East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: April 14, 2008
1. The meeting was called to order by the Acting Chairperson, Ms. Robinson, at 6:00 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library/Media Center.
Members present: Ms. Robinson, Mr. Hurst, Mr. Laraia, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Pessoni, Ms. Wall and Mr. Gemma
Members absent: Mr. Vasquenza,
Administration Dr. Golden, Superintendent of Schools
present: Mr. Reich, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Also present: Karen Hitchcock Asetta, Business Services Coordinator
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
A. Audience of Citizens - None
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to approve the following items:
- The minutes of the March 10, 2008 Board meeting.
- The minutes of the March 24, 2008 Board meeting.
- Lorraine Rignall’s resignation as a School Psychologist at Memorial and Center Elementary School effective June 30, 2008.
- Carol Lane’s resignation as a 4th Grade Teacher at Center Elementary School effective June 30, 2008.
- Nancy Thompson’s resignation as a Guidance Counselor at East Hampton High School effective June 30, 2008.
- Ellen Webster’s resignation as a 4th Grade Teacher at Center Elementary School effective June 30, 2008.
- Linnea Sikora’s resignation as a 1st Grade Teacher at Memorial Elementary School effective June 30, 2008.
- Kyle Smith’s resignation as a Special Education Teacher at Memorial & Center Elementary School.
Voted unanimously.
6. Student/Staff Recognition - None
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Student Council - None
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee is engaged in contract negotiations with the Nurses, Secretaries and Paraprofessionals.
7.3 Policy Committee
7.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that there are several policies on tonight’s agenda for the Board’s review.
7.4 Curriculum Committee
7.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee met and reviewed the High School exam schedule and a Virtual Classroom update.
7.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
7.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that there will be a presentation by the architects on April 28th.
7.6 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.7 Liaison Reports
7.7.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that she attended a LEARN Presentation on a Health Plan and Understanding a Health Savings Account. A discussion took place on school security.
7.8 Financial Reports
7.8.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee has been busy attending budget meetings. Dr. Golden reviewed the Board of Education General Fund Expenditures, Year Ending 6/30/08 for the Board and noted that excess cost should cover the projected deficit.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of April 1, 2008.
8.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The Board & Administrator for School Board Members, April, 2008.
- News & Notes, April 11, 2008. Dr. Golden noted that she contact a student that graduated from East Hampton High School in 1994 for the article “Look how far she has come!” Mr. Coolican suggested that we also track some of our Board of Education Student Council representatives for News & Notes.
- The New Bellringer, March/April, 2008.
- The Navajo Tribune, April Fool’s, 2008.
- The East Hampton Middle School Newsletter, April, 2008.
- The Center School Press, March, 2008.
- The Center School Chronicle, April 10, 2008, April 4, 2008, March 28, 2008 and March 20, 2008.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, March 28, 2008.
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 2008-09 Calendar Revision
10.1.1Dr. Golden noted that the administration requested that the Curriculum Committee consider a revision to the 2008-2009 calendar in which the professional development day originally scheduled for June 18 or the day after the last student day of school be moved to February 13. The Curriculum Committee recommends that the Board of Education adopt the revised calendar for the 2008-2009 school year.
10.1.2Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to adopt the revised Calendar for the 2008-2009 school year as recommended by the Curriculum Committee and the administration. Voted unanimously.
10.2 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Policy 6146.2(a), Statewide Proficiency/Mastery Examinations (Second Reading)
10.2.1Dr. Golden 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. The language of this policy is State statute. Student must meet goal to have the right to keep taking the test to get a better score. The graduation criteria only requires proficiency. Ms. Barmasse questioned whether 8th graders are tested? Dr. Golden noted that she would research this and report back to the Board at the next meeting.
10.2.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to approve the 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. Voted unanimously.
11. New Business
11.1 2008-2009 Proposed Board of Education Meeting Scheduled
11.1.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to adopt the attached recommended Board meeting schedule for the 2008-2009 school year. A discussion followed regarding the Board meeting during the April vacation week.
11.1.2 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to amend the motion to adopt the attached recommended Board meeting schedule for the 2008-2009 school year and to change the first Board meeting date in April to April 6, 2009 due to the school vacation week. Voted unanimously.
11.2 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Policy 1325, Advertising and Promotion (First Reading)
11.2.1 Ms. Robinson noted that CABE submitted this for consideration by the Board of Education. The Policy Committee reviewed the policy and recommends that the Policy 1325 be adopted by the Board of Education. This policy will be presented to the Board at the next meeting for their approval.
11.3 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Policy 5114(a), Suspension, Expulsion/Due Process (First Reading)
11.3.1 Dr. Golden noted that CABE submitted for review a policy update for Policy 5114(a). The changes are to reflect statutory changes in the law. It is recommended that the Board of Education adopt the revised Policy 5114(a) based on the recommendation of the Policy Committee and the administration. This policy will be presented to the Board at the next meeting for their approval. A discussion followed.
Mr. Hurst questioned whether a dangerous instrument should be considered a weapon. Dr. Golden noted that she would provide the Board with a copy of the statute to review.
Ms. Wall questioned whether cough medicine is considered a drug? Dr. Golden noted that she would reference the Board of Education Policy Manual to see where cough medicine is discussed.
11.4 Recommendation to Approve Board of Education Policy 5145.124, Search and Seizure Passive Alcohol Sensors (First Reading)
11.4.1 Dr. Golden noted that CABE submitted two policies for consideration by the Board of Education. One was a policy to implement the use of alcohol breathalyzers for use in the schools and the second was to implement the use of passive alcohol sensors in the schools. The Policy Committee recommends that the Board of Education adopt the policy to implement the use of passive alcohol sensors for use in the schools. Mr. Coolican questioned how expensive it is to have the device checked monthly? Can we use the word “regularly”?
12. Future Business
12.1 Dr. Golden noted that the Community Conversation will be held on May 29th. She requested that each Board member provide her with five names for the Community Conversation which will consist of a group discussion and refreshments.
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report - None
15. Audience of Citizens - None
16.Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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