Plymouth Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Terryville High School Cafeteria
MINUTES
Present:
Board: Roxanne Perugino, Velma McConnell, Patrick Perugino, Karen Kulesa, Daniel Gentile, Lisbeth Leonhardt, Patricia Budnick, and Raymond Engle
Excused Absence: Lisa Moriarty
Administrators: Dr. Distasio, Gerry Perusse, Keith Rafaniello, Carol Doiron and
Peter Lovely
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 Roxanne Perugino, seconded Dan Gentile, motion passed unanimously.
3. . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: To approve the minutes of December 8, 2004. Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded Velma McConnell, motion passed unanimously.
4. PRESENTATIONS
The following presentation was made to the Board: a Power Point presentation of District and School Mission Statements by Mr. Peter Lovely, Director of Curriculum & Instruction; Special Education Inclusion Program by Mrs. Carol Doiron, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Educational Services and review of District Goals by Dr. Anthony W. Distasio.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 2 January 12, 2005
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
6. COMMUNICATIONS
None
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Notification of Resignations
Dr. Distasio accepted the following resignations: Gerald Hurley, grade 6 teacher at Harry S. Fisher Middle School, effective June 30, 2005; Jane Truelove, grade 8 teacher at Harry S. Fisher Middle School, effective June 30, 2005; and Anthony Orsini, Assistant Principal at Harry S. Fisher Middle School, effective June 30, 2005.
B. Appointments
MOTION: To appoint to the position of Boys’ Basketball Coach at Harry S. Fisher Middle School, Joe Barbino and to the positions of Co-Television Production Club Advisors, Fran Block, Julie Tracy and Richard Trudeau. Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Karen Kulesa, motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint to the position of paraprofessional for the Apple Program at Plymouth Center School, Michelle Clement, effective January 13, 2005. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Roxanne Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint to the position of paraprofessional for the Apple Program at Plymouth Center School, Melissa Papapietro, effective January 13, 2005. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Roxanne Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint to the position of Speech Tutor at Plymouth Center School, Lisa Leone, effective January 18, 2005. Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded Velma McConnell motion passed unanimously.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 3 January 12, 2005
C. Approval of Out-of-State Field Trips
MOTION: To approve the trip to Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts for grade 5 students at Main Street School for May, 2005 as an extension of the curriculum in American History. Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Roxanne Perugino, motion passed with an abstention by Velma McConnell.
9. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum – Karen Kulesa, Chair
No Report - Meeting Cancelled due to inclement weather.
B. Facilities – Ray Engle, Chair
Mr. Engle presented copies of 3 roof designs to be photocopied for Board members. He informed the public that the construction firm and building committee would be meeting with Planning & Zoning on Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 7 p.m.
Mr. Engle tried to provide an explanation of where some of the money is being spent. He indicated 150 tons of steel is being used for the new building. In the last ten months with the rising cost of inflation, 150 tons of steel @ 30 cents per pound cost $900,000. Therefore, a lot of our wishes and wants have gone out the window in the past ten months.
He again urged the public to attend the Building Committee Meetings.
C. Finance – Patricia Budnick, Chair
The Finance Sub-Committee met prior to the Board of Education Meeting. The accounts by facilities report was reviewed and will be forwarded to the Town of Plymouth Board of Finance.
MOTION: To approve the transfers for the month of December. Motion: Roxanne Perugino, seconded Lisbeth Leonhardt, motion passed unanimously.
D. Negotiations – Lisa Moriarty, Chair
Excused Absence
Plymouth Board of Education Page 4 January 12, 2005
E. Personnel – Roxanne Perugino, Chair
Mrs. Perugino reported that the personnel sub-committee met with the Superintendent prior to the Board meeting and approved of all of his appointments.
F. Policy – Velma McConnell, Chair
MOTION: To approve the revisions of Policy 3160 concerning transfer of funds as reflected in the policy in your Board packet. Motion Lisbeth Leonhardt, seconded Patricia Budnick, motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the revisions of Policy 5131.6(h) concerning substance abuse as reflected in the policy in your Board packet. Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded Dan Gentile, motion passed unanimously.
Included in the Board packet was a first reading of a new policy, Policy 4220, regarding evaluation and hiring of athletic coaches was enclosed in your Board packet for review. This will be acted on at the next regular Board of Education meeting.
G. Safety & Transportation – Ray Engle, Chair
No Report
H. Education Connection - Patricia Budnick
No Report – Meeting cancelled due to inclement weather
I. Student Representatives
Cassandra Huizenga – Excused Absence
Sophia Sopczneski – Excused Absence
Sean Link – Midterms begin on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 and winter sports, basketball, wrestling and cheerleading are off to a good start.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 5 January 12, 2005
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mrs. Doiron, Director of Pupil Personnel/District Administrator in Charge
No Report
Mr. Lovely – Director of Curriculum and Instruction
No Report
Mr. Rafaniello, Director of Technology
Thank you to Scott Mamrosh for helping out with tonight’s broadcast.
Mr. Perusse, Business Manager
No Report
Dr. Distasio, Superintendent
The following items were highlighted by Dr. Distasio:
Prospect Street School
January 21, 2005 – Family Movie Night
January 26, 2005 – Report Cards issued
Main Street School
January 19, 2005 – Winter Band & Chorus Concert @ 7 p.m.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 6 January 12, 2005
Plymouth Center School
January 14, 2005 – PTA’s Family Movie Night @ 7 p.m.
January 20, 2005 – Winter concert for band and chorus @ 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Terryville High School
Congratulations to Brianna Kleckner for making the All Berkshire League team for Volleyball.
Dr. Distasio urged the public to stay tuned to Channel 16 for school delays, cancellations, and early dismissals. He also indicated that announcement would be made on the major television and radio stations.
On behalf of the Board, Dr. Distasio wished everyone a Happy New Year.
11. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
None
12. Business of the Board
Mrs. Perugino – congratulations to our retirees, best of luck and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all.
Mrs. McConnell – Thank you to Linda Konopas for working with Mrs. Aiudi to make the Leo Club a reality. She looks forward to seeing some great community things from these students. Also, congratulations to Brianna Kleckner.
Mrs. Leonhardt – Happy New Year, welcome back to 2005.
Mr. Engle – New members are needed for the Friends of Music. Unless we have volunteers for members that are stepping down, there will be no Friends of Music next year. Please get involved. Support the music department and the students.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 7 January 12, 2005
Mrs. Budnick – Congratulations to Brianna Kleckner. Confirmed the last day of school to be June 16, 2005 at this time.
Mrs. Moriarty – Excused Absence
Mr. Gentile - Congratulations to Brianna Kleckner and Happy New Year
Mrs. Kulesa – No comments
Mr. Perugino – attended a meeting on December 16, 2004 with the Mayor and Building committee wherein the property for the new school was accepted; congratulations to Mrs. Aiudi, Leo advisor; Brianna Kleckner and all our retirees.
13. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Perugino stated that the next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on February 9, 2005 at 7 p.m. Terryville High School cafeteria.
14. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m. Motion Roxanne Perugino seconded
Ray Engle, motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________
Velma McConnell
Secretary