EASTON BOARD OF EDUCATION

January 15, 2008

Minutes

Filed subject to approval.

Present: Allan, Cohen, Katz, Treidel (8:05 pm), Underberger

Administration: Fossbender, Mas, Sullivan, Fox-Santora, Merrill, Doak, Dekle

Others: two members of the public, and representatives of the Connecticut Post and the Easton Courier

Dr. Katz called the meeting to order at 7:37 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: move to accept the minutes of the January 10, 2008 meeting as submitted. Allan, Underberger. Approved. Unanimous.

POLICE/SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR COMMUNICATION

Police Chief Solomon and Officer Mark presented their plan to equip Samuel Staples Elementary School and Helen Keller Middle School with equipment that would provide radio communication with the police/emergency/fire departments. The equipment would be purchased though a Homeland Security grant the Police Department has received.

The administration and board members endorsed and supported the program as presented.

DISCUSSION AND ACTION 2008-2009 SPRING CONFERENCE DAYS

Mrs. Fox-Santora provided information about the number of fall & spring conference days and professional development days at neighboring towns. She also provided two options for consideration. The staff and Teacher’s Union support the option with four conference days in the fall and in the spring.

Dr. Cohen will incorporate this information in recommendations to the Calendar Committee. The Board of Education will take action on the conference days when the new 3-year calendar is considered for approval.

Mr. Treidel arrived (8:05 pm)

DISCUSSION OF ESTIMATED COSTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

The board will discuss the budget in detail at the Thursday budget workshop. Mrs. Sullivan provided information on technology expenditures for the 2007-2008 year and the proposed expenditures for SSES for the 2008-2009 year.

Information on enrollment trends was also discussed. The growing enrollment in the sixth grade supports the request for an additional sixth grade teacher and the .2 increase for the music program.

Board members discussed enrichment programs and the HOTS program. A parent in the audience, Jodie Forte, added information on the HOTS program from a parent perspective.

DISCUSSION OF UPDATE OF TEACHER PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SYSTEM

Mrs. Mas reported that the Teacher Performance Appraisal System has been in place for five years and was reviewed for technical clarification of some of the language and intent. A committee of Central Office administrations, school administrators, and presidents of the teacher association of each district met to review the system.

Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education approve the revisions to the Teacher Performance Appraisal System as presented. Allan, Underberger. Approved. Unanimous.

AGENDA ADDITION

Motion: move to add to Administration Reports to the agenda. Allan, Underberger. Approved. Unanimous.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Fossbender distributed an article titled “Influenza Pandemics and Bird Flu” by Harvard Medical School. He also distributed statewide budget information. He presented four awards to the Helen Keller Middle School. These awards were from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education for Excellence in Educational Communication.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & INSTRUCTION

The professional development day, January 22, will include the use of data. In addition, there will be professional development for grades 6, 7 & 8 in the area of science.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Mrs. Sullivan reported health claims for December were down, and if the trend continued downward the end of year balance would be good. Expenditures are tracking on target.

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES

Dr. Dekle provided a written report. She highlighted staff workshops and the Coaches Academy Project.

HELEN KELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mr. Doak provided a written report and highlighted the successful Winter Choral Concert. The Student Council members are developing a recycling program for the school and they conducted a fund raiser in December to benefit a local town resident.

SAMUEL STAPLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mrs. Fox-Santora provided a written report and also reported on her participation in a State Department of Education meeting regarding online assessment. Samuel Staples Elementary School grades 3 & 4 will participate in the pilot program in February.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Allan, Underberger.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Al Treidel, Board of Education Secretary

Recorded by Mary Maday