East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: February 23, 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. 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 February 9, 2009 Minutes
5.1.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to approve the Consent Agenda. Voted unanimously.
6. Student/Staff Recognition
6.1 Dr. Golden noted that on February 4th, Center Elementary School presented its annual Invention Convention. The Invention Convention provides students a unique opportunity to be creative, original thinkers. Students who took part chose to do so, and attended early morning sessions in January to prepare for the event. Faculty advisors worked with the students to help them be fully prepared. They also planned and oversaw the Invention Convention. Each year ten finalists are chosen to attend the State Invention Convention held at the Gampel Pavilion at UCONN in May.
Dr. Golden and Ms. Turchi presented the following teachers with a certificate of recognition: Mrs. Cote, Ms. Warshaw, Ms. Lukas and Mr. Baine.
Dr. Golden and Ms. Turchi presented the following students with a certificate of recognition: Kyle Cutler, Rebecca Doney, Claire Pawlewitz, Signe Lee, Renee Radavich, Sydney Georgiades, Tristan Winquist, Hunter Brazal, Delaney Savage and Kieran Owen.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Student Council
7.1.1 Walid Ahmad, Student Council Representative for East Hampton High School reported the following:
- The girls’ basketball team finished off the regular season with a record of 11-9, but unfortunately lost their first game in the shoreline tournament. They look forward in anticipation to the state tournament.
- The boys’ basketball team currently holds a record of 8-10, with two games left to go; including senior night on Wednesday and a home game against Old Saybrook tonight. The team has qualified for the state tournament, although they have not yet done so for the Shoreline tournament. They hope to qualify after winning the game tonight, and we wish them luck.
- This past Saturday seven track athletes from our school competed in the State Open, in which only the most elite can compete due to the vigorous qualifying standards. Representing our school was Brendan Gustafson and Angie Galanto for pole vault, Justin Prestash for long jump, and a girls’ 4 by 200m team consisting of Meg Nicolletta, Hannah Blondin, Erica Lawrence, and Emily Killalea.
- This week at the high school CIAC officials will be interviewing and talking to student athletes about the quality and standard of sports at EHHS. Student representatives will do their best to answer candidly. Without doubt the dedication and eminence of our athletics programs, staff, and athletes will become apparent.
- The junior prom fashion show will be held on Thursday, March 12. Preparations have begun as the individuals are being fitted for tuxedos and dresses. Ms. Oliva is the administrator in charge of the committee. Rehearsals will be held March 9 and 11.
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Hurst had no report at this time.
7.3 Policy Committee
7.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee will meet on Monday, March 2nd.
7.4 Curriculum Committee
7.4.1 Ms. Barmasse had no report at this time.
7.5 Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee
7.5.1 Mr. Gemma noted that the Transportation, Buildings and Grounds Committee met with Friar Associates on Thursday, February 12th. There will be a Facilities Workshop on Tuesday, February 24th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
7.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee has not met.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Ms. Barmasse gave an overview of a meeting she attended at LEARN.
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:
- The Center School Chronicle, February 6, 2009.
- News & Notes, February 13, 2009.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, February 12, 2009.
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 Proposed 2009-10 Budget
10.1.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Finance Committee has worked with the administration to review the needs of the district and develop a proposed budget for consideration by the Board of Education. The Board met in a Board workshop and discussed the need for further reductions to the budget. Subsequently at the Board workshop, the administration presented a budget that reflected a 2.98% increase for 2009-2010. Mr. Vasquenza stated that he would like to think of this budget as a balance between the taxpayers and the schools.
Dr. Golden noted that this morning she received an email from Mr. O’Keefe requesting that she meet with him and Mr. Jylkka regarding the budget. Mr. O’Keefe and Mr. Jylkka talked with her about removing additional funds.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that the Board needs to move forward with what they had presently worked on and then make any necessary cuts once the Budget is approved by a referendum. A discussion followed.
10.1.2 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to approve the 2009-2010 budget at a 2.98% increase. Voted unanimously.
11. New Business
11.1 East Hampton Middle School Improvement Plan
11.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that due to the AYP status of the Middle School which is in need of improvement in the special education sub-group, it is required that the Board of Education review and approve the School Improvement Plan developed by the Middle School. There is no submission to the State Department. The requirement is that it be kept on file in Central Office.
11.1.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to approve the School Improvement Plan developed for the 2008-2009 school year by the East Hampton Middle School. Voted unanimously.
11.2 Approval of the Secondary School Reform Participation Application
11.2.1 Dr. Golden noted that the Deputy Commissioner has invited school districts to volunteer to serve on advisory committees for the Secondary School Reform. There are three categories which a district could choose to participate. After discussing this with Dr. Berry and Mr. Reich, we decided that the Support Systems/School Environment Advisory Committee was one to which Dr. Berry could offer the most assistance. It will be in the best interest of East Hampton Public Schools to participate and be involved in the planning of such a large scale endeavor. East Hampton would represent the interests of small high schools in grappling with the complexity of this reform.
11.2.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve the submission of the participation application for Secondary School Report as recommended by the administration. Voted unanimously.
12. Future Business - None
13. Personnel Actions
13.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to appoint Donald Gates as the Interim Assistant Principal at East Hampton Middle School for the 2009-2010 school year. Voted unanimously.
14. Goal Report -None
15. Audience of Citizens - None
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Mr. Laraia, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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