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 7^th 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

1. 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.

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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 7^th; (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 9^th – PTSA Bingo Night;

(d) February 28^th 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 5^th through the end of the month. Mr. Lovely reminder parents to have their child get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast.

 

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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.

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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 3^rd 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 20^th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Terryville High School;(c) Bingo Night, March 9^th at Terryville High School; and (d) Car Show, May 20^th.

Mr. Santorso – CABE

Mr. Santorso attended the CABE meeting on February 19^th. 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 14^th along with the Substance Abuse Meeting and the Board of Education Meeting. Next CABE meeting is scheduled for March 29^th 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.

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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