Board of Education Meeting Minutes

January 16, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Jody Bishop-Pullan, Thomas Vetter, Migdalia Rivas, Susan Hamilton, Robert Polley, Rosa Murray, Gregory Burnett, Richard Fuller, Bruce Kimmel,

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools, Mary Peniston, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools

OTHERS: Lynn Massey, Michael Murray, Sharon Cadden,

I. CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Bishop-Pullan led the Board and the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. SPOTLIGHT ON THE NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ms. Hamilton presented the Spotlight on the Norwalk Public Schools report to the Board.

IV. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corda reported that the recent Martin Luther King Day activities were the most well attended ones that he has seen in the last six years. He stated that the various programs help the young people to understand who Dr. King was. One highlight of the day was hearing the recording of the 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech. It has been 38 years since Dr. King’s death and it is important to note that the holiday does not commemorate his death at the hands of an assassin, but celebrates his life. During the evening, there was a gospel concert at City Hall, which was well attended. Dr. Coda encouraged everyone to bring their children to next year’s events.

Early Childhood Action Plan

Ms. Peniston then gave a presentation of the Early Childhood Action Plan to the Board. She stated that she was not expecting a vote tonight and reminded the Board that she and Ms. Budarich had given the Board a report on the Plan while it was still being developed a few months ago. Ms. Peniston informed the Board that only other two Connecticut cities, Hartford and Bridgeport, have a plan. Norwalk will be the third. She stated that both Hartford and Bridgeport laid out a plan that was geared for the ideological best situation, whereas Norwalk’s plan focuses on goals that were attainable in the near future. She also commented quality programs yield quality results.

Another facet of the program is the focus on Health related issues. Ms. Peniston informed that there is a new director at the Norwalk Community Health Center. Another exciting development is that there are now three full time pediatricians at the Health Center. Also the Health Center will accept HUSKY insurance. Previously, there was only one doctor in Norwalk that would accept the HUSKY program. There are plans to strengthen the infant and toddler programs, also. Parents often feel that young children need to have a primary care physician. This issue is addressed in the Plan. Also there will be increased behavioral health screenings along with a dental clinic opening in South Norwalk in the near future.

Some of the next steps include gathering endorsements for the Plan, sponsoring legislative breakfasts with the State Representatives, presenting the Plan locally to various groups, identifying sources of funding and implementing the Plan.

Mr. Polley asked if other communities have done this. Ms. Peniston replied that they had and studies had been done. She then informed the Board that the Plan would be included for a vote on the agenda at the next meeting after the Board members had an opportunity to examine the information packets. Dr. Corda said that his sense of the Board was that they were supportive. The Board members agreed.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Lynn Massey, the PTO Council Co-President, who resides at 36 Meeker Court, addressed the Board. She stated that there was support for the 3 additional staff members at Brien McMahon and 4 additional staff members at Norwalk High School. She also expressed concern about the early elementary schools and keeping the students on grade level. She stated that it would be important to hold everyone accountable for the student’s success.

Mr. Michael Murray, who resides at 1 Monroe Street, spoke next on the behalf of a number of Norwalk High School parents who were present at the meeting about the condition of the athletic fields at Norwalk High School. Mr. Murray stated that after the recent rains, the front fields at the High School were flooded with standing water for the next two days. Andrews Field is unusable and the turf field is dangerous with water on the surface. He stated that the school needs safe, usable fields for the various sports teams.

Ms. Sharon Cadden, who resides on Saxon Road, addressed the Board next. She thanked the Board for considering the fields and asked that the parents be kept informed and updated on the information regarding the athletic fields and the overall situation. She said that many of the parents of the sport team members would be willing to help out with whatever they could.

There were no other members of the public present that wished to make a comment.

VI. ACTIONS

A. Consent

1. Approval of personnel actions 2. Approval of budget transfers 3. Approval of policy #4112.61 HIPPA Privacy Policy

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING THREE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS 2. APPROVAL OF BUDGET TRANSFERS 3. APPROVAL OF POLICY #4112.61 HIPAA PRIVACY POLICY ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VII. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. 2007-2008 School Calendar

Mr. Kimmel pointed out that the last day of school was listed on the calendar portion as June 18th, while in the summary portion; the last day was listed as June 20th. Dr. Corda stated that the last day of school will be on June 18th. The 19th and the 20th are reserved for make up snow days. This will be corrected on the final draft.

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED DRAFT NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOL CALENDER WITH THE NOTE THAT THE FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 18TH, 2006. ** MR. KIMMEL SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Board Member Announcements

Ms. Murray thanked the community for their participation in the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday programs. She stated that she has been appointed as the chairwoman for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day committee and Mr. Burnett is the vice chair.

Mr. Fuller thanked Dr. Corda and Ms. Bishop-Pullan for their participation in the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday programs. He commented that it is important for the students to realize that people actually died in order for them to have the access to education and other opportunities that are available today.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

** MS. MURRAY MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes