East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: February 9, 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, 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
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Inter-Board Liaisons
3.1 Mr. Tuttle, Town Council Liaison to the Board of Education, noted that he is on the Clean Energy Task Force and their purpose is to be using 20% natural energy by the year 2010. He described a grant for a pilot to put a wind turbine behind Memorial School and asked the Board for their agreement by consensus for him to take it to Town Council. The Board gave their consent by consensus.
3.2 Ms. Kjellquist, Board of Finance Liaison to the Board of Education, is looking forward to the Board of Education Budget discussion tonight.
4. Audience of Citizens - None
Mr. Hurst made a motion, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to move agenda item 11.1, Approval of the Model United Nations Club Trip to the University of Massachusetts, to the Consent Agenda.
Ms. Wall noted that she has questions on the Model United Nations Trip.
Mr. Laraia withdrew his motion.
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 January 26, 2009 Minutes
5.2 January 26, 2009 Workshop Minutes
5.3 February 2, 2009 Workshop Minutes
5.4 Childrearing Leave
Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Mr. Coolican, to approve the Consent Agenda items 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4. Voted unanimously.
6. Student/Staff Recognition
6.1 Dr. Golden noted that the Center School Invention Convention finalists will attend the February 23rd Board meeting for recognition.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Student Council
7.1.1 Walid Ahmad, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School reported the following:
- This past Saturday the indoor track team competed in the Shoreline League Championships. Impressive results came from both the girls’ and boys’ teams, as the girls became league champions by an impressive margin of almost 40 points. The boys came in second in the league by 24 points to Old Saybrook, which really only came down to two or three individual events. The track team and the school is proud of their accomplishments and wishes the team luck at the state meet this coming Saturday.
- The boys’ basketball team has not had a game for some time; their last game being January 31st when they lost to Coginchaug 41-51. They currently hold a record of 6-7 and their next game is tomorrow vs. Haddam Killingworth.
- The girls’ basketball team has a record of 8-9, having lost to Old Lyme last Thursday 29-35. Their next game is this Thursday at Westbrook.
- This week is spirit week at the high school. Today was pajama day, and the rest of the week will include decades’ day, look-alike day, and class color day to show school and class pride. There will be a pep rally held this Thursday to pump up students and athletes as the winter sports season comes to a close. At this pep rally the Junior class is sponsoring a head-shaving fundraiser where whoever raises the most money out of Alan Henzy, Will DeMore, and David Chasseau will have their head shaved in front of the whole school. Proceeds will go towards multiple sclerosis research at the Mandell Center in Hartford.
- The EHHS Spanish Club is also sponsoring a fundraiser; a candy-gram fundraiser in honor of Valentine’s Day. A student can purchase a candy for $1.00 and write a message to any person they choose.
- The annual Cabaret night, sponsored by the music program was a success. It was held this past Friday night at the High School, and students were able to showcase their musical talents as the audience received dining services.
Walid Ahmad left at this time.
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting and discussed issues pertaining to personnel matters and bargaining contracts. He noted that the nurses contract is ready to be signed, the secretaries will ratify their contract soon and the paraprofessionals are still discussing their contract.
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 met January 30th and reviewed the K-5 Report Card Presentation, the Cursive Writing Update and the Library/Media Center Presentation on Research Software.
7.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
7.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that the Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee will meet on Thursday, February 12th.
7.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee has not met. Dr. Golden noted that nothing has changed and the end result should look pretty good.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Mr. Vasquenza requested that the Policy Committee review regionalization at their March meeting.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of February 2, 2009.
8.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- Dr. Golden thanked Mrs. Turchi and the administrators for the wonderful way they worked as a team to ensure that staff members who wished to do so could attend the funeral for Ms. Grzybowski. She also complimented Mr. Reas on his quick action with the crisis team.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, January 30, 2009.
- The Center School Chronicle, January 30, 2009.
- The Middle Ground, February 2009.
- Visions, EHHS Literary Magazine, Fall/Winter 2008-2009 Edition.
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 Proposed 2009-10 Budget Discussion
10.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that she and the staff have spent this week working on the budget to reduce it to what is now 2.98%. She reviewed the budget summary sheet explaining what the reductions were. Dr. Golden stated that she and the administration agree that to do any staff reductions will be detrimental to the instructional work teachers are doing with students and ultimately to the achievement of the children. She stated that they had closely examined enrollment at all levels and will continue to monitor it as the year progresses. The proposed 2009-2010 Budget will be brought to the Board for their approval at the February 23rd Board meeting.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that the administrators were requested to bring a proposed budget with sub 3% budget increase and they’ve done that.
Mr. Coolican noted that the Board asked for less than a 3% increase and you did that. Good for you.
Ms. Barmasse and Ms. Wall thanked the administration for their hard work in accomplishing this task.
11. New Business
11.1 Approval of the Model United Nations Club Trip to the University of Massachusetts
11.1.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to approve the Model United Nations Club participation in the University of Massachusetts Conference as recommended by the Principal and the Superintendent of Schools. Voted unanimously.
11.2 NESDEC Enrollment Projections
11.2.1 Dr. Golden noted that the East Hampton Board of Education annually updates student enrollment projections. The projections allow district personnel time to adjust to and plan for shifting enrollment patterns. The Administration will review the enrollment projections and consider them when making programmatic choices. Dr. Golden also noted that there is a new housing development going in and that thirty percent of the houses will be affordable housing. Mr. Reich will review this new development with the staff at NESDEC and ask if they can calculate the potential impact on enrollment.
12. Future Business
12.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that there will be a Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting on Thursday, February 12th to review the building program update. There will be a full Board facilities workshop on Tuesday, February 24th.
Ms. Wall noted that Governor Rell is recommending regionalization. Dr. Golden noted that she is recommending regionalization for purchasing. This will be placed on a future Board agenda.
Mr. Gemma thanked Ms. Turchi and administrators for their support at Center School during the death of Ms. Grzybowski.
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report -None
15. Audience of Citizens
15.1 Ms. Kjellquist noted that as a citizen of East Hampton she would like to thank the Board for getting the Budget down to a 2.98% increase.
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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