Board of Education Meeting Minutes

May 17, 2005

BOARD OF EDUCATION

MAY 17, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Rosa Murray, Chair; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Susan Hamilton; Judith Rivas; Thomas Vetter; Marina Rivera; Robert Polley; Mayor Knopp (7:55pm)

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools;

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Vetter called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Board came out of executive session at 7:50 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Murray led the Pledge of Allegiance

SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Vetter announced that several Nathan Hale Middle School students excelled in the 2005 Latin National Language Council.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda said that his report will be a presentation to the Board on a reconciliation of the budget.

BUDGET RECONCILIATION

Mayor Knopp arrived at 7:55 p.m.

Dr. Corda gave a presentation outlining the budget reconciliation and the Superintendent’s recommendations summary.

Mayor Knopp congratulated Dr. Corda and the Central Office for the reconciliation. The Board discussed funding for various programs.

Mr. Robert Lindberg distributed and explained the budget revision and update for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No members of the public wished to speak.

ACTIONS

CONSENT

** MS. BISHOP-PULLEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED

APPROVAL OF MINUTES (APRIL 5 AND MAY 3, 2005)

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

APPROVE BUDGET TRANSFERS

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

APPROVAL OF WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM (6-12) AND TEXTBOOK ADOPTION

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM (6-12) AND TEXTBOOK ADOPTION ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

APPROVAL OF 2005 – 2006 BUDGET RECONCILIATION

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2005-2006 BUDGET RECONCILIATION ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED

Ms. Bishop-Pullen said that it was very exciting to be able to include the extra resources. She said that she was very happy to support this item.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

APPROVAL OF ED.SPECS & SUBMISSION OF ED049 (CRANBURY, JEFFERSON, NARAMAKE, NATHAN HALE AND PONUS RIDGE)

** MS. RIVERA MOVED TO APPROVE THE ED. SPECS AND SUBMISSION OF ED049 (CRANBURY, JEFFERSON, NARAMAKE, NATHAN HALE AND PONUS RIDGE ** MR. VETTER SECONDED

Mr. Stuart Opdahl provided a memo detailing specific priorities for each of the schools. He explained that the Education Spec. Committee asked each of the schools to put in priority order what they need.

Cranbury School: Mr. Opdahl said that every item they asked for is in the City report.

Jefferson School: There has been some discussion about turning Jefferson School into a magnet school. He said that almost everything they have requested is in the budget.

Naramake School: They decided that they did not want to issue a list of priority items, because the budget is very mechanical (code updates, etc.), therefore they did not submit a priority list. Mr. Opdahl pointed out that the building was renovated 6 – 7 years ago.

Nathan Hale: Every item they requested is in the budget.

Ponus Ridge: This school is in the greatest need.

Ms. Murray asked Mr. Opdahl if the modifications were shared with the schools. He said that nothing meaningful was taken out of the requests. Ms. Murray said that even as slight as they are, they need to be sure that the buildings are notified.

Mayor Knopp said that in submitting the ed specs, it is assumed that everything can be completed within budget; however, when they go out to bid and the costs increase it may be that the estimates will come back over budget. He said that it is important that the parents are informed of the process, but it is also important that the parents are not promised that everything can be done. Communicating the process is important so that the parents have realistic expectations.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NEON USE OF COLUMBUS SCHOOL FOR SUMMER CAMP

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE NEON USE OF COLUMBUS SCHOOL FOR SUMMER CAMP ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

YMCA USE OF MARVIN SCHOOL FOR SUMMER CAMP

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE YMCA USE OF MARVIN SCHOOL FOR SUMMER CAMP ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO ADD THE FOLLOWING ITEM TO THE AGENDA ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

APPROVAL OF PRINCIPAL AT NATHAN HALE

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE ROBERT McCAIN AS THE NEW PRINCIPAL AT NATHAN HALE MIDDLE SCHOOL ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Dr. Corda introduced and welcomed Mr. McCain.

Dr. Corda introduced Mr. Michael Rafferty, and noted that he has a strong background in Language Arts.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

MATHEMATICS TEXTBOOK GRADES 6-12

Mr. John Keogh gave a report about the new mathematics textbooks that will be used in grades 6 – 12.

SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOK GRADES 6-8 AND 9-12

Mr. Joseph Glenda gave a report about the new social studies textbooks that will be used in grades 6 – 8.

Mr. Patrick O’Shanessey and Ms. Beverly McFadden gave report about the new social studies textbooks that will be used in grades 9 – 12.

All of the books described were located on a cart in the room for further review by Board members.

Mr. Polley asked if there would be an option of getting an electronic version of the books. He was told that the schools do not have the hardware capability at this time.

Dr. Lang said that as soon as they are given approval, they are ready to order the books.

MAGNET SCHOOL UPDATE

Dr. Corda reported that he has met with different groups to apprise them of the concept of the magnet school. He said that he has seen the first draft of a survey that will be distributed to parents to ascertain what interest might exist and what choices may appeal to parents.

Dr. Corda will update the Board as they move along on this process.

REVIEW OF CAPITAL PROJECTS

Dr. Corda reported that work at Brien McMahon continues, however, the asbestos removal project was put on hold by the State. They are waiting for instructions from the State before proceeding.

Mr. Craig Reichenbach distributed a request from the Land Use and Building Management Committee outlining three capital projects for approval. He described those projects.

Mr. Reichenback said that the Common Council wants the Board of Education to be aware of those three projects. Mr. Vetter said that the Board of Education is aware of those projects and they have already been approved. Mr. Reichenback said that when he goes back to the Land Use and Building Management Committee he will let them know that the Board of Education is aware of those projects and that they have already been approved.

Mayor Knopp left the meeting at 9:30 a.m.

BOARD MEMBERS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Vetter said that the Norwalk High School project is moving slowly.

Ms. Hamilton said that the Kendall School project is moving along. The teachers are beginning to pack up their classrooms.

Mr. Polley said that the Tracey School Building Committee is meeting on Thursday.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Rosemarie Lombardi Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes