Board of Education Meeting Minutes

October 19, 2004

BOARD OF EDUCATION

OCTOBER 19, 2004

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools; Craig Reichenbach; Ralph Valenzisi

CALL TO ORDER

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

SPOTLIGHT

Ms. Hamilton read the written report, Spotlight on Norwalk Public Schools.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Update on Technology Implementation

Dr. Corda indicated that tonight’s report would be in the form of a presentation by Mr. Reichenbach and Mr. Valenzisi regarding the status of the technology plan and how it is to be implemented.

The following was presented:

· Technology Implementation Update · Vision · Elementary Schools – Where we are · What we have learned?…. · Elementary School PC/Student Ratio · Elementary Schools – Goals for TAG Schools for 04-05 · Elementary Schools – Goals for all Elementary Schools 04-05 · Elementary Schools – Goals for TAG Schools 05-06

Mr. Valenzisi indicated that TAG represents Technology Advisory Group

· Elementary Schools – Goals for all Elementary Schools 05-06 · Genesis Implementation Elementary Level · To extend the Pilot Programs to all Elementary Schools, we must add hardware… · Grade 4 & 5 Pilot Expansion Costs · Middle Schools – Where we are · Middle Schools PC Student Ratio · Middle Schools – Goals for 04-05 · Genesis Implementation Middle School Level · Middle Schools – Goals for 05-06 · High Schools – Where we are · High School Student to PC Ratio · High Schools – Goals for 04-05 · High Schools – Goals for 05-06 · Genesis Implementation High School Level · District Professional Development · Email · Teacher Web Site · District Web Site · Genesis Implementation Costs · Anticipated Capital Spending 2005-2006

Mr. Reichenbach concluded by saying that all hardware purchases will be driven by the curriculum and that nothing will be done without communicating to the schools involved, defining when and where and that ample training will take place.

Mr. Valenzisi thanked all of the teachers in the district.

Mr. Polley said the units of study really give teachers something that is concrete in teaching this area of the curriculum; he asked if there are plans indicated in the curriculum document that there is an associated unit of study that implements technology.

Mr. Valenzisi said in time when a unit is created it would be exported to the teacher resource website – all the resources will be there at that point and teachers will be able to download them. He said the nice thing about as they build these is that they can tie in other standards (technology, social studies etc) to meet that requirement.

Mayor Knopp noted his thanks for the presentation at the same time indicating that Karen Del Vecchio, the city’s director of IT was present. He said one of the goals for each of the three schools levels is to expand the use of technology across all content areas; he asked how this would be measured and evaluated on how this is going and to know what content areas have been dealt with.

Mr. Valenzisi said the portfolios would be able to show that they are using the technology in the content area and the content area will be the tracking device. Technology will be integrated into the science content area; it is an indirect co-relation making sure the children know how to use the tools for the 21st Century.

Mayor Knopp said in the discussion about district wide by email; he asked if any investigation had been with regard to a joint venture, to use the same email format as the city.

Mr. Reichenbach said as far as the platform is concerned they will be staying with the one they have as it is part of their operating system and there is no cost to have that and they have been able to maintain this for the last couple of years.

Lynn Massey asked how and when are the teachers going to find the time to learn all of the new material and to implement the data.

Mr. Valenzisi said this has to be integrated on a regular basis. He said they are creating the tools and resources so that when the teachers are teaching there is a PowerPoint presentation that goes along with it – he said they are trying to make this as easy as possible.

Ms. Murray asked if the teacher and administration evaluations would be part of this.

Dr. Corda stated that they have not identified as a component, on either the teacher or the administration evaluation the use of technology.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan noting the appreciation of Board knowing what is happening and that in the end having things like Genesis will save a lot of time.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No members of the public wished to comment this evening.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

Ms. Rivas requested that the item one be removed from the consent agenda.

2. Personnel Actions 3. Approval of Field Trip(s)

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

With regard to the personnel actions, Dr. Corda announced that Dr. Kenneth Martinelli is being recommended for the position of Instructional Specialist in Science. He said they are delighted to have him and expect great things from him in the science department.

1. Approval of the Minutes (September 21, 2004)

** MS. MURRAY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2004 AS CORRECTED. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

The following correction was made:

Page two, third paragraph from the bottom, in the first line delete the word information and replace with equipment.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. APPROVE WEST ROCKS RENOVATION PROJECT AS COMPLETE

** MS. MURRAY MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE WEST ROCKS RENOVATION PROJECT NO. 103-0195EA AS COMPLETE. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. ACTION CONCERNING DATE CHANGE OF NOVEMBER 2, 2004 BOARD MEETING.

Dr. Corda indicated that right now there is no reason to have the November 2, 2004 meeting.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO CANCEL THE NOVEMBER 2, 2004 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM CAPACITY BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENT SILVER GRANT – ID FOCUSED MONITORING SUPPORT RFP.

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE $25,000 GRANT RFP TO THE CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. CLASS SIZE REPORT

Dr. Corda said that they shared this during the last meeting and the Board will be officially receiving that report; essentially it is the same information.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan confirmed that the report had been signed off.

Dr. Corda concurred.

B. POLICY 3260 – SALES AND DISPOSAL OF BOOKS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Ms. Rivas stated that they should be able to vote on the final draft of the policy regarding the disposition of obsolete or surplus equipment during the next meeting.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan indicated that if the Board members had any further comments to direct them to Ms. Rivas.

C. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Murray said regarding the Racial Balance Committee, the next tentative date is November 4, 2004 at the South Norwalk Community Center.

ADJOURNMENT

** MR. RIVERA MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes