THOMPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION


THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER

Monday, June 11, 2007

7:00 p.m.

 

 

X.                      Call to Order and Roll Call

 

Chairperson Donna Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

 

Members Present:                              Members Absent:

 

                        Laurence Consiglio                            Donald Morin 

                        Ellen Corrado                                                

Jayne Robbins‹arrived at 8:36 p.m.

                        William Witkowski                              

            Jacklyn Bonneau  

            Patricia Donnelly

            James Kenney

            Donna Lynch

            Gabrielle Rossetti, Student Liaison

 

Also present was Michael Jolin, Beverly Caparco, Ronald Springer, Penny Hebert, Bill Birch, Stephen Mitchell, Deb Spinelli, Barbara Lesniewksi

 

Donna Lynch read a resignation letter submitted by Donald Morin.  Mrs. Lynch noted this vacancy will be filled through the procedure in place. 

 

XI.            Citizens Comments

 

Nora Reilly addressed the Board to show positive support to the concert band.  Mrs. Reilly stated she was not happy with the letter that recently appeared in the Villager regarding the bandıs performance in the Memorial Day parade.   She feels Mr. Bielik has done a great job with the students and she noted this group is a concert band and not a marching band.  The students in the concert band dress very formal when they perform in the concert setting.  These students have played all over New England and Canada and have received high awards and achievements.  Mrs. Reilly urged the Board to support Mr. Bielik and the concert band students.   Mrs. Reilly stated she was appalled to read such negative comments in the Villager about the students. 

 

Donna Lynch responded that she also appalled and disappointed at the letter and she did not agree with any points in the letter.  She was in attendance at the parade and did not see the performance in a negative way but rather a positive way. 

 

Mary Masters encouraged Board members to champion Mr. Bielik in his efforts.  Mrs. Masters noted she is impressed with Mr. Bielik as a teacher.   She is very pleased with the arts offered to students and Mr. Bielik should be commended for the job he is doing with the band students.   

 

Carol Rossetti stated Mr. Bielik has raised the musicianship level of students since he has been at the school.  Mr. Bielik has encouraged students to strive to be great musicians.  Mr. Bielik is very dedicated to the students and in turn the students are dedicated to Mr. Bielik and the program.   

 

Mr. Mitchell stated he was shocked and upset to read the misguided letter.  He stated the individual is not well informed of the music program at the High School. Mr. Mitchell stated he has full faith and confidence and the utmost respect for Mr. Bielik and the concert band.    Mr. Bielik and the band have done the school proud whenever they have performed.   

 

Ellen Corrado thanked everyone for their supportive remarks.  She feels it is important to show support for students and Mr. Bielik. 

 

Donna Lynch asked if it would be appropriate to write a letter to the band and Mr. Beliek to show support.  Jacklyn Bonneau suggested a letter to the Villager explaining that the group is a concert band and not a marching band.

 

Gabrielle Rossetti stated a letter to the band and Mr. Bielik from the Board would be appreciated.   Ms. Rossetti noted Mr. Bielik was very upset about the negative letter.  

 

Patricia Donnelly suggested responding to the paper directly.  The consensus of the Board was to respond directly to the paper and also write a letter of support to Mr. Bielik and the band.

 

III.       Committee Reports  

 

A.        Building Committee

 

Laurence Consiglio reported the Building Committee continues to meet.  Renovations and new construction is moving forward.  Asbestos abatement will begin once school is out.  Interior renovations will be conducted over the summer and the Middle School media center will be renovated by September.  Dr. Jolin noted as of next Tuesday the Central Office will be temporarily moved to the High School Media Center while asbestos abatement takes place in that area.  Dr. Jolin asked for patience during this time.  Ellen Corrado asked about previous asbestos removal work.   Laurence Consiglio responded previous asbestos abatement was on floor tile in the Middle School which was replaced with grant money received for that purpose.  William Witkowski stated there will be more asbestos abatement conducted during the project as it is done when areas are disturbed.  The asbestos abatement is done in a safe manner and is closely monitored by the State for compliance. 

 

B.        Finance Review

 

William Witkowski reported on the Finance Review Committee meeting which was held at 6:30 p.m.   An official meeting was not held due to a lack of a quorum.  The Town Excess Cost funds have been received. 

 

Donna Lynch noted a Town Meeting regarding the budget will be held Monday, June 18, 2007 with a referendum to be held on Monday, June 25, 2007. 

 

Discussion was held regarding the members of the Finance Sub Committee.  The membership of this and all other sub committees will be confirmed. 

 

IV.       Educational Up-Date

 

A.               Superintendentıs 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 Boardıs packet for their review.  Dr. Jolin complimented the Juniors and Seniors on their recent prom as it was a very nice evening.  Dr. Jolin noted he also attended the recent athletic awards banquet and thanked Deb Spinelli for all her work regarding that event.  Dr. Jolin noted asbestos abatement will begin shortly and the building project is going smoothly.  Bill Birch and his staff will begin moving the Central Office to the High School media center on Monday, June 18 at noon.  Dr. Jolin thanked everyone in advance for patience during the asbestos abatement process. 

 

MEHIP Update 

 

An update on the MEHIP issues was provided to the Board.  Dr. Jolin reported issues have improved dramatically.  He noted some complications were encountered in the beginning of the change but everything is going smoothly now.

 

Retention Report 

 

Dr. Jolin discussed the numbers in the retention report.  He noted many students did not pass and a better job needs to be done to continue early intervention with these students.  Dr. Jolin complimented Mr. Springer on the intervention with students who were in danger of being held back.   Team meetings were held to help each individual student succeed.  Early intervention will continue with students who need the extra help.   

Donna Lynch asked Mr. Springer if the at risk students were assigned to a staff member for mentoring.  Mr. Springer responded the at risk students in the 8th grade were assigned a mentor.  Donna Lynch asked if the information regarding these students will be shared with Mr. Mitchell so to help continue these studentsı success in High School. Mr. Springer stated he has not met with Mr. Mitchell yet but will be doing so in the near future.    Jacklyn Bonneau asked about retention reports for High School. Mr. Mitchell noted students are not retained in the High School.  Once they get to grade 12 they are evaluated as to how many credits they have.  Jacklyn Bonneau asked if a student needs a certain amount of credits to move from one grade to another.  Discussion was held regarding how students progress from one grade to another in High School.  Mr. Mitchell stated students need to be moved on to the next grade, especially in grade 10 due to CAPT testing that needs to be done in a certain time frame.  Mr. Mitchell noted there are three students who are definitely not going to graduate and there could be more after finals.   Patricia Donnelly expressed concern over sending students to the High School who are not prepared and asked how these students could have brought their grades up enough in the last month or so to be able to pass.  Mr. Springer responded this is a very valid concern.  He noted there was a lot of effort put forth by Mrs. Popovich and the 8th grade team and they all worked together to bring these students up to speed.  Those students who did not take part in the mentoring program were given extra help by teachers.    Students were able to make up work which brought their grades up. 

 

Patricia Donnelly suggested watching those students who have been identified as high risk early on.  Mr. Mitchell noted the students have already been identified and a system will be put into place to continue to help these students as they go through High School.  Patricia Donnelly noted the grades with the largest amount of students are the grades with the highest retention rates.  Dr. Jolin noted common grade level assessments are being considered as a possible way to determine a studentıs readiness to move on to the next grade.

 

Laurence Consiglio has already discussed this issue with Dr. Jolin.  Mr. Consiglio noted he has the same concerns at Pat that we may be setting up students for failure by moving them up to High School before they are ready.  He stated this has happened in the past and hopes it does not happen again. 

 

William Witkowski asked about the futures of the three students who are not going to graduate.  Mr. Mitchell stated these students could pursue their GED.  Mr. Witkowski asked if it is a possibility they could come back next year to obtain enough credits to pass.  Mr. Mitchell stated that would also be a possibility and the students are aware of the options.   

 

James Kenney asked why students are not retained and what impact the CAPT testing has on whether or not students are retained.  Mr. Mitchell stated students must be tested with their original class regardless of whether they have passed ninth grade.   Mr. Mitchell stated students can repeat their Junior year but not repeat their Freshman and Sophomore year.     Mr. Mitchell was asked by Jacklyn Bonneau how many students have been put into a Junior homeroom because they do not have enough credits to become a Senior and Mr. Mitchell responded he has no idea.   Patricia Donnelly expressed concern that these students will get to this level and quit school because they realize they do not have enough credits to graduate.   Ms. Donnelly stated she is concerned that Freshman are not ready for what they are going to face in High School.   Donna Lynch commented that students who are struggling as Freshman maybe should be held back as they are probably not ready to take the CAPT test until they actually meet the requirements to pass on to 10th grade successfully.

 

Dr. Jolin noted the SAFE grant is pending which if received would provide for a course in the 9th grade entitled How to Succeed in High School.  This would further help students make the transition.  

 

Jacklyn Bonneau stated she feels intervention needs to be done sooner with students who are struggling.  

 

Gabrielle Rossetti stated Freshman teachers understand the transition and she benefited from their help and guidance during her Freshman year.   

 

Laurence Consiglio stated we should work to prepare students who are going from Middle School to High School leaving the Middle School having kids more prepared from MS to HS. 

 

Ellen Corrado noted discussed was held in the past regarding the issue of 16 year olds fitting into 8th grade if they werenıt ready for High School.  Mrs. Corrado noted the Freshman teachers are very supportive and know how to help students through this transition time.  

 

Deb Spinelli stated the small community of the High School allows for Freshman students to be looked after and they are helped through the transition.

 

It was noted the Beyond School Grant, if received, will be focusing more on academics this year which should help with preparedness of students making the transition. 

 

2007-2008 Education Budget

 

Dr. Jolin reported the referendum failed and the budget has been cut $30,000.00 for a .98 mil increase.  Dr. Jolin noted he is optimistic the revised budget will pass.  The Town meeting will be held Monday, June 18, 2007 and the Referendum will be held Monday, June 25, 2007.  Dr Jolin encouraged everyone to vote.

 

Nora Reilly asked how word will be disseminated regarding the date of the Town meeting and the Referendum.  Dr. Jolin will send out an email and put up signs to remind people to vote.  He asked the PTO to also help get the word out to parents to vote.   Donna Lynch also noted there will be ads in the Shopperıs Guide, the Villager and the Norwich Bulletin. 

 

Carol Rossetti suggested lawn signs be placed around the Town to help remind people to vote.   Donna Lynch will check on getting signs put up at polling places and around town to encourage people to vote. 

 

V.        Action Items

 

Motion by Patricia Donnelly, seconded by William Witkowski to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2007 Board of Education Meeting.     Passed‹Jacklyn Bonneau abstained.           

 

Dr. Jolin stated he reviewed the substance abuse policy changes with CABE.  He noted the major change is steroids must be listed in the policy under controlled drugs.  He is suggesting anabolic steroids be added to the first page of the policy under item (1).  Deb Spinelli also presented a statement regarding anabolic steroids for insertion in the Athletic Handbook.

 

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Patricia Donnelly to adopt the Substance Abuse statement as presented by Deb Spinelli to be incorporated into the Athletic Handbook and to approve the addition of anabolic steroids into the current policy on page one, item (1).   Passed‹Unanimous.

 

Dr. Jolin reported a substance abuse prevention grant was recently received from NECASA in the amount of $7,975.00.  

 

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to approve the healthy food certification statement.   Passed‹Unanimous.

 

Dr. Jolin reported good news in that all day kindergarten can be offered for all students for the upcoming year within the current budget.   The program would be able to accommodate nine additional students without having to add another teacher.   Donna Lynch asked how many kindergarten students moved in during the last summer. Dr. Hebert responded that four kindergarten students moved in over the past summer.  Concerns regarding the projections of enrollment by NESDC was discussed in that the projections are much lower than projected.    Jacklyn Bonneau asked if there are parents who do not want full day kindergarten.  Dr. Hebert noted there are some families who do not want full day kindergarten and she will be discussing the benefits with those families but if they still choose not to have full day kindergarten then arrangements will be made for those students to leave at mid-day.  Mrs. Quercia noted she has been advocating for full day kindergarten for nine years.  She noted full day kindergarten is truly the best for all students.  

 

Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by  William Witkowski to approve full day kindergarten.  Discussion was held.  Donna Lynch stated there are many positives to support full day kindergarten.  Patricia Donnelly asked if this step forward could possibly be taken back the following year due to budgetary issues.  Jacklyn Bonneau noted if next yearıs kindergarten class is large then staff would have to be added to continue full day kindergarten or some of the classes would have to be cut back to half day.   Passed‹Unanimous.

 

Andrea Boss stated she is a strong advocate of full day kindergarten.  Her daughter was identified in an IEP in pre-school as being in need of a full day kindergarten program but that could not be accommodated until the lottery was held to see if her daughter was chosen for the full day program.   She is very pleased that the Board has approved the full day kindergarten.

 

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by William Witkowski to cancel the July, 2007 regularly scheduled meeting and schedule a special meting for Wednesday June 27 at 7:00 p.m. Passed‹Unanimous. 

 

XII.          CITIZENS COMMENTS

 

Gabrielle Rossetti stated she brought her yearbook if any Board members would like to see it.   Ms. Rossetti also reported she and her fellow teammates placed first in the recent plastics competition with their creation of a hammock made from poly ethanol material.  Ms. Rossetti gave positive comments about a recent  speaker on drugs and alcohol at the High School. 

 

Gabrielle Rossetti thanked the Board members for allowing her to be a part of the Board this past year.   Donna Lynch thanked Ms. Rossetti for her faithful attendance and helpful input to the Board and wished her well in the future.

 

XIII.       Board of Education Comments

 

Laurence Consiglio asked that the Democratic Committee be asked to provide at least two names for candidates for the vacant Board position.  A letter will be sent to the Town Clerk requesting at least two candidates.    

 

Next monthıs agenda:

 

·                 Clarify subcommittee members

·                 Budget

·                 Possible letters to rehire non tenured staff

·                 Building Project update

·                 Superintendent evaluation

·                 Salaries for non union staff

 

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Patricia Donnelly to move to Executive Session.  Passed‹Unanimous.

 

The Board took a short break and then went into Executive Session at 8:44 p.m.

 

XIV.       Executive Session‹Collective Bargaining/Personnel/Contract

 

The Board remained in Executive Session until 9:40 p.m.

 

XV.          Action as a Result of Executive Session

 

None.

 

X.        Adjournment.

 

Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Laurence Consiglio to adjourn the meeting.  Passed‹Unanimous.

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Roberta Baublitz

Recording Secretary

 

:rjb