Columbia Board of Education

Regular Meeting

May 5, 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, Jean Trask, Donna Hartigan  

 

Staff Present:                 Cheryl Parrott, Shannon Piatek, Laura Zaglio, Gail McGrath, Justin vanGelder, Steven Piro    

 

Citizens Present:              Connie Medeiros, Wendy Pallas, Mary Ellen Fritz, Amy Raffa, Amy Poverman, Jeanette Morales,  Bev and Bob Ciurylo, Jen Bright, Ann Kollegger, Carol Albert, Trisha Hul      

 

Reporter Present:                        Zach Janowski, Willimantic Chronicle

 

I.        Call to Order

      Chairman Nelson Petrone called the May 5, 2008 regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 

        

II.      The CT Association of Schools 2008 Distinguished Friend of Education Award Presentation to Mrs. Beverly Ciurylo

Each year, the Connecticut Association of Schools awards one Distinguished Friend of Educational Award to an individual outside the field of education who has made strong contributions to public education at the local, state, regional, or national level.  Many nominations are presented to the association for this most competitive award.  Dr. Everett Lyon, Chairperson of the C.A.S. Awards and Recognition Committee presented Mrs. Bev Ciurylo this award for her selfless dedication, depth of contribution, and endless volunteer hours over the last twenty years to the children of Horace W. Porter School.  Mrs. Ciurylo has shown an unrivaled generosity of spirit in sharing her time and expertise with Columbia students and the community.  All her time and effort has been given without any expectation.  (Applause) 

 

Ms. Trask read the nomination letter written by Mrs. Coss.  Highlights of Mrs. Ciurylo’s school involvement over the years include raising $5,500 for Room to Read Tsunami relief, PTO officer, mini grant programs, author to work in classroom project, assuring all children can afford the cost of attending field trips, annual PTO Halloween party, annual field day, Reading is Fundamental, constant fundraising efforts, soup kitchen donations, Porter Health Committee member, substitute teacher-office secretary-hot lunch worker. 

 

On behalf of the PTO, Mrs. Trisha Hul presented a State of Connecticut citation to Mrs. Ciurylo for her dedicated service to the Horace W. Porter School. (Applause)  Dr. Saddlemire presented Mrs. Ciurylo with a corsage.  Bev thanked C.A.S, the PTO, and Board for this recognition and stated it has truly been her pleasure.                     

 

III.    Approval of April 7, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes - Take Action

 

P. Belekewicz MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to approve the April 7, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes with the following correction: item III. correct the spelling of C. Coley who SECONDED the motion.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 6-0-1

P. Belekewicz, C. Coley, L. Green, L. Jurovaty, W. Mulcahy, N. Petrone VOTED FOR THE MOTION

M. Neckermann ABSTAINED

 

Change to the agenda:

P. Belekewicz MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to add to the agenda Action Item IX.F. Summer Basketball Day Camp Approval.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

           

 

 

 

IV.      Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board #9300)

Time allotted for public participation–30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker–3 minutes

 

Carol Albert asked the Board to find alternatives for special education services provided at one of our designated high schools.  She feels this high school has not stepped up to the plate; this is not acceptable or a good fit.  The Board invited Ms. Albert to join them in executive session at the end of this meeting.  Jeanette Morales asked if a

Board policy is in place that states correspondence sent home must first be reviewed by an administrator.  She also asked for clarification regarding any correspondence sent to parents that mentioned teachers might be fired because of budget cuts.  She also asked why the kindergarten packets that were promised in March have not been mailed home to parents.          

 

V.       Correspondence/Communications/Information

A.      JAC Pack Makes A Good Team, On and Off the Court – Claudia Everett, Joey Marsalisi, and Aiden Pacheco,                                  H.W. Porter Grade 5 Students

B.      The Panther Players Present… DEAR EDWINA - Dr. Saddlemire to Mrs. Stice and the Panther Players Cast and Crew

C.      Willimantic Chronicle Album:

- Saturday Special, Morgan Veronesi, Grade 3 H.W. Porter Student

- The Ending, Sarah Marshall Grade 6 H.W.P. Student

- Sun, Madeline Kollegger, Grade 6 H.W.P. Student

- Friends Stand Together Hand by Hand, Eleanor Duva, Grade 2 H.W. P. Student

- Saturday Special, Madeline Kollegger, Grade 6 H.W.P. Student 

D.      Grade 5 Porter New England Math League Contest Winners

1st Place – Robby Monk, 2nd Place – Jenna Ethridge and Katie Sposito, 3rd Place – Molly Belekewicz and Doris Jenkins

Mrs. Belekewicz congratulated her daughter Molly and all the grade 5 Math League winners. 

Mr. Mulcahy commended the students for their good work.

E.      ACT Sophomore to Attend Conference on Bread Loaf – Anna Nassiff, Windham High School Student

      Mrs. Coley congratulated Anna on this prestigious award.

F.    April 3, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

G.      April 10, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

H.      April 24, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

I.    3/12/08, 3/18/08, 3/21/08, 4/01/08, and 4/15/08 Columbia Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

J.    3/19/08 and 3/26/08 Financial Planning and Allocation Commission Meeting Minutes

K.      Dr. Saddlemire to Grade 2 Teacher Joan Culpin – 4/8/08

L.    Dr. Saddlemire to Foreign Language Teacher Diane Giggey – 4/8/08

M.   April 8, 2008 Fiscal Policy Board Meeting Minutes

N.      Columbia’s Tax Rolls Show Little Growth – 4/12/08 Willimantic Chronicle

O.   Windham Superintendent Paul Perzanoski to Dr. Saddlemire – Letter of Thanks on His Behalf

P.      FIPAC to Columbia Citizens and Taxpayers - 04/04/08

Q.   Budget Battle Boils – 04/24/08 Willimantic Chronicle

R.      Seattle Teacher Says Tests Kill Learning – ABC News

S.      Dr. Saddlemire Letter of Thanks to Porter Staff for Babysitting Coverage of Budget Meetings

T.      NCLB Update: 6th Circuit Reverses Lower Court Ruling, Reviving NCLB Case Against U.S. Secretary of Ed                                        – April 10, 2008 School Law Bulletin

 

VI.      Presentation – Summer Basketball Camp Proposal – Mr. Justin vanGelder and Mr. Steven Piro, Porter P.E. Teachers

 

Mr. vanGelder and Mr. Piro are proposing a 2008 pilot Porter Panthers Basketball Day Camp program for Columbia children entering grade five and exiting grade eight to learn and practice basketball skills while developing trusting relationships through positive experiences in both non-competitive and competitive environments as both an individual and a team player.  Two sessions are being proposed for this summer - Session I: June 23-27 (5 days) at the cost of $200 and Session II: June 30-July 3 (4 days) at the cost of $140, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (July 3rd early release @ 12:00 p.m.)  Mr. vanGelder and Mr. Piro hope to offer the camp annually with the possibility of expanded time frames and age groups.  The camp is intended to reach out to students of all ability levels and encourage respect for and value of working with people and their differences.  Respectful conflict resolution and sportsmanship will be a constant area of emphasis as students will encounter various competitive experiences.  Praise will be given to those who show respectful behaviors when interacting with teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials.  It is hoped that 75 to 120 Columbia students will participate; 75 registered campers will cover camp costs and up to 120 campers will mean extra funds will be directed to Porter’s physical education program.  Board members received a line item budget, Basketball Camp Staff Handbook, and brochure.

 

Board members thanked Mr. vanGelder and Mr. Piro for the time and work to research this exciting new idea for Columbia children.  Members discussed possible PTO camp scholarships, discounted prices for multiple children per family, costs involved to run the camp, utilizing the gym, caf and black top areas of the school, increasing the price if offered to out of town residents, and increasing the number of counselors if more than 75 students participate.    

 

VII.     Financial Review

A.      Payment of Bills - Ms. Parrott provided answers for Board member’s questions.

B.      Budget Projections – Board members discussed OT/PT services and year end salary costs.

 

VIII.   Reports/Discussion

A.   Board of Education Chairperson

1.   Looking Backward To Look Forward, The Board Report Volume 31 – Number 24

2.   Setting a Foundation For Ethical Behavior, The Board Report Volume 32 – Number 1           

B.   Board of Education Subcommittees

1.   Board of Education Meeting Dates Draft – May Through August 2008          - This document will be changed and presented to Board members on May 19th.

2.   May 12, 2008 – Facilities and Budget Subcommittee Meetings @ 7:00 p.m. Porter Conference Room

3.   May 20, 2008 – Annual Town Budget Meeting @ 7:30 p.m. Porter Cafeteria – Dr. Saddlemire reported the budget vote will go to referendum.

C.   Superintendent’s Report

1.   Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security Grant Application

2.   Health Benefits Update - Dr. Saddlemire will meet with union representatives regarding the possible change of health care providers on 5/6/08.  This topic will be discussed in executive session.  

3.      Memorandum From the Law Offices of Halloran & Sage LLP – Budget Questions From FIPAC Chairman – this document explains how much authority FIPAC has to dictate the BOE’s budget.

4.      First Student Correspondence – Mid-Day Kindergarten Bus Runs – The Superintendent reported the decrease in mid day kindergarten transportation costs will balance the expense of staffing.

5.      Special Education Law Bulletin

6.      By the Numbers: Times Are a’ Changin’ – American School Board Journal/May 2008  - Dr. Saddlemire reviewed the average change in number of minutes per week of instruction time in elementary schools since 2001-02, by subject.  Language Arts and Math times have increased considerably and P.E., recess, Art & Music, Science, Social Studies times have been reduced considerably.

7.      On the Road to DDDM – T.H.E. Journal/April 2008 

8.      Clinical Psychologist Services for the District – Mrs. Hartigan explained the history and reasons the district has used outside clinical psychology services.  During the absence of the Director of Student Services and School Psychologist, these services helped to appropriately identify students, address federal requirements, rebuild parental trust with families, provide guidance, and training for staff.  This school year, the Clinical Psychologist continues to be involved in completing file reviews and consultation for specific students that have been previously evaluated by the district but struggle due to their significant behavioral or learning issues, and evaluations previously signed for that are beyond the licensure and certification of the school psychologist.

9.      June 16, 2008 Conflict With H. W. Porter Graduation – Because Porter’s graduation will take place on 6/16/08, the Board of Ed meeting scheduled for that date will be changed to 6/23/08.

 

IX.      Action Items/Discussion

A.   IDEA Grant Approval   

 

W Mulcahy MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to approve the Connecticut State Department of Education Special Education Grant Programs IDEA 611 and IDEA 619 as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

Board members thanked Mrs. Hartigan and her staff for all the work and effort to get this grant prepared.

 

B.   2008/2009 Horace W. Porter School Calendar Approval  

 

This item is tabled until 5/19/08.  Open house dates/times need to be reviewed and determined.  

IX.      Action Items/Discussion - continued

C.   Out of State Field Trips Approval (1)  

 

P. Belekewicz MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to approve the grade 2 out of state field trip to Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge Massachusetts on June 6, 2008 as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

      Out of State Field Trips Approval (2)  

 

P. Belekewicz MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to approve the grade 1 out of state field trip to the Zoo in Forest Park in Springfield Massachusetts on June 10, 2008 as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

D.   $400,000 FIPAC Mandated Budget Cuts Acceptance  

 

This item is tabled until the 5/19/08 Board meeting.  Board members will hold a budget subcommittee meeting on May 12, 2008 to discuss budget cuts.  

 

E.   New Alliance Bank Payroll Checking Account Resolution Approval  

 

C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to accept the New Alliance Bank payroll checking account resolution as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

F.    Summer Basketball Day Camp Approval.

 

P. Belekewicz MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to approve the summer basketball day camp as presented by Mr. vanGelder and Mr. Piro.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

Board members think the camp is a great idea and hope it is a big success.

 

X.        Future Agenda Items

·          Language Arts Update - May 19, 2008

·          Kindergarten Open House

·          Strategic Plan

 

XI.      Board of Education Member Comments

 

XII.     Executive Session for the Purpose of Negotiations, Personnel and Special Education Discussion

 

P. Belekewicz MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to enter into executive session at 9:07 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

L. Jurovaty MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED to adjourn executive session at 10:20 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

XIII.    Adjournment

C. Coley MOVED and M. Neckermann SECONDED to adjourn the meeting at 10:21 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Carol S. Coley, Vice Chairperson