United In Our Commitment to Excellence in Education
The Plymouth Public Schools' mission is to ensure that all students learn to the best of their abilities. We support their growth into knowledgeable, skilled, and contributing citizens capable of succeeding in their work, personal, and family lives.
PLYMOUTH BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, September 9, 2009
TERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
MINUTES
Present: Board: Ray Engle, Patrick Perugino, Roxanne Perugino, Karen Kulesa, Martin Wetzel, Lenny Morgan, Jennifer Zalaski and Gerard Bourbonniere
Excused Absence: Dan Gentile
Administrators: Dr. Distasio, Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Meehan, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Education, Peter Lovely, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Michael Santogatta, Business Manager and Richard Trudeau, Director or Technology
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Engle called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The group joined in the Pledge to the Flag.
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: To adopt the agenda as presented. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere, motion passed unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of August 12, 2009. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
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Minutes
4. PRESENTATIONS
This evening there were three presentations: (a) Dr. Distasio introduced the following new certified staff to the Plymouth Board of Education: Cayla Brayton - Grade 4, Plymouth Center School; George Bikakis - Social Studies, Eli Terry Jr. Middle School, Jennifer Briley -
Computers, Eli Terry Jr. Middle School, Mark Magas - Special Education, Eli Terry Jr. Middle School; and John Haviland - Special Education, Terryville High School; (b) a presentation of a grant award of $2,000 from ING to Mr. Robert Nave for the WWI Memorial Restoration Project
and Introduction of Plymouth's Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Pamela Wessman, Kindergarten Teacher at Plymouth Center School.
At this time Mr. Engle entertained the following Motion:
MOTION: To recess at 7:15 p.m. in order for the Board Members to meet the new certified staff members, teacher of the year, Mrs. Wessman and Mr. Nave. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Engle entertained the following Motion:
MOTION: To resume regular session at 7:30 p.m. Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded
Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
6. COMMUNICATIONS
None
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Out-of-State Field Trips
MOTION: To approve the trip to Springfield, Massachusetts for Band, Special Education and Foods Class Students at Terryville High School to participate in the Big E on September 24, 2009. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere motion passed unanimously.
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Meeting
MOTION: To approve the trip to Nantucket, Massachusetts for grade 11 & 12 English Students from Terryville High School to explore a link between history and literature on October 1, 2009. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere motion passed unanimously.
B. Board of Education Goals
MOTION: To approve the following Board of Education Goals for the 2009 - 2010 school years.
Goal 1: Systematically improve student performance and accelerate academic achievement for all students.
Goal 2: Promote collaboration among parents/school/community through proactive, ongoing, and open communication.
Goal 3: Integrate technology to enhance instruction, information systems, and resource management.
Goal 4: Develop a business plan that effectively manages district personnel and operations while improving fiscal responsibility.
Goal 5: Implement Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI) to ensure that all students are receiving the necessary support and services in the classroom and outside the classroom to achieve mastery of the state and district standards.
Motion: Patrick Perugino, seconded Lenny Morgan. The Chair called for a roll vote:
Mr. Perugino, Mrs. Zalaski, Mrs. Kulesa, Mrs. Perugino, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Bourbonniere and Mr. Wetzel all voted in favor of the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Appointments
MOTION: To approve the following: New Certified Staff: Mark Magas, Special Education Teacher at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School and John Haviland, Special Education Teacher at Terryville High School. Coaches: Damon Papp, Boys' Soccer Coach at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School; Paul Schwanka, Cross Country Coach at Eli Terry Jr. Middle School; Peter Veleas, Varsity Wrestling Coach at Terryville High School; and Michael McGowan, JV Girls' Soccer Coach at Terryville High School. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere motion passed unanimously.
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Meeting
D. Resignations
Dr. Distasio informed the Board that he accepted the resignation of Lawrence Topazio, Special Education Teacher at Terryville High School effective August 31, 2009.
E. Board of Education Meeting Dates for the Calendar Year 2010
The Board of Education Members received in their packets the schedule of the meeting dates for the Board of Education calendar year 2010 for their review.
MOTION: To approve the Board of Education Meeting Dates for the Calendar Year 2010 as presented. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel. At this time the Chair called for a roll vote: Mrs. Perugino, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Bourbonniere, Mr. Wetzel, Mr. Perugino,
Mrs. Zalaski and Mrs. Kulesa. All voted in favor of the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Childbearing/Childrearing Leaves
MOTION: To approve a request for Childbearing Leave for Corinna Grossman, beginning on or about November 13, 2009. Following her childbearing leave, to approve the Childrearing Leave for the remainder of the 2009 - 2010 school years. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the request for an extension of Childrearing Leave for Jennie Fowler until January 4, 2010. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
G. School Lunch Program
Each year the Board acts regarding the school lunch program. The following motions were made:
MOTION: In accordance with Public Act 06-63, the Plymouth Board of Education authorizes Dr. Distasio, Superintendent of Schools, to sign the ED-099 Agreement for the Child Nutrition Program, and to sign any claims for reimbursement. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Roxanne Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: In pursuant to section 10-34 of the general statutes that participates in the National School Lunch Program, we certify that all food items made available for sale to students in our school district will meet the nutritional standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
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Minutes
MOTION: The Plymouth Board of Education will permit the sale of items excluded from certification as long as such sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend, such sale is at the location of such event and such food is not sold from a vending machine or school store. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Gerard Bourbonniere motion passed unanimously.
9. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum - Karen. Kulesa, Chair
The Curriculum Subcommittee met on September 2, 2009. The following items were discussed: (a) presentation of teacher of the year at the September Board Meeting; (b) Language Arts Textbooks - a motion will be brought before the Board to adopt the reading series "StoryTown" by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for grades k-3 students; (c) Summer Curriculum - the high school's English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Departments worked on developing common assessments as is the middle school. Common Assessments will provide detailed data on curriculum, instruction and student performance throughout the school system.
MOTION: To adopt the reading series "StoryTown" by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for
Grades K-3 students. Motion Martin Wetzel, seconded Roxanne Perugino motion passed unanimously.
B. Facilities - Patrick Perugino, Chair
The buildings all look to be in good shape thanks to the custodial staff. The new posters hanging in the cafeteria make the area look welcoming.
C. Finance - Dan Gentile, Chair
In lieu of Mr. Gentile's absence, Mr. Engle reported that the Finance Subcommittee met prior to the Board of Education Meeting and reviewed the August accounts by facilities report and moved that it be forwarded to the Town of Plymouth Board of Finance.
D. Negotiations - Patrick Perugino, Chair
Mr. Perugino reported that negotiations with the Plymouth School Administrators' Association will begin sometime in October.
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Minutes
E. Personnel - Roxanne Perugino, Chair
Mrs. Perugino reported that the Personnel Subcommittee met with the Superintendent prior to the Board meeting and all items were addressed under New Business.
F. Policy - Jennifer Zalaski, Chair
No Report
G. Safety/Transportation - Martin Wetzel, Chair
No Report
H. Education Connection - Karen Kulesa
Education Connection met on September 3, 2009. The following public acts were discussed:
(a) special education concerns; (b) certification for substitute teachers; (c) green cleaning products in schools; and (d) school crisis response drills;
I. Student Representatives
Alexis Cordone - (a) picture day for underclassmen, September 11, 2009 -
7 a.m. - 12 noon); (b) September 24, 2009 - Big E for Band, Special Needs and Vocational Food Students; (c) September 27, 2009 - Mum Festival Parade for Band Members; and
(d) October 15 - 16, 2009 Berkshire League Music Festival.
Lindsey Bordeau - (a) Thank You to Mr. Cerruto, Dr. Distasio for their help at the Lions Food booth on Saturday and Sunday morning; (b)Thank You to Mr. Bourbonniere for helping the Leo's in all they do and as their Lion Liaison to the Club ; (b)Senior Class sold pretzels, School-to-Career and Booster Club sold lemonade, Friends of Music sold baked potatoes, Leo's assisted with the food booth, bingo building, barbecue booth and assisted with parking cars and children's games; (c) Student Activity Fair - September 11th from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.; and (d) Fresh Start had their first training and the 2nd training will take place next week with the YMCA staff.
Karrick Lee - (a) THS Student Council Bloodmobile - November 17th; (b) Terryville High School open house - September 17th @ 8 p.m.; Parent/Teacher Conferences - October 7, 8 & 9, 2009; (c) fall sports will begin soon (Boys & Girls Soccer; Boys & Girls Cross Country & Girls Volleyball) - Tuesday, November 15th 1st Boys' & Girls' Varsity Soccer Games.
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10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mr. Meehan - Director of Pupil Personnel
Mr. Meehan reported: (a) the year got off to a great start; (b) staff participated in two days of extensive training on a variety of subjects and topics that will work towards the delivery of special education and; (c) there is one special education teacher position that needs to be filled.
Mr. Lovely - Director of Curriculum & Instruction/District Administrator In Charge
Mr. Lovely reported: (a) CMT (Connecticut Mastery Test) will be sent home with students on Friday, September 11th or Monday, September 14th and parents of elementary and middle school
students will be notified through the AlertNow System when the results will be sent home with the students; CAPT results for high school students will be sent home with the progress report and
(b) the Local Prevention Council with help from the grant from the Drug Free Communities is sponsoring a medication drop off from 9 a.m. - 12 noon in the Community Room at Town Hall on Saturday, September 19th. Everyone is welcome to drop off any of their old medication that they wish to dispose.
Mr. Trudeau - Director of Technology
Mr. Trudeau: (a) thanked the technical support team of Connor Raymond and Mr. Oleksiw, advisory for the technology club at the high school, for making it possible to broadcast tonight's meeting; (b) the set up to do line broadcasts from all rooms with be completed shortly; (c)hopefully, within the next week, we will begin taping sports and other events; and (d) HI NI Virus - brochures and information is on the website and we are looking to placing it on
Channel 16.
Mr. Santogatta - Business Manager
Mr. Santogatta reported: (a) the custodial and maintenance staff under the direction of Joe Dennis did a great job in preparing the schools for opening day; (b) all small projects have been completed, i.e. painting, carpet replacement, several rooms retiled, cafeteria remodeling and lights replaced at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School, sidewalks replaced at Plymouth Center School, and front doors replaced at Harry S. Fisher Elementary School. These were above and beyond the normal cleaning and floor waxing that were completed by district personnel to enhance some of the buildings; (c) the hot lunch program was successfully launched at all four schools and is doing well; (d) in the process of clearing up some bus stop issues, i.e. the timing of the middle and high school bus runs; and (e) on September 17th the sign is scheduled to be installed at the high school.
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Minutes
Dr. Distasio - Superintendent
Administrators, principals and staff were acknowledged for a very well organized and smooth school opening this year along with Mr. Santogatta, Mr. Dennis and the custodial staff for doing such a wonderful job in preparing our school facilities for this school year.
The Opening Meeting for all staff took place on August 24, 2009 in the new Terryville High School auditorium. Plymouth's Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Wessman, was introduced to the staff. There were welcoming speeches from Mr. Lovely, from the Administrators Unit, Mrs. Darlene Oakes, Vice-President of the PTA Council. Ten staff members were recognized for perfect attendance last year.
Katie Gudeczauskas, a Terryville High School student, was recognized for receiving the Lion's Club distinguished honor as "Lion of the Year". Katie was one of 8 award recipients nationwide and one of 22 in the world to win this award.
Parents were encouraged to discuss the importance of bicycle safety with their children by encouraging them to always wear a helmet, be careful of traffic, and always go at a manageable speed when riding. Drivers were also encouraged to please drive defensibly and be cognizant of children riding their bicycles.
To the best students in the world, the students in the Plymouth Schools, may you have very productive and enjoyable school year.
11. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
Mr. Mark Lyons, 39 Old Waterbury Road, Terryville CT - His question: With Chartwells coming in and taking over our cafeteria are we (the taxpayers) going to receive a monthly financial as to how the cafeteria is doing ? Whether it is making or loosing money.
Dr. Distasio explained that this portion of the meeting was for Public Comment and the Board does not normally make it a practice to answer questions. But he went on to assure Mr. Lyons that the Finance Subcommittee meets monthly not only to review the bills for the cafeteria but they review all the accounts for everything that is in the budget. Dr. Distasio explained to
Mr. Lyons that the subcommittee meeting is a public meeting and takes place prior to a Board Meeting.
12. Board Liaisons to Schools
Mr. Perugino - Harry S. Fisher Elementary School
September 11 - 18 Book Fair
September 11, 2009 Welcome Back Picnic - 5 p.m.
September 16 Open House (pre-k - grade 2 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
(grades 3 - 5 from (7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.)
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Minutes
PTA Officers for the 2009 -2010 School Years
President Erica Lumbard
Vice-President Rosalinda Hunt
Treasurer Christine Pilbin
Corresponding Secretary Becky Theriault
Mr. Engle - Plymouth Center School
First Meeting is Tuesday, September 15th at 7 p.m.
Mr. Wetzel - Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
No Report
Mrs. Zalaski - Terryville High School
No Report - Group meets every other month beginning in November
Mr. Gentile - SEPTA
Excused Absence - No Report
13. Final Board Comments
Mrs. Perugino - Congratulations to Mr. Nave, welcome back staff, and welcome to the new teachers.
Mr. Bourbonniere - Congratulations to Katie Gudeczauskas for receiving such a prestigious award, congratulations to Mr. Nave and Mrs. Wessman, and with respect to Chartwells, his child is very happy with the meal choices that are offered.
Mr. Perugino - Congratulations to Katie Gudeczauskas, Mr. Nave and Mrs. Wessman and it was great to see the administration and staff helping out at the fair.
Mrs. Zalaski - It was nice to see the amount of parent attendance at the Eli Terry Jr. Middle School Open House and a reminder to parents: It is important to be a part of your child's education.
Mrs.Kulesa - Welcome back new and past student representatives.
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Minutes
Mr. Engle - Congratulations to Mr. Nave and Mrs. Wessman, welcome student representatives and new teachers. Everyone of the subcommittee meeting is open to the public and the public is always welcome to attend.
14. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Engle stated that the next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on October 14, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Terryville High School.
15. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion Roxanne Perugino, seconded
Lenny Morgan motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Patrick Perugino
Secretary