Board of Education Meeting Minutes

September 5, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Thomas Vetter, Chairman; Gregory Burnett; Susan Hamilton; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Bruce Kimmel; Rob Polley; Richard Fuller (7:29); Midaglia Rivas (7:53).

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools.

OTHERS: Dr. Karen Lang; Dr. Angela Vicenzi; Ms. Katherine Williams, Ms. Shirley Mosby, Co-Presidents, PLTI; Mark Gorian; Mr. Birdsall, Gilbane; Stuart Opdahl; John Gersbeck, Whitson’s; Mary Budrawich.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Vetter called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m.

Board members in attendance were Thomas Vetter, Chairman; Gregory Burnett; Susan Hamilton; Jody Bishop-Pullan; Bruce Kimmel; Richard Fuller (7:29).

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Vetter waived the Pledge until the public portion of the meeting.

III. DISCUSSION OF PERSONNEL MATTERS (Executive session anticipated)

Mr. Fuller arrived at the meeting at 7:29 p.m. ** MS. HAMILTON MOTIONED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ** MR. BURNETT SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Resume public session (approx. 7:45 p.m.)

Public session was resumed at 7:40 p.m.

Mr. Vetter called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m. with all members of the Board in attendance as above.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

IV. SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Fuller read the Spotlight report into the record.

Ms. Rivas arrived at the meeting at 7:53 p.m.

V. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Before moving to discussion of the instructional program, Dr. Corda gave a presentation on the CAPT scores. He stated that in relation to statewide percentages, Norwalk did not do as well in Math, Science, Reading and Writing.

Dr. Corda discussed the trends that may have contributed and displayed graphs showing that from 2001 to 2006, the percentage was 77% and remained constant over the six-year period. He said if they look at the number of students who took the test in 2001, there were approx. 500+ students. In 20066 there were 700+. Overall, the performance has not diminished, and although the numbers of students taking the test have increased significantly, the scores stayed the same.

Dr. Corda said the scores have not declined but show evidence that they are succeeding. He indicated that in Science the scores are significantly higher in 2006 than in 2001. Reading has a similar pattern with scores getting closer to statewide proficiency and the percentages are closer together. Writing offers the same information with the spread getting closer. Dr. Corda said in another five years they will be above the state line.

Dr. Corda stated that in Math, Black students’ scores increased from 38% in 2001 to 48% in 2006. He indicated that Hispanic students’ scores stayed basically the same over the same period. In Reading, Black students’ scores increased from 39% in 2001 to 61% in 2006 and Hispanic scores increased from 58% to 64% in the same period. Dr. Corda provided a graph with a breakdown of CAPT scores by ethnicity, which showed greater improvement in Black and Hispanic students over the six-year period in Math, Reading, Writing and Science. Dr. Corda said this is not only a measure just to show how well we are doing. It is only one measure.

In the same six-year period, Dr. Corda indicated that Special Ed students are not doing well, and indicates that we have work to do in this area. There is a significant difference between scores of students enrolled in designated Special Ed classes versus those designated but not enrolled, in Math, Reading and Writing. He also indicated that students who receive free or reduced price lunch scored lower in Math, Science, Reading and Writing than students who receive full lunch, although the percentages are increasing. Dr. Corda said that the scores overall were below the statewide average. He stated that the discrepancies remained about the same in Math, but narrowed in Science, Reading and Writing. There are significantly more students taking the CAPT tests today and the percentage of students at or above proficiency in Special Ed has increased significantly as well. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch has increased and is comparable to statewide levels. The percentage of students at or above proficiency has increased for English language learners and exceeds the state in all content areas.

Dr. Corda concluded his remarks by saying that we are making progress over time, but we are still not where we need to be.

The Instructional Program Dr. Lang distributed copies of her report to the Board and introduced the Directors and Instructional Specialists who will do the work outlined in her report.

Dr. Lang stated the Instructional Goal included standards-based expectations; NPS graduation requirements; high expectations for all students; and access for all students to challenging content. They will close the achievement gap by focusing on the performance of all students who have not met expected standards. The instructional program values diversity, respectfulness and responsibility. Indicators of achievement, giving them a sense of how they are doing, include State tests, graduation rates, and assessments based on student work.

Curriculum development and instruction focus in 2006-2007 includes curriculum implementation for Grades K-12 in Health and in Physical Education. The focus on curriculum in Math is on the elementary pilot and preparation for full implementation. Language Arts will focus on middle school curriculum revisions and restructuring. In Science and Health, the focus will be on preparation for new CMTs and implementation of the new health program. Technology will include exit exams for grades 5 and 8. The business curriculum will be revised and the social studies curriculum implementation will be reviewed. There will be a review of the service-delivery model and professional development district-wide for the ESL/Bilingual program. Physical education will focus on the implementation of the K-12 curriculum.

Dr. Lang discussed best practices and staff development priorities, based on reflecting, teaching, assessing and reflecting again. This will include high level thinking and academically rigorous problem solving in classroom tasks; focus on students as intellectually active workers. There will be an emphasis on learning, differentiating instruction, and production of high quality student work. Technology will be integrated into the classroom, and teachers will use student performance data to set goals and plan instruction.

The focus in 2006-2007 will be to continue district and school growth plans as a student achievement improvement model. The teacher & administrative evaluation plans will be used as vehicles to evaluate staff and improve practice, and curriculum benchmarks and assessments will be developed. There will be increased focus on the NCLB program and the middle school program changes, as well as the creation of professional learning communities that will include vision, norms, self-monitoring and team work.

Dr. Lang stated that priorities will include strong instructional leadership; continuous assessment of system capacity; accountability through assessment of stated objectives in the school growth plans. There will be effective supervision to improve performance, and academic intervention to ensure student success. This includes strong parental and community involvement with strong connections with pre- and after-school programs, including strong linkages with community agencies and organizations such as NEF, NCC, and Norwalk ACTS for Children.

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Katherine Williams and Ms. Shirley Mosby, Co-Presidents, PLTI and the Suspension Committee addressed the Board.

Ms. Williams stated that she was concerned about the suspension program and said the PLTI would like to partner with the Board for anything going on with the suspension program. She remarked on the previous meeting’s discussion of the CAPT scores and stated that if their children are suspended, they aren’t in school learning.

Ms. Mosby stated that she and Ms. Williams were here as a gesture of support and partnering with the Board to do something to help, especially because of the achievement gap, which concerns them greatly. The PLTI would like to step up and do their part to make suggestions and find the best solution for their children.

Dr. Angela Vicenzi commented on the School Wellness Policy. She said she has reviewed the school wellness framework and suggested that the PTO Council should be included as part of the Committee. Dr. Vicenzi gave feedback on the school lunch program. She said she has eaten the food herself, which was heated at the school and smelled very good. She noted they were using whole wheat breads and whole-wheat crust on the pizza. Dr. Vicenzi spoke with lunchroom supervisors, who said they feel there is less waste.

VII. ACTIONS

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOTIONED TO AMEND THE LANGUAGE OF THE SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY TO INCLUDE THE PTO COUNCIL. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. A. Consent

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

** MS. HAMILTON MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Approval of Substitute Pay Increase

** MS. MURRAY MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE PAY INCREASE. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. FULLER).

C. Approval of policy # 6142.101 – Student Wellness Policy

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOTIONED TO APPROVE POLICY #6142.101 STUDENT WELLNESS POLICY. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN MOTIONED TO AMEND THE LANGUAGE OF POLICY #6142.101 TO INCLUDE THE PTO COUNCIL. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Approval of ACHIEVE Use of Nathan Hale and West Rocks Middle Schools for afterschool programs ** MS. HAMILTON MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE USE OF NATHAN HALE AND WEST ROCKS MIDDLE SCHOOLS BY ACHIEVE FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS. ** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. FULLER).

VIII. INFORMATION & REPORTS

A. Construction update

Mr. Gorian updated the Board on the ongoing school construction projects. He said the West Rocks boiler room asbestos removal has begun and there were no opening day delays at any of the schools still under construction.

Mr. Birdsall of Gilbane gave an update on the re-bidding of the Roton Middle School construction project. He stated that there is water and gas in the building and the AC is working. The work over the summer was primarily excavation for the addition.

Mr. Stuart Opdahl requested a Board of Education member to serve on the Ponus Ridge and Nathan Hale Building Committees so the funding can move forward. Mr. Fuller said he would serve on the Ponus Ridge committee. Ms. Hamilton said she would serve on the Nathan Hale committee.

Mr. Opdahl said that at Ponus, Roton and Nathan Hale they were working with a new company that helps do lighting upgrades to save energy, and can get up to fifty percent of the costs funded by utility companies. He reported that approximately $250,000 has been freed up by doing this.

Mr. Opdahl discussed the ongoing problems with the roof at Silvermine School and indicated that this situation may be heading for litigation.

B. Food Service update

Mr. John Gersbeck, Whitson’s District Manager, gave an update on the food service in the schools. He reported that they opened with only ten days to get ready and have had four days of school so far. He said there has been tremendous cooperation from the food service workers during the transition. Mr. Gersbeck said the new lunch card for the elementary level has twenty meals on it, all schools now have new convection ovens, and the first cooking day was this past Friday. Nutritional signage is going up in all schools; and there will be a nutritional newsletter for the elementary and secondary schools to explain whom Whitson’s is. Mr. Gersbeck said the kitchen construction has been completed at Ponus and Roton schools; and Nathan Hale and West Rocks will be remade over the Columbus holiday.

C. Early Childhood Issues Ms. Mary Budrawich presented a follow-up to “Norwalk’s Young Children: What They Need to Succeed” from May 2003. Ms. Budrawich said this tracks the four goals they have identified, shows what they need to accomplish and presents what has been accomplished so far. She indicated there will be an Early Childhood action plan scheduled for presentation in November.

D. Policy # 4115.3 – Athletic Coaches

Dr. Corda said the policy is now before the BOE for examination and will come before the Board for approval at the next BOE meeting.

E. Update on Norwalk High principal search

Dr. Corda said he will share the procedure that Dr Leher is using, and requested that the BOE meet to discuss the matter at 6:45, one hour before the next scheduled public meeting, on September 19th.

F. Board Member Announcements Dr. Corda remarked on the smoothness of the school openings in the past week. He also said the goal tonight was to present all the work that is done for the Board to see, and stated there has been significant staff involvement to be acknowledged.

Ms. Murray said she strongly suggested that they keep an eye on student movement and parking around the Norwalk High School construction areas.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan asked Dr. Corda about a program planned for Thursday. Dr. Corda said the program was being held by the publishers of the Advocate who wanted to present an opportunity for people in Norwalk, Greenwich and Stamford to address the achievement gap with school superintendents on a panel. The program is being held at NCC at 6:30pm. He said the Board is registered if any member wishes to attend.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

** MR. FULLER MOTIONED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. BURNETT SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda J. Hayes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes