East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: January 26, 2009
1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Mr. Vasquenza, at 6:30 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library/Media Center.
2. Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to enter Executive Session in the High School Library/Media Center at 6:37 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. Voted unanimously.
Members present: Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Hurst, Mr. Laraia, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Barmasse, Ms. Wall, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Administration
Present: Dr. Golden, Superintendent of Schools
2.3 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to leave Executive Session at 6:50 p.m. Voted unanimously.
2.2 The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by the Chairperson, Mr. Vasquenza, at 6:55 p.m. in the 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. 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 not present
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
5. Audience of Citizens
5.1 Mr. Brian Ferchaw thanked Dr. Golden, Dr. Berry, Shaun Russell and the Board for obtaining
the information about a football program and for recommending it to the Board to consider.
5.2 Mr. Jim Sitro wanted to thank the Board and High School Administration for getting the
football program up and running.
Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to move 14.1, Action Pertaining to Non-Bargaining Unit Employees to Consent Agenda. Voted unanimously.
6. Consent Agenda
6.1 January 12, 2009 Minutes
6.2 Childrearing Leave
14.1 Action Pertaining to Non- Bargaining Unit Employees - to increase the salaries of Tom McMahon by 7.34%, Josh Pont by 6%, and Karen Asetta by 7.54%.
Motion by Ms. Pessoni, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve the Consent Agenda. Voted unanimously.
7. Student/Staff Recognition - None
8. Committee Reports
8.1 Student Council
8.1.1 Walid Ahmad, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School was absent.
8.1.2 Marlena Martin, a 5th grade student at Center School spoke about recent activities at the school:
- The Student Council sponsored a Family Math Night in December.
- The Center School Band and Chorus performed a Winter Concert for students and families.
- A Spirit Day was held in December.
- A Book Fair was sponsored by the School Library during parent/teacher conferences in early December.
- Adopt-A-Senior Project was held throughout the school. Holiday Baskets were put together and distributed to town seniors with the help of the East Hampton Senior Center.
- The school participated in the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Amy Sockburger, 4th grade, and Austin Kelly, 5th grade, were chosen poster contest winners this year.
8.2 Personnel Committee
8.2.1 Mr. Coolican stated that the Personnel Committee met earlier this evening in Executive session. It was also noted that negotiations are continuing with the secretaries and paraprofessionals.
8.3 Policy Committee
8.3.1 Ms. Robinson had no report at this time.
8.4 Curriculum Committee
8.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee will meet Friday, January 30th.
8.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee - None
8.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee met last Thursday to review the Budget 2009-2010 – Preliminary, and the Football Program Partnership with Vinal Technical School which will be presented this evening.
8.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
8.8 Liaison Reports
8.8.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Public Relations subcommittee will be working with the
Finance Committee to come up with a central theme to help promote the budget to
residents and encouraged members of the Board to contact her if they had any suggestions for a theme. She also reminded members of the upcoming budget workshop dates of February 2 & 3.
9. Communications
9.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The Center School Chronicle, January 16, 2009
- The Board & Administrator for School Board Members
10. Program Presentation - None
11. Unfinished Business
11.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the summary of Grant Awards that was prepared by Mrs. Asetta. Mr.
Coolican noted that this is a considerable amount of money that the district receives.
12. New Business
12.1 Football Program Partnership with Vinal Technical School
12.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that Board approval is requested for the Football Program Partnership with Vinal Technical School.
Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to open the topic up for discussion. Mr. Hurst raised the question as to where the costs for busing and insurance were in the proposal. Dr. Golden indicated that they were all factored into the cost that would be paid by the parents. Mr. Coolican expressed that this is a great program for students and that he was in favor of the partnership. When asked, Mr. Russell, High School Athletic Director, indicated that the program would begin in the Spring of 2010.
Motion made by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to enter into a partnership with Vinal Technical High School for a football program with East Hampton students funded privately by a boosters organization. Voted unanimously.
12.2 Budget Presentation
12.2.1 Dr. Golden made a presentation of the 2009-2010 School Budget. During the presentation she reminded board members that there are upcoming budget workshops on February 2 and 3 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. She will e-mail members to remind them and also to confirm the location. Dr. Golden reviewed the districts Capital requests. Mr. Hurst made a request to list out Capital requests by year for the upcoming workshops. He indicated that the board should discuss what its priorities should be.
Other comments that were brought up for future discussion include: Why is the Computer Consulting Services double? Why is the increase in Social Security and Medicare so high when compared to the Salaries increase? What does OPEB stand for? Dr. Golden indicated that if any board member has any other question or if they feel they need additional information to please let her know.
13. Future Business – None
14. Personnel Actions – Agenda item 14.1, Action Pertaining to Non-Bargaining Unit Employees
moved by previous motion to Consent Agenda.
15. Goal Report - None
16. Audience of Citizens
16.1 Mr. John Tuttle spoke on the Facilities Task Force Study. He indicated that the committee
is committed to addressing the needs of the High School in relation to the NEASC
recommendations. He also indicated that they are not as committed to changes as they
relate to Center School.
17. Adjournment
17.1 Motion by Mr. Laria, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/LD
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