TOWN OF ROCKY HILL
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Members Present: Neil Geldof (Chairman)
Nadine Bell
Charles McMonigle
Rene (Skip) Rivard
Anne Schmidt
Catherine Vargas
Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse
Members Absent: Peter Arico
Mark Carberry
A meeting of the Board of Education was held on Thursday, June 14, 2007, in the Council Chambers of the Rocky Hill Town Hall. Chairman Geldof called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse, seconded by Anne Schmidt, to accept the minutes of the June 6, 2007 Finance Committee meeting, and the May 17, 2007 Board of Education meeting as amended by correcting the spelling of Mr. Rivard’s first name.
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE
Dr. Vautour announced the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation has awarded $500 scholarships to Marissa Blasco, Laura Ann Valonas, and Enron Tarique in memory of Shiela Gihoul. These are students who took part in the student -mentoring program. A letter of appreciation was sent to the foundation.
Wendy Piscatelli, 3rd grade teacher at Steven’s School, was recognized as the Wal-Mart Teacher of the year. An award of $1,000 was given to the school on her behalf.
A letter from the CIAC Ice Hockey Committee was sent to Mr. Pitocco to commend the Rocky Hill/RHAM Co-Op Ice Hockey team for not receiving any major penalties during the 2006-07 season.
Dr. Vautour announced letters of resignation were received from Kathleen Hallett, and from Sue Garrett, who is retiring.
Dr. Vautour announced former RHHS graduate Pat Egan recently signed a contract to pitch for the Baltimore Orioles.
Dr. Vautour read a letter from Gale Dahinski to Mrs. Harding at the middle school. Gale congratulated the band on their performance during the Memorial Day event.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
RHTA Liaison Committee
No Report.
There were no student representatives.
Meeting Open to the Public
Debbie Friday, 316 Parsonage Street, representing TABS (Taxpayer Alliance for Better Schools) presented several questions to the Board.
A) She requested clarification on the Board’s position on Option #5, and asked if they were still seeking an educational specification for November. It was unclear at the Government Ops meeting on June 4th if they were requesting O&G Industries to perform an educational specification to true up costs on option #5.
B) She asked when the meeting is supposed to be scheduled between the Government Ops and the Facilities Committee.
C) She stated that the TABS group is asking for immediate improvement in school building maintenance.
D) She thanked Dr. Vautour for the list of items he forwarded to the TABS group regarding things that need to be addressed concerning school building maintenance, and asked how items are added.
E) She thanked Dr. Vautour for sending them the 2007-2008 enrollment projection, however noted her disappointment that Steven’s and Moser schools were reported as a single entity. She requested that Dr. Vautour send this data presented separately for further clarification.
F) She requested a contingency plan if the town votes down option #5.
Chairman Geldof responded that September 5th is the next regularly scheduled meeting for the Government Ops Committee. As of this date, there is no firm commitment of a date for the Government Ops Committee and the Facilities Committee to meet. The Board will advise her if they become aware of a scheduled meeting within the next month or so.
Marie Benedetto, 594 France Street, thanked the Board members, Dr. Vautour and the administrators for their work this year. She acknowledged the hard work and volunteer nature of the Board. She referred to a letter she wrote to the Board commending the efforts and professionalism of West Hill Principal, Cori DiMaggio. She conveyed her concern about the lack of an assistant principal at West Hill. She noted Mrs. DiMaggio spends much of her time putting out fires concerning recess, transportation, cafeteria, and disciplinary issues. She feels the principal’s time could be better spent concentrating on educating students, and strategizing and planning with the teachers to enrich programs, etc. She supports having an assistant for Principal DiMaggio.
Mrs. Benedetto also raised a concern regarding communication with the teachers. Part of the reason is that the phone system is often overloaded, and provides only a busy signal. Also, there is no voice mail system, and very little access to e-mail unless a teacher is kind enough to give out her address. Thirdly, she noted the insufficient physical space teachers are currently using to conduct return phone calls to parents. She would like this issue addressed and improved.
She conveyed her enthusiasm about the plan for the new report card system, opposed to what she called the current “negative assurances” system. She encouraged the use of comments on the new report cards by the teachers concerning students as individuals.
She agreed building maintenance is lacking, and asked that a reasonable, realistic plan in be in place, and that it happens in a timely fashion.
Chairman Geldof responded to Mrs. Benedetto stating the Board and administrators met just the previous day for over 7 hours and discussed every topic on her list. He stated the Board is well aware of these issues, and that there are budgetary constraints attached to some of them. He stated that over a period of time all of the issues should be resolved to the satisfaction of the parents of the student body.
Mr. Rivard responded by informing the public that the maintenance of the buildings is separate from the Board of Education; and is overseen by the Town. The Board is in communication with the Town on these matters, however.
Ed Chicarello, 40 Riverview Road, also a member of TABS, informed the Board he has lobbied the Town in order to get them enrolled in the Connecticut Clean Energy Program. There is a program beginning in July that utilizes a rebate program for towns that are proposing building. It’s a plan where sub-contractors determine the schools in need of refurbishing. These schools need to meet leadership and engineering standards. Schools that are refurbished will contain some renewable installations such as solar, fuel cell or possibly wind energy. Mr. Chicarello emphasized the potential cost savings that could be obtained by taking advantage of this program. The contact at the Connecticut Clean Energy Program is Mr. Robert Wall and can be reached at 257-2354. He encouraged others to research this program at ctcleanenergy.com. He also mentioned Plainville, CT has participated in this program and mentioned they have a six -year payback on their installation.
Mr. Chicarello also asked for information on the feasibility study regarding the facilities. Mrs. Vargas responded the proposal went to the Mayor, and then the Mayor sent it off to Finance and Government Ops. Chairman Geldof stated the project status rests with the Government Ops committee as this point. It is up to them to schedule a joint meeting with the Facilities Committee. Mrs. Bell added that the Board of Ed is “ready, willing and able.” [to meet]. Mr. Rivard stated he is optimistic that there will be a meeting forthcoming.
Mr. Chicarello also asked if the enrollment projections are agreed upon within the Board. Dr. Vautour responded the Board has reviewed a series of sources, and does expect a growth potential of approximately 300 students, and that although the source data varies somewhat, the end result projection increase is the same.
Mr. Chicarello asked if there has ever been discussion in regards to having the Board of Education take over responsibility of the building maintenance from the Town. Mr. McMonigle responded there have been recent discussions and considerations in this area.
Chairman Geldof congratulated the members of the Taxpayers Alliance for Better Schools for forming their organization, wished them well in their growth in the future, and was happy to have them as any ally.
Mr. Rivard urged parents to become more involved in these issues suggesting they contact the Board with their questions in order to become more informed so that both the Board and the Town Council understand their positions on these issues.
1. Consent Calendar
Moved by Nadine Bell, seconded by Catherine Vargas, to accept the consent calendar for June 14, 2007.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS
2. Personnel and Negotiations
Mr. McMonigle reported the Board has contracted with CABE search firm to assist with finding a replacement for Dr. Vautour upon his retirement. The Board will be meeting on Thursday, June 21, 2007 in order to begin forming the guidelines and procedures that will be used to follow this process. Mr. McMonigle then introduced Eliza Holcumb, CABE representative, who will be assisting the Board with the search.
Ms. Holcum conveyed her appreciation as the chosen party who will be assisting in the search for the superintendent’s replacement. She looks forward to the planning meeting where they will put together a calendar to initiate the search process, and planned to collaboratively and aggressively engage the school community in conducting comprehensive focus groups in identifying qualities that the community is looking for in their next educational leader.
3. Policy
No Report.
4. Finance
No report.
5. Curriculum
No Report.
6. Professional Development
No Report.
7. Facilities
No report.
8. Technology
No report.
9. Transportation/Accommodations
No report.
10. Liaison
No report.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
11. Recognition of Retirees
The following retirees were recognized and presented with a token of appreciation from the Board and the Administration:
Alice Bevvino, Lorraine Elliott, Jane Gregg, Ilona Laporte, Carol Maturo, Susan Ostroski, Barbara Rawski, Judith Richey, T. Christopher Sheehan, Ruth Washcalis, Principal Robert Pitocco, and School Nurse Susan Garrett.
There was a brief reception following.
Moved by Nadine Bell, seconded by Anne Schmidt to recess.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
12. FLES
Mrs. Boutilier and committee members made a presentation in favor of introducing foreign language into the elementary schools. She recalled the proposal that was made back in 2000 to introduce this program. She explained much work has been done, and they are ready to come back to the Board with a proposal again this fall to request beginning an elementary foreign language program.
Teachers, Jackie Tower and Maureen Heilman presented several of their students who’ve had only two years of foreign language study. The Griswold Middle School students held a fashion show entirely in their practiced foreign languages of either Spanish or French.
Mrs. Boutilier shared projects completed by Rocky Hill High School’s Spanish IV class, where they created children’s books done entirely in the language. She reported the group is scheduled to visit the Glastonbury program, which is the model in the state, and then report back to the Board sometime in the fall before the next budget season gets underway.
Parent, Marie Benedetto conveyed her strong conviction that foreign language should be introduced at the elementary school level. She shared her knowledge of scientific evidence that supports the fact that children are more likely to take in language development at younger ages due to the nature of their brain development. She explained the most important factor is exposure. Windows of opportunity are best at 0-2 years, and then from 2-7. She noted that research shows from 7-12 yrs old is when the door of opportunity begins to shut, just as the schools have typically began to offer the foreign language programs.
Mrs. Benedetto explained that during her observation experience at the Suffield foreign language program the teacher did a 15-minute daily interval of exposure with the students, and was basically a “traveling teacher.” She spoke for 15 minutes, played games with the kids, and simply exposed the children to the foreign language. She thanked the Board members that are sitting on the committee for their interest, and urged the Board to support this and to take this initiative.
Mrs. Boutilier summarized with the following statistics:
§ Over three years of surveys to parents conducted by Rocky Hill, every year there was resounding message from parents that they want foreign language study to start earlier.
§ In 1993, there were only 6 districts in Connecticut that offered foreign language before grade 4. In 2006, there were 29 districts.
§ In 1993 there were 14 schools in Connecticut offering foreign language below grade 4, in 2006, there were 51 school districts that offer this.
Mrs. Boutilier also added there are some language organizations that do provide some state funding, and the committee is aggressively pursuing these grants.
13. Curriculum Mapping
Mrs. Boutilier presented teachers, Jackie Tower, Claire Burnett, Raisa Bublick, and Gail Thibodeau to discuss their experiences with curriculum mapping.
Jackie Tower spoke positively about teaming, and credited its success largely to curriculum mapping. Teachers know the students best, and decide what to take and leave from the textbooks that are used. On Tuesdays, there are meetings that provide collaboration, strategizing, and professional growth for teachers, which in the end benefits the students.
Claire Burnett explained curriculum mapping is a very thought involved, and time-consuming process, and a very good process for them to go through. There were very good conversations regarding teaching methodology, and explained the software is a bit tedious, and hopes that it can be made more user-friendly. They are looking to start developing benchmark assessments as an exit exam at the 5th and 8th grades, and again at the high school.
Raisa Bublick stated mapping has been an eye opener for her. There were two goals. 1) They wanted to be sure the courses were aligned between the two elementary schools. 2) They wanted to look at the final product, the graduate. These two goals were the driving forces. They are now looking at putting this information into a database, and now know the elementary school programs are in sync. The maps would change with time in order to keep in accordance with the state standards, and needs of the students. She called curriculum mapping the tool belt for teachers, and thanked the Board for their support.
Gail Thibodeau explained curriculum mapping is much more manageable to do at the middle school due to the amount of staff involved and to the fact there is a smaller number of teachers to deal with in language arts. They are in the beginning of the curriculum mapping process at the middle school in language arts. The teachers have submitted their individual maps, which is basically a calendar of what they teach from month to month throughout a year. They then meet with their grade level department partner and compare maps. They have conversations and share what they are doing in the classroom and why they do it. This is a huge benefit to the teachers in many ways.
Some of the outcomes have been “essential maps.” Essential maps delineate those essential concepts that should be a part of each classroom at each grade level. The state assessments do help with the mapping, but are not all encompassing, and are not only what they teach.
Mrs. Tibideau also reported on the literacy task force. They needed to get a handle on all the literacy initiatives at each grade level translated from one level to another. The task force consists of five sub committees: reading comprehension, vocabulary, genres and literary devices, decoding and work recognition and grammar. They are doing research in these areas and providing teachers with recommendations of what should be included in the comprehensive literacy curriculum. These recommendations are intended to provide guidance and assist the teachers and administrators as they revise their curriculum maps, and the district as decisions are made about professional development and additional resources that may be needed.
14. 2007-08 Budget
Mr. Turansky reported the Board’s proposed 2007-2008 budget totaled $25,965,087. Following the addition of the approved crossing guards the Town Council’s approved budget totaled $25,777,227, a difference of $187,860. The Board was able to target four areas for reduction, and restore items that had previously been removed from the budget. $218,000 was saved through the use of the early retirement plan, of which 10 teachers took advantage. Through continued efforts in working with the health care provider, over $39,000 of cost savings was identified. One paraprofessional that worked as an assistant to a teacher who took early retirement was eliminated. This resulted in a cost savings of $20,645, and will have no impact on students. A $15,000 cost savings from the special education tuition account was also identified. The final approved budget is as follows:
2007-08 PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
Board’s Proposed Budget: $25,965,087
Additions
Crossing Guards $ 39,600
FICA $ 3,000
TOTAL Additions $ 42,600
Restoration of February Reductions
Professional Development $ 25,000
HS .4 FTE Math Teacher $ 23,200
GMS My Access Software $ 5,160
GMS Hartford Stage Field Trip $ 4,250
HS PE/Health Books and Curriculum Writing $ 3,320
Science Performance Assessment Curric. Writing $ 2,000
TOTAL Restorations $ 62,930
Reductions
Early Retirement Incentive Plan $(218,000)
Health Insurance Premiums $ (39,745)
1.0 FTE ADA Paraprofessional $ (20,645)
Special Education Tuition $ (15,000)
TOTAL Reductions $ (293,390)
FINAL APPROVED BUDGET: $25,777,227
Moved by Rene Rivard, seconded by Charles McMonigle, to approve the adjustments as noted above and balance the Board’s proposed budget with the final budget that was approved by the Town Council.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Mrs. Schmidt thanked the entire Board, faculty, Mr. Turansky, Dr. Vautour, and Mrs. Wadstrup for their help in the budget process.
15. School Lunch Worker’s Contract
Mr. Turansky reported the school system is entering into the final year of the four-year contract with the school lunch workers. He read language from the contract stating that effective on the close of business on June 30, 2008, the Board may contract any and all bargaining unit work performed by the school lunch employees. It is his understanding that when this language was added, it was clearly the Board’s intention to not pursue a successor agreement with the school lunch workers, and to contract the remainder of the work to the school management provider, Sodexho Corporation. He is looking for an affirmation by the Board in order to give employees adequate notice, and to provide a smooth transition of services from the Board to Sodexho.
Mr. McMonigle noted the Personnel & Negotiations Committee discussed this issue, and is in agreement with Mr. Turansky’s statement.
Moved by Mr. McMonigle, seconded by Anne Schmidt, to not exercise the option to enter into a successor negotiation with the school lunch workers bargaining unit.
MOTION CARRIED
16. Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program
Chairman Geldof commented the Senior Citizen’s Tax Deferral Program is a remarkably well-run program. Dr. Vautour reported tthere were 25 participants who volunteered in a variety of activities at the schools such as data input, photo copying, mailings, library work, clerical work, etc. They put in approximately 50 hours per person, and received approximately $300 in deferred taxes.
The program is growing in popularity, and was initially budgeted for $6,000 and is now up to $8,000. The Hartford Courant and Dan Kain from Channel 3 have recently reported on the program, and Dr. Vautour expects even more interest in upcoming years. It’s not only a financial benefit to the seniors, but also a benefit to the seniors and students in that they have the opportunity to interact with one another. Chairman Geldof noted the seniors enjoy doing this so much that they often end up doing additional work.
17. Executive Session
Moved by Catherine Vargas, seconded by Charles McMonigle to move into executive session at 9:00 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
Moved by Rene Rivard, seconded by Catherine Vargas, to come out of executive session. (9:58 p.m.)
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Anne Schmidt, seconded by Rene Rivard, to approve student disciplinary measures recommended by the superintendent of schools.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Charles McMonigle, seconded by Jennifer VIggiano-Grosse, to approve salary adjustments for non-bargaining unit personnel as recommended by the Personnel & Negotiations Committee.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Catherine Vargas, seconded by Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse, to adjourn the meeting. (9:59 p.m.)
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa R. Reed
Recording Secretary
Accepted by: _______________________ Date: _____________________