East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: June 9, 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. Laraia, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Pessoni, Ms. Wall and Mr. Gemma
Administration Dr. Golden, Superintendent of Schools
present: Mr. Reich, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Jylkka, Finance Director
Mr. Reas, Director of Support Services
Ms. Asetta, Business Services Coordinator
Dr. Fitzsimmons, Principal of Memorial Elementary School
Dr. Ryan, Assistant 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
Dr. Berry, Principal of East Hampton High School
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Inter-Board Liaisons
3.1 Ms. Kjellquist, Board of Finance Liaison to the Board of Education, noted that she is glad the budget passed during the first referendum and now we all can move forward.
4. Audience of Citizens - None
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Coolican, to approve the following item:
- The minutes of the May 27, 2008.
Voted unanimously.
6. Student/Staff Recognition
6.1 Dr. Golden noted that Ms. Sikora, Ms. Webster, Ms. Lane, Ms. Thompson and Ms. Rignall are all teachers in our district and they will be retiring effective June 30, 2008. The principal spoke about the individuals and then Dr. Golden and Mr. Vasquenza presented them with a token of appreciation for their years of service.
6.2 Dr. Golden noted that Mr. Curtis Weybright directs the East Hampton High School music programs. Music students from East Hampton High School who attended the Cleveland Heritage Music Festival on May 15-18, 2008 returned with the festivals highest overall achievement honor. Dr. Golden, Mr. Vasquenza and Dr. Berry presented Mr. Weybright and the students with a certificate of recognition for their accomplishments.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Student Council
7.1.1 Dr. Berry introduced Walid Ahmad as the new Board of Education Student Council Representative for the 2008-2009 school year.
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee met prior to tonight’s Board meeting.
7.3 Policy Committee
7.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that there is a policy on tonight’s agenda for Board’s review and approval.
7.4 Curriculum Committee
7.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee has not met.
7.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
7.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that the Transportation, Buildings & Grounds Committee will meet on Thursday, June 12th.
7.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee met on Thursday, June 5th and reviewed the cafeteria program, the recommended budget reductions and the student management system. Dr. Golden reviewed the financial report for the Board. Mr. Coolican stated that the report ought to say whether we are going to have a surplus or not. Mr. Vasquenza requested that the two reports be combined into one.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that there will be a Board of Education goal setting workshop at Memorial Elementary School on Thursday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of June 2, 2008.
8.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- Portland officials consider expanding technology program to E. Hampton, other areas, The Middletown Press.
- The Center School Chronicle, May 29, 2008.
- The Middle Ground, June, 2008.
- Sixty-nine people participated in the Community Conversation on Thursday, May 29th at the High School. The event went extremely well and Dr. Golden noted that Ms. Barmasse and Ms. Robinson helped immensely.
- Mr. Vasquenza noted that there will be a Goal Setting workshop on Thursday, June 12th from 6-8:30 p.m. Dr. Golden will send out a questionnaire to Board members by Friday, May 29th.
- Board members received an invitation to the Rotary installation dinner.
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 Reductions to the 2008-2009 Board of Education Budget
10.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that during the deliberations with the Town Manager and the Board of Finance, the Board of Education proposed budget was reduced by $280,000. The Finance Committee has reviewed the recommendations brought to them by the administration. Board the Finance Committee and the administration recommend that the Board approve the reductions in the attached proposal. Dr. Golden reviewed the proposed budget reductions for the Board.
10.1.2 Motion by Mr. Laraia, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve the 2008-09 budget reductions listed in Dr. Golden’s memo dated June 5, 2008 (attached) as recommended by the Finance Committee and the administration.
Vote Yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Mr. Hurst, Mr. Laraia, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse,
Ms. Wall, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Vote No – Mr. Coolican
Motion carried.
11. New Business
11.1 Recommendation to approve Board of Education Policy and Regulation 4152.6, 4252.6 Family and Medical Leave Act, Certified/Non-Certified (Second Reading)
11.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that the statutes regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act underwent changes during the 2008 legislative session. The revised policy was produced by Attorney Roseann Padula to reflect these changes and changes which will come into effect in the summer. This policy will be in effect 60 days after Board approval in compliance with the law. Dr. Golden clarified the use of the word “may” under health insurance on page 7 of the regulation is needed to provide flexibility for extenuating circumstances.
11.1.2 Motion by Mr. Laraia, seconded by Mr. Gemma, to approve the revised policy and regulation 4152.6, 4252.6 Family and Medical Leave Act for Certified and Non-Certified staff as recommended by the Policy Committee and the administration. Voted unanimously.
11.2 Increase in School Lunch Prices
11.2.1 Mr. Jylkka noted that he met with the Finance Committee and reviewed the financial status of the school lunch program. Running the cafeteria program in-house was a huge success. Due to the rising cost of oil, food prices have realized a dramatic increase this year and it is anticipated that there will be further increases next year. There has not been a school lunch price increase since 2005. East Hampton purchases through consortiums to help keep costs down. A lengthy discussion followed.
Mr. Coolican requested that the Board should revisit this subject to discuss the cost of milk and profit.
Ms. Robinson thanked Ms. Pulaski for a job well done.
11.2.2 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to increase the elementary lunch price by fifteen cents (2.10 to 2.25) and the middle and high school lunch price by twenty-five cents (from 2.25 to 2.50). Voted unanimously.
11.3 Endorsement of Project Graduation
11.3.1 Ms. Robinson discussed an endorsement from the Board of Education and Town Council for a graduation party for seniors. This is not a request for financial support from the Board.
Mrs. Joan Fidler reviewed the Project Graduation 2009 for the Board.
11.3.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to endorse project graduation and request the Town Council join the Board of Education in this endorsement. Voted unanimously.
12. Future Business - None
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report
14.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board reviewed their goals and a lot of things had been accomplished over the past three years.
15. Audience of Citizens - None
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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