Board of Education Meeting Minutes

July 11, 2007

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

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendent of Schools

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

SUPERINTENDENT’S EVALUATION

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONDUCT THE SUPERINTENDENT’S EVALUATION. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board and Dr. Corda entered into executive session for the purpose of conducting Dr. Corda’s evaluation at 6:45 p.m.

The Board resumed public session at 8:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Bishop- Pullan led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ms. Donna Riddell, from the Norwalk Federation of Educational Personnel (N.F.E.P.) addressed the Board first. She stated that there were a number of positions that had been changed including the middle school secretaries, who were reclassified from ten months to twelve months. One of the guidance secretaries had informed the Board at the last meeting that additional summer help was seriously needed since scheduling, registration of incoming students along with the routine processing of the students already enrolled for the following year. This is needed to ensure the smooth transition of the students for the following school year.

Ms. Riddell said that she found it hard to understand that then positions were being reduced or eliminated, that the new position of the Parent Information/Central Registration Officer was being considered. The secretaries at the schools have been registering students for many years. The lack of follow through by the Central Office in residency verification needs to be addressed. Ms. Riddell requested that the Board consider the Norwalk Federation of Educational Personnel’s priorities before considering any additional positions.

Mr. Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, addressed the Board next. He said that his comments were divided into three parts.

Mr. Mellion stated that the first would be about the budget reconciliation. He stated that some recommendations would be made in terms of how the NFT thinks the process regarding the operating budget could be done differently for next year. That will be done in the fall.

In terms of the reconciliation, a priority that will be addressed at this meeting will be to insure that the schools have teachers in every position for all the schools at the start of the school year. In particular, Mr. Mellion pointed out that some of the elementary classes were very close right now and need to be carefully watched to insure the proper ratio.

He also said that the NFT was in support of the fact that two high school positions at Brien McMahon and NHS were restored. Mr. Mellion also mentioned that the two summer secretaries for the middle school guidance office needs to be addressed. He stated that the work was not finished from the spring and that this sets up a problem at the beginning of the school year. NFT also suggests strong consideration for the unallocated State Priority School money beyond the four literacy teachers, be directed for two additional literacy teachers. That will provide the system with point 5 literacy teachers in each elementary school. Mr. Raffety, the Director for Language Arts, could supervise these teachers. This would be an important commitment and would still leave additional funds from the Priority School money for other areas as well.

Secondly, Mr. Mellion distributed copies of a Change in the Attendance Policy survey that the NFT conducted in March at both Brien McMahon and NHS. Mr. Mellion then reviewed the results of the survey with the Board. He stated that it was hoped that the Board would consider the action that was taken about the policy, in light of the history of how this policy came about and the data that was generated by the survey.

Finally, Mr. Mellion distributed a copy of an email that was sent to Dr. Corda on April 11th regarding situation at the Norwalk High School situation. Mr. Mellion stated that he had spent a few hours on site addressing some of the issues and concerns. Mr. Mellion said that he believes the email articulates the concerns clearly. Many of the issues have been address, but hopefully the ones that haven’t will be attended to before the start of the new school year.

Mr. Polley asked if all of the questions were included on the survey. Mr. Mellion replied that they were.

Ms. Murray asked if there was anyone else present that would like to address the Board. She repeated the request three times. As there was no one else present who would like to address the Board at this time, the public comment section of the meeting was closed at 8:10 p.m.

V. ACTIONS

A. Approve curricula and textbooks for new course offerings 2007-2008

** MS. RIVAS MOVED TO APPROVE CURRICULA AND TEXTBOOKS FOR NEW COURSE OFFERINGS 2007-2008 ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. VI. BOARD DISCUSSION OF 2007-2008 BUDGET

Dr. Corda then came forward and displayed an overhead transparency with his proposed budget for the educational cost sharing (ECS) funds, which were approved by the Common Council at their most recent meeting.

He explained that the budget had been broken into three portions. The first section contained budget items that were needed immediately. The second portion contained budget items where the information was not yet finalized. The third portion contained budget items that were under consideration. He then reviewed the various budget items on the proposed list.

Dr. Corda said that the first item on the list was to recommend that point 5 of a Speech Pathologist be added to the budget. He then stated that restoring a nurse substitute would be important as there may be a student entering the system that will require the presence of a nurse on site. The next proposal was for 10 days to be given to the Middle School Guidance Secretaries. Last year, the secretaries were given an additional 10 days and it proved to be sufficient to process the paperwork. The final proposal in the first portion was the continuation of the secretarial service for the Board meetings.

In the second portion of the proposed budget, Dr. Corda repeated that not all the information was available to make an accurate decision at this time. He reminded everyone that there was one class that was at its contractual enrollment limit and that summer school was in progress. Students are required to attend 17 of the 19 sessions and must perform at the appropriate grade level to advance to the next grade. This is being watched closely, as it may change a class size.

The next item was the addition of two teachers at Brien McMahon and Norwalk High School. He stated that he was aware of the concerns that had been expressed about the number of study halls that students had because of limited class sizes.

Dr. Corda then quickly gave an overview of the next three items concerning Special Education, which included 2 PPS staff, and consultant services.

The third and final portion of the budget included the Parent Information/Central Registration Officer and also the addition of a Special Education teacher for Special Education students that may be returning to the district.

Dr. Corda explained that the idea of the Parent Information/Central Registration Officer was to create a welcome center and also provide orientation for non-English speaking students. There is not enough information available at this time to make a decision about this position.

Due to changes in the policy for Special Education students that are educated out of the district, there may be some autistic students who will be returning to the Norwalk School System.

Ms. Murray asked about the number of study halls that the high school students have. Dr. Corda explained that at Brien McMahon, the student enrollment has increased. He also said that there were several factors contributing to the situation and that he could not pinpoint one single item as being responsible. However, the Central Office is aware that the demand for the business and technology courses has decreased. It will be important to look at the various electives that are offered at the high schools.

Mr. Burnett asked about the salary scales for the Special Education psychologists and social workers. Dr. Corda explained that those two positions have the same salary range.

Another question was raised about the $100,000 reduction in the Athletic budget. Dr. Corda said that this was due to some strong negotiation on the part of the purchasing office in terms of big ticket equipment items. Transportation and cleaning costs were also renegotiated. All of the Athletic Departments now have the equipment they requested for the coming year.

Mr. Polley asked about the additional 10 days for the guidance secretaries. Dr. Corda repeated that last year, the district had provided an extra 10 days for the secretaries and it had proved to be sufficient. While it would be good to have 12 months of employment, Dr. Corda also pointed out that this would include vacation time for the secretaries. He also expressed confidence that the secretaries would utilize the extra time well and that if any principal felt that there was not enough time, Dr. Corda would be notified.

Mr. Kimmel returned to the issue of study halls and stated that he did not feel it was an issue of scheduling. He said that he felt the Board should discuss this issue after the budget discussions were concluded and that there should be a maximum of one study hall per day. Dr. Corda replied that the way to address the situation was to have adequate staffing for the class sections that are needed. Mr. Kimmel replied that this needed to be addressed through policy. Dr. Corda said that he felt that this discussion should be for another meeting.

Mr. Burnett asked when the School District would decide whether or not to fill the position of the Special Education teacher for the autistic students. Dr. Corda replied that there were three pieces of information that were needed for each autistic student. The first was whether an aide was involved, the second was whether the program was comparable to what the student was currently enrolled in and finally, how the funding would be handled if the student did not return to the district.

Ms. Murray asked if the Parent Information/Central Registration Officer would handle K-12. Dr. Corda replied that initially it would start at the Elementary level. Secondary registration is more complicated and may require a guidance counselor.

Ms. Bishop-Pullen asked about the nurse position. Dr. Corda explained that there was the possibility of a student entering the system who may require a nurse be in the building when the student is present. Ms. Bishop-Pullen asked what would happen if more than two teachers were needed. Dr. Corda said that the third component of the proposed budget would be used to provide for the extra teachers.

Ms. Bishop-Pullen asked about security. Dr. Corda said that he had spoken to the Athletic Directors and to the police about this issue. A meeting is scheduled in the future to discuss this more thoroughly with them.

Mr. Kimmel asked if there would be any layoffs. Dr. Corda said that he did not believe that there would be. He then explained that the reason that 10 aides were no longer part of the budget was because their services were no longer needed. Mr. Kimmel commented that there had been remarks made about layoffs by those who were not on the Board. Dr. Corda said that two school psychologists had retired, but those were not layoffs.

Ms. Rivas asked if aides would be required for the students who currently out of district but may come back to the district. Dr. Corda said that it would have to be evaluated. Some students require one on one, others don’t. He also said that some students changed schools.

When asked about how the procedure would be handled, Dr. Corda said that this year’s procedure was different and there are needs that the district has and which must be addressed. Dr. Corda said that the budget proposal he presented to the Board was the way he believed it would be best to utilize the funds. Administratively, the various budget line items would be increased appropriately.

A discussion followed about how the motion would be presented and the allocation of the funding. Mr. Opdahl commented that the transferring of funds does not need to begin immediately. Dr. Corda said that he was not asking for approval of the proposed budget, but for a sense of the Board regarding the proposed budget.

Ms. Murray said that she would like more detail on the Special Education portion of the proposed budget from the new director. Dr. Corda explained that the specialist may not be on board until August 13th. He said that he would work on facilitating Ms. Murray’s request and that he will craft a resolution regarding the proposed funding. However, it would be important to move on the first four items of the budget immediately. This was agreeable to the Board.

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS – CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS

** MR. VETTER MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS. ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board and Dr. Corda entered into Executive Session for discussion of the contract negotiations for the Central Office Administration at 9:20 p.m. They reconvened into public session at 11:27 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting adjourned at 11:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Soltes Telesco Secretarial Service

Category: Minutes