Board of Education Meeting Minutes

September 20, 2005

BOARD OF EDUCATION

SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Rosa Murray, Chairman; Rob Polley; Bruce Kimmel; Marina Rivera; Thomas Vetter; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Richard Fuller; Judith Rivas; Susan Hamilton; Mayor Alex Knopp (8:10).

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools.

OTHERS: Mary “Missy” Conrad; William Silver, Silver Architects

I. CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:47 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Murray led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Vetter reported that Vernece Richardson, a West Rocks Middle School student, joined 200 middle school students from throughout the United States at the Junior National Leaders Conference in July and August in Washington, D.C. The theme for this year’s conference was entitled “The Legacy of American Leadership.” The Junior National Leaders Conference introduces young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout American history while helping them develop their own leadership skills. The aim of this purpose is to inspire students like Bernice to recognize their own leadership skills by putting their own skills to the test as they examine some of today’s leading issues such as poverty and the environment, and to develop plans for addressing these issues back at home. This is a nonprofit educational organization and since 1985 has inspired over 200,000 young people to achieve their full potential.

Michelle Shaw, a Roton Middle School student, is accepted into the People to People World Leadership Forum. Michelle will join a select group of students in Washington, D.C. this coming April. She will earn high school credits while studying leadership and enjoying some of the United States’ most prominent monuments and institutions. Michelle was accepted for this honor based on her outstanding scholastic achievements, civic involvement and leadership potential. This program is coordinated by People to People Student Ambassador program to fulfill the vision of Dwight Eisenhower, who founded the World Citizenship group during his presidency in 1956.

IV. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda said he will be talking tonight about the instructional plan for the District for the 2005-2006 school year, and in many ways is not new but is a continuation of what they have been involved with since 2001. Dr. Corda felt it is important to begin by placing this in context. He found it particularly reassuring in terms of the Board’s goals in that these goals were adopted by the Board in 2001 and, in his judgment, goals periodically need to be reviewed, but if they change from year to year it makes it very difficult to try to keep an eye on the ball in terms of where you’re going. He said if they look at the goals that were adopted in 2001, he wanted to call attention to the instructional goals as this represents where it is that the intensity of the school system; it is as much the mission statement as it is the goals they try to achieve. Dr. Corda called attention to what he felt was a number of key phrases, which were instruction, community participation, communication, finance and long-range planning.

Dr. Corda’s report states that they will build the Norwalk Public Schools into an exemplary district characterized by a cohesive and coordinated academic system with a set of clearly defined performance based outcomes for all students. Their work as a learning community will: emphasize mastery of knowledge, strategy and skills; develop in students the habits of thinking, cooperation, and self-discipline; focus on results; ensure excellence and equity of opportunity; value diversity; and instill respectfulness and responsibility. They will actively seek the input and involvement of staff, parents, students and the community when making the educational decisions necessary to ensure every student’s success. They shall effectively communicate to the public the plans, progress and successes for the implementation of goals, and develop annual operating and capital financial plans to implement the objectives necessary to achieve goals and meet contractual obligations in a manner that is fiscally responsible to the community. They will develop, communicate, and implement long range educational and facilities plans based on student needs, program needs, equity and excellence, and fiscal responsibility. They will do this through Board of Education instructional goals; curriculum development and instruction; and best practices/staff development priorities.

Dr. Corda said that the Board of Education instructional goals will include standards based expectations; NPS graduation requirements and closing the achievement gap by focusing on the performance of students who have not met expected standards. Curriculum development and instruction will include the implementation of Grades 6-12 Math; Grades 9-12 Science; Grades 9-12 Technology Education; Grades 3-8 Academically Talented; Grades 6-12 World Languages; Grades 9-11 Academic Enhancement; and Grade 12 Grad Prep, as well as Grades K-12 Health and Grades K-12 Physical Education.

Best practices/staff development priorities will include reflection (what and how taught); teaching and assessing if taught correctly; and focusing on academic rigor, causing students to stretch, with an emphasis on long range learning. Dr. Corda’s theory of action states that “if we align the work of the schools around particular variables that research has demonstrated influence student achievement, then we will have a positive impact on closing the achievement gap and raising student achievement for all.” He states that the Norwalk Public School’s theory of action to improve student achievement for all students relates to equally important actions by both central administration and building staff, as one cannot succeed without the other. His report states that school growth plans are our agreed upon objectives to improve student achievement across the district accomplished by being goal oriented and data driven, and achieved through a continuous process of instruction, assessment and reflection. Dr. Corda calls this “SMART” objectives: Specific Measurable Achievable Results Oriented Relevant Time based. A lengthy discussion followed as Dr. Corda explained points in his written report.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mary Theresa “Missy” Conrad of Norwalk addressed the Board in a long and rambling narrative that touched on many different points. She stated she has worked in Norwalk schools by choice and when she was at Norwalk schools there was a presentation from Johns Hopkins University saying that Head Start is very nice but at four years old that little brain is coasting, not growing, and we in Norwalk don’t even have all our children covered for Head Start so they are all starting out behind. She said she didn’t know why fifty-one years after Brown vs. the Board of Education we are accepting separate but equal, why are we not in a region, why are the schools around us all segregated, and if nothing was said last year, we can’t do it by Norwalk. She said the kids in high school know they are getting a dirty deal; they’re losing their playground at Colonial Village, their open space, being squeezed again for housing. She said the kids around us get the opportunities, they go places, the kids she’s working with go to the Grand Canyon. She wanted to know where did the kids in Norwalk go this summer, some of them maybe were lucky enough to go to camp, maybe not all of them did, and the ones with the parents where they need the help, so why are they working on a Norwalk basis and not on a regional, this is one nation and yet we are one little town trying to work with kids that are angry, they’re not going to learn, they’re not going to do it for us, they don’t want to do it, they don’t want to meet you guys in suits, your old white ladies’ objectives. Where’s our Head Start? Where are our counselors? We’re getting policemen in our schools. If you punish the kids, they’ll push you back. Why don’t we have enough counselors, how many counselors do we have for the number of students to do this assessment and support? How many counselors are there in Norwalk for our students? In the high school, how many students?

Ms. Conrad said she worked under Mrs. McMahon, she was a person who dedicated her life, but not everybody dedicated their lives, Mrs. McMahon had every child into her counseling room. How many counselors do we have in the high school, how many students? Her daughter dropped out of Norwalk High School because there was no one who cared about her. She asked how they are making this assessment because of the emotive component. That’s what gets the kids. They are not going to learn for us, they are not going to do it. She said she was 62 years old, she remembered when they shot Martin Luther King, Jr.; he was her teacher. And the kids are angrier now. Everything is glitzier. You were using three nouns together and it’s slippery, and usually it’s one noun, it’s so fast, so the kids have that on one side and what does it get? Discussion and assessment, and hopefully counseling. How many counselors? She said she heard the Board ask for it, we need them but we’re not getting them but we’re getting policemen in the high schools. And they’re the new social workers. Our kids are troubled. She said she wanted to see that in the report. She wanted student input. She said the kids know what’s going on and they think we’re too old to know, they know better. Teachers have to be on their toes to combat the glitzy advertising and pyrotechnics.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan told Ms. Conrad that the Board was not there to answer questions but to receive input and directed Ms. Conrad to submit her concerns and questions in writing to the Board. Ms. Conrad said she would do so. She also wanted the Board to know that the League of Women Voters had published a new Norwalk brochure and wanted to put them in the schools. Ms. Bishop-Pullan again suggested that Ms. Conrad submit an email, make a phone call or send a letter to Dr. Corda with her questions and concerns.

VI. ACTIONS A. Approval of Minutes (August 30, 2005)

Page 1, Attendance; change “Susan Hamilton Rivera” to “Susan Hamilton.” Page 1, Others; correct spelling of “Ms. McCulloch” to “Ms. Mikolic.” Page 3, 1st paragraph, 7th line, add “not” following “renovations. Page 3, 1st paragraph, 8th line, delete “and if this was so, was the current plan qualified to receive additional reimbursement funds from the state” Page 12, IX. Adjournment, change motion to read, “Mr. Vetter moved that the Board go into Executive Session to continue the discussion of student personnel matter and update on negotiations.”

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 30, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING AS AMENDED. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Consent

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

1. Approval of Personnel Actions

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE PERSONNEL ACTIONS. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Approval of Budget Transfers

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET TRANSFERS. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. C. Approval of Field Trip(s)

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE FIELD TRIP(S). ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE OPPOSED (MR. KIMMEL) AND ONE ABSTENTION (MS. MURRAY).

D. Approve adoption of textbooks for Advanced Spanish (Middle School), Heritage Spanish (High School) and Spanish Native Language Arts (High School)

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE ADOPTION OF TEXTBOOKS. ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approve Leaves of Absence in accordance with CGS7461a

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO APPROVE LEAVES OF ABSENCE AS PRESENTED BY DR. CORDA. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. Approval of Final Plans and Professional Cost Estimate for the Roton Middle School Extension and Alteration Project SDE Project No. 103-0232 E/A

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FINAL PLANS AND PROFESSIONAL COST ESTIMATE FOR PROJECT NO. 103-0232 E/A. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED.

Discussion followed.

** MR. KIMMEL MOVED TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF FINAL PLANS AND PROFESSIONAL COST ESTIMATE FOR THE ROTON MIDDLE SCHOOL EXTENSION AND ALTERATION PROJECT SDE PROJECT NO. 103-0232 E/A UNTIL THE BOARD’S OCTOBER 6, 2005 MEETING IN ORDER FOR THE BOARD TO GO OVER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PRESENTED AT THIS MEETING BY SILVER ARCHITECTS AND GILBANE CONSTRUCTION. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO OPPOSED (MS. HAMILTON, MS. BISHOP-PULLAN) AND ONE ABSTENTION (MS. MURRAY).

VIL. INFORMATION & REPORTS

Mayor Knopp left the meeting at 9:27 p.m.

A. New rates for community use of school facilities

Dr. Corda said he was not asking for action this evening but this was so the Board can review the findings, and his goal would be to have the new rates effective as of October 15th or early November. This will come back on October 6th as an action item. Mr. Fuller suggested they present the information to the community. Dr. Corda said he would be hard pressed to advise the community of the rate increase but that if the press gets the information they might use it and inform the community anyway.

B. Board Members Announcements

Ms. Rivera invited all interested members of the Board to attend a presentation for Hispanic Heritage Month to be held on October 17, 2005 at 12 noon at Norwalk Community College.

Ms. Rivas announced a musical performance to be held on Sunday, September 25th from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Norwalk Public Library on Belden Avenue. The performance will be to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and will consist of Peruvian music. She invited all interested members of the Board to attend.

VIII. UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS (Executive Session Anticipated)

Ms. Murray called for a motion to suspend the regular meeting and go into Executive Session in order to discuss the update on negotiations.

** MR. VETTER MOVED THAT THE BOARD GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board went into Executive Session at 9:36 p.m.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at

Respectfully submitted,

Linda J. Hayes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes