Board of Education Meeting Minutes

August 28, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Jody Bishop-Pullen, Chair; Rosa Murray, Vice Chair; Gregory Burnett, Shirley Mosby, Susan Hamilton, Migdalia Rivas, Robert Polley, Thomas Vetter; Mayor Richard Moccia

STAFF: Dr. Salvatore Corda, Superintendant of Schools

OTHERS: Robert Burgess, Bruce Mellion, Norwalk Federation of Teachers Union President, Rev. Bruce Morris

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Bishop-Pullen called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.

DISCUSSION OF CENTRAL OFFICE CONTRACTS AND DISCUSSION OF WORKING CONDITIONS OF HUMAN RELATIONS OFFICER

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE CENTRAL OFFICE CONTRACTS AND DISCUSSING THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF HUMAN RELATIONS OFFICER. ** MR. POLLEY SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board convened into executive session at 7:11 p.m. to discussion the contracts for the Central Office and an additional discussion regarding the letter of agreement concerning the Human Relations Officer. The Board returned to public session at 7:50 p.m. and Ms. Bishop-Pullan announced that no action had been taken by the Board during the session.

RECESS

Ms. Bishop-Pullan announced a recess at 7:50 p.m. Ms. Bishop-Pullan called the meeting back to order at 8:10 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Bishop Pullen led the Board in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Robert Burgess came forward and stated that he was present in support of Rev. Bruce Morris. Mr. Burgess stated that Rev. Morris works very hard for the community and the children.

Mr. Burgess then mentioned that the bill, which was passed to ensure that people could be a legislator and hold office locally. This would give other people the opportunity to hold a job. Mr. Burgess then said that he was concerned that whatever course of action the Board took, that it should be fair to everyone. He stated that Rev. Morris had done a good job in Hartford fighting for the Norwalk students and bringing money back for the Board. He concluded by saying that he hoped the Board would continue to be fair in their deliberations.

Mr. Bruce Mellion, the President of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, addressed the Board next. He stated that the agenda contained five items (Item V. A-E). Mr. Mellion said that regarding those actions, it would be appropriate within the law to have discussions and deliberation in executive session. Mr. Mellion said that copies of the documents A-E should have been made available to the public ahead of time. He pointed out that the copies of the documents were distributed at 8:05 p.m. and he was not able to read through the document before the meeting was called to order. Mr. Mellion said that the citizens of Norwalk and any other interested parties should have every opportunity to be read the document, comment, attend and give input if they so choose. When such a document is given out at five minutes after eight, that opportunity is precluded because there are no details ahead of time. Mr. Mellion went on to say that when the citizens of Norwalk hear about these actions tomorrow and the teachers hear about it on the first day of school, Mr. Mellion said that he believed it would “play very poorly across the board.”

Mr. Mellion then suggested that the Board consider not taking actions on Agenda Items A-E tonight and make the documents available to the public in order to allow people to be aware of them, know the contents, make whatever comments they feel appropriate in an open and honest way. To give the impression that it is being done in a hidden, secretive, last moment action is in defiance of all the citizens. It is an action that needs to be considered. Mr. Mellion said that tabling the items until September 4th to allow the citizens to have a chance to review and consider the consequences of the documents. He said that this would be appropriate, reasonable and correct. Handing out only one of the documents at five after eight, with virtually no time for those present in the room to read and consider the contents, which is substantially incorrect, Mr. Mellion said, was wrong. Mr. Mellion said that he believed that there would be “a wicked backlash” if the Board approves the contracts without allowing everyone to consider and comment on the contents, if they choose to do so.

Mr. Mellion said that he also found it interesting procedurally that the Superintendent is recommending the approval of the Superintendent’s contract. This seemed to be odd at best to Mr. Mellion. He then reiterated that the Board should reconsider and table the approval of the contracts. He stated that it was not the right way to start off the school year at all.

Ms. Murray then asked if there was anyone else present who would like to address the Board. She repeated this request two additional times. Seeing that there was no one interested in addressing the Board, Ms. Hamilton closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

ACTIONS

A. Approval of contract for Dr. Salvatore J. Corda, Superintendent of Schools

** MR. BURNETT MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH DR. SALVATORE J. CORDA, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. ** MS. HAMILTON SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED WITH SEVEN IN FAVOR (BISHOP-PULLAN, MURRAY, HAMILTON, VETTER, POLLEY, RIVAS, AND BURNETT) AND ONE ABSTENTION (MOSBY).

B. Approval of contract for Stuart Opdahl, Chief Operating Officer

** MR. POLLEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH MR. STUART OPDALH, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. ** MS. MURRAY SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

C. Approval of contract for Dr. Karen Lang, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

** MS. MURRAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH DR. KAREN LANG, ASSISTANT SUPPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

D. Approval of contract for Fay Ruotolo, Human Resources Officer

** MS. HAMILTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH FAY RUTOLO, HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

E. Approval of Letter of Agreement for Human Relations Officer

** MR. BURNETT MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH HUMAN RELATIONS OFFICER. ** MR. VETTER SECONDED.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said that she had some reservations about this action based on recent comments from the State. However, she said that she would be voting in favor of the resolution.

** THE MOTION PASSED WITH SIX IN FAVOR ( BISHOP-PULLAN, MURRAY, HAMILTON, VETTER, POLLEY, AND BURNETT) AND TWO ABSTENTIONS (MOSBY AND RIVAS).

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Service

Category: Minutes