East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: March 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. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma
Members absent: Ms. Wall
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
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 23, 2009 Minutes
5.2 February 24, 2009 Workshop Minutes
5.3 Childrearing Leave
Mr. Hurst noted that he left the February 24, 2009 Workshop at 6:45 p.m.
Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to approve the Consent Agenda items 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. Voted unanimously.
6. Student/Staff Recognition
6.1 Special Recognition
6.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that March is Board of Education Recognition and Appreciation Month. No one fully appreciates the time and effort that goes into being an effective Board and an effective Board member. We want to show our appreciation with this small token for all of the work that you do which helps the children of East Hampton.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that Board of Education members spend a lot of time serving on committees. This is very noble community service.
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’s season has unfortunately come to a close, as they lost in a competitive Class M state tournament game against New Fairfield last Tuesday. The game ended with a score of 40-38 in overtime. Even though they are losing some key players next year, the team looks forward to another strong season where hopefully underclassmen will step up and take on more challenging roles.
- The boys’ basketball team is looking forward to starting off the Class S state tournament tomorrow night, at North Branford, 7:00 p.m. If victorious, they would move on to the second round and play either St. Paul or Westbrook, depending on the outcome of that game. We wish them luck and hope that they are successful in the tournament.
- The annual Junior Prom Fashion Show will be held this coming Thursday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Student models will display current prom fashions on the runway with entertaining commentary by Masters of Ceremonies Mandy Roy and John Gordon. The event is a fundraiser contributing to the junior class fund, and we hope to have as many people in attendance as possible.
- The school’s Model United Nations club will be heading to UMASS March 20-22 for the first time. The style of debate and general conference atmosphere will most likely be similar to those of previous conferences, however new topics will be addressed and a new location will be enlightening and beneficial to students; different schools will be in attendance to associate with and different delegates to debate with as well.
- CAPT testing will be coming to a close this week and though it has been enjoyable for the upperclassmen whose days ended at 10:35, while not so enjoyable for the underclassmen taking the tests or students in A.P. courses; all will now have to return to the regular schedule.
- Student Council will be hosting another blood drive on March 18th; open to both the public and students.
- This past Saturday a team of five students, consisting of myself, Tyler Raddatz, Audrey Saunders, Reilly Price, and Will DeMore participated in the Moody’s Math Challenge involving a day’s worth of developing a solution to a complex economics problem involving the stimulus package. The solution had to be emailed to the judges by 9 p.m. and we started at 7 a.m.
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting and reviewed the Middle School’s request for assistant coaches. Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee recommends approval of these positions.
7.3 Policy Committee
7.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee will meet on Monday, March 16th.
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 had no report at this time.
7.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting and reviewed the request for assistant coaches for Middle School spring sports, the 2008-2009 Budget Update and the 2009-2010 Budget Update.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that there was a Tri Board meeting. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss where the Town Council, Board of Finance and the Board of Education stand on the budget.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of March 2, 2009.
8.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The Center School Chronicle, March 6, 2009 and February 27, 2009.
- The Middle Ground, March 2009.
- East Hampton High School Bellringers Program of Studies 2009-2010.
- An article from The Boston Globe, Together we won’t, The governor plans to improve education by merging school districts. But other states have tried it – and it doesn’t work (3-8-09).
- An article from The Hartford Courant, Man Arrested After Police Chase, 3-6-09.
- A letter from Mark McQuillan, Commissioner of the Connecticut State Board of Education, regarding the American Recovery and Investment Act (AAAR), signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009.
- A letter from George Coleman, Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut State Board of Education, regarding the Secondary School Reform Committees.
- The Board & Administrator for School Board Members, March 2009.
- The East Hampton High School Bellringers Program of Study, 2009-2010.
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 School Facility Renovations
10.1.1 Dr. Golden noted that the school facility renovations were discussed in the Board workshop. Mr. Sorano is here to answer any further questions that you may have.
10.1.2 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to recommend to the Town Council that the conceptual plan to renovate East Hampton High School as per scenario 2 presented by Friar Associates be moved forward. A discussion followed.
Mr. Laraia rescinded his second. Mr. Coolican seconded the motion.
10.1.3 Motion by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Mr. Coolican, to recommend to the Town Council that the conceptual plan to renovate East Hampton High School as per scenario 2 presented by Friar Associates be moved forward. Voted unanimously.
Ms. Pessoni noted that she doesn’t feel that a referendum for both would pass. There is a real need for the High School.
Ms. Barmasse doesn’t see these plans being passed for a year or two.
Mr. Laraia noted that if the Board doesn’t do it now when will it happen. He noted that they have nothing to lose.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that if the Board of Education isn’t unanimous then he isn’t sure the Town Council will support any of this.
Mr. Hurst questioned whether the Memorial School roof is included in this project? Mr. Reich answered yes.
Mr. Coolican noted that timing is important. The cost of the bonding doesn’t
include interest. He recommended not doing the second half of the project for two
years. He also noted that having Memorial School and Center School at the same
location puts too many kids at one place at one time.
Mr. Gemma noted that it isn’t a good time but when would it be a good time. Closing a school for a Town Hall isn’t a good idea but the school doesn’t have the resources needed.
10.1.4 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to recommend to Town Council to build a new Center School on the Memorial School property and do minor renovations to Memorial School as necessary to continue with the goal of a town wide referendum to approve such plan.
Vote Yes – Mr. Vasquenza, Mr. Laraia, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Barmasse and
Mr. Gemma
Vote No – Mr. Hurst, Mr. Coolican and Ms. Pessoni
Motion carried.
11. New Business
11.1 Middle School Assistant Coaches
11.1.1 Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to approve the addition of assistant coaches to the Middle School softball and baseball teams. Voted unanimously.
11.2 Approval of a Middle School Donation
11.2.1 Mr. Fidler noted that he and Mr. Gates attended a conference and Mr. Gates won the “einstruction” classroom performance system and Mr. Gates is donating it to the School System.
11.2.2 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to approve the acceptance of the computerized “einstruction” classroom performance system valued at $1,695.00 from Donald Gates. Voted unanimously.
12. Future Business - None
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report
14.1 Dr. Golden noted that she and Ms. Barmasse met to develop long range plan to implement the East Hampton Public Schools Vision statement and they found a facilitator to help with this. She noted that goal #2 is challenging due to eliminations from the budget. A lot of work has been done on the framework for curriculum Goal for #3. With Goal #4 the Technology Plan was sent to LEARN. Technology tools have been ordered and the student management program is up and running.
15. Audience of Citizens - None
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Mr. Laraia, 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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