TOWN OF ROCKY HILL
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEETING OF February 15, 2007
Members Present: Neil Geldof (Chairman)
Nadine Bell
Mark E. Carberry
Charles McMonigle
Rene (Skip) Rivard
Anne Schmidt
Catherine Vargas
Members Absent: Peter Arico
Jennifer Viggiano-Grosse
A meeting of the Board of Education was held on Thursday, February 15, 2007, in the Council Chambers of the Rocky Hill Town Hall. Chairman Geldof called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Mr. Carberry, seconded by Mrs. Vargas, to accept the minutes of the December 7, 2006 Curriculum Committee meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Rivard, seconded by Mr. Carberry, to accept the minutes of the December 7, 2006 Board of Education meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Carberry, seconded by Mr. McMonigle, to accept the minutes of the January 11, 2007 Board of Education Budget Workshop meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Carberry, seconded by Mrs. Vargas, to accept the minutes of the January 16, 2007 Board of Education Budget Workshop meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Carberry, seconded by Mrs. Vargas, to accept the minutes of the January 23, 2007 Board of Education Budget Workshop meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Carberry, seconded by Mr. McMonigle, to accept the minutes of the February 1, 2007 Board of Education Budget Workshop meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mrs. Bell, seconded by Mr. McMonigle, to amend the minutes of the February 5, 2007 Board of Education Facilities Committee meeting adjournment time from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Carberry, seconded by Mr. McMonigle, to accept the amended minutes of the February 5, 2007 Board of Education Facilities Committee meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE
Dr. Vautour announced the following Scholastic Art Awards:
Julianne Zulewicz received a gold key for a painting
Tarren Derilia received a gold key for ceramics and glass
Tushar Mital received a silver key for computer art
Nichole Pelletier received a silver key for digital imagery
Tarren Derilia received a silver key for a design product
Joseph Tunsky received a silver key for ceramics and glass
Honorable Mentions were:
Tonya Azziz - computer art Douglas Couzoin - photography
Sarah Bowden - computer art Kaitlin Prunitis – painting
He commended all of these students, and noted the awards speak to the quality of the art program at the high school.
Dr. Vautour referred to a second piece of correspondence, which was a letter from the parents of students at Moser School regarding the coverage at Moser.
The letter specifically cited the lack of secretarial coverage in the school in the afternoon and that the office is not properly manned at all times. In response, Dr. Vautour stated that effective Monday of this week arrangements were made, and the office is now properly covered in the afternoon.
The second concern was regarding nurse coverage due to one of the nurses at Stevens School being out with an illness. Dr. Vautour stated as of the Monday following the vacation break, there would be fulltime nurse coverage in each of the buildings.
Dr. Vautour mentioned a thank you note from Veteran’s Affairs because the girl’s basketball team spent time with the Veterans.
There was also a thank you notes for flowers from Kathy Oryell, Jane Gregg, and Claudia Bertz.
Mr. Rivard asked Dr. Vautour what the state requirement was for nursing coverage. Dr. Vautour replied that the State only requires one nurse for the entire district; however, Rocky Hill has typically had one nurse per school. Mr. Rivard pointed out that Rocky Hill goes above the requirement.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
RHTA Liaison Committee – No Report.
Stephanie Abadom and Didjana Celkupa, 5th graders at Stevens School told about what students are currently learning in their classes in grades K-5.
Lillian Morris and Eric Evans of West Hill School gave the latest update of events going on at their school.
Vikas Parikh, of Griswold Middle School gave the latest update of events going on at their school: including 7th and 8th grade students in Family and Consumer Sciences recently sewed hats and mittens for the St. Vincent DePaul place, and the Griswold champion at the annual spelling bee was Reggie Zing. The regional spelling bee will be held on March 22nd.
There was no representative from the high school.
Meeting Open to the Public
No public comment.
1. Consent Calendar
Dr. Vautour asked for the removal of Zoe Dolan’s name from the child rearing Leave section of the consent calendar.
Moved by Mr. McMonigle, seconded by Mrs. Schmidt, to accept the consent calendar as amended for February 15, 2007.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS
2. Personnel and Negotiations
No Report.
3. Policy
No report.
4. Finance
Anne Schmidt stated the Board of Education conducted its budget review throughout the month of January and into February. The Board carefully deliberated the superintendent’s budget proposal, and made recommendations to that budget including the unexpected situations that adversely affected the budget including the additional $300,000 health insurance costs and the $60,000 special education tuition. It is the hope that administration will be able to reduce some of those costs via further negotiation; however, this information is not available for tonight’s meeting. She also mentioned they are trying to pursue further budget reductions through the offer of certain retirement opportunities. The Board worked very carefully to maintain a strong commitment to the students, and to maintain class size guidelines, which is paramount to helping Rocky Hill’s children obtain the best possible education. She stated the Board has approved reductions of $608,148 from the superintendent’s recommendations, bringing the revised budget to an increase of $2,034,460 (an increase of 8.39%) over last years budget.
Moved by Mrs. Vargas, seconded by Mr. Carberry, to accept the budget, an increase of $2,034,460 over last year, as revised by the Board.
FAVOR: ALL
5. Curriculum
Mr. Rivard brought attention to the fact that the Board does meet in committee form outside the regular Board meetings, and that much work is done in those meetings. Curriculum Committee met twice this week, and is looking at the foreign language program, and possible implementation of new programs. They are also looking at new recommendations for the elementary school report card system. Mrs. Boutilier added the CT Mastery Test academies are meeting mornings and afternoons in hopes that students will be better prepared for CMTs.
6. Professional Development
No report.
7. Facilities
Nadine Bell stated the Facilities Committee met last week to discuss the various parcels of land being considered as potential future school building sites. The committee prioritized a list so that they can sit down with Town Council’s Government Operations Committee. Dr. Vautour received a letter from the Town Council requesting an executive session meeting next week, however, due to school vacation, most Board members will be unavailable to meet next week, so another time will need to be set up. Dr. Vautour stated he would follow up on this tomorrow. Mrs. Bell also addressed some rumors, by stating that the Facilities Committee is only at the stage of making recommendations to the Government Operations Committee, and together they will deliberate the feasibility report. Nothing has been approved at this point, and they will be working together with the Government Operations Committee, sharing their thought process with them.
Mr. Rivard added nothing has been approved, and there are no taxes going up based on deliberations at this point. Mr. McMonigle asked if any action has been taken yet concerning getting the members of the Facilities Committee and administration together with Mr. Cooke regarding the development of the general maintenance budget for the coming year. Dr. Vautour indicated he would try to complete this tomorrow.
8. Technology
No report.
9. Transportation/Accommodations
No Report.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Musical Interlude
Claire Burnett introduced Patrice Grogan, and her strings students from Stevens School. Dr. Vautour announced the strings students played at the Education Foundation Ball this year, and were very well received. Patrice has instilled a love of music in her students, and the strings program will be a very strong one in the years to come.
Patrice conveyed it’s been a pleasure for her to teach in Rocky Hill. She realizes not all school districts support their music program as Rocky Hill does, and appreciates all of the support she has received. She introduced three beginner strings students representing 5th graders from Stevens School: Christopher Lee, played the violin, and Morgan Desilva and Kristen Arcada performed on the viola. They played two pieces for the group. Dr. Vautour commented there is a remarkable level of progress in a short amount of time, and he is proud and pleased they have managed to introduce this component into the music program.
Mrs. Burnett then announced Matt DeSorbo, a Rocky Hill High School Junior, who presented his musical composition and a corresponding slide show of the time he spent in Vermont where he premiered his composition. As part of a grant, the high school was able to obtain free software for composers. Matt demonstrated the software, showing how to create a piece, delete notes, etc., and then played the short piece he created on the software. Mrs. Burnett added Matt uploads his works onto a website where several composers critique it, and the site also shows the entire process Matt went through in order to complete his piece.
Mr. Geldof noted when the original budget was introduced for the strings program, they anticipated thirty or so students, and now there are over 100 students. He‘s sure the program will grow, and thanked Mrs. Vargas specifically for her part in supporting the program.
11. Dictionary Donation
Mrs. Boutilier introduced Mr. Jim Clancey, President of the Wethersfield & Rocky Hill Rotary Club. The Rotary Club donated dictionaries to all 3rd graders in the town. Steven Tomastik, 3rd grader from West Hill School presented Mr. Clancey with a thank you note from the West Hill’s 3rd grade classes to the Wethersfield & Rocky Hill Rotarians. Mr. Clancey thanked administration, teachers, and students for their gratitude.
12. School Safety Update
Dr. Vautour announced they are planning a second round of lockdown drills in the month of March. They have been attempting to ensure all doors remain locked, and have had cameras and buzzer systems installed at the middle school and the high school, and hope to have the other schools completed over the February vacation break. The district would continue to review practices, and make changes as necessary.
Mrs. Bell emphasized smaller class sizes and schools are paramount to helping prevent these types of problems and stated when teachers and staff get to know the kids, it helps avoid children falling through the cracks, and improves safety, and helps monitor the students.
13. Auditor’s Report
Dr. Vautour spoke in place of Mr. Turansky, who was unable to attend the meeting due to illness.
Dr. Vautour referred to the Rocky Hill Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which is a complete set of the Town’s audited financial statements. The independent auditors report included an unqualified or “clean” opinion regarding these financial statements.
There are two reports that deal with grants, referred to “Grant Funds.” Again, the auditors found no instances of non-compliance with any laws or regulations, and no reportable weakness in internal control over financial reporting.
The auditor’s management letter echoes the auditor’s report of no instances of non-compliance or material weaknesses noted and no specific recommendations regarding the Board of Education.
The auditors do recommend the Town continue to develop a plan to address the reporting of post-employment benefits. New reporting requirements take effect in 2008-2009.
14. PTO Invitation
Dr. Vautour announced the West Hill PTO has invited the Board of Education to participate in a program on March 8th centered on a discussion of the roles and responsibilities of the Board regarding the budget, the feasibility study, etc. Mr. Geldof encouraged Board members to attend the program.
15. Executive Session
Moved by Mr. McMonigle, seconded by Mrs. Schmidt, to move into executive session at 8:00 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and the Superintendent of Schools evaluation.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mr. Carberry, seconded by Mrs. Vargas, to come out of executive session (9:17 p.m.).
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Mrs. Vargas, seconded by Mr. Rivard, to adjourn the meeting (9:17 p.m.)
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa R. Reed
Recording Secretary
Accepted by: ____________________ Date: ________