TOWN OF ROCKY HILL
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEETING OF AUGUST
19, 2004
Members Present: Peter Arico
Nadine Bell (Chairman)
Kirk Bostwick
Neil Geldof
Charles McMonigle
Francis Palazzolo
Anne Schmidt
Catherine Vargas
Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse
Members Absent: None
A meeting of the Board of Education
was held on
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
Moved by Mrs. Schmidt, seconded by Mr. McMonigle
to accept the minutes of the
FAVOR:
ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mrs. Schmidt, seconded by Mr.
McMonigle to accept the minutes of the
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mrs. Schmidt, seconded by Mr.
Palazzolo to accept the minutes of the
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE
Dr. Vautour noted the receipt of various thank you notes form recent retirees and individuals for whom the BOE sent flowers specifically; Andrea Colla, Peter Rubaski, Irene Hadfield, Barbara Allessio, Rosalie O’Neill, and Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse.
Dr. Vautour shared three letters of correspondence. The first letter from Barbara Wysocki on behalf of the Cora Belden Library, recognizing Rocky Hill teachers Brian Graca, Maryanne Guerrera, Adele Gali, and Raisa Bublick for their participation in the Book Buddies Program.
Dr. Vautour read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. James Ross, recognizing several staff members; Mr. Brown, Mr. Coyne, Ms. Devine, Mrs. Fraulo, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Rahbani, and Mr. Gerster.
Dr. Vautour shared a letter from David Shonta recognizing Ms. DeSimone.
Dr. Vautour commented
on the letters noting their testimony, which reflects the caliber of the
Mrs. Bell, on behalf of the Board, congratulated all who deserved those accolades.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
RHTA Liaison Committee
There was no report.
Student Representatives
There were no student reports.
Chairman Bell noted that Chairman of Finance and Town Council member, Tina Lionetti, was in the audience.
Meeting Open to the Public
1. There was no one from the public wishing to address the Board on any item not on the agenda.
1. Consent
Calendar
Moved by Mrs.
Schmidt, seconded by Mr. McMonigle to accept the consent calendar of August 19, 2004.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
2. Personnel
and Negotiations
No report.
3. Policy
Dr. Vautour reported
that the Policy Committee met to consider a policy on the use of an automated
defibrillator, which was donated through a grant from
Mrs. Vargas proceeded with the first reading of Policy 5141 The Automated External Defibrillator, which read as follows:
Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
Cardiovascular Disease is a national
concern. The
Mrs. Bell noted that at the next BOE meeting, a second reading would take place and action would be taken.
4. Finance
Mrs. Schmidt
reported on the
5. Curriculum
Mrs. Vargas reported on the committee meeting held earlier in the day. She said the following items were discussed:
Summer Curriculum Development
All budgeted curriculum projects are moving along. The materials developed will be shared with other department members at the beginning of the year
Mrs. Vargas said recommendations on teaching handwriting were discussed. She noted the information from the Written Communications Committee was helpful to a group this summer, who developed guidelines and expectations for the teaching of handwriting. The need to provide a more consistent approach with additional practice time being given to students through grade 5 was recognized.
Elementary Math Program
The elementary math program implementation was also discussed. It was reported that all K-2 teachers have been trained in the new math program, which more closely matches the CT standards. The program will be shared with parents at the PTO meetings in each of the elementary schools this fall.
Budget Process
Input was solicited from the committee members about the curriculum related budget processes that will be coming up
CMT Results
The curriculum related processes in place for helping to develop the skills measured by the CMT were reviewed. This included work that began last year in building math skills and the math vocabulary needed to be successful on these tests. The research done last year by the reading consultants, also resulted in the purchase of materials to help build comprehension skills and the development of benchmark tests.
6. Professional
Development
7. Facilities
Mr. Bostwick reported that the committee met earlier this evening to continue a physical assessment of each of the schools that were started at the beginning of the year. There are several projects that the town facilities department had undertaken for the School Facilities Committee over the summer.
The painting of
the gym at
8. Technology
No report.
9. Transportation/Accommodations
No report.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
10. Recognition of Retirees
The BOE recognized the retirement of Norma Kenneson, secretary of Myrtle H. Stevens School. Mr. Watson presented and spoke on behalf of the BOE, the administration, the teachers, and the community. A token of appreciation was given to Mrs. Kenneson.
11. CMT
Report
Dr. Vautour noted the Commissioner of Education announced that CTB McGraw-Hill, the company responsible for scoring CT Mastery Tests, had a $300,000 fine levied against it this year. He said that is reflective of the remarkable number of problems the state encountered in getting this years scores accurately to the extent they actually could complete it. He added that the score results did not arrive until the close of the school year so that they were virtually useless in terms of guiding any instruction this year.
Dr. Vautour reported that when the CMT results were reviewed, it was noted that at the 4th grade level, in the area of mathematics, we outperformed our educational reference group, which is D, as well as the state. In the area of reading, our 4th grade students performed below the Educational Reference Group (ERG) and the state. The departure from the previous year was a drop of roughly 16 percentage points in terms of the number of students reflected mastery of goal, which prompts some further observations down the road.
In writing, 4th grade students equaled the ERG and surpassed the state. In grade 6, students outperformed both the reference group and the state in mathematics. Sixth graders fell below the ERG in reading and writing but outperformed the state in both of those areas. The 8th grade outperformed the ERG as well as the state in all three subject areas.
Dr. Vautour went
on to say that when an ERG and state review are done, we are not too far out of
place.
He added that what
they sensed is that the alignment of the previous math curriculum was not as
tight as it should be with CT standards.
Dr. Vautour stated that one of the things that he and Mrs. Boutilier questioned was whether or not this was unique to Rocky Hill. He said that upon review of the ERG results, it appeared that on the 4th grade level, that of the 21 towns in our reference group, 13 of them dropped in reading. At the 6th grade level, 16 out of 21 of the towns dropped in reading. At the 8th grade level, 13 of the 21 towns dropped in reading. He noted that this pattern raises some suspicion about the scoring.
Dr. Vautour went on to say that one of the aspects of the CT Mastery Test is that in every one of the subcomponents, there are items that are subjective in terms of scoring judgment. He said they could not get a handle on whether or not the subjectivity interfered with the accuracy of the scoring this year.
Dr. Vautour referred to Mr. Jeff Linden, the Curriculum Director in Region 10 whom had suggested to his board that this year be viewed as one of re-centering the scoring. The logic being that the previous scoring company had a history scoring CMT. They had trained scorers that were being used from year to year. Dr. Vautour said that a new cadre of scorers scored the CMT and the extent to which the consistency transferred from the previous test company to CTB McGraw-Hill is not known. He added that the results will be used but with a jaded view.
A further look at the 4th grade was prompted by these results. Dr. Vautour went on to say that they took a look at the 4th grade when it was in 3rd grade and was administered a test known as the Degrees of Reading Power. The Degrees of Reading Power is a predictor of how the students will do in 4th grade. They also looked at the class that preceded this current test group and the class following. He said this gave them a 3-year glimpse in terms of student performance on that DRP. It was found that for the class of 2004, 81.5% were proficient on the DRP. He said of the class of 2005, which is the class in question, 76.5% were deficient and the class about to be tested this September on the CMT as 3rd graders, 86% were proficient on the DRP.
He said that they would be looking closely at what the reading performance will look like this year. They will question if whether or not they have a situation where one class had a larger proportion of students having reading difficulty, which can occur from one year to another.
Dr. Vautour
reported that the committee reviewed the report to see how the students
performed over time, a so called “cohort analysis”. He said they have data on students when they
were in 4th grade, 6th grade, and into the 8th
grade. When they looked at that data,
they found a very consistent pattern of improvement from
District participation rates were another aspect reviewed because it appeared that states meet a certain level of participation. This figure is set at 95% in every instance, every subject and grade level. He said we have exceeded the 95% participation rate. Dr. Vautour noted we have no problem with that. He added that results are less than we had hoped for but that they are looking at them with a grain of salt given the scoring problems that were out there. He added that they are doing a number of things to address the CMT results and they will be doing more. He said it is important to focus more on what it is that is being done by the staff to continue the improvement in the CMT.
Laura Boutilier spoke next to share some observations on improvements on the CMT results. She noted the inconsistencies within some of the objectives that do not make any logical sense. She said the committee is disappointed in the results and find them perplexing. In spite of that, they are treating them seriously and putting in place initiatives that they have discussed and reinforcing initiatives that have already been in place.
Mrs. Boutilier said in the mathematics area, over the last year, they have been doing extensive training working with a consultant, Ann Spinelli from CCSU. They have been working on strategies to help students develop the skills to meet those CT standards.
Last year a notebook was compiled for each grade level in the elementary school that includes information about the standards and some activities the teachers can use to reinforce those skills. Mrs. Boutilier added that they also put together for all the teachers, vocabulary lists that were reviewed and made available to the staff to post or use in their classrooms. She noted that they had been told that 60% of the errors in the mathematics area are reading errors.
The most important change in the mathematics area was the shifting to a new mathematics program. There has been extensive training with all the K-2 teachers for the Mathematics Trailblazer Series pilot program that was undertaken last year and will be implemented this year. Mrs. Boutilier said that with time they will see that this makes a major difference in the way students approach problem solving and mathematics.
Mrs. Boutilier said that two staff members would be developing our own benchmark tests that will be administered for the K-2 students that will correlate with the new math series, which will be given to all students in January and again in the beginning of May. This will be an indicator of how well our pacing is going along; how well the curriculum is working; and which students we may need to intervene with and provide some additional services. These will be put into place and will be closely matched to the new curriculum.
In the area of language-arts, Mrs. Boutilier said we were ahead of the curve. She said last fall they did not like where they were after reviewing the ERG data. It was felt that we should be higher in our ERG. Research was done and 7-8 towns were identified that consistently scored above us in our ERG in the language-arts areas, the reading, and writing. Those towns were conferred by our language-arts and reading consultants to find out what they were doing differently. It was found that consistency in approach was mandated. A resource used by the districts they were surveying was identified and purchased for all 3rd and 4th grade teachers that most closely align with the CMT, the content, as well as the way the students are asked to respond. These will be used throughout the year in the 3rd and 4th grade classes.
Mrs. Boutilier said that they also learned from the visitations that a good number of the districts were also using some sort of benchmark testing in language-arts. She said we have had for a number of years, writing prompts that are given four times a year so the teachers can monitor the students’ progress on the writing program. She said we have used those results but we did not have anything to monitor the reading comprehension. Two different programs will be piloted this year and a decision will be made from there. This will be implemented so that we are not relying on one measure.
Flip charts that were already put in place will be reinforced. Every elementary and middle school teacher has these flip charts, which have some open-ended questions for teachers to use to help students develop some of the skills that are measured on the CMT.
Mrs. Boutilier noted that other support material would be provided for the teachers and will be identified as the year goes on. She added that they are not done with the research with the language-arts consultants. She said they are going to pilot the benchmark tests and then work with the staff to help support them. She added that with these interventions that had been in place for the last year and a half, it should make a difference. She said we are using the CMT results as a way to move forward, some curriculum changes, that will help us in the end. She said the administrators have also been asked to put together a plan of attack for the CMT to be used for when the students return to school and throughout the year. These would be similar to the kinds of initiatives she talked about from a curricular perspective. She said they are all approaching this in a holistic manner.
12. Professional
Development Report
Mrs. Boutilier summarized data concerning professional development activities for the 2003-2004 school year. She referred to a report in the BOE packet. She said our staff involvement in out-of-district professional development opportunities decreased dramatically this year, which was a direct result of the lack of funding. We had 317 staff members who attended out-of-district conferences or workshops last year decreased to 180 this year. Those 180 staff members, who went, paid for themselves for the experience. Mrs. Boutilier commended them for that. Some of the workshops ranged in the $500 range.
Mrs. Boutilier reported that in spite of not having that level of support for out-of-district conferences and workshops, they did have 6 days of planned professional development that our staff participated in. She referred to the calendar included in the BOE packet. She explained that they have tried to provide a balance between the departments or curricular areas.
She said they
would be continuing for the consortium for the Election Day professional
development with
Mrs. Viggiano-Grosse asked for input and ideas for having paraprofessionals attending a professional development day. Mrs. Boutilier said that the paraprofessionals are always invited to any of the workshops that we have in district and many of them do attend but there is always the issue of payment for those days. In addition, there have been opportunities, particularly at the Special Education Resource Center (SERC). Workshops that are geared towards paraprofessionals in conjunction with their special education classroom teacher. She said they encourage them to participate, but there is no stipend to go along with it.
Mrs. Viggiano-Grosse asked if there were any grants that might be available. Mrs. Boutilier said they recognize the need but have not come up with any solutions yet. She said it is something they will continue to work for.
Mrs. Bell said each board member who went through the budget cycle wholeheartedly supported the increase in the professional development for the staff and thanked the Town Council for their support and increased funding.
13. Elementary
Enrollment Analysis
Dr. Vautour said
that on July 28 he sent a memo out to the Board advising them of some
enrollment issues that came to his attention.
The kindergarten enrollments at
Specifically, he
introduced a sixth section of kindergarten at
He instructed Mr.
Pear to combine the second grades at
The final action he took was to ask Mr. Pear to deploy the paraprofessionals in such a way as to address the first grade since they are at, or above, by one student in each class.
The sixth section of kindergarten resulted in an increase in staff of .5. He asked the Boards ratification of his actions this evening for the record.
Moved by Mrs. Schmidt, seconded by Mrs.
Viggiano-Grosse for the ratification of Dr.Vautour’s decision to add a section
of kindergarten at
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Mrs. Schmidt noted that some of these were close to the edge and asked if there was any consideration of additional staff. Dr. Vautour said he did not believe so in the sense of adding a teacher. He said we might have to add a paraprofessional or re-deploy them. He said he would be viewing the action this evening as basically fixing the deployment of the elementary teachers for the coming school year.
Mrs. Bell said she would also like to ask Mr. Pear if he was successful in getting the volunteers to move between schools. Mr. Pear said he was able to get 3 people to move and may have a fourth. He was able to lower the class to 20.
14. Status
Report on Clinical Day/Alternative Programs for Rocky
Ms. Levy discussed
the status of two new programs to address student needs at
Ms. Levy expressed appreciation for the out-pouring of assistance from the Student Loan Foundation, the town, Mr. Cooke, the BOE, and Dr. Vautour. She thanked them for allowing this program to move forward. She added that not only were they given the space, but they were also providing the utilities, the custodial service, access to the building, and allowing a mural as part of an art project.
Ms. Levy noted the
connection between the high school, the curriculum, Bob, and Donna. In addition, the Boys and
Ms. Levy reported that they have PPT’d five students, who would have been placed out of district this year in clinical programs, back into the district, the Clinical Day Program. From an academic stance it has allowed them to be able to attend classes at the high school that they might not have attended; to be able to participate in extra-curricular activities; and to be able to become a part of the Rocky Hill community.
There are approximately 8 students in the program. There are three additional students that would have been placed out of district this year will be attending the Clinical Day Program. Ms. Levy said from a financial stance we have met the budgetary requirements in that area. I
In the Alternative Program, Ms. Levy said they have received a list from Bob and Donna and are in the process of discussing students who would be appropriate candidates for the program. There have been some requests on the part of students and families to be considered for the program.
In terms of student transportation, Ms. Levy said they have worked with Double A and will be getting a mini-van. This will assist them in getting students to and from school as well as back and forth from the high school to the program for additional courses they may desire to take.
Ms. Levy said in terms of staff, the Clinical Day Program has all of the main portions of the program staffed. Zoe Dolan has requested to be a part of the program. She is a teacher who has expertise in this area. In addition, Ann Jordan will be one of the staff members for the Clinical Day Program. Anne Cox will be rejoining the program as a half-time school Psychologist in the program along with Dr. Janet Shapiro-Weiss who is the Psychiatrist and Consultant that will be present one half day a week. A five-hour person has been hired to do social studies and will help with some of the English activities at the initial part of the year. She said they are still looking for persons for science, math, and English.
In terms of the Alternative Program, they are completely staffed. Jen Holt, a social worker will be joining the staff after completing some of her activities during the day. Shirley King and Shelia Tobin will be sharing the Special Education responsibilities as well as over-seeing the day-to-day running of the program. Mr. Oakman will be teaching science and math. Mr. Warner will be teaching social studies and English two days a week.
Ms. Levy said they are just about set with the furnishings. They are in the process of getting 15 computers ready. She thanked Fred Ames for helping to set up the computers.
Ms. Levy said had they sent students out this year, they would have expended $193,000. By having the students attend the Clinical Day Program, they are saving $190,000. The transportation costs that they are saving are $18,274. The total projected savings is $208,418, which leaves a net savings of $15,000 thus far. Ms. Levy said this does not include the benefits of helping students to get their high school degree, enabling students to become a part of the community, and reduce the dropout rate. A time will be set up for a walk-thru for the Board to view the facility.
Dr. Vautour shared two anecdotes with the Board of two families pleased with the program and in need of the services. He noted the level of cooperation and support coming from diverse sources such as facilities and the CT Student Loan Foundation itself has really made this all possible and they are anxious to get this started.
Mrs. Schmidt asked if a student was removed from the main body of the high school for any situation that posed a threat to the student body would they be bring those students back in. Dr. Vautour said they would not and that they are talking about students who are ready to engage, and at various levels, being allowed to engage. He said they are not going to take a student who was viewed as extremely dangerous, back. Mrs. Schmidt wanted to make sure that all the requirements were being met for behavior within the school.
Mrs. Schmidt asked once we have fully accommodated our own students in this program would there potentially be room to take students from other towns and assimilate in the according tuition that goes with them. Dr. Vautour said it would depend on the actual number of Rocky Hill students whose needs are being met.
Mrs. Schmidt asked, if the program had the maximum number of students yet. Ms. Levy said in terms of the Clinical Program, they were hoping to accommodate 8, which they have now but that number could fluctuate due to the needs. There could be some students who leave the district for other programs and there could be some students that would be transitioned back into the high school because they no longer need the program at which point there might be an opening. The program holds up to 12 students. Dr. Vautour would not recommend considering it for the first 6 months.
Mrs. Schmidt applauded the program and all those involved with it.
Mrs. Viggiano-Grosse asked if there were students in the program from other towns, and the program was at the maximum number of 12, would a Rocky Hill student be denied acceptance into the program. Ms. Levy said that they have not gone over the details on that yet but that Rocky Hill students would come first.
Mr. McMonigle asked if the Clinical Day Program would be fully staffed by the time school starts. Ms. Levy said they hope it will be but there are some itinerant people who would be willing to step up into a substitute-type position.
Mrs. Bell thanked Ms. Levy for all the hard work and the CT Student Loan Foundation.
15. Status
Report on Fall Hirings
Dr. Vautour
reported that, to date, they have filled or added positions. In terms of certified staff, there are 25 new
people. There are two positions that
they are currently trying to fill. One
of those positions is a science position at
Dr. Vautour said the individuals hired have diverse backgrounds in terms of training, which will enrich the community for educational purposes.
Mrs. Bell wanted to clarify that these are not 25 brand new positions. They are filling vacancies for individuals that have left for various reasons. Dr. Vautour said that there were four new positions on the list. One of them was a half-time guidance counselor, and three were in the Alternate Programs, which is a self-funded program. They are not new budget positions. The positions are 7 retirees, childrearing leaves and a number of individuals who have relocated elsewhere in the country. They have not added staff per se beyond what was approved within the budget and that was the .5 guidance counselor.
16.
School
Levers Report
Dr. Vautour
reported that out of a class of 206 students leaving Griswold Middle School as
8th graders, 22 of them did not go on to Rocky Hill High
School. Of those 22 students, 19 of them
elected to go on to parochial school.
One other student elected to go to the
The numbers remained consistent; they fluctuate around 10% a year. There was a spike back in 1999 where we hit nearly 18%. Dr. Vautour said it is not out of the ordinary.
Mrs. Vargas asked if exit interviews were done every year. Dr. Vautour said that exit interviews are done. Mrs. Vargas asked if they are going to a catholic school, do we find out if it’s for religious reasons or discipline or curriculum issues. Dr. Vautour said it varies but a lot of them say they want the Christian environment. He said we attempt to fair it out if there is a misimpression about the high school. Part of the action plan for the coming year would be a more aggressive outreach to the middle school students on the part of the high school so that they are making informed decisions. Mrs. Vargas said that if people are thinking that there are discipline issues or the curriculum is not up to speed, then it would be something that they would need to address.
17.
Retreat
Recommendations
Dr. Vautour referred to a document in the BOE packet. He said it would be his suggestion that it is appropriate for the Board to reconvene for a workshop where this material could be discussed in detail. He did not think they could do it justice in a half hour. He added this is a 2-3 hour workshop session. There was a consensus from the Board to go ahead with setting up a workshop.
Mrs. Bell reviewed some upcoming events and dates:
·
·
·
·
NOTE: Rocky
Mrs. Bell said that notices would be sent out with all the school open house dates and times.
Mrs. Bell noted
the next BOE meeting would be held on
18.
Executive
Session
Moved by Mrs. Vargas, seconded by Mrs.
Viggiano-Grosse, to go into executive session at
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mrs. Viggiano-Grosse, seconded by
Mrs. Vargas to come out of executive session at
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Geldof, seconded by Mr. Palazzolo, to ratify the contracts
for non-bargaining unit personnel dated August 3, 2004 as amended by the Board
in executive session on August 19, 2004.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mrs. Vargas, seconded by Mrs.
Viggiano-Grosse, to adjourn the meeting at
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Kristin Countryman
Recording Secretary
Accepted by: __________________________
Date: ____________________________