Minutes
Meeting Type: Board of Education Meeting
Location: Terryville High School Cafeteria
Date: 9/13/2006 7:00:00 PM
Elizabeth Rideout, part-time at Prospect Street School; Pam Thorne, part-time at Plymouth Center School; and Susan Wald, full-time at Plymouth Center School.
Motion Lenny Morgan, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following part-time paraprofessionals: Marissa Piper, part-time paraprofessional in the Apple Program at Plymouth Center School and
Nicki Geremia, part-time paraprofessional at Main Street School.
Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following part-time lunch aides: Lisa King, Plymouth Center School; Kristen Lewry, Main Street School; and Joan Taylor, Prospect Street School. Motion Lenny Morgan, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
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MOTION: To approve the following coaching assignments for the 2006-2007 school year: Richard Keater, Volleyball Coach at Harry S. Fisher Middle School and
Kelly Vitale, Girl’s Soccer Coach at Harry S. Fisher Middle School.
Motion, Lisbeth Leonhardt seconded Lenny Morgan, motion passed unanimously.
D. Resignations
Dr. Distasio accepted the resignation of Sharon Edquist, paraprofessional in the Apple Program at Plymouth Center School effective August 13, 2006.
E. Childbearing/Childrearing Leaves
MOTION: To approve a request of a childbearing leave for Joy Kyle, Grade 5 teacher at Main Street School beginning on or about January 31, 2007. Motion Lisbeth Leonhardt, seconded Dan Gentile motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve a request for an extension of childrearing leave for Jennifer Blekis, paraprofessional at Plymouth Center School until April 27, 2007.
Motion Lisbeth Leonhardt, seconded Dan Gentile motion passed unanimously.
F. School Lunch Program
The first Motion authorizes the superintendent of schools to execute the ED-099 Agreement in accordance with Public Act 06-63.
MOTION: The Plymouth Board of Education, in accordance with Public Act 06-63, hereby authorizes Dr. Anthony W. Distasio, Superintendent of Schools, to execute the ED-099 Agreement for the Child Nutrition Program, and to sign any claims for reimbursement. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
The second Motion is with respect to Public Act 06-63, An Act Concerning Healthy Food and Beverages in Schools, and requires that all Connecticut Public School Districts eligible to participate in the healthy food certification take action to certify whether all food items sold to students will or will not meet the Connecticut Nutritional Standards.
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MOTION: Pursuant to section 10-34 of the General Statutes, regarding participation in the National School Lunch Program, the Plymouth Board of Education hereby certifies that all food items made available for sale to students in its school district will meet the nutritional standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
The third Motion is in respect to Public Act 06-63 indicating the allowance of the sale of items excluded from certification as long as such sale is in connection with an event taking place after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend and such sale is at the location of such event and such food is not sold from a vending machine or school store.
MOTION: The Plymouth Board of Education will permit the sale of items excluded from certification as long as such sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend, such sale is at the location of such event and such food is not sold from a vending machine or school store. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
G. Contract of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Local 376
MOTION: To approve the contract with the UAW Local 376 as negotiated and presented for 2006-2007 through 2008-2009 school years. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded
Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
9. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum – Lisbeth Leonhardt, Chair
The Curriculum Subcommittee met on September 6, 2006. The following items were discussed: (1) CMT/CAPT Report – There was a power point presentation of an overview of the CMT/CAPT scores for 2006. Scores by school and district and student performance were discussed along with areas of strength and weakness and plans for improvement at all grade levels. The committee discussed how the District and School Improvement Plan targeted areas in need of improvement and adjustments made for the current year.; (2) Summer Curriculum Work and Updates - The mathematics K-8 curriculum revision was completed; Curriculum includes teacher notes, identifies essentials understanding for all students, is aligned to the new text book; and has been
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correlated to the Generation 4 Connecticut Mastery Test; and Grade 6 – 8 Social Studies curriculum was updated; preliminary writing of the K-5 science curriculum has begun using the Connecticut Science Framework and each grade level curriculum will correlate to the CMT Generation 4 science assessment which will begin in the spring of 2008.;
(3) Virtual High School – Fifteen students successfully completed the Virtual High School courses last year and registration for the current semester ends on September 12, 2006.; and (4) Summer School – Fifty-two students attended summer school. Thirty-nine were from Terryville High School, five of those students were Terryville residents who attended other schools. Eight students were from other towns.
B. Facilities - Dan Gentile, Chair
Work on the new high school is progressing rapidly. The next step is to form a committee to rename all three schools. Mr. Gentile asked Dr. Distasio to form a committee which will consist of: two members from the facilities subcommittee; administrator from the school being named; two citizens from the community, a teacher and a student.
Mr. Perusse explained a letter that was received from the State Department of Education regarding in eligible construction costs. He informed the Board when the change orders were originally submitted to the State Department, the back-up documentation was omitted. Only one change order contained documentation. Therefore, everything was returned. Since then, all backup documents have been submitted to the State.
C. Finance – Dan Gentile, Chair
The Finance Subcommittee met prior to the Board of Education Meeting, reviewed the August accounts by facilities report and moved that it be forwarded to the Town of Plymouth Board of Finance.
The Finance Subcommittee reviewed two transfers. Mr. Gentile called for the following motion.
MOTION: To approve the following transfers (1) transfer of $12,930 from the bus aide account to the Special Education Transportation account; (2) $7,874 from the Prospect Street School paraprofessional library account to Main Street School paraprofessional library account; (3) $ 2,900 from the Terryville High School maintenance building account to Prospect Street School maintenance building account; and (4) $5,800 from the System Wide Technology Software account to the System Wide Technology Work Study account. . Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
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D. Negotiations – Velma McConnell, Chair
Mrs. McConnell – excused absence
Dr. Distasio reported negotiations with the UAW Cafeteria Workers have been completed and the contract has been approved. Negotiations have begun with the Administrators. Two meetings have taken place and hopefully, negotiations will be completed within the next month to month and a half.
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.
F. Policy – Jennifer Zalaski, Chair
No Report
G. Safety/Transportation – Michelle Spencer, Chair
No Report – excused absence
H. Education Connection – Velma McConnell, Representative
No Report – excused absence
I. Student Representatives
Anna Plotnikova – In sports – Boy’s Soccer – Terryville 2/Wolcott Tech 3;
Girl’s Soccer – Terryville 3/Gilbert 2; Cross Country – Terryville-Litchfield loss for Terryville and Terryville/Wolcott Tech win for Terryville.
Robert Lutters – No report – excused absence
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Kaitlin Palance – The Science Club will be going to Mystic Aquarium on September30th; Terryville Fair will be held on September 15, 16, and 17. Seniors, please sign up to park cars.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mrs. Doiron – Director of Pupil Personnel/District Administrator in Charge
No Report
Mr. Lovely – Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Lovely reported all committees and meeting dates have been established at the high
school with respect to NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges). The high school staff is working diligently in preparation for NEASC. At this time, Mr. Lovely wanted to commend and appreciates all the hard work and effort the high school staff has contributed to this task.
Mr. Rafaniello – Director of Technology
High School Sports are now on the Terryville High School website. The high school website is in the process of being updated. Mrs. Zalaski requested that the lunch menu be posted on the website.
Tonight’s Crew Ms. Fran Block Club Coordinator for Channel 16 and FNA/Camera A
Connor Raymond Camera C
Scott Mamrosh Director
Brian Luba Camera B
Josh Roland Text
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Mr. Perusse – Business Manager
The roof is out to bid for Prospect Street School: 3:30 p.m. on September 14th there will be a pre-bid meeting; bid openings will be toward the end of the month and the roof will be installed during the month of October. We hope to replace the roof at Main Street School during spring vacation. In the meantime, the roof will be repaired. The oil tank for the new high school is scheduled to arrive on Friday, September 15, 2006. It should be filled with oil on Monday. We will call for the oil fill- up; however, the cost of the oil will be paid from the Building Committee Budget. There will be a meeting in October with the Town Council to apply for a grant with the State Department of Education with respect to the oil tanks for the remainder of the schools. The erection of the new high school is on schedule.
Dr. Distasio – Superintendent
Opening this year was well organized due to the work of the administrators, teachers and staff. This year’s opening staff meeting was held on August 23rd at Plymouth Center School. Speakers included: Mrs. Donna Osuch from the United Way; Mrs. Lisa Aiudi who outlined some of the programs the United Way helps to support; Mrs. Doiron, Director of Pupil Personnel and Special Education; Mr. Michael Michaud, President of the Plymouth School Administrators’ Association; Mrs. Tina Bard, PTA Council President; and Mrs. Amy Radke, co-president of the Plymouth Education Association. Mr. Rafaniello, Director of Curriculum created a video presentation for the staff of clips that were taken over the past school year. The Plymouth Teacher of the Year was introduced and small tokens of appreciation for fifteen staff members that had perfect attendance were distributed. The custodians and maintenance personnel again did a wonderful job in preparing the schools for opening day. Thank you to Mrs. Aiudi for all that she does for the students of our district. This district is fortunate to have such a wonderful staff of administrators, teachers and support staff.
Dr. Distasio encouraged parents to discuss the importance of bicycle safety with their children. Reminding them to wear their bicycle helmets, be careful of traffic, and always travel at a manageable speed when riding their bicycles. He also encouraged drivers to drive defensibly and to be aware of children riding their bicycles.
Dr. Distasio wished the students in the Plymouth School District a very productive and enjoyable school year.
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11. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
Sue Murawski, 143 Schroback Road, Plymouth CT
Liaison to the Board of Education
Mrs. Murawski spoke with reference to fixed costs; unfunded mandates; binding arbitration and the frustration dealing with these costs. She indicated that Town Hall endorsed a lobbying group – The Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility which is run by volunteers. Mrs. Murawski presented a portfolio to the Board asking them to support this consortium. Dr. Distasio will contact the group and ask if they would be interested in making a presentation to the Board at the October meeting.
12. Board Liaisons to Schools
Mr. Perugino – Main Street/Prospect Street Schools
Main Street and Prospect Street School PTA’s have merged and formed one PTA which is called the “Terryville Elementary PTA”. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Main Street School. A “Welcome Back Family Picnic” for Main and Prospect Street Schools will be held at Main Street School on September 29th between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Mrs. Zalaski – Plymouth Center School
Plymouth Center School Welcome Back picnic took place on August 31st. On Wednesday, September 6th, there will be an Open House for grades pre-k – grade two. On Thursday, September 7th, there will be an Open House for grades 3, 4, and 5. Leo Club Members will provide babysitting in the cafeteria.
Mr. Morgan – Harry S. Fisher Middle School
The fundraiser kickoff featuring “Grandma’s Gourmet Pies and Wolfgang’s Chocolates” will take place on September 12th; school pictures will be taken on September 26th; September 23rd is the cross country invitational with a rain date of September 30th; and on September 29th there will be a Block Dance for 7th & 8th grade students from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
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Mr. Engle – Terryville High School
Mr. Engle reported: He attended a meeting three weeks ago with the Friends of Music; many students will be working at various booths at the Terryville Fair this weekend; Terryville High School Open House is scheduled for September 21st and conferences will take place on October 4th, 5th, and 6th at the high school.
Mr. Gentile – SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association)
No Report
13. Final Board Comments
Mr. Perugino welcomed all new teachers and administrators. On a final note “Happy Birthday to Dr. Distasio”.
Mrs. Leonhardt welcomed all students, new and current teachers to Terryville High School, and congratulated the Teacher of the Year “Mary Connolly”.
Mr. Gentile – thanked the custodians for a job well done; expressed how important NEASC is to better develop our schools, thanked all of the volunteers for their time and effort; and he commented on mandates and how they seem to be connected to money so one needs to comply with the mandates or loose money. Mandates dictate what one decides to do.
Mr. Engle – Mr. Cerruto, welcome aboard; congratulations to all the new hires; thank you to the staff for a great job during the summer month; and finally, to put a rumor to rest with respect to uncertified personnel. The Board has and is hiring all certified professionals. All resumes, applications, etc. are reviewed by the Personnel Subcommittee.
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14. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Engle stated that the next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on October 11, 2006 at 7 p.m. at Terryville High School.
15. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded
Dan Gentile motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Patrick Perugino
Secretary