REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 16
Board of Education Meeting
July 21, 2010
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Beacon Falls… Priscilla Cretella
William Fredericks
Wendy Oliveira
Prospect… Donna Cullen
Lisa DeGoes
Robert Hiscox
David Wartko
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: James C. Agostine, Superintendent of Schools
Hugh Potter, Business Manager
Dr. Arnold Frank, WRHS Principal
Jayne Lanphear, LRMS Principal
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Lisa DeGoes at 6:05 p.m. at Woodland
Regional High School, Beacon Falls, CT.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
III. RECORD OF MEMBERS PRESENT
A roll was taken. A quorum was present.
A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira
to add to tonight’s agenda under Action Item #6, the resignation of Linda Ingmanson, LRMS 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher.
ALL IN FAVOR. 10-214
A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Donna Cullen
to add to tonight’s agenda under New Business, the discussion of the position of Coordinator of Student Support for WRHS.
ALL IN FAVOR. 10-215
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Ex’s. I and II)
A MOTION was made by Robert Hiscox and SECONDED by David Wartko
to approve the June 23, 2010, Board of Education Meeting minutes. (Ex. I)
ALL IN FAVOR, except Priscilla Cretella and Wendy Oliveira, who abstained. 10-216
A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to approve the July 9, 2010, Special Board of Education Meeting minutes. (Ex. II)
ALL IN FAVOR, except William Fredericks, Robert Hiscox, and David Wartko, who abstained. 10-217
V. TOWN OFFICIAL COMMENT
Susan Cable discussed a letter from the Board of Selectmen regarding a proposed water line on Route 69 in Prospect. She noted that they are opposed to it at this time, but added they are in favor of the property. She also referred to the Talmadge Hill Ad Hoc Committee final report stating that some of the wording in reference to Beacon Falls are not selling points and could be viewed as offensive toward Beacon Falls voters. Selectwoman Cable spoke about improving communication between Beacon Falls and Prospect earlier in the budget process.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
VII. CORRESPONDENCE
Notes from Maureen Carroll and Debra Samela to the Superintendent and Board of Education were received thanking them for the reception and retirement gifts in their honor.
A letter dated June 25, 2010, to Ms. Rebecca Folta, Guidance Director at WRHS, was received from the Connecticut School Counselor Association (CSCA) informing her that WRHS was chosen to receive the CSCA Professional Recognition Award for Outstanding Student Program for 2010. The award will be presented this coming fall. Congratulations were extended to Ms. Folta, Bethany Didato, Doreen Metzler, Janine Murdy, and Mark Dandelske.
A letter dated July 16, 2010 was received from the Town of Beacon Falls Board of Selectmen stating their opposition to supporting the funding of a waterline on Route 69 in Prospect.
A letter to the editor of the Waterbury Republican American dated July 15, 2010, written by Michael Krenesky, a Beacon Falls Selectman, discussed the topic of Region 16 helping fund the Route 69 Water Line and his opposition of this plan. In it he states the water line is an infrastructure issue for Prospect to resolve.
An email to James Agostine dated July 15, 2010, was received from Paul Summers, Beacon Falls resident, stating his disapproval of diverting money for the proposed Prospect water line.
An email forwarded to the Board of Education, dated July 15, 2010, was received from Mary and George Kasper, Beacon Falls residents, opposing funding from Beacon Falls for the Town of Prospect’s new water line.
Emails forwarded to the Board of Education, dated July 15, 2010, were received from Noreen and David Pokras, Beacon Falls residents, opposing Prospect using Beacon Falls tax money to fund a water line and urging the Region 16 BOE to reject the request.
An email forwarded to the Board of Education, dated July 16, 2010, was received from Ken Bard, Beacon Falls resident, stating their opposition to the Prospect water line being paid by Beacon Falls residents.
An email forwarded to the Board of Education, dated July 16, 2010, was received from John Sikora, Beacon Falls resident, stating his believe that the school budget should be used for educational purposes only, and use of those funds for any other purpose should not even be considered.
An email forwarded to the Board of Education, dated July 16, 2010, was received from Ranie and Jacqueline Chasse, Beacon Falls residents, expressing their objection to the use of Region 16 school funds being used to fund a water line in the Town of Prospect.
An email forwarded to the Board of Education, dated July 16, 2010, was received from Richard and Marilyn Stephens, Beacon Falls residents, stating their opposition to the proposed financing of a water line in the Town of Prospect.
An email forwarded to the Board of Education, dated July 16, 2010, was received from Thomas King, Beacon Falls resident, stating his opposition to the proposed financing of a water line in the Town of Prospect.
An email to James Agostine, dated July 19, 2010, was received from Nicholas Karayeanes, Beacon Falls resident, stating his objection to funding a water line in Prospect. He states he will discuss with Beacon Falls elected officials, the possibility of taking legal action against the Town of Prospect.
An email to James Agostine dated July 19, 2010, was received from Vince and Peggy Morneau, Beacon Falls residents, stating their opposition of funds for water line improvements in Prospect.
VIII. FINANCIAL REPORT (Ex. III)
IX. TREASURER’S REPORT
X. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
The balance of the general fund as of today is $3,204,757.61 .
Tonight’s bills total = $ 0
General Fund = $ 0
Special Ed. Grants = $ 0
Adult Education = $ 0
Fed & St. Grants = $ 0
Athletic Fund = $ 0
XI. EXEMPLARY PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS
XII. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
A. Superintendent’s Update
1. LRMS Honor Society (Sandra Pantaleo). James Agostine recognized the many accomplishments of Ms. Pantaleo and members of the LRMS National Junior Honor Society, Jacquline Magur, Alexa Kiernan and Allison Noble. Ms. Noble spoke about the many accomplishments of the NJHS during the 2009-2010 school year including induction based on the pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character, a Prospect Town clean-up as a community service project, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society which raised $780.00, a staff breakfast for their induction ceremony at LRMS, a fundraising car wash raising over $500.00, an accumulation of over 625 hours of community service from NJHS members, their attendance at the Connecticut Association of National Honor Societies State Conference in Rocky Hill on May 27, 2010, and the election of state officers.
2. Legislative update (2010 Education Law Summaries)
James Agostine discussed concerns (clarification issues) he has with some of the public acts in the 2010 Education Law Summaries.
PA 10-62 – An Act Concerning Student Athletes and Concussions (clarification).
PA 10-87 – An Act Concerning Private and Municipal Recycling, Zoning Ordinances and Solid Waste Collection Contracts. Rich Jalbert checked into all garbage going into the recycling plant. He will check to see if we are in compliance with this law.
PA 10-91 – An Act Concerning Education and the Reduction of Domestic Violence. Lynn Cox has taken on teen dating violence.
PA 10-111 – An Act Concerning Education Reform in Connecticut. James Agostine is concerned with No. 5, Item 2., and Teacher Evaluation. With regard to Teacher Evaluation, student achievement data will be used in the new teacher evaluation. Discussion was on what criteria would be used to evaluate different teachers, i.e., an art teacher.
PA 10-160 – An Act Implementing the budget recommendations of the governor concerning the educational placement of children in the care and custody of the Department of Children and Families. Jim Agostine noted that we had to call for clarity on this law. If a child is removed from a Region 16 home and placed elsewhere, the child still has the opportunity to attend Region 16 but we are not eligible for excess cost grand (this is an error).
PA 10-175 – An Act Concerning Special Education. We are currently doing this.
PA 10-191 – An Act Concerning Sexting. It was expressed that we need to provide for professional development to show teachers and staff how to deal with this problem. It is something Region 16 currently contends with.
It was noted that there are many sweeping laws that will have impact with us at the middle and high school levels.
B. Action Items
1. Act on approving/adopting the teacher evaluation model (Jayne Lanphear).
Jane Lanphear reported that the task was to look over the present document we had and update it by looking at the three phases of teacher evaluation; induction phase, growth phase, and assistance phase. They have a new team program and will meet with administration on August 18 to go over the document closely. Teachers will choose an indicator and come up with a plan. The teacher will have to create a plan to accomplish and provide evidence that their plan is working for children in their program. Beginning teachers will be evaluated three times in their first year. At the end of two years they should be through their modules. During the Professional Growth Phase, there will be walkthroughs, with administrators visiting classrooms at different times of the year. If a classroom is found to have an issue, the administrator can do a full classroom observation. Professional assistance can then be implemented if the teacher is not meeting the standards of Region 16. At this point they can be assigned a mentor for 180 school days (a mutually agreed upon mentor). Administration may ask to see grades or samples of student work and will write a report every 45 days. At the end of the 180 days, a final evaluation will be done, and an appeals process will be available as well. There is a special process for Special Education teachers. Jim Agostine noted that the teacher evaluation model was a long process and thanked Jayne Lanphear and the committee for all their hard work.
The most significant change merged the title of guidance counselor to school counselor and cleaned up the language to include 504 plans and removed items we are not using. A teaching skill section was added.
Lisa DeGoes recommended adding information to the special education section.
Robert Hiscox had a question about how mentors are being paid. Jayne Lanphear informed that some mentoring is being paid by the State. All mentors have to go through training and it is costly to the district. Training will be held September 3. Mr. Hiscox was concerned that the State might not have the money. It was noted that the region gives CEU’s if the mentor fills out paperwork. Currently, mentors are not paid by Region 16.
Regarding a question of why the initial evaluation is done in September, and then in February, Jane Lanphear cleared up the confusion by noting the second evaluation has to be done by February, not in February. Evaluations can be done as needed.
A MOTION was made by Robert Hiscox and SECONDED by Donna Cullen to approve the Teacher Evaluation Model (Jane Lanphear).
ALL IN FAVOR 10-218
2. Act on approving of donation to the Ryan E. Eustace Memorial Scholarship Fund.
A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Donna Cullen to approve a donation in the amount of $100.00 to the Ryan E. Eustace Memorial Scholarship Fund.
ALL IN FAVOR 10-219
3. Accept letter of resignation from Anthony (Butch) Azzara.
Mr. Azzara thanked the Board, Susan Cable and Robert Chatfield. He noted that he had no intentions of leaving but wanted to go for the opportunity to be a principal at another school.
A MOTION was made by Robert Hiscox and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to accept the letter of resignation, with regret, from Anthony (Butch) Azzara (WRHS).
ALL IN FAVOR 10-220
4. Act on approval of annual fundraisers for 2010-2011.
There was some discussion regarding the sale of candy and/or food items and their relation to the nutrition standards we have set at Region 16.
A MOTION was made by William Fredericks and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to act on the approval of a fundraiser for Algonquin and Community Schools.
ALL OPPOSED-MOTION FAILED 10-221
A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to act on the approval of a fundraiser for Laurel Ledge School.
ALL IN FAVOR, except William Fredericks who was OPPOSED. 10-222
A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to act on the approval of fundraisers for Long River Middle School.
ALL IN FAVOR 10-223
Wendy Oliveira was pleased to see the clothing fundraiser, noting that it is something children will use and wear frequently.
5. Set date for Special Board of Education Meeting to hold a retreat to develop new Board of Education goals.
James Agostine will be forming a special board meeting in August to give direction on the goals of Region 16. He suggests Wednesday, August 11, at 5:00 p.m. at the district office. He asked that all Board members look over the goals before the meeting.
6. Accept letter of resignation from Linda Ingmanson, LRMS Language Arts teacher.
A MOTION was made by David Wartko and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to accept the resignation, with regret, of Linda Ingmanson, LRMS 7th Grade Language Arts teacher.
ALL IN FAVOR 10-224
C. Old Business
D. New Business
1. High School Program of Studies. Jim Agostine handed out a worksheet entitled, “Comparison between Woodland Graduation Requirements and the new State Graduation Proposal.” The chart shows where the region is and where it needs to go. There was discussion about the state requirements going up and with that would be the need to hire more teachers. Since the state will now require 25 credits to graduate, and we currently require the same, it will just be a matter of moving subjects around to meet the criteria. There was much discussion regarding graduation, credits, and language requirements.
2. Water line on RT 69 in Prospect. There was much correspondence sent in regarding this subject. James Agostine talked with Bill Connon who assured him it could not move forward without a building committee in place. He feels it would not be wise to support the water line because it exceeds the needs. The Mayor requested $40,000 for an engineering study. Priscilla Cretella stated that the Board cannot consider this now as it is not an item in the budget and we have no line item for it. It should be discussed at a later date.
A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to address the issue of a water line on Route 69 in Prospect, with a letter by the Superintendent to Mayor Robert Chatfield.
ALL IN FAVOR 10-225
3. Coordinator of Student Support (position). James Agostine suggests making an in-house administrator position a Dean of Students position. The person would teach for three periods and do administrative work the rest of the time. It would be a 2/5 administration position and a 3/5 teaching position. The person could meet with children and security would report to this position. Robert Hiscox asked about the cost for a 2/5 position. Mr. Agostine noted the position offers no benefits and would cost approximately $20,000 for two classes.
A MOTION was made by Robert Hiscox and SECONDED by Wendy Oliveira to authorize the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with the association to create a .4 position of Dean of Students at WRHS.
ALL IN FAVOR 10-226
- E. Information Items (discussion with possible action)
Wendy Oliveira inquired about the summer math packets done by students as the middle school. It is written in the curriculum that they are collected and destroyed. She is concerned that the purpose of looking at the packets to see weaknesses and strengths may not be utilized. James Agostine will look into this.
- F. Business Manager’s Report
Hugh Potter reported on various projects including roof project work being done by Allied Restoration, a resident from Prospect who complained about fumes from a school (the school district has met or exceeded the requirements in terms of abatement practices on the project), repairs on the façade at Laurel Ledge, quotations for repairs to overhangs/porticos at Laurel Ledge, custodial cleaning of classrooms and floors is 70% finished, and new carpet and staircase are being installed at the District Office at no cost to Region 16.
XIII. REPORT OF COMMITTEES
1. Personnel and Negotiations
2. Facilities and Transportation
3. Curriculum
4. Policy – James Agostine received an update from CABE and has scheduled a meeting for August 18, at LRMS at 6:00 p.m. (one hour before the BOE meeting)
5. Public Communications and Budget - Priscilla Cretella suggests talking to Mayor Robert Chatfield (Sue Cable’s idea) to get the towns on the same page. James Agostine stated that having the enrollment data handy will be helpful. This determines the pro-rata share.
6. Technology
David Wartko had a meeting and noted that grades have been posted on line for WRHS, and posting this way is planned for LRMS in September. There will also be policy updates regarding pictures on the Region 16 website. There was conversation regarding student email and potential liability issues. He suggests group email addresses for school groups. James Agostine mentioned looking at a different kind of software.
7. Liaisons
a. Schools
b. Wellness Committee – James Agostine noted that the parents will have the capability of using a debit card for cafeteria purchases.
c. Professional Development Committee
d. Beacon Falls/Prospect Prevention Task Force
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Wendy Oliveira and SECONDED by Donna Cullen to adjourn the July 21, 2010, Board of Education Meeting at 8:57 p.m.
ALL IN FAVOR 10-227
Wendy Oliveira
Board Secretary
These minutes are subject to Board approval.
Tammy Krasnicki, Acting Board Clerk
