Board of Education Meeting Minutes

January 4, 2005

BOARD OF EDUCATION

JANUARY 4, 2005

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

OTHERS: Bill Silver, Architect

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Knopp called the meeting to order at 8:20 pm.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO ADD THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO THE AGENDA. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mayor Knopp stated that it was his pleasure to serve as Chairman at tonight’s organizational meeting. On behalf of the City he thanked Ms. Bishop-Pullan for her service as Chairman, Ms. Murray as Vice Chair and Mr. Vetter as Secretary.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO NOMINATE ROSA MURRAY TO THE POSITION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Ms. Rivas stated that she was pleased to put forth this nomination as Ms. Murray serves the community in so many different ways and always puts the children first.

** MR. FULLER SECONDED.

Mr. Fuller added that he has worked with Ms. Murray for a number of years and has always appreciated the work Ms. Murray does for the children in Norwalk, even on Sundays.

Mr. Cole stated that Ms. Murray is well equipped and well qualified to be the leader of the Board of Education.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mayor Knopp announced that Rosa Murray was the Chairman of the Board of Education for the coming year.

** MS. HAMILTON NOMINATED JODY BISHOP-PULLAN FOR VICE CHAIR FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Ms. Hamilton stated that Ms. Bishop-Pullan had done a wonderful job as chairman and would continue do a great job as Vice Chair.

** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

Mr. Fuller stated that he fully endorsed Ms. Bishop-Pullan’s nomination.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mayor Knopp announced that Jody Bishop-Pullan was the Chairman of the Board of Education for the coming year.

** MR. POLLEY NOMINATED THOMAS VETTER AS SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Mr. Polley noted that Mr. Vetter was a tireless advocate and to continue as secretary would provide continuity to the Board.

** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mayor Knopp announced that Thomas Vetter was the Secretary of the Board of Education for the coming year.

SPOTLIGHT

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

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda wished all a very happy New Year and hoped that everyone’s dreams would be realized. The Norwalk public school district and community are served well by the Board of Education who has remained focused, united and hard working. Even though there are many new members, over the last four year the Board of Education have not missed a beat; this has made no difference in their commitment to make sure that all students achieve. Dr. Corda stated that it has been a tremendous pleasure working with Ms. Bishop-Pullan who is focused, stable and has her eye on the mark; he thanked her for work as chair and said he was looking forward to working with Ms. Murray over the coming year.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were none this evening.

ACTIONS

A. CONSENT

Ms. Rivas requested that the minutes of December 21, 2004 be removed.

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

** MR. VETTER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. RIVERA ABSTAINED

1. Approval of Minutes (December 21, 2004)

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2004 AS PRESENTED. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. ________________________________________________________________________

At this point in the meeting Mayor Knopp administered the oath for elective officers for Rosa Murray, Chairman; Jody Bishop-Pullan, Vice Chairman and Thomas Vetter, Secretary. ________________________________________________________________________

B. APPROVAL OF KENDALL FINAL PLANS AND PROFESSIONAL COSTS ESTIMATE – PHASE 1 OF 3

** MR. FULLER 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 KENDALL PROJECT NO. 103-02293A – PHASE 1 OF 3. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

Bill Silver stated that this is part of the formal process whereby the Board of Education has to approve the three portions of the plan before they are sent to the State.

Mr. Vetter asked if this would require that summer programs have to be moved.

Dr. Corda replied that he was not certain but would find out.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. APPROVE 2005-2006 CAPITAL BUDGET

Dr. Corda stated that during the last meeting he had shared the recommendation for the capital budget and since the textbook expenditures are coming from the reserve fund he recommended $875,00 for the capital technology budget.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT’S CAPITAL BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $875,000. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. POLICY 6146 – GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (SPECIFICALLY CREDIT FOR COLLEGE COURSES).

Ms. Rivas indicated that the Policy Committee did meet do discuss the recommendations made by Dr. Corda. She added that it would be added to the agenda for action at the next meeting.

B. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Cole announced that the Ed Spec Committee has been meeting and they intend to do a walk through Ponus Ridge and Cranbury. He added that he does have a new member to add to the committee and will add this to the agenda for the next meeting.

Mayor Knopp stated that a number of Mayors, superintendents and members of civil rights groups are making the effort to launch a funding coalition seeking more justice for education funding. He went on to say that on Monday he will be requesting from the Board of Estimate and Taxation $15000 for Norwalk’s share to fund the education adequacy study so they can figure out what level of funding is needed to educate all children from all backgrounds. The Mayor said that he would be asking for approval from the Common Council and would also be asking this Board to approve Norwalk’s participation. He added that he had received an email from Bruce Mellion (NFT). Secondly, Mayor Knopp invited everyone to attend the next annual Mayor’s Ball on January 21, 2005. All of the proceeds will go to the school scholarship fund.

Mr. Fuller stated that Martin Luther King Junior day will be on January 17, 2005. There will be a breakfast at 8:00 am and then the program will continue at West Rocks Middle School from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. He added that the programs will center around youth violence.

Ms. Murray handed out literature about the events on January 17, 2005 confirming that the Mayor and the Superintendent would be present. She also distributed copies of the current committees and members, asking any changes to be submitted.

ADJOURNMENT

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN 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