East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: December 10, 2007
1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Mr. Vasquenza, at 7:00 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library/Media Center.
Members present: Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Hurst, Ms. Jacobson, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Wall, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Administration Dr. Golden, Superintendent of Schools
present: Mr. Reich, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Reas, Director of Support Services (arrived at 7:06)
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, thanked members of the Board of Education for participating in the Tri-Board meeting.
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 November 26, 2007 Board meeting.
- To appoint Greg Ruel to the extracurricular position of Girls’ Basketball Coach at East Hampton Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Mike Mancini to the extracurricular position of Boys’ Assistant Basketball Coach at East Hampton Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Thomas Seidl to the extracurricular position of Boys’ Basketball Coach at East Hampton Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Donna Roberts to the extracurricular position of Girls’ Assistant Basketball Coach at East Hampton Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Matthew Warner to the extracurricular position of Assistant Track Coach (Boys’ and Girls’) at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To appoint Paul Pasternak to the extracurricular position of Boys’ J.V. Basketball Coach at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
- To grant Melissa Kalisz a childrearing leave commencing on approximately January 30, 2008 through six weeks after the birth of her child.
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 girl’s basketball team had their first game of the season on December 7th against Westbrook. The team easily won the game with the final score being 55-20. Their next game is tomorrow, December 11th, away at Hyde Leadership at 3:15 p.m.
· The boy’s basketball team has their first game away at Portland on Wednesday, December 12th, at 4:45. So far the boy’s have only had scrimmages in which they appear to be orderly and ready to start the season.
· The Senior Dinner was held on December 6th at A Villa Louisa in Bolton. Roughly 70 kids attended and the event was wholly enjoyed by both faculty and students alike.
· The Spanish Dance was supposed to be on Friday, December 7th, however due to inclement weather it was postponed to Saturday, December 8th. The dance attracted a respectable turnout even with the postponement.
· The one man volleyball team, Beat Bob, as he refers to the event as, was scheduled to come to the high school today at 9:00 however due to the weather, he will be attending tomorrow, December 11th. A random selection of students has been chosen to play against the guy tomorrow in hopes of beating him however his current win record is 98%. The event is widely anticipated by students.
· Student Council is currently sponsoring a candy-cane drive in which students are able to send a personal message and a candy-cane to any person for only $1. The event started today and ends at the end of this week.
6.2 Personnel Committee - None
6.3 Policy Committee - None
6.4 Curriculum Committee - None
6.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee - None
6.6 East Hampton Education Association – None
6.7 Liaison Reports
6.7.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that a Tri-Board meeting was held with the Town Council, Board of Finance and the Board of Education and it was a very productive meeting. At that meeting a discussion was held about having public meetings on public access TV. He also noted that the Technology Committee is now at a point of how to handle the recommendations.
Mr. Hurst noted that the Town Council met and voted to waive the bidding process on the bus contract.
7. Communications
7.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of December 3, 2007.
Mr. Coolican questioned how many students fall below No Child Left Behind and are considered special education at the Middle School. Do we have a way to track those students?
Dr. Golden stated that she will prepare a report showing a breakdown of the number of special education students per grade.
7.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- All evening events at the schools were cancelled on Friday, December 7th due to the snow.
- The administrators have begun the budget process and we will be meeting with the Finance Committee.
- The Principals have submitted their school improvement plans and the information will be shared with the Board at a later meeting.
- An invitation to the Board of Education Holiday Celebration on Thursday, December 13th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- The Board and Administrator for School Board Members, December, 2007.
- An article from the Hartford Courant, Educators Address State’s Vast Reading Gap, Statewide Summit Held on Subject for First Time To Generate Policy, November 30, 2007.
- A letter from Jeffrey Houde, Former Freshman basketball Coach at East Hampton High School (11-8-07).
- A letter to Mr. Robert Drewry, Acting Town Manager noting that in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, Section 10-153d(b), enclosed is the recently negotiated successor collective bargaining agreement between the East Hampton Board of Education and the East Hampton School Administrators’ Association. As of November 26, 2007 this three year Agreement was approved by a 6-2 vote by the Board of Education and ratified by the Association.
- It was requested that the Board members complete the CABE Survey and either send them to CABE or submit them to the Superintendent’s Office.
- The New Bellringer, November, 2007.
- The Middle Ground Newsletter, December, 2007.
- The Center School Press, December, 2007.
- The Center School Chronicle, December 7, 2007 and November 30, 2007.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, November 30, 2007.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that Mr. Coolican is on the State Board of Education and that they are reviewing possible changes in the requirements for high school graduation. A discussion followed.
7.3 Schedule of Board of Education Presentations
7.3.1 Dr. Golden reviewed a suggested schedule of Board of Education Presentations for the Board. The Principals will present their school improvement plans at the January 14, 2008 Board meeting. These presentations will align with the Board’s goals. Mr. Coolican asked whether there could be a presentation on the school lunch program. Dr. Golden noted that the district is in the black and doing well and we are hoping to continue on that track. She reviewed the bid process for Mr. Coolican and noted that the Board will review the cafeteria program later in the year.
8. Program Presentation - None
9. Financial Reports
9.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee met prior to tonight’s Board meeting and discussed the possibility of creating a GASB Trust. Mr. Hurst noted that the Board is looking for a plan to fund the liability of insurance for our retired staff. He shared that if we show that we are trying to invest we will have a better bond rating. Dr. Golden shared that the current liability is approximately $3.5 million for the Board of Education and in order to prevent this liability from affecting the town bond rate the Board must begin to set funds aside to cover the future liability.
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 Board of Education Committee Assignments
10.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that due to the election of new Board of Education members, new members of the Board Standing Committees must now be appointed. Mr. Vasquenza appointed committee members at this time. The following Board members volunteered so serve as liaisons: Mr. Hurst will serve on the Capital Improvement Committee, Mr. Vasquenza will serve as the Town Council Liaison, Ms. Pessoni will serve as the Board of Finance Liaison and Ms. Robinson will service as the CABE Liaison.
Ms. Robinson questioned whether Board members can attend committee meetings even if they are not on that committee. Mr. Hurst noted that the committee members and the Board Chairperson should attend the meetings. Mr. Vasquenza and Mr. Coolican explained that five Board members make a quorum and that committees cannot have a quorum.
Ms. Barmasse stated that she would like to see minutes for each of the committees handed out to the full Board. Mr. Coolican suggested handing out the committee agendas so the Board can see the topics being discussed. Mr. Vasquenza explained that staff cannot provide detailed minutes because of the time involved.
11. New Business
11.1 Board of Education Goals Discussion
11.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that in the past Mr. Caruso from CABE assisted in creating the Board of Education goals. Dr. Golden stated that it is very helpful to have Board goals and student achievement goals. Mr. Joseph Townsen from CREC also assists Boards in creating goals. Mr. Hurst noted that Board goals and the Board self-evaluation should be done separately.
It was the consensus of the Board that Dr. Golden will provide a list of facilitators and what they can do with the Board. Once a facilitator is lined up, Mr. Vasquenza and Dr. Golden will provide the Board with several possible dates and times. Ms. Smith will poll members of the Board of Education for their availability. It was agreed that meeting from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. was preferred.
12. Future Business - None
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report - None
15. Audience of Citizens - None
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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