Board of Education Meeting Minutes

February 13, 2007

ABSENT: Bruce Kimmel, Thomas Vetter

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

OTHER: Steven Collarosi, Edith Romanello, Sharon Cadden

I. CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Collarosi stated that he was the parent of two students at Naramake Elementary School. He thanked everyone for the Special Meeting regarding granting a general exemption. Mr. Collarosi pointed out that PTO’s raise significant funds from the various fundraisers. During the past year, Naramake raised over $7,300 due to food related fundraisers. Of that money, over $7,000 went to the Enrichment Budget, for which Mr. Collarosi is responsible. This allows the school to bring in a variety of educational offerings, whether it is music or science presentations or a range of other programs. These items are not covered in the school budgets. Having the exemption will benefit the schools greatly. Mr. Collarosi said that there was some concern that the PTO’s might be selling non-nutritious goods to the students. He stated that he hoped everyone understands that PTO’s regulate themselves because they are fundraising for their own children and their children’s friends. He concluded by stating that he hoped the Board would grant this general exemption.

Ms. Romanello came forward and stated that she has a son in the fourth grade. She said that she was present to support the school and the PTOs. She said that she hoped the Board would keep the fundraising abilities.

Another Naramake parent spoke and said that she was present in support of the general exemption.

Sharon Cadden came forward and commented the Board for taking such swift action on this matter. She said that she hoped that this was the first step because it will be important to evaluate some of the student run functions and activities, which involve food. When this is looked at, Ms Cadden said it would be important to give the students choices without just removing everything the parents think may not benefit the students. She repeated her thanks and said that she hoped there would be feedback from the parents and participation on other matters also.

Ms. Murray repeatedly asked if there was anyone else present who wished to address the Board at this time. Seeing that there was no one else present who wished to address the Board, the Public Comment portion of the meeting was closed.

III. ACTION

A. Approve exception to Provisions of Section 2 and 3 of Public Act 06-63, an Act concerning Healthy Foods and Beverages in Schools.

** MR. BURNETT MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXCEPTION TO PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2 AND 3 OF PUBLIC ACT 06-63, AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTHY FOODS AND BEVERAGES IN SCHOOLS. ** MR. FULLER SECONDED. Mr. Polley stated that he wished to comment that whenever an issue comes up similar to this, it is important to step back for a moment and recognize how fortunate people are to be able to govern themselves. There are elections for officials every two years and for better or for worse, the people govern themselves. The people make the decisions that everyone lives by. Mr. Polley thought this was an interesting and productive dialogue between many parents and members of the Board of Education. He said that people should never forget that they elect the government and in fact, govern themselves. Mr. Polley said that people should acknowledge those who have gone before now and have enabled people to govern themselves. Mr. Polley mentioned his own father among them.

He then said that there were three brief points that he wished to make. One issue that came forward was what the question of role legislation has in solving childhood obesity. Mr. Polley said that he felt it was a limited amount. He suggested that perhaps the legislation that has been already voted on was the limit of what legislation could do. Mr. Polley thought it was more of an issue of education and promoting proper and healthy eating and dietary habits.

The second question raised was how much government is enough and how much do the people want the government to do. He said that he never thought there would be an answer to this question to everyone’s satisfaction, but it needs to be continually considered.

The final thought was that whenever a policy is changed, that policy change could very well have an unintended consequence that no one anticipated. Mr. Polley said that it was incumbent upon the Board to look at this situation and ask what can be learned from this to prevent this from happening in the future.

Mr. Polley said that he was glad to see the level of interest on the part of the parents. He said that he appreciated all the input that the Board had received, frustrating as it was for parents. In conclusion, Mr. Polley said he also appreciated how quickly his fellow Board members have acted on the issue.

** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE EXCEPTION TO PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2 AND 3 OF PUBLIC ACT 06-63, AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTHY FOODS AND BEVERAGES IN SCHOOLS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes