East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: February 11, 2008
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, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Wall and Mr. Gemma
Members absent: Ms. Pessoni
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
Also present: Karen Hitchcock Asetta, Business Services Coordinator
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
4. Audience of Citizens - None
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to approve the following items:
- The minutes of the January 28, 2008 Board meeting.
Voted unanimously.
6. Committee Reports
6.1 Student Council
6.1.1 Dr. Berry read the report submitted by Johnathan Tuttle, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School:
The East Hampton High School Girl’s Basketball team has continued their winning streak of 18-0. The Girls Senior Night was last Thursday, February 7, against Hyde Leadership in which our girls won 61-2. Their next game is tonight, February 11, against Morgan at 7:00 p.m. The girls will then visit Old Saybrook on Wednesday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m., for their final game of the regular season.
The Boy’s are currently 9-9 and their next game is this Friday at home against Coginchaug at 7:30 p.m. The Boy’s Senior Night will be next Wednesday, February 20, at home against Hale Ray at 7:30 p.m.
A new musical school record has been set by Ben Telep and Kianna Jensen. Both seniors beat out many students from schools around Connecticut and made the CMEA All State Vocal Group three years in a row. Both students are heavily involved in the music department and their hard work and success deserves appreciation.
A school wide pep rally is going to be held this Friday, February 15th, upon the completion of Spirit Week. This week long activity is designed to allow kids to enjoy their day a little more by wearing pajama’s to school or wearing a hat all day long.
Juniors and the rest of the underclassmen have recently finished their course selections for next year.
Epoch Arts is also sponsoring a new play called “Flash.” Students from EHHS and the local area are involved with this private production located at 27 Skinner Street. It is an original one act student directed play, written and directed by Britta Gustafson. What would happen if one day, all the parents in the world disappeared? Flash explores the many issues of human nature in an abstract way. The play is showing on~February 15 and 16~at 7:30pm. Admission is $5.
6.2 Personnel Committee
6.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee is engaged in contract negotiations with the Nurses, Secretaries and Paraprofessionals.
6.3 Policy Committee
6.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee met on Wednesday, January 30th and that there are three policies on tonight’s agenda for the Board’s review.
6.4 Curriculum Committee
6.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the she met with the administration to plan future Curriculum Committee initiatives January 30th.
6.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
6.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that the Transportation, Buildings & Grounds Committee met on Thursday, January 31st and are currently reviewing the bus contract.
6.6 East Hampton Education Association – None
6.7 Liaison Reports
6.7.1 Ms. Robinson noted that she graduated from the CABE Leadership Institute.
6.8 Financial Reports
6.8.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board will be discussing the budget later in this meeting.
7. Communications
7.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of February 1, 2008.
7.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- Board & Administrator, February.
- Connecticut High School Reform.
- The Middle Ground, February 2008.
- The Center School Chronicle, February 1, 2008.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, February 7, 2008.
- Power-Up Your Schools, A EXPO on Distributed Generations in Schools
- LEARN Annual Report 2006-2007.
- The CABE Day on the Hill is March 12, 2008.
8. Program Presentation - None
9. Unfinished Business
9.1 Proposed 2008-2009 Budget
9.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board had a fairly extensive budget discussion at the last Board meeting. Dr. Golden noted that the Board of Education’s Finance Committee with the assistance from the Administration and staff recommend adopting the proposed 2008-2009 budget. Dr. Golden reviewed the budget requests for the Board. A lengthy discussion followed.
Mr. Coolican expressed concern that he had not reviewed the current budget and therefore could not make a decision about the future budget. He also questioned where Mr. Jylkka was in providing this information. Dr. Golden explained that prior to the election the current budget update was shared with the Finance Committee and the Board and that since the election and the change of committee members, the Finance Committee had been working on the 2008-09 budget. Ms. Robinson stated that if Dr. Golden had been concerned she would have let the Board know of her concerns. Dr. Golden confirmed that she would have and that a meeting with the Finance Committee would be held in the near future to review the 2007-08 budget.
Mr. Coolican asked whether it would be possible to have the Middle School Media Specialist assist the town. Dr. Golden stated that she had been exploring if that person could assist the two elementary schools.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board of Education is in the people business. The administration worked hard on this budget request. Kudos to the Finance Committee and the Administration for a job well done.
9.2.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to adopt the proposed 2008-2009 Board of Education Budget as submitted. A discussion followed.
Ms. Wall stated that the Board needs to have a “stand still” budget. Mr. Hurst stated that we can’t afford to have our students stand still.
Vote Yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Hurst, Ms. Barmasse and Mr.
Gemma
Vote No – Mr. Coolican
Abstain – Ms. Wall
Motion Carried
10. New Business
10.1 NESDEC Enrollment Projections
10.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the NESDEC Enrollment Projections will be tabled to enable the administration an opportunity to check a discrepancy with the numbers.
10.2 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Policy 5145.51, Sexual Harassment, Peer Sexual Harassment (First Reading)
10.2.1 Ms. Robinson noted that CABE submitted for consideration a policy addition to the Sexual Harassment Policy. This policy will address the issue of sexual harassment of students by other students. The Policy Committee recommends the approval of revised Board of Education Policy 5145.51 based on the recommendation of the Board of Education Policy Committee and the administration. A discussion followed. It was requested that the bullying policy be included in the February 25th Board packet. Dr. Golden will clarify with CABE the use of the word bullying in Policy 5145.5.
10.3 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Revised Policy 4112, Appointment and Conditions of Employment (First Reading)
10.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee recommends the approval of revised Board of Education Policy 4112 based on the recommendation of the Board of Education Policy Committee and the administration.
10.4 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Policy 6146.2(a), Statewide Proficiency/Mastery Examinations (First Reading)
10.4.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee recommends the approval of revised Board of Education Policy 6146.2(a) based on the recommendation of the Board of Education Policy Committee and the administration. A discussion followed. Dr. Golden requested that the Board submit to her or Ms. Robinson any questions that they may have regarding this policy.
10.4.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Coolican, to table the approval of Board of Education Policy 6146.2(a), Statewide Proficient/Mastery Examinations until further clarification is received from CABE. Voted unanimously.
Dr. Golden will clarify with CABE the meaning of mastery examinations in paragraph 2 of Policy 6146.2(a).
10.5 Approval of the High School Music Trip to Cleveland, Ohio (May 15-18, 2008)
10.5.1 Dr. Golden noted that the East Hampton High School Music Department will be entering an adjudication sponsored by Heritage Festivals in May if the trip is approved by the Board of Education. The Department will be evaluated in six categories: Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Men and Women’s vocal ensembles. Six adult chaperones will accompany sixty-four students on this trip. Ms. Wall questioned whether the curfew could be moved up.
10.5.2 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to approve the May 15-18, 2008 High school Music Department trip to Cleveland, Ohio pursuant to Board of Education Policy #6153 (Field Trips). Voted unanimously.
11. Future Business
11.1 Dr. Golden noted that in the future the two music students will be brought before the Board for recognition of their accomplishments as would several other students that have excelled in Model UN and athletics. Dr. Golden also noted that there will be a goals facilitator proposal presentation and a school improvement plan presentation in the near future.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that several candidates came forward for the Board of education vacancy. A discussion took place on the process of filling the Board of Education vacancy. Mr. Vasquenza asked if Board members would consider a special meeting. Ms. Smith will contact the Board members for their availability.
12. Personnel Actions - None
13. Goal Report - None
14. Audience of Citizens
14.1 Ms. Barbara Moore questioned whether the Board of Education budget requests are in a priority format? Ms. Moore also suggested that someone contact the Town Librarian for some suggestions on the Middle School Library/Media Specialist position.
15. Adjournment
15.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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