Board of Education Meeting Minutes

May 16, 2006

BOARD OF EDUCATION

MAY 16, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Thomas Vetter, Chairman; Rosa Murray, Richard Fuller, Rob Polley, Gregory Burnett; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Bruce Kimmel; Susan Hamilton, Mayor Richard Moccia (7:50 P.M.)

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

OTHERS: Lynn Massey; Carol Seirup, Tami Green, Gennessa Calvero

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Vetter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Vetter lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. INTERVIEW OF CANDIDATE - DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

The Board of Education entered into Executive Session at 7:12 p.m. to interview a candidate for the Director of Technology and a discussion of teachers leave. The Board resumed the public session at 7:50 p.m. At the resumption of the public session, Mr. Vetter requested that the Pledge be recited again. This was agreeable to all and Mr. Vetter led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Fuller read the Spotlight report into the record.

V. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda began his remarks by asking how Norwalk can support the educational efforts in the Norwalk schools. He informed the public present that the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) had approved the proposed educational budget intact, but stated that the BET recognized that there were funds included in that budget that were one time revenues. Next year, BET will be expecting the Board of Education to factor in the absence of these one time revenues.

Dr. Corda then reviewed the Norwalk ACTS (Achievement - Community - Teams - Success) program which has just completed its first year of existence. The program encompasses five areas of concern: Early Childhood Education; Youth Community Engagement; Student Behavior and Academic Achievement, Transportation and Health and Nutrition. Dr. Corda said this was a coordinated effort that involved less talk and more action. He pointed out a recent 60 Minutes segment on the Harlem Children’s Home and stated that failure to achieve is not solely located at any one source. Dr. Corda also mentioned newspaper articles that focused on achievement gaps. He stated that ACTS is not about placing fault or blame, it is about getting the students focused on achievement. One thing that Dr. Corda said he was happy about was that there was a reduction in suspensions of about 25%. He also stated that he believe that Norwalk could close the achievement gap by recognizing that achievement touches many places: home, school, peers and community. Collaboration between these groups is important. In conclusion, Dr. Corda announced that there would be a press conference on the ACTS program on May 17th at 9 a.m.

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT

Let it be noted that the following comments and remarks by all speakers have been summarized and are not necessarily verbatim.

Ms. Massey addressed the Board first and stated that she lives at 36 Meeker Court. Ms. Massey stated that she wished to address the Roton Middle School Physical Education and Health schedule. Ms. Massey stated that she as a parent and other parents had been informed that there was a change in the P.E. Health schedule and that this would not be available to the students for two and a half months. Ms. Massey reminded the Board that the Middle Schools don’t always have recess and that the students need exercise. For some of the children, the P.E. program is the entire extent of their exercise. She also commented that there was a general lack of program focus and excitement in the Middle School Physical Ed programs.

Ms. Seirup introduced herself to the Board next and stated that she lives at 65 Wolfpit Avenue. Ms. Seirup also stated that she was representing the Norwalk Federation of Teachers (NFT) . She stated that the NFT would be awarding awards and commendations to various students in the Norwalk secondary school system. There are four $500 scholarships available. This year, thanks to the generosity of Mr. John Alteri, the number of awards and the amounts have been doubled. She stated that she would like to publicly thank Mr. Alteri for his support of the Norwalk Public Schools.

Ms. Green introduced herself to the Board and stated that she was representing the Connecticut Health Care Associates (CHCA). Ms. Green then distributed a copy of a letter dated May 16th and addressed to the Board. Ms. Green proceeded to read the text of the letter into the record.

Ms. Calvero introduced herself to the Board and stated that she lives on Jessup Street. She stated that her daughter attends Columbus Magnet School. The parents have just been notified that Before and After School program will have changes in the 2006-2007 school year. Ms. Calvero stated that she wished to ask the Board to wait until after a meeting has taken place with the Columbus principle to see if this issue can be resolved. Ms. Calvero then submitted copies of signed petitions to the Board.

A representative from the Norwalk Federation of Teachers addressed the Board next and stated that the Federation wished to present copies of an art book titled “Van Gogh” to the Board. He stated that in addition to the volume he was presenting at the meeting, Dr. Corda had already received five copies of this large volume from the Federation.

VII. ACTIONS

A. Consent.

1. Approval of budget transfer 2. Approval of personnel actions

** MS. BISHOP PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS INCLUDING THE ADDENDUM TO THE PERSONNEL ITEM. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dr. Corda stated that the addendum referred to was the appointment of Ralph Valenzisi to the position of Director of Technology. He stated that Mr. Valenzisi is currently the Instructional Specialist in Technology in the district. Dr. Corda briefly reviewed Mr. Valentizi’s qualifications and stated that the Board was delighted with this appointment.

B. Approval of extension of the contract for special needs with People to Places, Inc. for 2006-07.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS WITH PEOPLE TO PLACES, INC. FOR 2006-07. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Approval of extension of the contract for special needs with Special Needs Car Services (ECS) d/b/a ECS Transportation for 2006-07.

** MR. FULLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CAR SERVICES (ECS) D/B/A ECS TRANSPORTATION FOR 2006-07 ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Approve textbook adoption.

** MR. BURNETT MOVED TO APPROVE THE TEXTBOOK ADOPTION OF “RECOMBINATE DNA AND BIOTECHNOLOGY - A GUIDE FOR ALL STUDENTS” AS THE TEXTBOOK FOR THE BIOTECHNOLOGY COURSE. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approve budget reconciliation for 2006-2007

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION FOR 2006-2007 ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

F. Approval of minutes ( May 2, 2006)

The following correction was noted:

Page 6, paragraph 2: please change “Akila and the Bee” to “Akeelah and the Bee”

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF MAY 2, 2006 AS CORRECTED ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VII. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Tuberculosis Policy

A brief review of the Tuberculosis Policy was presented. The principle change is that an health assessment will be required instead of a T.B. test. This was agreeable to all.

B. HIPPA Privacy Policy #4112.61

Ms. Bishop-Pullan spoke briefly on the policy.

C. Board Member Announcements

Mr. Vetter stated that with the resignation of Judith Rivas from the Board, there were be some vacancies that needed to be filled.

Mayor Moccia stated that he appreciated the remarks about the BET and that he knew everyone was working very hard to provide the students with the best education possible.

A copy of the April/May 2006 Cooperative Educational Services newsletter, titled “The Cooperative Times” was distributed to all the member of the Board.

Ms. Murray stated that she had received a number of calls from parents asking about the Summer Jobs Program. Mayor Moccia stated that over 100 applications has been received and the interview process was about to start. He also stated that if anyone knew of any businesses that had meaningful positions for high school students, to please call his office about that.

Mr. Vetter announced that the next Board of Education meeting would be held on June 6th.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

** MS. MURRAY MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Sharon L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes