Columbia Board of Education

Regular Meeting

March 10, 2008

7:30 P.M.

Horace W. Porter School Library Media Center

 

Board Members Present:   Paula Belekewicz, Carol Coley-Vice Chairperson, Linda Green, Lisa Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann, Nelson Petrone-Chairman

 

Administration Present:    Richard Saddlemire, Francine Coss, Jean Trask  

 

Staff Present:                 Cheryl Parrott, Kristin Cavallo, Jessica Sapia

 

Citizens Present:              Selectman Dick Szegda, Wendy Pallas, Anne Shutler     

 

I.        Call to Order

      Chairman Nelson Petrone called the March 10, 2008 regular meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. 

        

II.      Approval of February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes - Take Action

 

C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to approve the February 25, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes

as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 6-0-1

C. Coley, L. Green, L. Jurovaty, W. Mulcahy, M. Neckermann, N. Petrone VOTED FOR THE MOTION

P. Belekewicz ABSTAINED

 

III.    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

 

IV.   Correspondence/Communications/Information

A.    Willimantic Chronicle Album Saturday Special – Elizabeth Senechal, Grade 3 H.W. Porter Student

B.     Hats Off to Young Entrepreneur – 2/29/08 Reminder – Emilee O’Brien, Grade 7 H.W. Porter Student

        Mrs. Coley commended Emilee O’Brien for supporting cancer patients at the CT Children’s Medical Center.

C.    February 28, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

D.    Dr. Saddlemire to Mrs. Albair, Mrs. Coss, Mrs. Lawton, Mrs. Montanile, Ms. Piatek, Mrs. Skinner, Ms. Trask, and Mr. VanGelder for their enthusiastic 2/25/08 3DM presentation to the Board of Education

E.     Dr. Saddlemire to Connecticut Magazine Editor Charles Monagan – Small Town High School Explanation Consideration

F.     Hebron Public School All Day Kindergarten Information

G.    Chronicle Knots to the Columbia Board of Education for Not Offering a Half Day Option

H.    Columbia May Join AHM Youth Services – 2/18/08 Willimantic Chronicle

I.     Uniform School Calendar Makes In Onto the Agenda – 2/25/08 Willimantic Chronicle

J.     Taking on Workplace Bullies – 2/27/08 Hartford Courant 

K.     Columbia Faces FOI Complaints – 2/29/08 Willimantic Chronicle

L.     Children Face Knife Charges – 3/3/08 Willimantic Chronicle

M.    Students in Cash-Incentives Study Score Higher in Math – 2/27/08 Education Week

N.    Analysis Finds Time Stolen From Other Subjects for Math, Reading – 2/27/08 Education Week

O.    Illegal News & Notes – NSBA Legal Clips, 2/7/08

P.     Why Are Kids Not Reading More? – American School Journal January 2008  

Q.    Pay-For-Student Performance Gains Traction, Impact Still a Question – PEN Weekly NewsBlast 1/25/08

R.    Horace W. Porter School March 1, 2008 Enrollment

S.     Columbia Students Attending Bolton, Lyman, and Windham High Schools 2nd Marking Period Honor Roll

        Mr. Mulcahy congratulated the Columbia high school students making honor roll.

 

V.       Presentation

A.     Andover, Hebron, Marlborough Youth Services Bureau – Mr. Richard Szegda, Selectman

 

A committee comprised of Porter’s social worker, town resident trooper, recreation director, and several other concerned citizens was formed to study area programs that meet the needs of at-risk children.  Between 1/1/07-7/1/07, ten different Columbia children were arrested or referred to as not being controlled by their parents.  During this same time period, DCF became involved with 16 Columbia families for abuse, neglect, and children who are considered at risk.  On a monthly basis, the resident trooper is involved with 8-10 Columbia children.  Children who get in trouble usually disrespect authority, are depressed, exhibit aggressive behavior, and are under-achievers.  In addition to the families that are impacted by at-risk children, peer groups are also affected.  The committee considered if the town should continue as is, utilize the Willimantic DCF, establish a bureau in Columbia, combine with another town that does not have a bureau, or join an established program.

 

The committee approached the Andover/Hebron/Marlborough Youth Services Bureau.  After many discussions, the Andover/Hebron/Marlborough Youth Services Bureau Board of Directors voted unanimously to include Columbia.  They have been helping kids for 30 years and do a super job.  Private agencies have long waiting lists and can be difficult to access.  When a child is arrested, he/she will be put on probation or incarcerated.  The cost per child at the CT Juvenile Training Center is $346,534 per year.  The cost for residential treatment centers can be over $100,000 per year.  The AHM Juvenile Review Board meets with families and children to determine the necessary services so the child involved will not be incarcerated.  The State of Connecticut mandates the intervention, prevention, and youth services offered by the bureau.  AHM’s intervention services include marriage and family counseling, crisis intervention, and grief counseling.  Prevention services include a family resource center, after school program, birth–3 program, PK program, training for day care providers, and drug prevention.  Youth development services include mentoring, summer programs, after school programs, and a teen center.  If the Town approves joining the bureau, the cost will be $80,000 per year or about $26 per household, with a 3-4% increase each year.         

 

Mr. Szegda asked the Board for their support of this new program and urged citizens to attend the March 25 Board of Selectmen meeting and the April 23rd Budget Hearing where this service will be voted on.  He concluded by reminding Board members and the audience of our responsibility, as a community, to meet the needs of Columbia children and their families.

 

Board members thanked Mr. Szegda for informing them of this important and necessary program.

 

VI.      Financial Review

A.  Payment of Bills - Ms. Parrott provided answers for Board member’s questions.  The budget spending freeze was discussed. 

 

VII.     Reports/Discussion

A.   Board of Education Chairperson

1.   Whose Agenda Should Prevail? - The Board Report Volume 31 – Number 21

2.   Implications of Narrowing the Curriculum, The Board Report Volume 31 – Number 22     

B.   Board of Education Subcommittees

1.   March 19, 2008 – Budget Presentation to FIPAC @ 7:30 p.m. @ Town Hall

C.   Superintendent’s Report

1.   Porter Grade 8 High School Choice Update – At this time there are 19 grade eight students interested in attending Bolton for the 2008/09 school year.  Dr. Saddlemire has informed the Bolton Superintendent of the higher than contracted number.  The Bolton Board of Education will discuss this matter and notify Dr. Saddlemire of its decision.  

2.   Columbia High School Student Report – Dr. Saddlemire gave an overview of the report and noted the accomplishments of Columbia students at each designated high school.  He will prepare a tri-fold pamphlet emphasizing Columbia’s high school choices and high school successes for the March 19th FIPAC meeting.

 

      Mr. Petrone stated Columbia students do very well at our designated high schools and it is important to consider how students do in the game of life after high school.  

3.      Capital Improvement Expenditures – The Superintendent attended the 3/4/08 Board of Selectmen meeting where he reviewed capital improvement requests that include replacement of windows, roof, hallway floors, door, and carpets, installation of entrance mats, refinishing the gym floor, a new PK-2 playscape, and an upgrade to the power for the emergency town shelter/school which when combined, totals $112,700.      

Dr. Saddlemire complimented Porter’s staff and administrators for their excellent organization of this year’s CMT tests.  Two tests were given to middle school students and one test to elementary students each day.

 

Dr. Saddlemire informed the Board of the new Finance Director’s talent and experience.  Mrs. Jane Wall will meet Board members at a future meeting.  

 

VIII.   Action Items/Discussion

A.   Mrs. Diane Giggey, Foreign Language Teacher, Resignation for the Purpose of Retirement Approval   

This item was tabled.

 

B.  3-Year Snow Removal Contract Approval

C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to accept the 3-year (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11) snow plowing contract with C.D.G. Landscaping of Columbia at the cost of $4,800 per year.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

IX.      Future Agenda Items

·          School calendar

·          Math and Language Arts Programs – March 24, 2008 

·          Strategic Plan – April 7, 2008

·          First Alert Update

 

X.        Board of Education Member Comments

Mr. Mulcahy attended the Windham Board of Education meeting where the audit of Windham’s lack of Adequate Yearly Progress was reviewed.

 

XI.      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 8:53 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

M. Neckermann MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to adjourn executive session at 9:30 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

XII.     Adjournment

P. Belekewicz MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Carol S. Coley, Vice Chairperson