Board of Education Meeting Minutes

November 16, 2004

BOARD OF EDUCATION

NOVEMBER 16, 2004

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

OTHERS: Marilyn Liberatore; Nancy Fuzefi; Aniela Favona; John Reynolds; John Hawley;

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

Budget Development

Dr. Corda stated that it is now the time of year to begin the process of developing the budget for the 2005/06 school year. He noted that it was fair to say that last year could be characterized by a significant amount of unrest and public discourse, however he said he felt encouraged by Ms. Bishop-Pullan, Bruce Kimmel and others who have talked about the need to re-examine the way in which the city and the Board of Education conduct themselves in the public arena as the budget process unfolds. Dr. Corda also mentioned that he was encouraged by the Mayor’s efforts in bringing representatives from CABE and CCM together to discuss some issues and to provide some clarification and wished to underscore the recommendations that the Mayor, members of the Common Council, Board of Estimate and Taxation and the Board of Education think about how it is they want to approach the development of the budget and hopefully that this will lead them to a place where they can disagree, but in a place that will be a model for students to understand a way in which democracy should work.

The budget for the 2005/06 school year will continue to reflect the commitment that they have made for making sure they have the appropriate support as well as things in place to further the goal of academic achievement for all students. They have made significant progress in addressing some of the pieces that one has to pay attention to if they are serious about improving academic achievement. That there is a strong and rigorous curriculum, support for teachers, accountability for administrators and appropriate academic support for students so that they can engage and be successful. Dr. Corda said they have been fortunate in being able to begin to restore the organizational support system for the instructional specialist through the addition of assistant principles at the elementary schools. The end is in sight for the curriculum revision, now the more difficult work is going to receive the emphasis, and that is the implementation of that curriculum. This is not an easy task because it requires that the teachers familiarize themselves with the curriculum and the materials that are designed to support the curriculum. It will require the administrators to work diligently to support the work of instruction and it is important for them to be in classes to provide the support necessary so teachers can do the work they need to do.

Dr. Corda said they are proposing for the 2005/06 budget the systems that are necessary if they are going to move forward and that means the additional academic support at the secondary level, the instructional specialists in language arts and social studies and the professional development necessary. It will be a budget that outlines what they feel is necessary if they are going to go forward recognizing those requests will be modified so that the budget can be submitted to the Board of Estimate and Taxation that is consistent with what the City can afford. He encouraged anyone with any suggestions or recommendations to please share with the Board of Education.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Donna Riddell spoke about the need for more aides and teachers in the upcoming budget due to the increase in the class sizes. She distributed her notes.

Carol Seirup referred to a survey distributed to all teachers about items to be included in the 2005/06 budget – she distributed all questions, results and comments.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

Mr. Fuller requested that item I (minutes) be removed.

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

** MR. COLE MOVED APPROVAL OF ITEMS INCLUDED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED EIGHT VOTES IN FAVOR, ONE ABSTENTION (MR. FULLER).

1. Approval of Minutes (October 19, 2004)

** MS. RIVAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 19, 2004. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED SIX VOTES IN FAVOR, THREE ABSTENTIONS (MR. FULLER, MR. COLE, MR. VETTER).

B. APPROVE REVISION OF POLICY #3260 SALES AND DISPOSAL OF BOOKS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Ms. Rivas suggested that the item be tabled until the next meeting as not enough people have had time to review the policy.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO TABLE APPROVAL OF POLICY #3620 UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING. ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. REPORT ON TRIBES TRAINING

Marilyn Liberatore indicated that the idea behind their presentation tonight was to show how the Tribes process has helped students, staff and parents. She said it was four years ago at Columbus school that they had been receiving complaints about children not being engaged in their work as well as other related problems. As a result it was decided that the Tribes process would be implemented and it has been used ever since. She referred to the following quote: Tribes is a process that creates a culture that maximizes learning and human development. She presented the following slides:

· A Shared Mission and Goal · A New Pattern of Interaction · Multiple Ways of Knowing.

Ms. Liberatore stated that it has developed a learning community for staff, children and parents noting that it has been very successful.

Nancy Fuzefi, a social worker at Ponus Ridge, said they are all very passionate about Tribes saying how much of a difference it has made for all of them. She gave various examples of the Tribes process in her role as a social worker. Ms. Fuzefi stated that there are three reasons why Tribes is important. The first is that it meets the emotional and social needs of children, secondly it helps to narrow the achievement gap and thirdly it helps kids to become resilient. She presented the following slides:

· The Impact of Group Processing on Academic Achievement · Profile of Resiliency in People Big and Small.

Aniela Favona a second grade teacher at Columbus presented the following:

· Tribes Community Agreement

At this point in the meeting Ms. Favona simulated a Tribes lesson on the Board of Education members called One Special Thing About Me.

Ms. Favona concluded with the following two slides:

· Elements of a Tribes Learning Experience. · The Tribes Trail – a process of what a class goes through in a year.

John Reynolds stated that Tribes is research based; it is not an add-on. Since it has been implemented there have been fewer discipline problems and has improved the teacher/student relationships.

Mr. Fuller asked how do diversity and the number of children in the classroom effect the Tribes process.

Ms. Liberatore replied that the process deals with diversity very well as it teaches appreciation of our differences for children to think about themselves and how they relate to the world, it also helps to close the achievement gap because of the multiple intelligences in using the children’s brains. It really does address the needs of a diverse population.

Ms. Fuzefi said with regard to the number of children this works ideally with Tribes as the children are divided into groups dealing with tasks so even with higher numbers the needs of the children can still be met.

Mr. Fuller asked what the benefits would be is the same teacher taught the same group of children.

Ms. Liberatore responded by saying that it would provide continuity; she said the key is continuity and that is why it is important to have a whole school trained; to use the same language and agreements with the children.

Dr. Corda asked if any thought had been given to looping to see if having the same group of kids with the same teacher would make a difference. He said he would be curious to find out the observations and if there is something more to looping especially given this model.

Ms. Liberatore said she could see the sense, as they would be building a community.

Mr. Polley asked if the Tribes process was similar to the Bank Street philosophy.

Ms. Favona replied that it is comparable to what the teachers are expected to do.

Dr. Corda said another piece to this that the Board needs to be aware of. He said tonight they had seen a glimpse into Tribes when it is being implemented, but they trained teachers, social workers, administrators and other staff in every elementary school accept one. These staff members were trained over a five day period and the reason for that is because the intent to expand this process into the elementary schools as a means of addressing issues that have been identified by the staff. He said one of the issues is how are they going to provide the opportunity next year for staff in those schools to be trained in this model; they will have to examine how they are going to use staff development next year for professional development. He said they are going to suggest that there are other models for professional development that they would like to explore that are somewhat different from the way they do it now. Dr. Corda indicated that the other piece of information that the Board should be aware of is that the middle schools have expressed an interest in this as well.

B. PRESENTATION OF KENDALL PLANS

John Hawley, the project manager of Gilbane stated they had hired Silver Petrucelli & Associates as the architect to work on Kendall School and introduced Bill Silver.

Mr. Silver stated that they have been working on this project for three months developing standards etc. He referred to the site plan and individual floor plans noting that their charge was to find more community room; the main items to be changes in each room will be the windows, the ceilings, the lights and the floors giving a more bright and modern feel to the school.

Dr. Corda asked about the number of new classrooms.

Mr. Silver replied that there would be six new classrooms and of the six one had been allocated to art and another to music.

Mr. Fuller asked about the gym and the roof.

Mr. Silver replied that they had flipped the position of the gym and that the roof was replaced the summer before.

Dr. Corda asked with regard to interior of existing spaces what would be done to increase the storage in the classrooms.

Mr. Silver stated that they have done as much as they can with the existing budget and when the figures are more finalized and if money is freed up the cubby storage will be the first priority.

Dr. Corda asked about the contingencies.

Mr. Silver replied that there is a 10% design contingency and a 10% owners’ contingency.

C. BUDGET CALENDAR

Dr. Corda suggested that two nights be set back for the budget review process; he suggested December 14th and 15th (at 7:00 pm) in time to be adopted at the next meeting on December 21, 2004. He said that in the past two nights had been enough but the could add another meeting in if need be. He also suggested that they invite members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation and Common Council to the budget presentation not to participate but so they are party to the deliberations and so they have a prior knowledge of a more detailed explanation. He said they hoped to use the Community Room in City Hall but if this is not available then they would use one of the schools.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked about a hearing on the budget.

Dr. Corda suggested December 7, 2004 at 7:00 pm.

Mr. Fuller asked if they would still be going through the budget process on a school-by-school basis.

Dr. Corda replied that they would.

D. STRATEGIC SCHOOL PROFILES

Dr. Corda indicated that there was noting new to report and this was an opportunity for people to ask him questions.

Mayor Knopp requested a copy of the profiles.

E. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Cole indicated that the Ed Spec Committee had met to develop a planned preparation of the Ed Spec documents. He gave details of the procedure.

Mr. Cole said for the Memorial Day Parade the theme has three choices, to support the troops, to honor Veterans or to remember the dead. He said that a gift certificate from Barnes and Noble would be given as a prize to the best school.

Mr. Fuller noted that he and the Mayor had attended a Youth Volunteer event in Westport and it was great to see the youth in such a positive role.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan mentioned the Brien McMahon’s drama club event to be held – Curtain Flirting.

Mr. Mellion pointed out that December 7, 2004 is the first night of Hanukah and suggested December 8, 2004.

Dr. Corda stated that both the hearing and the meeting would be moved to December 8, 2004 at 7:00 pm.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

** MS. RIVERA MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE AUDIT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS AND SCHOOL LUNCH FUNDS. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board went into executive session at 9:30 pm and reconvened into public session at 10:30 pm. No action was taken.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 10.30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes