TOWN OF ROCKY HILL

BOARD OF EDUCATION

MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2006

 

Members Present:   Neil Geldof  (Chairman)

  Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse

  Nadine Bell

                                      Peter Arico

  Mark E. Carberry   

                                      Charles McMonigle

                                      Rene R. Rivard

  Anne Schmidt         

                                      Catherine Vargas

 

A meeting of the Board of Education was held on Tuesday, June 27, 2006, in the Council Chambers of the Rocky Hill Town Hall.  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

The pledge of allegiance was recited.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Moved by Mr. Arico, seconded by Mrs. Schmidt, to accept the minutes of the May 18, 2006, Board of Education meeting.

 

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Moved by Mr. Arico, seconded by Mrs. Schmidt, to accept the minutes of the May 18, 2006, Finance Committee meeting.

 

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Moved by Mr. Geldof, seconded by Mrs. Vargas, to TABLE approval of the May 23, 2006, Facilities Committee minutes.

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

Dr. Vautour reported receipt of the following correspondence:

 

(1)  Results of the Virginia Beach competitions where Rocky Hill’s marching band performed this past May and took first place, outstanding drum line, best drum majors and outstanding auxiliary. The concert band placed first; the Jazz Band placed first; and four outstanding soloist’s awards were given to Casey Brown, Keith Horne, Steve D’Adaio and Andrew Tan.  Dr. Vautour commended students for an outstanding job.

 

(2)  Thank you notes from Exchange Students who have been in Rocky Hill for the past year.

 

(3)  Notification of resignation from Mr. Lou Pear who has accepted a position at the Conn. Assoc. of Schools as Assistant Executive Director for the Elementary Division.

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

RHTA Liaison Committee – No report.

 

Student Representatives – No report.

 

Meeting Open to the Public

There was no one from the public wishing to address the Board on any item not on the agenda.

 

1.  Consent Calendar

Moved by Mrs. Viggiano-Grosse, seconded by Mrs. Schmidt, to approve the consent calendar for June 27, 2006.

 

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

2. Personnel and Negotiations.  No report.

 

3.  Policy.  No report.

 

4.  Finance.  Mrs. Schmidt reported that the Finance Committee met prior to the Board meeting this evening to discuss a staffing issue at the High School.  There was a wonderful turnout for enrollment in a Physics course offering requiring us to make transfers of staff and to approve new FTEs.  Given that we approved a BIO CHEM course of a .2 FTE in science in the recent budget, and the enrollment did not bear out the numbers to hold that class, we are requesting a transfer of the BIO CHEM .2 FTE to the Math Department as well as requesting the Board to approve an additional .4 FTE for the Math Department to replace the teacher that will be teaching the Physics course – he is currently dual math and science department. 

 

Moved by Mr. Arico, seconded by Mrs. Vargas, to approve the additional .4 FTE and to transfer the .2 FTE BIO CHEM to hire a .6 math teacher at the High School.                            

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

5.  Curriculum.  No report.

 

6.  Professional Development.  No report.

 

7. Facilities.   Mr. Arico said he will present a full report later in the meeting.

 

8.  Technology.  No report.

 

9. Transportation/Accommodations.  No Report.

 

OLD BUSINESS

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

10.  Retirement Recognitions

Dr. Vautour said it was his pleasure to recognize the outstanding individuals who are retiring and who have enriched the lives of many Rocky Hill children.  He thanked them for their years of commitment to the district and  the children in Rocky Hill and said they will be missed.

 

Mrs. Marino thanked Margot Dagata for 36 years of teaching; 12 years teaching first and second grades at Moser and 24 years teaching first grade and Kindergarten at West Hill.

 

Mrs. Marino thanked Richard (Dick) Reilly for 36 years of teaching; fifth and sixth grades at Center School and many years teaching fourth grade at West Hill.  She said he is absolutely loved by students.

 

Mrs. Marino thanked Lou Pear for supporting her in the elementary position.  Dr. Vautour thanked Mr. Pear and said his resignation would be recognized at a later meeting.  Mr. Pear said he appreciates working in Rocky Hill for 35 years and it has been wonderful.

 

Mr. Pear congratulated and thanked Judith Markham whose first grade classroom he described as literature-rich, warm, caring and noted that Ms. Markham recognizes that every child needs something different.

 

Mr. Pear congratulated and thanked Joseph Alubicki for his years of service and friendship.

 

Mr. Turansky thanked and wished Susan White (a bookkeeper in the finance office) a happy and healthy retirement on behalf of the Board of Education and the administrative staff for many years of dedicated service to the town, the Board, and children of Rocky Hill.

 

11.  Feasibility Study Report & Recommendations on School Space Needs

Mr. Arico and Dr. Vautour presented, via PowerPoint, “Facilities Committee Report & Recommendations, School Space Needs, June 2006.” (copy attached) outlining the space needs of the school district and makes recommendations on behalf of the Facilities Committee addressing those  space needs.

 

At the conclusion of the presentation, Mr. Arico requested a motion by the Board to accept the report and recommendations of the Feasibility Committee for consideration by the full Board concerning space needs for the Rocky Hill Public School District.

 

Motion by Mr. Geldof, seconded by Mrs. Bell, to accept the Feasibility Study Report and Recommendations for consideration by the full Board concerning the space needs for the Rocky Hill Public School District.

 

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Mr. Arico also requested a motion by the Board to conduct Public Forums on August 29, 2006 and September 20, 2006 to disseminate the report and recommendations of the Facilities Committee concerning space needs.

 

Motion by Mr. Geldof, seconded by Mrs. Bell, to conduct Public Forums on August 29, 2006 and September 20, 2006, to disseminate the report and recommendations of the Facilities Committee concerning space needs.

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Mrs. Schmidt asked if information concerning the forums would be disseminated at Open Houses in September.  Dr. Vautour said the date falls in the middle of Open Houses, but information will be provided to all schools.

 

Mr. Geldof thanked Dr. Vautour and Mr. Arico for the report and the Facilities Committee for a very commendable job.

 

Dr. Vautour explained that it is his expectation that following the public forums and further deliberations as needed, the committee will be ready to make a recommendation as to the official action they want the town to pursue.

 

12.  Executive Session

Moved by Mr. Arico, seconded by Mrs. Bell, to move the meeting into Executive Session (8:30 p.m.).

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Moved by Mr. Arico, seconded by Mr. Carberry, to come out of Executive Session (9:35 p.m.).

 

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Motion by Mrs. Bell, seconded by Mr. Geldof, to approve salary adjustments for non-bargaining unit personnel as reflected on the 2006-07 salary recommendations grid.

 

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Motion by Mrs. Vargas, seconded by Mr. Arico, to adjourn the meeting (9:36 p.m.).

FAVOR:  ALL

MOTION CARRIED

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Juanda Simons, Recording Secretary

 

Accepted by: ____________________               Date:  _____________________