Board of Education Meeting Minutes

January 18, 2005

BOARD OF EDUCATION

JANUARY 18, 2005

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Murray 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 announced that the proposed calendar for the 2005/06 school year has been sent to the PTO Council and the chairpersons of the different bargaining groups so that they can share their thinking of the proposal. It is the intent to have this on the agenda for the February meeting; he noted that copies were available. Secondly, Dr. Corda stated that they will be publicizing the email addresses of staff with the expectation that this will provide another avenue of communication to parents. He said it is their goal to encourage staff to use email as a means of communication within the district as well as the administration taking advantage of it.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Carol Seirup, (first vice president NFT) presented to the Board several copies of a book entitled Freedom, History of Us for each of the middle school and high school libraries.

ACTIONS

Ms. Bishop-Pullan requested that the minutes be removed from the consent agenda.

A. CONSENT

2. Personnel Actions

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

1. Approval of Minutes (January 4, 2005)

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 4, 2005 AS AMENDED. ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED.

The following corrections were made:

Page 3, under actions, it should be noted that Ms. Rivera (not Ms. Rivas) requested removal of the minutes and that she abstained from the vote. Page 5, second paragraph, delete stared and replace with stated. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. B. APPROVAL OF POLICY 6146 – GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (SPECIFICALLY CREDIT FOR COLLEGE COURSES). ** MS. RIVAS MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE ATTACHED REVISION OF POLICY #6146 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. Ms. Rivas noted that no further changes have been made to this since the last revision and that copies are available. Mr. Polley said regarding the graduation performance assessment it would appear to be difficult to track and asked if there was a tracking system in place so that it can be tracked accurately over time. Dr. Corda replied that he did not know the answer at this time but would look into it.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. APPROVE APPOINTMENT TO THE DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS COMMITTEE.

** MR. COLE MOVED: RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JOHN FALCONE TO SERVE ON THE DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS COMMITTEE.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

Mr. Cole said by adding Mr. Falcone would bring more expertise to the committee, as he is highly knowledgeable of the renovation projects in the Norwalk schools. He gave background information on Mr. Falcone.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dr. Corda stated that over the February recess Brien McMahon High School will undergo a major move to the new building so that the renovations that are necessary can occur. When school re-opens students and teachers will be unfamiliar with their surroundings. Mr. Rodriguez is very concerned about this and has recommended that school have a delayed opening (for students only) so that staff can familiarize themselves. Dr. Corda commented that this does make sense in such unusual circumstances and unless there are concerns he said it was his intent to approve and publicize this.

Mr. Vetter asked if this delay would impact other schools in the district, especially regarding transportation.

Dr. Corda replied that the delay would be for two hours but this would be subject to working out the logistics of transportation etc.

Mr. Cole said with regard to the expansion of the Ed Spec Committee, he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for the membership. He went through the forthcoming schedules of schools to be reviewed.

Mayor Knopp wished to congratulate everyone involved with the activities regarding Martin Luther King Junior; he noted that it was a very impressive and substantive weekend and thanked those for organizing the events.

Ms. Murray thanked the Board members for attending despite the cold and for everyone else including the Mayor and the Superintendent.

NEGOTIATION ITEMS WITH NFT AND NASA

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS NEGOTIATION ITEMS WITH NFT AND NASA. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board went into executive session at 8:10 pm and reconvened into public session at 8:31 pm. No action was taken.

ADJOURNMENT

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. COLE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes