BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION
January 23, 2006
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Attendance: Gary Brochu
Julie Erickson
Michelle Hartel Arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Diane Mancini
Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss
Christopher Puzio
Anthony Recck Absent
John Richards
Rachel Rochette
Also in attendance: Superintendent of Schools Michael Cicchetti; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Ford; Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta; Director of Pupil Personnel Services Margaret Butler; Principal of McGee Middle School Brian Benigni; Principal of Berlin High School George Synnott; and Athletic Director Jim Day.
Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Board of Education (“the Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
Ms. Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss reported that she attended Mike Schmoker’s workshop, which she thought was a wonderful investment in our teaching staff as well as a benefit to her as a Board member. It was definitely worthwhile as it ties in with our work and what the administration is working on and it seems as if everyone is on the same page working towards improving student achievement.
Mr. Puzio reported that last Tuesday he attended a private fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy. He is going to work with the Muscle team, the committee that organized the fundraiser, to set up a fundraiser in Wallingford and probably here in Berlin.
Ms. Mancini reported on her attendance at the Forum of the League of Woman Voters held this past Saturday.
Mr. Richards reported that the Resources and Capacity-Building Committee met and one of the items discussed was the response to a RFP for completion of a demographic, enrollment, and capacity study. The committee reviewed the three organizations that responded to the RFP and will report at the next meeting as to the selection of a consultant to complete the study.
Ms. Susan Ford reported that, the day after Mike Schmoker was here on January 13, we had a visiting team from the University of New Haven for Project Lead the Way, and they were looking into certification of the two courses that we offer at the high school. Students enrolled in those courses will be certified and those students who pass the final test with a certain grade, can apply to obtain college credits for that course. Sixteen technical colleges around the area accept these courses automatically; other colleges can be petitioned to accept these courses. She reported that Dave Salonia has done a fine job in preparing for and facilitating the certification visit.
Ms. Margaret Butler reported on the preschool screening, which took place on January 20 and 21, 2006. Approximately 130 children were screened between the ages of two years, four months and four years, six months. She indicated the turnout was wonderful and it was a great success. Both children, as well as staff, benefit from the experience.
Dr. Cicchetti reported that he stopped in at the preschool screening and was very impressed. It was professional, well-organized, and very worthwhile as it gives our school system an opportunity to support students who need something different prior to beginning their kindergarten experience. Dr. Cicchetti also introduced Jason Pheasant, the new Berlin correspondent from the New Britain Herald.
Mr. Brochu indicated he had with him a copy of the agenda for the Leadership Conference he will be attending in Washington, DC in two weeks. It contains an entire seminar on the Iowa Study, which Board members received previously. He asked that copies be included in the next Board Update packet. Mr. Brochu also reminded the Board of the CABE Area Legislative Breakfast scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building.
Nothing to report.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting of January 9, 2006
MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION: MOVE to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 9, 2006 as presented.
Out-of-State Field Trip Requests – McGee Middle School
MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION: MOVE to approve the request of Principal Brian Benigni to allow the Berlin FIRST Robotics team to travel to Manchester, NH on March 2-4, 2006 to attend a competition and Atlanta, GA on April 26-30, 2006 to attend the National Competition.
Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Erickson, to approve the consent agenda as presented.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
V. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Policy Revisions – Second Reading and Recommended Adoption
1. Policy BCE – Permanent Committees
2. Policy BCEA – Leadership, Accountability and Measurement Committee
3. Policy BCEB – Communications and Alignment Committee
4. Policy BCEC – Resources and Capacity-Building Committee
The first reading of the policy revisions took place at the December 9, 2006 Board of Education meeting. This is the second reading, with recommended adoption of the policies as presented.
Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. Rochette, to approve and adopt the policies BCE, BCEA, BCEB and BCEC as presented.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, to add the consideration of deletion of policy BCED.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Ms. Mancini, that we delete policy BCED from our policy.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
A. Secondary Principals’ Budget Presentation
Athletics: Jim Day, Athletic Director, addressed the Board with regard to the co-curriculum requests, which include an Assistant Coach – Cross Country at McGee Middle School, additional hours for an athletic trainer at Berlin High School, increasing the number of opportunities for student athletics and adding a girls’ lacrosse program.
Mr. Day made a few observations about the Athletic Department, highlighting the program’s achievements, which include five teams having won conference titles, the baseball team winning the Class L state title last year, the Unified Sports program winning the Michael’s Cup, student athletes continuing to excel academically, two basketball players nominated for the McDonald’s All American Team, and one wrestler selected as honorable mention All American for the Class 2007. The new men’s swimming team is off to a very good start, particularly the dynamics of the program. Mr. Day reported that recent budget cuts have resulted in much more aggressive fundraising tactics.
Mr. Day also highlighted the weaknesses that he hopes to address in this budget.
(1) Athletic training hours. Currently, the district receives 12 hours per week of athletic training. There is a pressing need to increase those hours so multiple events can be covered. Berlin High School is one of only five high school programs in the state that have the Impact Program, which is a way of assessing cognitive ability after a head injury to see if it has occurred. We cannot, however, fully institute the program because of the limited hours of the athletic trainer, who institutes the program. The request is to increase athletic training time to 25 hours a week. A reallocation of supplies money within the Athletics Program budget will, in part, support this additional trainer time.
(2) The McGee Middle School Cross Country Assistant Coach. Mr. Day distributed a handout depicting the current ratios for McGee Interscholastic Sports Programs. Currently the coach to athletic ratio is 1:60 in cross country, which is unacceptable. The number of students who participate in cross country each fall requires an assistant coach, primarily for supervisory purposes.
(3) Increase the opportunity for students to participate in athletics. Of the towns sampled, Berlin ranked 12 of the 16 schools in the number of opportunities available for student athletics. Overall, Berlin ranks 17 out of the schools selected for comparison; all of these schools are either in the Nutmeg Football League or are towns with which Berlin is most often compared.
(4) The Girls’ Lacrosse Program at Berlin High School. The district needs to add a sport for girls to remain in compliance with Title IX, in light of the new men’s swimming program added this year.
Secondary Principals’ Budget Presentation:
Mr. Synnott began by indicating that the entire budget being presented is designed to meet the goals and objectives set by the Board of Education and the priorities created by the Administration Council. Everything being requested can all be tied to continuous improvement for student learning and improvement in our schools for students’ achievement and success. He asked that the Board consider this as both Mr. Benigni and he make their presentations. The major goal is to improve student learning.
Staffing: With regard to staffing, Mr. Synnott is requesting an additional 1.0 FTE Math Teacher to address class size issues and maintain the current course offerings. Mr. Synnott indicated a significant problem with class sizes at the high school in the math department. In order to graduate, students need three credits of math; however, 85% of students at Berlin High School take four years of math. Currently, classroom sizes range from as few as 12 to 15 students and to as high as 31 and 32 students. The reason for this is because of the nature of the course. Certain students demand more attention and some of those classes, by their very nature; have to be small in size. This year we have seven sections that have 28 or more students in each section. Of those, five sections have more than 30 students. The two UCONN Advanced Placement classes in Statistics have 30 students in one class and 31 in the other. These are large numbers for an advanced placement UCONN class. We also have one section of Algebra 2 accelerated with 31 students. Requested by the high school, but not included in the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget was a half-time Business teacher.
Mr. Benigni confirmed that there are no staffing requests for McGee for this budget year.
Student Support: With regard to student support, Mr. Synnott is requesting a 1.0 FTE Instructional Support Teacher. This position will focus on the population of students who are identified as struggling learners and do not receive Special Education Services. The teacher will provide in-class professional development training for teachers and paraprofessionals on meeting the needs of struggling learners; assist with the development of curriculum and common assessments; and monitor preparation of all students for state and national assessments. This preparation is important in preparing for the October 2007 NEASC accreditation site visit.
Mr. Benigni is requesting an after-school-tutorial program for McGee. This after-school program will provide middle school students with support in reading, writing and mathematics to reach goal in areas of the CMT and district standards. This program was targeted for non-special educational students. Struggling learners often need additional time to reach proficiency levels with material that is presented by teachers during the regular instructional day. The middle school proposes to call this program SPRINT – Students Practicing and Receiving Instruction Now for Tomorrow. It is believed that the high school experience for these students will be more successful if they can enter ninth grade with a strong foundation in reading, writing, and mathematics. Mr. Benigni provided the Board with an estimate of students who would have been identified this year if a program were in place. The program will be funded through Project CHOICE monies.
Teaching and Learning: Principals Synnott and Benigni discussed the need for professional development. Mr. Synnott spoke of the Harvard workshop he has attended and the positive benefits received from it as well as other workshops and the need to take part in these workshops if we are to succeed in improving teaching and learning. The overall goal of professional development is to provide training that will be applied immediately back in the classroom setting. This may be accomplished by bringing some training right into the schools. Mr. Benigni indicated he was thankful for the opportunity given to him, as well as the support for the teachers.
Dr. Cicchetti discussed Curriculum Development Funding and noted a research study of California schools. The most significant factor in improving teaching and learning for students was the existence of a coherent, standards-based curriculum in all content areas, kindergarten through grade 12, including student assessments. The development of such documents will require a major investment on the part of the district.
Technology: Mr. Synnott reported the high school had done pretty well with technology to a point and then reached a plateau. The high school had an infusion of money which enabled it to establish computer labs, which are now obsolete. Mr. Synnott indicated he has not put in for specific technology requests, but believes a data specialist would be a tremendous benefit. Mr. Benigni’s goal is to create two classrooms per year that allow teachers and students to utilize the most up-to-date instructional technology. A typical 21st century classroom would include a Smartboard, LCD projector, interactive lectern, internet access, a mobile laptop lab, CD-Rom editions of textbooks, a freshly painted room, updated lighting, white boards and new ceiling tiles. He questions if students are not using the latest technology available today, how will they be prepared for tomorrow?
Principals Synnott and Benigni discussed their facilities requests. My Synnott indicated that the lavatories in the 1955 wing at the high school are in desperate need of renovation, the science labs need to be upgraded and renovated and the auditorium is so small it cannot accommodate more than one class at a time. Classrooms need to be reconfigured as we currently have eight teachers “on carts,” i.e. without a classroom to serve as a home base. Mr. Synnott would like to have large areas where several teachers in departments can come together to collaborate. Mr. Benigni indicated the lavatories need to be renovated at McGee Middle School, the outside of the building needs painting and a facelift so that it has a warm and inviting appeal as one approaches the building.
Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Rochette, to enter into executive session at 9:35 p.m. for the purposes of personnel.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
Moved by Ms. Rochette, to exit from executive session at 10:45 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 7:0
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, to adjourn the meeting at 10:48 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 9:0