THOMPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION


THOMPSON LIBRARY COMMUNITY CENTER

Monday, August 13, 2007

7:00 p.m.

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

Chairperson Donna Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

Members Present:                              Members Absent:

                        Laurence Consiglio                            Ellen Corrado

                        Jayne Robbins                                    James Kenney                       

                        William Witkowski                              

            Jacklyn Bonneau  

            Patricia Donnelly

            Donna Lynch

Also present was Michael Jolin, Beverly Caparco, Marna Hasz, Penny Hebert, Bill Birch, Stephen Mitchell, Dan Pisaturo, Ron Springer, members of the public, members of the press.

II. Appointment of Board of Education Member (Replacement for Donald Morin)

Donna Lynch read a letter from the Thompson Democratic Town Committee from Cathy Thomas nominating Mr. Joseph Lindley to fill the Board vacancy left by Donald Morinπs resignation.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by William Witkowski to approve appointment of Joseph Lindley as member of the Board of Education.

Laurence Consiglio noted the Board asked the Democratic Town Committee to bring forward two candidates for this vacancy.  Mr. Consiglio stated this is pursuant to Board policy and he specifically asked that Board policy in this regard be adhered to.  Donna Lynch stated she discussed this issue with Cathy Thomas and was told the Democratic Town Committee was unable to obtain a second candidate.  PassedãUnanimous.

Donna Lynch welcomed Mr. Lindley to the Board and noted the Board prides itself on doing the best for students.  Patricia Donnelly suggested Mr. Lindley get the proper training and orientation.  Dr. Jolin stated he has ordered an orientation packet from CABE to be provided to Mr. Lindley.

III.       Citizensπ Comments 

Marna Hasz asked if Mr. Lindley would be officially sworn in as a Board member.  Discussion was held.  Mr. Lindley will be sworn in by the Town Clerk at a mutually convenient time to be determined by him and Mr. Barske.

IV.       Educational Up-Date

A.  Superintendentπs Report

Building Project Update

Dr. Jolin reported a tremendous amount of work going on with the building project.  The project is being closely monitored by Bill Birch.  There is a lot of work still to be completed and Dr. Jolin and Bill Birch will be consulting with Gilbane to make sure school can open as scheduled on September 4, 2007.  Dr. Jolin stated if the school opening needs to be delayed a decision will be made by August 29 and parents and staff will be notified.   Dr. Jolin reiterated school is expected to open on time on September 4, 2007 but the situation is being closely monitored.  Laurence Consiglio stated he has concerns about the schedule and whether or not school can open on time.  Bill Birch reported he started a second shift today.  Mr. Birch further reported all the trades have moved their staging into the exercise room and crews began working on the hallways this evening.  The final cleaning cannot begin until the roof work is completed.  If the roofing continues on the current schedule then the final cleaning should be done in time for school to open on September 4, 2007.    Laurence Consiglio expressed concern regarding the floors in Middle School. Bill Birch stated he will have a better idea as to the timeframe for completing the work on these floors in about three to four days and he will keep Dr. Jolin and the Board informed as to the progress.

Middle College Magnet School

Dr. Jolin presented information regarding a Middle College Magnet School. Dr. Jolin explained this program and stated he is working with other schools and QVCC to develop an alternative high school.  The school will be located on QVCC campus and will serve at risk High School students.  A planning grant has been verbally approved and the school is slated to open in September of 2008.  The State provides the bulk of the funding for the students with Thompson paying $3,000.00 per student it sends to the program.   Discussion was held. It was noted this program will only have four slots available at the beginning and it is not designed for disruptive students or expelled students.  Students will be recommended by guidance counselors and parents and then a lottery will be conducted if there are more than four students.  Criteria will be established for students to be considered for the program.  The reimbursement for the students will go to the State and not be refunded to Thompson.  Thompson will be required to provide transportation for their students attending the program.  Mr. Lindley asked about the qualifications of the mentors and trainers in this program and stated.  Dr. Jolin noted the mentors and trainers in this program will be trained in non conventional teaching methods.  Dr. Jolin will keep the Board updated on the status of the Grant for this program.  

2007 CMT & CAPT Scores 

Dr. Jolin presented a preliminary report of the CMT scores.  The CAPT scores are not available yet.  Dr. Jolin noted more work needs to be done in evaluating the scores.  Progress is being made in reading but there is a lot of work to do in math.   A new math series has been introduced in the Elementary School.  Dr. Hebert is in the process of reviewing the test results and will provide a break down by student.    Dr. Hebert stated the teachers will be provided with their studentsπ scores to review during the first teacher development day this school year.  Dr. Hebert noted the same thing will be done with reading test results but right now she is concentrating on processing the math scores.  Personal literacy plans will be in place for all student grades 3 through 8 and these plans will follow the students from grade to grade for planning purposes.  Marna Hasz noted anyone interested can log on to  www.cmtreports.com to find all the test results. 

V.        Action Items

Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Laurence Consiglio to approve the minutes of the July 30, 2007 Special Education Meeting. Patricia Donnelly asked that the statement she made about parents being drunk during the trip be changed to stated that parents were drinking at different times during the trip.  Laurence Consiglio asked if the FF&E has gone out to bid.  Dr. Jolin stated the State is currently reviewing the application and the bids should go out in mid-September. William Witkowski and Laurence Consiglio amended their initial motion to include the change requested by Patricia Donnelly.    PassedãJacklyn Bonneau and Jayne Robbins abstained.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Patricia Donnelly to approve the 2007/2008 Budget in the amount of $15,324,824.00 as presented. Discussion was held.   Jacklyn Bonneau asked about class sizes.  Dr. Jolin noted there has been no dramatic increase in enrollment from last year in the Middle School.  Laurence Consiglio expressed concern that the class sizes are in the 28/30 range and that is bordering on unacceptable.  There may be money available to hire an additional teacher if class sizes warrant.  Patricia Donnelly said the voters have expressed their desires and the Board should work with what money has been approved.  Laurence Consiglio stated the Board is committed to providing small class sizes and that must be continued and cuts will have to be made elsewhere in the budget to allow for more teachers to be hired if necessary.  Discussion was held. It is the consensus of the Board that an additional teacher should be hired if needed if enrollment increases to unmanageable levels.  Patricia Donnelly suggested interns to work with the social worker to help with students needing those services.  She also suggested referring students to outside social service agencies which may be available to students in need.     PassedãJoseph Lindley abstained.

Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Patricia Donnelly to accept the following resignations:  Debbie Kaufmann, MRFES teacher; Jason Bielik, TMHS Band Teacher; Sonya Rockwell, MRFES Paraprofessional; Jason Hart, TMS Band Teacher; MaryJo Chretien, Speech Language Pathologist; Jessica Morin, TMS 6^th Grade Teacher; Pamela Bartok, TMS & MRFES Health Teacher; Sherri Allen, MRFES Paraprofessional.   PassedãUnanimous.

Dr. Jolin noted the school psychologist and speech and language teacher positions are very hard to fill.  Laurence Consiglio asked about status of exit interviews.  Dr. Jolin stated most of the exit interviews have been conducted.  

Joseph Lindley asked how many teachers and paraprofessionals are on staff and what is the normal turnover in a given year.  Dr. Jolin stated he will obtain the numbers for Mr. Lindley. Discussion was held regarding turnover.  Many teachers leave in the summer to take jobs in other districts.  Some years there are more retirements.  The turnover varies from year to year.  

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by Jayne Robbins to approve the High School handbook as presented with the following corrections noted by Patricia Donnelly:   Page 3, Table of Contents, No. 6ãStrategies to Avoid Plagiarismãavoid is spelled wrong; Page 6, Table of Contents, No. 58ãAppendix, Parent ≠Teacher CommunicationãCommunication is spelled wrong; Page 10, in the Accreditation Statement, last paragraph, the word inquires should be inquiries.  Patricia Donnelly asked about the dress policy on page 21 where it states that chains should be left in lockers.  Mrs. Donnelly asked what chains are and why are students allowed to bring them to school at all.  Mr. Mitchell stated students have their wallets attached to chains and those are not allowed to be worn. Laurence Consiglio and Jayne Robbins amended their original motion to include the changes in typographical errors noted by Mrs. Donnelly. PassedãUnanimous.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to approve the Middle School handbook as presented.  Joe Lindley requested a change on Page 22, No. 9 and asked that the principal only make the decision for an exception regarding when a player can compete in an athletic events if the player has not been in attendance at school on that particular day.   Mr. Springer stated he will make this change.  Mr. Springer noted the non-discrimination policy, sexual harassment policy, drug policy and weapon policy have been incorporated into the handbook in full due to their importance.  Mr. Springer discussed the change in the eligibility for students to attend field trips.  Mr. Springer feels field trips are curricular in nature and unless a student has been suspended they should be allowed to attend field trips.  The merit points will not be used to keep student from attending field trips.  Discussion was held regarding how to handle students who may need individualized attention during field trips.  Parents will be asked to chaperone on the trip and other staff chaperones can also be available to chaperone to provide extra assistance if needed.

Laurence Consiglio noted the first page of the Handbook says 2006-2007 and should be changed to reflect the current school year.  In addition, the calendar inside the handbook also has the 2006/2007 date.  Jacklyn Bonneau and Jayne Robbins amended their motion to reflect changes as referenced above. PassedãUnanimous.

VI. CITIZENS COMMENTS

Celeste Guimont stated she attended a Town Hall meeting prior to the last referendum.  During that meeting, a question was asked regarding what the school will do with the $500,000.00 that it is receiving over and above the State minimum education requirement (MER).  Dr. Jolin explained what the minimum education requirement is and how it is developed by the State.  Dr. Jolin also explained how the increase is being used in this yearsπ budget.  Jacklyn Bonneau explained the MER doesnπt reflect small class sizes.  In addition, the MER calls for students who live close to the school would need to walk even if it is dangerous for them to walk.  The MER is basically given to provide the minimum to a student and the Thompson schools go above and beyond that to improve the education for students in Thompson by keeping class sizes small and providing other extra services to enhance the quality of education.

VII. Board of Education Comments

Donna Lynch suggested the Board discuss the recent budget process at some point.  The level of animosity was very disturbing during this budget process.  Patricia Donnelly suggested breaking down the budget to terminology which people can understand.  In addition, positive press would be helpful instead of the negative articles and wrong quotes that were published recently. The budget process was discussed.  Ways to get correct information to the public was discussed.  It was suggested the Board be proactive instead of reactive and supply the papers with positive and correct information at the beginning and all through the budget process.   

Laurence Consiglio suggested the Board be kept more informed regarding  when teachers and administrators are due to become tenured.  Mr. Consiglio asked if this should become a written policy.  Discussion was held. It was suggested this information be an agenda item twice per year in September and March.   The process of evaluating staff was discussed. 

Next monthπs agenda:

∑ CMT/CAPT test scores

∑ Middle College Magnet School Grant status

∑ Budget 2007/2008

∑ Status of vacant positions

∑ Evaluation forms

∑ List of staff due for tenure

∑ Class sizes

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to move to Executive Session.  PassedãUnanimous.

The Board took a two minute break starting at 8:57 p.m. and then went into Executive Session. 

VIII. Executive SessionãCollective Bargaining/Personnel/Contract

A. Superintendentπs Evaluation/Contract

B. Non-Union Salaries

IX. Action as a Result of Executive Session

Patricia Donnelly left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:39 p.m.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau seconded by William Witkowski to accept the Superintendentπs recommendation for salaries for non certified staff of 3.5% with the exception of Bill Birch who will get a five percent raise. 

PassedãUnanimous.

Donna Lynch confirmed the PPO percentage will be 15% and the HMO percentage will be 13% on all salaries.

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to extend the Superintendentπs contract for a year.  Laurence Consiglio noted the Superintendentπs salary would increase by 3.5%.  PassedãUnanimous.

X.        Adjournment.

Motion by Jayne Robbins, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to adjourn the meeting.  PassedãUnanimous.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta Baublitz

Recording Secretary

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