East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: October 27, 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. Wall, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Administration Dr. Golden, Superintendent of Schools
Present: Mr. Reich, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Reas, Director of Support Services
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
East Hampton High School Student Council Representative: Walid Ahmad
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. 3. InterBoard Liaisons
3.1 Mr. Tuttle, Town Council liaison to the Board of Education noted that a task force has been created and they have gone from the analysis stage to the action stage. The
Memorial School roof project is put on hold. We are trying to implement solar energy to cut cost and be environmentally friendly.
4. Audience of Citizens - None
5.Consent Agenda
5.1 October 14, 2008 Minutes
5.1.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to approve the minutes of October 14, 2008. Voted unanimously.
6.Student/Staff Recognition
6.1 Dr. Golden stated that she is pleased to present four students to the Board for recognition who have been named as Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This is indeed a tremendous accomplishment and we are very proud of these four students for the work that they have done. Dr. Golden, Mr. Vasquenza and Dr. Berry presented Kyle Doney, Justin LaFountain, Reilly Price and Tyler Raddatz with a certificate.
7.Committee Reports
7.1 Student Council
7.1.1 Walid Ahmad, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School reported the following:
· Both boy’s and girl’s cross country state meets took place at Wickham Park on Saturday. The girl’s team came in first, and runners Nikki Chambers and Cora Gingras were
selected as all-state runners. The boy’s team also performed well; coming in fourth and having Nick Vasquenza selected as all-state.
· Boy’s and girl’s soccer teams had their senior night on Friday, with portable lights donated by the Sports Boosters. Both teams played fantastic games, with the girls losing
2-0 and the boys tying at 1-1 in an intense game. The two teams will now move on to play in the Shoreline tournament and then the state tournament.
· The Volleyball team also had their senior games on Friday, but lost 3 games to 1. However, all of the games were very well played.
· Student Council officers have made the line sign in the cafeteria once again functional. Students can now put up personal messages for $1 each; and general school events
will be displayed there also.
· The student council blood drive committee will be having a meeting tomorrow to talk with a representative from the Red Cross and finalize plans for the upcoming blood drive.
· Mercury from a broken thermometer was found on the gym floor last week. A Hazmat crew was called in to manage the situation.
· PSAT exams were held the Saturday before last at the High School.
· The UCONN Model UN conference was held last weekend. Students stayed overnight on campus and debated many topics in various committees. The conference promoted
awareness of global issues and all of the delegates enjoyed themselves.
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Teacher’s contract is on tonight’s agenda for approval.
7.3 Policy Committee
7.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee will meet on November 3rd.
7.4 Curriculum Committee
7.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee will meet on October 31st.
7.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
7.5.1 Mr. Gemma had no report at this time.
7.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni had no report at this time.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that a Facilities Implementation Task Force Committee was established and they are working towards a Spring Referendum for the High School, the Town Hall and relocating Center School. This committee is committed to meeting every Thursday morning.
Ms. Pessoni noted that the Board of Finance approved funds to move forward on facility projects. They also discussed a budget calendar which is still in draft form.
8.Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
· TECPlus, The Effects of the Unified Sports Basketball Program on Special Education Students’ Self-Concepts: Four Students’ Experiences, Donald Briere, III and Del Siegle.
· News & Notes, October 17, 2008.
· Memorial’s Bulletin Board, October 24, 2008.
· The Center School Chronicle, October 24, 2008 and October 17
· The New Bellringer, September/October 2008.
· Dr. Golden updated the Board on the mercury spill at the High School. She stated that Dr. Berry and Mr. Brenton handled the situation quite well.
· Dr. Golden thanked Ms. Turchi and Dr. Fitzsimmons for their leadership in handling the recent loss of a child and another child’s parent.
9. Program Presentation – None
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 Review of the 2009-2010 Proposed School Calendar (First Reading)
10.1.1 Dr. Golden recommended students returning to school on September 2, 2009 due to Labor Day falling so late.
Mr. Vasquenza questioned whether it is possible to gage interest in starting school the last week of August.
Dr. Golden stated that students can begin the 2009-2010 school year on Monday, August 31st and the staff can return on Wednesday, August 26th.
It was the consensus of the Board to designate August 26, 2009 as the teacher day and August 31, 2009 as the first student day.
Dr. Golden noted that the revised 2009-2010 school calendar will be presented to the Board at the November 10th meeting for their approval.
10.2 Proposed Board Goals from October 8 – September 2013
10.2.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to accept the goals that were developed in the workshops.
Ms. Wall stated that the Board did a great job creating these goals.
Mr. Coolican agrees with Mr. Townsley’s recommendation regarding goal #1.
Mr. Hurst noted that goals should be achievable, challenging and measurable and he doesn’t feel these goals are.
Voted unanimously.
11.New Business
11.1 Teacher Contract Consideration
11.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza thanked the Personnel Committee for negotiating this contract. You can’t put a price tag on quality teachers.
Mr. Coolican noted that he dislikes binding arbitration. He encouraged the Board to challenge binding arbitration. The Board never asked teachers for a 0%
increase. There’s not a lot in this contract that favors the Board. Mr. Coolican stated that he can’t go along with these increases.
Mr. Hurst noted that teachers did give back sick bank days and there is significant health care savings.
Ms. Wall doesn’t think that the Board is given enough time to go over all of the contract information.
11.1.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to approve the negotiated Bargaining Agreement with the East Hampton Board of Education and the East Hampton Education Association, July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012.
Vote Yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Mr. Hurst, Mr. Laraia, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Vote No – Mr. Coolican and Ms. Wall.
Motion carried.
12. Future Business - None
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report - None
15. Audience of Citizens
15.1 Mr. Tuttle stated that he supports a school calendar that starts before Labor Day. He cautioned polling parents regarding the start date for the school year. He also noted that regarding the Board goals and hiring consultants – you won’t get town support. Also, the Board of Education needs to get tough regarding the teacher’s contract.
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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