East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: November 26, 2007
Ms. Sandi Wieleba, East Hampton Town Clerk, swore in the four new Board of Education members, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Vasquenza and Ms. Wall.
1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Mr. Hurst, at 7:04 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library/Media Center.
Members present: Mr. Hurst, Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Jacobson, Ms. Pessoni, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse, Mr. Gemma, Mr. Coolican and Ms. Wall
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. Ryan, Assistant Principal of Memorial Elementary School
Ms. Turchi, Principal of Center Elementary School
Mr. Fidler, Assistant 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. Board of Education Organization
3.1 Election of the Board of Education Chairperson – Mr. Hurst asked for nominations from the Board.
3.1.1 Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Mr. Coolican, to nominate Mr. Vasquenza as the Board of Education Chairperson.
3.1.2 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to close the nominations. Voted unanimously.
Mr. Vasquenza was elected Chairperson unanimously.
3.2 Appointment of the Board of Education Acting Chairperson.
3.2.1 Mr. Vasquenza appointed Ms. Robinson as the Acting Chairperson.
3.3 Election of the Board of Education Secretary – Mr. Vasquenza asked for nominations from the Board.
3.3.1 Motion by Mr. Gemma, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to nominate Ms. Barmasse as the Board of Education Secretary.
3.3.2 Motion by Ms. Robinson seconded by Ms. Jacobson, to close the nominations. Voted unanimously.
Ms. Barmasse was elected Secretary unanimously.
3.4 Appointment of the Board of Education Acting Secretary
3.4.1 Mr. Vasquenza appointed Ms. Pessoni as the Acting Secretary.
3.5 Discussion – Board of Education Committee Assignments
3.5.1 Mr. Vasquenza requested that Board members contact him or Dr. Golden with their requests for committee assignments. It is his hope that a new committee list will be established by the December 10th Board meeting. Ms. Robinson will chair the Policy Committee, Ms. Pessoni will chair the Finance Committee, Mr. Gemma will chair the Transportation, Buildings & Grounds Committee, Mr. Hurst will chair the Personnel Committee and Ms. Barmasse will chair the Curriculum Committee.
Mr. Hurst presented Mr. Pessoni with a desk set in recognition for his time spent on the Board of Education.
Dr. Golden presented Mr. Vasquenza with a copy of Roberts Rules of Order.
The Board took a brief recess at 7:10 p.m. for cake and refreshments in honor of the two Board members, Mr. Pessoni and Mr. Tuttle, who have completed their terms on the Board of Education.
The Board reconvened at 7:33 p.m.
4. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
5. Audience of Citizens - None
6. Consent Agenda
6.1 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve the following items:
- The minutes of the November 13, 2007 Board meeting.
- To appoint Vanessa Ruutel to the extracurricular position of Cheerleading Coach at East Hampton Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Lorraine Sorvillo as the Fiscal Services Associate, Payroll and Insurance for the East Hampton Public Schools effective November 26, 2007.
Voted unanimously.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Student Council
7.1.1 Johnathan Tuttle, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School reported the following:
· The play A Murder is Announced was very successful and the attendance for both shows was impressive. The play was on November 16th and 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Mr. O’Donnell told the drama students that he was very proud of the hard work and the result that they produced in the final productions.
· All fall sports have come to an end and the Fall Sports banquet was recently held on November 20th. Today all winter sports have started officially including the girls Basketball Team which began practicing last Monday.
· 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 for guests along with light entertainment during the eating.
· Another SAT will be December 1st. This test is still mostly for seniors however some juniors who feel they are ready are able to sign up.
· On December 6th the annual Senior Dinner will be held in Bolton.
· The Spanish Club will be hosting a Spanish Dance on the night of December 7th in the Café at 7:00 p.m.
7.2 Personnel Committee - None
7.3 Policy Committee - None
7.4 Curriculum Committee - None
7.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee - None
7.6 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.7 Liaison Reports
7.7.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Town Council will meet on Tuesday, November 27th to vote on the Board of Education Transportation Bid Waiver. Mr. Vasquenza noted that there will be a Tri-Board meeting on Monday, December 3rd to discuss budget preparation, focus, etc.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- Mr. Jylkka, East Hampton Finance Director and an Actuary will attend the December 10th Finance Committee meeting to explain the budget implications of the GASB laws
- The East Hampton Board of Education Directory (11-19-07).
- A letter from Charles McCarthy, Jr., Associate Director of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc., noting that the Commission on Public Schools, at its September 30-October 1, 2007 meeting, reviewed the evaluation report from the recent visit to East Hampton High School and voted to award the school continued accreditation in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (11-14-07).
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, November 16, 2007.
- The Center School Chronicle, November 16, 2007.
- The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the East Hampton Board of Education and the Municipal Employees Union “Independent” Local 506, SEIU, AFL-CIO, Custodians & Cafeteria Employees, July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2010 (9-19-07).
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Financial Reports - None
11. Unfinished Business
At this time Mr. Hurst presented Mr. Tuttle with his gift of appreciation for his service on the Board of Education.
12. New Business
12.1 Approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the East Hampton Board of Education and the East Hampton School Administrators’ Association
12.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Personnel Committee and the Board attorney form a team to assist in the negotiating with the Administrators Bargaining Committee. The Personnel Committee, the Administration, the Board Attorney and Administrators Bargaining Group reached an agreement in September without going to arbitration.
Dr. Golden noted that the negotiation process is supposed to be confidential. We were provided comparison information and our administrators were paid lower than other towns. We did not have to go to mediation and arbitration.
Mr. Vasquenza stated that this is a fair and equitable agreement.
12.1.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve the negotiated Bargaining Agreement with the East Hampton Board of Education and the East Hampton Administrators’ Association, July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011 as recommended by the Board of Education Personnel Committee. A discussion followed.
Mr. Coolican noted that he feels this is the wrong process. In the past the Personnel Committee went into executive session and discussed the proposed contract. Hopefully in the future we will have the ability to discuss the proposed contract before voting. As a Board we should have some clue on what we are buying such as the percentage increase for salary and any areas we are saving money in.
Vote Yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Mr. Hurst, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Vote No – Mr. Coolican and Ms. Jacobson
Abstain – Ms. Wall
Motion carried.
13. Future Business
13.1 Mr. Coolican requested the total cost for the Custodial/Cafeteria contract. He questioned whether the lunch program covers the cost of the cafeteria salaries. He would like to see the cost and revenues.
Dr. Golden noted that the Board voted to self-fund the cafeteria program from August, 2007 to June, 2008. We will provide a report once we have the free and reduced lunch reimbursement.
14. Personnel Actions - None
15. Goal Report
Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board goals are due to be updated. Mr. Vasquenza and Dr. Golden will present options for a one day retreat at the next Board meeting.
16. Audience of Citizens - None
17. Adjournment
17.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Jacobson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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