Regular Meeting
May 19, 2008
7:30 P.M.
Board Members Present: Paula Belekewicz, Carol Coley-Vice
Chairperson, Linda Green, Lisa Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Nelson Petrone-Chairman
Board Members Absent: Michael Neckermann
Administration Present: Richard
Saddlemire, Francine Coss, Jean Trask
Staff Present: Cheryl Parrott, Marian Lowry, Heather
Montanile, Madeline Skinner, Christian Urban,
Lynn
Mondazzi
Citizens Present: Connie Medeiros, Wendy Pallas, Mary
Ellen Fritz, Amy Raffa, Amy Poverman, Kerry Hoffman, Laurie Rogers, Maria
Gratton
I.
Call to Order
Chairman
Nelson Petrone called the May 19, 2008 regular meeting to order at 7:32
p.m.
II.
Approval of May 5, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes -
Take Action
P. Belekewicz MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED
to approve the May 5, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
III.
Approval of May 12, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes -
Take Action
C. Coley MOVED and P. Belekewicz SECONDED
to approve the May 12, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0-1
P. Belekewicz, C. Coley, L. Jurovaty, W. Mulcahy, N. Petrone
VOTED FOR THE MOTION
L. Green ABSTAINED
Change to the agenda:
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED
to add to the agenda Action Item IX.B. 2008/2009 Hot Lunch Price Increase Approval.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
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
Conie Medieros
asked if citizens will be allowed to speak at the May 20th Public
Budget Hearing. (yes) It seems that the Board has not considered input or recommendations
from Porter’s administrators in regards to the budget cuts. (The Board considers Dr. Saddlemire as its liaison
to the administration and considers that the administrators know what is best
for Porter.) Wendy Pallas asked if the $400,000 budget cuts will be listed so the
public can see the impact of the cuts. (Dr. Saddlemire has contacted the
attorney to see what is acceptable for publication.) Connie Medeiros
would like to remind Board members that they are representing all
V. Correspondence/Communications/Information
A.
Darien
Parmenter, Porter Grade 7 Student Selected to Attend Lead America’s National
Junior Leaders Conference on Business and
Entrepreneurship- Mrs. Coley congratulated
attend this conference in
V. Correspondence/Communications/Information
- continued
B.
Willimantic
Chronicle Album:
-
Saturday Special - Sarah Marshall, Grade 6 H.W. Porter Student
- Snow
Princess - Samantha D’Auteuil, Grade 6 H.W.P. Student
- The
Long Night - Noah Sternat, Grade 6 H.W.P. Student
- Quiet
– Marissa Gardner, Grade 6 H.W. P. Student
Mrs. Belekewicz commended all the grade 6 students who were published
in the Chronicle Album.
C.
May
1, 2008
D.
May
1, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter
E.
May
8, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter
F.
May
15, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter
G.
Revised
2007/2008 Horace W. Porter School Staff List
H.
Grant Funds to be Redirected in
I.
J.
Secrets of Board Success - American School Board Journal/April
2008
K.
Bargaining: It’s in Your Best Interest - American School Board
Journal/April 2008
L.
The Merit Scale - American School Board Journal/April 2008
M.
A Former Union Rep Was Elected to the Board? -
N.
Part-Time Superintendent - May 2008 District Administration
O.
Slashed Ed Budget Impacts Class Size – 05/14/08 Willimantic
Chronicle
P.
Mrs. Kate Starkey to the Willimantic Chronicle Editor – 5/15/08
VI.
Presentations
A. Porter Hot Lunch Update – Mr. Christian
Urban, Porter Hot Lunch Director
Mr. Urban informed the Board the
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Survey Costs findings show
combined labor, food and indirect costs necessary to provide a school lunch are
greater than the Federal reimbursement, commodity entitlement and average price
paid by students who do not qualify for a free school lunch. Milk prices have increased 6% and general
groceries are up 8 – 12%. For each
delivery a fuel surcharge is now added.
Mr. Urban shared 2007/2008 hot lunch prices for other CT towns. Districts with high schools serving ala carte
menu items earn higher revenues and average out the elementary schools that are
losing money. Mr. Urban recommends
raising lunch prices for the 2008/09 school year by $.50 for students ($3.00)
and staff ($3.50).
Board members discussed the
possibility of serving fewer lunches if the price is increased, reducing hot
lunch personnel, the $10,000 in products Columbia receives from the state, the commodities
that will be cut July through November by the state, and charging more for ala
carte items rather than increasing lunch prices. Board members will vote on this proposal this
evening.
B.
Language Arts Update – Mrs. Madeline Skinner,
Language Arts Specialist
Mrs. Skinner told the Board she is
proud to update members on Porter’s Language Arts program. Mrs. Skinner began by reviewing the Language
Arts Curriculum Standards and Programs (CT standards, CMT strands, grade level expectations,
and supporting programs).
The Houghton Mifflin Reading Program for grades K-4 was implemented in
2007/08. This program was developed
based upon scientific evidence of the National Reading Panel and is strongly
aligned with CT framework standards.
This program is a comprehensive assessment which monitors student
progress and builds student independence.
There is a strong early literacy phonetic component, emphasis on reading
comprehension, consistent reading strategies and vocabulary, motivating and
diverse reading literacy selections, fiction and non-fiction literacy
selections, and a guided reading trade book approach.
The Sitton Word Study Program for
grades 1-8 was piloted this year.
This program highlights spelling in application, word study approach,
priority words that must be used in all writing, and core words that are
continually practiced and tested throughout the year for mastery.
Mrs. Skinner reviewed Porter’s
annual Language Arts Assessments schedule and the Grade 2/3 Reading Initiative which
was prompted by very low CMT results for grade 3 in 2007. Students were concentrated in the Below Basic
and Goal areas. There was the need to
focus on improving students at all reading levels (differentiated instruction)
and the need for comprehensive materials to address all needed skills at a wide
range of abilities. The new 2008 Houghton Mifflin Reading Program
was implemented in early November, the DRA was administered in November and
February, a benchmark test was administered in December to get a baseline
assessment, and the report card terminology was correlated with the DRA levels/state
criteria to establish a common, consistent criteria for measuring and
expressing progress. Mrs. Skinner
reviewed the grade 2/3 reading initiative progress to date that shows
substantial improvement in all areas of emerging, developing, and secure.
Mrs. Skinner reviewed the
instructional focus for grades 5-8 and her role as L.A. Instructional
Specialist. In summarizing, the district
will continue to move forward by:
·
defining
next year’s approach for the grade 2/3 initiative
·
share
and expand on newly approved CT State Department of Education Language Arts
frameworks and supporting documents
·
create
internal assessments for the new Grade Level Expectations in framework
·
analyze
2008 CMT results and define student needs for 2008-2009
·
expand
reading instructional approaches for at risk students
·
continue
to refine implementation of Houghton Mifflin and Sitton Word Study Programs
·
support
DDDM Language Arts goals/efforts
·
continue
to engage parent/guardian’s help in students’ reading success.
Mrs. Skinner concluded by thanking
the Porter staff for their flexibility this year. Board members thanked Mrs. Skinner for her
informative presentation.
VII.
Financial Review
A.
Payment of Bills - Ms. Parrott provided answers for
Board member’s questions.
VIII. Reports/Discussion
A. Board of Education
Chairperson
1. EASTCONN Annual Meeting May
27, 2008 @ 3:30 p.m.
2. Ten Tips for Taming
Controversial Meetings, The Board Report Volume 32 – Number 2
B. Board of Education
Subcommittees
1. Board of
Education Meeting Dates Draft – May Through August 2008
2. May 20, 2008 –
C. Superintendent’s
Report
1. First Student Transportation Contract
2.
3. Psychologist/School Psychologist Definition – Dr. Saddlemire
explained a School Psychologist identifies children with emotional and mental
disturbances. A psychologist makes
medical diagnoses regarding emotional and mental disturbances.
4. Staff Meeting – Dr. Saddlemire shared the Board of
Education’s reluctance for the budget cuts and apologized to the grade 5 and 6
teams for not notifying them prior to the 5/15/08 staff meeting of the change
from 4 class sections to 3 sections.
IX. Action Items/Discussion
A. 2008/2009
L Green MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED to approve the 2008/2009
Board members discussed
their support for DDDM and concerns regarding the number of interrupted weeks
of instruction.
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0-1
P. Belekewicz, C. Coley, L. Green, W.
Mulcahy, N. Petrone VOTED FOR THE MOTION
L. Jurovaty ABSTAINED
IX. Action Items/Discussion -
continued
B. 2008/2009 Hot Lunch Price
Increase Approval
W Mulcahy MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to approve the increase to the 2008/09
MOTION CARRIES: 5-1-0
C. Coley, L. Green, L. Jurovaty, W. Mulcahy,
N. Petrone VOTED FOR THE MOTION
P. Belekewicz VOTED AGAINST THE
MOTION
X. Future Agenda Items
·
Strategic
Plan – June 9 subcommittee meeting
·
Enrichment
Specialist Update - June 2, 2008
XI. Board of Education Member
Comments
Mrs. Coley discussed
the concept of an information sharing policy for meetings. The Board of Education’s goal is not to keep
information from FIPAC but to answer questions satisfactorily and be finished
with that topic. Mrs. Jurovaty said it is
natural for FIPAC to ask questions of the Board and the Board should be open
and answer all questions. Mr. Petrone would like the Board to
discuss a format for budget questions and would like questions to be directed
from the FIPAC Chairperson. The Board of
Education is not hiding financial information.
Board members should be treated with respect and not accused of
indiscretions. Mrs. Coley asked the status of the Porter summer baseball
camp. Mrs. Belekewicz asked about kindergarten orientation. (A parent meeting was held this evening for
all incoming kindergarten parents, kindergarten orientation is June 13th
from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and an open house is scheduled for August.) Mrs.
Belekewicz said she acts accordingly and being on the Board of Education is
a huge responsibility. Her Porter
experience is based on the nine years her children have gone through the school
system.
XII. Executive Session for the Purpose of
Personnel Discussion
C. Coley MOVED and P. Belekewicz SECONDED
to enter into executive session at 9:37 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
L. Jurovaty MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED
to adjourn executive session at 10:00 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
XIII. Adjournment
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to
adjourn the meeting at 10:01 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
Respectfully submitted,
Carol S. Coley, Vice Chairperson