THOMPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION
Monday, March 12, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Chairperson Donna Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members Present: Members Absent:
Jayne Robbins Laurence Consiglio
William Witkowski James Kenney
Ellen Corrado Donald Morin
Jacklyn Bonneau
Patricia Donnelly
Donna Lynch
Gabrielle Rosetti, Student Liaison
Also present was Michael Jolin, Beverly Caparco, Barbara Lesniewksi, Ronald Springer, Bill Birch, Michelle Dixon, Noveline Beltram, Marna Hasz, Kerry Tetreault, Deb Spinelli, Penny Hebert.
II. Citizens Comments
Dan Pisaturo noted the recent TNT event was a success.
Shawn Johnston thanked the Administration and the Board for allocating money in the budget for partial funding of the football program. Mr. Johnston stated many different groups provide funding and support for the football team and he is very happy to see the Board support the football team as well. In the beginning the program was to be funded privately but it has grown to the point where financial help is needed. Mr. Johnston noted the program is a very positive program for students. Ellis Tech provides support and funding in the way of fields and officials and Koinonia provides locker room facilities and practice fields. He is pleased the Board and taxpayers of Thompson can support the football team from a financial standpoint. Mr. Johnston feels this financial support is the right thing to do and is long overdue.
Don Brown commented about concerns that the founders of the program would never come to the Board for funding of this program. PAL started the program in 1999 and never asked for funding and the football team is now going into its 9th season and PAL has supported the team through the entire time. Ellis has stepped up to help the program because they want this important program to continue. At this point, due to the growth and success of the program financial help is needed in order for it to continue. Mr. Brown stated he feels this funding request is worth it and would hope the Board would let the voters decide.
Eileen Witkowski, a life long resident of Thompson and taxpayer commented she supports the football program and hopes it would be supported as she would like to see it continue.
Tina Webber commented her son is in the football program and his grades have improved and he has shown interest in attending college. She feels this is due to his participation in the football team.
Tim Panteleakos, head football coach stated when the program started many years ago they went into it blind and did not know the extent to which the program would grow. The costs have increased since the program now has freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels and there is a need for two or three more coaches. Mr. Panteleakos thanked Mr. Johnston for showing his support of the football program and also thanked Mr. Brown and Tourtellotte for their support.
Andrew Charron noted he played on the football team from 2000-2004. He supports the program and says playing football had a positive impact on him and made him want to come to school.
Donna Lynch asked for a show of hands of those who were attending the meeting in support of football. Approximately 80% of those in attendance showed support for the football program.
William Witkowski stated the public needs to be there for the presentation before the Board of Finance on Thursday to support the school¹s proposed budget. If no support is shown the Board of Finance will cut the budget. Any factual information such as numbers of students participating should be made available to the Board of Finance members.
III. Committee Reports
A. Finance Review
William Witkowski reported on the Finance Review Committee meeting which was held at 6:30 p.m. At the present time, the budget is $186,000.00 negative but Excess Cost Grants should be requested from the Town once the definite figure is known. Once this money is requested the budget should then have a surplus available.
Motion by William Witkowski, seconded Jacklyn Bonneau to add Item ³H² Request for Excess Cost Money to the agenda as an action item. Passed‹Unanimous.
Mr. Witkowski reported the Cafeteria is doing okay. The Finance Committee discussed and considered participating in the Healthy Food Certification guidelines from the State. These guidelines were discussed last year and the policy is being followed now with the recent change to our policies regarding healthy foods and beverages. The Board would received ten cents per meal for a total of $15,000.00 extra revenue.
Tuitions accounts are in the negative but once Excess Cost money is received the accounts will be in the positive again.
B. Building Committee
Dr. Jolin reported the project is going very well. The principals have been working to compile lists of furniture and fixtures for the project. The agendas for the Building Committee are posted on the school web site. Donna Lynch suggested posting the agendas in each school. Dr. Jolin noted he updates all staff regarding the Building Project at the start of each Professional Development meeting. Ellen Corrado noted some teachers have expressed concern to her about how the classes will be arranged. Dr. Jolin responded individual teachers should talk with their principals about any concerns they may have.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to move Action Item ²E² Budget to this point in the agenda.
Dr. Jolin reviewed the proposed 2007-2008 Thompson Board of Education Budget.
Dr. Jolin stated he supports the football program and recommended to the Board that they keep the $8,000.00 earmarked for partial funding of the football program in the budget.
Jacklyn Bonneau stated Don Brown came to the Board many years ago and proposed the football program and stated the program would never cost the Board money. He then came before the Board a second time and again stated there would be no cost to the Board. Jacklyn Bonneau noted she has nothing against football but is against someone starting a program and assuring the Board there would never be a cost and then coming before the Board and requesting money. Donna Lynch reiterated that only partial funding is being requested. Jacklyn Bonneau asked about the possibility of the partial funding of $8,000.00 growing to a request of $12,000 or $20,000.00 next year or in the years to come. Patricia Donnelly noted the growth in the football program and the benefits of the program to students should be separate from what happened nine years ago.
Dr. Mignault, Athletic Director from Ellis Tech discussed the football program and its unique co-op features that make it a valuable program and a positive experience for students. Ellis Tech contributes financially to the coaching salaries, field maintenance and pays for all officials. This amounts to significantly more than $8,000.00. He urged Board members to consider the benefits of the program to the school and the students.
William Witkowski asked where the money provided by Ellis Tech comes from. Dr. Mignault noted the money comes from Ellis Tech¹s athletic budget. It was noted the funding for the athletic budget comes from the State of Connecticut.
Jacklyn Bonneau again stated she has nothing against football but she is against groups starting something on their own and then coming to the Board at a later date with requests for funding. She stated the Board does not have a policy to address this type of issue and if the Board says yes to this request it could open a door to others to do the same thing.
Donna Lynch asked for the cost per year to run the football program. Don Brown noted it cost approximately $30,000.00 per year to run the program.
Donna Lynch asked how much money Ellis Tech contributes to the program. It was noted that Ellis Tech contributes around $10,000.00--$12,000.00 to support the program.
Deb Spinelli stated for the last three years there has been $5,000.00 in her budget to support the football team and that money had been cut before her budge even made it to the Board for their consideration. There were 28 students who participated in the program last fall. Ms. Spinelli also noted Tourtellotte is the host team for the program.
James Webber thanked Don Brown for putting so much time into the program. Mr. Webber feels $8,000.00 not a lot compared with the other amounts being requested for other things in the budget.
Tim Panteleakos commented the program goes way beyond the game of football. The PAL program provides licensed teachers to tutor students who need academic help. He noted out of approximately 400 students who have been in the program only three have not gone on to graduate from high school.
Andrew Charron noted the time, effort and money Don Brown devoted to develop this program will not be duplicated by anyone and the Board should be concerned with what is happening right now and not something that may or may not occur ten years from now.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau to have the $8,000.00 for the football program removed from the budget. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Patricia Donnelly to accept the proposed 2007/2008 budget in the amount of $16,548,464.00. Passed‹Unanimous.
Barbara Lesniewski commented on the students in attendance this evening. They presented themselves well and should be commended. Donna Lynch noted she appreciated the students coming tonight in support of teammates and the football program.
IV. Educational Up-Date
A. Superintendent¹s 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 Board¹s packet for their review.
Dr. Jolin reported the Middle School 8th grade team conducts a personalized mentoring program for students at academic risk. A teacher is assigned to individual students as a personal mentor. Nine out of ten students in the mentoring program are passing. .
Names Can Hurt Us‹Stephen Mitchell
Mr. Pisaturo read a letter from Mr. Mitchell regarding the recent Names Can Hurt Us program held at the High School.
Deb Spinelli commented all students in any given situation are the target, perpetrator, bystander or ally. Students realized how they fit into each situation. It was a very moving and emotional presentation and was very valuable to students and staff.
Introduction of Valedictorian and Co-Salutatorians
Mr. Pisaturo introduced Kari Carpenter, Valedictorian and Kerri Kitka and Jennifer Krogul, Co-Salutatorians.
V. Action Items
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by William Witkowski to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2007 Board of Education Meeting. Passed‹Ellen Corrado and Patricia Donnelly abstained.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by William Witkowski to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2007 Special Budget Meeting. Passed‹Patricia Donnelly, Ellen Corrado and Jayne Robbins abstained.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to accept the retirement of Carol Delage, High School English Teacher with gratitude and sincere thanks. Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Jayne Robbins to approve Middle College Magnet High School Participation. The cost of the program was discussed. It was explained the $1,000.00 is good faith money and the $12,500.00 cost per student is anticipated to be covered by a grant. It was noted this is an alternative program with an interdisciplinary focus for students who are in the mainstream but who do not test well and are not thriving in school. Passed‹Unanimous.
Participation in the Healthy Food Certification was discussed. William Witkowski noted the guidelines are being followed at this time. Fundraising can continue but parents will have to pick up food items as they cannot be given to students directly. Mr. Witkowski noted there is more information on this program now than when it was first proposed. This certification prohibits selling unhealthy foods to students during the school day and on the school grounds. It does not prohibit from serving food to students, just selling to them. Adhering to this certification will bring in $15,000.00 in additional revenue to the school lunch program.
Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to approve the Healthy Food Certification. Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Ellen Corrado to approve the School Calendar for 2007/2008 as presented. Discussion was held concerning the half day before Thanksgiving and the last three days of school which are half days. Discussion was held concerning the building project and its impact on the calendar. The motion was amended to include a stipulation that the Superintendent have discretion to declare the possibility of two additional half days systemwide or for each individual school as needed for purposes of moving as it relates to the Building Project. It was noted the small print in the lower left hand corner of the calendar has incorrect dates, possibly dates left over from last year¹s calendar that were not changed. The paragraph should read as follows: ³However, if by February 15, five instructional days have been cancelled, those days in excess of five may be eliminated form the April vacation, beginning with Monday, April 14th and working forward to Friday, April 18th². Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by Patricia Donnelly, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to approve the non-renewal of non-tenured teachers for budgetary reasons. Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to instruct the Superintendent as official designee to request Excess Cost Money due to the Board from the Town for the year 06/07 once said amount has been determined. Passed‹Unanimous.
VI. CITIZENS COMMENTS
Mr. Keefe commented on the non-renewal letters. He noted the letters did not indicate they were issued for budgetary reasons. These letters create a horrible moral program and effects many teachers negatively. Discussion was held and the letters will be further reviewed and discussed at the April meeting. It was suggested to recall some of the letters sooner rather than later. William Witkowski suggested obtaining an opinion from the attorney regarding the letters and the correct procedure to follow.
Carol Rosetti stated she feels the timing of the letters is poor due to the CMT¹s being conducted at the time the letters are received.
Carol Rosetti stated a variety show hosted by the Middle School and Elementary School will be held next Friday.
Carol Rosetti stated TEA hosted their 9th annual bedtime stories recently and thanked all the volunteers who helped with the event.
VII. Board of Education Comments
Patricia Donnelly commented on the recent TNT event. She felt it was wonderfully done and Gabrielle Rossetti was a great MC. It was a very nice evening and she was very pleased with the program.
William Witkowski noted everyone should be breathing a little easier these days since Thompson¹s Indoor Air Quality Committee is in its third year and has done quite a bit of work. He thanked all those involved in the Committee.
Gabrielle Rosetti reported a spaghetti dinner was held recently and $1,300.00 was raised for the senior class.
Jayne Robbins note the yearbook is now doing well and a significant number of ads have been sold.
Ellen Corrado asked if flowers have been sent to Mrs. Groh. Dr. Jolin noted a number of things have been done in house to help support the Groh family.
Next month¹s agenda:
· Budget Update
· Revisit non tenured list
· Update on yearbook
· Educational programs for drug and alcohol abuse
· Graduation date and location
· Intermediary Disciplinary Alternatives
VIII. Executive Session‹Collective Bargaining/Personnel/Contract
IX. Action as a Result of Executive Session
X. Adjournment.
Motion by William Witkowski, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to adjourn the meeting. Passed‹Unanimous.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Roberta Baublitz
Recording Secretary
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