REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION

MEETING

March 4, 2008

 

Present: Barickman, Brey, Gaspar, Goldberg, Joyce-Kirk, Lewson

Administration: Fossbender, Sullivan, Pierson, Johnson, Martin, Farrell, Freeston

Media:  Redding Pilot

Others: four members of the community

 

Mr. Lewson called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion:  move to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2008 meeting as corrected.  Joyce-Kirk, Goldberg.  Approved. 5-0-1.  Brey abstained.

Correction:  page 2, under Metrics Committee, “the Committee fleshed out”

 

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION FOR NONRENEWALS

Motion:  move that, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-151, the Redding Board of Education nonrenews the teacher contracts of Susan Sullivan, Veena Raghuvir, Christina Clements, and Adrienne Henry at the end of the 20087-2008 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, Susan Sullivan, Veena Raghuvir, Christina Clements and Adrienne Henry, and that the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to respond on behalf of he 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.  Goldberg, Barickman.  Approved. Unanimous.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Director of Special Education:  Mr. Farrell provided a written report. that included the number of PPT meetings, referrals and workshops attended by staff.

 

Mrs. Sullivan reported expenses are tracking as expected and that health insurance claims were down for the month of February.

 

Redding Elementary School: Ms. Pierson reported on the upcoming kindergarten visitation day and parent evening, and the upcoming PTA ArtFest and Big Science events.

 

John Read Middle School: Mrs. Martin reported on the fifth grade theater workshops and performance.  Librarian, Evelyn Reeve has worked with the ILA teachers to encourage reading and 8th graders were chosen to read different Nutmeg Award winning books.  The students will hold book talks for students at all grade levels to pique their interest in classic novels.

 

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.

 

CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

Mrs. Joyce-Kirk reported another committee meeting is scheduled for later in the week, with a focus on ILA best practices at Redding Elementary School.

 

PTA LIAISON COMMITTEE

Mr. Gaspar reported the issue of RES parking was again discussed.  Many parents spoke of an increase or perceived increase in bullying at the schools and were interested in how the administration is addressing the issue on a pro-active basis and what is done for follow-up.

HVAC issues at RES were discussed.  A suggestion was made to divert the $30,000 shed money to solving the HVAC issues.  Mrs. Sullivan noted that the $30,000 is part of the Town project and is restricted to that use.

 

The topic of “green” initiatives was also discussed.  Mrs. Sullivan responded that the light bulbs in the buildings were replaced with energy efficient bulbs last summer and the cleaning products being used are student-friendly. Mrs. Martin added that JRMS has a student committee working to encourage recycling and Mrs. Pierson noted that RES has a similar staff/student committee. 

Mr. Lewson reported that the Clean Energy Campaign has earned 2 kW solar PV system to-date, and received a bonus of one kilowatt for achieving 2.5% of household participation in the program. 

 

Mrs. Sullivan is working on a proposal to install solar power for the West Wing of RES, but final cost estimates/savings are not yet available.  The West Wing of the building is in need of equipment replacement and new ductwork.  The original wing was designed as open classroom space. Since the space was divided into enclosed classroom space, new ductwork is needed to provide appropriate ventilation.  She estimates that the cost to do the project may be $500,000.

 

METRICS COMMITTEE

Dr. Fossbender provided a list of various measurements divided into categories.  He recommended an initial tier of data/information that is currently available be developed for publication on the website.  The current webmaster will incorporate that information through the use of the Power School software.  Additional data/information/measurement can be added to the site as it becomes available.

 

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Mr. Barickman reported the Committee will reaffirm/define the criteria for what constitutes a capital item and present that to the Board of Finance.

 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Mr. Barickman requested an update on a long-term solution for implementation of a writing lab in the middle school. Dr. Fossbender will ask Mrs. Mas to report on this issue at the next meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lewis Brey, Secretary

Recorded by Mary Maday