Board of Education Meeting Minutes

June 7, 2005

BOARD OF EDUCATION

JUNE 7, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Jody Bishop-Pullan; Susan Hamilton; Richard Fuller; Judith Rivas; Tom Vetter; Marina Rivera; Robert Polley; Mayor Alex Knopp (ex-officio); Rosa Murray (8:10 p.m.)

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 7:48 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Bishop-Pullan led the Board in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Vetter spotlighted Mr. John Lewis from Norwalk High School and 11 students in Ms. Diane Smith’s class.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda said that because this might be the last public meeting of the school year, he wanted to publicly thank the administration, staff and the students for the wonderful job they did.

Center for Global Studies Ms. Joan Glass gave a power point presentation about the Center for Global Studies. The presentation highlighted the activities that took place last year and the proposed activities planned for next year.

Ms. Glass introduced students who participated in the Center for Global Studies. They shared some of their experiences.

Dr. Corda acknowledged Ms. Glass for a job well done.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Elias Ceteretes expressed his concern about the Greek program being cut from the curriculum.

Miss Casi and Miss Nicki Foros asked why Greek was being taken away.

Dr. Corda explained that for the language to be offered, they need a minimum of 12 students registered for the course. Greek I is not being offered because only 9 students registered for the class. He said that levels 2 and 3 will be offered. Dr. Corda added that German I is not being offered for the same reason.

Dr. Corda said that the goal is to offer the languages, but they must have the enrollment to offer the classes.

Ms. Bishop-Pullen said that they have heard the comments and the administration will work with the families and the Church to come to a resolution.

Mr. Dave Davidson said that the Board of Education budget that was submitted in December 2004 was knowingly fraudulent. He urged the Board to pursue the issue and for the City to be wary of budgets issued by the Superintendent.

Mr. Euanos Christos, Vice President of the Greek Club at Brien McMahon said that he was concerned about the loss of Greek level I classes.

ACTIONS

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO ADD THE FOLLOWING ITEM TO THE AGENDA ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED

Approval of NFEP Memorandum of Agreement

Mayor Knopp asked the Board to either opposed or table this item to the next meeting. He explained that this is the first he had heard about this item and as an ex-officio member of the Board, there has been no communication between the Central Office and the Board of Education on this matter.

Mayor Knopp said that this is an important matter and the Finance Director has not had an opportunity to review the agreement.

Mr. Polley asked Mayor Knopp how much time he felt was needed for the review. Mayor Knopp said that they would need a few days to review the agreement.

Dr. Corda said that historically the City has never been involved in this agreement. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Consent ** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT ITEM ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED

Personnel Actions

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Approval of Minutes May 17, 2005

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2005 ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. FULLER)

Approve adoption of Mathematics textbook grades 6 – 12

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF MATHEMATICS TEXTBOOK GRADES 6 – 12 ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Approve adoption of Social Studies textbook grades 6 – 12

** MR. FULLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOK GRADES 6 – 12 ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Approve renewal of contract with Central Kitchen and NEON for their summer program

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH CENTRAL KITCHEN AND NEON FOR THEIR SUMMER PROGRAM ** MS. RIVAS SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. FULLER)

Approval of Authorization for Superintendent to Hire Instructional Staff, other than administrators during the summer ** MS. MURRAY MOVED APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SUPERINTENDENT TO HIRE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF, OTHER THAN ADMINISTRATORS DURING THE SUMMER ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Approve change of June 21, 2005 Board of Education meeting to June 14, 2005

** MS. MURRAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHANGE OF JUNE 21, 2005 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TO JUNE 14, 2005 ** MR. FULLER SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Approve submission of Primary Mental Health Grant at Naramake School

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE SUBMISSION OF PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH GRANT AT NARAMAKE SCHOOL ** MR. VETTER SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Approval of NFEP Memorandum of Agreement

** MR. VETTER MOVED THE APPROVAL OF NFEP MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED

Mayor Knopp explained that it would be appropriate to table this item to allow the Finance Department an opportunity to review the Agreement. He said that the City has made an effort to improve communications with the Board of Education, and he attends almost every meeting. He said that he could not believe that no information was provided to him. There is a legitimate City interest in this Agreement and if it is a good Agreement he sees no harm in tabling the item for a few days.

Mr. Fuller said that the Board of Education needs to have clear communications so that they know what should go to the Mayor’s office.

Dr. Corda said that if Mayor Knopp is saying that all contracts have to be reviewed by the Finance Director, that is going to impact the responsibilities of the Board of Education. Mayor Knopp said that he respectfully disagreed with Dr. Corda. He said that he is a member of the Board of Education, by the Charter and the reason is to deal with issues of communication. It is not to detract from the power of the Board of Education.

Mayor Knopp said that if he had known about this matter before tonight’s meeting, he would not have suggested tabling the item. Mr. Fuller asked if the union had approved this item. Dr. Corda responded affirmatively.

Ms. Bishop-Pullen said that as a courtesy to Mayor Knopp she would not mind tabling the item. Mr. Vetter said that part of the problem with this appearing as it did, is that with this union, this is historically the way it’s bee done.

** MR. FULLER MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING ON JUNE 14, 2005 ** MR. VETTER SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Mayor Knopp thanked the Board for their courtesy.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

Board of Education Bylaws (9220, 9221 & 9230)

Ms. Rivas said that the bylaws need to be updated to conform to the City Charter.

Discussion of Job Descriptions (1. Instructional Specialist – Early Childhood Education. 2. Dean of Students)

Dr. Corda said that this item is for information and will come before the Board with formal job descriptions and for action.

Dr. Corda explained that the Instructional Specialist – Early Childhood Education position is one that will focus on the transition between pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs and will create opportunities for matters related to early childhood education. He said that this is a significant step forward for Norwalk

Ms. Murray asked how the Board would be kept in the loop. Dr. Corda said that they will follow the normal procedure. Credentials of the individuals will be sent to the Board members.

Mayor Knopp said that this is an extremely important position and is a positive step forward.

Academically Talented programs and curriculum

Dr. Lang gave a presentation about the Academically Talented program and curriculum. She said that the program will be consistent in all of the schools.

Board Members Announcements

Mr. Fuller said that he had an opportunity to participate in the Connecticut Coalition for Justice. The results have been posted and he will send the link to everyone.

Mr. Fuller announced the Wilkerson scholarship presentation on June 9, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Library. Ms. Rivas said that it was very rewarding.

DISCUSSION OF NEGOTIATIONS (NFT, NASA, AND Central Office)

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

The Board went into Executive Session to discuss negotiations (NFT, NASA and Central Office) at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes