Town of Rocky Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 1
TOWN OF ROCKY HILL
BOARD OF
EDUCATION
NOVEMBER 7,
2002
MOTIONS
Members Present: Nadine Bell
Raffaella
Coler
Tina
Lionetti
Charles
McMonigle
Anne Schmidt
Frank Szeps
(Chairman)
Marinella Tirillo
Catherine
Vargas
Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse
Members Absent: None
Moved by Mrs. Viggiano-Grosse, seconded by Mrs. Lionetti, to accept the minutes of October 21, 2002, as presented.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mrs. Tirillo, seconded by Mrs. Lionetti, that the Board ratify the contract included in the packet for the teachers.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved
by Mrs. Vargas, seconded by Mrs. Bell, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Rosalie
W. O’Neill
Recording
Secretary
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 1
TOWN OF ROCKY HILL
BOARD OF
EDUCATION
MEETING OF
NOVEMBER 7, 2002
Members Present: Nadine Bell
Raffaella
Coler
Tina Lionetti
Charles
McMonigle
Anne Schmidt
Frank Szeps
(Chairman)
Marinella Tirillo
Catherine
Vargas
Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse
Members Absent: None
A
meeting of the Board of Education was held on Thursday, November 7, 2002, in
the Council Room of the Rocky Hill Town Hall.
Chairman Szeps called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
Moved by Mrs. Viggiano-Grosse, seconded by Mrs. Lionetti, to accept the
minutes of October 21, 2002, as presented.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Dr. Vautour noted correspondence concerning Rocky Hill’s participation in the State’s sister school program. Currently, Rocky Hill schools are partnered with eight sister schools. Dr. Vautour noted the letter from CABE indicating that a product that Rocky
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 2
Hill has prepared in the form of a PowerPoint presentation to assist its staff in teacher evaluations has received an honorable mention in this year’s competition.
A letter was received from Harvey Polansky, Superintendent of Schools in Southington, commending Ms. Marino and her staff for their recent in-service to forty administrators. Barbara Venture had sent a note to the GMS staff thanking them for their help during her teacher assistance assignment. Notes of appreciation were received from the LaRosa family and Pat Karwan. Dr. Vautour noted that the Drama Club has received grants from UTC, with the help of two parents, Bob Manzi and Dave Vargas.
AUDIENCE
PARTICIPATION
RHTA Liaison Committee
No report.
Emily Peters and Nico Pizzo reported from Stevens School. On November 4, students went on a field trip to the Connecticut Historical Society. They played games, had lunch and made birthday graphs. Moser students brought some cheer to the Hale J. Murphy Center. On November 2, students participated in a hayride. Parent conferences are being held for grades one to five; third graders at Stevens heard a presentation about Native Americans.
Seventy students are participating in the Mad Scientist program. Grades K to 1 are studying optical illusions, Grades 2 to 3 are learning about light, color and action. Grades 4 to 5 are studying static electricity and magnets. The Mad Scientist program is held on Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:30 until December 18.
Doug Horn and Lindsay Reyna were the West Hill reporters. Kindergarten students started their alphabet books. First graders are beginning to write stories and are learning to write in sentences. They are learning that stories have a beginning, ending, and a detailed middle. The second grade is learning about fire safety, and recently received a visit from the fire department. Second graders read five monster books for the October book club. Third graders are enjoying the spirit of harvest time, and completed a graph
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 3
project. Fourth graders are studying the regions of the United States in preparation for the State Fair to be held in May.
The fifth grade is exploring the early cultures of America, learning how to use a microscope and keeping a notebook. The reporters noted the Halloween parade. Eighty West Hill students are becoming Mad Scientists in the afternoon program. Students received Mustang awards, and upper classmen helped the first graders plant hundreds of flowers.
The Griswold Middle School reporters noted that students were preparing for the talent show to be held on November 23 at 7:00 p.m. Eighth graders would be going to Boston on November 26. They would visit the Boston Museum of Science, the IMAX Theater and Quincy Market. The haunted house was a success. Students participated in a variety of skits. The annual student/faculty soccer games were held; the girls beat the women, but the men beat the boys. Annual Give Back Day was held, and students participated in a variety of community activities. Eighth graders saw a play “All about Math”.
Rachesh Patel reported on Spirit Day at the high school. The day was held on Halloween, and there was a high level of participation. English teachers dressed up as characters from Snow White. The Drama Club is performing in Godspell on November 2, 3, 9 and 10. On November 14, the RHHS band will participate in the Charter Oak Music Festival. The National Honor Society wrote to second graders in the Bronx. On Friday, November 22, the junior ring dance will be held at West Hill School. Tonight, the girls’ soccer team is in the first round of playoffs.
Meeting Open to the Public
Frank Catania, 261 Brook Street, was representing students of Moser School, and discussed the lack of a food service at Moser. Food is brought from the high school to Moser and served at room temperature. The parents feel it is not adequate. Stevens and West Hill have people at those schools to prepare food for their students.
Chairman Szeps said the Board of Education would look into the matter. Mr. Catania said the subject has never been addressed, even though it has been raised. There are eighty students at Moser. Fifty three are eligible for a hot lunch each day. In the past month, there were 32 to 44 students daily that took the hot lunch. Parents are giving their children money for hot lunches, and the children come home hungry. The parents wanted
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 4
something to be done, such as a person being put in place to prepare and serve the children their lunches. Dr. Vautour instructed Mr. Turansky to investigate the situation and report to the Board at the next meeting.
1.
Personnel and Negotiations
No
report.
2. Policy
No
report.
No
report.
4.
Curriculum
Mrs.
Bell reported that the Curriculum Committee would meet prior to the November 21
meeting at 5:00 p.m. Notices should be
sent out.
5.
Professional Development
No
report.
6.
Facilities
No
report.
7.
Technology
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 5
No
report.
8.
Transportation/Accommodations
No report.
9. Liaison Committee
NEW BUSINESS
13. Explore & SOAR
Kathy
Hallett noted that the Board of Education’s staff holiday part was proposed to
be held on December 17, with a snow date of December 18. She discussed the Board of Education’s
Recognition Ceremony semi-annual schedule.
She thanked the custodial staff, food staff, and others for their
support. The intent of the Recognition
Ceremony is to acknowledge leadership and participation. The schedule displayed the host building, and
the subject being showcased. The
ceremonies include all five disciplines. Planning for the events includes
choosing the dates, themes, coordination and preparation of awards, food and
decorations. Each school has the
opportunity to be showcased.
15. Contract
Ratification
Acting
on the Personnel and Negotiations Committee’s recommendation to ratify a
successor agreement with the RHTA, the following motion was made.
Moved by Mrs. Tirillo, seconded by Mrs. Lionetti, that the Board ratify
the contract included in the packet for the teachers.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 6
10. Sirus Coyte
Dr.
Vautour noted last week’s assembly at the high school. The assembly was attended by all Spanish
students from Griswold Middle School and the high school. A video of a portion of the assembly was
shown to the Board members. High school
language teachers thanked the Board for the Explore and Soar grants, which would
enable the district to present a series of cultural activities. The November 1 assembly celebrated the
Mexican holiday of the day of the dead.
Displays were created in the classrooms, and students made masks and
skeletons to decorate the halls. The
upcoming December 6 concert was noted, as well as activities involving Latin
students. The World Language Department
will be able to use an interactive web site, available to teachers and
students. The Explore and Soar grants
were also used to purchase Spanish and French magazines.
11. Class Size Analysis
Dr.
Vautour explained that twice a year, he is required to address class sizes in
order to comply with the Board’s Policy 6113.
He reviewed his memo of November 1, 2002, to the Board. He was recommending no further modifications
at this time. His report indicated the
number of times that the enrollment exceeds the recommended guidelines. There were a few instances where sizes
exceeded the guidelines. He would
provide an update at mid-year.
12. Enrollment Projections
Dr.
Vautour reviewed the most recent set of enrollment projections received from
the State Department of Education, based on the number of students enrolled as
of October 1. Peter Prowda does a series
of analyses, and he continues to project that the enrollment will decreased
over the next ten year period. Last
year’s projection indicated that the enrollment peak would occur in 2003/04;
this year’s projection says the peak will occur in 2005/06. Last year’s report estimated a peak
population of 2,417 and a population low of 2,357; this year the numbers are
2,522, with a low of 2,375.
The
implication of the numbers is that they may be changing direction. Dr. Vautour noted that Mr. Prowda uses a
cohort methodology, which takes ten years of historical data. The projected correlation coefficient is 1.0,
suggesting that Rocky Hill students born five and six years earlier will report
to school as expected. If the
coefficient drops below 1.0, it says that all children born in the community
during those years were not enrolled in school.
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 7
Dr.
Vautour reviewed the average change coefficients for Grades K to 12 for 1988 to
2002; during the years from 1988 to 1992, the representation was greater than
1, suggesting that the district was on an increase. From 1993, the coefficient was slightly below
1. In 2000, the number rose to 1, and
by 2002, it is still at 1.008, suggesting that there are slightly a greater
number of students enrolled in the schools and staying in.
The
Superintendent noted the estimated migration numbers, ranging from 1991 (2.88%)
to 2002 (3.62%). Peak enrollment is
moving forward. The magnitude of the
decline is not as great as originally estimated. There is currently space available for the
projected number of students. The
figures show that the middle school will experience a tighter space problem for
a longer period of time.
Dr.
Vautour felt the numbers should be watched closely; after two or three years of
this pattern, the numbers would show that there will be an enrollment
increase. With the housing planned in
Town, the school district is beginning to see the influx of children.
Mrs.
Schmidt asked how the actual number of students compared to Mr. Prowda’s
projections; Dr. Vautour replied that there are 100 more students in the
district than Mr. Prowda has projected.
Enrollment is at 2,490.
Mrs.
Tirillo asked if there was a breakout by middle school and K to 8 students; Dr.
Vautour said he would ask for that breakout.
Mrs.
Bell asked, with the defined class size at the high school and new electives
and other additional classes, if the district had the number of classrooms it
needs for the peak enrollment period; Dr. Vautour said there would be enough
room, but many of the teachers are working from carts. Administration would study room utilization
rates. The district was moving from 70%
room utilization to 85%.
Chairman
Szeps asked about the adequacy of the Town’s school facilities. Dr. Vautour responded that in the near term,
the portable classrooms at Stevens School may have to be rethought. He noted the Town Master Plan which mentioned
the outside chance of another school if the population in Town shifts.
14. Connecticut Magazine Survey
Dr.
Vautour noted the recent Connecticut Magazine article, which ranked communities
in the Greater Hartford Region. Rocky
Hill has ranged 7th out of the 17 towns in the rating.
Town of Rocky
Hill
Board of Education
November 7, 2002
Page 8
Rocky
Hill has ranked with the towns of Avon, Simsbury, Glastonbury and
Farmington. People from out of state
seeking to relocate use the information provided in the article.
Chairman
Szeps noted the next Board meetings were scheduled for November 21 and December
5. The first budget workshop was
scheduled for January 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Moved by Mrs.
Vargas, seconded by Mrs. Bell, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully
submitted,
Rosalie
W. O’Neill
Recording
Secretary
Accepted
by: __________________________