Regular Meeting
September 4, 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, Sharon Leahy, Gail McGrath, Judy
Zemantic
Citizens Present: Mary Ellen Fritz, Connie Medeiros, Nicole
Vacila, Maria Gratton, Kim Foss, Wendy Pallas, Sabena Escott, Stacy Parla,
Laurie Rogers, Amy Rafa, Ann Shutler, Mac Toedt, Lynn Williams, Diane Daigle,
Senator Edith Prague, Joyce Fox, Robert Zemantic, Michael & Bobbi Hartling,
Paul Horvath, Linda Rainwater, Cindy Moseley, Johanna Gorgone, Tom McGrath,
Laurie Petersen, Karin Caughlin, Bill Walsh, Glen Anger, Kerry Hoffman, Laurie
Rogers, Maryann Potter, Diane Schatz, Bill Walsh, Kim Foss, and other citizens
I.
Call to Order
Chairperson
Kate Starkey called the September 4, 2007 regular meeting to order at 7:30
p.m.
Additions
to the agenda:
J. Bright MOVED and M. Neckermann
SECONDED to add VIII.D.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
II.
Audience of Citizens for Transportation and
Other Comments
Time allotted for
public participation-30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker-3
minutes
Senator Edith Prague read the letter she received from Dr.
Saddlemire regarding the misleading information published in the Courant’s Our Town, Our Schools. She contacted the State Department of Education
and the Courant for more information.
The Courant agreed to print a letter of retraction if the information
printed was not accurate.
Dr. Saddlemire explained that he was contacted by a
Audience members had numerous concerns for the Board:
·
Mr.
Anger asked if the Board will re-address the unsafe bus stop on the corner of Lakeview
Terrace and Route 87 and what specifically will be done to remedy this unsafe
situation.
·
For
four years, Mrs. Hoffman, who lives on Route 87, has been driving her children
to a neighbor’s home to wait at a safer bus stop location or to school each
day.
·
Mrs.
Hartling of
·
Laurie
Rogers asked why the bus stop was changed if it worked for the last 14 years.
·
Maryann
Potter asked if neighbors on Parkview Terrace might agree to not park along the
narrow road so there will be more room for the bus to maneuver more easily.
·
Senator
Prague stated that for years she walked and jogged along Route 87. It has become treacherous and in her opinion
this bus stop is a disaster waiting to happen.
·
Another
audience member asked the Board to consider sun glare when investigating this
matter.
·
Linda
Rainwater asked for an interim temporary bus stop location at Mr. Anger’s
driveway until the Board makes its final decision.
·
Another
audience member said it is the Board’s duty to find a safe solution to this
matter.
·
Sabena
Escott asked if there is a guideline for the number of children sitting in a
bus seat.
·
Gail
McGrath asked the superintendent to consider changing a high school bus stop
back to its original location on
·
Stacy
Parla said there are not enough seats on bus 1.
There are 5 other stops after hers and some are daycare locations that
have multiple children who must get on the bus.
·
A
parent in the audience has contacted the SDOE Associate Commissioner who
profiled
Mrs.
Starkey explained that in the past, the Board had been accused of having a
slush fund to cushion the tuition account.
In an attempt to be more fiscally responsible, the Board agreed to
return unused tuition funds at the end of the year and if unplanned tuition
costs exceeded the budgeted amount, the Town agreed to pay the extra tuition
costs.
Mr. Mulcahy
stated the Board of Education is not trading dollars for safety. Backing up in a school bus is not a good idea
because of poor visibility.
Mrs. Coley
hears and understands parents’ concerns.
She wonders why the bus company thinks this is a safe bus stop.
Mr. Petrone
stated numbers can be worked any way and the Courant’s questions were not
clearly asked. The Board considers
spending in preparation for the following school year, expanding technology for
the school when possible, with any eye on the future.
Dr.
Saddlemire thinks the Board of Education deserves credit for adding the much
needed technology for Porter students.
III.
Correspondence/Communications/Information
A. Dr.
Saddlemire to Senator Edith Prague – Courant “Our Towns, Our Schools”
Misleading Information
B. Dr.
Saddlemire to FIPAC, First Selectmen – Courant “Our Towns, Our Schools”
Misleading Information
C. The
Condition of Education in
D. Horace
W. Porter School 2007/08 Student Handbook
E. 2007/2008
F. Sports
Bar Serves Up Another (WSAGW) Title – Anne Robinson & Kim Robinson - 08/30/07 Willimantic Chronicle
G.
IV. Presentation
A. Horace W. Porter CMT Scores Review – Dr.
Richard Saddlemire, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Saddlemire thanked citizens for
attending the meeting and informed the audience as No Child Left Behind hurdles
get higher each year, more schools will have failing grades. In 2014, all schools will have to have 100%
of their student population proficient or above. Last year, Porter was a failing school
because of one subgroup. This year,
Porter is considered a safe harbor school.
The Superintendent reviewed CMT cohort comparisons to better explain and
understand the CMT scores. He
Superintendent ended his presentation by stating, “Soul searching is a waste of
time. Professionals get a plan and
implement it. Data Driven Decision
Making is our plan and we will continue to improve”.
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:
·
Connie
Medeiros disagrees that math scores are strong.
In grade 3, 85% of
·
Maryann
Potter said Porter’s low student-to-teacher ratio should lend itself to higher
scores. There are many good things about
Porter but she is disappointed because we can do better and she loves this
town.
·
Diane
Schatz said all CT students take the same test.
Rather than statistics, she would like more detailed information on why
Porter’s scores are low.
·
Maria
Gratton asked about all-day kindergarten.
Dr. Saddlemire said it is possible
full day kindergarten will be implemented next year. After the holiday break, the administration
will be approaching the Board of Education with this option.
·
Senator
Edith Prague said for parents here tonight, changes will be made because of
them. It is frightening to look at the
numbers, in all respect to Dr. Saddlemire and Mrs. Coss. Parents want action. Help is available from other districts and
the State Department of Education. This
must be done. Parents want a
commitment. (Applause)
·
Laurie
Rogers asked why the federal government is setting us up for failure with No
Child Left Behind.
·
Bill
Walsh has a daughter in kindergarten and he is already seeing things that
bother him. Better communication is
needed.
·
Kim
Foss asked if summer school is available for all students in the danger zone.
·
Wendy
Pallas asked the reason for changing kindergarten to 3 sections.
·
Ann
Shutler asked why access to the computer lab in the summer was never advertised
to parents as an option.
·
Another
parent said she is failing her son so she will continue to review the numbers
until she finds out what is going on at Porter.
Mrs. Starkey said the district is not seeing the expected
improvements in the writing program that was implemented five years ago. The program is being changed and a new
spelling program has been introduced.
Mrs. Bright said parents want to see their children meeting
goal.
Mrs. Green asked if the math program is strong, can we
bring the same concepts to the areas of reading and writing?
Mrs. Starkey said the district is looking at the K-2
curriculum and has asked the State for recommendations.
Dr. Saddlemire said the focus will be on K-3 and having
these children perform higher. Dr. Saddlemire thanked parents, citizens, and
Senator Prague for attending the meeting.
VI.
Financial Review
A. Payment of Bills
Board members had no questions for Ms. Parrott!
VII. Reports/Discussion
A. Board of Education
Chairperson
1. September
Through December Draft Board of Education Meeting Dates
B. Board of Education
Subcommittees
1. September
10, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m. – Building Walk Through, Facilities/Transportation &
Policy
2. September
24, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m. – Board Retreat (location to be determined)
C. Superintendent’s Report
1. September
17, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m. – Welcome for new teachers, BEST, Newly Tenured, and
Awards Reception (This has been changed to October 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
2.
Porter Transportation Hub
VIII. Action Items/Discussion
A. Appointments
1. Mr. Robert
Persons, Security Monitor Receptionist
L. Green MOVED and N. Petrone SECONDED to appoint Mr. Robert
Persons as Security Monitor Receptionist at the rate of $11.00 per hour.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
2. Mrs. Kathy
Mattessich, Non-Certified Union President
J. Bright MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to appoint Mrs. Kathy
Mattessich as the 2007/08 Non-Certified Union President at the stipend rate of
$500.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
3. Mrs. Susan
Catullo, Unified Sports Coach
J. Bright MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to appoint Mrs. Susan
Catullo as Unified Sports Coach for the 2007/08 school year at the stipend rate
of $1,404.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
4. Mrs. Daryl Brown,
Fiscal Manager
W. Mulcahy MOVED and J. Bright SECONDED to appoint Mrs. Daryl
Brown as the Town Fiscal Manager with the salary approved and paid by the Town.
MOTION CARRIES 6-0-1
J. Bright, C. Coley, L. Green, W. Mulcahy, M. Neckermann,
K. Starkey ABSTAINED.
Mrs. Brown resides in
B. Regulation 6142.101-School
Wellness – Second Reading
TABLED
This will be reviewed at the
09/10/07 Policy Subcommittee meeting.
C. Student Waling Distance Approval – First Reading
TABLED
This will be reviewed at the 9/10/7
Policy Subcommittee meeting.
D.
W. Mulcahy MOVED and M. Neckermann
SECONDED to change the bus stop on
MOTION AMMENDED
C. Coley MOVED and N. Petrone
SECONDED to temporarily move, for up to a month, the bus stop location back to
Mr. Anger’s driveway on Lakeview Terrace until the Board of Education can
decide on the permanent location of this bus stop.
MOTION CARRIES 5-2-0
C. Coley, L. Green, M. Neckermann,
N. Petrone, K. Starkey VOTED FOR THE MOTION
J. Bright, W. Mulcahy VOTED AGAINST
THE MOTION
IX. Future Agenda Items
·
October
1 New Staff & Newly Tenured Teaches Reception
X. Board of Education
Member Comments
Mrs. Starkey
asked if the back entrance is open before school for morning student drop
off. (Yes) Mrs.
Coley stated the Board is not lowering the bar for CMT scores and the
scores are not as bleak a picture as the paper would have us believe. Tonight’s presentation showed another way to
look at the data. Mrs. Coley asked if the Board agenda or presentation topics might
be posted on the school web site. Mrs. Bright would like Porter students
to score beyond proficient.
XI. Executive Session for the
Purpose of Personnel Discussion
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED
to enter into Executive Session at 10:15 p.m.
J. Bright MOVED and N. Petrone
SECONDED to adjourn Executive Session at 10:30 p.m.
XII. Adjournment
M. Neckermann MOVED and J. Bright SECONDED
to adjourn the meeting at 10:31 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
Respectfully submitted,
Nelson Petrone, Vice Chairperson