EASTON BOARD OF EDUCATION

March 11, 2008

Minutes

 

Filed subject to approval.

 

Present:  Allan, Cohen, Katz, Treidel, Underberger

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

Others:  two members of the public

 

Dr. Katz called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion:  move to accept the minutes of the February 28, 2008 meeting as corrected. Allan, Treidel. Approved. Unanimous.

Correction: page 1, under Discussion of 2008-2009 Operating budget, change the first sentence to read: “The estimated expenditures for the 2008-2009 school year were reviewed and discussed.”

 

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION FOR NONRENEWALS

Motion:  move that, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-151, the Easton Board of Education non-renew the teacher contracts of Krystal Altman, Jessica Clark and Meghan Graser at the end of the 2007-2008 school year as recommended by the Superintendent. Further, move that the Superintendent be directed to communicate this action of the Board in writing to these teachers: Krystal Altman, Jessica Clark and Meghan Graser,  and that the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to respond on behalf of the Board to any requests for a hearing, if required by law, or for other data which may be forthcoming from the teacher and/or his/her representative pursuant to applicable provisions of Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-151; and that the Superintendent be directed that any response to a request for a hearing, if a hearing is required by law, indicate that such hearing is to be before the Board of Education. Underberger, Allan. Approved. Unanimous.

 

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON 2008-2009 OPERATING BUDGET

Dr. Fossbender reported that following the last board meeting and adoption of a proposed budget, one teacher announced her retirement and another teacher currently on maternity leave resigned. In addition, when the reduction of a kindergarten section was made, the teacher aide position was not reduced. Those reductions total $69,000. The administration suggested that the budget increase remain the same, but the $69,000 be allocated to an increase in the Social Worker position to .5 ($19,200), an increase of .4 SSES Writing Specialist ($44,342) and an increase in maintenance supplies ($5,458).

 

Discussion followed. Mr. Treidel felt the board of education should make a downward adjustment in the percentage increase to reflect the teacher retirement. Following further discussion, there was agreement to reduce the budget, but retain the increase in the Social Worker position.

 

Motion:  move that the Easton Board of Education decrease the budget per cent of increase from 5.97% to 5.61%, based upon the information on teacher retirements, with a total budget of $14,629,258. Treidel, Underberger. Approved. Unanimous.

 

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: EMPLOYMENT OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL SHARED BETWEEN THE EASTON BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE EASTON PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

The Easton Park and Recreation Department suggested sharing a maintenance person, nine months with Park and Recreation Department and three months with Board of Education. Dr. Fossbender noted that at this point the operating budget could not accommodate such expenditure. The arrangement is something that could be considered for the following year.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Fossbender provided an article on the NCLB unfunded mandate and an article from Education Week entitled U.S. ‘Dashboards’ Offer Data on State Achievement.

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & INSTRUCTION

Mrs. Mas reported the second Annual Job Fair was conducted and the administrators will participate in the Fairfield County Job Fair later in the month.  CMT testing is going well in the schools.

 

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Mrs. Sullivan reported work is still being done on the unified bus potential. Routes are being configured based on average ridership. Currently ridership is 70% on a “good” day. Mrs. Santora Fox added that the number of parent drop-off and pick-ups is very high. Most students are picked up early or at dismissal time to attend after school activities.

 

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES

Dr. Dekle provided a written report.

 

HELEN KELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dr. Merrill provided a written report. Mr. Doak added that transition activities for students moving from 5th grade to Helen Keller Middle School have begun. Students are also working on the school play.

 

SAMUEL STAPLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mrs. Fox-Santora provided a written report. She added that grant money was used to provide each teacher with an emergency pack for use off site. She showed the contents of the pack which included bottled water, activity kits for students, etc.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Al Treidel, Board of Education Secretary

 

Recorded by Mary Maday