April 10, 2008
Minutes
Filed subject to approval.
Present: Allan, Cohen, Katz, Maiorano, Treidel (7:45 pm), Underberger
Administration: Fossbender, Mas, Sullivan, Fox-Santora, Doak, Dekle
Others: nine members of the public
Dr. Katz called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.
RECOGNITION
Mrs. Mas recognized Karen Woodford for her Weller Excellence in Teaching award. This is the third time Ms. Woodford has received the award. The Board of Education and Dr. Fossbender thanked her for her many contributions to the school.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to accept the minutes of the March 11, 2008
meeting as corrected. Allan, Underberger. Approved. 5-0-1. Maiorano abstained.
Correction: page 1, following the motion on Nonrenewals, add “Dr. Fossbender noted that the above motion was procedural in nature, required by state statutes for teachers who are long-term substitutes on a one-year contract. He thanked the identified teachers for their many contributions to the school community”; and page 2, paragraph #1, Dr. Fossbender and Mrs. Sullivan…
PUBLIC COMMENT
Beverlee Dacey: comments regarding the ERB testing. Mrs. Dacey expressed her feelings on the importance of measuring students against a national norm. Mrs. Mas responded to Mrs. Dacey. Dr. Fossbender suggested that the topic be a discussion item on a future agenda.
Bud Jennings: questions and comments regarding the planned PTA –sponsored ice cream social on the same day as the referendum vote. His primary concern was that voters have a place to park.
DISCUSSION OF PTA ICE
CREAM SOCIAL ON DAY OF REFERENDUM
Margot Abrams presented detailed information regarding the plan to deal with parking issues, including increasing and protecting the parking area reserved for the voters. The plan also included signage, communication with parents and monitoring of facilities to provide an event that will not interfere with those individuals voting on the referendum.
FIRST
The following policies were presented and accepted for a first reading:
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT
Dr. Fossbender reported on the following:
Mrs. Fox-Santora provided a written report. She also reported on the second annual Diversity Day and thanked the committee for their planning of the meaningful event.
Dr. Merrill provided a written report. Mr. Doak recognized the two students, Jack Lightman and Emily Winter for receiving Connecticut Association of Schools nominations and Carly Hohorst and Will Hancock for their nominations for the Western Connecticut Superintendents’ Award.
ASSISTANT
SUPERINTENDENT FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & INSTRUCTION
Mrs. Mas reported on the state mandated Kindergarten Entrance Inventory Results from the fall of 2007 and provided copies of the results.
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL
SERVICES
Dr. Dekle provided a written report. She noted the increase of six students during the month. Staff training was also highlighted.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Mrs. Sullivan reported on the following:
The 2008-2009 budget recap, showing the $150,000 reduction made at the request of the Board of Finance was reviewed. The reductions include .5 Social Worker at SSES for $48,961, Replacement technology at SSES for $51,000, Powerschool software & training for $31,000, and Special Education outside professional services for $19,039. The reductions bring the proposed budget to $14,479,258 representing a 4.53% increase over the current year approved budget.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Beverlee Dacey: comments regarding the budget reductions, that if the board felt strongly about the social worker position they should reduce something else in the budget.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Dr. Cohen asked how the schools would function with the reductions made in the budget. Dr. Fossbender responded that the capital items planned for next year would likely be deferred to late in the school year so that the Special Education accounts would not be at risk.
Mr. Maiorano asked why the building projects had not been
closed out so the Town of
AGENDA ADDITION
Motion: move that the
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Move that the
Mrs. Santora-Fox and Dr. Fossbender were invited to be present for the first item.
The meeting recessed at 9:00 pm
RECONVENE
The Chair reconvened the meeting in public session at 9:28 pm
Motion: move to grant Carrie LaTorre a maternity
leave of absence until December 29, 2008, and grant Susan Kaplan unpaid sick
leave for the last six weeks of the school, as recommended by the Superintendent
of Schools. Allan, Cohen. Approved.
Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Allan,
Underberger.
The meeting adjourned at 9:41pm
Respectfully submitted,
Al Treidel, Board of Education Secretary
Recorded by Mary Maday