THOMPSON BOARD OF
EDUCATION
TOURTELLOTTE MEMORIAL
HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER
Thursday, February 14,
2008
7:00 p.m.
I. Call
to Order and Roll Call
Chairperson Donna
Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members Present: Members
Absent:
Donna Lynch Patricia
Donnelly
Ellen Corrado-arrived
at 7:10 p.m.
Laurence Consiglio
Jacklyn Bonneau
William Witkowski
Christopher Eichner
Thomas Angelo-left at
8:05 p.m.
Joseph Lindley
Josh Cusak, Student
Liaison
Also present was Michael
Jolin, Beverly Caparco, Ronald Springer, Penny
Hebert, Dennis
Gentilli, Marna Hasz, Noveline Beltram, Kerry Tetreault,
Bill Birch, Barbara
Lesniewski, members of the public, employees of the
Board of Education,
members of the press.
II. Citizens
Comments
Mrs. Quercia invited
the Board to the Elementary School Read Across
America event which
will be held Thursday, March 6, 2008.
Donna Lynch welcomed
Josh Cusak, Student Liaison to the Board.
III. Committee
Reports
A. Finance
Review
William Witkowski
reported on the recent Finance Review Committee
meeting. The current
budget has a surplus of $2,567.27 at this time.
The cafeteria account
continues to be monitored monthly. The Committee
did not get a tuition
account report to review. Marna Hasz reported
there have been recent
placements and currently the account is
$90,000.00 negative
however she stated excess cost reimbursement should
more than cover this
deficit.
B. Goals.
Donna Lynch reported
the Goals Committee met and nominated Joseph
Lindley as Chair.
Dr. Jolin noted the Goals Committee has made it a
priority to complete
the District's strategic plan.
IV. Recreation
Department Presentation (Renee Waldron, Director)
The presentation
regarding the recreation department has been postponed.
V. Educational
Up-Date
A. Superintendent's
Report
Dr. Jolin discussed
the recent media reports regarding tensions between
Tourtellotte and New
London. Dr. Jolin stated very positive
communications have
been conducted between the two schools and they are
working together to
try to prevent further tensions at sporting events.
Dr. Jolin thanked the
parents and students of Thompson for their
patience and support
during this time.
Dr. Jolin apologized
to anyone who was inconvenienced due to the recent
fire drill during the
pouring rain. Dr. Jolin stated this was not a
drill however as a
science teacher was performing an experiment which
caused the alarm to be
activated.
Enrollment/Class Sizes
Dr. Jolin presented
information concerning the current enrollment
numbers and class
sizes.
Administration,
Operations and Maintenance
The Administration
report and Operations and Maintenance report was
included in the
Board's packet for their review. Issues with the new
building regarding
sound levels in the multi purpose room and
temperature levels in
other areas of the building are being addressed.
Preliminary Special
Education Referral Study
Dr. Jolin presented
the preliminary special education referral study.
Dr. Jolin noted this study
is to help identify gaps in terms of students
who have needs and the
services they receive. Each principal was asked
to document every
student who was referred to a CST and then identify
the outcomes, what
interventions were used, and which students were
referred to PPT's.
A recent grant received through the Graustein
foundation and the
State of CT will allow a more detailed analysis to be
compiled.
Jacklyn Bonneau asked for information on how many students
ended up not receiving
any accommodations after they were referred to a
CST.
Budget/Santerre
Analysis
Dr. Jolin presented a
report by Dr. Santerre regarding per pupil
expenditures in
Thompson as well as 100 other school districts in
Connecticut.
This report compares Thompson and the other districts
using several
different variables. On average Thompson spends about
$900.00 less per pupil
given our demographics. The Board is in the
process of reviewing
this information as they prepare the upcoming
budget.
3 A's Middle School
Project
Mr. Springer presented
an overview the Middle School 3 A's project.
(Achieve, Advance and
Attend).
Jacklyn Bonneau asked
for an explanation of the improvements made to the
attendance system and
the communications with home. Mr. Springer
explained in the past
letters were sent home with students when they
reached a large number
of unexcused absences and now parents are alerted
when a student reaches
a certain number of unexcused and excused
absences.
Communications with parents occurs about 16 times throughout
the school year with
respect to the progress of student's academics as
well as attendance.
Christopher Eichner
asked how absences are handled. Mr. Springer noted
the parents are called
when a student is not in school on any given day.
Mr. Springer explained
the State identifies four unexcused absences in
one month or ten in
one year as a truancy.
Mr. Springer noted
that out of the 27 students invited to participate in
this program 12
students participated.
Homework in the Middle
School was discussed. Josh Cusak stated although
he feels homework
helps some students he feels some teachers need to
re-evaluate how they
assign their homework. Some teachers assign the
next section to be
read as homework but some students are not going to
understand the content
unless it is explained by the teacher.
Dr. Jolin noted the
current grading system in the Middle School places a
large emphasis on
homework since students are graded on their homework.
However many students
don't have the help and resources at home and
don't do well on the
homework and those are the students who need the
most assistance.
William Witkowski agrees and stated there are many
households with two
parents working and a reasonable amount of homework
should be considered.
Laurence Consiglio asked if the grading of late
homework is being
reviewed. Mr. Springer said this is something that
does need to be
reviewed and it is going to be addressed through
professional
development with the faculty.
Tenure List
Dr. Jolin presented
the revised tenure list. Laurence Consiglio stated
he is concerned about
how teachers are evaluated before they become
tenured. The
process for these evaluations was discussed. Dr. Jolin
noted observations are
done and documented and the principals write
reports and
evaluations and make recommendations for non renewal if
necessary.
Any faculty member who is not going to have their contract
renewed must be
notified by April 1.
Jackyln Bonneau asked
if there is a problem with re-certification due to
a lack of first aid
training in the Elementary School. Dr. Hebert
responded that under
the NEYAC accreditation there are ten standards and
nine of those
standards were met. The standard not met is a requirement
that every single
classroom has someone certified in pediatric first aid
and CPR. Dr.
Hebert explained she is trying to find someone to provide
the first aid training
to the staff. NEYAC deferred the accreditation
and allowed up to five
years to meet this standard. Dr. Hebert stated
she hopes to have this
issue addressed before the end of the current
school year.
Dr. Hebert noted this lack of accreditation can affect
the ability for the
District to receive some grants if not rectified.
Dr. Jolin noted the
staff is trained in CPR but not in pediatric first
aid.
VI. Action
Items
Motion by Jacklyn
Bonneau, seconded by William Witkowski to approve the
minutes of the January
23, 2008 Regular Board of Education Meeting. It
was noted the
strategic planning workshop will not be held this
Saturday, February 16,
2008. Motion-Passed. Ellen Corrado abstained.
Motion by William
Witkowski, seconded by Laurence Consiglio to approve
the minutes of the
January 28, 2008 Budget Workshop Meeting.
Motion-Passed. Jacklyn
Bonneau abstained.
Motion by William
Witkowski, seconded by Thomas Angelo to approve the
minutes of the January
29, 2008 Budget Workshop Meeting. Motion-Passed.
Jacklyn Bonneau
abstained.
Motion by Christopher
Eichner, seconded by Jacklyn Bonneau to accept the
resignation of Susan
Musgrove, Bus Driver. Motion-Passed-Unanimous.
Motion by Jacklyn
Bonneau, seconded by Christopher Eichner to accept,
with regret, the
resignation of Barbara Godzik, Executive Administrative
Assistant.
Motion-Passed-Unanimous.
Motion by Jacklyn Bonneau,
seconded by Christopher Eichner to approve
the long term
disability request of Erica Groh, in accordance with
Section C, Page 12 of
the contract of the teacher's union.
Motion-Passed-Unanimous.
Motion by Laurence
Consiglio, seconded by William Witkowski to not
approve the bus bid as
presented. Dr. Jolin discussed the procedure for
advertising this bid.
Discussion was held. It was noted one bid was
received. The
revised calculations were distributed to the Board. It
would cost $90,000.00
more overall for five years to the Board and the
Town to continue to
provide bus services as it is now provided.
Beverly Caparco noted
this proposal includes the cost of purchasing two
busses per year.
Donna Lynch also noted at the end of the five year
contract if the Board
decided to start up doing the busing again in
house they would not
own any buses as the contract calls for the outside
company to purchase
the buses. Sally White asked if the bus bid was
limited to only those
companies that would agree to purchase the
existing fleet.
Beverly Caparco noted one of the requirements in the
bus bid was that the
company purchases the existing fleet but alternate
bid was also available
if the company requested it.
Motion-Passed--Unanimous.
Dr. Jolin presented
different options for the Board to consider
regarding the upcoming
budget. The cost to replicate existing programs
and maintain the new
building includes a total increase of $1.356
million or an 8.9%
increase. The cost to provide additional new
supplies textbooks,
equipment and technology would include a total
increase of $1.752
million or an 11.4% increase. The cost to maintain
current programs and
staffing and to not fill any existing positions
that are vacant that
have been approved by the Board such as the
custodian, nurse, two
vacant paraprofessional positions and not
purchasing any new
technology or supplies which would amount to $1.2
million or a 7.9%
increase. The cost to fill new positions that are
needed would include a
total increase of $1.965 million or a 15.2%
increase and the total
of that proposal along with additional supplies
would be $2.3 million
or a 15.4% increase.
Christopher Eichner
stated he feels very comfortable with the
maintenance of the
status quo at this time. He asked for anticipated
additional State
revenues and figures for the health care packages. Dr.
Jolin stated the State
revenues will not be known for some time and firm
health care figures
are not yet known at this time. Beverly Caparco is
conducting research on
the cost for self funding of the health
insurance.
Concern was expressed that the Board needs to offer
comparable coverage to
what is in place right now. Beverly Caparco
stated she met with
Anthem and has requested a quote. Jacklyn Bonneau
asked about the three
paraprofessionals and whether or not those
positions are mandated
by special education. It was noted any
paraprofessionals
eliminated would not be in positions that are mandated
by special education.
Jacklyn Bonneau expressed concern over losing any
paraprofessionals
positions regardless of whether they are mandated by
special education or
not.
Jacklyn Bonneau asked
about any anticipated teacher retirements. No
teacher retirements
are contemplated at this time. Jacklyn Bonneau
expressed concern that
half a mil increase is needed just for the
maintenance of the new
building as compared to the average mil increases
that have been
approved by voters in the past. William Witkowski stated
it is the Board's job
is to present the needs of the students and to
present a budget that
the District needs to operate. Laurence Consiglio
stated he agrees and
that the needs of the students need to be conveyed
to the community and
the budget should reflect the needs of the
District.
Motion by Jacklyn
Bonneau to approve the original budget request as
presented for a total
of $1.356 million for an increase of 8.9%. Motion
failed for lack of a
second.
Ellen Corrado asked
Dr. Jolin's opinion on which budget he would
recommend. Dr. Jolin
responded in order to move the District forward
then the budget which
includes the additional positions is what he would
recommend because
those positions are needed.
Motion by William
Witkowski, seconded by Ellen Corrado to approve a
total budget of
$17,685,783.00 for a total increase of 15.4% recognizing
this figure does
represent a 3 mil increase but also reflects the needs
of the District. A
roll call vote was taken: Christopher Eichner-no;
Laurence
Consiglio-yes; William Witkowski-yes; Joseph Lindley-yes;
Jacklyn Bonneau-no;
Ellen Corrado-yes; Donna Lynch-yes. Motion Passed.
Jody Houghton asked
about the need for in school suspension teachers for
each of the three
separate schools. Dr. Jolin stated it is not a good
idea to mix the age
and grade levels of students and therefore there
needs to be a teacher
in all three schools. Christopher Eichner asked
for the numbers of
students who would be served by in school suspension.
Dr. Jolin will provide
this information.
Joseph Lindley asked
about how costly items such as the track will be
handled. It was
noted the capital budget currently has two buses
listed. William
Witkowski asked if any creative financing is available
for the track
replacement. Discussion was held. It was the consensus
of the Board to add
the track replacement to the capital budget request.
Christopher Eichner
expressed concern that the Board needs to have a
firm number for the
replacement of the track in order to place it on the
capital budget list.
Dr. Jolin stated if the Board wants they can
direct him to go out
to bid for the track replacement. Discussion was
held. The consensus of
the Board is to have Dr. Jolin to go out to bid
for the track
replacement.
After discussion it
was decided the Board would meet on Tuesday, March
4, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
in Middle School Media Center to review the budget
proposal prior to the
presentation to the Board of Finance. Donna Lynch
noted the Board of
Finance will meet on Thursday, March 5, 2008 and
expressed displeasure
on the scheduling of the Read Across America event
for that event.
The Board constantly asks that no events be scheduled
for Thursdays in March
due to budget preparations and the need for
parent participation
in those meetings.
Joseph Lindley
suggesting forming a joint committee to investigate the
handling of the
Tourtellotte Fund once that fund is turned over to the
Town. A
letter will be sent to the Chair of the Board of Finance
regarding forming this
committee.
VII. Correspondence
A letter from NEASC to
Mr. Mitchell dated January 28, 2008 was included
in the Board's packets
for their review.
VIII. CITIZENS
COMMENTS
Gail St. Lawrence
stated there is a long term substitute in place for a
teacher who is on
medical leave and that substitute will be soon removed
and she would like to
try to prevent this from happening since the
students love her and
consistency in the classroom is very important.
Dr. Jolin stated there
is a certification issue with this substitute as
well as another
substitute in the system and he has filed appeals and
requested variances
with the Connecticut Department of Education.
Sally White asked Dr.
Jolin if he challenged any items requested by
administrators when
they prepared their budget requests. Dr. Jolin
stated he has a great
deal of discussions with the administrators and
items were deleted
prior to the budget coming to the Board.
Sally White asked
about the accuracy of the cost of a small bus vs. a
larger bus as the
costs are almost the same. Dr. Jolin noted the cost
of the buses is
accurate.
Victoria Rosetti,
student at Tourtellotte, asked the Board to keep in
mind it is not just
about the money when preparing a budget and asked
that they take a
careful look at the programs and how they impact the
students before making
any cuts.
Kathleen Lewis
commended the Board for supporting a budget which
reflects the true
needs of the District. Mrs. Lewis emphasized the need
for a good turnout at
the Board of Finance meetings to show support for
the Board of Education
budget.
Donna Lynch noted
there are opportunities when the public can speak and
times when the public
cannot speak at Board of Finance meetings. The
time for dialog is
during the Budget Hearing and not the Budget Workshop
although attendance at
the Budget Workshop shows support.
Karen Heath noted
there have been ongoing issues with New London and not
just the one recent
event.
IX. Board
of Education Comments
Motion by Christopher
Eichner to adjourn. Motion failed for lack of a
second.
Joseph Lindley asked
if Dr. Jolin is familiar with the history of issues
between Thompson and
New London. Dr. Jolin stated he is aware of the
history and that is
being addressed during the discussions.
Next month's agenda:
* Report
regarding suspension numbers
* Reading
program in Elementary School
* PPT
policy
* Math
in the 2nd grade (report on students who are struggling).
* Track
replacement bids update
* Numbers
for Special Ed teacher class size in the High School
* Budget
update
* Self
insured update
* Foundation
information
Ellen Corrado thanked
the students and parents who took time to attend
this evening's Board
meeting. Ellen Corrado thanked Jody Houghton for
her work with the TPQE
and Donna Lynch thanked Kyle for his work in
taping the budget
meeting.
X. Executive
Session-Collective Bargaining/Personnel Litigation
None.
XI. Action
as a Result of Executive Session
None.
X. Adjournment.
Motion by Christopher
Eichner, seconded by William Witkowski to adjourn
the meeting.
Motion-Passed--Unanimous.
There being no further
business the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Roberta Baublitz
Recording Secretary
:rjb