Plymouth Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Terryville High School Cafeteria
MINUTES
Present:
Board: Lisbeth Leonhardt, Michelle Spencer, Jennifer Zalaski, Velma McConnell, Martin Wetzel, Dan Gentile, Patrick Perugino, and Raymond Engle
Excused Absence: Leonard Morgan
Administrators: Dr. Distasio, Superintendent, Gerry Perusse, Business Manager, Keith Rafaniello, Director of Technology and Peter Lovely, Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Excused Absence: Carol Doiron, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Education
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Engle called the meeting to order at 7 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 Velma McConnell, motion passed unanimously.
3. . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: To approve the minutes of January 10, 2007. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel, motion passed with an abstention from Velma McConnell.
4. PRESENTATIONS
The presentation for the month of March was offered by Harry S. Fisher Middle School. The presentation addressed Peer Mediation and Character Counts. Mrs. Lacata and Mrs. Morley, guidance counselors at the middle school explained that Peer Mediation occurs when specially trained students, with adult supervision, help their peers find positive ways to solve disagreements. It is a “Conflict Resolution Program sponsored by the students and staff” of the middle school. Peer Mediation allows students the opportunity to sit down with each other to resolve their differences.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
Plymouth Board of Education Page 2 March 14, 2007
6. COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. Distasio reported that a Dinner & Talent Show was held on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Terryville Congregational Church. The event raised $1,000 which was generously donated to the town’s elementary school’s Title l program for the purchase of books. On behalf of the school system, Dr. Distasio thanked Reverend Zachary Mabe, the church youth group and to all who helped make the event enjoyable and for the very generous donation to our school district.
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Childbearing/Childrearing Leave
MOTION: To approve childbearing/childrearing leave from March 6, 2007 through the end of the school year for Alysa Oling, Speech/Language Pathologist.
Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve childrearing leave for Joy Kyle, grade 5 teacher at Main Street School for the remainder of this school year. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded
Dan Gentile motion passed unanimously.
B. Appointments
MOTION: To appoint Elizabeth Bartholomew, Interim Guidance Counselor at Terryville High School, effective February 7, 2007. Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint Wendy Goralski, Academic Recovery Tutor at Terryville High School effective January 22, 2007. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint Rich Trudeau and Robin Gudeczauskas as Senior Class Advisors at Terryville High School for this school year. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Velma McConnell motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint Christopher Perkins as Drama Club Producer at Terryville High School for this school year. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Dan Gentile motion passed unanimously.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 3 March 14, 2007
MOTION: To appoint Elizabeth Campbell to the position of Assistant Cook at Prospect Street School effective March 15, 2007. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded
Velma McConnell motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint the following individuals to coaching positions at Terryville High School:
Paul Helenski Varsity Baseball
Anthony Norton Junior Varsity Baseball
Linda Farrington Varsity Boy’s Volleyball
Jeff Foulds Boys’ Track
Ray Lapinski, Don Jarvie & Will Graustein Co-coaches Girls’ Track
Angie Suffridge Varsity Softball
Joe Barbino Junior Varsity Softball
Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To appoint the following individuals to coaching positions at Harry S. Fisher Middle School:
Paul Schwanka Boys’ Track
Kelly Vitale Girls’ Track
Rebecca Mitchell Volunteer Assistant Track
Mark Sconziano Softball
Motion: Martin Wetzel, seconded Patrick Perugino motion passed unanimously.
C. Out-of-State Field Trips
MOTION: To approve the trip to New York City, New York to the Museum of Natural History for grade 7 students on the Red Team at Harry S. Fisher Middle School for March 29, 2007. Motion Dan Gentile, seconded Lisbeth Leonhardt motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: To approve the trip to New York City, New York to the Museum of Natural History for grade 7 students on the White Team at Harry S. Fisher Middle School for March 30, 2007. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Dan Gentile motion passed with Velma McConnell abstaining.
MOTION: To approve the trip to Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts for Grade 5 students at Main Street School for May 23, 2007. Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Velma McConnell motion passed with Jennifer Zalaski and Martin Wetzel abstaining.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 4 March 14, 2007
D. Resignation
Dr. Distasio accepted the following resignations: Marissa Piper, part-time paraprofessional at Plymouth Center School effective January 12, 2007;
Silvia Cancellieri, music teacher at Terryville High School effective June 30, 2007;
Frank Beaudoin, custodian at Main Street School effective December 31, 2007; and for the purpose of retirement, Patricia Broderick, grade 2 teacher at Plymouth Center School effective June 30, 2007.
E. Board of Education Budget
After 3 budget workshops which were held during the months of January and February in preparation for the Board of Education Budget and after a brief presentation on the Budget by Dr. Distasio, the Finance Subcommittee Chair recommended the following:
MOTION: To approve the 2007-2008 budget for the Plymouth Board of Education for $22,201,204 and to approve a recommended increase of 5.84% over the current Board of Education Budget to the Plymouth Board of Finance for the fiscal year 2007-2008.
Motion Velma McConnell, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
9. BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Curriculum – Lisbeth Leonhardt, Chair
No meeting due to lack of quorum
B. Facilities – Daniel Gentile, Chair
The Facilities Subcommittee met on March 7, 2007 with several of the field users to discuss the use of the fields for baseball and softball.
C. Finance – Daniel Gentile, Chair
Mr. Gentile’s reported that the Finance Sub-Committee met prior to the Board of Education Meeting, reviewed the accounts by facilities reports for the months of January and February, and moved that they be forwarded to the Town of Plymouth Board of Finance.
The Finance Subcommittee reviewed the transfers for the months of January and February and moved that they be forwarded to the full Board for its approval. Therefore, the following motion was made:
MOTION: To approve the transfers for the months of January and February.
Motion Patrick Perugino, seconded Martin Wetzel motion passed unanimously.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 5 March 14, 2007
D. Negotiations – Velma McConnell, Chair
Over the next three months, we will need to negotiate the following contracts: The Nurse’s Association, the Secretaries/Paraprofessionals UAW contract, the Business Manager’s contract extension and the Superintendent’s contract. An informal meeting to discuss negotiations was held with Mr. Perusse, Mrs. Doiron and Dr. Distasio and the Nurse’s Association. The next meeting is scheduled with the nurse’s will take place on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Office. Negotiations Subcommittee Members are welcome to attend provided their schedule permits. There will be a Non-Meeting of the Negotiations Subcommittee on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 7 p.m. at the Board of Education Offices to discuss negotiations of pending contracts.
E. Personnel – Patrick Perugino, Chair
Mr. Perugino reported that the Personnel Subcommittee met with the Superintendent prior to the Board meeting. All personnel matters were handled under new business.
F. Policy – Jennifer Zalaski, Chair
No Report at this time
G. Safety & Transportation – Michelle Spencer, Chair
No Report at this time
H. Education Connection – Velma McConnell
No Report at this time
I. Student Representatives
Anna Plotnikova – A Fresh Start program was held on Friday, March 9th; also on that same date 8th grade students from Harry S. Fisher Middle School visited Terryville High School and were given a tour of the school; the senior prom will be held on Saturday, May 19th at the Villa Rosa in Waterbury; the junior prom will be held on Saturday, May 12th; and there will be a blood drive at Terryville High School on March 26th from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 6 March 14, 2007
Kaitlin Palance – United Way Youth Board (consisting of Bristol Central High School, Bristol Eastern High School, St. Paul’s High School, Plainville High School, Lewis Mills High School and Terryville High School) is planning a Leadership Forum to be held on March 27th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Nuchies Restaurant and a Plymouth Manufacturing Expo was held on March 14th from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Lyceum.
Robert Lutters – Excused Absence
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/REQUESTS/INFORMATION
Mrs. Doiron, Director of Pupil Personnel/District Administrator in Charge
No report – excused absence
Mr. Lovely – Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Rotella & Maloney Interdistrict Magnet Schools
Closing date for Applications – March 16, 2007 @ 4 p.m.
WAMS (Waterbury Arts Magnet School)
Closing date for Applications – March 22, 2007 @ 2 p.m.
Due to the generous donation from the Terryville Congregational Church, the district was able to purchase a total of two hundred books of various levels for our Title I Program. Thank You to everyone who made this possible.
Mr. Rafaniello, Director of Technology
The following students were involved in the production of tonight’s Board of Education Meeting: Christopher Casola, Brian Luba, Scott Mamrosh, Connor Raymond and David Magnano.
Thank you to the following individuals: Brian Luba who created one of the CAPT videos that appeared on Channel 16 and to Mr. Cerruto, Principal of Terryville High School for all of his help; Angie Suffridge for the CMT Video; Fran Block CMT Rally, Harry S. Fisher Middle School; and Lisa Aiudi, Main Street/Prospect Street Rally.
Thank you to the administrators and staff at Terryville High School for their help in making the CAPT a success. It was a team effort. The attitudes of our students were high and they put forth their best efforts in taking the CAPT test.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 7 March 14, 2007
Mr. Perusse, Business Manager
Mr. Perusse reported on the following: (1) Progress of the new high school is coming along. Bricks have been laid, windows installed, sheet rock put up and taped, and first and second floor primed and taped. (2) The Facilities Subcommittee met on Wednesday, March 7th to discuss the use of the baseball and softball fields with someof the field users. Rosters are to be submitted to Mr. Perusse in a timely fashion. He reported that as of today, he is in receipt of only one. And (3) the oil tanks for Plymouth Center School, Prospect Street School, Main Street School, Harry S. Fisher Middle School and Terryville High School have been approved by the state. They will be replaced this summer. Seventy-three (73%) percent will be paid for by the state and the rest will be paid from Capital Improvements from the Town.
Dr. Distasio, Superintendent
Dr. Distasio reported on the following:
Our School Resource Officer has been very busy this month. He has been a great addition to our staff in the Plymouth Public Schools, especially at the high school. His position has been helpful in the general law enforcement in our town.
Governor Rell is looking to address the funding needs in Connecticut school districts. We have been meeting with our state legislators and have encouraged them to support a revision of the Education Cost Sharing Grant which comes from the state. Citizens of Plymouth please contact your legislators and encourage them to support the revision of ECS (Educational Cost Sharing) grant.
Students in grades 3 – 8 will be taking the Connecticut Mastery Test. Students in grade 10 will be taking the Connecticut Academic Performance Test. Everyone has been working hard preparing for these tests. “Kick Off” programs were sponsored by some of our schools in preparation for the tests. Many thanks to our elementary teachers and parents who attended the Elementary CMT night. Thank you to our staff for all of their hard work and diligence. Many thanks to Mr. Cerruto and Mr. Rafaniello for the many hours of work they contributed in preparation for these tests.
The Board of Education Members, Board’s Finance Subcommittee, and the school staff devoted many hours and much effort in developing this year’s budget proposal. This is a time consuming process which takes up hours and hours of personal time of Board Members who are volunteers from the community. These individuals serve on the Board and various subcommittees for the benefit of the children of the community. Many thanks go out to these individuals.
Thank you to those parents, PTA members, Linda Hotchkiss and Melissa Johnson, Amy Radke, Co-President of the Plymouth Education Association and our town official, Mark Goodwin from the Board of Finance, our school administrators for attending some of our budget workshops and adding their insight and input.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 8 March 14, 2007
There will be a meeting with the Board of Finance on Monday, March 19th, 2007 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall to present the 2007-2008 budget.
The Police Athletic League has been sponsoring a basketball program at Harry S. Fisher Middle School with assistance from the United Way of West Central Connecticut and our School-to-Career program. Dr. Distasio thanked the police department; Sgt. Mike Luba and Officers Sulek, Allain and Griffin who volunteered their time in providing this program for 39 of our middle school students.
Happy Board of Education week to all of our Board Members. A small token of appreciation was placed at each member’s seating area on behalf of all the work they do throughout the year from the youngsters of Plymouth.
The academic bowl will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Bristol Eastern High School @ 12 noon. Good luck to this year’s participants.
11. Public Comments Regarding Agenda or Non-Agenda Items
None
12. Board Liaisons to the Schools
Mr. Perugino – Main Street School/Prospect Street Schools
March 22nd Main Street/Prospect Street Schools Spring Pictures
March 28th & 29th Kindergarten Registration
March 2nd CMT testing began on March 2nd and will last approximately 2
weeks.
Mr. Engle – Plymouth Center School
National PTA Convention will be held the last week in June and the first week in July. Interested parties wishing to attend may contact Linda Hotchkiss, Melissa Johnson or any current PTA officer; March 7th – Rainforest Enrichment Program ; March 19 – Spring Pictures; March 19th – Family Bingo Night – 7 p.m. (Food Pantry will be doing something in conjunction with Family Bingo Night); and April 10th – Last Enrichment Program. Congratulations to the PTA Council on their proclamation.
Harry S. Fisher Middle School
No Report
Plymouth Board of Education Page 9 March 14, 2007
Mrs. Zalaski – Terryville High School
Budget presentation by Dr. Distasio to the PTA; NESAC Presentation; and a little history as to how the kangaroo became the mascot of Terryville High School.
Mr. Gentile – SEPTA (Special Education PTA)
Mr. Gentile attended a presentation by Jennifer Carol, State-Wide Coordinator and Sheila Harris, North Central Coordinator on Family Support and Needs; SEPTA had only praise for Mrs. Doiron; a presentation from Nancy Prescott, Parent Advisory, on bringing disabled and non-disabled children together; and this year’s convention will take place on April 27th and 28th at the Clarion. Anyone interested in attending please contact Melissa Johnson.
13. Final Board Comments (if any)
Mr. Perugino – Urged baseball and softball team coaches to return their rosters to Mr. Perusse as soon as possible; read an article from the Republican-American written by Joe Paladino about Terryville Basketball team winning six state basketball championships. This is a great honor for the town. Congratulations to Mr. Fowler and his team.
Mrs. Spencer – Apologized for not attending the Curriculum Subcommittee on March 7th. She took her boys to the Rainforest Program. Thanked the PTA for sponsoring this event. Congratulations to Mrs. Broderick and others on their retirement.
Mrs. Zalaski – Appreciated comments from Mr. Rafaniello on the church talent show and the donation. Thanked Mr. Rafaniello for providing the technical equipment needed for the church Lenten Lunch. Thank you to Mrs. Kaminsky for providing snacks to her students during the CMT testing.
Mr. Gentile – Thank you to everyone for volunteering your time on this years budget. Staff, administrators, Board of Education Members, Finance Subcommittee Members everyone did an excellent job.
Mr. Engle – Congratulations to the Terryville Basketball Team; Don’t miss attending the Academic Bowl; Budget – get out and vote. Don’t blame your local legislatures, contact your state representatives for answers; and March 19th – the 2007 -2008 Budget will be presented to the Board of Finance.
14. Next Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Engle stated that the next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on
April 11, 2007 at 7 p.m. at Terryville High School in the cafeteria.
Plymouth Board of Education Page 10 March 14, 2007
15. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion Patrick Perugino seconded
Dan Gentile, motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________
Patrick Perugino
Secretary