Board of Education Minutes

September 21, 2004

BOARD OF EDUCATION

SEPTEMBER 21, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Jody Bishop-Pullan, Chairman; Rosa Murray; Judy Rivas; Susan Hamilton; Thomas Vetter; Marina Rivera; Robert Polley; The Mayor, Alex Knopp.

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools; Mark Gorian, Director of Facilities; Hugh McKiernan; Stuart Opdahl

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

Dr. Corda referred to a handout entitled Norwalk Public Schools – Instructional Plan.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan thanked Dr. Corda for the report noting the importance of the instructional plan.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were none this evening.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

Ms. Bishop-Pullan requested that the minutes from July 6th and September 7th be removed from the consent agenda.

2. Personnel Actions

3. Approval of Field Trip

** MS. MURRAY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 6, 2004 ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED.

The following corrections were made:

On page five, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MR. VETTER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED.

The following corrections were made:

Page three, third paragraph, second line, delete the word reading and replace with writing. Page seven, tenth bullet point, delete set of numbers and replace with criteria. Page eight, correct CHEFA.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. APPROVAL OF FINAL PLANS AND PROFESSIONAL COST ESTIMATE FOR PHASE V OF V FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT BROOKSIDE PROJECT NO. 103-0197 RNV-E.

** MS. MURRAY MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE FINAL PLANS AND PROFESSIONAL COST ESTIMATE FOR THE BROOKSIDE PROJECT NO. 103-0197 RNV/E – PHASE V OF V. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

Mr. Gorien stated that there are two pieces of information in the playground that do not meet code and they are in need of substantial repair. Therefore it is necessary to abandon them and replace them with two new pieces that will be suitable for ages 2-5 and 5-12. He said that the ground will be built up with wood chips and there will be additional plantings, fencing and drainage. He asked for approval on the item so that it can be passed to the NFCC and then onto the state for the approval process.

Mr. Vetter asked if the funds would be coming from the Brookside project.

Mr. Opdahl replied that they were, however the funds are running low. He indicated that for the school to be as “like new” the playground would have to be complete.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. APPROVAL OF FINAL PLANS – BMHS GLOBAL STUDIES PHASE V OF V PROJECT NO. 103-0212MAG/E

Mr. Opdahl indicated that this has been reviewed by all of the committees and meets the standards throughout the district.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE FINAL PLANS AND PROFESSIONAL COST ESTIMATE FOR THE BMHS GLOBAL STUDIES PROJECT NO. 103-0212MAG/E, PHASE V OF V. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. APPROVAL OF ELEMENTARY PROGRESS REPORTS

Mr. McKiernan describes this as a live document saying that he has still been receiving comments on this. Since last time they have been continually looking through the document to make sure that it is accurate. He went through the difference in previous versions. Mr. McKiernan suggested to the Board that the document is reviewed on an annual basis to make sure that it is useful. Additionally he suggested that guidelines for parents and teachers be created so there is a consistency throughout the district.

Mr. Polley asked Mr. McKiernan to comment on issues that had arisen during the process.

Mr. McKiernan said they are going to continue to address the issues in terms of content area.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan thanked everyone involved.

** MS. MURRAY MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED ELEMENTARY PROGRESS REPORTS. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. APPROVAL OF SCHOOL LEADER EVALUATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

Dr. Corda indicated that pieces of this information regarding assistant principals and housemasters. He said after meeting with representatives of these groups they also suggested changes to the body of document. The committee met and after a long discussion made further changes and as a result this will come before the Board for approval at the next meeting.

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM UNTIL THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 5, 2004. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (NET & BOE)

** MR. VETTER MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NFT AND BOARD CONCERNING PAYMENTS, AS IDENTIFIED IN APPENDIX A-6, VIII OF THE CURRENT AGREEMENT, TO THE HEAD MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT BE AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. CLARIFICATION OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Ms. Rivas indicated that the Policy Committee would bring forth a recommendation regarding college courses.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan requested that they look at hours and waiting.

B. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were none this evening.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes