Plymouth Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Terryville High School Cafeteria
MINUTES
Present:
Board: Ray Engle, Patrick Perugino, Jennifer Zalaski, Roxanne Perugino, Martin Wetzel, Gerard Bourbonniere, and Karen Kulesa
Excused Absence: Lenny Morgan and Dan Gentile
Administrators: Dr. Anthony W. Distasio, Superintendent, Michael Santogatta, Business Manager; Peter Lovely, Director of Curriculum & Instruction and Richard Trudeau, Director of Technology
Excused Absence: Thomas Meehan, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Education
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 November 12, 2008.
Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Ms. Donna Osuch, Interim Chief Professional Officer from the United Way of West Central Connecticut presented a check for $15,000 to the Board of Education to be used for the KIDS in the Middle Program.
Mr. Cerruto, Principal of Terryville High School introduced Mr. Edward Rostowsky, THS Technical Education teacher. Mr. Rostowsky spoke briefly about the technology program at the high school. Students spoke and a slide show was presented about some of the latest programs, i.e. building of bird houses at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School, a visit to the Cook-Willow facility and the Electrathon. Both of these programs provide students with skills which will benefit them in the work force, emphasizes team work , exposes students to working with community members from the very young to senior citizens.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 2 December 10, 2008
Minutes
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
6. COMMUNICATIONS
None
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Appointments
MOTION: To approve the following coaching appointments: Tony Blekis to the position of JV Wrestling Coach at Terryville High School and Mark Sconziano to the position of Girl’s Basketball Coach at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School for the 2008 winter season. Motion Roxanne Perugino seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously
MOTION: To approve the appointment of Lori Rimiller to the position of Guidance Counselor at Terryville High School effective December 15, 2008. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Roxanne Perugino motion passed unanimously.
B. Resignation
Dr. Distasio accepted the resignation of Elizabeth Bartholomew, Guidance Counselor at Terryville High School effective December 5, 2008.
Dr. Distasio accepted the resignation of Dennis Klimkewicz, Assistant Supervisor of School Facilities effective April 30, 2009.
C. Out-of-State Field
MOTION: To approve the trip to Sturbridge Village for grade 5 students at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School for May 11, 2009. Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the following trips for grade 8 students at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School as part of the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant: January 16 – 18, 2009 to Charlton, MA; to the Natural Museum of History in New York City in February of 2009; and to the Grand Canyon, Nevada/Utah/Arizona for March 23 – 27, 2009. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded
Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 3 December 10, 2008
Meeting
D. First Reading of Suggested Revision to the Naming Facilities/Field Policy # 7551 to Include the naming of School Components
The Policy Subcommittee met prior to the Board meeting with respect to the revisions of Policy #7551. The revised policy would include the naming of various school components, i.e. school library, school media center, etc. The policy, pending Board approval, would include a process for naming school components. The Policy Subcommittee met prior to the Board Meeting and discussed the process for naming school components. Dr. Distasio will make the changes discussed at the Policy Subcommittee. The same will be revisited in January for full Board approval.
9. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum – Mrs. Kulesa, Chair
The Curriculum Subcommittee met on December 3, 2008. The following items were discussed: (1) Internet Safety & Usage; (2) Title I Application and Budget; and (3) Drug Free Communities Grant.
B. Facilities – Mr. Perugino, Chair
Mr. Perugino reported progress is moving along on the punch items.
C. Finance Subcommittee – Mr. Gentile, Chair
In lieu of Mr. Gentile’s absence, Mr. Engle, Board Chair, reported the Finance Subcommittee met prior to the Board Meeting, reviewed the Accounts by Facilities Report for the month of November and moved that it be forwarded to the Town of Plymouth Board of Finance.
D. Negotiations – Mr. Perugino, Chair
Meetings are continuing with the PEA with a meeting taking place on December 2, 2008. The matter is scheduled for arbitration on December 17, 2008.
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
Mrs. Zalaski reported the Policy Subcommittee met prior to the Board Meeting and matters were handled under new business.
G. Safety & Transportation - Mr. Wetzel, Chair
No Report
H Education Connection – Mrs. Kulesa
No Report
Plymouth Board of Education Page 4 December 10, 2008
Minutes
I. Student Representatives
Aubrey McCarthy – Excused Absence
Alexis Cordone– December 18, 2008 – Winter Concert
Thank you to Dr. Distasio, Mr. Santogatta, and Mr. Cerruto for meeting with members of the Student Council.
Eylse Santorso – Student Council Members met with Dr. Distasio, Mr. Santogatta and
Mr. Cerruto and discussed the following items: (a) recycling; (b) financing for Terryville High School; and (c) nature trail.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mr. Meehan, Director of Pupil Personnel
No Report – Excused Absence
Mr. Lovely – Director of Curriculum and Instruction/District Administrator In Charge
(a) Applications are being accepted for the Rotella and Maloney Magnet Schools. Deadline for applications is March 13, 2009; (b) Maloney Magnet School – open house – January 7, 2009 at 9:30 a.m./snow date January 8, 2008at 9:30 a.m.; and February 3, 2009 at 6 p.m./snow date February 4, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.; (c) Rotella Magnet School – open house – January 14, 2009 at
6 p.m./snow date January 15, 2009 at 6 p.m.; and February 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m./snow date February 11, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.; (d) Waterbury Arts Magnet School applications will open in mid-February. Open house – January 15, 2009 at 6:30 p.m./snow date February 22, 2009 at
6:30 p.m. and January 24, 2009 at 9:30 a.m./snow date January 31, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Trudeau - Director of Technology
Mr. Trudeau thanked Brian Luba for tonight’s live broadcast and expressed his excitement regarding the increased communication with the entire community as a whole and also touched upon Microsoft Live.
Mr. Santogatta - Business Manager
Mr. Santogatta commented on the retirement of Mr. Klimkewicz and indicated the Budget has been frozen.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 5 December 10, 2008
Minutes
Dr. Distasio, Superintendent
Dr. Distasio reviewed the following: (a) civic activities which the Plymouth Public Schools participated in, i.e. toy and food drives; (b) draft copies of calendars for the next three years for review by the Board; (c) attendance at the State of Connecticut Teacher of the Year ceremony; (d) appreciation to those members of the Plymouth Board of Finance and Board of Education Members who attended negotiations meetings; (e) report cards issued to elementary students on December 2; (f) broadcast of school closings, late openings and early dismissals on cable Channel 16; major television and radio stations and the automated emergency system, AlertNow; (g) painting of walls in the lobby of Harry S. Fisher Elementary School by Mrs. Worhunsky,
Mrs. Zabek and Ms. Rossi; and (h) holiday break from December 24 – January 2, 2009.
11. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
None
12. Board Liaisons to Schools
Mr. Perugino – Harry S. Fisher Elementary School
December 10 – 12 Holiday Bazaar
December 11 Night Time Holiday Bazaar & Vendor Fair 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mrs. Zalaski – Terryville High School
No Report
Mr. Engle – Plymouth Center School
No Report
Mr. Gentile– SEPTA – (Special Education Parent Teacher Association)
Excused Absence
Mr. Wetzel – Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
Ideas for fundraisers were discussed, PTA is looking for parents to join the organization and Mobile Dentists-Smile Staff is coming to Eli Terry Jr. Middle School on Monday, January 12, 2009.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 6 December 10, 2008
Minutes
Dr. Distasio – PTA Council
On Friday, December 12, 2008, the PTA Council will be sponsoring the Sensational Dan LaRosa, hypnotist. Tickets will be on sale in each of the school’s main offices. The cost is $6 for students and $8 for adults.
13. Final Board Comments
Mrs. Perugino – A Happy and Safe Holiday to All.
Mrs. Kulesa – Wonderful presentation by the Technology Education Department. Showed students there are other careers and opportunities other than attending college.
Mr. Wetzel – Happy Holidays
Mr. Perugino – Impressive presentation by the Technology Education Students. Thank you to all who attended the negotiation meetings.
Mrs. Zalaski – Students in grades 6 – 12 – youth group – Terryville Idol Auditions will be held on January 10, 2009.
Mr. Bourbonniere – Thank you to everyone who donated to the food drives sponsored by the Leo Club of Terryville High School and Student Council of Eli Terry Jr. Middle School.
Mr. Engle – A Happy and Safe Holiday Season to All. Thank you to all staff, teachers and administrators for all they do for our children and our district.
14. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Engle stated that the next regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on January 14, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Terryville High School.
15. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion Patrick Perugino seconded Roxanne Perugino motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________
Patrick Perugino
Secretary