Regular Meeting
August 27, 2007
7:30 P.M.
Board Members Present: Jennifer Bright, Carol Coley, Linda Green, William
Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann, Nelson Petrone-Vice Chairperson, and Kate
Starkey-Chairperson
Administration Present: Dr. Richard Saddlemire, Mrs. Francine Coss, Ms.
Jean Trask
Staff Present: Cheryl
Parrott, Marian Lowry, Heather Montanile, Fayne Sears, Tom Doyle, Theresa
Cooper
Citizens Present: Mary Ellen Fritz, Connie Medeiros, Ann
Kollegger, Felicia Acerbo, Nicole Vacila, Maria Gratton, Kim Foss, Cheryl Hart,
Susan Tuohy, Wendy Pallas, Sabena Escott, Richard Szegda, Stacy Parla, Laurie
Rogers, Lisa Jurovaty, Amy Rafa, Sandy Mohammed, Laura Young, Ann Shutler, Bobbi
Grzych, Paula Belekewicz, Kathi Gudmundson, Johanna & Michael Gorgone,
Maryann Potter, Denise Battistini, Eva Bulley, and other citizens
Others Present: Melanie Boutot, Laidlaw
Representative
I.
Call to Order
Chairperson
Kate Starkey called the August 27, 2007 regular meeting to order at 7:30
p.m.
II.
Approval of July 9, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes -
Take Action
J. Bright MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED
to approve the July 9, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes with the following correction: III.
Audience of Citizens: correct the spelling of Mike and Bobbi Hartling.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0-1
J. Bright, L. Green, W. Mulcahy, M. Neckermann, N. Petrone,
K. Starkey VOTED FOR THE MOTION
C. Coley ABSTAINED
III.
Correspondence/Communications/Information
A. Teaching
Program Includes Local Teen (Carissa Palisano, LHS Grade 11 Student) – 8/11/07
Chronicle
Mrs. Starkey congratulated Carissa on her participation in the Summer
Institute for Future Teachers
B. Mrs.
Beth Cheney to Dr. Saddlemire – Thanks to Mrs. Croteau, Mr. Horton, Mr. Saez,
and Ms. Cooper
C. Bobbi
Grzych to Kathi Gudmundson – Thanks to Track Coach for Patience and Compassion
D. Town
Exploring Expansion of Saxton B. Little Library – 06/29/07 Reminder News
E. July
10, 2007 Fiscal Policy Board Meeting Minutes
F. July
17, 2007
G. A
Superior Education for
Comprehensive
Plan 2006-2011
H. CT
Department of Education News – 2007 CMT: Math and Writing Scores Increase;
Reading Scores are “Disappointing” Achievement Gaps are Not Closing; “We Need
to Do More to Achieve Success”
I. August
7, 2007
J. Superintendents
Content, But Stressed – July/August School Board News
K. NCLB
Beset by Problems, Research Studies Find – July/August School Board News
L. Dr.
Saddlemire to Porter Parents – School Improvement, Calendar Changes, &
Transportation News
M. Dr.
Saddlemire to Porter Parents – Instructional Time at H.W. Porter
N. Program
Targets WHS’ Freshmen – 08/21/07 Willimantic Chronicle
O. Dr.
Saddlemire to Ronald C. Harris,
P. Dr.
Saddlemire to Ron Bonola – “Our Towns, Our School” Clarification
Q. 2006/2007
Preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress Results
IV. Presentation
A. Porter 2007/08 Schedule, Calendar, and
Instructional Hours – Superintendent and Porter Administrators
Dr. Saddlemire reviewed the 2007/08
Porter calendar. Version #3 includes
nine Date Driven Decision Making staff development dates and six other early
release dates. The Superintendent
compared hours of instruction for 2006/07 to 2007/08. Per State mandate, kindergarten through grade
12 students must attend school 180 days per year. Half-day kindergarten instruction must be at
least 450 hours per year and grades one through twelve must be at least 900
hours. Listed below are Porter’s hours:
|
Kindergarten |
Grades 1-4 |
Grades 5 & 6 |
Grades 7 & 8 |
|
2006/07 452 hours 170 regular days 10 early dismissal 2007/08 481 hours 166 regular days 14 early dismissal |
2006/07 985 hours 170 regular days 10 early dismissal 2007/08 978 hours 166 regular days 14 early dismissal |
2006/07 1,005 hours 170 regular days 10 early dismissal 2007/08 997 hours 166 regular days 14 early dismissal |
2006/07 1,039 hours 170 regular days 10 early dismissal 2007/08 1,031 hours 166 regular days 14 early dismissal |
(Porter’s grades 1-8 average
instructional hours = 1,003.)
The Superintendent explained the
state formula used for determining the average of Porter’s instructional
hours. These numbers are used for the
ED165 – Strategic School Profile.
Lengthening early release days for kindergarten by holding kindergarten
morning and afternoon sessions together, changing kindergarten testing methods,
reducing the number of Porter Pride assemblies to one each quarter, and holding
award assemblies in the evening rather than during the school day have helped
increase instructional time for 2007/08.
V.
Audience of Citizens (Bylaws of the
Board #9300)
Time allotted for
public participation-30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker-3
minutes
Audience members had numerous
concerns for the Board:
·
Will
there be the same number of early dismissal days in 2008/09? There
will be fewer early dismissal days next year.
There are more this year to incorporate Data Driven Decision Making
training.
·
What
is the root cause for this calendar change?
Last year the administration and
staff focused on responding to CMT scores and No Child Left Behind
requirements. Data Driven Decision
Making will give the staff training methods for problem solving and strategies
for looking at this data. The early
release days will guarantee time to expand teams beyond grade levels to
curriculum areas for setting goals and assessment.
·
Clarification
of snow days and early dismissal days being added to the calendar was
requested. Full snow days will still be added at the end of the school year. If school is canceled more than five days
prior to March 1, a vacation day for each extra day will be removed from Spring
Recess starting April 18, 2008 removing days going backwards in time. Any time not made up over the Spring Recess
will be made up starting June 12, 2008.
·
Will
teachers need Data Driven Decision Making training every year? Level 1
training for certified staff took place August 24th and 27th. Early dismissal days will be used to expand
team level time, review data, and train non-certified staff and new certified
staff to the district. 8 staff members
will receive Level 2 training this fall and be certified for 3 years.
·
Is
Data Driven Decision Making the best program?
Other programs were looked into
and considered. At the end of last year,
a number of staff members were sent to research DDDM. They came back very excited and ready to
implement the program. DDDM is promoted
and endorsed by the staff. All factors
indicate this is the time to do this; there is a new administrative team and 11
new certified staff members. It is a
good fit.
·
The
number of early release days has decreased since the last calendar. Will this be enough time for teachers to get
the support they need for this program? Yes, every month but December has a half day
dedicated to DDDM. The Board considered
parent’s and staff’s concerns and compromised with the version #3 calendar.
·
Half
days do not seem to be utilized appropriately.
This is a concern to all
staff. The Superintendent will look at
early dismissal days and their utilization.
Because the staff will be reviewing data monthly and setting goals,
there will be accountability. Early
dismissal days may need to be reshaped.
·
Is
flex time in the middle school best use of academic time? Some children leave for sporting events,
other children finish their work early and “play”. This parent would like to be sure flex time
is used to the fullest.
·
How
can parents get more involved so they can be sure teachers get what they need
for their students? Parents can become more involved in the budget process which starts in
December and show their support for education at town meetings. They can talk to the administration and PTO.
·
Should
there be a parent liaison to the senior center to keep seniors informed of
Several audience members left the
meeting to consult with Laidlaw representative, Melanie Boutot. Their concerns included:
·
Bus
stop location at Lakeview and Route 87
·
Who
is responsible if a child gets hurt walking to a bus stop?
·
Publishing
student addresses for the bus routes
·
Support
of consolidating bus stops
·
Are
parents responsible for the extra children at their homes while waiting for the
bus?
Ms. Boutot explained
VI.
Financial Review
A. Payment of Bills
Ms. Parrott provided answers to Board members’ questions.
VII. Reports/Discussion
A. Board of Education
Chairperson
1. Board
of Education Retreat
2. A
Best Practices Approach to Accountability - The Board Report-Vol. 31, Number 6
3. Six
Things to Do Before Every Board Meeting - The Board Report-Vol. 31, Number 7 Mrs. Starkey pointed out the importance of item
4) Putting aside personal issues in favor of doing what is best for students.
4. Is
Access to
5. Seven
Indicators of a Successful Board Meeting - The Board Report-Vol. 31, Number 9
B. Board of Education
Subcommittees
1. September
10, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m. – Building Walk Through, Facilities/Transportation, &
Policy
Dr. Saddlemire thanked
Mr. Michael Sylvester for the great job he did building two additional offices
in the main office area.
2. September
24, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m. – Board Retreat (location to be determined)
C. Superintendent’s Report
1. CABE/CAPSS
Convention Early Registration
2.
2007/2008 H. W. Porter Staff List – all certified vacancies have been
filled. Openings for a Math Paraprofessional
and part-time Security Monitor Receptionist remain.
3.
September Through December 2007 Draft Board of Education Meeting Dates
– This calendar will be discussed by Board members at the next meeting.
VIII. Action Items/Discussion
A. Appointments
1. Ms. Cheryl Munoz,
Grade 8 Language Arts Teacher
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to appoint Ms. Cheryl
Munoz as Grade 8 Language Arts Teacher at Masters step 3 or $45,532.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
2. Ms. Allison
Sepulveda, Grade 1 Teacher
L. Green MOVED and J. Bright SECONDED to appoint Ms.
Allison Sepulveda as Grade 1 Teacher at Masters step 5 or $51,750.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
3. Ms. Justine
Binkowsi, Special Education Resource Teacher
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to appoint Ms. Justine
Binkowski as Special Education Resource Teacher at Bachelors step 1 or $37,300.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
4. Mrs. Jill Pompa,
Paraprofessional
J. Bright MOVED and N. Petrone SECONDED to appoint Mrs.
Jill Pompa as a Paraprofessional at the pay rate of step 2 or $14.21 per hour.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
B. Policy 9123-Bylaws of the
Board Secretary – Second Reading
J. Bright MOVED and L. Green SECONDED
to approve Policy 9123-Bylaws of the Board Secretary as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 7-0
C. Regulation 6142.101-School
Wellness – First Reading
Mrs. Sears asked the Board to
reconsider including the phrase, “All birthday celebrations will be non-food
based”. The Wellness Committee was asked
by teachers to create a consistent and fair policy for the entire school. This will be reviewed at the next Policy
Subcommittee meeting.
D. New
C. Coley MOVED and N. Petrone
SECONDED to approve the three New Alliance Bank Business Deposit Account Resolutions
as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 7-0
E. Commendation Awards Approval:
Brenda Morey, Cheryl Parrott, Karen Johnson
C. Coley MOVED and N. Petrone SECONDED
to approve the commendation awards as presented by Dr. Saddlemire in the amount
of $500.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
F. Data Driven Decision Making
Level 2 Training Approval
C. Coley MOVED and J. Bright
SECONDED to approve the level two Data Driven Decision Making training.
MOTION CARRIES: 7-0
G. Revised 2007/2008 Horace W.
Porter School Calendar Approval
N. Petrone MOVED and L. Green
SECONDED to approve the revised 2007/2008 Horace W. Porter School calendar as
presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 7-0
H. Additional End of the Year
Transfer Approvals
L. Green MOVED and J. Bright
SECONDED to approve the additional end of the year transfers as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 7-0
IX. Future Agenda Items
·
September
17 – Data Driven Decision Making
·
October
1 Strategic Plan
X. Board of Education
Member Comments
Mrs. Starkey
thanked citizens for attending tonight’s meeting and asked that parents attend
Board meetings regularly. Mrs. Bright thanked the administration
for a good job this evening. Mrs. Starkey was pleased to see that
elementary recess was extended to 30 minutes.
Mrs. Coley and Mrs. Green participated in the Date
Driven Decision Making staff training.
They were both impressed. Mrs. Coley asked if another Board
member could attend the next EASTCONN Executive meeting.
XI. Executive Session for the
Purpose of Personnel Discussion
J. Bright MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED
to enter into Executive Session at 10:20 p.m.
XII. Adjournment
L. Green MOVED and J. Bright SECONDED
to adjourn the meeting at 10:36 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
Respectfully submitted,
Nelson Petrone, Vice Chairperson