East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: September 8, 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. Reas, Director of Support Services
Mr. Jylkka, Finance Director
Ms. Asetta, Business Services Coordinator
Dr. Berry, Principal of East Hampton High School
Mr. Fidler, Principal of East Hampton Middle School
Ms. Turchi, Principal of Center Elementary School
Dr. Fitzsimmons, Principal of Memorial Elementary School
Dr. Ryan, Assistant Principal of Memorial Elementary School
East Hampton High School Student Council Representative: Walid Ahmad
2. Executive Session - None
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
5. Audience of Citizens - None
Mr. Vasquenza suggested, and the Board agreed to review item 7.1 at this time.
7. Student/Staff Recognition
7.1 Introduction of New Certified Staff
7.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that East Hampton hired the best and the brightest to fill our vacancies. Mr. Reas, Dr. Fitzsimmons, Ms. Turchi, Mr. Fidler and Dr. Berry introduced their new certified staff for the Board.
6. Consent Agenda
6.1 Mr. Hurst requested that item 7.2.1 be amended in the August 25th minutes. He requested the following sentence be removed, “Mr. Hurst stated that he has no idea what is in those extracurricular positions and if they are even in the contract” and replace it with:
“Mr. Hurst stated that since the extracurricular positions had been items of discussion often in the past he thought that the Board should revisit whether they meant to exclude their approval as part of the certified position policy.” He asked for that item to be included on the agenda for a future meeting.
Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to approve the amended minutes of August 25, 2008.
Voted unanimously.
8. Committee Reports
8.1 Student Council
8.1 Walid Ahmad, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School reported the following:
The School year is off to a great start, everyone is starting to once again get back into the rhythm of things and get accustomed to new classes, lockers, and in some
cases, homerooms.
Cross Country – Everyone thinks it’s going quite well with captains David Fitol, Dana Boscarino, Brianne Annino and Nick Vasquenza; good leaders and motivators.
Practices are going well also and freshmen are quickly getting used to the higher and more intense amount of running with an organized form of getting in shape –
distance getting higher in degrees. The team should do fairly well this year with experienced upperclassmen. The first meet is this Friday at Middletown, the Blue
Dragon Invitational.
Volleyball (girls) – The team is optimistic with their new coaches, Victor Rivera and Mr. Warner, who have taught them a great deal and allowed the team to improve
substantially. They had a scrimmage today which they said was a little rough at the beginning, but it improved as the game went on. The team plans to have a great
season.
Boys’ Soccer – The boys’ soccer team is coming packed with over 24 upperclassmen this year making up the varsity program. Captains selected thus far are Brendan
Gustafson and Andrew Barmasse. The team is incredibly solid, with everyone putting in a great deal of time over the summer, and it paid off when they performed very
well at the preseason scrimmages. The outlook for the team is very positive. They will most likely place highly in the Shoreline and in the state. The first official game of the season is tomorrow at home, versus Portland High School.
Girls’ Soccer – The girls’ soccer team is at a little bit of a disadvantage this year with the low participation. Many top players left last year such as seniors and other
varsity players, and this year many new players have signed up into the program. However, the team is working hard and plans to still do well in the season.
Student Council – The officers had their first meeting today during which a tentative agenda was planned. Student council plans on running a blood drive and having a
pep rally before the end of fall.
Freshman Orientation was held for the freshmen before school started so that they may get a better understanding of the school and perhaps find out where they would
be going on their first day for their classes. It was run by upperclassmen, and there were a great deal of upperclassmen volunteers who helped make the event a
success.
8.2 Personnel Committee
8.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee has been active. The Teachers’ bargaining unit met today. Negotiations are ongoing with the Nurses, Secretaries and the Paraprofessionals. The Personnel Committee also discussed several extracurricular items.
Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Coolican, to add a request for assistant coaches under personnel actions. Voted unanimously.
8.3 Policy Committee
8.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 9th.
8.4 Curriculum Committee
8.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee is in the process of setting up a meeting in the near future.
8.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
8.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that the Transportation, Buildings & Grounds Committee will meet on September 22nd.
8.6 Financial Reports
8.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting. She noted that there was a legislative change regarding tuition for magnet students. If a magnet student is full time, the district will have to pay their tuition. A discussion followed.
Mr. Reas updated the Board on the progress with the Learning Center. Dr. Golden noted that three tuition students will cover the expense of the Learning Center.
Mr. Jylkka reviewed the Year-To-Date Budget Report for the Board. A discussion followed.
8.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
8.8 Liaison Reports - None
9. Communications
9.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of September 5, 2008.
9.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The East Hampton Bible Church has sold their church and purchased property to build a new church. They will use our high school auditorium and cafeteria for the next year and a half until their new facility is complete.
- Mr. Reas did a great job with the laser fiche files. Cumulative files for years 1986 to 2007 have been scanned and digitized.
- A tentative schedule of Board of Education Presentations.
- A discussion was held on the schedule for committee assignments & meeting times. Dr. Golden noted that if anyone would like to alter the schedule please contact her.
- The Board of Education Committee assignments and meeting time schedule was distributed to the Board. Dr. Golden asked if the Board would like any changes made to the schedule. Mr. Vasquenza stated that since there are no requested changes the Board will adhere to the schedule as is.
- SAT & AP Scores.
- The Superintendent’s Convocation Speech (8-27-08)
- Dr. Golden noted that if any Board member would like to register for the CABE/CAPSS Convention to please call Ms. Smith and she will sign you up.
10. Program Presentation
10.1 Presentation of Full Day Kindergarten Program
10.1.1 Dr. Fitzsimmons reviewed the full day kindergarten program for the Board. She noted that the administration supports the continuance of a balanced configuration of full day and half day kindergarten opportunities at this time based on student needs and with parent input.
Mr. Coolican noted that full day kindergarten is good for at risk students but can be harmful if not at risk. He questioned adding this new program without the review and approval of the Board.
Mr. Vasquenza stated that the Board isn’t creating a new program; we are just building on it.
Mr. Coolican noted that the Board isn’t following policy 6141. Mr. Vasquenza requested that the Policy Committee review this policy.
10.2 Tuition and Excess Cost Estimation Process
10.2.1 Mr. Reas noted that the Excess Cost Grant has increased in the past three years. Mr. Reas provided the Board with an Excess Cost Grant Explanation. A discussion followed.
11. Unfinished Business - None
12. New Business
12.1 Revised “Draft” Enrollment Form
12.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that the Board has asked that the administration revise the monthly enrollment report that is provided to the Board. The administration provided a draft for consideration by the Board to replace the enrollment form currently utilized. A discussion followed. Dr. Golden noted that a second draft will be presented to the Board.
12.2 Request to Board of Finance to apply Board of Education Surplus funds to the Handicapped Accessible Playscape Planned for Everyone (H.A.P.P.E.) at Memorial School
12.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the parents groups have been conducting fund raising for this playscape for some time and have raised enough funds to accomplish phase I of the playscape which is being installed this fall. It was suggested by Board members that at least a portion of the approximately $35,000 surplus realized by the Board of Education in the 2007-2008 budget be allocated by the Board of Finance to the capital fund to assist in funding the next phase which will have a total cost of approximately $50,000. Mr. Hurst requested that Mr. Vasquenza attend the Board of Finance Committee meeting and ask that a portion of the Board of Education’s 2007-2008 surplus to the H.A.P.P.E.
playscape at Memorial School.
Mr. Vasquenza stated that this should be a group agreement and we don’t know what the surplus amount is yet. We should have a better idea what that amount will be in October and the Board of Education can discuss this matter again at that time. The Board of Education would be putting the Board of Finance in a difficult position if we requested the funds prior to knowing the surplus amount.
Motion by Ms. Pessoni, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to table this discussion until October.
Vote Yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Laraia, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Wall, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Vote No – Mr. Hurst
Motion carried.
13. Future Business - None
14. Personnel Actions
14.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee reviewed the administrations request for an assistant soccer coach at the Middle School and an assistant cross country coach at the Middle School and recommends approving these positions.
Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve the addition of a Middle School Assistant Cross Country position and a Middle School Assistant Soccer Coach position at East Hampton Middle School.
Vote yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Mr. Laraia, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Pessoni
and Mr. Gemma
Vote No – Mr. Hurst
Abstain – Ms. Wall
Motion carried.
15. Goal Report - None
16. Audience of Citizens - None
17. Adjournment
17.1 Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
| 
