East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: March 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. 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
Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to add an executive session to the agenda to discuss personnel matters. Voted unanimously.
3. Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to enter Executive Session in the High School Library/Media Center at 7:02 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
3.3 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to leave Executive Session at 7:08 p.m. Voted unanimously.
3.2 The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by the Chairperson, Mr. Vasquenza, at 7:09 p.m. in the High School Library/Media Center.
3. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
4. Audience of Citizens - None
5. Consent Agenda
Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Barmasse, to approve the following under the Consent Agenda:
5.1 March 9, 2009 Minutes
5.2 Teacher Retirement (Mr. Nick Badolato)
5.3 Administrator Resignation (Mr. Paul Brenton)
Voted unanimously.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that Mr. Brenton did a wonderful job as Assistant Principal at East Hampton High School and Mr. Vasquenza wished him the best in his new position with the Putnam Board of Education.
Ms. Robinson noted that as President of the PTO she appreciates all Mr. Brenton’s done.
Dr. Golden noted that Mr. Brenton’s ready to move on and she is sure he’ll be a wonderful principal of Putnam High School.
Mr. Brenton noted that he owes his success as an administrator to East Hampton.
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:
- Spring sports kicked off today, with baseball, tennis, outdoor track, and golf officially beginning their seasons.
- Last Wednesday the student council-sponsored blood drive was held. It was an overwhelming success, with over 65 blood donors. Unfortunately, around 8 students were turned away and scheduled for another blood drive; since there were so many people the Red Cross couldn’t keep up. While there were some difficulties with fitting everyone in, students were complacent and willing to wait later than expected. Student participation was not only commendable in respect to donors, but also in student volunteers.
- Student council is once again sponsoring lily sales in an effort to raise money for the annual student council scholarships
- For the same cause, student council is sponsoring a Guitar Hero tournament which will be held next Monday. Various prizes will be awarded and hopefully it will be an effective fundraiser.
- This past weekend Model UN students took their first-ever trip to UMass MUN, Friday through Sunday. The conference was engaging and unique; many crisis committees were offered and all students did well to participate in their respective committees. Four students from our group received recognition: Ryan Rubega was awarded Honorable Delegate in the ICJ Committee, Erik Harper received Best Delegate in NATO, Dylan Bonoff received Honorable Delegate in NATO, and Audrey Saunders received Honorable Delegate in the UNHRC Committee.
7.2 Personnel Committee
7.2.1 Mr. Hurst noted that the Personnel Committee has not met. Mr. Hurst made a motion, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to add agenda item 13.3, appointment of an interim assistant principal at East Hampton High School to the agenda. Voted unanimously.
7.3 Policy Committee
7.3.1 Ms. Robinson noted that the Policy Committee met on March 16th and reviewed eight policies. The policies with be brought to the Board on April 6th for the first reading.
7.4 Curriculum Committee
7.4.1 Ms. Barmasse noted that the Curriculum Committee will meet on March 31st.
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 reviewed the Security System Project Update, the Memorial School Roof, the Technology Peripheral Plan, the Comcast Installation, the Defibrillators and the Transportation Software.
7.6 Financial Reports
7.6.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that the Finance Committee hasn’t met but that the Board of Education presented their budget to the Board of Finance on Saturday, March 27th at 7:00 a.m. Ms. Pessoni noted that Dr. Golden did an excellent job presenting the Budget.
Ms. Robinson noted that an Ad Hoc Public Relations Sub Committee has been meeting regularly since January. Right now the committee is discussing how to get the word out to the community to vote. Dr. Golden has been very helpful with her blog. As a result of the Tri Board meeting we will meet as a town wide public relations sub committee so we are all getting the same message out to the community.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Ms. Barmasse gave an overview of a LEARN meeting that she attended.
Dr. Golden noted that she created a “Communication from the Superintendent’s Desk” and the revised school calendars will be attached to this newsletter as well. She also noted that she will be on the Josh Piteo Show. It was suggested that Alert Now be used to inform parents and staff.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The Board & Administrator for School Board Members.
- The East Hampton Public Schools Spring Extracurricular Coaches & Stipends, 3-23-09.
- The Center School Chronicle, March 13, 2009.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, March 6, 2009.
- Dr. Golden noted that there is a Town Council meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Library/Media Center and a Board of Finance Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Unfinished Business
10.1 Revisions to the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 School Calendars
10.1.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Ms. Robinson, to approve the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 calendars as revised. A discussion followed.
Dr. Golden recommended that the professional development day scheduled for April 9, 2009 be rescheduled to June 24th for teachers and making Thursday, April 9th a regular day for students. By making this adjustment no days will be used to make up school closings during the vacation in April. Dr. Golden also requested that the Board approve an additional snow day at the end of the 2009-2010 school year as well.
Voted unanimously.
11. New Business - None
12. Future Business - None
13. Personnel Actions
13.1 Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Hurst, to appoint Ms. Nancy Briere as the Interim Assistant Principal at East Hampton High School effective May 1, 2009.
14. Goal Report - None
15. Audience of Citizens - None
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Ms. Barmasse, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Barmasse
Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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