Plymouth Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, January 14, 2008
Terryville High School Cafeteria
MINUTES
Present:
Board: Ray Engle, Patrick Perugino, Roxanne Perugino, Gerard Bourbonniere,
Karen Kulesa and Dan Gentile
Excused Absence: Lenny Morgan, Martin Wetzel and Jennifer Zalaski
Administrators: Dr. Anthony W. Distasio, Superintendent, Michael Santogatta,
Business Manager; Peter Lovely, Director of Curriculum & Instruction,
Thomas Meehan, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Education and
Richard Trudeau, Director of Technology
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Engle 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 Patrick Perugino,
seconded Roxanne Perugino, motion passed unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 10, 2008.
Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
5. COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. Distasio shared correspondence he received from the Mayor regarding a
request for permission to utilize the space within Main Street School for
the Town’s Fire Marshal’s Office and the Human Services Director’s Office.
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. Policy Revision – Second Reading of Policy #7551
MOTION: To approve the revisions using the guideline in Policy #7551 to
include the naming of various school components. Motion Roxanne Perugino,
seconded Patrick Perugino. At this time the Chair asked for a roll call:
Mr. Perugino, Mrs. Kulesa, Mrs. Perugino, Mr. Bourbonniere, and
Mr. Gentile all voted in favor of the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 2 January 14, 2009 Minutes
B. Calendar Approval
MOTION: To approve the calendars as presented for the years 2009 – 2010;
2010 – 2011; and 2011 – 2012 which include an abbreviated February vacation
for each of the years and the first day of school to begin before Labor Day
in each of these years. Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Roxanne Perugino.
At this time the Chair asked for a roll call: Mr. Perugino, Mrs. Kulesa,
Mrs. Perugino, Mr. Bourbonniere and Mr. Gentile all voted in favor of the
motion. Motion passed unanimously.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Extension of Childrearing Leave
MOTION: To approve the extension of Childrearing Leave for Jennifer Chasse,
Grade 1 Teacher at Plymouth Center School until February 2, 2009.
Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded
Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
B. Plymouth Education Association Contract
MOTION: To approve the contract with the Plymouth Education Association
for the years 2009-2010; 2010 – 2011; and 2011 – 2012 which calls for
the following settlement for these three (3) years:
(1) 2.99% total wage increase for 2009 – 2010;
(2) 3.5 % total wage increase for 2010 – 2011;
(3) 3.85% total wage increase for 2011 – 2012;
(4) an increase of 1% each year (16%, 17% & 18%) concerning
their premium contribution to their health insurance and
an increase of Office Visit co-pays and prescription coverage
(5) an increase of instructional time of 20 minutes per
day at the high school and elementary schools and 15 minutes
per day at the middle school.
(6) an increase of the school day at the high school of 5
minutes each day and an increase of 10 minutes each day at
the elementary school.
Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere. At this time, the
Chair asked for a roll call. Mr. Perugino, Mrs. Kulesa, Mrs. Perugino,
Mr. Bourbonniere and Mr. Gentile all voted in favor of the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Perugino thanked Dr. Distasio, Mr. Santogatta, the PEA and the
Negotiations Subcommittee for all of their work on negotiations.
Mr. Engle indicated this was a win, win situation for everyone and also
thanked the Negotiations Subcommittee, PEA and everyone who worked on
negotiations.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 3 January 14, 2009 Minutes
8. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum – Mrs. Kulesa, Chair
No Report
B. Facilities – Mr. Perugino, Chair
Mr. Perugino reported the following: the hallways are being painted at
Harry S. Fisher Elementary School and there are a few minor items left to
be done in the other schools.
C. Finance Subcommittee – Mr. Gentile, Chair
Mr. Gentile reported the Finance Subcommittee met prior to the Board
Meeting, reviewed the Accounts by Facilities Report for the month of
December and moved that it be forwarded to the Town of Plymouth Board
of Finance.
D. Negotiations – Mr. Perugino, Chair
Mr. Perugino reported all matters were covered under new business.
E. Personnel - Mrs. Perugino, Chair
Mrs. Perugino reported that the Personnel Subcommittee met with the
Superintendent prior to the Board meeting and all matters were covered
under new business.
F. Policy - Mrs. Zalaski, Chair
In lieu of Mrs. Zalaski’s absence, Mr. Engle reported the Policy
Subcommittee met prior to the Board Meeting and matters were handled
under old business.
G. Safety & Transportation - Mr. Wetzel, Chair
Excused Absence
H. Education Connection – Mrs. Kulesa
No Report
I. Student Representatives
Aubrey McCarthy – Excused Absence
Alexis Cordone – Excused Absence
Eylse Santorso – Excused Absence
Plymouth Board of Education Page 4 January 14, 2009 Minutes
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mr. Meehan, Director of Pupil Personnel
No Report
Mr. Lovely – Director of Curriculum and Instruction/District
Administrator In Charge
Mr. Lovely reported the following: (a) Maloney and Rotella Magnet
School applications are due on March 13, 2009; (b) WAMS (Waterbury Arts
Magnet School) applications will be available on February 9, 2009 and
will close on March 19, 2009; (c) Letters have been sent home to middle
school parents regarding the Drug Free Communities Grant Late Bus.
The late bus will begin the week of January 26, 2009 for middle school
students and two weeks later for high school students.
Mr. Trudeau - Director of Technology
Mr. Trudeau thanked the following individuals for the night’s live
broadcast of the Board Meeting: Jeff Telke, Connor Raymond and Brian Luba.
Congratulations to Brian Luba who was accepted to UConn. Thank You’s went
to Mr. Oleksiw, Computer Teacher at Terryville High School and Mrs. Aiudi
of School-to-Career for taking it upon themselves to collect the cameras
and having them revamped.
Mr. Santogatta - Business Manager
Mr. Santogatta indicated the items discussed at the Finance Subcommittee
Meeting were: Out-of-District Tuition for Special Education and the
Utilities at the high school
Dr. Distasio, Superintendent
The first budget workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2009
at 6 p.m. in the conference room at the Board of Education. Invitations
will be mailed.
Dr. Distasio reminded parents that school closings, late openings,
and early dismissals would be broadcast over cable Channel 16, and
the major Television and Radio Stations. Also, parents and staff
will receive a call from our AlertNow automated emergency system.
10. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
None
11. Board Liaisons to Schools
Mr. Perugino – Harry S. Fisher Elementary School
(a) Holiday Bazaar was discussed
(b) PTA Membership (100)
(c) Next meeting January 20, 2009
(d) Winter Concert – January 21, 2009 @ 1:45 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 5 January 14, 2009 Minutes
Mrs. Zalaski – Terryville High School
Excused Absence
Mr. Engle – Plymouth Center School
No Report
Mr. Gentile– SEPTA – (Special Education Parent Teacher Association)
No Report
Mr. Wetzel – Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
Excused Absence
Dr. Distasio – PTA Council
No Report
12. Final Board Comments
Mr. Perugino – Thank you to Mr. Lovely and his efforts in obtaining
the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant which will benefit grade 8 students
at the middle school. Over sixty-four applications have been received.
Some ideas for selection of students were addressed: i.e. lottery,
essay, academics and behavior.
Mrs. Kulesa – No Comment
Mrs. Perugino - A Healthy New Year To All
Mr. Bourbonniere – Congratulations to Matt Garrow, Athletic of the Week.
Mr. Gentile – Happy New Year & Welcome Back To All
Mr. Engle – Welcome Back Everyone. Time to buckle up; we have a
tough year coming up.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 6 January 14, 2009 Minutes
13. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Engle stated that the next regular Board of Education Meeting
will be held on February 11, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Terryville High School.
14. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Motion Patrick Perugino
seconded Roxanne Perugino motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________
Patrick Perugino
Secretary