Regular Meeting
October 1, 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, Heather Montanile, Tom Doyle, Dale Kukucka
Citizens Present: Mary Ellen Fritz, Mike Collins, Connie
Medeiros, Wendy Pallas, Maryann Potter, Nicole Vacila, Eve Bulley, Kathi
Gudmundson, Sandra Mohammed, Susan Tuohy, Kim Foss, Colleen Marchitto, Mike
Collins, and other citizens
I.
Call to Order
Chairperson
Kate Starkey called the October 1, 2007 regular meeting to order at 7:30
p.m.
II.
Approval of September 17, 2007 Regular Meeting
Minutes
L. Green MOVED and J. Bright SECONDED to approve the September
17, 2007 regular meeting minutes
as presented.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
III.
Audience of Citizens (Bylaws of the Board #9300)
Time allotted for
public participation-30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker-3
minutes
·
Mike Collins asked the outcome of the bus stop
location approval.
·
Colleen Marchitto is concerned for her son who must
cross the street and now walk along
Mrs. Starkey explained the driving force for the
consolidation of bus stops was to get in compliance with the state statute of
150 feet between bus stops ensuring the re-engagement of the bus safety lights.
IV.
Correspondence/Communications/Information
A. Alex
J. Salustri Jr. to Dr. Saddlemire – Kathi Gudmundson Girls Track and Field
Coach
B. Local
Rivals Get Their Kicks In – 9/18/07 Willimantic Chronicle
C. Ground-Breaking
for Bailey’s Garden September 27 – 09/25/07 Willimantic Chronicle
D. Resignations
Hit District 11 – 9/21/07 Willimantic Chronicle
E. Setting
the Record Straight –
F. 9/11/07
Fiscal Policy Board Draft Minutes
G. CT
State Department of
H. Dr.
Saddlemire to Mr. Urban – Hot Lunch Employee Compensation Notice
I. 2007/2008
J. September
20, 2007 H.W. P. Principal Weekly Newsletter
K. CT
State Department of Education –
Dr.
Saddlemire reported State
projections through 2014 predict enrollment numbers for
level off to approximately
600 students in 2013 and then continue to decline.
L. CT
State Department of Education – Strategic School Profiles 1993-94 to 2005-06
Mrs.
Green asked for data for grades
6, 7, 8. Dr. Saddlemire explained that
Senator Prague provided this information and he will bet the requested data.
M. The
Other Data by Matt Villano, www.thejournal.com
V. Presentation
A. Science Curriculum Update – Mr. Dale Kukucka
Mr. Kukucka stated Porter’s science
curriculum is now aligned with state standards and frameworks and thanked staff
who worked on the science curriculum revision.
He reviewed the scope and sequence for PK-8 physical, life, earth, and
technology in society sciences and the embedded performance tasks.
Mrs. Starkey thanked Mr. Kukucka for
his presentation to the Board.
VI. Financial Review
A. Payment of Bills
Ms. Parrott provided answers to Board members’ questions. Mrs. Starkey asked that student/family names
not be included in the manifest listing.
VII. Reports/Discussion
A. Board of
Education Chairperson
1. Separating Problem Solutions From Problem
Symptoms – The Board Report Volume 31- Number 11
B. Board of
Education Subcommittees
1. Program/Personnel – 10/9/07
2. Policy/Facilities – 10/22/07
C. Superintendent’s
Report
1. 9/24/07 Board of Education Special
Meeting-Board Retreat Meeting Minutes – Dr. Saddlemire will prepare the
strategic plan document for subcommittee meeting.
Mrs.
Coley left the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
VIII. Action
Items/Discussion
A. Hot Lunch Authorized
Signatures Change Approval
J. Bright MOVED and L.
Green SECONDED to approve the hot lunch authorized signatures change as
presented.
MOTION CARRIES 6-0
B. Student Walking
Distance Approval – Second Reading
J. Bright MOVED and N.
Petrone SECONDED to consolidate K-8 bus stops, with a minimum of 200 feet
and a maximum of 500
feet, and high school bus stops a maximum of 1000 feet.
Mrs. Bright voiced concern for children walking on roads
without sidewalks and high school students walking on roads in the mornings
before sunrise. Mrs. Starkey restated that 2/10 mile for K-8 and 3/10 mile for 9-12
are reasonable distances for students to walk and these distances are the upper
limits, with safety being taken into consideration. Dr.
Saddlemire explained these distances are from the end of
each driveway and do not
include the length of private residence driveways.
MOTION CARRIES 5-1-0
J. Bright, L. Green, W. Mulcahy, M. Neckermann,
K. Starkey VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION
C. Lakeview Terrace
Bus Stop Location Approval
Lakeview Terrace to pick
up students.
MOTION
CARRIES 6-0
IX. Future Agenda
Items
·
Board meeting topics through November
·
Freedom of Information presentation for new Board members
·
X. Board of
Education Member Comments
Mrs. Starkey stated the article in this evening’s Chronicle
is misleading. The wording makes it seem
like the bus stop consolidations have not happened. Mr.
Mulcahy attended the 9/26 Windham BOE meeting where DDDM and if
XI. Executive
Session for the Purpose of Personnel Discussion
J. Bright MOVED and N. Petrone
SECONDED to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of personnel
discussion at 8:29 p.m.
XII. Adjournment
M. Neckermann MOVED and J.
Bright SECONDED to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES 6-0
Respectfully submitted,
Nelson Petrone, Vice
Chairperson