East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: November 13, 2007
1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Mr. Hurst, at 7:00 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library/Media Center.
Members present: Mr. Hurst, Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Pessoni, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse and Mr. Gemma
Members absent: Mr. Pessoni and Ms. Jacobson
Administration Dr. Golden, Superintendent of Schools
present: Mr. Reich, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Reas, Director of Support Services
Dr. Fitzsimmons, Principal of Memorial Elementary School
Ms. Turchi, Principal of Center Elementary School
Mr. Barber, Principal of East Hampton Middle School
Dr. Berry, Principal of East Hampton High School
East Hampton High School Student Council Representative: Johnathan Tuttle
Also present: Karen Hitchcock Asetta, Business Services Coordinator
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Inter-Board Liaisons
3.1 Ms. Sharon Kjellquist, Board of Finance liaison to the Board of Education, noted that the Board of Finance will hold an organizational meeting on November 29, 2007. They are also starting the process for the tri-board budget meetings.
4. Audience of Citizens - None
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to approve the following items:
- The minutes of the October 22, 2007 Board meeting.
- To appoint Kevin Pelczar to the extracurricular position of Student Council Advisor at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint John Viera to the extracurricular position of Boys’ J.V. Basketball Coach (9th Grade) at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Shaun Russell to the extracurricular position of Girls’ Basketball Coach at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Robert Freitas to the extracurricular position of Boys’ Basketball Coach at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint William Wilkie to the extracurricular position of Indoor Track Coach (Boys’ and Girls’) at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Stanley Florek to the extracurricular position of Girls’ J.V. Basketball Coach (9th Grade) at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year. The administration recommends that he be appointed.
- To appoint Sherry Faircloth to the extracurricular position of Girls’ J.V. Basketball Coach at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Lia Straub to the extracurricular position of Varsity Cheerleading Coach (Winter) at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Lia Straub to the extracurricular position of Fall Cheerleading Coach (Fall) at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To grant Cynthia Mazzotta an extended childrearing leave commencing on December 10, 2007 through the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year.
Voted unanimously.
6. Committee Reports
6.1 Student Council
6.1.1 Johnathan Tuttle, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School reported the following:
The boys Varsity Soccer Team ended their season at 5-10-1. The boys did not advance as far as they would have liked to however the team suffered injuries on vital players. Sam Pach and Nick Bailey, the only two seniors who played, will be missed as the team progresses to a new year.
The girls Varsity Soccer Team ended their season at 15-4-1. The girls advanced to the Shoreline Conference finals after being ranked #1 throughout the entire season however they ended up losing that game. The girls continued on to the State Championship where they lost in the second round. The girls succeeded in filling the gaps for those who were injured including Sarah Chicione, a starting senior, who was out for the season with a broken collarbone earlier in the year.
The Junior Varsity girls Volleyball Team ended their season at 0-8 however they managed to win two games during a match. This is the first year for the Volleyball Team and the expectations were set more at having fun rather than winning it all. The girls managed to form a tight bond between the team and hopefully the girls will be back and ready next year.
The boys Cross Country team ended their season placing 3rd in States and taking 2nd place, along with the girls, in the Shoreline Conference Championship. The girls Cross Country team also finished 2nd in States. The girls Basketball Team will begin their season this year on November 16th and the boys Basketball Team as well as the Indoor Track Team will start on November 26th.
Mr. O’Donnell and the drama club will perform A Murder is Announced, formally, on the 16th and 17th of November at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Mr. O’Donnell also noted that if those dates were not available, one could come watch the dress rehearsal on Thursday, November 15th, without having to pay admission.
Students from EHHS who are in Model U.N. recently attended BROWN and UCONN for a debate. Students were assigned countries such as Mexico, Uganda, and Czech Republic and then were given a topic such as the Avian Flu, Women’s Health in Africa, Small-Arms or Juvenile Crime to name a few. The students had to debate and find a solution to these problems but from the position and stance of their country, not the United States. Amy Robinson, a high school student, was awarded Most Improved Delegate and Melissa Jordan was given the title Most Commended Delegate.
Mr. Pelczar and Mr. Krupp have organized a Flag Football Tournament consisting of eight teams ranging from the Falcons to Team Cheddarlicious and even a girls team. The tournament has been underway for a little less than a calendar week and will continue to the end of November.
The Music Department will host Cabaret Night on November 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the Café. The band will have a lasagna dinner along with entertainment to the guests. The Music Department would also like to remind those who haven’t purchased Pies and Citrus for the Holidays to find music personnel and place an order!
The 1st Edition of the EHHS Bellringer was recently released. The October 2007 issue greets the reader with an article of our very own, Dr. Golden, entitled “Meet the New Superintendent.” The Bellringer Staff consists of roughly twelve students and two faculty members. John Cheng and Janice Nosal are co-heading the newspaper this year and have already made excellent progress thus so far.
6.2 Personnel Committee
6.2.1 Mr. Vasquenza had no report at this time.
6.3 Policy Committee - None
6.4 Curriculum Committee
6.4.1 Ms. Robinson had no report at this time.
6.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee - None
6.6 East Hampton Education Association – None
6.7 Liaison Reports
6.7.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that she, Ms. Robinson and Dr. Golden will be attending the CABE Convention on November 16th and 17th. Ms. Barmasse also noted that she attended a LEARN meeting and that Ann Baldwin was a speaker on media training.
7. Communications
7.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of October 1, 2007.
7.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The ALERTNOW districtwide test was performed today and was very successful.
- The new Middle School phone system is up and running.
- A memo from Mr. Bob Dean, the Town of East Hampton’s insurance consultant regarding Skateboards.
- The Board and Administrator for School Board Members, November 2007.
- The New Bellringer, October 2007.
- The Middle Ground Newsletter, November 2007.
- The Center School Chronicle, November 2, 2007, October 26, 2007.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, November 2, 2007.
- The CABE CAPSS Successful Strategies for Leadership Team Evaluation: Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools.
- Mr. Hurst read a letter from Mr. Tuttle noting that he will not be able to join the Board at the Tuesday, November 13th meeting to wrap up his term on the Board of Education because he has a Town Council meeting.
8. Program Presentation
8.1 The 2006-2007 Final Strategic School Profiles
8.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that the Strategic School Profiles provides us with an excellent opportunity for our staff and students to inform the community how we are doing both districtwide and in our schools and to share our most important accomplishments with the community as well as our plans for improvement. The Strategic School Profiles provides comparative data to the DRG and State which can help in planning for the future. Dr. Golden reviewed the Strategic School Profiles for the Board and answered questions.
9. Financial Reports
9.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board of Education had a substantial surplus last year. Dr. Golden and several Board members attended a Board of Finance committee meeting and they voted to place the surplus funds in a capital account to purchase land. In the meantime the Middle School phones failed several times so they approached the Town Council who voted to provide the Board of Education with the funds for a new phone system at the Middle School and funds to be used for the security grant.
10. Unfinished Business - None
11. New Business
11.1 Approval of the Authorized Signatures Change Form
11.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the existing agreement (ED-099 Agreement for Child Nutrition Program) is outdated. Dr. Judith Golden must be listed as Superintendent and Jeff Jylkka as Finance Director. This is required for continued reimbursement by the National School Lunch Program administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education.
11.1.2 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to update ED-099 with Dr. Golden’s name. Voted unanimously.
11.2 Extraordinarily Proficient Student Tuition Request
11.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that this request is officially withdrawn.
11.3 Review of the Superintendent’s Goals
11.3.1 Dr. Golden noted that this information is for the Superintendent to set goals earlier in the school year to set direction for the school district. This will allow for periodic updates with the Board of Education on the progress of the goals and objectives prior to the evaluation period in May or June. Dr. Golden reviewed the Superintendent’s goals for the Board. A brief discussion followed. Ms. Robinson noted that Dr. Golden was not asked to do this. Ms. Robinson noted her appreciation for Dr. Golden taking the initiative.
11.3.2 Motion by Mr. Vasquenza, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to accept the Superintendent’s Goals for the 2007-2008 school year as presented to the Board. Voted unanimously.
12. Future Business
12.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Board of Education will elect officers and present a list of committees at the next meeting on November 26, 2007. We will also say goodbye to Mr. Tuttle and Mr. Pessoni at that time.
Ms. Barmasse asked whether new Board members are provided with an orientation packet. She also stated that she is interested in being a mentor for Mrs. Wall. Ms. Robinson stated that she could be a mentor for Mr. Coolican.
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report - None
15. Audience of Citizens
15.1 Mr. Hurst requested that the two new Board members introduce themselves for the Board. Ms. Wall noted that she raised four children in East Hampton and now has grandchildren in the school system. Ms. Wall also stated that she is interested in attending the CABE New Board Member Orientation program.
Mr. Coolican noted that he served on the Board of Education for fourteen years. He also questioned what the district is going to do about the low physical fitness scores in the Strategic School Profiles?
Ms. Kjellquist, Board of Finance liaison to the Board of Education commended the Superintendent on her goals and objectives that were presented to the Board tonight. She also noted that the Board of Finance rejected the Board of Education’s request of where the surplus funds would go and directed that the funds be used for facilities in the school.
Mr. Hurst noted that he’s been the chairperson for the past four years and enjoyed it.
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Robinson
Secretary
DR/JAG/rs
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