East Hampton
Board of Education
East Hampton, CT 06424
MINUTES: April 6, 2009
1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Mr. Vasquenza, at 5:30 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library/Media Center.
Members present: Mr. Vasquenza, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Hurst (arrived at 5:33 p.m.), Mr. Laraia, Mr. Coolican, Ms. Wall, Ms. Pessoni and Mr. Gemma (arrived at 5:55 p.m.)
Members absent: Ms. Barmasse
Administration Dr. Golden, Superintendent of Schools
Present: Mr. Reich, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Reas, Director of Support Services
Ms. Asetta, Business Services Coordinator
East Hampton High School Student Council Representative: Walid Ahmad
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Inter-Board Liaisons - None
4. Audience of Citizens
4.1 Mr. Scott Minnick noted that the Board of Education requested a 2.98% budget increase. Now there is a $100,000 cut. How does the Board feel about a 2.09% increase and how will that effect the Board of Education’s goals?
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 March 23, 2009 Minutes
Motion by Ms. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to approve the Consent Agenda item 5.1. Voted unanimously.
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:
- The girls tennis team will have its first match this coming Wednesday, at home vs. Killingly. Match time is 3:45.
- The boys tennis team will have its first match this coming Thursday, at home vs. Morgan. Match time is 3:45. The lineup thus far is singles: 1. Evan Boyce, 2. Matt Hull, 3. Jeff Loveland, 4. Tyler Raddatz, and 5. Walid Ahmad (myself), with two tentative and flexible doubles teams. Coach Prill, being a new coach, has done a fantastic job involving himself with the team and preparing it for the upcoming matches.
- The baseball team has had four scrimmages, but its first official game is on Wednesday, away vs. Westbrook.
- On Friday, March 27th, Dan Larosa the hypnotist entertained a large audience at the High School. Student volunteers were persuaded into performing comical antics while under hypnotic control for the enjoyment of all.
- Last Wednesday the music program held its 3rd concert this year, featuring the concert band, jazz band, and chorus groups. Mr. Weybright is currently in the process of organizing a tentative advanced, after-school choir group in an effort to fill the void that the macho voce and bella voce groups left.
- GLOBE, the high school’s environmental club, has officially agreed to participate in the Friends of the Lake’s lake cleanup day on April 25th. Groups will be dispatched around the town to pick up as much litter and trash as possible; each targeting specific streets and areas. This is in an effort to ensure that our lake, water supply, and town remain as unpolluted as possible. GLOBE hopes to get a wide array of students involved and seeks to use this event as a basis by which to organize a similar event for school grounds.
- Last week was world language week at our school, sponsored largely by the Spanish club. The week consisted of an event involving hiding world flags around the school and receiving prizes upon identifying them, a potluck dinner featuring an array of international foods, and a movie night. There was also a mariachi band performing during lunch waves. Some students became teachers for a period or two as they taught languages they were knowledgeable about to classes, such as Russian and Polish. Overall the week was a success and promoted diverse cultural awareness.
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 met on March 16th and there are several items on tonight’s agenda. Ms. Robinson also reviewed the possibility of video taping Board meetings. She noted that there is a cost associated with this. A discussion followed. It was the consensus of the Board to look into audio taping Board meetings. It was also discussed to look into the possibility of borrowing the Town Hall’s cd recorder.
Ms. Robinson stated that she’s done a lot of research on the regionalization process. The Policy Committee is recommending that we leave things the way they are and not pursue regionalization. A discussion followed. It was the consensus of the Board to place the discussion of regionalization on a future Board agenda to see if there is a consensus of the Board to move forward or not.
7.4 Curriculum Committee
7.4.1 Mr. Reich noted that the Curriculum Committee met on March 31st and reviewed the K-8 Summer School Proposal, the Scientifically Researched Based Intervention (SRBI), Understanding By Design Update and the 6-8 Math Textbook Update.
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 April 2nd and reviewed Potential Budget Reductions for the 2009-2010 Budget and the 2008-2009 Budget Projections.
Mr. Vasquenza noted that at a Tri Board Public Relations Committee meeting it was recommended to use the Board of Education’s automated Alert now messaging system to notify parents of tonight’s Public Hearing. A discussion followed. It was the general consensus not to use the Alert Now system for purposes other than emergencies.
7.7 East Hampton Education Association – None
7.8 Liaison Reports
7.8.1 Ms. Pessoni noted that she attended a Board of Finance Committee meeting. Mr. Vasquenza noted that Ms. Barmasse is in San Francisco representing LEARN. Ms. Robinson noted that the Public Relations Committee meeting scheduled for tonight following the Public Hearing has been cancelled.
8. Communications
8.1 Dr. Golden reviewed the student enrollment figures as of April 1, 2009.
8.2 Dr. Golden reviewed the following communications for the Board:
- The East Hampton Public Schools 2008-2009 Curriculum Overview for Grades Kindergarten through 8. A discussion followed.
- A Vacancy Notice for the East Hampton High School Assistant Principal Position.
- Memorial’s Bulletin Board, April 3, 2009 and March 20, 2009.
- The Center School Chronicle, April 3, 2009, March 27, 2009 and March 20, 2009.
- The Center School Press, March 2009.
- The Middle Ground, April 2009.
9. Program Presentation - None
10. Unfinished Business - none
11. New Business
11.1 2009-2010 Proposed Board of Education Meeting Schedule
11.1.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Mr. Laraia, to adopt the attached recommended Board meeting schedule for the 2009-2010 school year. Voted unanimously.
11.2 Review of Recommended Board of Education Policy and Regulation 3543.311, Holds on the Destruction of Electronic and Paper Records (First Reading)
11.2.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that this should be considered the First Reading of the proposed Board of Education Policy 3543.311 and Regulation 3543.311, Holds on the Destruction of Electronic and Paper Records. The Policy Committee encourages comments and/or recommendations. At the next meeting we will recommend the approval of the Board of Education Policy 3543.311 and Regulation 3543.11 based on the recommendations of the Board of Education, the Board of Education Policy Committee and the Administration.
11.3 Review of Recommended Board of Education Policy and Regulation 3543.31, Electronic Communications Use and Retention (First Reading)
11.3.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that this should be considered the First Reading of the proposed Board of Education Policy 3543.31 and Regulation 3543.31, Electronic Communications User and Retention. The Policy Committee encourages comments and/or recommendations. At the next meeting we will recommend approval of the Board of Education Policy 3543.31 and Regulation 3543.31, based on the recommendation of the Board of Education, the Board of Education Policy Committee and the Administration.
11.4 Review of Recommended Board of Education Regulation 3323, Soliciting Policies (Bids and Quotations) (First Reading)
11.4.1 Mr. Vasquenza noted that this should be considered the First Reading of the proposed Board of Education revised Regulation 3323, Soliciting Policies (Bids and Quotations). The Policy Committee encourages comments and/or recommendations. At the next meeting we will recommend the approval of Board of Education Regulation 3323 based on the recommendations of the Board of Education, the Board of Education Policy Committee and the Administration.
11.5 Review of Recommended Board of Education Policy and Regulation 5131.111, Video Surveillance (First Reading)
11.5.1 Dr. Golden noted that this should be considered the First Reading of the proposed Board of Education Policy 5131.111, Video Surveillance. The Policy Committee encourages comments and/or recommendations. At the next meeting we will recommend the approval of the Board of Education Policy and Regulation 5131.111 based on the recommendations of the Board of Education, the Board of Education Policy Committee and the Administration. It was the consensus of the Board to remove the last sentence of item #2, Cameras may only be installed on buses with prior notice to drivers.
Ms. Wall noted that she feels this is an infringement of privacy to have video cameras. A discussion followed.
12. Future Business - None
13. Personnel Actions - None
14. Goal Report - None
15. Audience of Citizens
15.1 Mr. Scott Minnick, a member of the Town Council, noted that the videotaping of meetings is a good idea. The Town council has been discussing this matter as well. At the very least audio taping of meetings should be done. Mr. Minnick stated that he didn’t see the Board of Education meeting posted on the Town’s website. Mrs. Smith stated that the meeting was posted at both the Town Clerk’s Office and the Town website.
Ms. Mary Ann Dostler thanked the Board for all they do. It was very interesting to observe a meeting. Ms. Dostler noted that she is flabbergasted that the Board of Education meetings are not taped.
16. Adjournment
16.1 Motion by Mr. Coolican, seconded by Ms. Pessoni, to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Pessoni
Acting Secretary
JB/JAG/rs
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