THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER

Monday, April 9, 2007

7:00 p.m.

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

Chairperson Donna Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

Members Present: Members Absent:

Laurence Consiglio Ellen Corrado

Jayne Robbins Donald Morin

William Witkowski

Patricia Donnelly-arrived at 7:12 p.m.

Jacklyn Bonneau

James Kenney-arrived at 7:12 p.m.

Donna Lynch

Gabrielle Rosetti, Student Liaison -arrived at 7:17 p.m.

Also present was Michael Jolin, Ronald Springer, Penny Hebert, Bill

Birch, Michelle Dixon, Noveline Beltram, Marna Hasz, Penny Hebert, Deb

Spinelli, Barbara Lesniewski, Bill Birch, Stephen Mitchell

II. Citizens Comments

None.

III. Committee Reports

A. Finance Review

William Witkowski reported on the Finance Review Committee meeting which

was held at 6:30 p.m. The budget is in deficit at this time however

Excess Cost money has not been received and applied yet. The oil and

fuel accounts continue to be monitored and are doing well. The

electricity account is $8,000.00 in deficit. The cafeteria account is

doing well at this point.

Laurence Consiglio expressed concern about deficits in the instructional

teachers' salary account and the substitute salaries accounts. This is

the same issue as last year and should be monitored very closely. Dr.

Jolin noted there have been three significant long term illnesses. In

addition some positions such as the Home Ec teacher were increased part

way through the year. These accounts will continue to be monitored.

B. Building Committee

Dr. Jolin reported on the recent topping off ceremony. This is a

symbolic ceremony held when the last steel girder is erected on the

building. All students and staff had the opportunity to sign the

girder. Student class leaders where on hand to witness the raising of

the girder.

Laurence Consiglio reported there is a small glitch with the building

project regarding the phone system. This issue is being addressed by

the Building Committee. During the preliminary planning stages the

Building Committee wanted the whole complex to be able to communicate

all on one phone system. The Building Committee recently found out the

phone system they thought was included in the project is not included.

This is being addressed and hopefully a resolution will be forthcoming

shortly.

IV. Educational Up-Date

A. Superintendent's Report

Enrollment

Dr. Jolin presented information concerning the current enrollment

numbers.

Administration, Transportation, Operations and Maintenance

Administration, Operations and Maintenance and Transportation reports

were provided in the Board's packet for their review.

Non-Tenured Teachers

Dr. Jolin stated he shared the letter that went out to all non-tenured

teachers with the Union president and she approved it. Dr. Jolin noted

he hopes to bring back a vast majority of the teachers as budget

projections become clearer.

Yearbook Update

An update regarding the financial status of the yearbook was distributed

and discussed. Dr. Jolin thanked Paula Coderre for documenting the

budget of the yearbook. She has worked hard with students and ads have

been sold to help defray yearbook costs.

Saturday School

Dr. Jolin reported Mr. Springer is working on a preliminary proposal

regarding Saturday school as an alternative to suspending students.

Mr. Springer reviewed the proposed Saturday school program. This is a

consequence between detention and suspension to try to keep students in

school as much as possible. The proposal includes academic, civic,

fitness and community service components. The program will run for four

hours on Saturday and parents are responsible for transportation. Two

separate rooms-one for Middle School students and one for High School

students-will be used with two faculty members assigned to each room.

Dr. Jolin reported funding for this program may come from an amendment

to the SAFE grant but other ways of funding this program are also being

explored. A more definite proposal will be presented to the Board at

its May meeting.

Dr. Jolin also noted Mr. Springer is working on a proposal for summer

school for Middle School students who are at risk. This proposal will

be presented to the Board in May. In addition, some expansion of the

Elementary School summer school program is also being considered.

Letters will be sent to parents to determine interest.

Donna Lynch asked if the Saturday School program's academic portion

would be directed and not just a study hall for students. Mr. Springer

stated there would not be a separate assignment for Saturday school but

the teachers would provide assistance to help students make up work from

their regular classes and also for extra help with whatever the student

needs. The academic component would be very directed and not function

as a study hall.

Jacklyn Bonneau commended the administration for developing this

program.

Patricia Donnelly noted she supports the Saturday school proposal as she

does not support students being out of school for suspension. Mrs.

Donnelly asked about the maximum number of student who would be in a

classroom. Mr. Springer stated there could be up to 40 or 50 students

participating, depending on the space, but did not feel the numbers

would be that high. Mrs. Donnelly asked about the consequences if a

student chose not to attend Saturday school. Mr. Springer responded the

student would have to make it up the next Saturday or if they refuse

they will face the suspension they were originally going to receive.

Mrs. Donnelly asked about procedures to ensure teacher safety during

this program. Mr. Springer responded it is anticipated an Administrator

will be on call during the program. Discussions will be held with the

Unions and a lead teacher may be appointed and a protocol will be

developed to address safety issues. A custodian will also have to be

available. Donna Lynch suggested the Resident Trooper be made aware of

the program so he can assist and be available if necessary. Patricia

Donnelly asked about the screening process for students to be eligible

for Saturday school. Mr. Springer noted if a student committed a severe

offense they would be suspended and Saturday school would not be an

option for those students.

Donna Lynch asked about the yearbook. She noted there is a balance right

now but asked if there are any significant costs associated with the

yearbook that are anticipated before the end of the year. Dr. Jolin

responded he did not know of any upcoming significant costs. Laurence

Consiglio stated the yearbook was discussed at the February meeting and

there was a big controversy about the ads. Mr. Consiglio would like to

know the ending balance in the yearbook account from last year. Dr.

Jolin will obtain this information. Laurence Consiglio noted he is

concerned since the list that has been referred to which students can

simply contact a business to obtain ads does not exist. The Board was

told many times that a list existed for this purpose. Mr. Consilgio

would like confirmation if there ever was a list. He noted a parent

compiled a list this year since there wasn't one available. Mr.

Consiglio feels this is a very significant issue since the Board was

assured a list was available. He feels the bottom line could be a lot

higher if this list had been available and been used by students to

obtain ads.

Jacklyn Bonneau asked about the low number of students on the college

acceptance list. She feels the number should be much higher. Mrs.

Bonneau asked if there is an incentive for students to provide this

information. Stephen Mitchell responded he has no idea if there are

incentives. He noted students are encouraged to submit their names but

it is totally voluntary.

V. Action Items

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to add request of

Senior Class Trip to New York City as Action Item "K".

Passed-Unanimous.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to approve the

minutes of the March 12, 2007 Board of Education Meeting.

Passed-Unanimous. Laurence Consiglio and James Kenney abstained.

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to approve the

graduation date of June 14, 2007 with commencement exercises to be held

on the softball field and to be moved indoors in the event of inclement

weather. Buses and shuttles will be used to alleviate parking issues.

Written information regarding parking will be distributed and will be

added to the graduation invitations. Robert Bentley, on behalf of

Project Graduation, asked if the date can be changed at any time. The

response was the date could not be changed after it is approved.

Passed-Unanimous.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Patricia Donnelly to accept the

resignation of Seth Galante, High School Social Studies Teacher and

resignation of Jennifer Pepe, High School English Teacher.

Passed-Unanimous.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Laurence Consiglio to accept with

regret the retirement of Nancy Hewko, Elementary Para-Professional.

Passed-Unanimous.

Dr. Jolin provided an update regarding the Substance Abuse Policy. Dr.

Jolin noted this is a requirement of CIAC to include steroids in our

Substance Abuse Prevention Policy. Deb Spinelli noted this change must

be provided to the CIAC by September 15, 2007. Discussion was held. The

Board would like time to review the proposed policy. Discussion was

held regarding the wording of the policy and how it will be enforced.

Dr. Jolin will check with CABE regarding this issue. The Policy

Committee will meet prior to next month's Board meeting to review the

policy and bring it forward to the full Board for approval.

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by Jayne Robbins to approve the

CIAC football application. Passed-Unanimous.

Dr. Jolin recommends approval of disposal of textbook as specified by

staff. Area non profit organizations will be contacted to see if they

could use the textbooks. If no one wants the books they will be

incinerated. Selling the textbook or recycling them was discussed as

another option. Gabrielle Rossetti noted students wrote to schools in

New Orleans to see if any were interested in the books and the response

from them was they only wanted new books.

Motion by Jayne Robbins, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to approve the

disposal of old textbooks pursuant to Dr. Jolin's recommendation after

research on appropriate options. Passed-Unanimous.

Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Jayne Robbins to approve IDEA

Grant. Dr. Jolin noted there have been no significant changes in the

Grant. Marna Hasz noted this is an entitlement grant and we will get

the grant but we do not yet know how much money we will receive. The

preliminary approval will come in the summer with a final approval in

October. Jacklyn Bonneau expressed concern if the grant does not get

funded or if the funds received are less than anticipated then staff

paid for as part of the grant will have to be absorbed into the current

budget. Passed-Unanimous.

Dr. Jolin recommends approval of the bid for the proposed security

system contingent on identifying the funding sources.

Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to approve the

security system bid pending identifying funding sources and adding

additional options as specified by the Board. Discussion was held. A

Committee has been formed to review and submit a proposal for this

system. Dr. Jolin noted it is a card access system that can be

programmed for each individual staff member. The system will include

security cameras and door release equipment at the major entrances. The

system will be expandable in accordance with the new building project

and the system that is being proposed for that project. William

Witkowski asked if this system would be reimbursable under the program

Senator Williams is developing. Dr. Jolin stated we would be right in

line to receive these reimbursements. Jacklyn Bonneau asked about

doors other than major access doors. Dr. Jolin stated the other doors

would be locked at all times and an alarm will go off if they are

opened. Bill Birch noted it is too expensive to change hardware on all

existing doors at this time but doors that need to be replaced will not

have exterior handles. William Witkowski noted doors in the new project

will not have handles on the outside. Laurence Consiglio asked why

there are six keyed entrances with only four cameras. Bill Birch noted

the student entrances and teachers' entrances at the High School will

not have cameras. Laurence Consiglio expressed concern regarding this as

surveillance is needed at all locations for safety purposes. Jacklyn

Bonneau asked what happens to the doors in the event of a power failure.

Bill Birch noted emergency power will be available as part of the new

building project. Bill Birch noted there is an override feature to

lock all the doors in the event of a disaster. The reimbursement for

this system was discussed. Even after reimbursement there may be out of

pocket expenses. It was noted the cameras being installed do not record

videotape at this time but this may be an option for the future.

Clarification will be obtained on the videotaping capacity of the

proposal. Passed-Unanimous.

Dr. Jolin reported on upcoming asbestos abatement for the central office

and special education administration areas. The work will being June

19, 2007 and last through approximately 12 work days. The Finance

Review Committee discussed the abatement and it was the consensus of the

Finance Committee that the offices remain open and be moved to other

locations such as the High School or Community Center during this time.

Employees would have the option of taking vacation time during this

time, if desired. Students are not allowed in the complex at all during

abatement. Registration for summer school will be done early to

accommodate this asbestos abatement schedule.

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by William Witkowski to approve

the proposed Senior Class Trip to NYC. Mr. Mitchell reviewed the

schedule for the trip. It will take place May 12, 2007 from 5:00 a.m.

to 10:00 p.m. Chaperones have been secured. The cost is $20.00 per

student and there is a pool of money available for students who may need

help with this fee. Discussion was held concerning insurance coverage

and student/staff ratio. Donna Lynch asked about a code of behavior. It

was noted a list of rules will be developed. Passed-Unanimous.

VI. CITIZENS COMMENTS

Kory Cazeault thanked the Board for approving the New York City trip.

VII. Board of Education Comments

Patricia Donnelly asked for the date of the 8th grade moving up

ceremony. It was noted this ceremony will take place June 15, 2007.

Laurence Consiglio reported the projected completion date for the Early

Childhood Center is in December. Dr. Jolin responded he will have a

proposal for the next Board of Education meeting as to Administration

and staffing for that area as well as a time line for moving and how

that will be accomplished.

Donna Lynch noted concern for dates recently scheduled for High School

events falling on Thursdays. Last year the Board asked Administration

to try to avoid having school events on Thursday evenings during the

budget process. Dr. Jolin noted the National Honor Society Meeting

has been rescheduled for May 9, 2007.

Patricia Donnelly stated she thought the induction for the National Jr.

Honor Society for the Middle School is scheduled for Thursday, April 26,

2007. Mr. Springer stated he is not aware of the date for this event

and he will check into this.

Donna Lynch noted the Board of Education budget was tentatively cut to a

seven percent increase at the Board of Finance meeting a week and a half

ago. This in only tentative and has not been voted on as of yet. Mrs.

Lynch expressed concern that the Board of Finance did not have a lot of

discussion regarding the Board of Education's budget. She asked all

Board members to attend the next Board of Finance meeting to support the

budget. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 7:30

p.m.

Next month's agenda:

* Saturday School-Middle School

* Summer School-Middle School at risk students

* Drug Policy for Steroids

* Yearbook balance from last year

* Security System

* Staffing of Early Childhood Center

VIII. Executive Session-Collective Bargaining/Personnel/Contract

None needed.

IX. Action as a Result of Executive Session

X. Adjournment.

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by Patricia Donnelly to adjourn

the meeting. Passed-Unanimous.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta Baublitz

Recording Secretary

:rjb