PLYMOUTH BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2006
TERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
MINUTES
Present:
Board: Raymond Engle, Dan Gentile, Patrick Perugino, Velma McConnell,
Martin Wetzel and Leonard Morgan
Excused Absence: Michelle Spencer, Jennifer Zalaski and Lisbeth Leonhardt
Administrators: Dr. Distasio, Superintendent of Schools, Gerry Perusse, Business Manager, Carol Doiron, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Education,
Peter Lovely, Director of Curriculum and Keith Rafaniello, Director or Technology
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Engle called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The group joined in the Pledge to the Flag.
2. ADOPTON OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: To adopt the agenda as presented. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Patrick Perugino, motion passed unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of June 14, 2006. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Dan Gentile, motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the Special Board Meeting of June 21, 2006. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Velma McConnell, motion passed unanimously.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
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5. COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Engle presented a copy of the “Education Legislation Summary” 2006 Session Connecticut General Assembly to the recording secretary who will provide copies to any member requesting the same.
6. OLD BUSINESS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Notification of Resignations
Dr. Distasio accepted the resignations of the following individuals:
Guy Tarantello, Terryville High School Varsity Softball Coach;
Jaime Omiecinski, grade 3 elementary teacher at Plymouth Center School effective June 30, 2006; Rachel Kalish, Speech/Language Pathologist, effective June 30, 2006; Michael Savo, Guidance Counselor at Terryville High School effective July 12, 2006 and Patricia Atkinson, grade 3 teacher at Main Street School effective July 13, 2006.
B. Appointments
MOTION: To approve the following appointments at Terryville High School:
Sports
Linda Farrington Athletic Director
Angie Suffridge Assistant Athletic Director
Angie Suffridge Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach
Linda Farrington Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Coach
Angie Suffridge Jr. Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Coach
Ray Lapinski Girls’ & Boys’ Cross Country Coach
Jeffrey Foulds Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach
Mark Sconziano Jr. Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach
Mark Fowler Varsity Girls’ Soccer Coach
Mike McGowan Jr. Varsity Girls’ Soccer Coach
Mark Fowler Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach
Anthony Sirianni Jr. Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach
Peter Veleas Varsity Wrestling Coach
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Advisors
Greg Shell Senior Class Advisor
Lisa Aiudi Senior Class Advisor
Megan Lane Senior Class Advisor
Donald Jarvie Senior Class Advisor
Reyes Mabasa Senior Class Advisor
Michelle Luba Junior Class Advisor
Debra Cook Junior Class Advisor
Katherine Brown Junior Class Advisor
Jeffrey Foulds Junior Class Advisor
Amy Radke Sophomore Class Advisor
Mary Baldyga Sophomore Class Advisor
Richard Trudeau Sophomore Class Advisor
Michelle Luba Freshman Class Advisor
Michael McGowan Freshman Class Advisor
Peter Veleas Freshman Class Advisor
Gina Ritchie Art Advisor
Mark Sconziano Boys’ Intramurals Advisor
Linda Farrington Girls’ Intramurals Advisor
Silvia Cancellieri Music Club Advisor
Barbara Camp National Honor Society Advisor
Susan Glenn SADD (Co-Advisor)
(Students Against Destructive Decisions)
Mary Rioux SADD (Co-Advisor)
Sharon Newcity Student Council Advisor
Debra Cook Yearbook Advisor
Sandra Macinaus Academic Bowl Advisor
Susan Glenn Newspaper Advisor
Silvia Cancellieri Drama Advisor
Brooke Matuszczak FBLA Advisor
(Future Business Leaders of America)
Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Velma McConnell motion passed unanimously.
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MOTION: To approve the following Department Chairs:
Sharon Newcity Language Arts & Social Studies
Barbara Camp Mathematics
Guy Tarantello Science
Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Dan Gentile motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following Television Production Advisors:
Fran Block, Julie Tracy and Richard Trudeau
Motion: Velma McConnell, seconded Dan Gentile motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the appointment of Christopher Perkins as Hall Monitor and In School Suspension Monitor at Terryville High School. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Velma McConnell motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following appointment at Harry S. Fisher Middle School:
Sports
Damon Papp Boys’ Soccer Coach
Paul Schwanka Boys’ & Girls’ Cross Country Coach
Paul Schwanka Boys’ Track Coach
Dawn Alarcon Cheerleading
Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
Advisors
Carol Sieracki Co-Drama Advisor
Fran Block Co-Drama Advisor
Dr. Bonnie Doughty Jenkins Co-Drama Advisor
John Mordarski Boys’ Intramurals Advisor
Dawn Alarcon Girls’ Intramurals Advisor
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Tim Keane Co-Music Advisor
Anne DeMichiel Co-Music Advisor
John Mordarski Student Council Advisor
Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Leonard Morgan motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following elementary school advisor appointments:
Advisors
Shari Kohl Art Advisor
Diane Boylan Art Advisor
Peter Tunila Intramural Advisor/Main Street School
Jill Levandoski Intramural Advisor/Main Street School
James Eschert Intramural Advisor/Plymouth Center School
Robert Carter Music Club Advisor
Main Street/Plymouth Center Schools
Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Leonard Morgan motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following elementary school grade level coordinators:
Grade Level Coordinators
Pam Wessman Kindergarten
Maria Davis Grade 1
Hope Bellantuono Grade 2
Mary Rimcoski Grade 3
Dina Schaffrick Grade 4
Barbara Pescarmona Grade 5
Motion Patrick Peruguino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 6 August 9, 2006
MOTION: To approve Rhonda Mazur as Lead Teacher at Main Street School. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following District-Wide Positions:
Special Education Coordinators
Amy Radke Terryville High School
Margrit Morley Harry S. Fisher Middle School
Katherine Brown Prospect Street School
Elizabeth Platt-Suski Main Street School (part-time)
Irma Lesser Plymouth Center School (part-time)
Motion Velma McConnell, seconded MartinWetzel motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint Carol Doiron to the position of District Administrator In Charge. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the appointment of Donald Amodio to the position of English Teacher at Terryville High School effective July 1, 2006. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the appointment of Katie Merchant-Breitkreutz, Grade 3 Teacher at Main Street School, effective July 1, 2006. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded
Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the appointment of Jennifer Dabrowski, Grade 2 teacher at Plymouth Center School. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed with Mr. Engle abstaining.
MOTION: To approve the appointment of Erin Donovan, Guidance Counselor at Terryville High School, effective August 23, 2006. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
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C. Approval of Childbearing/Childrearing Leave
MOTION: To approve childrearing leave for Cathy Driscoll, Special Education Teacher at Plymouth Center School for the 2006-2007 school year. Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Leonard Morgan motion passed unanimously.
D. Approval of Organization Chart
MOTION: To approve the Organization Chart included in the Board of Education packet. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
E. Technology Plan
MOTION: To approve the Educational Technology Plan as submitted by Keith Rafaniello, Director of Technology which was included in the Board of Education Packet.
Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
F. New School Hours
The follow is an adjustment of school hours as of result of last year’s negotiations with the PEA (Plymouth Education Association).
Elementary School – students will begin at 8:55 a.m. instead of at 9:00 a.m. and the end of the day will be at 3:05 p.m. instead of 3:00 p.m. Ten (10) minutes have been added to the instructional day.
Middle School – students will begin at 7:55 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m. The end of the day will remain at 2:20 p.m. Five (5) minutes have been added to the instructional day.
High School – students will begin at 7:50 a.m. instead of 7:55 a.m. The end of the day will remain at 2:10 p.m. Five (5) minutes have been added to the instructional day.
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G. Approval of Educational Specifications to Remove and Replace Oil Tanks at Main Street School, Plymouth Center School, Prospect Street School and Harry S. Fisher Middle School.
MOTION: To approve the Educational Specifications to Remove and Replace Oil Tanks at Main Street, Plymouth Center School, Prospect Street School and Harry S. Fisher Middle School. Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
8. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum – Lisbeth Leonhardt, Chair
No meeting was held, therefore, there was no report.
B. Facilities - Dan Gentile, Chair
At this time, Mr. Joseph Sekorski, representing the Babe Ruth League presented a drawing to the full Board with respect to a proposed restroom /storage facility for the softball and baseball fields at Harry S. Fisher Middle School. This would be a unisex facility with no cost to the Board as the Babe Ruth League had a remainder of approximately $33,000 from a state grant which they would use to erect this building.
After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
MOTION: To approve the idea of placing a unisex restroom facility and storage facility at Harry S. Fisher Middle School to be used by the boys’ and girls’ softball and soccer teams and authorize the Facilities Subcommittee to review the plot plans and, if deemed appropriate, forward the same to Planning & Zoning. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sekorski presented the following names to be placed on a plaque at the Ray Malley Field “In Recognition to Community Leaders In Sports”: Mike Glowa;
Arthur Hamm, Sr.; Peter Worhunsky, Jr.; Stephen Worhunsky; and Gary Krueger.
Dr. Distasio asked Mr. Sekorski to present a list with the individual names and the rational for choosing each name. He explained according to Board Policy, a committee needs to be set up to review the names and after its review the committee will make a recommendation to the full Board.
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C. Finance – Dan Gentile, Chair
The Finance Subcommittee met prior to the Board of Education Meeting, reviewed the July accounts by facilities report and moved that it be forwarded to the Town of Plymouth Board of Finance.
D. Negotiations – Velma McConnell, Chair
Mrs. McConnell reported we are currently in Negotiations with the UAW Cafeteria Workers and negotiations with Administrators and Nurses will be forthcoming.
E. Personnel – Patrick Perugino, Chair
Mr. Perugino reported that the Personnel Subcommittee met with the Superintendent prior to the Board meeting and approved all of his appointments and leaves.
At this time, Mr. Engle asked Dr. Distasio to explain the procedure that took place when hiring the principal at Terryville High School.
Dr. Distasio explained ads were placed in several newspapers and on REAP; a committee was comprised of teachers, administrators, students and parents; twelve applications were reviewed; four candidates were interviewed; two candidates were recommended; a site visit was done at each candidate’s school, after which, the committee recommended a candidate. The candidate was then interviewed by the Personnel Subcommittee and was brought before the full Board for approval.
F. Policy – Jennifer Zalaski, Chair
Due to Mrs. Zalaski’s absence, Mrs. Doiron requested the following:
MOTION: To adopt the following policies as presented: Food and Allergy Management Plan, Policy 5141.6 (new); Wellness Policy, Policy 5141.7 (new); and Administration of Medication Policy, Policy 5141.21 (revision). Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
G. Safety/Transportation – Michelle Spencer, Chair
In lieu of Mrs. Spencer’s absence, Mr. Perusse requested a meeting be scheduled in August or September, 2006.
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H. Education Connection – Velma McConnell, Representative
Mrs. McConnell indicated she was elected to the position of Treasurer on the Executive Board of Education Connection. Education Connection will be conducting an annual retreat in two weeks.
I. Student Representatives
Anna Plotnikova – excused absence
Robert Lutters – excuted absence
Kaitlin Palance –(a) Valley Bank will be collecting school supplies. Kaitlin will present a list of those supplies to the recording secretary; (b) beginning on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. a concert will take place on the green; (c) a lobster fest was hosted by the Lions Club; (d) thank you to Dr. Distasio and everyone who helped out on July 26th cleaning up at the Food Pantry.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mrs. Doiron – Director of Pupil Personnel/District Administrator in Charge
The elementary summer school program at Plymouth Center School has come to an end and proved to be very successful. Eighty-seven (87) students in grades prek – 5 participated (29 girls, 58 boys). Mrs. Doiron thanked Ms. Levandoski and Ms. Greanery and the staff at Plymouth Center School for being so gracious.
Mr. Lovely – Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Lovely indicated a lot of work was done over the summer. Work was done on the Math Curriculum (grades K-8); Social Studies (grades 6 – 8; K-3 Literacy Plan has been redone; Science Curriculum for K-8 is in the preliminary stages. The Title 1 program is being redone at the elementary and middle schools. We are looking for a total of approximately 10 -14 Title1 Tutors, some full-time and some part-time.
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Mr. Rafaniello – Director of Technology
Mr. Rafaniello thanked Brian Luba for making it possible to broadcast the night’s meeting live.
Mr. Perusse – Business Manager
Mr. Perusse reported the auditors have been at the Board Offices; the State Report (001) is being worked on; the schools and fields are in good shape; the new high school is very impressive (August 21st and/or 22nd paving is scheduled to begin, and the roof should be going up sometime in September).
Dr. Distasio – Superintendent
Dr. Distasio reported that Opening Day for all staff will be held on August 23, 2006 at Plymouth Center School from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. At the conclusion of the opening day meeting, staff members will report to their respective schools for meetings and classroom organization.
A new teacher orientation will be held on Monday, August 21, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Offices.
Dr. Distasio indicated this to be a very busy summer with resignations and new appointments. However, everyone is in place for the beginning of the school year.
Monday, August 28, 2006 will be the first day of school for all students. The district is looking forward to yet another exciting and productive school year in the Plymouth School District.
10. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
None
11. Final Board Comments
Mr. Morgan – Good Luck to all staff members
Mrs. McConnell – May the remainder of your summer be safe
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Mr. Engle – With respect to the Excess Cost Grant monies – the Plymouth Board of Education returned approximately $110,000 in excess cost money to the Town of Plymouth.
Welcome back to everyone.
12. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Engle stated that the next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on September 13, 2006 at 7 p.m. at Terryville High School.
13. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8 p.m. Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Leonard Morgan motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Patrick Perugino
Secretary