BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION
October 9, 2007
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Attendance: Gary Brochu
Julie Erickson
William Lutz
Diane Mancini
Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss
Christopher Puzio
Anthony Recck
John Richards
Rachel Rochette(Absent)
Also in attendance: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Cicchetti; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Rena Klebart; Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta; Director of Pupil Personnel Services Margaret Butler; Principal of Griswold School Laurie Gjerpen; Principal of Willard School Robert J. Sullivan II; Principal of Hubbard School Alfred Souza; Principal of McGee Middle School Brian Benigni; and Principal of Berlin High School George Synnott.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Board of Education (“the Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed.
II. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Klebart reported on the combined high school-middle school professional development that took place this date regarding reading in the content area. Ms. Klebart reported the second session of the Fall Teacher Academy will take place on Thursday, October 11, 2007.
Dr. Cicchetti commented on how proud he was of the middle school and high school bands and their performances at the Berlin Fair on Friday and Saturday.
Mr. Brochu reminded the Board members of the CABE convention in November. Mr. Brochu reported that, as a member of the Board of Directors, half of his registration fee for the convention will be paid by a grant. Mr. Brochu reported on the tour of the five schools that was provided to Town Council candidates on Thursday, October 4, 2007.
III. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
Ms. Mary Kathryn Williams, 165 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, Connecticut, addressed the Board regarding her concerns over the selection of the novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, which was the mandatory summer reading for students entering 9th grade.
Mr. David Evans, 1233 Worthington Ridge, Berlin, Connecticut, thanked the Board of Education for the invitation to the Town Council candidates and Board of Education candidates for the tour of the five schools on Thursday, October 4, 2007. Mr. Evans thanked the principals for their hospitality. Mr. Evans said his children attend Willard and it gave him an opportunity to see the other schools.
IV. PERSONNEL
Retirements
Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Ms. Christine Archer’s intention to retire as art coordinator at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008.
Moved by Mr. Puzio, seconded by Ms. Mancini, to accept the retirement of Ms. Christine Archer, art coordinator at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008. Also to thank her for the thirty-five years of service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Ms. Louise Elliott’s intention to retire as library media specialist at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008.
Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Mr. Recck, to accept the retirement of Ms. Louise Elliott, library media specialist at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008. Also to thank her for the sixteen years of service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her also a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Ms. Marabeth Grogan’s intention to retire as teacher of grade 2 at Emma Hart Willard School, effective June 30, 2008.
Moved by Ms. Mancini, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, to accept the retirement of Ms. Marabeth Grogan, teacher of grade 2 at Emma Hart Willard School, effective June 30, 2008. Also to thank her for the twenty years of service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Mrs. Marilyn Scanlan White’s intention to retire as reading consultant at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008.
Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Mr. Puzio, to accept the retirement of Mrs. Marilyn Scanlan White, reading consultant at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008. Also to thank her for the twenty years of service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
In response to Mr. Richards’ question concerning Ms. Scanlan White’s handwritten comments on her letter to the Board of Education of her intention to retire, Dr. Cicchetti explained Ms. Scanlan White’s plans are not to leave this work that she has done but to have an opportunity, possibly in Berlin, to contribute her expertise.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Ms. Marsha Wilenski’s intention to retire as art teacher at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008.
Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr. Recck, to accept the retirement of Ms. Marsha Wilenski, art teacher at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2008. Also to thank her for the thirty-five years of service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting of September 24, 2007
Payment of Bills – Period ending September 30, 2007
C. Overnight Field Trip – BHS – Washington, D.C. – March 4-11, 2008
Moved by Ms. Mancini, seconded by Mr. Lutz, to approve the consent agenda as presented.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
VI. INFORMATION AND REPORTS
A. Activity Fund Reports
1. Berlin High School Enterprise Fund – Period ending August 31, 2007
2. Berlin Public Schools Activity Fund – Period ending August 31, 2007
These reports were noted with interest.
B. Official 2007-2008 District Enrollment
Dr. Cicchetti highlighted the preliminary enrollment as of October 1, 2007, which was included in the Board’s packet of material. Dr. Cicchetti indicated at the elementary level, grade four was the largest class with 259 students. In terms of the middle school, the eighth grade class of 276 students is the largest class. At the high school, the senior class of 300 students is the largest. Dr. Cicchetti indicated there has been overall stability in the enrollment over the last couple of years as reported in the NESDEC study. In terms of projections, this does not take into account potential housing in town. The current K-12 enrollment is comparable to that of 1999. Dr. Cicchetti indicated a concern for Willard is the kindergarten class. Dr. Cicchetti reported that paraprofessional support has been discussed for the kindergarten class at Willard. While there are some pockets of larger class sizes, Dr. Cicchetti described the class sizes overall as very favorable.
C. Continuous Improvement Plan Presentation by Administrators
Principals from each of the schools have been asked to work with their faculty to analyze student performance data; specifically to identify areas of strength and areas in need of improvement. Based on this data, the faculty of each school has worked together to develop measurable school goals. Subsequently, each department and/or grade level team has developed department specific goals to support the school’s goal. In addition, individual teachers have worked with their administrators to develop individual professional goals that are linked to departmental needs as well as the needs of their particular classes.
As part of the Board presentation, principals provided an overview of the continuous improvement process and shared how student performance data was used to establish the school goal, the department and grade level team goals/action plans, and individual goals/action plans. They demonstrated how each of the plans is linked to individual school goals and how the action plans outlined implement those goals. Key to the success of the district’s continuous improvement efforts is creating time for teams of teachers to implement steps of their action plan, analyze student performance data, and together determine instructional strategies that will lead to greater student achievement and success.
D. Board of Education Goals and Indicators of Success
As a follow up to the Board’s October 1 self-evaluation meeting, Board members revisited the four identified goal areas: Student Achievement and Success; Board Governance; Facilities and Educational Adequacy; and Communication. Board committees reported on their discussions at the meetings that took place prior to the Board meeting. Board members discussed the next steps in the process of finalizing the Board of Education goals, including the formation of an ad hoc goals committee and the planning of work to be accomplished at the Board’s retreat October 19-20.
E. Update – Educational Specifications for New High School
Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta indicated there was nothing new to report.
F. Technology Bond – Status Report
Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta reported he is awaiting the revised report from Dr. Steven Arnoff, educational consultant, and is waiting to hear back from Dr. Arnoff as to a date he is available to meet with the Town-Wide Technology Committee. Mr. Czuchta updated the Board on the continuing connectivity problem at Griswold School concerning the Wide Area Network.
VII. RECOMMENDED ACTION
A. Contract Ratification – Berlin Association of Head Custodians
Negotiations with the Berlin Association of Head Custodians were recently completed and a tentative agreement was reached. Mr. Czuchta summarized the tentative agreement reached with the Association of Head Custodians, summarizing the wage increases, insurance benefits, premium contributions and vacations. Subject to ratification by the Berlin Association of Head Custodians, it is recommended that the Board approve the tentative agreement.
Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Mr. Recck, to approve the tentative agreement reached between the Berlin Board of Education and the Berlin Association of Head Custodians.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 8:0, including President Gary Brochu
B. Berlin Board of Education Resolutions Concerning Section 403(b) Contract Exchanges
On July 26, 2007, the IRS issued new regulations that govern 403(b) contracts (Tax Sheltered Annuities). Although many of the changes will not apply until January 1, 2009, one important rule change regarding Contract Exchanges took effect on September 25, 2007. Board approval is needed for resolutions that affect contract exchanges in order to comply with these new regulations. Mr. Czuchta summarized the new restrictions regarding Exchange of TSA/403(b) Contracts, which were provided to the Board.
Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Ms. Mancini, to approve Resolutions affecting 403(b) Contract Exchanges as presented.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:43 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Mancini, seconded by Mr. Lutz, to go into Executive Session to discuss materials relative to cafeteria negotiations.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
In attendance for Executive Session were Board members Brochu, Erickson, Lutz, Mancini, O’Donnell-Moss, Puzio, Recck and Richards. In addition, Dr. Cicchetti and Mr. Czuchta were present.
At 10:00 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Recck , seconded by Mr. Lutz , to return to regular session.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss , seconded by Ms. Mancini , to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED:
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Richards, Secretary
Berlin Board of Education
(JMR: bjd; bjd 10/10/07 original; Supt review 10/16/07; JMR final review 10/18/07)