BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION

February 12, 2007

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

Attendance: Gary Brochu

Julie Erickson

Michelle Hartel

Diane Mancini

Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss

Christopher Puzio

Anthony Recck Arrived at 7:22 p.m.

John Richards

Rachel Rochette

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 McGee Middle School Brian Benigni; Principal of Willard School Robert J. Sullivan II; and Principal of Berlin High School George Synnott.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Board of Education (“the Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by students Lindsey Brochu and Morgan Kuel. A moment of silence was observed.

Lindsey and Morgan presented the Board with baked goods on behalf of Brownie Troop No. 6392 to thank the Board of Education for all they do for the school district.

II. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Ms. Erickson reported on her attendance this past Friday evening at the UpBeat Training Weekend, indicating it was a wonderful opportunity to see the UpBeat Committee at its best. Ms. Erickson thanked Ms. O’Donnell-Moss for a great job facilitating the discussion the Board had with the parents, the school committee and police officers regarding Berlin’s facility plan. Ms. Erickson has gathered some literature, which she has made available to the Board, concerning education from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce regarding school choice in preparing students for the global market place.

 

Ms. Rochette reported on her attendance on February 7, 2007 at the welcome reception held for Jen Derick, Assistant Principal at Willard School.

Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported on her attendance at the UpBeat Training Weekend as well as her attendance at the North West Conference Wrestling Championship, in which Berlin placed second. Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported on the Communication and Alignment Committee meeting held on January 22, 2007.

Mr. Puzio reported on his attendance at the UpBeat Training Weekend this past Friday night.

Ms. Hartel reported on her attendance at the welcome reception for Jen Derick. Ms. Hartel reported on the phenomenal job performed by the substitute drivers from New Britain Transportation when the regular driver was out sick for a week.

Mr. Richards reported on his attendance at the UpBeat Training Weekend this past Friday night for the presentation of the facilities plan. Mr. Richards reported the Resources and Capacity Building Committee met on Monday, January 29, and this evening and will be proposing adjustments to the Superintendent’s budget for consideration.

Ms. Klebart reported on her attendance at the Upbeat Training Weekend, indicating she was amazed at not only the organization but by the contributions the organization makes to the community and school district.

Dr. Cicchetti thanked Dave Evon and Roman Czuchta for their work in putting together the PowerPoint presentation and George Synnott and Matt Pace for escorting citizens through the high school in preparation of the UpBeat facilities presentation. Dr. Cicchetti reported on his attendance this past Sunday and Monday at the College Board Conference in Boston for the Annual Regional Forum. Dr. Cicchetti reported that George Synnott, Rena Klebart, Laurie Gjerpen, Brian Benigni and Roszena Sutton have worked to define rigor and have presented their findings, as a team, at individual faculty meetings. Dr. Cicchetti remarked it is a very powerful message and he applauds them for the quality work and for their time. Dr. Cicchetti complimented George Synnott and Thomas Warburton on the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony held this past Friday.

Mr. Brochu reported on his attendance at the welcome reception held for Jen Derick this past Wednesday and the UpBeat Training Weekend on Saturday. Mr. Brochu reported on his attendance at the high school orientation. Mr. Brochu informed the Board that this year’s CABE convention will take place November 16 and 17, 2007 at the Mystic Marriott, and there is an opportunity for the Board to present a workshop.

III. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS

Nothing to report.

IV. PERSONNEL

1. Resignations

Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Ms. Susan Larson’s intention to resign as teacher of science at Catherine M. McGee Middle School, effective January 26, 2007.

Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Mr. Puzio, to accept the resignation of Ms. Susan Larson, teacher of science at Catherine M. McGee Middle School, effective January 26, 2007. Also to thank her for the service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her well in her future endeavors.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 8:0

Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Ms. Jacqueline Cruickshanks’ intention to resign as teacher of technology education at Catherine M. McGee Middle school, effective January 30, 2007.

Moved by Ms. Rochette, seconded by Ms. Mancini, to accept the resignation of Ms. Jacqueline Cruickshanks, teacher of technology education at Catherine M. McGee Middle School, effective January 26, 2007. Also to thank her for the service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her well in her future endeavors.

Ms. Hartel questioned whether the effective date of resignation was January 30, 2007 as presented by Dr. Cicchetti or January 26, 2007 as stated in the motion.

Moved by Ms. Rochette, seconded by Ms. Mancini, to accept the resignation of Ms. Jacqueline Cruickshanks, teacher of technology education at Catherine M. McGee Middle School, effective January 30, 2007. Also to thank her for the service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her well in her future endeavors.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 8:0

Add Item of Personnel:

Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr. Recck, to add an item of personnel to the agenda.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 8:0

Michelle Hartel has tendered her resignation to the Board citing personal and professional obligations.

V. CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approval of Minutes

1. Regular Meeting of January 22, 2007

2. Special Meeting of January 16, 2007

3. Special Meeting of January 24, 2007

B. Payment of Bills – Period ending January 31, 2007

C. Overnight Field Trip Request – McGee Middle School

Principal Brian Benigni is requesting permission to allow McGee and Berlin High School students in grades 7-12, along with chaperones, to travel to Boston, Massachusetts on March 21-24, 2007 to participate in the FIRST Robotics Boston Regional Competition being held at Boston University. Berlin’s FIRST Robotics team will compete with the robot they planned and built over the last six weeks. The itinerary for the trip was enclosed in the Board’s packet.

Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Mr. Richards, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 8:0

VI. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

1. Activity Fund Reports

   1. Berlin High School Enterprise Fund – Period ending December 31, 2006

   2. Berlin Public Schools Activity Fund – Period ending December 31, 2006

   3. Cafeteria Fund – Period ending December 31, 2006

No motion is necessary for these reports. Please note with interest.

Mr. Czuchta noted that the reports are in a new format, including a column that shows the relative position a year ago and a standing cell that shows the end of last year’s financial status.

1. Introduction of New School Resource Officer

Berlin High School Principal George Synnott introduced Officer Paul Germain, who officially began his assignment on February 5, and reported Officer Germain is off to a great start. Officer Germain was introduced to staff at the February monthly faculty meeting and immediately began making contacts with staff and students. Mr. Synnott feels that Officer Germain has the capacity to develop positive relationships with students and that his presence in the school community will be very productive and contribute to a safe and secure environment. Officer Germain summarized his training and experience as a police officer and shared his experiences from his first week at Berlin High School.

1. Online Application Demonstration

For the past year, a Human Resources Study Group comprised of administrative council members has been working to implement an online application system. With financial support in this year’s Board of Education budget, the administrative council moved forward with this initiative in late fall and are ready to launch the program in time for the spring recruitment and hiring process. Administrators and support staff, Nancy Boccuzzio, presented a demonstration of the program, with the assistance (via conference call and virtual demo) of Mr. Abe Reese, who is owner/CEO of General ASP, the company that provides the product. After the presentation, Mr. Reese and Ms. Boccuzzio answered questions from the Board regarding the product. Board members were very positive about the implementation of this online application process.

VII. RECOMMENDED ACTION

1. Adoption of Proposed Board of Education Budget for 2007-2008

Mr. Richards, Chairman of the Educational Resources Committee, indicated the Committee had met, and he would give its recommendation regarding the 2007-08 budget to the Board. Mr. Richards reviewed the information on pages 7 and 8 of the Superintendent’s Proposed 2007-08 Budget. Mr. Richards reported that there is a recommendation from the administration that the figure for utilities be reduced by $45,000 due to locking in the generation rate paid and that the increase in utilities appears to be 5% and not 11% as previously thought when the budget was originally developed in December.

Mr. Richards reported that in consideration of the Excess Cost Funding and the Governor’s proposed budget suggesting Excess Cost reimbursement at 100%, the district would net a savings of $62,000, which brings tuition from an increase of $9,421 to a decrease of $52,579.

Mr. Richards remarked that it is the recommendation of the Resources and Capacity Committee to adjust/increase equipment to $17,000, representing the same amount budgeted for the 2006-07 school year.

In summary, Mr. Richards reported the Operational Budget would be a proposed $90,000 less than what Superintendent Cicchetti’s original proposal was, based on these three adjustments. Mr. Richards reported the recommendation from the Committee for the New Staff/Programs Requests is as listed on page 8 in the amount of $179,768.

The Educational Resources Committee is recommending that the budget, as presented by Superintendent Cicchetti, with these three adjustments, be approved. The total increase would be 4.91% or $1,611,200.

Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. Rochette, to approve the Board of Education 2007-2008 Operating Budget at a level of $34,414,578.

A discussion took place regarding the Operating Budget, the rationale for the position of the Human Resources Director and special education tuition.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 9:0; including President Gary Brochu

Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr. Recck, to approve the Board of Education 2007-2008 site and building requests at $733,100.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 9:0; including President Gary Brochu

Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, to approve the Board of Education 2007-2008 capital budget requests at $516,600 as recommended by the Administration.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 9:0; including President Gary Brochu

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Mr. Recck, seconded by Mr. Puzio, to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 p.m.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 8:0

Respectfully submitted,

John M. Richards, Secretary, Berlin Board of Education

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