TOWN OF ROCKY HILL
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEETING OF JUNE 19, 2008
Members Present: William MacDonald (Chairman)
Nadine Bell
Raffaella Calciano-Coler
Charles McMonigle
Maria Mennella
Frank Morse
Catherine Vargas
Charles Wisnioski
Members Absent: Rene (Skip) Rivard
A meeting of the Board of Education was held on Thursday,
June 19, 2008 in the Council Chambers of the
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Moved by Nadine Bell, seconded by Raffaella Calciano-Coler, to approve
the minutes as amended, of the May 15, 2008 Board of Education meeting, the May
22, 2008 Personnel and Negotiations Committee meeting, the May 22, 2008 Special
Board of Education meeting, the May 28, 2008 Personnel and Negotiations
Committee meeting and the May 28, 2008 Finance Committee meeting.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
CORRESPONDENCE
Superintendent Dr. Villar notified the Board members of the
resignation of Shannon Turlis who is a Guidance Counselor at
Superintendent Dr. Villar said
Superintendent Dr. Villar said very positive correspondence was received about teacher Michelle Castagno. She did an outstanding job working with a family’s child.
Superintendent Dr. Villar congratulated Michelle Castagno and thanked her for her hard work.
AUDIENCE
PARTICIPATION
Chairman MacDonald asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to speak at this time. There was no one who wished to speak.
Moved by Raffaella Calciano-Coler, seconded by Catherine Vargas, to
move New Business Item 12. through Item 16. up on this evening’s agenda before
the Consent Calendar.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Superintendent Dr. Villar told everyone that he was faced with the challenge of beginning a search process for a new high school principal very shortly after his assuming the role of Superintendent of Schools in this town. He explained what this search process involved. After going through two rounds of interviews, the people involved were not satisfied with what they had seen and they had not found “the right fit for Rocky Hill”. This position was re-advertised for and during the second process in the first interview, the Committee realized that it had the right candidate. Superintendent Dr. Villar explained what type of instructional leader was being looked for and he went over what the successful candidate needed to have experience with and knowledge of. Superintendent Dr. Villar was very happy this evening to announce that he was suggesting and recommending Mr. Mario Almeida to the Board of Education. The Search Committee was unanimous with this recommendation. Superintendent Dr. Villar asked the Board of Education to accept this recommendation.
Mrs. Bell said she had the opportunity to meet Mr. Almeida at an interview last Friday. Mrs. Bell explained how Mr. Almeida captured her with his love of children, his focus on children, as well as his love of education which she felt was a very important attribute to have. She thanked the parents who were on the Search Committee.
Chairman MacDonald echoed what Mrs. Bell said. Chairman MacDonald referred to the interview that they had with Mr. Almeida and what came across very quickly was the passionate, inspiring and energetic advocate for the students. Chairman MacDonald explained that Mr. Almeida is very student centered. Chairman MacDonald is really encouraged that Mr. Almeida is definitely the right person to take the high school from “good to great”. Chairman MacDonald really appreciated the time that he has spent so far with Mr. Almeida and he looks forward to spending a lot more time with him.
Mrs. Calciano-Coler said that she also had the opportunity
to meet Mr. Almeida last
Friday. She referred to the one phrase
that Mr. Almeida used which was “You have to capture their hearts before you
can capture their head”. Mrs.
Calciano-Coler said the one quality that she really admires about Mr. Almeida
is his warmth that comes through.
Mrs. Calciano-Coler said she echoed what Chairman MacDonald and Mrs. Bell had said. They were unanimous and after speaking with Mr. Almeida they felt that he was the right person for this job in this town.
Moved by Raffaella Calciano-Coler, seconded by Nadine Bell, that the
Board of Education accept Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar’s recommendation of
Mario J. Almeida for the High School Principal position and that the
negotiation process be moved forward with.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Chairman MacDonald congratulated Mr. Almeida. Chairman MacDonald asked Mr. Almeida if he would like to say a couple of words. Mr. Almeida thanked Chairman MacDonald, the Board members, Superintendent Dr. Villar, Assistant Superintendent Boutilier, and the parents who were on the Search Committee. Mr. Almeida felt honored that he has been chosen and he can’t wait to serve the parents of the community of this town.
13. Recognition of Jennifer C. Viggiano
Superintendent Dr. Villar said Ms. Jennifer Viggiano had
been a member of the Board of Education.
It is unfortunate that she moved to
Chairman MacDonald said the first time he met Ms. Viggiano
was during the election campaign. Ms.
Viggiano had been on the Board for almost seven years and Chairman MacDonald
said her insight and knowledge were invaluable.
Ms. Viggiano’s focus is the children and children are number one. What she has done for the children at
14. Recognition of
Assistant Superintendent
Superintendent Dr. Villar said this was going to be difficult to speak on Assistant Superintendent Boutilier’s behalf and on her retirement. Assistant Superintendent Boutilier was the first person to truly welcome him to Rocky Hill as an employee and as a friend. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he was personally very happy for Assistant
Superintendent Boutilier but he was also selfishly a little upset. Assistant Superintendent Boutilier has so much wisdom, experience, and so much knowledge of the town. Superintendent Dr. Villar explained that Assistant Superintendent Boutilier has decided to move on to an opportunity that will be wonderful for her professionally and personally. She has been working immense hours to help Superintendent Dr. Villar get organized with regards to trying to figure out where they are going while conducting the search for a new Assistant Superintendent. Superintendent Dr. Villar said Assistant Superintendent Boutilier’s professionalism is absolutely incredible. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he will miss her more on a personal level. Everyone is losing someone who has dedicated years of her life and countless hours. Assistant Superintendent Boutilier has done great things for the children of Rocky Hill.
Superintendent Dr. Villar presented Assistant Superintendent Boutilier with a small gift on behalf of the Rocky Hill Board of Education and the employees of Rocky Hill Public Schools. Assistant Superintendent Boutilier thanked Superintendent Dr. Villar. Assistant Superintendent Boutilier spoke about her decision to leave Rocky Hill, to retire and to continue to work on a statewide basis on education with the Center for School Change.
Over her thirty-four years of education, she feels very fortunate to have worked with some incredible Board of Education members, Superintendents, principals, teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers, etc. She told the Board members that she hoped they, as well as the Town of Rocky Hill, appreciate the work these people do day in and day out. She especially feels fortunate and more blessed to have discovered Rocky Hill. When she was seeking the position of Assistant Superintendent for this town, she spent some time here. She has come to appreciate the wonderful community that Rocky Hill has. She explained that family values are strong and wonderful. Respectful children have been created who are delights to work with. This is the norm for the children and this is what she will miss the most. She thanked everyone for sharing themselves and more importantly for sharing their children with her. Her life is richer as a result of the opportunities that everyone has given her. She thanked everyone very much.
15. Recognition of
Coach Bill Pacelia
Chairman MacDonald said they were fortunate this evening to
recognize Mr. Bill Pacelia for receiving the Outstanding Coach Award from the
Connecticut Association of High School Coaches.
A dinner had been held at the Aqua Turf in May where several coaches
were awarded the Outstanding Coach Award.
Chairman MacDonald has known Mr. Pacelia for twelve years now. Chairman MacDonald said it was really
encouraging to see a lot of the children who were really young go all the way
through the school system and end up playing on great teams. These children learn a lot about life skills
and leadership well beyond the high school field. He thought these were a lot of the reasons
for the outstanding nature for which Mr. Pacelia has coached. Chairman MacDonald told
Mr. Pacelia thanked the Board of Education and he said
good-bye to Assistant Superintendent Boutilier.
Mr. Pacelia said it was really humbling to be selected by the other
coaches in the state and for him to receive this award. In 1993, he had been asked if he was sure he
wanted this job and he said yes. He
would have lacked so much in his life if he had ever been talked out of
it. It has been a tremendous experience
and there are a lot of trials and tribulations with regards to coaching high
school sports. He can’t wait to meet the
new principal and get some advice from him.
Mr. Pacelia said for the fifteen years that he has coached at
Superintendent Dr. Villar said the next person the Board
wanted to recognize this evening was Mrs. Hayward. Mrs. Hayward is going to be the principal of
Mrs. Hayward extended her congratulations to Mr.
Almeida. Mrs. Hayward is looking forward
to working with Mr. Almeida towards a smooth transition and “passing the torch
of caring” onto him for a school that she has loved for ten years. Mrs. Hayward’s first impression is that Rocky
Hill has chosen well by choosing Mr. Almeida.
Out of five decisions that Mrs. Hayward considers being the most
important in her life which were really monumental and that she has been sure
about, one of these was when it was time to join Rocky Hill and one of these
was when it was time for her to leave.
She told everyone that she is leaving with a full heart and she is very
happy with her experience here. She
thanked the long time Board members especially Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Vargas and Mr.
McMonigle. She humbly thanked them for
their continued support over the last ten years and she told them they are
outstanding public service people. The
best part for Mrs. Hayward has been the students and the faculty of
16. Recognition of
Retirees
Superintendent Dr. Villar said this is done on an annual basis. He asked Mrs. DiMaggio, Principal of West Hill School, to come forward so that she could introduce her retirees.
Mrs. DiMaggio introduced the following retirees: Ms. Maria Szwez who has been a Special
Education Paraprofessional for twenty-two years at
Superintendent Dr. Villar asked Ms. Audrey Boutaugh to come
forward to introduce the retirees of
Mrs. Hayward thanked Connie from Sodexho for helping her prepare remarks for this evening about three food service employees who are retiring this year. Mrs. Hayward spoke about Ms. Anne Marie Donatelli, who was not able to attend this evening’s meeting, and she has been with the food service for twenty-one years. Mrs. Hayward spoke about Ms. Flo Bruno, who also was not able to attend this evening’s meeting, and she has been an icon for years and years in this town as a server on the main hot lunch line. Mrs. Hayward spoke about Ms. Nella Liberatore, who was present this evening, and she has been working with Rocky Hill for thirty-two years. Mrs. Hayward spoke briefly about each of these women as she mentioned their names and she asked Ms. Liberatore to come forward.
Moved by Catherine Vargas, seconded by Nadine Bell, to take a brief
recess at 7:40 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Catherine Vargas, seconded by Charles McMonigle, to come out of recess at 7:58 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
1. Consent Calendar
Superintendent Dr. Villar said the Consent Calendar listed the retirement of Assistant Superintendent Boutilier.
Moved by Catherine Vargas, seconded by Nadine Bell, to accept the
Consent Calendar of June 19, 2008 (with regret).
FAVOR:
ALL
MOTION CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS
2. Personnel and Negotiations
No report was given.
3. Policy
No report was given.
4. Finance
No report was given.
5. Curriculum
No report was given.
6. Professional
Development
No report was given.
7. Facilities
No report was given.
8. Technology
No report was given.
9. Transportation/Accommodations
No report was given.
10. Liaison
No report was given.
OLD BUSINESS
11. March 13, 2008 Meeting Minutes – Tabled
from May 15, 2008
Superintendent Dr. Villar explained that these Minutes had been tabled at the Board of Education meeting which was held on May 15, 2008 but these Minutes had actually been approved at the Board of Education meeting that had been held on March 20, 2008. This was a clerical error and this just needed to be taken off of the table with no further action needed.
17. Budget
Approval
Superintendent Dr. Villar told the Board members that he was asking them to accept his proposed adjustments to the 2008-2009 School Budget which had incorporated nearly $600,000 worth of cuts. He explained that this budget is not perfect but it represents his best effort at meeting the needs of the district within the financial constraints and the time
constraints that were presented to him. He went over what was accomplished in the last few months and what he intended on doing. He explained that he is charged
with the responsibility of managing the current system which in itself is a very demanding job and he asked the Board to accept his recommendations this evening.
Moved by Charles McMonigle, seconded by Catherine Vargas, to accept
Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar’s proposed adjustments to the 2008-2009
School Budget and to adopt the 2008-2009 School Budget which was approved by
the Finance Committee on March 28, 2008.
FAVOR: MacDonald,
OPPOSED: Wisnioski
MOTION
CARRIED
Before this motion was voted on, Chairman MacDonald asked the Board members if they had any comments or if they wanted to have a discussion with regards to this. Mr. Wisnioski said he would make a comment after he voted.
At this point, the motion was voted on.
Mr. Wisnioski recognized the effort that Superintendent Dr. Villar and the staff made to deal with an extremely difficult situation of a substantial cut and an attempt for basic
changes to be made in how the district curriculum will be determined and managed. Mr. Wisnioski said he and Superintendent Dr. Villar have talked about the issues in the budget that he disagrees with and he was not going to vote for it. Chairman MacDonald told Mr. Wisnioski that he appreciated his candid conversations. Chairman MacDonald’s opinion was that the best of a bad situation was made. He applauded Superintendent Dr. Villar for his work in coming up with this really tough list.
18. NESDEC
Enrollment Projections
Superintendent Dr. Villar said the district has contracted
NESDEC (New England School Development Council) to do an enrollment projection
in order to satisfy the State Department of Education’s requirements for school
construction projects. He explained some
more about what NESDEC does and about the cohort survival technique model that
it uses. NESDEC is projecting steady
growth in this town through the year 2015-2016 in the school age population and
it is projecting an increase of 3.5 % of students through this timeframe.
NESDEC. Superintendent Dr. Villar explained what the error had been. He read a synopsis from this e-mail and he explained how this error should have no impact on the projections.
Mr. Wisnioski made some comments about the accuracy of the information that was provided. He gave to Superintendent Dr. Villar data from the Department of Economic and Community Development. Mr. Wisnioski thought that the report with the state that this town might rely upon should be as accurate and complete as it can be. He asked that there be some statement about the distinction between Active Adult permits, Adult Housing permits and permits for houses in which children can reside.
Chairman MacDonald asked Superintendent Dr. Villar if he could follow up on this and if there are any modifications to the report in the tables or the index that need to be made for them to be made. Chairman MacDonald’s feeling is that this is a mid-ground position between the two. He felt there was enough data in this report that is reliable enough for the Board members to act on tonight to adopt as the enrollment projection for which the process will want to be continued on.
Superintendent Dr. Villar explained that the process was that this district became a member of NESDEC in the efforts to secure this report. He explained some more about this. His understanding after having discussed this with David Wedge from the State Department of Education was that this district’s obligation is to do due diligence in
securing accurate accepted enrollment projections from an accepted authority in that area. NESDEC meets their requirements.
Mr. Wisnioski started to refer to the accuracy of this. Chairman MacDonald said there is a due obligation of Superintendent Dr. Villar as well as of NESDEC to get back to this Board if this report is revised, if there is any erroneous data and if it changes the overall projection. Chairman MacDonald says everybody wants transparency and accuracy. He told Superintendent Dr. Villar that he thought he heard him and understood that if there are omissions, errors, or changes that need to be made as a result of some the data that had just been passed around that he would coordinate this with NESDEC and there will be a revised report if it changes the overall direction of the enrollment. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he would contact NESDEC tomorrow and verify the accuracy of all of the data again with them. Chairman MacDonald said he is comfortable with this report and he told the members of the Board that if any of them aren’t for them not to vote for it. He told the Board members that he didn’t think it was their call to tell NESDEC to add in different data but if there is data in this report that is inaccurate then everyone agreed it will get fixed.
Mrs. Vargas asked if this was being accepted this evening so that when a presentation is being made to the Town Council that it can be said this is the source for the enrollment projections. Superintendent Dr. Villar said yes.
Moved by Catherine Vargas, seconded by Raffaella Calciano-Coler, to
accept the NESDEC Report with regards to the enrollment projections pending
data confirmation.
FAVOR: MacDonald,
ABSTAIN: Wisnioski
MOTION CARRIED
19. Full Day Kindergarten
Superintendent Dr. Villar distributed to everybody a copy of a handout and he explained that what he was presenting this evening was a suggestion for the Board to consider. He was hoping to get feedback from the Board in the sense of consensus that this is a reasonable way to proceed as he is meeting weekly with the Architects who are currently in the process of designing the total costs and configuration of the new third elementary school for referendum purposes. The Board had approved Option One in the Elementary Facilities Plan and had sent that to the Town Council for their information and for them to act to the process in their hiring of Friar Associates and O & G Industries. Superintendent Dr. Villar explained about some of the work that he has been doing with the Architects. One important aspect of the educational specification is the accommodation for a full day kindergarten. He wanted to bring this to the Board to get
consensus on a potential way of implementing a full day kindergarten in this town over time. He went over the implementation plan that everyone had and how it consisted of two phases. In the first phase model, an option of full day kindergarten would be able to be provided at each of the elementary schools. This would be dependent on a blind lottery that would be conducted within each school’s home district to select the children who would be eligible for a full day kindergarten. Other students would have the opportunity to be provided with part time kindergarten. This would allow the town the opportunity to grow into the idea of full day kindergarten. He went over numbers that were presented in this model. This would be based on a class size of a maximum of twenty students. He went over the costs associated with Phase One. One figure that was used to budget for each of the two additional kindergarten teachers (two full time FTEs) would be $61,000 which would also include benefits. An additional two Paraprofessionals have also been budgeted for as well as curriculum development funds and instructional materials. The estimate at this time is approximately $207,000 of costs for full day kindergarten as an option in Phase One.
With regards to Phase Two, some type of renovation and
addition will have to be successfully completed on
three elementary schools.
Superintendent Dr. Villar explained that under Connecticut Statute, families are not required to enroll their children in kindergarten. For Phase Two, the costs would be an additional three kindergarten teachers, an additional three Paraprofessionals and some classroom materials. Some savings would be seen in transportation because midday runs would be eliminated for part time kindergarten. There would be an additional cost of approximately $229,000.
Superintendent Dr. Villar said this is the best plan now with regards to how he would recommend this district look to implement full day kindergarten. There could be significant changes and he explained about these. He wanted to give the Board information about all of this because he is meeting with the Architects tomorrow morning and he wanted to get some feedback to see if there is consensus that this is the direction the Board intended when it approved Option One in the Facilities Plan.
Mrs. Bell told Superintendent Dr. Villar that she supports all day kindergarten in the proposal that he had before them. Mrs. Bell asked Superintendent Dr. Villar if he had any ideas as to how the quality and the consistency of curriculum would be balanced
between full day and half day kindergarten. Superintendent Dr. Villar said there are significantly different approaches in instruction between full day kindergarten and half day kindergarten. The core curriculum would be the same but the issue will be the time that will be engaged in different learning styles with different children. He also said there are many families who believe that they can offer their own educational opportunities in the afternoon. He explained why he likes the idea of being able to phase full day kindergarten in.
Mrs. Bell referred to the transportation savings that Superintendent Dr. Villar had spoken
about. In the past, bus runs had been set up by neighborhood and now different kinds of bus runs would be done. She explained some more and she wanted it to be taken into account that in the future this wouldn’t necessarily be a one for one savings. Superintendent Dr. Villar said part of the costs of a new elementary school will be the additional bus runs that are required. He told Mrs. Bell that she was right and there will be more routes as well as more transportation but technically, money will be saved from the midday although three more buses in total will have to be added on for a new elementary school to come online.
Mrs. Vargas mentioned how from a state perspective that full day kindergarten was going to be mandated at some point and she asked if there was a status on this. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he has met with the Commissioner several times. Superintendent Dr. Villar’s personal perspective is if the state decides to mandate full day kindergarten that it will happen in priority school districts that are failing to make adequate progress under NCLB (No Child Left Behind). Rocky Hill is doing very well overall. He explained about the new legislation that was passed in July. He is not certain if the Commissioner would have the authority to mandate this to Rocky Hill. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he would suggest it because it is a very sound practice educationally but he didn’t think in the next five years that people would see a mandate.
Mr. McMonigle said he liked the first model in which there is the ability to give parents a choice. He asked Superintendent Dr. Villar what his forecast is for a Pre-K impact on Rocky Hill and its space needs as it goes forward. Superintendent Dr. Villar said Rocky Hill is under a mandate for preschool education. A Child Find has to be done under the law and the district has to begin to work with the community to identify children between birth and three years old who may have Special Needs and need preschool education. Rocky Hill does offer this program. There is also the mandate that these children attend preschool with nondisabled peers of a similar age. He went over what the plan would be in Rocky Hill with regards to preschool.
Mr. Morse said he is in favor of all day kindergarten and he understood that this will have to be phased in. He didn’t like hearing that five or six years down the road people will
still be given the option of all day kindergarten versus half day kindergarten because he would like to see everybody going into first grade with the same advantages. Once the buildings are built, he would like to see this district going to all day kindergarten.
Mrs. Calciano-Coler agreed that full day kindergarten should be an option and she thinks that parents should have the option as to whether or not this would be the thing for their children. She read some articles with regards to whether or not full day kindergarten or half day kindergarten gets children to an advanced level and she elaborated on this some more.
Mrs. Mennella said she supports Phase One but she was concerned about the lottery for full day kindergarten. Superintendent Dr. Villar stated that this plan has two phases which he explained about again. He then explained about the blind lottery in which he has experience with regards to running.
Mr. Wisnioski said that he didn’t fully understand this plan which the Board members received this evening. He asked Superintendent Dr. Villar if his intent was dependent upon an affirmative vote on a referendum. Superintendent Dr. Villar said it was. Mr. Wisnioski asked if this will be put off until the next anticipated referendum question if the community rejects the building of a new school in November of this year. Superintendent Dr. Villar said this was correct. Mr. Wisnioski went over Phase One and what it would add to the annual operating budget. Superintendent Dr. Villar clarified what the associated cost for this plan would be. Mr. Wisnioski said he didn’t understand
the additional cost of the Pre-K with regards to the operational part of it and how many children there presently are in Pre-K. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he would have to get back to the Board with this information. Mrs. Bell said the town provides some of the funding for Bright Beginnings. Superintendent Dr. Villar explained about the budgeting process for Pre-K and how it is a much more elaborate budgeting process. Mr. Wisnioski
asked if the taxpayers of this town pay this or if the money is channeled from the state, to the Town Council and back to the Board. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he would have to get back to the Board with this answer.
Mr. Wisnioski asked if there are variations that can be offered (i.e. transitional program) that would take away the argument that students who attend full day kindergarten will be learning at a different rate from those who attend half day kindergarten. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he hasn’t given a lot of thought to a transitional program but it would be something that would be worth talking to the Assistant Superintendent and staff about. Mr. Wisnioski asked if the lottery is only for those students who chose to participate in the full day kindergarten. Superintendent Dr. Villar suggested that there be a survey for the interest in this. He went into more detail about this. He referred to Cromwell and how there are not a significant number of families there who aren’t interested in the full day kindergarten option and he suspects that Rocky Hill would be equally popular. Mr. Wisnioski referred to the handout that was given out this evening and he asked what NESDEC is projecting for 2011-2012 and how this compares to the numbers that
Superintendent Dr. Villar used in the kindergarten presentation this evening. Superintendent Dr. Villar said the peak projection is two hundred and five students in 2015. Mr. Wisnioski asked at what point 80% of the children would be in full day kindergarten and 20% would be in half day kindergarten. Superintendent Dr. Villar went
over what this plan would recommend. Mr. Wisnioski asked if Pre-K is a full day program and Superintendent Dr. Villar said it isn’t. Mr. Wisnioski asked if there would be a classroom out of use for half of a day. Superintendent Dr. Villar said the classroom would be used the majority of the day but it wouldn’t be filled with children all day. Mr. Wisnioski asked if the classroom could be used for half day kindergarten but Superintendent Dr. Villar explained that there would be different seating arrangements and curriculum materials, etc. Mr. Wisnioski asked if there could be some flexibility if it came down to the last question for the last voter to have the referendum approved or not approved. Superintendent Dr. Villar said there is significant flexibility in the capacity of full day kindergarten. Mr. Wisnioski clarified what Phase Two is.
Chairman MacDonald said he has always been in favor of full
day kindergarten and he hopes that Rocky Hill will be able to provide full day
kindergarten availability to everyone who wants it with the referendum. He asked if there was anyone in the audience
who wanted to speak with regards to this.
Mr. Ed Chiucarello said he had asked a couple of his fellow colleagues
from
children did a lot of letter recognition and with full day kindergarten, the children read. The students will be much more advanced. He said how he heard this will be based off of the referendum and he mentioned how a survey was suggested. He suggested that there be a public hearing on this.
Mr. Wisnioski asked if it was being anticipated to have a community forum about a full day kindergarten prior to the referendum. Superintendent Dr. Villar said if this is the will of the Board that it can be done and he would be happy to facilitate this. Mr. Chiucarello asked when a survey could be done. Superintendent Dr. Villar said this could be done prior to having any blind lottery and even an online survey can be looked at. Mrs. Vargas confirmed with Superintendent Dr. Villar that this would help to figure out the space part of this in order to figure out what is being done with the Architect. Superintendent Dr. Villar said this would give more of a concrete basis in his conversation with the Architect. Mrs. Vargas didn’t think a public hearing could be done now because this is going quickly towards a November referendum. She explained some more about. She said a decision is being made as to whether space should be provided for full day kindergarten with the anticipation that parents will use it at some point. Superintendent Dr. Villar said it definitely has to be known if space has to be built and he sees the referendum as a survey. The Board will have to make a policy decision at some point that this is the educational model like Mr. Morse said. Chairman MacDonald said there will be public hearings as part of the referendum process.
Mr. Wisnioski asked how this plan as presented this evening and the numbers that are presented in the NESDEC enrollment projection coincide with the effort that Assistant
Superintendent Boutilier made with staff in three equal elementary schools. Mr. Wisnioski asked if there was any difference in the number of kindergarten classrooms.
Superintendent Dr. Villar explained that he just needed a general consensus this evening as far as this being a reasonable manner for him to proceed in and Chairman MacDonald told him that he thought he has this consensus.
20. NEASC
Superintendent Dr. Villar said at a previous Board meeting
that he had requested the members to authorize him to provide the high school
with up to four early dismissal days so that the faculty would be provided with
enough quality time to complete its self study process for the NEASC (New
England Association of Secondary Schools) accreditation process. This evening he was asking for this very same
thing to hopefully be approved by the Board.
He explained what the self study would involve and what the focus
question was. He also explained about
the NEASC accreditation process. His
plan is to include the use of districtwide professional development days but he
is fearful that this won’t be enough time for them to “put their best foot
forward as a community”. He found a packet
online from the Commission and there are thirty-two pages with regards to how
to conduct a self-study. He stressed the
importance of
days and he will work with the new Rocky Hill High School Principal to ensure that these are scheduled in a very judicial manner. Superintendent Dr. Villar also said that it is very important to have this done right the first time because if it isn’t done well then a lot of follow-up reports will have to be done with the Commission.
Moved by Nadine Bell, seconded
by Raffaella Calciano-Coler, to support Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar’s
request of up to four additional days for early release of the high school
faculty for the purposes of meeting NEASC (New England Association of Secondary
Schools Accreditation Process) requirements.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED
Before this motion was voted on, Mr. McMonigle said that generally speaking he dislikes the idea of taking teachers out of the classroom. He asked if the entire staff would be devoted to working on this during these four days and he asked if there might be a better way to extend the school day and compensate the staff for staying late. Superintendent Dr. Villar agreed that it is not a good thing any time that instructional time is lost. He explained that just about every faculty member will have to participate on a committee for a period of time. He would like the bulk of the work done for this during the full professional development days.
Mr. Morse said as long as there is proper notification to parents and this is up to four days that it would be fine. He would like to see fewer days used though.
Mr. Wisnioski inquired about when the half day would begin and how many periods that would be. Superintendent Dr. Villar said the half day would begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. and with regards to how many periods there would be that this would be dependent upon how the day was structured. Mr. Wisnioski said he would like the new principal to get back to Superintendent Dr. Villar and then he wanted him to get back to the Board with regards to a number of things. Mr. Wisnioski referred to how high school students are released early on days they have CAPT tests and final exams each semester. He wants Mr. Almeida to take a census of what is done, what the one hundred and eighty days of instruction are supposed to be and how many of these days there are. Mr. Wisnioski then referred to maybe having motivational speakers come to talk to the students on these early release days. He told Superintendent Dr. Villar and Mr. Almeida to be creative with these students and to motivate them to do something.
Chairman MacDonald said he echoed what Mr. Wisnioski said. Chairman MacDonald didn’t think the execution of something like this should be micromanaged by the Board members. He told Superintendent Dr. Villar and Mr. Almeida that the members want the students in the classroom being taught and he would leave this up to them with regards to
how this can be done most effectively while still providing the resources and the time needed for the NEASC accreditation process. Superintendent Dr. Villar said he and Mr. Almeida will work together on this.
At this point, the motion was voted on.
21. Magnet Schools
Superintendent Dr. Villar said he had attended two meetings
and he will most likely be meeting with the Commissioner several more times as
a member of the Hartford Area Superintendents Association. Recently with regards to Sheff v. O’Neill,
there was a ruling from the state court system that the State of
Villar said after the meeting, he understood that the
Commissioner is under a great deal of pressure to make something happen with
desegregation of the
Mrs. Bell said there are timing constraints with regards to
moving forward preparing the November referendum. She still reflects on the opportunities that
a magnet school can provide for this community.
She is struggling with whether due diligence is being done with the
magnet school as everything moves forward to referendum. Superintendent Dr. Villar said there is a
funding model in place and this town could receive approximately $7,000 for
each student from the
which has the three equal size elementary schools and for the others he would take the lead from the residents in Rocky Hill.
Mr. McMonigle didn’t think that the timeline given by the Town Council lets the Board fully explore the magnet school option. There would need to be a tremendous amount of input received by the public. He hates to not be able to fully explore this issue because of being constrained by the November vote and he would be comfortable bringing a referendum to the residents where everything has been looked at. He is not comfortable with the November timeline and he would like more time to explore the magnet school option.
Mrs. Calciano-Coler referred to the presentation that had been made from the State Department of Education about the magnet schools a couple of Board meetings ago and she still has a question about the continuing funding. She didn’t know if anyone would even have an answer by November. She said the 95% reimbursement is awesome but it is not guaranteed that this town will get this continued funding. She didn’t think the answers would be received before November in order to make a real informed decision.
She is comfortable with the November referendum.
Mr. Wisnioski asked if Project Choice would go away if the
community approved the magnet school option.
He also asked if the state wants Rocky Hill to get 9% students or if it
wants 9% of
Rocky Hill that it had to take these students into its middle school and through the high school. He said the uncertainty is very disturbing. He thought this added a huge complexity in an economy that is hugely speculative as to what the future is going to bring. He explained some more. What is best for Rocky Hill has to be done now.
Mrs.
22. Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program
Assistant Superintendent Boutilier told the members they had a report from Marguerite Alpert, Enrichment Coordinator, in their packets. There have been twenty-two senior citizens who have worked more than fifty hours in the school buildings. She supported
Marguerite Alpert’s request that these senior citizens can come to a Board meeting next year in honor of their tenth year anniversary with this program.
23. Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Dr. Villar said there recently was a significant fire in one of the condo complexes in this town on a day that was 100 degrees outside. Finance Director Turansky went to this particular street to make sure that the children got home safely.
Superintendent Dr. Villar thanked Finance Director Turansky publically for going above and beyond the need.
Superintendent Dr. Villar referred to how at the last Board meeting, Chairman MacDonald had made him aware about the issue of the cheerleaders’ mats. Superintendent Dr. Villar found out that the cheerleaders did have access to mats but these weren’t the type of mats that would have been preferred to be used for the activities they are involved in. He was very impressed with their efforts with regards to the fundraising they did in order to purchase more specialized mats. The district is in a situation where it will be able to assist them and provide them with the proper mats for next season. The cheerleaders will be able to use the fundraising funds to continue to support their cheerleader team.
Superintendent Dr. Villar wanted to bring the Board members up-to-speed with regards to major topics that have been consuming his time in central office. These include: 1.) Conducting a search for an Assistant Superintendent; 2.) Securing enrollment projections, and he thanked the Board for approving this, this evening; 3.) Beginning the process of
reviewing district procedures for annual notification (i.e. HIPPA,
Bloodborne Pathogens); 4.) Completing reorganization of the Technology
Department and seeking to employ additional technicians; 5.) Conducting a
search for the Athletic Director and Coordinator of Student Activities; 6.)
Conducting a search for the Coordinator of Language Arts; 7.) Human Resource
procedures have begun to be reviewed and redefined beginning with hiring
practices; 8.) A Policy Proposal for Request for Information is being developed
and this will be presented to the Board in the future; 9.) Educational
specifications for the three elementary schools with particular focus on the
24. Chairman’s Report
Chairman MacDonald said the
Chairman MacDonald said many of the Board members attended the Honors and Awards Ceremony and Scholarship Ceremony at the high school. He thought the amount of the scholarships given out was in excess of $75,000.
Chairman MacDonald mentioned how the Rocky Hill Concert Choir had performed at Carnegie Hall. He told the Board members when they have opportunities that they have to make sure the public knows some of the positive things going on in the schools. He referred to the 25th Connecticut Invention Convention where twenty-two students attended this and six of these students received awards.
Chairman MacDonald referred to an article, from the District Administration Magazine with regards to small schools and large schools that he asked Superintendent Dr. Villar to share with the Board members as well as with the public. There has been a discussion in the news with regards to whether it is better to have bigger schools or smaller schools. This clearly distinguishes the benefits of smaller schools versus larger schools. He encouraged everyone to read this article.
Moved by Catherine Vargas, seconded by Raffaella Calciano-Coler, to
adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION
CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Jo-Anne Booth
Recording Secretary
Accepted by: ________________________ Date:___________________________