Board of Education Meeting Minutes Part II

August 30, 2005

Mr. John Reynolds addressed the Board on the possibility of Jefferson School becoming a Magnet school. He said the most important point he wanted to make was that the existing students that were coming to Jefferson similar to the Silvermine proposal would continue to come as in the past but they would also accommodate additional students in order to become more racially balanced. He presented an outline of a possible curriculum which would have a more science-based focus. Mr. Reynolds said that they work in conjunction with the Maritime Aquarium and they have the children going over there and performing data analysis on harbor seals, wetlands, different curriculum depending on which level. He said groups go to the Aquarium several times a year and the Aquarium sends staff over for lessons at the school. They were looking at expanding this type of curriculum. Preliminary discussions have also been held with Norwalk Hospital with the idea of adding them as possible resources.

Questions were raised regarding staffing and the issue of being elementary certified. Dr. Corda said that what they needed from the Board was the go-ahead to formulate a much more formal plan for the 2006-2007 school year. To support that, they were recommending the assignment of a Jefferson School teacher with a strong background in science to be assigned as the Magnet School Facilitator. He said this has not yet been discussed with the NFT in light of any salary implications, etc., because that would be premature. He said he felt that the opportunity is here to create a very exciting program about integrating science into the life of the school. He said the Aquarium had a strong relationship with the school, and beyond that, they have the hospital and Stepping Stones Museum as additional resources. He pointed out that there are significant opportunities here. Dr. Corda said this idea is the result of the work that they did in exploring issues about racial balance and the recommendation and the strongest element for community support was through a magnet program.

Mr. Corda said they have the resolution and could act on it tonight if they desired. His opinion was that they should act on it. Mayor Knopp stated there has been no selection of architect or construction manager, so they were not in possession of jeopardizing signed contracts. They need to come up with a school safety plan as well. Mayor Knopp said the City was willing to commit the tennis and basketball court areas to facilitate safety for the school, adding that this was a long-term real opportunity to solve a poorly designed traffic problem and it wasn’t so far along that it would slow down and cost money.

Ms. Murray asked for a motion to add a possible action on Jefferson School to the September agenda. Ms. Rivas stated her concern that current Jefferson students wouldn’t be forced to go elsewhere.

** MR. FULLER MOVED THAT, RESOLVED, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FORMAL PLAN FOR THE CREATION OF AN INTRA-DISTRICT MAGNET SCHOOL AT JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Board Members Announcements

Mayor Knopp responded to a question raised earlier in the meeting by Ms. Cadden regarding the implementation grants being reimbursed to Norwalk High School. He stated that the statement in her letter to the Board is inaccurate, that the City has committed that every dollar saved through any energy project at any school would come back to that school. He said it has been done at Brookside and Brien McMahon, and it will be done at Norwalk High as well.

Ms. Murray thanked all the Board members who were able to attend the NAACP conference and from all the comments it was very successful and will build a firm foundation for a second annual conference. Ms. Murray also extended her thanks to the Board members who, in addition to what they do throughout the school year, have committed their time and late hours to meetings and negotiations over the summer.

IX. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Murray called for a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and resume Executive Session to continue the earlier discussion regarding the student personnel matter and negotiations.

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION OF STUDENT PERSONNEL MATTER AND UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS. RESUMED REGULAR MEETING WHICH ADJOURNED AT 11:0A3PM

** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda J. Hayes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes