East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: February 25, 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. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Members absent: 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. Turchi, Principal of Center Elementary School
Mr. Barber, Principal of East Hampton Middle School
Mr. Fidler, Assistant Principal of East Hampton Middle School
Mr. Brenton, Assistant 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 Mr. Tuttle, Town Council liaison to the Board of Education, stated that he appreciates all the hard work that the Board of Education and the administrators put into the budget process. He also noted that the facilities committee finished their task and is now looking at the NEASC accreditation process and building needs.
4. Audience of Citizens
4.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that East Hampton Girls Basketball team members Rachel Nowakowski and Erin Henriksen were in the audience. The girls’ basketball team finished their season 23-0. They won the Shoreline Championship game 45-38 on Saturday, February 23rd.
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to approve the following items:
- The minutes of the February 11, 2008 Board meeting.
- To appoint Cristin Flannery to the extracurricular position of Professional Development Advisor at East Hampton High School for the 2007-2008 school year.
Vote Yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Hurst, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Barmasse and Mr. Gemma
Abstain – Ms. Pessoni
Motion carried.
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 finished their season an astounding 23-0. They won the Shoreline Championship game 45-38 against Morgan at Coginchaug Regional High
School on Saturday, February 23. Shaun Russell received the Coach of the Year Award for his excellent coaching to our Lady Bellringer’s. Brooke Pitcher, a Junior, scored her
1,000th point of her high school career during the championship game. The girl’s are now playing in the State Tournament. Their next game is on Thursday, February 28,
against either Berlin or Woodland at 7:00 p.m.
· The Boy’s Basketball team ended their regular season 9-11. They qualified for the State Tournament like the girls as well. Their next game is next Monday, March 1, at
Cromwell at 7:00 p.m.
· The Indoor Track season has also come to an end. The Girl’s finished 2nd in their conference and they would have come in first only if their 4 x 2 relay team, the final event of
the meet, had not gotten disqualified for a violation. The Boy’s finished admirably in the event and are preparing for Track and Field, which starts in mid-March.
· Pitchers and catchers start for the Baseball team Monday, March 9th. Spring sports are gearing up for their seasons but the only thing holding them back is the weather.
· A new Bellringer edition is going to be released at the end of next week featuring a preview of spring sports.
· CAPT week is March 3rd-March 7th. AP classes will be reviewing a select number of days throughout the week in order to prepare for the upcoming tests in May. The UCONN
Early College Experience Class for Seniors will be attending Love’s Labour’s Lost at UCONN Storr’s on March 7th.
6.2 Personnel Committee
6.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee is engaged in preliminary contract negotiations with the Nurses, Secretaries and Paraprofessionals. The Board will
meet on Monday, March 3rd to conduct interviews to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education.
6.3 Policy Committee
6.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee met prior to tonight’s Board meeting and discussed seven policies. Three policies are on tonight’s Board agenda. Two are for Board approval and one is for review and discussion.
6.4 Curriculum Committee
6.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee met this morning with Ms. Hardacker for a Language Arts Presentation. Ms. Barmasse summarized the content of the meeting for the Board.
6.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
6.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that the Transportation, Buildings & Grounds Committee will meet on March 6th.
6.6 East Hampton Education Association – None
6.7 Liaison Reports
6.7.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that she attended a Board of Finance meeting on February 19th where they reviewed financial status reports for the town, the 2006-2007 auditors report and the 2008-2009 budget schedule. The Board of Education will present their proposed budget to the Board of Finance on Saturday, March 22nd at 7:00 a.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room.
6.7.2 Mr. Vasquenza noted that he attended a capital meeting Saturday morning.
6.8 Financial Reports
6.8.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee hasn’t met since the last meeting. She distributed and reviewed the Cafeteria Fund report and the Year to Date Expenditure Report for the Board. The cafeteria program is being operated in house this year and so far with great results.
Dr. Golden stated that the cafeteria program is now self operated and we are very pleased with the results.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Year To Date Expenditure report will be available at every Board meeting from now on.
Mr. Coolican stated that he would like to receive additional information regarding the cafeteria program. How many free lunches are served and are we reimbursed for? How many reduced lunches are served and are we reimbursed for? How many regular lunches are served and are we reimbursed for? How many cartons of milk are
served for kids that didn’t purchase a lunch? How are the salaries and benefits accounted for in the budget?
A discussion followed.
7. Communications
7.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The Center School Chronicle, February 15, 2008.
- News & Notes, February 15, 2008.
- East Hampton High School Program of Studies, 2008-2009.
- Dr. Golden distributed two goal setting proposals and noted that she received a third verbal proposal. Mr. Vasquenza requested that the goal setting proposals be placed on the agenda for the March 10th Board of Education meeting.
- The Board of Education will present their 2008-2009 budget to the Board of Finance on Saturday, March 22nd at 7:00 a.m.
- There is a possibility of a Tri-Board meeting on March 24th which is the same night as our Board meeting. Dr. Golden suggested the Board could take March 24th and April 14th Board meeting and combine them into one meeting on March 31st if the Board agrees since April 14th is during the school vacation week.
Mr. Hurst noted that he is adamantly opposed to changes our Board meeting when our meetings are scheduled and published a year in advance.
Mr. Vasquenza stated that this is a good faith effort for everyone to try and get everything done. The Tri-Board meeting can be held at 6:00 p.m. and the Board of Education meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. It was also agreed that the March 24th and April 14th Board meeting would stay on the regularly scheduled night since there will be a quorum.
8. Program Presentation
8.1 School Improvement Plan Presentation
8.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that in order to effectively implement a change process for continuous improvement, it is important for schools to plan in a systemic way. In the past, teachers and administrator evaluation systems, school improvement plans and Superintendent goals were not aligned toward the same common focus. Dr. Fitzsimmons, Ms. Turchi, Mr. Barber and Mr. Brenton reviewed their school improvement plans for the Board. A discussion followed.
9. Unfinished Business
9.1 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Policy 5145.51, Sexual Harassment, Peer Sexual Harassment (Second Reading)
9.1.1 Ms. Robinson noted that 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.
9.1.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Coolican, to approve revised Board of Education Policy 5145.51 based on the recommendation of the Board of Education
Policy Committee and the administration. Voted unanimously.
9.2 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Revised Policy 4112, Appointment and Conditions of Employment (Second Reading)
9.2.1 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.
9.2.2 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to approve revised Board of Education Policy 4112 based on the recommendation of the Board of Education Policy Committee and the administration. Voted unanimously.
9.3 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Revised Policy 6146.2(a), Statewide Proficiency/Mastery Examinations (First Reading)
9.3.1 Dr. Golden 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. Dr. Golden reviewed the clarification of change for the Board. Mr. Coolican questioned whether page 5 of the High School Program of Studies needs to be revised.
10. New Business - None
11. Future Business
11.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Library/Media Center to conduct interviews and fill the Board of Education vacancy. There are four candidates with the potential of one additional candidate. He requested each Board member send him one or two questions to ask each candidate during the interview process. He stated he would compile the list.
12. Personnel Actions - None
13. Goal Report - None
14. Audience of Citizens – None
15. Adjournment
15.1 Motion by Ms. Pessoni, seconded by Mr. Gemma, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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