United In Our Commitment to Excellence in Education
The Plymouth Public Schools’ mission is to ensure that all students learn to the best of their abilities.
We support their growth into knowledgeable, skilled, and contributing citizens capable of
succeeding in their work, personal, and family lives.
Plymouth Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Terryville High School Cafeteria
MINUTES
Present: Board: Mr. Raymond Engle, Mr. Anthony Orsini, Mrs. Roxanne
Perugino, Mr. Daniel Santorso, Mr. Martin Wetzel, Mrs. Karen Kulesa,
Mr. Gerard Bourbonniere, and Mr. Patrick Perugino
Excused Absence: Mr. Mark Berube
Administrators: Dr. Distasio, Superintendent; Mr. Lovely, Director of Curriculum & Instruction; Mr. Santogatta, Business Manager; Mr. Parenti, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Education and Mr. Trudeau, Director of Technology
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Perugino called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. The group joined in the Pledge to the Flag.
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: To adopt the agenda as presented. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Daniel Santorso, motion passed unanimously
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 11, 2012. Motion Raymond Engle, seconded Anthony Orsini. Daniel Santorso abstained. Motion passed
4. PRESENTATIONS
Eli Terry Jr. Middle School provided this month’s presentation to the Board. The 7th grade Enrichment Class completed a project which benefited the town and its history. The students recently worked at the “Old Cemetery” in Terryville also known as the Eli Terry Cemetery.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 2 February 8, 2012
Minutes
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
6. COMMUNICATIONS
The following communications were received: (a) The annual CABE “Day on the Hill” will be held on Wednesday, March 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members were asked to contact Mrs. Piskorski on or before Friday, February 24 if they plan on attending; (b) the Connecticut Association of Schools has informed the Board that Mrs. Worhunsky is a finalist for the 2012 National Distinguished Principal Award. A selection committee will be visiting Harry S. Fisher Elementary School on March 22 to speak with teachers, administrators, Board of Education Members, students and parents; and (c) Congratulations to Cory Scharpf and Scott LaMarre for receiving the Athlete of the Week honors from the Bristol Pess for Indoor Track and Wrestling respectfully.
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Acceptance of the Complete Roof Project ETJMS
MOTION: To accept the Roof Project at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School as completed. Motion Anthony Orsini, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere, motion passed unanimously.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Childrearing Leave
MOTION: To approve the request for childrearing leave for Jennifer Fowler, grade 1 teacher at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School for the remainder of the 2011 – 2012 school year. Motion Gerard Bourbonniere secondedMartin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
B. Revision of Policy 5141 (e)
MOTION: To approve the revision to Policy 5141 (e) Tuberculosis Testing in our district as recommended by the Board’s Medical Advisor. Motion Anthony Orsini, seconded Daniel Santorso. Motion passed unanimously.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 3 February 8, 2012
Minutes
C. Plymouth Board of Education Subcommittee Assignments
Each Board Member was provided with a list in their packet of the Subcommittee Assignments.
D. All Day Kindergarten
MOTION: To approve an All Day Kindergarten experience for the children of our school district beginning in the 2012 – 2013 school year. Motion Gerard Bourbonniere, seconded Martin Wetzel. At this time, the Chair took a roll call: Mrs. Perugino, Mr. Santorso, Mr. Wetzel, Mr. Bourbonniere, Mrs. Kulesa,
Mr. Engle, Mr. Orsini and the Chair all voted in favor of the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Board of Education Budget
MOTION: To approve the 2012 – 2013 Budget, which includes a provision for all day kindergarten, at a 0% increase over the current year’s Budget. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Daniel Santorso. At this time the Board Chair took a roll call: Mr. Engle, Mr. Orsini, “yes”, Mrs. Perugino “no”, Mr. Santorso, Mr. Wetzel,
Mr. Bourbonniere and Mrs. Kulesa “yes”. The votes casted were as follows: 6 “yes” and 1 “no”. Motion passed.
The Plymouth Board of Education Budget for 2012 – 2013 will be forward to the Plymouth Board of Finance.
F. Resignation
Dr. Distasio has accepted the resignation of Debra Lieberman, Special Education Teacher at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School, effective January 23, 2012.
9. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum – Mrs. Kulesa, Chair
Mrs. Kulesa reported the Curriculum Subcommittee met on February 1, 2012. The following items were addressed: (a) Mr. Trudeau, Director of Technology demonstrated the new Student Information System Application for Administrators; (b) Dr. Jodiann Tenney, Instructional Support Supervisor, presented an overview of our district Common Core State Standards Curriculum Development; and the plan for instituting an All-day Kindergarten Program for the 2012 – 2013 school year was discussed.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 4 February 8, 2012
Minutes
Facilities – Mr. Engle, Chair
The acceptance of the roof project at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School was accepted under Old Business; the lighting and sewer issues at Terryville High School were discussed at the Finance Subcommittee Meeting; and the boiler is scheduled to be fired up at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School. No major problems exist.
- Finance – Mr. Bourbonniere, Chair
The Finance Subcommittee met prior to the Board Meeting and reviewed the accounts by facilities report for the month of January and will forward the same to the Town of Plymouth Board of Finance.
To approve the following transfers discussed at the Finance Subcommittee which took place prior to the Board Meeting.
MOTION: To approve the transfer of $20,000 from the Plymouth Center School Oil account to the Plymouth Center School Gas Heat account. Motion Karen Kulesa, seconded Anthony Orsini, motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the transfer of $35,000 from the Eli Terry Jr. Middle School Oil account to the Eli Terry Jr. Middle School Gas Heat account. Motion Karen Kulesa, seconded Martin Wetzel, motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the transfer of $20,000 from the Terryville High School Oil account to the Terryville High School Gas Heat account. Motion Karen Kulesa, seconded Daniel Santorso, motion passed unanimously.
D. Negotiations
No Report
E. Personnel – Mr. Berube, Chair
In lieu of Mr. Berube’s absence, Mr. Perugino reported the item was addressed under New Business.
F. Policy
No Report
G. Safety & Transportation – Mr. Orsini, Chair
Other than things are moving along safely and smoothly at this time and hopefully will continue to do so there was no report.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 5 February 8, 2012
Minutes
H. Education Connection - Mrs. Kulesa
Education Connection met on Thursday, February 2, 2012. Mrs. Kulesa reported on the following: (a) Education Connection has lost 3 officers and she will be filling in as President until May; (b) Education Connection has gained 4 new members; (c) most of the meeting focused on how Education Connection operated; and (d) Education Connection gives out 2 scholarships – one to the northern half of its district and one to the southern half of its district; and (e) the remainder of the meeting took place in executive session.
I. Student Representatives
Timothy King – Mr. King reported on the following items: (a) second term report cards issued on February 7th; (b) midterms went according to plan; (c) auditions have begun for the Drama Club Performance “Wizard of Oz” with elementary students to be cast as munchkins; (c) Support a Soldier Items Wish List 2012 distributed. Any questions call School-to-Career and items to be brought down to the high school; (d) school dance is being planned for sometime in March after CAPT; (e) CAPTS for sophomores – March 2 practice test; March 6,7,13,14,15 testing. These days are ½ for those students not being tested.
Tyler Tarnowicz – Mr. Tarnowicz reported on the following items: (a) on
February 4th, the Terryville High School Leo Club attended the mid-winter conference in Farmington at the Marriott; (b) looking into Terryville High School/Thomaston Faculty Basketball Game; (c) March 9th – PTSA Bingo Night;
(d) February 28th PTSA McDonald’s Fundraiser; (e) Green House is in its final stages of completion; and (f) Mrs. Macinaus is working towards winning first prize of $20,000.
Vannesa Kello – Ms. Kello reported on the following items: (a) Terryville High School/Thomaston Game and Pep Rally were successful; (b) the boy’s basketball victory was their tenth straight win against Thomaston; (c) standings: wrestling – 16/6; boys basketball – 9/6; girls basketball – 5/12; and indoor track will begin states this week with 6 athletes to attend and participate in various events; and (d) along with herself, Liz Haylette were named Academic All-Stars in the Republican-American for volleyball.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mr. Lovely – Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Lovely reported on the following: (a) the district is preparing for CAPT testing for high school students; and Mastery Testing for grades 3 – 8 students will take place from March 5th through the end of the month. Mr. Lovely reminder parents to have their child get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 6 February 8, 2012
Minutes
Mr. Trudeau - Director of Technology
Mr. Trudeau thanked tonight’s crew for broadcasting the Board Meeting live on Plymouth 16.
Mr. Parenti - Director of Pupil Personnel
Mr. Parenti reported on the following: (a) Mr. Parenti and Mr. Trudeau are in the process of developing an assistive technology policy for the district; (b) he is working with his department to make certain CMT and CAPT accommodations are in place; and (c) researching the viability of bringing a unified sports project to Plymouth in order that special education students can participate in programs all year.
Mr. Santogatta - Business Manager
Mr. Santogatta reported on the following: (a) this years Budget looks very good, no problems; (b) the boiler should be fired up shortly at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School; (c) some of the issues at the high school are lighting in the auditorium and sewer back up problems on the infrastructure; and (d) the cost of running facilities from last year to this resulted in a $30,000 savings.
Dr. Distasio, Superintendent
Dr. Distasio reported on the following: (a) February break will be held on Thursday and Friday, February 16 & 17 and Monday, February 20. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 21; (b) provided there are no additional emergency closing days, the last day of school will be June 14, 2012; and (c) Congratulations to Vannesa Kelloand Liz Haylette who were named Academic All-Stars in the Waterbury Republican for Volleyball.
11. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
Linda Hotchkiss – 15 Curtiss Road, Terryville, CT – with a donation of wood from the Home Depot in Bristol and help from the IT Class at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School and their teacher and others, handmade peg board games were made and will be given out to the elementary, middle and high schools. Mrs. Hotchkiss thanked Mr. McDermott and the Administration.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 7 February 8, 2012
Minutes
12. Board Liaisons to Schools
Mr. Perugino – Harry S. Fisher Elementary School
February 3 Harlem Wizards vs Terryville Wildcats; presented by Fisher Elementary PTA
February 7 17 minute video of the Harlem Wizards Game was viewed
February 10 Dental Program
February 28 CMT Rally
March 30 – April 5 Book Fair
March 26 Deadline for the Brick Fundraiser ($25.00 per brick)
Mr. Engle – Plymouth Center School
No Report
Mr. Orsini – Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
January 24 McDonald’s Night
February 2 PTA meeting
February 15 Early Dismissal; PDD for teachers in the afternoon
March 1 PTA Meeting @ 7 p.m.
March 2 CMT Kick-off Dance
March 6 -20 CMT’s
March 13 Grade 8 Science Test
April 5 Spelling Bee at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
April 10 Career Fair @ the middle school
April 12 PTA Meeting (moved due to spelling bee)
May 3 Teacher’s Appreciation Breakfast
Other highlights from the meeting were: (a) the PTA is looking into holding a
breakfast fundraiser at either the Lucky Cup or the Eagle’s Nest Restaurant;
(b) the PTA is investigating a flower sale as another possible fundraiser;
(c) The Enrichment Committee is exploring “The Odyssey of the Mind” as a
possible student enrichment program; (d) the Hospitality Committee is planning to
purchase snacks for the students during the CMT testing period.
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Minutes
Mr. Bourbonniere – Terryville High School
Mr. Bourbonniere informed members of the following upcoming events: Bottle Drive; Bingo Night; McDonald’s Night; and the 3rd Annual Plymouth Car Show.
February 9 Next Meeting, 7 p.m. Terryville High School Cafeteria
Mr. Berube - SEPTA
Excused Absence
Dr. Distasio – PTSA Council
PTSA Council met on January 18, 2012. Next Meeting February 22, 2012. Some of the activities planned are: (a) Spelling Bee, April 5 at Plymouth Center School at 6:30 p.m.(b) Bottle Drive, March 20th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Terryville High School;(c) Bingo Night, March 9th at Terryville High School; and (d) Car Show, May 20th.
Mr. Santorso – CABE
Mr. Santorso attended the CABE meeting on February 19th. Some of the topics discussed were: NEXTED: Primarily discussed NEXTED which is CASS (Connecticut Association of School Superintendents) proposal for future changes to our education; (a) idea of a state review and potentially a state mandate over what the school and district would look like (changes to potentially the physical districting of the schools); (b) idea of fiscal independence and what that should look like potentially; (c) defining roles and responsibilities of board members and superintendents in statute; (d) idea of pre-school being universally available; (e) all day kindergarten; (f) idea of educator evaluation and the support and the potential of five year contracts to teachers as opposed to unlimited tenure; and (g) idea of achievement being the constant as opposed to time being the constant in education. There will be NEXTED workshop on February 22 with a location to be announced. CABE is planning the next convention and developing student awards. The Day on the Hill is scheduled for March 14th along with the Substance Abuse Meeting and the Board of Education Meeting. Next CABE meeting is scheduled for March 29th at 5 p.m. in Wethersfield.
13. Final Board Comments
Mrs. Perugino – Great job by the students at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School Enrichment Class; Linda, thank you for the games; Vannesa and Liz, academic all-stars fantastic, congratulations; and congratulations Phyllis, you already are a distinguished principal to us.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 9 February 8, 2012
Minutes
Mr. Santorso – No Comments
Mr. Wetzel – No Comments
Mr. Bourbonniere – Dr. Doughty-Jenkins, great presentation. Great Work Mrs. Worhunsky, Mr. Santogatta, and Mr. Sandshaw. Urged everyone to read Governor Malloy‘s education policy and to stay informed.
Mrs. Kulesa – No Comments
Mr. Engle – No Comments
Mr. Orsini – Thank you to Dr. Bonnie-Doughty Jenkins and students for an interesting and enlightening program this evening.
Mr. Perugino – Great presentation by the students from Eli Terry Jr. Middle School; congratulations to Mrs. Worhunsky; and thank you to Mrs. Hotchkiss for the donation of the wooden peg games.
14. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Perugino stated that the next regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on March 14, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Terryville High School.
15. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Motion Raymond Engle, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________
Gerard Bourbonniere
Secretary