BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION

October 22, 2007

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

Attendance: Gary Brochu

Julie Erickson

William Lutz

Diane Mancini

Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss

Christopher Puzio

Anthony Recck(Absent)

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; and Principal of Griswold School Laurie Gjerpen.

 

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was delayed until Mrs. Erickson, Mr. Lutz, Mr. Richards, and Mr. Czuchta could arrive after a transportation hearing at the Board offices was completed.

 

Prior to the start of the meeting, Paul Hutcheon, Director of Health for Central Connecticut Health District, provided an update, recommendations and information to the Board and audience of citizens as related to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Several Griswold School parents were in attendance with their children, who were presenting as part of the Board meeting.

 

Also, prior to the start of the meeting the Griswold School student presentation took place wherein fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Lisa Michetti, and five of her students simulated a book group discussion about the book Joey Pigza Loses Control. The students shared strategies that they use to answer open-ended questions. Also, the design of the book group facilitated the use of "CMT-like" language. The following students participated in the simulated book group discussion: Jimmy Bourgoin, Laura Cohen, Evan Hale, Kelsey Kozikowski, and Zack Martin.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 8:14 p.m. in the Margaret E. Griswold School, 133 Heather Lane, Kensington, CT. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed.

At this time, item VI. A. was moved up in the agenda. Hearing no objection, the item was addressed.

 

VI. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Non-Traditional Educational Training (NET) Program and Work Study

Program

Berlin High School’s Vocational Educator, Casey Downes, provided an overview of the Work Study/Vocational program. These services are made available to students who have disabilities and are in need of training opportunities. Students participate in careers and/or vocational classes, senior transition activities, and sometimes work study. Ms. Downes discussed the students’ experiences in this component of the special education department and the importance of such programs in their transition.

NET, Non-Traditional Educational Training program, is an alternative setting housed at Berlin High School. It is designed to provide opportunities for students who have difficulty adjusting to the size, complexity, and/or structure of a comprehensive high school setting. As such, students present with a variety of talents as well as challenges. There are three components to the program: educational, vocational/work study, and counseling. Teachers Maureen Moylan and Kim Haskell, Social Worker Karen Smith, and Vocational Educator Ed Bratina presented an overview of this program. A former NET student was also in attendance to share with the Board her experiences and successes from this program.

II. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS

 

Mr. Puzio reported on his attendance at the Board’s retreat on October 19 and 20, 2007.

 

Mr. Lutz reported on his attendance at the Board’s retreat on October 19 and 20, 2007.

 

Ms. Mancini reported on her attendance at the Board’s retreat on October 19 and 20, 2007.

 

Mr. Richards reported on his participation this Sunday at the start of the NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation process self-study and site visit. Mr. Richards commented on the Resources and Capacity-Building Committee’s attendance at the transportation hearing that started at 5 p.m. tonight, prior to this meeting.

Ms. Erickson reported on her attendance at the Board’s retreat on October 19 and 20, 2007. Ms. Erickson reported on her participation this Sunday at the start of the NEASC accreditation process self-study and site visit. Ms. Erickson apologized for missing the Griswold School student presentation due to her attendance at the transportation hearing.

Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported on her attendance at the Board’s retreat on October 19 and 20, 2007 and her participation this Sunday at the start of the NEASC accreditation process self-study and site visit.

Mr. Czuchta reported on his attendance at the Board’s retreat October 19 and 20, 2007, commenting he found the Board’s retreat equally helpful for the administrative process.

Ms. Klebart reported on her attendance at the Board’s retreat October 19 and 20, 2007. Ms. Klebart reported on her meeting with NEASC’s Mission and Leadership Committee this morning.

Dr. Cicchetti reported on his participation this Sunday at the start of the NEASC accreditation process self-study and site visit and his meeting with NEASC’s Mission and Leadership Committee this morning. He commended Berlin High School Principal George Synnott for his opening presentation at Sunday’s reception. Dr. Cicchetti reported a long-term substitute has been hired for the high school music program and that person will begin tomorrow. Dr. Cicchetti reported on his attendance at the high school’s band rehearsal this morning, offering support for preparation of students for their upcoming Northern Regional auditions.

Mr. Brochu reported on his attendance at the Board’s retreat on October 19 and 20, 2007 and his participation this Sunday at the start of the NEASC accreditation process self-study and site visit.

III. STUDENT PRESENTATION – GRISWOLD SCHOOL

The student presentation took place this evening prior to the start of the Board meeting and is reflected above in the minutes prior to the Call to Order.

IV. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS

 

Nothing to report.

 

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting of October 9, 2007

 

B. Out-of-State Field Trip – BHS – Orlando, FL – April 20-24, 2008

 

Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 6:0

VI. INFORMATION AND REPORTS

A. Non-Traditional Educational Training (NET) Program and Work Study

Program (moved up in the agenda; see it after I. Call to Order)

B. Board of Education Retreat

Dr. Cicchetti reported to Board members that copies of the proposed Board of Education goals are at their places for consideration (see agenda item VII A). He also provided Cabinet members with copies of the goals and explained to cabinet members the process used to finalize the goals during the retreat. It is anticipated that the Board and cabinet members will continue their discussion and finalize initiatives and indicators of success for discussion at the December 10, 2007 Board of Education meeting.

C. Update – Educational Specifications for New High School

Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta indicated there was nothing new to report.

D. Technology Bond – Status Report

Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta indicated there was nothing new to report.

VII. RECOMMENDED ACTION

A. Board of Education Goals

 

Board members outlined and discussed in detail the four identified goal areas: Student Achievement; Communication; Facilities and Educational Adequacy; and Board Governance, which Board members finalized during the retreat on October 19 and 20, 2007.

Each of the identified goals is presented below.

Student Achievement – Goal: Each and every student in the Berlin Public Schools will achieve established, rigorous performance standards in all areas of student learning by becoming strategic readers, problem solvers, and critical thinkers.

Communication – Goal: The Berlin Board of Education will establish reciprocal communication that is accessible and understandable, and that unites all citizens around the belief that high quality public education is a community’s most valuable asset.

Facilities and Educational Adequacy – Goal: The Berlin Board of Education will ensure all students have the opportunity to learn and achieve in safe and educationally adequate facilities by meeting the needs of the district with respect to adequate space and the quality of learning environments.

Board Governance – Goal: The Berlin Board of Education will institutionalize a focus on continuous improvement leading to student achievement and student success through its development of policy, ongoing evaluation, and commitment to individual and Board professional growth.

Each goal was read by a different member of the Board and each member commented on aspects of the goal and the positive process that resulted in consensus being reached on these broad objectives.

Moved by Ms. Mancini, seconded by Mr. Lutz, that the Berlin Board of Education adopt its five-year goals for 2007-12, as presented.

 

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 7:0; including President Brochu

 

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Ms. Mancini, seconded by Mr. Richards, to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 p.m.

FAVOR: ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 6:0

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

John M. Richards

Secretary, Berlin Board of Education

 

 

(JMR:bjd original 10/23/07; Supt review 10/24; JMR final review 10/25)

Attachment	Size
BBOE_Minutes_10-22-07.pdf	22.6 KB