Columbia Board of Education

Regular Meeting

November 19, 2007

7:30 P.M.

Horace W. Porter School Library Media Center

 

Board Members Present:   Jennifer Bright, Carol Coley, Linda Green, William Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann,

Nelson Petrone-Vice Chairman, and Kate Starkey-Chairperson

 

Administration Present:    Richard Saddlemire, Francine Coss, and Jean Trask  

 

Staff Present:                 Cheryl Parrott, Marian Lowry, and Heather Montanile

 

Citizens Present:              Connie Medeiros, Lisa Jurovaty, Debbie Bailey, Susan Kaufman, Carrie and Olivia Randazzo, Mrs. Czarnowski, and Steve Bojorquez 

 

Others Present:              Lebanon Superintendent Robert McGray and Lyman Memorial High School Principal Stephen Salisbury

 

I.        Call to Order

      Chairperson Kate Starkey called the November 19, 2007 regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 

 

Additions to the agenda:

      K. Starkey MOVED and N. Petrone SECONDED to amend the 11/19/07 agenda to add VIII.A.3. American School Board Article and VIII.D. National Junior Honor Society.

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

        

II.      Recognition of Mrs. Jennifer Bright and Mrs. Kate Starkey – Outgoing Board Members

The Superintendent thanked Mrs. Bright and Mrs. Starkey for their years of service to the children and town of

Columbia.  He presented them each with a plaque in their honor.

 

Mrs. Bright said, “People have been asking me if I am excited to be finishing my Board tenure and I can honestly say I leave with mixed emotions.  In the 8 years I have been on the Board, both as the board clerk and as a member of the Board, I have seen many changes.  …we added a high school to our choices, added an enrichment teacher, added more computers and smartboards and are about to add a technology teacher.  We improved our school security and have started working on strengthening our curriculum.  We have seen a total and positive change in our administration and I feel we have improved on the Board’s relationship with both the Town and the school.  And although there have been many positive changes, there is a feeling that there is still work to be done as we have seen the havoc NCLB and CMT testing have placed on our community.  Being on the Board has been an eye opening experience for me.  There are always many sides to an issue: the administration, the Town, the teachers, the parents, and ultimately what is best for the student.  As the new Board moves forward, I wish them well in trying to balance all those needs as they strive to educate the children of Columbia”.

 

During Mrs. Starkey’s tenure as a Board member, she has worked with four different boards through rough and smooth times.  The Board of Education has achieved significant accomplishments during this time.  The district became and continues to be fiscally responsible and relations with staff and the Town have improved.  She recognizes Dr. Saddlemire for his part in these accomplishments.  With Data Driven Decision Making in place, the district will move forward and have more successes.  Although she leaves with mixed emotions, she feels it is time for her to move on.  She thanked Board members and Town citizens for the honor of serving on the Columbia Board of Education.  She wishes the new Board continued successes.

                 

III.    Approval of November 5, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes - Take Action

J. Bright MOVED and N. Petrone SECONDED to approve the November 5, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes

as presented. 

 

MOTION CARRIES: 5-0-2

J. Bright, W. Mulcahy, M. Neckermann, N. Petrone, K. Starkey VOTED FOR THE MOTION

C. Coley, L. Green ABSTAINED

 

 

IV.   Audience of Citizens (Bylaws of the Board #9300)

Time allotted for public participation–30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker–3 minutes

 

Mrs. Susan Kaufman asked Mr. Salisbury if the Lebanon High School administration might poll Lyman grade 9

students after their first year to see if they felt there were curriculum areas of difficulty.

 

Mr. Salisbury said this could be done.  Mr. McGray said the Lyman Director of Curriculum works closely with

Porter’s Guidance Counselor to align the two district’s curriculum.

 

V.     Correspondence/Communications/Information

A.    The Saturday Special – Hannah Erickson, Grade 3 Porter Student Drawing

        Mrs. Starkey gave kudos to Hannah Erickson for her Saturday Special drawing.

B.     The Kids Honor the Vets – Willimantic Chronicle

        Mrs. Starkey complimented the Grade 5 team and students for a wonderful Veterans Day Program.

C.    Lyman Senior Christopher Czarnowski CAPSS Superintendent’s Award Winner

        Mrs. Coley congratulated Christopher for being selected as Lyman’s Superintendent Award winner.

D.    Porter United Way Campaign Raises $1,377 – Letter of Thanks

        Mrs. Starkey thanked Karen Johnson for heading up the United Way Campaign again this year.

E.     GOP Takes Over Columbia Council – 11/7/07 Willimantic Chronicle

F.     November 8, 2007 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

G.    November 15, 2007 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

H.    2006/2007 Horace W. Porter School Strategic School Profile (SSP)

I.     October 16, 2007 Columbia Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

J.     October 17, 2007 Columbia Financial Planning and Allocation Commission Meeting Minutes

K.     October 31, 2007 Columbia Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

L.     Dr. Saddlemire to Newly Elected Board Members Mrs. Paula Belekewicz and Mrs. Lisa Jurovaty

M.    CT Association of Boards of Education to Dr. Richard Saddlemire – CABE Services

N.    Dr. Saddlemire to Porter Grade 8 and Lyman High School Parents/Guardians

O.    Updated 2007/2008 Horace W. Porter School Staff List

 

VI.      Presentation

A.  Lyman Memorial High School’s Curriculum and Level Changes – Mr. Stephen Salisbury

Mr. Stephen Salisbury, Lyman High School’s Principal explained Lyman’s course levels of difficulty which have been implemented in compliance to the IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Act and No Child Left Behind legislation:

 

Advanced Placement – This rigorous course of study offers students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.  Students should be prepared to engage in intensive study and independent work.

 

Honors – These courses are designed with a very high level of academic challenge in terms of sophistication of concepts, pace, and productivity.

 

Level 1 College Preparatory – Courses designed to prepare students for college level work.  These courses involve a high level of academic challenge and work expectations.

 

Level 2 and 3 Modified College Preparatory – These courses are designed with an average level of rigor.  Accommodations and support are provided students who receive special individualized instruction. 

 

The consolidation of level 2 and 3 was implemented in response to No Child Left Behind legislation and to ensure that all students have equal access to the regular curriculum.  Lyman’s recent initiatives focus on improving student performance at all levels and increasing expectations for all students.  To date, Lyman has seen improvement in a variety of areas including CAPT and SAT.      

 

College Credit Options:

College Career Pathways, formally Tech Prep, allows high students to earn up to 14 college credits in the CT University System.

 

Partnership Programs:

CT College and Thee Rivers allow students to enroll in college course while attending high school.  WHIP at Eastern CT State University allows a limited number of students to attend courses while in high school.

 

Board members thanked Mr. Salisbury and Mr. McGray for attending this evening’s meeting.                    

 

VII.     Financial Review

A.  Payment of Bills            - Ms. Parrott provided answers to Board members’ questions.

VII.     Financial Review - continued

B.      Report by Object

This document will be reviewed at the December 10th meeting.

 

VIII.   Reports/Discussion

A.   Board of Education Chairperson

1.   Six Things Every Board Member Should Know - The Board Report-Vol. 31, Number 13

2.   Your Approach to Difficult Issues - The Board Report-Vol. 31, Number 14

3.   American School Board Article

B.   Board of Education Subcommittees

1.   November and December 2007 Revised Meeting Calendars

C.   Superintendent’s Report

1.   2007 Superintendent Student Award Winners:

·    Jessica Quimby and Olivia Randazzo, Grade 6

·    Alphonse Catullo and Victoria Morin, Grade 8

These four students have been recognized by their teachers for their school activities and academic success.  Dr. Saddlemire introduced Olivia Randazzo to the Board.  Ms. Randazzo received a round of applause from Board members and the audience.

2.   2007 Columbia Teacher of the Year:  Mrs. Katherine Francis, Elementary Music Teacher

On November 15th, Dr. Saddlemire and Mrs. Katherine Francis attended the CT Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony at Central CT State University.  Mrs. Francis is enjoying her special Porter parking space and will be honored at a reception at Uncle D’s on 11/29/07 from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

D.   National Junior Honor Society

Mrs. Starkey asked the new Board to review Policy 6145.51 - National Junior Honor Society for consistency with school policy.

 

IX.      Action Items/Discussion

A.   2008 Regular Columbia Board of Education Meeting Dates Approval

C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to approve the 2008 Regular Columbia Board of Education Meeting Dates schedule.

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

 

X.        Future Agenda Items

·          Superintendent’s Goals – December 10, 2007

·          Strategic School Profile – January 7, 2008

·          CABE Services

·          Freedom of Information

·          Course levels and grade 9 programs at Windham High School

 

XI.      Board of Education Member Comments

Mrs. Starkey informed members that although Mrs. Stacey Pence is not due to begin teaching grade 7 Math until November 20th, her website is up-to-date and students already have homework.  Mr. Petrone said even though the Board has not agreed on every issue, they have always worked together with the children of Columbia’s interest at heart.  It has been a pleasure working with Mrs. Bright and Mrs. Starkey.

 

XII.  Executive Session for the Purpose of Personnel Discussion

J. Bright MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to enter into executive session at 8:15 p.m.

 

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

 

XIII.    Adjournment

W. Mulcahy MOVED and N. Petrone SECONDED to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Nelson Petrone, Vice Chairman