THOMPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION
THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
7:00 p.m.
I.
Call
to Order and Roll Call
Chairperson Donna Lynch called the meeting to
order at 7:02 p.m.
Members
Present:
Members Absent:
Laurence
Consiglio
James Kenney
Jayne Robbins Josh Cusak,
Student
Liaison
William Witkowski
Jacklyn Bonneau
Christopher Eichner
Ellen Corrado
Patricia Donnelly
Donna Lynch
Also present was Michael Jolin, Beverly Caparco,
Marna Hasz, Bill Birch, Barbara Lesniewksi, Noveline Beltram, Dennis Gentilli,
Ronald Springer, Deb Spinelli, Joseph Lindley, Thomas Angelo, members of the
public, employees of the Board of Education, members of the press.
II.
Citizens
Comments
Barbara Lesniewski reminded the Board about the
need for an additional nurse especially in light of the new building opening
soon. Mrs. Lesniewski reported the number of students visiting the
nursesı office has increased and the time it takes to serve each child has
increased since the nursing department is understaffed.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by Laurence
Consiglio to add the nursing position to the agenda as an action item. MotionPassedUnanimous.
Val Krogel presented the Board with cookies from
the Thompson Education Association in honor of National Education Day.
Pamela Pudsey stated she is concerned about
students in third through eighth grade and their CMT scores. Mrs. Pudsey stated
she researched the scores on the internet and found that of the 714 students in
those grade 137 are in the below basic level in reading and 81 students are in
the basic level. Mrs. Pudsey wanted to know what the Board is
asking the Administrators to do about those students. Donna Lynch responded
the Administrators did report on the percentages to the Board in September and
presented plans to address this issue. Students will be tracked
from grade to grade with new software. Each school is focusing on test
score data and Dr. Ladd from Boston College is helping focus on
data. In addition, the reading programs will be updated and a
reading consultant, Dr. Adams, is available to assist both in the Elementary
School and Middle School. Dr. Jolin stated Administrators are taking
these issues seriously. Mrs. Pudsey noted she is more concerned about the
reading abilities of students since if students have difficulty reading they
canıt learn in other subjects.
Mrs. Pudsey stated she also researched the
Special Ed population in the school system and found it is so low within the
district it doesnıt show up as a subgroup. Donna Lynch responded the State
doesnıt look at the entire school together but rather groups the 3rd and 4th grade and Middle School
separately.
Mrs. Pudsey asked if the Middle School receives
Tile I funds and if so, does tutoring need to be provided? Dr. Jolin
stated this is regarding adequate yearly progress and whether we are required
to provide tutoring and based on the State regulations. Dr. Jolin noted
because we are not a Title I school in need of intervention we are not required
to provide tutoring by State Law but we are doing it anyway. Mrs. Pudsey
stated she is concerned that the problem is in the Elementary School and those
students are reaching Middle School and need extra help. She wanted to know
what is being done at the Elementary School to help those students before they
enter Middle School. Dr. Jolin responded these issues will be
discussed at the Board level.
Karen Heath informed the Board that she has
filed a complaint against the Board with the State of Connecticut. She
noted she has asked for help and assistance with her daughter several times and
was denied.
Donna Lynch welcomed new Board member
Christopher Eichner. Donna Lynch recognized and thanked Jayne Robbins for
her service to the Board as this will be her last Board meeting. James
Kenney is also leaving the Board and Mrs. Lynch thanked Mr. Kenney for his
years of service to the Board. Mrs. Lynch noted William Witkowski has
been re-elected and Joseph Lindley and Thomas Angelo will join the Board as new
members next month. Dr. Jolin presented a certificate of
appreciation to Jayne Robbins for her years of service. Jayne Robbins responded
she has learned a great deal professionally and appreciates the thanks and will
miss everyone.
III. Committee
Reports
A.
Finance Review
No meeting was held.
B.
Goals Committee
Jayne Robbins reported the Goals Committee
met prior to the Board meeting and will continue to meet to work on goals for
the Board.
C.
Building Committee
William Witkowski reported the furniture has
been ordered and the project is moving along. The Early Childhood Center is
projected to open on schedule. A Certificate of Occupancy should be
issued on or about November 27 or 28. Plans right now call for moving
during the Christmas break. Laurence Consiglio asked how Administration
is going to be handled once the move it made. Dr. Jolin responded a plan
for Administration will be implemented and those involved will be notified
prior to the move.
Discussion was held regarding the Board having a
tour of the Early Childhood Center prior to the next meeting. It was decided
the Finance Review committee will meet at 5:30, the Goals Committee will meet
at 6:00 and the tour will begin at 6:30. Bill Birch stated only Board
members will be able to take the tour unless a Certificate of Occupancy has
been issued.
Jacklyn Bonneau asked if the after school grant
has been received. Dr. Jolin stated no grants have been received as of
yet.
IV.
Educational Up-Date
A.
Superintendentıs
Report
Enrollment/Class Sizes
Dr. Jolin presented information concerning the
current enrollment numbers. Laurence Consiglio asked about drop outs in
High School. Dr. Jolin stated he has decided to meet with each student
who drops out of school to work with them on alternatives.
Newsletter
Dr. Jolin presented a proposed newsletter for
the Thompson Public Schools which will be sent to members of the community.
The cost to produce is .10 to .12 cents for color plus mailing charges or .5
cents for black and white. Discussion was held. The final version
will be doubled sided or printed on larger paper to save money and mailing
costs. The consensus of the Board is this newsletter should be sent to
members of the community. Patricia Donnelly suggested the first
newsletter be printed in color and the ones after that in black and white. The
timing of the mailings was discussed. It was also noted the focus of each
newsletter will be different and will highlight the different schools at
different times throughout the year. The Board should send
comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter to Dr. Jolin.
Administration, Operations and
Maintenance
Administration, Operations and Maintenance
reports were provided in the Boardıs packet for their review.
Update on Reading Programs
The Board was provided with copies of the report
regarding the reading programs. A detailed presentation will be conducted
at the next Board meeting. William Witkowski stated he wants to see what
the certification requirements are for each reading program and what teachers
are certified to teach those programs.
Gymnastics
Motion by Jayne Robbins,
seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to move approval of gymnastics to action
items. MotionPassedUnanimous.
Revised Tenure List
Dr. Jolin distributed the revised tenure
list. Laurence Consiglio asked for a list of the dates non tenured
teachers will become tenured. Dr. Jolin will provide this
information.
Graduation by Proficiency
Mr. Mitchell asked that this item be tabled
until the next meeting.
Expulsion/Suspension Reports
Dr. Jolin reported the school district was among
43 school districts identified by the State of having suspension/expulsion
rates that were too high. A plan of action regarding this issue was
submitted to the State. A letter of commendation from the State was
received regarding the plan and the State asked to use our plan as a model to
other districts. A district wide committee will be implemented to review
the discipline code and to come up with alternatives to suspension. Jayne
Robbins asked about number of students who participate in Saturday
school. Val Krogul responded four or five students have
participated in Saturday school. Donna Lynch asked if there have been
students attending more than one Saturday school. Val Krogul responded
there was one student but that student attended twice due to a
miscommunication. Mrs. Krogul reported there is plenty of work to do
during Saturday school and she does not think students are going to be eager to
come back once they attend one session.
NECASA Survey Samples
Dr. Jolin distributed NECASA drug survey
samples. Dr. Jolin noted a possibility of a $1,000.00 grant if we
administer the survey. Information regarding the validity of the survey
results was provided to the Board. Jacklyn Bonneau asked what the Board
will do with the data. NECASA will analyze the data and provide
recommendations to the Board on ways to proceed based on the data.
Motion by Patricia Donnelley seconded by Jayne
Robbins to add the NECASA survey to the agenda as an action item. MotionPassedUnanimous.
Residency Information
Dr. Jolin provided residency information and
State law regarding residency requirements.
Update of Transportation RFP
Dr. Jolin noted he is proceeding with the
Transportation RFP and is working on finalizing the request. This request
should go out within the next month.
Building Project Update
Dr. Jolin reported the Building Committee
continues to meet every two weeks and the Early Childhood Center is on schedule
to open next month.
Dr. Jolin noted he is researching the science
labs to determine which labs are operational.
Jacklyn Bonneau asked about the status of the
High School Science teacher. Dr. Jolin responded a teacher with the exact
certifications could not be found so some staff members have agreed to teach in
areas they did not prefer but were certified in. All certified staff are
now in place
V.
Action Items
Motion by Jayne Robbins,
seconded by William Witkowski to correct the agenda to reflect the Board would
be approving the minutes from the October 9, 2007 meeting, not the September
10, 2007 meeting as listed. Motion--Passed-- Unanimous.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by William
Witkowski to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2007 Regular Board of
Education Meeting. It was noted the studentıs last name who spoke in
Citizens Comments should be listed as Hanford. The motion was amended to
reflect this change. Motion--Passed--Patricia Donnelly and Ellen Corrado
abstained.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau,
seconded by Ellen Corrado to approve the 2008 Board of Education meeting dates
with the changes as follows: the January meeting should be Monday, January 14,
2008 and the November meeting should be Monday, November 10, 2008. Motion--Passed--Unanimous.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau,
seconded by William Witkowski to approve appointment of Valerie Krogul as
mentor. Motion--Passed--Unanimous.
Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by
Jacklyn Bonneau to approve posting and advertising of nursing position and
hiring a nurse to start January 1, 2008 pending available funds. Motion--Passed--Unanimous.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau, seconded by William
Witkowski to approve the gymnastics team of one as presented. Motion--Passed--Unanimous.
Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by Jayne
Robbins to authorize proceeding with the NECASA survey. It was noted this
survey will be conducted at no cost and the Board will receive recommendations
from NECASA based on survey results. Motion--Passed--Unanimous.
VI.
Correspondence
A letter of commendation from Brian J. Cunnane
of the Connecticut State Department of Education to Dr. Jolin dated November 1,
2007 was included in the Boardıs packets for review.
A letter to Dr. Jolin dated October 23, 2007
from Lisa Steimer at CABE regarding new board member orientation and leadership
workshops was included in the Boardıs packets for review.
Donna Lynch read a letter from the Town Clerk
regarding the Freedom of Information Act and the requirements for posting
meeting schedules and when meetings can be scheduled.
VII.
CITIZENS
COMMENTS
Barbara Lesniewski thanked the Board for
approving the nursing position and for continuing to be concerned with the care
of the students.
Barbara Lesniewski reported the recent
evacuation exercise held at the schools went smoothly and all involved should
be congratulated for their efforts.
Pamela Pudsey asked about the upcoming reading
program presentation and asked if the number of teachers certified in the
programs will be provided. Dr. Jolin noted this information will be
provided at the next Board meeting.
Pamela Pudsey asked about the status of the
psychologist position. Dr. Jolin responded the filling of this position
continues to be a challenge. Outreach to local colleges has been
conducted and the recruitment will continue to try to fill this position.
Pamela Pudsey asked how PPTıs can be considered
legal without a school psychologist participating. Marna Hasz responded a
school psychologist is not required for a PPT. Mrs. Hasz noted she is certified
as a school psychologist and can provide assistance if required. In addition,
Mrs. Chapin is continuing to help and is available by phone when she is not
able to be present at meeting.
Jody Houghton asked about the recent issue of an
odor at the High School. She stated a parent tried to call the High School for
information but was denied any information. Dr. Jolin stated information
should have been given out if it was available and he will check on this
situation to find out what happened.
Thomas Angelo asked about the process for
notifying parents in the event of an emergency or unanticipated early
dismissal. Dr. Jolin responded a calling system is in place and families can be
added to the system for a $3.00 fee. If a family cannot afford the fee then
arrangements can be made.
VIII. Board of
Education Comments
Laurence Consiglio thanked Jayne Robbins for all
of her hard work as a Board member.
Next monthıs agenda:
·
Board and
citizens tour of new building pending CO
·
Drop outs
at the High School
·
Reading
presentation
·
Graduation
by proficiency
·
Tenure list
·
List of
teachers certified in reading programs
·
After
school grant
·
Board
elections
·
Update on
Newsletter
Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by
William Witkowski to move to Executive Session. MotionPassedUnanimous.
The Board went into Executive Session at 8:47
p.m.
IX.
Executive
SessionCollective Bargaining/Personnel Litigation
X.
Action
as a Result of Executive Session
The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:29
p.m.
Discussion was held regarding adding one more
agenda item to the next meeting. The Board would like to discuss the idea of
having more than one student representative from the High School.
X.
Adjournment.
Motion by Laurence Consiglio, seconded by
Christopher Eichner to adjourn the meeting. MotionPassed--Unanimous.
There being no further business the meeting was
adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Roberta Baublitz
Recording Secretary
:rjb