BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION
August 22, 2011
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Attendance: Gary Brochu Michael Baczewski
Kristin Campanelli
Julie Erickson
Cynthia Kobus
Irene Matulis Absent
Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss
John Richards
Also in attendance: Superintendent of Schools David B. Erwin; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Brian Benigni; Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta; Director of Human Resources Denise Bard; Principal of Griswold School Laurie Gjerpen; Assistant Principal of Griswold School Christian Strickland; Principal of Berlin High School Francis Kennedy; Assistant Principal of Berlin High School Janet Parlato; Principal of Willard School Salvatore Urso; Principal of McGee Middle School Dr. Scott Ratchford; Dean of Students of McGee Middle School Kelly Maio; and Director of Pupil Personnel Services Linda Holian.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. in the Board of Education (“the Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT. This meeting immediately followed a special meeting of the Board, that had begun at 6:30 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A Moment of Silence was observed.
II. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holian reported a new administrative secretary was hired and began last week. Ms. Holian reported, last week, she attended state training regarding SEDAC (Special Education Data Application and Collection System). Ms. Holian reported she, along with Mr. Erwin, will be interviewing candidates this week for the Supervisor of Special Education positions. Ms. Holian reported several PPTs were completed this summer.
Mr. Benigni reported the new teacher orientation program began today and thanked Mr. Brochu and Ms. Kobus for their attendance. Mr. Benigni reported training will begin this week for administrators on the Observation 360/PD 360 system which will be used for informal observations and professional development.
Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported on her attendance at a conference sponsored by Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.
Mr. Richards reported the Resources and Capacity-Building Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting. Mr. Richards reported the Advisory Committee and Public Building Commission will meet this Thursday.
Mr. Erwin reported on his recent meeting with CHOICE Supervisor Debra Borrero and Department of Education Sheff Office Lead Kathy Demsey regarding the district’s CHOICE students. Mr. Erwin reported he attended a recent re-admittance meeting for a student that was expelled. Mr. Erwin reported he had a meeting last week with Chief of Police Paul Fitzgerald and Chief Fitzgerald will attend an administrative meeting to discuss some ideas regarding emergency planning and preparedness. Mr. Erwin reported there were meetings held on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, and Friday, August 12, 2011, regarding the construction at the high school, and there will be meetings, as soon as this week, with the BHS staff. Mr. Erwin reported on the administrator’s retreat, which was held last week. Mr. Erwin reported the Department of Education’s Back-to-School conference was held last week at which Governor Dannel Malloy spoke. Mr. Erwin updated the Board on the ongoing interviews to fill various positions within the district. Mr. Erwin reported the new teacher orientation program began today and continues tomorrow. Mr. Erwin reported Berlin High School freshman orientation is scheduled this week. Mr. Erwin reported, last week, he was a judge for the talent component for the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education/Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CABE/CAPSS) presentations for the upcoming fall conference. Mr. Erwin shared communications received from Diane Cleary and Cheryl Hlavac.
Mr. Brochu reported on his attendance, along with Ms. Kobus, at the new teacher orientation program today. Mr. Brochu reminded Board members that the convocation will be held on Monday, August 29, 2011, at McGee Middle School. Mr. Brochu requested building principals contact Mr. Erwin if there is any landscaping that needs to be completed. Mr. Brochu reported the Board will meet tomorrow evening to conduct the Board of Education’s annual self-evaluation and thanked the administration for sharing their comments on the Board’s self-evaluation document. Mr. Brochu reported, for this upcoming election, candidates have until September 9, 2011 to submit their signed petitions, and all potential new Board of Education candidates will be able to participate in the orientation process and have the opportunity to participate in a seminar offered by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE). Mr. Brochu reported there have been some meetings, the past few weeks, with the architects and school staff in terms of moving forward with the renovate as new project for the high school.
III. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
Nothing to report.
IV. PERSONNEL
Mr. Erwin presented Amanda E. Gagnon as the candidate for Assistant Principal of Berlin High School.
Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Campanelli, that the Board of Education appoint Amanda E. Gagnon to the position of Assistant Principal of Berlin High School, effective August 29, 2011.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0; including President Brochu
V. CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – July 18, 2011
- Payment of Bills – Period ending June 30, 2011
- Resignation
Meghan Gerrity, teacher of music at Griswold, Hubbard and Willard Schools, submitted her letter of resignation effective August 1, 2011.
Mr. Richards requested that Item V. A. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – July 18, 2011 be removed from the consent agenda.
Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Ms. Kobus, to approve the consent agenda as presented and amended.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
Mr. Richards requested the following changes to the July 18, 2011 minutes: page 2, paragraph 1, line 9, which reads “… the men’s lacrosse program …” be changed to “… the men’s lacrosse coach …”; and page 7, first motion, line 3, which reads “… as proposed in the administrator’s recommendation” be changed to “… as proposed in the administration’s recommendation.”
Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. Campanelli, to approve the minutes of July 18, 2011, as amended.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
VI. INFORMATION AND REPORTS
A. PowerIT Website Preview
Brian Mirizzi, district IT technician, gave a PowerPoint presentation on what the district’s new website from PowerIT will look like. Board members provided suggestions to Mr. Mirizzi and Mr. Mirizzi responded to their questions. It is anticipated the website will launch on August 30, the day before students begin school.
B. Superintendent’s Report: District’s Readiness for the Opening of School
Superintendent of Schools David Erwin reported the district is in good shape for the opening of school on August 31, 2011. Mr. Czuchta discussed the facilities later in the agenda. Mr. Erwin reported the convocation will be held Monday, August 29, 2011. Mayor Adam Salina and Town Manager Denise McNair will provide greetings. Mr. Erwin reported the district has not filled all of the open staff positions. He is interviewing a candidate for the position of guidance counselor tomorrow and expects a recommendation for a candidate for the position of art teacher very soon.
C. Activity Fund Reports
1. Berlin High School Enterprise Fund – Period ending June 30, 2011
2. Berlin Public Schools Activity Fund – Period ending June 30, 2011
3. Cafeteria Fund – Period ending June 30, 2011
These reports were noted with interest.
D. Final Financial Report – 2010-2011 Fiscal Year
Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta reported that, at the Board’s direction, Berlin ended the 2010-2011 fiscal year with a positive balance of $26,317.02. The Board acted on this in Section VII A.
E. Facilities Related Updates
1. Code Renovations – Berlin High School
As the Board was in attendance at the Resources and Capacity-Building Committee meeting held prior to tonight’s meeting, there was no report.
- Indoor Air Quality – Catherine M. McGee School
Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta reported, as of Saturday, August 20, 2011, the indoor air quality renovations are substantially completed; however, there remain punch list items that will be completed throughout September.
- School Roof – Catherine M. McGee School
Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta reported the roof project is substantially completed; however, there remain some minor punch list items to be completed. The warranty inspection occurred today. The Public Building Commission will perform a general walk through on Thursday, August 25, 2011, to confirm the project is completed.
- Traffic Loop – Mary E. Griswold School
Director of Business Operations Roman J. Czuchta reported the traffic loop at Griswold School is a couple of weeks away from completion. There were some rain delays and unexpected conditions. Mr. Czuchta anticipates, weather permitting, a binder coating to be put down this week. Mr. Czuchta reported there was a site visit on Thursday, August 18, 2011, to discuss the status of the project. Mr. Czuchta anticipates the project to be completed the second week of September and in use by the end of September. The facade work is expected to be completed this week.
VII. RECOMMENDED ACTION – PART I
A. Motion to Return Balance of 2010-2011 Fiscal Year to the Town’s General Fund
Director of Business Operations Roman J. Czuchta indicated that the unaudited balance of the 2010-2011 fiscal year is $26,317.02. A motion is in order to return this amount to the Town of Berlin General Fund.
Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. Erickson, that the unaudited balance of the 2010-2011 fiscal year Board of Education budget, in the amount of $26,317.02, be returned to the Town of Berlin General Fund.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:39 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Campanelli, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, to go into Executive Session to discuss materials relative to the evaluation of the Superintendent of Schools.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
In attendance for Executive Session were Board members Brochu, Baczewski, Campanelli, Erickson, Kobus, O’Donnell-Moss and Richards. In addition, Mr. Erwin was present.
At 9:43 p.m. the Board returned to Open Session.
IX. RECOMMENDED ACTION – PART II
A. Anticipated Election of Superintendent to New Three-Year Contract
Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Campanelli, that the Board of Education approve a three-year contract for Superintendent of Schools, David Erwin, for the period July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2014.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0; including President Broc