REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEETING
September 11, 2007
Present: Barickman, Brey, Gaspar, Goldberg, Lewson, Miller, Streams
Administration: Fossbender, Sullivan, Mas, Pierson, Johnson, Martin, Wallin, Farrell, Freeston
Others: 20 members of the community
Mr. Lewson called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
Mr. Lewson asked for a moment of silence for the victim of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Motion: Move to nominate David Lewson as Chair. Barickman, Gaspar. Approved. Unanimous. The vote was by paper ballot.
Motion: Move to nominate Lewis Goldberg as Vice Chair. Barickman, Gaspar. Approved. Unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Move to accept the minutes of the June 5, 2007 meeting as corrected. Gaspar, Barickman. Approved. 5-1-1. Miller abstained.
Corrections: page 1, under Public Comment, item #2, Line 4, The inclement weather of two weeks ago had occurred with no time to affect a change in transportation; page 3, para #1, change availability to unavailability; page 3, the voting record on the first motion(which failed) was 2-5. Voting for: Barickman, Goldberg; votes against: Brey, Lewson, Simeonidis, Streams & Gaspar. The second motion was approved 4-1-2. Voting for: Gaspar, Brey, Simeonidis, Lewson, Goldberg voting against, Streams; abstaining, Barickman.
Motion: Move to accept the minutes of the June 27, 2007 meeting as submitted. Gaspar, Streams. Approved. 5-0-2. Goldberg & Miller abstained.
Motion: Move to accept the minutes of the August 7, 2007 meeting as corrected. Streams, Gaspar. Approved. 6-0-1. Barickman abstained.
Correction: page 1, under Discussion of Yale University Study, line 4, Documented written parent permission…; page 1, under Discussion Part-Time Special Education position, line 1, part-time position; page 2, under Discussion of School Calendar, line 3, Snow days or other school closings would impact….
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike D’Agostino, Glen Hill Road: expressed appreciation for what the board and administration did to get transportation issues resolved and to open school with a minimum of transportation difficulties.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Streams thanked the administration for their efforts on transportation issues. Mr. Lewson wished Mrs. Mas and Dr. Fossbender a Happy Birthday.
ENERGY CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
The Town of Redding has established a Clean Energy Steering Committee to promote the use of clean renewable power. Suzanne Krivet of the Steering Committee explained their goal to raise awareness in the community and work toward conversion of the “electric” wing of Redding Elementary to solar power. For every 100 residents that sign up for the CT Clean Choice program, the Town will earn a 2 kilowatt solar power panel. 28 kilowatts or 14 panels would convert the wing of the school to solar power.
Motion: Move that the Redding Board of Education support the clean energy program and support the initiatives of the Clean Energy Steering Committee as presented, and add the plan to convert the “electric” wing at Redding Elementary to a solar power to the Board of Education capital plan. Streams, Barickman. Approved. Unanimous.
REDDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: REPORT CARD CHANGE
Ms. Pierson reported that a committee was established last year to review report card issues. The Committee met throughout the year and concluded that the elementary school should change to a trimester reporting period. The Committee felt that the quarterly report card did not allow sufficient time to reflect student growth. Parent-teacher conferences would continue to be scheduled twice a year. The trimester report card is common in the DRG schools at the elementary school level. The middle school would continue to issue report cards four times a year.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE CONCURRENT PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Mrs. Martin reported that the logistics of scheduling parent/teacher conferences for both schools during the same time period would be logistically difficult. Parent/teacher conferences are typically scheduled in conjunction with the issuance of report cards. With the change to the trimester report cards at the elementary school, parent/teacher conferences would be at very different times. Some Board members felt that the issue for the parents is providing child care for the minimum days that are scheduled for parent/teacher conference days.
2007 CMT RESULTS
A presentation of the CMT results was made by Dr. Newson-Stewart along with Mrs. Mas. The report contained information that compared performance of this year with the previous year, how the students performed and how the results compared with other schools in the DRG.
AGENDA CHANGE
Motion: Move to add Public Comment to the agenda to allow comments on the CMT report. Gaspar, Goldberg. Approved. Unanimous.
Mary Lee Pampel: commented that the CMT tests are important, but only one measurement of how the schools are doing.
Alice Smith: commented on the web-based reading program and how effective it was.
Mike D’Agostino: commented that the CMT presentation was very good, easy to follow and understand.
Gwen Dennie, Wayside Lane: expressed a concern about the use of substitutes, especially in the lowest grades, that it is difficult for the students not to have a regular teacher on a daily basis.
Mary Dale Lancaster: agreement with Mary Lee’s comments regarding CMT tests, that a well-rounded student and education is important, and that the focus should be on the whole student, not just CMT scores.
Julie Gorman, Sunset Hill: asked what parents could be encouraged to do at home with their students to help.
ESTABLISHMENT OF CALENDAR COMMITTEE
Region #9 Board of Education has requested that a Calendar Committee be established to review the school calendar for the next three years, including a review of start day in the fall, holidays, vacations, etc. Mr. Goldberg will represent the Redding Board of Education.
RENOVATION OF TEACHER ROOM, JRMS
Jean Tompkins and Alice Smith reported on the improvements made to the teacher’s lounge at the John Read Middle School. They spearheaded a movement to raise funds from parents who wished to make a donation in lieu of teacher gifts at the end of the school year. $2,440 was raised for improvements to the lounge. The Board of Education provided infrastructure improvements including plumbing and electrical work. The room has been outfitted with cabinets, a dishwasher, new sink & faucet, glassware, microwave, and cubbies. Phase 2 is planned and will include a reading area, coffee bar, window shades, and other decorations. The group hopes to raise another $2,000 for Phase 2 of the ongoing project.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION TO THE ACTIVITY FUND, JRMS
Dr. Fossbender reported a family has offered a donation of $225 to the activity fund at JRMS.
Motion: Move to accept the generous donation of $225 to the Activity Fund at JRMS with thanks. Brey, Gaspar. Approved. Unanimous.
BOARD MEETING CALENDAR FOR 2008
The schedule of meeting dates for 2008 was reviewed. All were in agreement that the schedule was a good one.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Director of Special Education: Mr. Farrell provided a written report and provided information on two upcoming parent workshops.
Director of Finance & Operation: Mrs. Sullivan reported there have been only a few problems with transportation, and those are being worked out. The 2006-07 fiscal year is being closed out and the auditors have begun their work. She anticipates she will present a proposal to the board at the next meeting for the transfer of the unexpended balance to the Health Insurance Reserve Fund.
Principal, John Read Middle School: Mrs. Martin reported the SmartBoards were in place, were being used and enjoyed by all. The enrollment was projected to be 536, but current enrollment is 576.
Principal, Redding Elementary School: Ms Pierson commented on the wonderful cooperation among staff, parents and students. The first open house, Kindergarten, was successful. One of the teachers gave a demonstration of the use of the SmartBoard.
Mrs. Johnson reported that all 58 SmartBoards were installed over the summer months. In addition, staff training was conducted in August.
Superintendent: Dr. Fossbender briefly commented on upcoming legislation regarding magnet schools. He also noted that Sally Francia, Carrie Wessman, and Mrs. Mas will present at the upcoming Connecticut Reading Association.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PTA Liaison: Mr. Gaspar reported the first meeting is scheduled for next week.
Finance: Mr. Streams attended the Board of Finance meeting in August and reported on their discussion of the use of the school’s unexpended budget balance for 2006-07.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Goldberg complimented Mrs. Johnson for her oversight on the SmartBoard installation/training. He urged other board members to visit classrooms and see how it is used, and he requested periodic updates and demonstrations at board meetings.
Mr. Miller asked about the parking situation at the elementary school and the number of cars being ticketed by police. Mrs. Pierson and Mrs. Johnson responded that cars parked in the fire lanes will be ticketed and signs have been posted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Dr. Fossbender and Mrs. Sullivan were invited to be present.
The meeting recessed at 10:50 pm
RECONVENE
Mr. Lewson reconvened the meeting in public session at 11:20pm
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Lewis Brey, Secretary
Recorded by Mary Maday