Board of Education Meeting Minutes

June 20, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Thomas Vetter, Chairman; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Richard Fuller; Bruce Kimmel; Gregory Burnett; Midaglia Rivas; Susan Hamilton; Mayor Richard A. Moccia (8:38).

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools.

OTHERS: Dr. Karen Lang; Bruce Mellion; Helene Becker; Mary Rose Anto; Doris Rios; Natalia Rodriguez; Dorsey Gude; Tony Ditrio.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Vetter called the meeting to order at 6:21 p.m.

Board members in attendance were Thomas Vetter, Chairman; Gregory Burnett; Susan Hamilton; Midaglia Rivas; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Bruce Kimmel; Richard Fuller (6:50).

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Vetter waived the Pledge at this time.

III. SUPERINTENDENT’S EVALUATION (Executive Session anticipated)

The Board met in Executive Session to discuss the Superintendent’s evaluation. Public session was resumed at 7:50 p.m.

Mr. Vetter called the Board to order at 7:50 p.m.

In attendance were Thomas Vetter, Chairman; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Richard Fuller; Bruce Kimmel; Gregory Burnett; Midaglia Rivas; Susan Hamilton; Dr. Salvatore Corda; Mayor Richard A. Moccia.

IV. SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Fuller read the Spotlight report into the record.

V. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda announced that Ms. Paula Palermo was honored by Cablevision in their Power to Learn program.

Dr. Corda stated that the Norwalk Education Foundation is a stronger partner with Norwalk schools and are the schools’ critical friend and very strong ally. He also said he was saddened to announce the departure of Ms. Dorsey Gude from Norwalk, who will be relocating to Lansing, Michegan. Ms. Gude has been the Executive Director of the NEF for the past five years and has taken the program from its toddlerhood to young adulthood. Dr. Corda presented Ms. Gude with a gift to show the Board’s appreciation for her work with the Norwalk school system. Ms. Gude stated that, although she was looking forward to her new home in Michegan, she was also aware that the school system there did not have the advantages of the many programs available in the Norwalk system, and she anticipated working with them to create the same programs that worked so well for Norwalk.

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Bruce Mellion distributed copies of a report from the recent meeting of the Norwalk Middle Schools and highlighted several points. He stated that, among the points enumerated, the Language Arts 1 & 2 students are having difficulty with the amount of books and independent reading they are required to do, all at the same time. He suggested that World Language should not be mandatory for Resource students in 6th and 7th grades, or Language impaired students. Mr. Mellion offered many suggestions, among which were that middle school students need better basic organizational skills and functional life skills, as well as classes in Basic Skills before, during, and after school, particularly in the 6th grade; that more teachers are needed for the A.M. Academy; that computerization of middle school schedules is greatly needed; he requested affective performance gates as opposed to social promotion; that middle school students who are retained should not be kept on the same team, and that special education students need to be identified far earlier than they are being identified now.

VII. ACTIONS

A. Consent

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

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Approval of AfterSchool Achievement Program (ASAP) providers of before and after school services at elementary schools for 2006-2007

** MS. HAMILTON MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE ASAP PROVIDERS FOR 2006-2007. ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Approval of “I Have A Dream” summer program at West Rocks ** MS. HAMILTON MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE “I HAVE A DREAM” SUMMER PROGRAM AT WEST ROCKS. ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Approval of Technology Plan

** MR. BURNETT MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE TECHNOLOGY PLAN. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approval of Athletic Eligibility Pilot Program

** MR. FULLER MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY PILOT PROGRAM. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

Mr. Kimmel stated that he was respectful of the arguments made at the last Board meeting in regards to thisprogram but it was his feeling that the program was a step backwards. He suggested the GPA be raised to 2.0 and that students with a 1.7 GPA be allowed to participate in their activities as well. He felt that it would be difficult to implement the afterschool tutoring program and still have the tutored students able to make their games and it would focus unfairly on the student athletes and is unfair to the general student body. Mr. Kimmel suggested that the GPAs could be monitored on a weekly basis although he was unsure how this would be accomplished, and said that because of his concerns he would not be supporting the program.

Mr. Vetter stated that he agreed with Mr. Kimmel but was willing to accept the program as a pilot program. He was willing to try it for one year but if it comes back before the Board at the 1.7 GPA, he would not support it at that time. Ms. Bishop-Pullan concurred with Mr. Vetter and asked if the program would come back before the Board at the end of the year, or would the Board need to amend the proposal in order to have it come back. She asked if there would be a report given on the program as it proceeds. Dr. Corda stated that the pilot program was for the 2006-2007 school year and that there would be a report generated.

Mr. Fuller requested that there be a mid-year update and wanted to see that the program was being monitored throughout the year.

Mr. Burnett said he agreed with Mr. Kimmel but the pressure on the athletes with the pilot program is worth a pilot and will support the program. He said that student athletes are students first and athletes second.

Mr. Kimmel reiterated his earlier statements and said he could not support the program as it stood, although he thought the basic idea was sound.

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

F. Approval of policy #4158 – Jury Duty

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOTIONED TO APPROVE POLICY #4158 – JURY DUTY. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

G. Approval of policy #4115.3 – Athletic Coaches

Ms. Hamilton requested that this item be tabled.

** MS. HAMILTON MOTIONED TO TABLE APPROVAL OF POLICY #4115.3 – ATHLETIC COACHES UNTIL THE NEXT BOARD MEETING. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

H. Approval of field trip – Norwalk High Marching Band to Memphis, TN ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE FIELD TRIP. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. VETTER)

I. Approval of field trip – Norwalk High Marching Band to Syracuse, NY

** MR. BURNETT MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE FIELD TRIP. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. VETTER)

J. Approval of field trip – West Rocks to Nature’s Classroom

** MR. FULLER MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE FIELD TRIP. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

Mr. Kimmel asked if this trip takes place during the winter. Dr. Corda said that sometimes it takes place in the winter, and sometimes during other seasons, depending on when it is scheduled.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

K. Approval of field trip – Norwalk High School German classes to Germany/Austria/ Switzerland

** MR. BURNETT MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE FIELD TRIP. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED.

Mr. Kimmel asked how many students would be making the trip. Dr. Corda said he believed it was six students. Mr. Kimmel inquired about whether the rest of the class had the opportunity to participate in the field trip. Dr. Corda said the cost of the trip was approximately $2,700.00 so that kept some students from being able to go. Mr. Kimmel pointed out that he had brought this point up in a previous Board meeting earlier in the year, and said that this was why they need to create a fund to allow more students the opportunity to take part in field trips relating to the curriculum. Dr. Corda said that this was why there was a coda stating that classes have the opportunity to participate in fundraising efforts to raise money for more students to take part in these trips, and that there was also some scholarship efforts involved.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

L. Approval of Ponus Ridge Middle School Building Advisory Committee

** MR. FULLER MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE PONUS RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VIII. INFORMATION & REPORTS

A. Saturday Academy (Immigrant Grant)

Dr. Lang gave a presentation on the Saturday Newcomer Academy. She introduced Mr. Roger White and Ms. Helene Becker, the new bilingual administrator for ESL. Dr. Lang said the goals of the program were to make sure that immigrant parents had an opportunity to better understand the educational system so that they could be more effective supporting their children’s education, and to give them some practical skills.

Ms. Becker stated that the program was designed for immigrant parents who moved to Norwalk. The goals were to help immigrant parents learn English; to help the parents understand American culture; to educate parents about various topics of importance to them; and to inform parents about the resources that were available to them.

Ms. Becker said the format of the program was fifteen sessions that took place at Brookside School, from February through June, on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 1:00am. This was the most convenient day and time for parents. The English classes lasted two hours and in the third hour a community speaker would talk on topics important to the parents. Lunch was provided. There were two levels of classes, Beginner and Advanced. The last session was a Community Fair where they had agencies come from different parts of Norwalk and discuss what was available to the parents. The program was a joint effort between herself and Mr. Roger White, who was the administrator in charge of the Saturday program. They got together with teachers from the district including Natalia Rodriguez, parent coordinator; Mary Rose Santo, ESL teacher; and Doris Rios, bilingual teacher. Ms. Becker stated that some of the topics involved included Parental Involvement in Schools; Disciplining Children; and No Child Left Behind.

Ms. Santo stated that the parents found many benefits in the program. They found that learning English empowers them; they were able to take advantage of employment opportunities and become more involved in their children’s school activities. She said it was important for the parents to feel comfortable because parents set an example for their children. Ms. Rios commented on what made the program unique for the parents.

Ms. Becker concluded with some statistics which showed that the program was funded through the Immigrant & Youth Grant; 30 students participated in the program; over 90% attended every session, and over 90% completed the program. She said the program was highly beneficial and successful for all involved.

Two parents who completed the program read remarks aloud to the Board thanking them for their support and requesting the program continue.

Mr. Kimmel asked if this was the first year of the program, and if the parents attending were from the entire town, or from a specific part of town. Ms. Becker said it was the first year of the program and the parents came from one part of town, although the program is open to the entire area.

Mr. Vetter asked if they could handle more students. Ms. Becker said they would love to have more students. Mr. Fuller asked if the grant was renewable, or did they have to re-apply. Ms. Becker said they will have to re-apply for the next year, and are already in the process.

Mr. Corda asked the cost of the program. Ms. Becker said the grant awarded was $30,000 and the program cost was $12,000.

B. Elementary School Mathematics Pilot (K-2)

Dr. Lang introduced the pilot program with a presentation.

Mayor Moccia left the meeting at 8:38 p.m.

Mr. Tony Ditrio spoke about the program revisions and how they were arrived at. He said there were still gaps that needed to be addressed. Mr. John Keogh did research and discovered two programs that could work. They came to a determination that they needed a standards-based program, and the decision to proceed was made by the elementary school principals. They are revising the program report and working on benchmarks and assessments. Mr. Kimmel asked how long ago was Harcourt Brace purchased? Dr. Lang said five years ago. A brief discussion followed.

Mr. Ditrio said that kindergarten classes require one hour of whole-group instruction each day, but also small group instruction four or five times at 20 minutes each time, per day. He said eight schools will use “Growing With Math”, which is more teacher-friendly, and four schools will use “Voyages”, which is more intensive. He said they are not forgetting the grade 3-5 teachers. They are piloting the K-2 program, but working with other teachers while this is going on.

Mr. Kimmel asked if this program have a set of games that goes with it. Mr. Ditrio said it did, and explained them briefly. Mr. Ditrio and Mr. Kimmel discussed materials.

C. Board Member Announcements

There were no announcements.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOTIONED TO ADJOURN. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda J. Hayes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes