Board of Education Meeting Minutes

November 1, 2005

BOARD OF EDUCATION

NOVEMBER 1, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Rosa Murray, Chairman; Rob Polley; Bruce Kimmel; Maria Rivera; Thomas Vetter; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Richard Fuller; Judith Rivas; Susan Hamilton.

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools.

OTHERS: Stuart Opdahl; Gavin and Kate Nelson; Alex Libre.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

III. CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR’S NEGOTIATIONS (EXECUTIVE SESSION ANTICIPATED)

** MR. POLLEY MOVED THAT THE BOARD GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR’S CONTRACT.

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

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:08 p.m.

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Executive Session adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Murray called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:49 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Murray led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance again for the benefit of the regular meeting attendees.

IV. SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Vetter reported that on Thursday, November 10, 2005, Brien McMahon High School will honor 75 students who have achieved the state goal or higher on all four sections of the CAPT (CT Academic Performance Test). Last Tuesday, Norwalk High School honored 111 students who achieved state goal or higher on all four sections of the test.

Mr. Vetter reported that on Tuesday morning, Marvin School students Kate and Gavin Nelson and Alex Libre were named winners of the Kids Are Authors Scholastic Book Fair 2005 Award for fiction for their book “The Music Inside Me.” The book was one of two first place winners chosen from among 1,000 entries. During a school assembly, the children received medals, certificates, and copies of their published book.

V. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda stated that he had distributed his report to the Board and would not be discussing it. Instead, he asked that the Board recognize Marvin School students Kate and Gavin Nelson and Alex Libre, Grand Prize winners of a Scholastic Books contest. He said that a copy of the students’ book would be mailed to each Board member. The book is now part of Scholastic’s catalog and will be marketed throughout the country. In addition to the students’ honor, Marvin School has received a $5,000 voucher for Scholastic products in recognition of the publication of the book.

Dr. Corda introduced Kate Nelson, Gavin Nelson and Alex Libre to the Board, along with their families and teachers Mrs. Suda and Mrs. Chase. He said he asked the students here tonight to give a presentation to the Board to share the process of writing their book.

Gavin, Kate and Alex gave a Powerpoint presentation they designed which described the step-by-step process they undertook to write three books, “Ralph’s Weird Week,” “Ralph Hates Math” and the Scholastic Grand Prize-winning book, “The Music Inside Me.” The students explained that, in writing their books, they not only wanted to tell a good story but they also wanted to teach a lesson. “Ralph’s Weird Week” taught shapes and colors; “Ralph Hates Math” taught math, and “The Music Inside Me” taught the meaning of friendship and the power of memories.

The students reported that they enjoyed the process of writing and illustrating their books very much. Kate Nelson reported that she keeps a writing journal and that when she reads a book and discovers an interesting word, phrase or description, she adds it to her journal. When she begins to write something, she returns to the journal and reviews it to possibly find words or phrases or get ideas to use. Other suggestions for writing the students learned along the way were that conversation makes a story more interesting; that it helps to draw on your own experiences when writing a story; to use a thesaurus and keep a writing journal; write using all your senses; and that illustrations should complement the story. Alex Libre offered the additional suggestion to consider doing all illustrations as spreads, and explained that a “spread” was an illustration across two pages.

The students told the Board that it took approximately five to six months to discuss the story idea and make plans and another six months to actually create the book. Dr. Corda asked about the next book the students were working on. Kate Nelson told him the next book was about a hippo and a sea turtle. Dr. Corda asked if there were any more “Ralph” books in the works. Kate indicated that they are planning a book about seasons. Mr. Fuller asked if their prize-winning book has been copyrighted. Gavin Nelson said that once the book has been submitted, Scholastic owns it. Mr. Fuller asked Kate Nelson how she got the idea to keep the writing journal. Kate told him that they had met with editors at Scholastic and it had been suggested to her by one of the editors. Mr. Polley asked if they planned to give their presentation to other classes and Mrs. Nelson said that they had been asked to do so.

At the close of the presentation, Dr. Corda asked the students to stand and be recognized along with their teachers, and led the Board in a round of applause.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ms. Bishop-Pullan stated that there were no members of the public signed up to speak. She asked if there were any members of the public who hadn’t signed up that would like to address the Board. No one wished to speak.

VII. ACTIONS

A. Consent

1. Approval of field trip (BMHS winter guard to Trenton, NJ) 2. Approval of personnel actions

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FIELD TRIP(S). ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Approval of Minutes (October 18, 2005)

Corrections to the minutes of October 18, 2005:

Page 1, Spotlight: Change “remembrance for those who died on Sept. 11” to “during Hurricane Katrina.”

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 18, 2005 MEETING AS AMENDED. ** MS. RIVERA SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Approval for Superintendent to authorize and execute Mentor Grant

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE AUTHORIZATION AND EXECUTION OF THE MENTOR GRANT. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Vetter recommended adding an action to approve the Norwalk High School field trip to Europe as Item D on the agenda. Ms. Murray agreed and called for a motion.

D. Approval of Norwalk High School AP Class field trip to Europe

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE NHS AP CLASS FIELD TRIP TO EUROPE. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

Ms. Murray called for discussion on the item. Mr. Kimmel wanted to know how many students were included in the trip. He was concerned about the availability of financial assistance for those students unable to afford the trip on their own. Dr. Corda stated that there was provision for people to get assistance. They wanted to give every child the opportunity to go on the trip and partial funding would be available for those who qualified but that they would have to furnish at least part of the cost of the trip themselves. Mr. Kimmel felt that all students should be offered the opportunity to be included in field trips such as these. Dr. Corda explained that if they assumed the responsibility for every child to go, there were implications involved and the idea would need further discussion. He stated that the trip was considered an enrichment opportunity, done over a school vacation for specific reasons, and that not attending the trip would not endanger a student’s ability to complete the course. He felt this was an important distinction. He said they need to be thoughtful in how they approach these trips.

Mr. Kimmel said that, down the road, he would like to reexamine the trip policy so that all students can go. He said these trips were an interesting concept, but if only some students’ participation becomes a precedent, families may shy away from having their children take AP courses because of the expenses to be incurred. Mr. Kimmel said that he felt strongly about having all students included and that he could not vote to approve the trip if only some students were able to take the trip and not all the students were able to go along.

Ms. Murray called the question to vote.

** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. KIMMEL).

VIL. INFORMATION & REPORTS

A. Information & Reports

Ms. Sally Cordovano, Coordinator of Norwalk Reads! gave a brief report to the Board. She stated the organization is located at 43 Chestnut Street in the Norwalk Housing Authority’s King Kennedy Homes. Norwalk Reads! wants to encourage the enjoyment of reading and create a love of literacy, and is a partner of Reading is Fundamental (RIF). Ms. Cordovano announced a book distribution to be held on Saturday, November 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Norwalk Library, the East Norwalk Library, Colonial Village Community Center and Meadow Gardens Community Center. There will be special prizes of Barnes & Noble gift certificates, and children are encouraged to come in Halloween costumes.

B. Board Members Announcements

Ms. Rivera reported that she had distributed the CES Annual Report to the Board members for their review.

Ms. Murray announced a memorial service for Rosa Parks would be held on Sunday, November 6, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall and all were welcome to attend.

Dr. Corda announced the NSBA meeting will be held in Chicago through November 11th. He also reminded the Board of the Norwalk High School Band Cavalcade to be held on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Mr. Polley asked what time the CAP presentation would be held at Brien McMahon High School. Dr. Corda told him it was being held at 8:00 p.m.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

** MS. RIVERA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda J. Hayes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes