Board of Education Meeting Minutes

June 14, 2005

BOARD OF EDUCATION

SPECIAL MEETING

JUNE 14, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Rosa Murray, Chair; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Susan Hamilton; Marina Rivera; Robert Polley; Judith Rivas; Thomas Vetter

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Murray called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

ADMINISTRATIVE INTERVIEW (EXECUTIVE SESSION)

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Board went into Executive Session at 6:30 p.m.

PUBLIC SESSION

The public session opened at 7:48 p.m.

SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Vetter announced the names of this year’s recipients of the Mentor Scholarship.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda said that he and Mayor Knopp had an understanding, that if there was a surplus in the budget this year, it would be applied to the fund balance. He announced that the fund balance this year would be approximately $750,000. Dr. Corda commended Mr. Updahl and everyone responsible for monitoring the budget.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Thomas Hamilton, City of Norwalk, Finance Director spoke about the proposed settlement of the NFEP contract. He said that at the last meeting, Mayor Knopp asked to table the item for further review. He said that after reviewing the contract, he recommended rejecting the contract or tabling it for further analysis on how this contract compares to other comparable contracts in the region.

ACTIONS

CONSENT

** MS. RIVERA MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT ITEMS

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

BUDGET TRANSFERS

** MR. VETTER SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING JOB DESCRIPTIONS ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED

APPROVAL OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, DEAN, MIDDLE SCHOOL DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SAID THAT SHE WAS PLEASED WITH THE WAY THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS WERE WRITTEN AND THEY WILL PROVIDE GOOD SERVICES IN THE SCHOOLS ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEM ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED

APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE NORWALK FEDERATION OF EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL 2005-2009

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that when she moved this item last week, it was for information purposes, not for review.

Dr. Corda explained that the change in the present plan will net a savings of $180,000. The change in spousal coverage will net $40,000. The net impact of the agreement in year one will be $1.74%. Dr. Corda said that the caliber of work that the bargaining group does is outstanding. When issues arise, they take care of them.

Dr. Corda said that the difference in percentages is not substantial. It is important to think about the percentage of the salary to which that percentage is applied. He added that the responsibility of this contract is exclusive to this Board.

Ms. Rivas said that based on the information she has read, she believes that this is a fair contract and fully believes that it will be good for the City of Norwalk. She said that she would support this item.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that she was comfortable with the contract. The statutory authority is given to this Board and she said that she has no problem approving this contract.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEM ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED

APPROVAL OF ACADEMICALLY TALENTED CURRICULUM

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

** MS. BISHOP-PULLEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEM ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED

APPROVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CT HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES 9/1/04 – 8/31/08

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that the language in the contract was well done. Dr. Corda said that the agreement was done in good faith. He said that it is difficult to find qualified school nurses. The issue is compensation. Dr. Corda said that at some point, they need to review compensation for school nurses.

** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. VETTER)

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEM ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM

APPROVE BOARD OF EDUCATION BYLAWS #9220, #9221 AND 9320

Ms. Rivas said that the wording on vacancies needs to reflect unaffiliated voters. Mr. Polley said that the wording was flawed, but is under the City Charter. Ms. Rivas said that item needs to be addressed, because a number of Norwalk voters are unaffiliated.

Mr. Vetter said that he feels that the policy should be reviewed.

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO WITHDRAW HER MOTION TO TABLE

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

BOARD MEMBERS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Hamilton said that she went to the Kendall School ground breaking this morning. The project will officially begin on June 23, 2005 and will end in August 2006.

Ms. Murray said that she stopped in to the reception for Dr. Ramos, who is the new Superintendent of Schools in Bridgeport.

DISCUSSION OF NFT AND NASA NEGOTIATIONS (EXECUTIVE SESSION)

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Board went into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes