REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEETING
December 4, 2007
Present: Barickman, Brey, Gaspar, Goldberg, Joyce, Lewson, Miller
Administration: Fossbender, Sullivan, Mas, Pierson, Johnson, Martin, Wallin, Farrell, Freeston
Others: four members of the community
Dr. Fossbender called the meeting to order at 7:34 pm.
ELECTION OF OFFICES
Motion: Move to nominate David Lewson as Chairman of the Redding Board of Education. Nomination by Gaspar. The vote was by paper ballot. Dr. Fossbender tabulated the votes and announced the unanimous election of David Lewson as Chairman.
Motion: Move to nominate Lewis Goldberg as Vice Chairman. Nomination by Mr. Brey. The vote was by paper ballot. Dr. Fossbender tabulated the votes and announced the unanimous election of Lewis Goldberg as Vice Chairman.
Motion: Move to nominate Lewis Brey as Secretary. Nomination by Mr. Barickman. The vote was by paper ballot. Dr. Fossbender tabulated the votes and announced the unanimous election of Lewis Brey as Secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Move to accept the minutes of the November 6, 2007 meeting as corrected. Miller, Goldberg. Approved. 5-0-1. Joyce abstained.
Correction: page 2, under PTA Liaison, line 6, strike word esthetics.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
Kathleen Joyce-Kirk was welcomed to the table.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Lewson: thanked the administration for posting information concerning the MRSA infection issue.
YALE SCHOOL CLIMATE PROJECT
Dr. Fossbender introduced the second phase of the Yale School Climate Project dealing with bullying. The second phase is board review and discussion of the questionnaires that the students will complete. The function of the questionnaire is to identify those students who are at risk and provide appropriate programs to them. Representatives of the Yale School Climate Project were present to review the questionnaire and answer board member questions.
Motion: Move to change the agenda, moving Administrator’s Priorities and Administrative Reports to the next items for discussion. Brey, Goldberg. Approved. Unanimous.
ADMINISTRATORS’ PRIORITIES FOR THE 2008-09 OPERATING BUDGET
JRMS, Mrs. Martin presented information on “teacher load” or the student-teacher ratio, the number of students for which each teacher has responsibility. The current teacher load is 125 to 130 students per teacher, other schools in the DRG have a teacher load of 85-100. This information was presented with the administrations goal to find the most economical, most effective solution to the problem. With the Board’s approval, the administration will reflect on the problem, pursue solutions, and report back to the board of education and include the recommendations in the proposed budget.
Mr. Farrell presented information on special education and anticipated needs and changes for the next year at both schools.
Mrs. Pierson reported on the RES budget priorities. The primary priority is early intervention. Discussion followed.
ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORTS
John Read Middle School: Mrs. Martin showed some of the creations of the fifth graders as part of an investigation unit on sound.
Redding Elementary School: Ms. Pierson reported on the planned parent program on CMT testing. Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for next week.
Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Pierson left the meeting to prepare for a early day of participation in a Tri-State Consortium school review.
MONETARY GIFT TO THE REDDING SCHOOL DISTRICT
A monetary gift of $2,500 was offered to the school district.
Motion: Move that the Redding Board of Education accept the generous gift of $2,500 with thanks and appreciation. Barickman, Brey. Approved. Unanimous.
ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE DATA
Mrs. Johnson provided an update on the work being done on the electronic file of student performance data. Accomplishments to date include identification of various data points for the database according to the Master Assessment Plan, the creation of a draft database with documentation in Spring 2007, and focus group meetings were held with teachers and administrators at JRMS & RES in the Spring of 2007. The goals and timeline for December 2007 to June 2008 was reviewed.
DEVELOPMENT/IMPROVEMENT OF ER9 WEBSITE
Mrs. Mas reported that Vicki Cram and the Central Office staff are working on an update and improvements to the ER9 website. The primary goal is to make information more accessible.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Dr. Fossbender reported that he, Mrs. Mas, Mrs. Sullivan and Food Service Director, Ann Metcalf, met with the PTA to discuss the lunch program and the wellness program in response to parents’ concerns about the lunches. Mrs. Sullivan explained that many of the questions dealt with the nutritional content, fat content, source of food, guidelines, etc. More information on these issues will be communicated to parents.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Dr. Fossbender reported on the new legislation regarding in-school suspension and impact on the schools. He believes this last minute legislation, made without consultation with school administrators, will cause more problems than it may cure. This also creates another unfunded mandate in that staff time , and possibly additional staff, will be needed to oversee the in-school suspensions. The superintendents of Fairfield County have written a letter to the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents expressing their concerns about the legislation.
Director of Finance & Operation: Mrs. Sullivan reviewed the November Budget Object Summary. Most expenses are tracking as anticipated and on target. Health Insurance claims are slightly higher than the previous month, but less than the same month last year. The Central Office relocation plans are moving forward. An Easton committee has hired an architect to plan the space and the committee is working with the Town of Easton to install a sprinkler system.
Director of Special Education: Mr. Farrell commenced on his written report.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction: Mrs. Mas reported on professional development activities in both schools.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PTA Liaison: Mr. Gaspar reported on topics discussed at the recent meeting. There is interest and concern about the physical plant, specifically the HVAC and parking issues. There was a question regarding the maintenance schedule, how things get on the list for repair/replacement, and how priorities are set. Mrs. Sullivan noted that these are a part of the capital planning. Depending on the cost, some items are included in the operating budget and others in the capital budget. Planning meetings are held that include building administrators and custodial staff to review the needs of the schools.
Parents were pleased with the rapid response to the concerns about the lunch program. There continues to be support for bus transportation to the Community Center for afterschool programs for middle school students. The Park & Recreation Department is exploring conducting some programs at the middle school. Parents asked if there could be some incentive for regular attendance for students and staff. On the academic side, there was strong enthusiasm for the new math program and the group guided reading program.
METRICS COMMITTEE
Mr. Gaspar reported on the first meeting of the 27 representatives. A written report was submitted for review. Another meeting is scheduled in December.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike D’Agostino: question regarding long-range planning for physical plant, how assessments are made, what planning is done for replacement/renovations of items, etc. Regarding the teaching of foreign language in the elementary school, he suggested an exposure to different languages by parent volunteers. He also asked if, in conjunction with the testing of indoor air, air temperature was going to be tested. Mrs. Sullivan noted that the classroom temperatures are monitored and ventilation improvements, especially at RES, are being reviewed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lewis Brey, Secretary
Recorded by Mary Maday