APPROVAL OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORT CARDS. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO ADD TO THE AGENDA APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT CONCERNING TEACHER RETIREMENT INCENTIVE. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. APPROVAL OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORT CARDS

Ms. Bishop-Pullan referred to the report they had received on this a couple of weeks earlier.

Mr. Polley asked if the teachers would have to fill out the report cards by hand or if it would be done by using the computer.

Mr. McKiernan said it would be a multi-page form and that they hope to have this computer generated soon, he added that this would require some professional development.

Mr. Mellon (NFT) stated that this was not in the packet and requested that the item be tabled for two weeks.

There was discussion about delaying the process for a period of two weeks. Mr. McKiernan indicated that there would be a window to delay the project.

** MR. FULLER MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

G. APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT CONCERNING TEACHER RETIREMENT INCENTIVE.

Dr. Corda said the teacher retirement incentive was something they had negotiated with the agreement with the teachers’ bargaining group with the intent to provide the opportunity for those who are close to retirement to accelerate their decision as long as there are savings for the district. The agreement was structured in a way that required them to be able to document savings and as a result of the retirements there will be a savings to the district of $61,000. This represents savings and they are recommending that the Board approve this. Once this has been acted upon, the Board will be asked to act upon the resignation of the purpose of retirement for six employees.

** MR. FULLER MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE TEACHER RETIREMENT INCENTIVE BETWEEN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND NORWALK FEDERATION OF TEACHERS. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

Mr. Polley asked what would happen if they did not approve this.

Dr. Corda replied that they would be obligated to go to those individuals and say to them that the retirement incentive is not approved and therefore they would have an opportunity to withdraw the letter of resignation. The implications are that the savings would dissipate; secondly in terms of those positions they are about to fill they would have to go to those individuals and tell them that they are not able to offer that appointment. It would create problems and he said there is no downside to doing this at all.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan indicated that in light of approval of the previous action item they would need to add a personnel item to the agenda.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO ADD A PERSONNEL ITEM TO THE AGENDA. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

H. PERSONNEL ACTION

** MR. COLE MOVED TO APPROVAL THE RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT UNDER THE 2004 RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PLAN. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED.

Mr. Fuller confirmed that the savings would arrive from what they would pay the new people coming in.

Dr. Corda explained that the formula involves assessing the cost of maintaining the employee at the salary for this year plus their fringe benefits. Comparing that with the cost of a replacement of the person similarly certified and what the cost of their benefits are and in addition the payment they are making to the retirees.

Mr. Polley wished to acknowledge Ms. Versage-Salito and Mr. Warchol saying that they are both very dedicated individuals.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said each year the Board has to evaluate the superintendent’s contract. She said they have done an evaluation and she wanted this to get on the agenda. She went through the highlights of the report.

B. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Bishop-Pullan commented that they had all received their packets electronically this weeks and thanked Dr. Corda and his assistant.

Dr. Corda said that this will save significantly in paper and time and this was due to the new equipment that has been installed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

** MS. RIVERA MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION OF CONTRACT. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board went into executive session at 8:45 pm and reconvened into public session at 9:43 pm. No action was taken.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes