East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: January 12, 2009
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 (left at 7:30 p.m.), Ms. Robinson, Mr. Hurst, Mr. Laraia, Mr. Coolican (left at 8:30 p.m.), Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Wall, Ms. Pessoni 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. Berry, Principal of East Hampton High School
Mr. Brenton, Assistant 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. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
4. Audience of Citizens - None
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 December 8, 2008 Minutes
5.2 December 15, 2008 Minutes
Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Wall, to approve the December 8, 2008 and December 15, 2008 Minutes. Voted unanimously.
6. Student/Staff Recognition - None
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Student Council
7.1.1 Walid Ahmad, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School reported the following:
- Having returned from break, school has jolted students back into the rhythm of things as teachers seek review for midterms, which are starting this coming Wednesday, and to get last minute material in (despite the recent school delays/closings due to inclement weather).
- The annual Yale Model UN conference is also coming up soon; students will leave the Friday of exam week and return on Sunday.
- The girls’ basketball season has been progressing well, with an overall record of 4-5-0. The girls’ most recent game was this past Friday against Cromwell, from which they emerged victorious 49-38. We wish the team luck against Portland tomorrow night at home, and hope for a competitive match.
- The boys’ basketball team’s season has started off solid with an overall record of 2-4. The team suffered close losses against teams they seek to avenge themselves against and have high hopes for the rest of the season. We wish them luck in their game at Morgan tonight.
- The indoor track team has also had a solid season thus far, having been able to manage a large team of eighty kids. A good number of the athletes have qualified for Shorelines, and some even for states. The athletes that have not yet qualified still have a chance left to do so at the rescheduled meet, which will take place before the Shoreline meets start. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams are devoted and competitive enough to place well in the league and in the state.
- The Spanish Club has organized a movie night to take place on Friday, January 30th. The event is meant as a fundraiser to sponsor the annual Spanish dance. The club hopes that many students bring their friends to this event and make it a success.
- The year’s first ski club took place last Thursday, where the students were bussed by coach to Ski Sundown, where they enjoyed time skiing and snowboarding, and returned home just in time to catch the end of the basketball game. Hopefully the remainder of the ski season will yield no injuries and good conditions on the mountain.
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Coolican stated that the Personnel Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting and discussed the negotiations update and the Non-Bargaining Unit Employees.
7.3 Policy Committee
7.3.1 Ms. Robinson had no report at this time.
7.4 Curriculum Committee
7.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee will meet soon.
7.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
7.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that the Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting and discussed the Building Program Update and the Security System Project Update. There will be Board workshops to review what Friar & Associates presented to the Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee tonight. Ms. Smith will be contacting Board members to check their availability for the meetings.
7.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting and reviewed the Food Service Financial Update, the Budget 2008-2009 – Projections, the Budget 2009-2010 – Preliminary, the Board of Education Budget Workshop and the Review of Non-Bargaining unit Employees. Dr. Golden noted that Ms. Asetta put the projections together very conservatively. Mr. Jylkka reviewed the projections for the Board. A discussion followed.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that she attended a Board of Finance meeting in December and discussed the budget guidelines.
Ms. Barmasse noted that she attended a LEARN meeting and distributed a copy of the LEARN “Soaring to New Heights” to the Board. Ms. Barmasse also noted that she attended the CABE Legislative Breakfast today.
Ms. Robinson noted that there will be a Public Relations Committee meeting on Thursday, January 22nd in the Superintendent’s Conference Room. Ms. Robinson also distributed “Get the Message Out” that was developed from information shared in the CABE Presentation.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of January 2, 2009.
8.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The Center School Chronicle, January 9, 2009, December 19, 2008 and December 12, 2008.
- 2009 Legislative Priorities, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.
- News & Notes, December 12, 2008.
- The Board & Administrator for School Board Members, January 2009.
- The New Bellringer, December 2008 and November 2008.
- The Middle Ground, January 2009.
- The Center School Press, December 2008.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, December 19, 2008 and December 5, 2008.
Mr. Vasquenza left at 7:30 p.m.
9. Program Presentation
9.1 School Improvement Plans presented by Dr. Golden and Principals
9.1.1 Dr. Golden and the Principals reviewed the School Improvement Plans for the Board and answered questions.
Mr. Coolican left at 8:30 p.m.
10. Unfinished Business - None
11. New Business
11.1 Approval of the United Way Grant
11.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that Board approval is requested for the United Way “Early Links” Grant proposal to be submitted to the Middlesex United Way. The major objective of the program is to support at-risk preschool age students. Ms. Wall noted that the United Way infringes on people’s privacy.
11.1.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to approve the United Way Grant and submit it to the Middlesex United Way.
Vote Yes – Mr. Hurst, Mr. Laraia, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Vote No – Ms. Wall
Motion carried.
12. Future Business – None
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report
14.1 Dr. Golden gave the Board an update on the goals. She noted that Mr. Vasquenza spoke with Ms. Barmasse who agreed to assist Dr. Golden in putting together a committee to develop a vision and long range plan to implement in the East Hampton Public Schools. Goals number 2 and 3 are moving forward. Goal number 4 is also moving forward with the new school websites. Dr. Golden noted that she should have a draft of the new school websites in February.
15. Audience of Citizens - None
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Ms. Pessoni, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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