REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION

MEETING

October 9, 2007

 

Present: Barickman (8:00 pm), Brey, Gaspar, Goldberg, Lewson, Streams (7:36 pm)

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

Others: 11 members of the community

 

Mr. Lewson called the meeting to order at 7:33 pm. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion:  Move to accept the minutes of the September 11, 2007 meeting as submitted.  Brey, Gaspar.  Approved. Unanimous.

 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Mr. Lewson reported that a number of emails had been received expressing appreciation for the Board of Educations support of the Clean Energy initiatives.  Mr. Lewson also reported he visited both RES & JRMS observing students & teachers, the use of the SMARTBoards, and the co-teaching in the classroom.

 

DISCUSSION AND ACTION: RENOVATIONS OF REDDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ LOUNGE

Mary Lou Pampel and Suzanne Nolan, PTA Co-Presidents, presented a PTA sponsored project to refurbish the teachers’ lounge at RES.  The project is planned in two phases, the first is the replacement of some of the furniture and they have budgeted $4,000.  The second phase, planned for the summer of 2008 is budgeted at $6,000 and would include the replacement of the carpet with tile flooring.  The PTA will sponsor fund raising to achieve this goal.

 

Board members discussed the potential of funding some of the expenses out of the operating budget.  The Board covered infrastructure costs involved with the refurbishing of the teachers’ lounge of JRMS. 

Motion:  Move that the Redding Board of Education approve the PTA Project to refurbish the teachers’ lounge at Redding Elementary School as presented and accept the gift with gratitude.  Gaspar, Streams.  Approved. Unanimous.

 

Mr. Barickman arrived at 8:00 pm

 

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

The administration presented the School Improvement Plans for both schools and Special Education.  Board members asked questions and there was discussion along with the presentations.

 

AGENDA ADDITION

Motion:  Move to add a third period for Public Comment to the agenda to allow comments on the School Improvement Plans. Brey, Gaspar.  Approved. Unanimous.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Dana Gray:  question regarding some of the information on improvement in the math area.  Ms. Pierson responded to the question.

 

Ann Marie McCarthy: comments related to the preparation for high school and transition of students from 8th grade to the high school.  She suggested that the current high school freshmen be asked for feedback on their experience. 

 

TEXTBOOK REPLACEMENT PLAN

Mrs. Mas provided a report on the textbooks that are in need of replacement. 

 

MODIFICATION OF BOARD MEETING CALENDAR FOR 2008

Dr. Fossbender recommended changing the January 10 meeting to January 3, 2008.  The administration would like to have most of the work on the Easton & Redding budgets discussions underway prior to beginning work on the Region #9 budget.

 

Motion:  Move that the Redding Board of Education change the January 10, 2008 meeting to January 3, 2008 as recommended.  Barickman, Gaspar.  Approved. Unanimous.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Superintendent:  Dr. Fossbender reported that there is an interest in Danbury to expand the Magnet School from K-5 to K-8.  The Magnet School Board of Advisors will take action on the request soon.  Dr. Fossbender, as a member of the Board of Advisors, expressed a need to get information from the Redding participants on the proposal. He has asked Mrs. Mas to convene a meeting of the parents of students attending the Magnet School to discuss how the school is going, to discuss the curriculum, and to discuss the proposal.  Dr. Fossbender thanked the administrators for their presentations and discussion of the school improvement plans.

 

John Read Middle School: Mrs. Wallin reported that this is Metric Week at JRMS and she described some of the activities planned around the theme.

 

Redding Elementary School: Ms. Pierson reported that the change in report cards has been discussed at the PTA meeting and coffees.  The school celebrated Constitution Day and World Peace Day with a variety of activities.

 

Director of Special Education:  Mr. Farrell reported the PROMPT Therapy training was provided to four speech and language pathologists.  The PROMPT Therapy (prompts for restructuring oral muscular targets) is a multi-sensory approach for individuals with speech production disorders.

 

Assistant Superintendent & Director of Curriculum:  Mrs. Mas reported on the plans for the staff development day on Election Day.

 

Director of Finance & Operation: Mrs. Sullivan reported on the following:

 

1.  The audit is almost complete.  A partner in the audit firm will be invited to the December board meeting.  The end of year unexpended balance is $7,548.00

2.  The current budget expenditures are on target. Health insurance claims are lower that the comparable time last year.

3.  The budget preparation for the 08-09 budget has begun.  In addition to the operating budget, the capital items will be reviewed.

4.  Homeland Security has a grant available for school security expenses. Mrs. Sullivan will complete the grant application, but Redding is not likely to get much money as the grant is related to economic wealth of the community.

5.  The Central Office Building Committee will be opening bids for architectural services tomorrow.  The Committee is an Easton town committee.

 

AGENDA ADDITION

Motion:  Move that the Agenda be amended to add discussion and action related to the end of year balance.  Brey, Barickman.  Approved. Unanimous.

 

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON END OF YEAR BALANCE

Motion:  Move that the Redding Board of Education authorizes the transfer of the 2006-07 fiscal year end of year balance of $7,548.00 to the Health Insurance Reserve Fund.  Brey, Barickman.  Approved. Unanimous.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

PTA Liaison: Mr. Gaspar reported the committee met to discuss the set up for meetings for the year.

 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Clean Energy Initiative: Mr. Lewson was notified by Clean Energy Steering Committee Chair Jim Cotton that over 100 residents had signed up for the program.  This has earned the Town one two kilowatt panel for installation on the Redding Elementary School roof.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mike D’Agostino:  expressed his appreciation for the presentation and information on the School Improvement Plans.  He also commented on the discussion concerning the replacement of text books.

 

Ann Marie McCarthy: she provided information for review on the proposed expansion of the Magnet School.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion:  Move to executive session for a discussion pertaining to the employment of a municipal employee, Superintendent of Schools.  Goldberg, Streams.  Approved. Unanimous. Dr. Fossbender was invited to be present.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:20 pm

 

RECONVENE

Mr. Lewson reconvened the meeting in public session at 12:05 am

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 12:06 am

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lewis Brey, Secretary

 

Recorded by Mary Maday