Board of Education Meeting Minutes

November 6, 2006

Board of Education

REGULAR MEETING

November 6, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Thomas Vetter, Jody Bishop-Pullan, Migdalia Rivas, Susan

Hamilton, Robert Polley, Rosa Murray, Gregory Burnett,

Richard Fuller.

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

OTHERS: Lynn Massey, Dr. Karen Lang, John Keogh, Ken

Martinelli, Michael Lafferty, Joan Glass, Brian Fagan

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Vetter called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

Chairman Vetter led the Board and the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Spotlight

Mr. Polley presented the Spotlight Report. He informed the Board that Jesse Bradford, a 1997 graduate of Brien McMahon, had secured a major role in “Flags of Our Fathers”, a film about the flag raising on Iwo Jima. Mr. Bradford had two other films to his credit. The District received an Honorable Mention from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) sponsored educational communication contest for the 2006-07 operating budget request.

IV. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Corda presented the Superintendent’s Report.

Brien McMahon High School NEASC visit

Dr. Corda recognized the work of the staff at Brien McMahon High School in the recent NEASC accreditation visit. This visit was the culmination of a lengthy, detailed process of self-examination regarding its philosophy and mission through its implementation of curriculum. A number of professionals visit the school to determine whether the report clearly reflects what the staff had identified. Dr. Corda said that he was very happy to report that the comments made by the chair of the visiting committee when he addressed the staff at the end of the visit, emphasized how clear and visible it was to the committee that students at Brien McMahon acknowledge that their school is a safe and caring place, it provides them with an excellent education and that 82% of the students felt that there was one adult that they could reach out to when and if they felt the need to. Dr. Corda congratulated the administration and the staff for the excellent job.

No Child Left Behind Dr. Corda reported that this is the third year that the District has been designated as “ needing improvement”. Because of this, the District will be working with State Education Department to determine what is needed in order to improve the system. What the District has been concentrating on and will continue to concentrate on is the performance of all of the students. The areas that require attention are the bodies of students who either belong to a minority group as defined by the State, or are those who have court involvement. Dr. Corda said that this is not breaking news for Norwalk, and that this is the message that the District has been trying to do in everything that the District does to insure that the student succeeds. By February 2nd, the District must prepare a District Improvement Plan and submit it to the State. The Plan will most likely be presented to the Board in January, depending on whether the Board needs to take a formal action on it. The Board should be aware that the model which has been used for the School Growth Plans is the model that the State recommends be followed for District that are in this category. A productive meeting was held with the Administrative Council and specific areas were identified for improvement. This presents an opportunity for the District to frame the discussion building on the work that has been done with the School Growth Plans.

Dr. Corda stated that the issue at Meadow Gardens, which was not on the agenda. In response to the tragedy that occurred at Meadow Gardens, a meeting was held at Calvary Baptist Church. This was for the residents of the community to talk about the issues and concerns. Dr. Corda said that the impact of the frustration that so many of the residence feel in that area, not about the schools, but about their life experience in general. It underscores a major problem in terms of the disparities in the quality of life between those who have the means and those who do not have those means. This meeting was not about blame. It was about the overwhelming cry from the people who attended about the violence that is permeating their lives has to stop. The sociological factors that exist in a community where people feel as if the possibilities for them are limited are difficult to understand until one hears the residents talk about it. Something needs to be done to prevent senseless killing.

In relation to the elements of the school community who are not being well served in the education that is being provided for them. The District needs to rethink how to meet the needs of the students. When people say that they don’t feel safe in their homes or neighborhoods, one wonders how this could be. Dr. Corda said that he does not have the answers to this. Dr. Corda said that the District needed to be more thoughtful about how to provide a safe environment for all the students in Norwalk. V. Public Comments

Ms. Massey came to the table and stated that she was speaking as the PTO Council Co-President. Ms. Massey stated that an issue had come to the PTO attention about the fact that there is a rough draft for revisions on the homework, grading and testing policies. There is a concern that among the policies that would allow middle school student to re-take tests that they had failed and make up homework that they had not completed on time. Because it is a policy, the PTO is assuming that the Board of Education has initiated this and that the revision is also being undertaken by the Board of Education.

Ms. Massey said that the PTO would like to understand why the policy was being revised and what to expect in the future. She thanked the Board for their time.

There was no one else present who wished to address the Board.

VI. Actions

A. Consent

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

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO APPROVE:

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

AS PRESENTED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

** MS. BISHOP-PULLAN SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Approval of Field Trip(s)

1. Norwalk High School 9-12 Choirs to Ellenville, NY 2. Ponus Ridge Middle School Grade 7 to Silver Bay, NY 3. Ponus Ridge Middle School Grade 8 to Washington, DC 4. Brien McMahon Art Students Gr. 10-12 to Washington, DC 5. Brien McMahon orchestra Gr. 9-12 to Virginia Beach, VA 6. Brien McMahon Model U.N. to Washington, DC

Mr. Vetter stated that the Board would approve all the field trips as one item

** MR. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING FIELD TRIPS:

1. Norwalk High School 9-12 Choirs to Ellenville, NY 2. Ponus Ridge Middle School Grade 7 to Silver Bay, NY 3. Ponus Ridge Middle School Grade 8 to Washington, DC 4. Brien McMahon Art Students Gr. 10-12 to Washington, DC 5. Brien McMahon orchestra Gr. 9-12 to Virginia Beach, VA 6. Brien McMahon

Model U.N. to Washington, DC

** MS. MURRAY SECONDED.

Mr. Burnett asked under what status of threat level would the Board allow trips to New York City. Dr. Corda stated that following September 11th, the country was at the highest level of security, including New York City. At that time, no field trips were allowed to go to New York City. Mr. Burnett stated that NYC was currently at a Level Orange state, which it was following September 11th. Dr. Corda stated that NYC had been in the Orange state for some time and most likely would continue to be. If the level was raised to Red, field trips would not be allowed to go into NYC.

** THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUS.

VII. Information and Reports

A. Class Size Report

Dr. Corda said that this report was still in draft form. There is still some information that is needed before the final form is produced. A new portion of the contract addresses the total student load limitation at the secondary level, which is 130 students. Currently, the District is researching to see if any teacher has that level of responsibility and how to address this if this is actually so. Dr. Corda also reviewed another aspect of the contract with the Board. He stated that when that information is available, the report will be given to the Board in its final form. Mr. Polley had two questions about the details of the report. Dr. Corda said that he would check on the figures and report back to Mr. Polley.

B. 2007-2008 new course proposal presentation

Dr. Lang distributed copies of her previously emailed documents to the Board with an addendum.

Dr. Lang said that the course materials need to be ordered in December or January and so the information is being presented to the Board at this time with the hopes that a vote can be held at the next Board meeting. She stated that the Board needed to formally vote to accept a recommendation to add a new course. The material also includes a few modifications in various areas such a length of a course or other changes. Dr. Lang reviewed the process that is used for presentation of a new course.

Dr. Lang then reviewed the information contained in the packet with the Board. She concluded with the statement that the instructors who had developed the proposals were present to give an overview of their proposals.

Mr. Keogh reported on his two math course proposals, AP Statistics Course and Basis for Independent Study in Calculus. There has been an increase demand for the Independent Study in Calculus in recent years.

Mr. Martinelli reviewed the two Science course proposals, Meteorology and a research course applicable to any of the scientific fields called Research Methods in Science.

Mr. Polley asked whether there would be special emphasis on recruiting female students for the Research Methods in Science course. Mr. Martinelli said that there would be recruiting at both high schools for the course. Mr. Polley asked why it would not be included in the graduation requirements. Mr. Martinelli replied that it will be counted as an elective.

Mr. Lafferty stated that his department was proposing the addition of two courses. The first course would be Dramatic Experience and the second one is for Culture and Conflict in Literature. Mr. Lafferty reviewed the philosophy behind the choice of these two courses.

Mr. Polley commented that he had been present at the Center for Global Studies when a presentation was given on the standardized testing. Mr. Polley said that it was an incredibly informative presentation and he did not have the opportunity to thank the teachers involved in that presentation at the time.

Ms. Glass from the Social Studies Department then presented a course called “History in the Making”, which began as a student’s idea and then was brought to the staff. Ms. Glass said that this course might be instrumental in getting students excited about history by providing students an outlet for integrating technology and researching a topic in depth.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that she had some concerns about the cost involved in this type of course. Ms. Lang said that as part of the budget process, it is up to the schools to request the funding that they need. It is up the principals to plan the staffing and speak with the Central Office about their needs. Some electives with may not be as popular may not be offered for a semester to accommodate this documentary course. Dr. Lang reviewed the history of this particular proposal, which occurred over several years. A discussion of the details of scheduling, student access and staffing qualifications for the new course proposals followed.

Mr. Fagin, the Director of the Center for Global Studies, addressed the Board next. He stated that there were several proposals before the Board. These are Arabic II, Modern Asian Film, Art, Animation, Literature of the Arab World, and Gender in International Literature. Mr. Fagin reviewed the core program and said that honor sections were being proposed for various sections. He then reviewed each of the proposals individually for the Board.

Dr. Corda thanked the staff members for their presentations.

C. Volunteer Policy #1240

It was suggested that the adjustment to the policy be addressed. Dr. Corda said that the Board should be aware that this would be presented during the report with the intention of soliciting information from the community about the philosophy behind the policy. Students from Brien McMahon shared their insights with the administration in regards to items that needed attention in regards to student safety. As a result of those recommendations, a number of the elements were included in the policy. Dr. Corda made a suggestion for a modification on page one of the draft before the Board. It was discovered that the information was not included in the packets for the Board. Dr. Corda said that the Administration would make the modification that he had been about to propose and then the updated information would be sent to the Board members. This was acceptable to all.

D. Board members announcements

Mr. Fuller announced that he would like to announce that the effective date of his resignation from the Board would be changed to July 1, 2006 in order to finish out the school year. In addition, this will also be the anniversary of the first graduating class from Brien McMahon, of which Mr. Fuller was a member.

VIII. Discussion of personnel leave request

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE Discussion of personnel leave request aND A Discussion of the Norwalk High School principal search.

** Mr. Burnett Seconded.

** the motion passed unanimously The Board of Education, and Dr. Corda moved into executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel leave request and a discussion of the Norwalk High School Principal search at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes

Telesco Secretarial Services

Category: Minutes