Regular Meeting
February 25, 2008
7:30 P.M.
Board Members Present: Carol Coley-Vice Chairperson, Linda Green, Lisa
Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann arrived at 7:40 p.m., and Nelson
Petrone-Chairman
Board Members Absent: Paula Belekewicz
Administration Present: Richard
Saddlemire, Francine Coss, and Jean Trask
Staff Present: Cheryl Parrott, Heather Montanile, Marian
Lowry, Laurel Albair, Laura Lawton, Shannon Piatek, Madeline Skinner, and
Justin VanGelder
Citizens Present: Stacy Parla, Maryellen Fritz, Connie
Medeiros, Kerry Hoffman, Wendy Pallas, Patti Ritchie
I.
Call to Order
Chairman
Nelson Petrone called the February 25, 2008 regular meeting to order at 7:32
p.m.
Change
to agenda:
C. Coley MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED
to amend the agenda to add an executive session for the purpose of
personnel discussion.
MOTION CARRIES 5-0
II.
Approval of February 4, 2008 Regular Meeting
Minutes - Take Action
L. Green MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED
to approve the February 4, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes
as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
III.
Approval of February 11, 2008 Public Budget
Hearing Meeting Minutes - Take Action
C. Coley MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED
to approve the February 11, 2008 Public Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes as
presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
IV.
Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board
#9300) - None
Time allotted for public participation–30 minutes, time allotted for an
individual speaker–3 minutes
V.
Correspondence/Communications/Information
A.
Willimantic Chronicle Album Saturday Special – Hope Sternat, Grade 3
& Evan Shannon, Grade 1 H.W. Porter Students
Mrs. Coley congratulated Hope and
Evan for being published in the Saturday Album.
B.
Parents
Want Full-Day Kindergarten – 2/1/08 Reminder News
C.
Lawyer
Advised Superintendent to Complain – 02/04/08 Willimantic Chronicle
D.
Board
Puts Off School Chief Contract Vote – 02/05/08 Willimantic Chronicle
E.
All-Day
Kindergarten Approved – 02/07/08 Willimantic Chronicle
F.
Full-Day
Kindergarten Approved – 02/08/08 Reminder News
G.
01/24/08
H.
Mrs.
Kate Starkey to the
I.
Dr.
Saddlemire to Mr. Gary Horton – Letter of Retirement Acceptance
V. Correspondence/Communications/Information
- continued
J.
Extended
School Day and Year Are Under Review Across the Country – 02/2008 School Reform
News
K.
2/12/08
Fiscal Policy Board Meeting Minutes
L.
The
Nutmeg Board Deals with Non-Renewal of a Principal’s Contract – CABE Journal
M.
Legal
Briefs: Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights – CABE Journal
N.
Mrs.
Coss, Principal, to Porter Parents – 02/15/08 CMT Student Score Report
Information
VI. Presentations
A.
Mr. Szegda was not able to attend
this meeting. His presentation will be
rescheduled.
B.
Mrs. Coss introduced each Cadre
member: Data Cadre Leader Laura Lawton, Laurel Albair, Heather Montanile,
Shannon Piatek, Madeline Skinner, Jean Trask, and Justin VanGelder. Mrs. Skinner overviewed the characteristics
and implementation strategies for the four 3DM development model phases of
Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing.
Mrs. Lawton reviewed the data cadre and data teams’ progress to date. Mrs. Albair updated the Board on training and
staff development on full and early dismissal days. Mrs. Montanile and Mr. VanGelder gave
examples of student impacts and Ms. Piatek informed the Board of the plan for
moving forward. Mrs. Coss summarized the
presentation by quoting Dennis Spark, “The image of the future would be a group
of teachers sitting around a table talking about their students’ work, learning
and asking “What do we need to do differently to get the work we would like
from the kids?”. The Data Cadre will
give the Board an end of the year update in June.
Dr. Saddlemire thanked this
enthusiastic and well-defined leadership cadre for the great strides they are
making in the Data Driven Decision Making process. Board members thanked the cadre for all their
hard work.
VII.
Financial Review
A. Payment of Bills - Ms. Parrott provided answers to Board members questions.
VIII. Reports/Discussion
A. Board of Education
Chairperson
1. How Media Centers Are
Important to Academics, The Board Report Vol.
2. Principal’s CMT and Writing
Prompt Letter to Porter Parents – Mr. Petrone said it was a great idea to send each student’s
work home.
B. Board of Education
Subcommittees
1. March 19, 2008 – Budget
Presentation to FIPAC
C. Superintendent’s Report
1. Area Substitute Pay Rates – Dr. Saddlemire handed out
substitute pay survey information for local and area DERG C towns. The Board agreed that
2. Budget Update – Dr. Saddlemire’s budget presentation
gives more detail on curriculum goals. The
approved budget will be sent to the Board of Selectmen and FIPAC.
3. 2008/2009
IX. Action Items/Discussion
A. 2008/2009
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED
to accept the 2008/2009 Columbia Board of Education draft 6 budget as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
B. Policy 9325 Meeting Conduct – Second Reading
W. Mulcahy MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED
to table this item for discussion at the next Policy subcommittee meeting.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
X. Future Agenda Items
·
·
High
school student information
XI. Board of Education Member
Comments
Mrs. Jurovaty
is impressed with this evening’s presentation and the way Data Driven Decision
Making is being used in a wonderful and creative way.
XII. Executive Session for the
Purpose of Personnel Discussion
C. Coley MOVED and L. Jurovaty SECONDED
to enter into executive session for the purpose of personnel discussion at
9:05 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
M. Neckermann MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to
adjourn executive session at 10:04 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
XIII. Adjournment
W. Mulcahy MOVED and M. Neckermann SECONDED
to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
Respectfully submitted,
Carol S. Coley, Vice Chairperson