Columbia Board of Education

Regular Meeting

December 17, 2007

7:30 P.M.

Horace W. Porter School Library Media Center

 

Board Members Present:   Paula Belekewicz, Carol Coley, Linda Green, Lisa Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann, and Nelson Petrone-Chairman

 

Administration Present:    Richard Saddlemire and Jean Trask  

 

Staff Present:                 Cheryl Parrott, Steven Piro, Justin vanGelder, and student teacher Mykal Kuslis

 

Citizens Present:              None 

 

I.        Call to Order by the Superintendent of Schools

      Dr. Saddlemire called the December 17, 2007 regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 

        

II.      Election of Board of Education Officers

L. Green MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED to appoint Nelson Petrone as Board of Education Chairman.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

 

M. Neckermann MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to appoint Carol Coley as Board of Education Vice Chairperson.

 

MOTION CARRIES: 7-0

                 

III.    Approval of November 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes - Take Action

C. Coley MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED to approve the November 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes

wth the following change:  Item II. Recognition of Mrs. Jennifer Bright and Mrs. Kate Starkey – Outgoing Board Members - change first paragraph to read:  The Superintendent presented Mrs. Bright and Mrs. Starkey with plaques in honor of their years of service to the children and Town of Columbia.  He thanked Mrs. Bright for her 9 years of service to the Board: 5 years as Board Clerk and 4 years as a Board Member.   He thanked Mrs. Starkey for her 8 years of service as Board Chairperson and Secretary.  

 

 

MOTION CARRIES: 5-0-2

C. Coley, L. Green, W. Mulcahy, M. Neckermann, N. Petrone, VOTED FOR THE MOTION

P. Belekewicz, L. Jurovaty 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

 

V.     Correspondence/Communications/Information

A.    The Saturday Special – Emily Sternat, H. W. Porter Grade 3

B.     The Saturday Special – Nora O’Brien, H. W. Porter Grade 3

C.    University Region Superintendent’s Association Student Recognition Awards Program

D.    November 29, 2007 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

E.     December 6, 2007 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

F.     December 13, 2007 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

G.    Windham High School Marking Period 1 Honor Roll

H.    Pam & Peter Cavanagh to Mrs. Sharon Leahy, Letter of Thanks

I.     Town of Columbia Safe Routes to School Project Selected for Funding

J.     November 21, 2007 Columbia Financial Planning and Allocation Commission Meeting Minutes

K.     Court’s Ruling Ties Hands of Districts – American School Board Journal/December 2007

L.     Superintendents, Boards Have Good Relationships: Study = WWW.AASA.ORG

M.    FOIC Caucus VS. Meeting – Municipal Law Report 9/24/07

N.    The Nutmeg Board Deals with FOI and Developing the Board Agenda – The CT Boards of Education Journal

O.    The Nutmeg Board Deals with a Teacher Grievance for Back Pay – The CT Boards of Education Journal

P.     October 31, 2007 Fiscal Policy Board Meeting Minutes

Q.    November 13, 2007 Fiscal Policy Board Meeting Minutes

R.    Dr. Saddlemire to Columbia High School Parents/Guardians – Inclement Weather Transportation Policy

S.     December 1, 2007 Horace W. Porter School Enrollment

T.     Windham Board of Education 2008 Meeting Dates

V.       Correspondence/Communications/Information - CONTINUED

U.    EASTCONN Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology Solutions to Dr. Saddlemire – Professional Development Days

V.     December 11, 2007 Fiscal Policy Board Minutes

W.   Slippery Roads Delay Start for Area Schools – 12/10/07 Willimantic Chronicle

X.     The Heavy Federal Hand of NCLB – George Will – Hartford Courant

 

VI.      Presentation

A.  Physical Education at Horace W. Porter School – Justin vanGelder and Mykal Kuslis

Mr. vanGelder introduced his student teacher from Eastern CT State University, Mr. Mykal Kuslis.  He thanked Mr. K for his dedication and creative work while at H.W.P.  Mr. vanGelder and Mr. Kulis presented a Porter Club Fit video and reviewed CT Physical Fitness data.  This information is monitored and tracked to make student goals more visual and real for them.  Personal best and self actualization strategies are used to identify strengths and weaknesses and then used to design appropriate goals that will create life-long behaviors.  The Data Driven Decision Making process is helping to refine ideas and shape the PE curriculum.  Over 100 grade 1-5 students participated in this year’s Turkey Trot and students who participated in Mr. K’s relay were allowed to help shave his head.  Students are planning a Snowman Run during the holiday break.              

 

Board members thanked Mr. vanGelder, Mr. Kuslis, and Mr. Piro for attending this evening’s meeting.         

 

Dr. Saddlemire commended the PE department for their positive attitude and good use of 3DM.

           

B.  Superintendent’s 2007/08 Goals – Dr. Richard Saddlemire, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Saddlemire explained his role as district superintendent, the school-wide emphasis on basic skills, and the work to be done with the new Board.  He reviewed the school, district, and superintendent goals for 2007/2008.

 

Superintendent’s school goals:

1.       Improve student achievement

·    Grade 2 & 3 Language Arts Initiative – purchase reading materials to support the K-4 program

·    Monitor implementation of new spelling program

·    Purchase and use new technology – Blue Ribbon Software, new computer lab, and computer cart

2.       Monitor and support the implementation of Data Driven Decision Making (3DM) school improvement program

3.       Problem solve and resolve conflicts

·    Non-certified job descriptions

·    Monthly meetings with certified and non-certified unions

 

District goals:

1.   Improve test scores

2.   Make changes happen and make it positive

3.   Monitor current budget

4.   Build Administrative Team

·    Mentor 2 new school administrators

·    Facilitate the Transition in Student Services

5.   Lead Strategic Planning Process and create new goals by August, 2008

6.   Develop 2008/09 budget and get Board of Education and Town approval

 

Superintendent’s personal goals:

1.   Establish effective use of elementary and middle school computer labs

2.   Explore ways to balance academic and fine arts use of time (schedule)

3.   Learn more to support 3DM and other improvements

4.   Team Building with the Board of Education

5.   Continue personal professional development through reading, conferences, and local meetings

6.   Improve communication-Listen more than you speak

 

Dr. Saddlemire asked Board members to review the presented goals and make suggestions at the 1/7/08 Board of Education meeting.    

 

 

VII.     Financial Review

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

B.       Report by Object

C.       Project 30 Grants-Fiscal 2007/2008

D.      November 2006 to November 2007 Cost Comparison

 

VIII.   Reports/Discussion

A.   Board of Education Chairperson

1.   What Performance Indicators Should You Monitor? - The Board Report-Vol. 31, Number 15

2.   Keep Your Eye on the Horizon - The Board Report-Vol. 31, Number 16

3.   2008 Regular Meeting Dates

4.   2008 Columbia Board of Education Committee Membership

5.   Columbia Board of Education Member Listing

B.   Board of Education Subcommittees

1.   January 10, 2008 – Budget Subcommittee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. LMC

2.   January 14, 2008 – Facilities/Transportation Subcommittee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. LMC

3.   January 17, 2008 – Budget Subcommittee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. LMC

4.   January 28, 2008 – Budget Subcommittee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. LMC

C.   Superintendent’s Report

1.   Final 2006/07 Strategic School Profiles (SSP) - This information will be reviewed at the

      January 7, 2008 meeting.

2.   Columbia Public School Enrollment Projected to 2017

3.   October 1, 2007 Columbia District Enrollment

4.   The School Environment in the Age of Testing – Superintendent’s CCSU Presentation

 

IX.      Action Items/Discussion

A.   2008-2009 Board of Education Budget Calendar Draft

L. Green MOVED and M. Neckermann SECONDED to approve the 2008-2009 Board of Education Budget Calendar Draft with the Town Meeting date changed from May 13, 2008 to May 30, 2008.

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

 

X.        Future Agenda Items

·          National Junior Honor Society – January 7, 2008

·          Strategic School Profile – January 7, 2008

·          Freedom of Information – January 22, 2008

·          Budget Projections will be prepared for the January 22, 2008 (Tuesday) meeting

·          Strategic Plan – February 4, 2008

·          Data Driven Decision Making – February 25, 2008

 

XI.      Board of Education Member Comments

Mrs. Green congratulated and welcomed new Board members Mrs. Belekewicz and Mrs. Jurovaty.  Board members requested Bolton’s Board of Education meeting date schedule and future minutes.

 

XII.  Executive Session for the Purpose of Personnel Discussion

C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to enter into executive session at 9:50 p.m.

 

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

 

C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to adjourn executive session at 10:20 p.m.

 

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

 

XIII.    Adjournment

W. Mulcahy MOVED and M. Neckermann SECONDED to adjourn the meeting at 10:21 p.m.

 

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Carol S. Coley, Vice Chairperson