REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION

MEETING

November 6, 2007

 

Present: Barickman (8:05 pm), Brey, Gaspar, Goldberg, Lewson, Miller, Streams  

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

Others: four members of the community

 

Mr. Lewson called the meeting to order at 7:34 pm.  Mr. Lewson, on behalf of board members and the community, acknowledged Kurt Streams’ service on the Board of Education and presented him with a token of appreciation.  Dr. Fossbender echoed Mr. Lewson’s comments and thanked Mr. Streams on behalf of the Administration.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion:  Move to accept the minutes of the October 9, 2007 meeting as submitted.  Gaspar, Brey.  Approved. 5-0-1.  Miller abstained.

 

DISCUSSION METRICS AND MEASUREMENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUCCESS

Dr. Fossbender reported a committee, representing school administration, Easton, Region #9, and Redding boards of education, the Easton Learning Foundation, Redding Education Foundation, the Easton, Redding & Region #9 education associations, and students from Joel Barlow High School, is being constituted.  The first meeting of the committee will be scheduled for late November and the committee will conclude their work in February.  Jess Gaspar was asked to be a co-chair of the committee.

 

Mr. Streams left the meeting, 7:45 pm

 

BOARD MEMBER PRIORITIES FOR BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS (2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR)

Board members were given the opportunity to express priorities as the budget process begins.

 

Brey:  Reading Specialist, review the current level of support at the elementary level to determine if it is sufficient.

 

Gaspar:  continued support for the measurement software, electronic portfolio and personalized learning; consideration of HVAC at both schools and gathering of temperature data; RES parking issues consideration.

 

Miller:  review of HVAC at the elementary school with a plan for a long-term solution.

 

Lewson:  continuation of current class size; participation in Clean Energy Project and general conservation measures; and professional development.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Redding Elementary School: Ms Pierson submitted a written report and reported on the success of the annual Halloween Parade and professional development activities.

 

John Read Middle School: Mrs. Martin submitted a written report and reported on professional development activities.

 

Director of Special Education:  Mr. Farrell submitted a written report.

 

Assistant Superintendent & Director of Curriculum:  Mrs. Mas reported she supported Mr. Gaspar’s suggestion for a curriculum advisory committee of the board and recommended the establishment of the committee. The standing committee will meet four to six times a year prior to regular board meetings.  Mr. Gaspar and another board member will represent the board.

 

Director of Finance & Operation: Mrs. Sullivan reported the capital plan is being updated.  She is getting information on solar power, the HVAC in the first & second grade wing is being reviewed, and windows in the 1957 wing are being assessed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mary Dale Lancaster:  commented that she has had many complaints from parents on the quality of the food being served in the JRMS cafeteria.  Both the nutritional value and presentation of food were described at not up to the standards expected for a healthy lunch.

 

Mary Brandon:  commented that she has the same complaints about the lunches at RES.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

PTA Liaison: Mr. Gaspar submitted a written report that listed the primary areas of concern included the amount of classroom time spent on CMT prep or what was construed as CMT prep, the frequency of teacher/school references to CMT prep and the quantity of board of education meeting time spent on CMT results.  The group is also concerned about the physical plant, particularly the HVAC in the 1st & 2nd grade wing at RES, water quality and functioning water faucets, moldy smell in 3rd & 4th grade wing closets, carpet esthetics and hygiene, and at JRMS, the need for air conditioning and lack of space for physically active recess.  The issue of parking at RES is a problem.  The back parking lot is available, but access to the building is difficult from the area.  Mrs. Sullivan reported that Police Chief Fuchs has been asked to review the dismissal time parking/traffic for suggestions for improvement.

 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Mr. Goldberg raised the issue of transportation of middle school children to the Mark Twain Library and/or Community Center for activities.  Mrs. Sullivan will have a discussion with the Park and Recreation Department regarding transportation for activities. Dr. Fossbender asked the building administrators to discuss the feasibility of having transportation to the library and/or Community Center. This will be a discussion item for the next meeting.

 

ANNUAL STRATEGIC SCHOOL PROFILE

Dr. Fossbender distributed copies of the Annual Strategic School Profile.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion:  Move to executive session for a discussion pertaining to the employment of a municipal employee, Allen Fossbender and Bernadette Filgate-Gaynor.  Goldberg, Brey.  Approved. Unanimous. Dr. Fossbender, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Wallin were invited to be present.

 

The meeting recessed at 8:23 pm.

 

RECONVENE

Mr. Lewson reconvened the meeting in public session at 8:50 pm.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lewis Brey, Secretary

 

Recorded by Mary Maday