SPECIAL MEETING

THOMPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION


THOMPSON LIBRARY COMMUNITY CENTER ROOM #3

Monday, July 30, 2007

6:00 p.m.

 

 

I.                        Call to Order and Roll Call

 

Chairperson Donna Lynch called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

 

Members Present:                              Members Absent:

 

                        Laurence Consiglio                            Jayne Robbins

                        William Witkowski                            Jacklyn Bonneau                                  

            Ellen Corrado

            Patricia Donnelly‹arrived at 6:21 p.m.

            James Kenney

            Donna Lynch

             

Also present was Michael Jolin, Barbara Lesniewski, Deb Spinelli, member of the press.

 

II.              Citizens Comments

 

None.

 

III.       Action Items

 

Dr. Jolin presented the FF&E package for the building project.  This is an itemized list of furniture, fixtures, equipment and technology which must be approved by the Board before being submitted to the State for approval.  The total pre bid estimated cost for all equipment is $385,915.24.  Once this is approved by the State then the equipment goes out to bid.  It is hoped the bids will come back lower than the estimated costs.  All the equipment is for the new construction areas and renovated areas.  

 

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by Ellen Corrado to approve the Fixtures, Furniture and Equipment plans as presented on July 30, 2007.      Passed‹Unanimous.          

 

VI.            CITIZENS COMMENTS

 

Deb Spinelli asked if money from the building project has been earmarked for the replacement of the track.  Laurence Consiglio stated the Building Committee has the track replacement as number one on their list of priorities to be replaced if there is any money left. 

 

The timetable for seeding the ball field was discussed.   Laurence Consiglio stated the seeding should take place in the middle of September or beginning of October.   The field will be hydro seeded.   Parents maybe conducting fundraising to raise money to sod the field.   

 

VII.         Board of Education Comments

 

Laurence Consiglio asked Deb Spinelli for an estimate of how much money is spent to attend away baseball games.  Discussion was held regarding using some of this money toward paying for sod for the ball field.   Deb Spinelli stated there are about 10 away games and the team travels to Ellis Tech or Owen Bell so the transportation costs are not very high.

 

Patricia Donnelly arrived at the meeting.

 

Patricia Donnelly discussed access to the tennis courts by emergency vehicles.  Since the building project is under way there is no way for vehicles to access the tennis courts.  A recent emergency occurred at the tennis courts and the ambulance was unable to get to this area.    Laurence Consiglio stated the recreation department should have notified Gilbane that they were using the tennis courts so that accommodations could be made. The gates at the project can be opened to allow access if needed.  In addition it was noted the gates can be opened by the fire department if necessary.

 

Patricia Donnelly discussed the recent 8th grade trip to Washington.  She indicated she supports the trip and there were no incidents this year but this trip is not a school sponsored trip and she feels the trip should be a school sponsored trip so it can be monitored or the school should be out of it completely.   In the past parent supervision on this trip was for 24 hours but this year parents stopped supervision at 2:30 a.m. and went out and did their own thing.  Mrs. Donnelly stated chaperones were observed visibly drunk at different times during the trip.    In addition, students were allowed co-ed access to each others room and while the doors to the rooms remained open, supervision was questionable as the chaperones did not fully check all areas of the rooms.  William Witkowski expressed concern that if this trip is conducted as a school sponsored trip then it may set a precedent since 8th grade Project Graduation and High School Project Graduation trips are conducting in the same way.  Mr. Witkowski stated these trips should continue as they have in the past.   Ellen Corrado stated she agreed with Mr. Witkowski regarding the precedent that would be set.  In addition, Mrs. Corrado feels this trip is a huge undertaking by the teacher involved and it is a valuable experience for the students.   Patricia Donnelly stated she would rather see the school sponsor the trip so that it can be regulated.   Donna Lynch suggested asking administrators for suggestions or insight on this situation.  

 

Laurence Consiglio asked about a position in the Middle School for an employee who is being paid to make calls to secure substitute teachers.  This is not done in the Elementary School or High School and Mr. Consiglio wants to make sure there are no issues with this.   Dr. Jolin will check into this. 

 

Ellen Corrado asked if Penny Hebert has barred teachers from collecting flip tops from aluminum cans that are turned in to help out a certain cause.  Dr. Jolin will check on this.   

 

VIII.       Executive Session‹Collective Bargaining/Personnel/Contract

 

None.

 

IX.            Action as a Result of Executive Session

 

None.

 

X.        Adjournment.

 

Motion by James Kenney, seconded by William Witkowski to adjourn the meeting.  Passed‹Unanimous.

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Roberta Baublitz

Recording Secretary

 

:rjb