Columbia Board of Education

Regular Meeting

June 23, 2008

7:30 P.M.

Horace W. Porter School Library Media Center

 

Board Members Present:   Carol Coley-Vice Chairperson, Linda Green, Lisa Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann

 

Board Members Absent:   Paula Belekewicz, Nelson Petrone-Chairman

 

Administration Present:    Richard Saddlemire, Francine Coss, Jean Trask  

 

Staff Present:                 Cheryl Parrott, Shannon Piatek, Kim Persons, Chris Urban     

 

Citizens Present:              Amy Raffa

 

I.        Call to Order

      Vice Chairman Carol Coley called the June 23, 2008 regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 

          

II.      Approval of June 2, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes - Take Action  

L. Green MOVED and M. Neckermann SECONDED to approve the June 2, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes

as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 5-0

          

III.    Approval of June 12, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes - Take Action 

W. Mulcahy MOVED and M. Neckermann SECONDED to approve the June 12, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes

as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 5-0

 

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

 

(No comments)

 

V.       Correspondence/Communications/Information

A.       The Saturday Special by Danielle Groman, Porter Grade 6 Student  

B.       Porter Proclamation – End-of-the Year Edition

C.       ACT Students Present The Wiz - David Wikholm as The Cowardly Lion and Anna Nassiff as The Tin Man 

D.       ACT Students Present The Merchant of Venice - David Wikholm 

E.       Chronicle Threads to Porter Gym Teachers Mr. Justin vanGelder and Mr. Steven Piro for Summer Basketball Camp & Proceeds                                       to Benefit Porter School’s Athletic Supply Inventory

F.       Hoops Camp Could Aid Porter School – Willimantic Chronicle

Dr. Saddlemire reported the two camp sessions have been combined and 30 students are participating.  Board                     members thanked Mr. vanGelder and Mr. Piro for providing this camp opportunity to Porter students.  

G.       Mrs. Beth Cheney to Dr. Saddlemire – Letter of Appreciation to Kristin Cavallo, Mrs. Ekstrom, Mr. Hetherington, Ms. Kari                                   vanOstrand, Mrs. Janna Traber, Mrs. Ann Clairmont, and Mrs. Tammy Nye

H.       Columbia Voters Approve Budget – 05/30/08 Willimantic Chronicle

I.        Saddlemire’s Contract is Not Renewed – 06/03/08 Willimantic Chronicle

J.        Saddlemire Defends His Term as Working for the Children – 06/04/08 Willimantic Chronicle

K.       Canton Selectmen Hire New Administrative Officer – 6/12/08  Hartford Courant

L.        Skinner Will Leave for Canton Position – 06/03/08 Willimantic Chronicle

M.      Budget Balanced by Cutting Staff – 06/13/08 Willimantic Chronicle

N.       No Free Lunch – June 2008 American School

O.      The Toll of NCLB – Executive Director Commentary, Association of Boards of Education

P.       Freedom of Information-Board Minutes – Association of Boards of Education

Q.      Case Dismissed (CT Federal Lawsuit on NCLB Awaiting Appeal) - Association of Boards of Education

R.       The Nutmeg Board Deals with FOI Act (Social Gatherings vs. Meeting of the Board) - Association of Boards of Education

S.       2008/09 Revised Windham Public Schools Calendar

T.       June 1, 2008 Horace W. Porter School Enrollment

U.       June 10, 2008 Fiscal Policy Board Meeting Minutes

V.       Dr. Saddlemire to Windham Superintendent Ms. Doreen Fuller – Invitation to Speak to Columbia Parents  

W.     Dr. Saddlemire to Windham School Representatives – Thank You for Speaking to Columbia Parents re: Budget Cuts

X.       Lebanon Cuts Sports, Administrator – 6/17/08 Willimantic Chronicle

Y.       Columbia Parents Angry at Windham Sports Cuts – 06/18/08 Willimantic Chronicle

V.       Correspondence/Communications/Information - continued

Z.       2007/08 Columbia Graduates

AA.   Columbia Set to Hire an Interim Manager – 6/18/08 Willimantic Chronicle

BB.    Columbia, Canton Swap Town Managers – 6/19/08 Willimantic Chronicle

 

VI.      Financial Review

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

B.      Budget Projections – Ms. Parrott reviewed certified salaries and savings, special education tuition, attorney fees, and electricity.  Final projections and budget transfers will take place on July 14th.

 

VII.     Reports/Discussion

A.   Board of Education Chairperson

1.   Harnessing the Benefits of Board Service, The Board Report Volume 32 – No. 4  

B.   Board of Education Subcommittees

1.   07/07/08 Regular Meeting Cancelled

2.   07/14/08 Special Meeting for Budget Transfers

3.   06/09/08 Columbia Board of Education Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes

4.   06/09/08 Columbia Board of Education Program Development Meeting Minutes

C.   Superintendent’s Report

1.   Update on Budget Cuts: Porter, Windham and Lebanon – Dr. Saddlemire reviewed the 06/17/08 parent meeting with the Windham Board of Ed Chairperson, Superintendent, and Windham High School Principal.  On 6/18/08, the Chronicle mischaracterized the title for their news article.  Parents were polite and controlled.  Freshman sports, cheerleading, golf, field hockey, Latin, and chorus will be eliminated.  Any further budget cuts will not impact WHS.  Lebanon must cut their budget by $300,000 which will eliminate freshman sports, golf and hockey.  Both high schools will continue to have varsity and junior varsity sport programs.       

2.   Horace W. Porter School Technology Plan – Porter’s Technology Plan will be reviewed at a September subcommittee.  Mrs. Lowry will be invited to attend.

 

VIII.   Action Items/Discussion

 

Mr. Urban explained CT districts that opt to implement the healthy food certification statement will receive an additional 5 cents per lunch, based on the total number of reimbursable lunches (paid, free and reduced) served in the district in the prior school year for the National School Lunch Program.  Columbia would receive approximately $2,500.  To receive the additional funding, the Board of Education must certify that all food items sold to students separately from a reimbursable lunch meet the Connecticut Nutrition standards, including food offered for sale to students at all times in all schools and from all sources, including school stores, vending machines, cafeteria and any school fundraising activities.  Mr. Urban recommends the Board not approve the 2008/09 Healthy Food Certification Statement.  The benefit is not worth losing the funds in these areas.  Porter offers healthy options. 

 

A.   Healthy Food Certification Approval   

 

W. Mulcahy MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to not participate in the State of Connecticut Healthy Food Nutrition Standards Certification Statement at the Horace W. Porter School for the 2008/2009 school year.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 5-0

 

IX.      Future Agenda Items

·          Budget and Education Goals for 2008/09 

 

X.        Board of Education Member Comments

 

XI.      Adjournment

L. Jurovaty MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 5-0

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Carol S. Coley, Vice Chairperson