MANCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2006
M I N U T E S
7:30 p.m.
Lincoln Center

A. OPENING

PRESENT: Crockett, Edwards, Hackett, Marcano, Stafford, Pohl

ABSENT: Huyler, Rizzo, Small-Miller

ALSO Superintendent of Schools Ouellette, Director of Business
PRESENT: and Operations Brooks, Director of Human Resources Libby
Student Support Center Director Tait

A.1 Call to Order
Ms. Hackett called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

A.2. Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Hackett led the Pledge of Allegiance

A.3. Moment of Silence - Marjorie Thomas

Dr. Ouellette asked for a moment of silence to be observed in honor of Marjorie Thomas who had recently passed away. Marjorie was a retired Library Media Specialist who shared her love of learning and books with students at Bowers and Verplanck
Elementary Schools and Manchester High School.

A.4. Minutes of July 10, 2006

Ms. Hackett asked for a Motion to adopt the Minutes of July 10, 2006.

MOTION: Edwards/Pohl s.v. The Manchester Board of Education approved the minutes of July 10, 2006, as printed. The motion carried 6/0/0.

B. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Milt Perlman, 3 Sanford Road, Manchester, referenced the fact that at the previous Board Meeting Mr. Edwards had read off a list of properties which the Board would be purchasing, beside Bennet Middle School, which would provide a grassy area, 250ft x 150ft. Apparently Mr. Edwards had not mentioned the cost was $1.8m; quite a bit of money to pay for such a small area, specially since there was still space across the street. Mr. Perlman recalled that the Board was supposed to purchase 2 acres, not just 1 acre.

Mr. Perlman pointed out that a swimming pool had been talked about; he did not think this was going to materialize; the outside of the building needed serious attention and now it was being suggested this was not really important. There was also some talk about holding another referendum in November in order to get more money. He was of the opinion that we should not have continued with the present referendum knowing the changes were going to be that drastic. He thought taxpayers were not getting the referendum to which they had originally given their agreement.

Mr. Perlman broached the subject of only 50% of 3rd Graders reaching goal, e.g., 123 out of 158. It seemed to him that the function of the Board was to provide oversight and their first question should be "Why did the other 50% not reach goal?" They needed to ensure that the majority of children reached their goal. Something needed to be done about changing the system, rather than just continuing to pour more money into it.

Mr. Tom Stringfellow, 183, Hillstown Road stated, as a follow up to the 230th Anniversary of the 4th July, we should remember the various women who had played a key roles in American history, e.g., Molly Pitcher; Deborah Sampson (who had served in the army disguised as a man); five thousand Black Americans who had fought for both America and Britain and promised freedom from slavery; also native Americans tribes who had fought for both sides - Joseph Brant for the British and Daniel Nimpaug for the Americans.

He referred to the fact that Labor Day was approaching on September 4 and thought that workers behind the scenes should be recognized. The day was an important holiday and should be viewed as such. In addition to traditional cookouts, etc. it should be on the school curriculum.

Mr. Stringfellow recalled the 86th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, when women gained the right to vote and had proven to be big trailblazers in arts, science and journalism. An East Asian woman had only just recently been promoted as Head of the Pepsi Company. Women could also be numbered among our astronauts, and it was important to commemorate the date, women being the majority gender in the country.

Recommended reading:
A book entitled "Smart Kids at Learning Difficulties" dealt with students who may have learning disabilities.
Attitude Magazine - "Back to School"; - may be purchased at Borders;
Rick Green's book on subjects that included - "Students can Learn", "Teen Pregnancy", and how to deal with the problem.

Ms. Hackett announced that one item on the agenda - "Item F: OLD BUSINESS (1) Superintendent of Schools' Evaluation should be modified to read "Board of Education Self Evaluation. The change required a vote by the Board.

MOTION: Pohl/Stafford s.v. The Board of Education agreed to modify item F OLD Business (1) to read "Board of Education Self Evaluation."


C. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT - PART 1

C.1. Great Path Academy Update

Dr. Ouellette introduced Dr. Tom Danehy, Principal of Great Path Academy, Dr. Jonathan Daube, President of Manchester Community College and Mr.Craig Lappen, a Great Path Academy Board member, and former Board of Education member and Chair.

Dr. Daube introduced a former Manchester student and graduate of Great Path Academy, who had gained a full scholarship to Springfield College and a former Captain of the Manchester High School football team.

Dr. Daube reminded the Board that Manchester Community College had grown up through an action by the Manchester School Board who, approximately forty years ago, created what was now the largest community college in the State and New England. He quoted that in a typical fall they had almost 1,000 credit students from the Town of Manchester and 500 hundred credit-free totaling just under 1500 students, with more students coming from Manchester than any other single town. The school was now run, on a daily basis, by CREC (Capital Region Education Council) and that has gone very smoothly. The Legislature voted $28m for a new building, to be opened in 2008. The "Powers that be", at State level, were now looking at the Great Path Academy Record and wanted to create a second Middle College High School, somewhere in the State, connected with Hartford. Participating Districts were represented and included Bolton, Coventry, East Hartford, Ellington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford and Tolland.

Dr. Danehy gave a Power Presentation, explaining that Middle College high school was an accelerated program allowing for students to take courses for college credit. He elaborated on the sub-headings "School History", "What students say"; "Tech Prep Programs"; "Getting into College Classes"; Accuplacer Scores"; "Curriculum"; "Graduation Requirements"; "School Calendar"; "Internship & Externship Program"; Post High School Admissions"; "Student Discipline"; Parental Involvement"; "Extracurricular Activities"; "Application Process"; and "Great Path Academy's Future".

Mr. Stafford thanked Dr. Danehy for the informative Power Point Presentation. He knew this was a wonderful program and was appreciative of the fact that the Board had been given the opportunity to see it.

Mr. Edwards asked Dr. Danehy how many college credits, on average, students at the college could accumulate during their time there, and was told twenty-four. Did Dr. Danehy anticipate having 10th graders earning college credits as well? Dr. Danehy responded probably only in exceptional cases, if they passed the Accuplacers. Another way would be if they had 500 score, or higher, on that portion of the SAT.

Mr. Marcano asked if the admission criteria would be changed, with the addition of the new building, and was told it would not: this was in accordance with all the CREC rules, the Performing Arts Academy being one exception.

Ms. Hackett was told that applications could be obtained via the Internet or by calling the school at 512-3560 or 512-3563.

D. CONSENT CALENDAR

Dr. Ouellette said there were five items on the Consent Calendar for the Board's attention. She requested approval for:

D.1 Personnel Action

RESIGNATIONS:

Attorney Joan Libby, Human Resources Director, submitted her letter of resignation for retirement purposes, effective the close of business on September 1, 2006. Attorney Libby had been with the Manchester Board Public School System since April 10, 2000 and had been an integral part of the Central Office team for six years, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the position. She had demonstrated commitment and dedication to the Human Resources Department, and the Manchester Public Schools. Dr. Ouellette extended best wishes to Dr. Libby in her retirement and future endeavors.

Christopher Ambrose, Grade 3 teacher, Robertson School - resigned on retirement, effective August 3, 2006, and had served with Manchester Public Schools since August 29, 1996.

Eric Bernstein, Social Studies Teacher, Illing Middle School - resigned for personal reasons on August 14, 2006, and had served with Manchester Public Schools since August 31, 2000. Dr. Ouellette extended her best wishes to Mr. Bernstein.

Jessica Crudden, Language Arts Teacher, Verplanck School - resigned for personal reasons, effective July 31, 2006, and had served with Manchester Public Schools since August 24, 2005.

APPOINTMENTS

Dr. Ouellette took pleasure in announcing the following appointments:
Ann Richardson, PhD. Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Richardson completed her Doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut and had been Principal of Bennet Middle School since January 31, 2005. Prior to coming to Manchester, Dr. Richardson had been a Middle School Principal for twenty-one years, and named CASS Middle School Principal of the year in 1999-2000.

Catherine Colavecchio, Principal of Highland Park Elementary School. Ms. Colavecchio had been principal of an elementary school in Glastonbury for the past four years, and Assistant Principal two years prior to that. Ms. Colavecchio resides in Colchester, and received her 6th Year Degree in Education Administration at the University of Connecticut.

Mr. Edward Dillon, Special Education Supervisor. Mr. Dillon had been a Special Education Teacher for the past thirteen years. He resides in Tariffville. Mr. Dillon received his Master's Degree in Special Education at Central Connecticut State University and was currently pursuing his 6th year degree in Administration at the University of Connecticut.

Kristy LaPorte, .60 FTE Special Education Supervisor. Ms. LaPorte would also continue as a .40 FTE Special Education Teacher at Illing Middle School. Ms. LaPorte had been a Special Education Teacher with Manchester Public Schools since November. She resides in Tolland. Ms. LaPorte received her Master's Degree in Special Education at Rhode Island College, and was currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at the University of Hartford.

Dr. Ouellette welcomed the following new teaching staff to Manchester Public Schools:

Matthew Atkins - Art Teacher, Verplanck School. Mr. Atkins received his Bachelor's Degree in Art Education, Southern Connecticut State University. He resides in Old Lyme.

Abigail Baker, Music Teacher, Verplanck School. Ms. Baker received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at the University of Hartford. She resides in Manchester.

Eric Curtin, Music Teacher, Verplanck School. Ms. Baker received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at the Teachers' College of Columbia University. She resides in South Windsor.

Roberta Gibson, Grade 6 Teacher, Washington School. Ms. Gibson received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Buffalo. She resides in Vernon.

Jean Graham, .40 Math Teacher, Robertson School. Ms. Graham received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology/Sociology at Central Connecticut State University. She resides in Tolland.

Lia Gravelle, Speech/Language Clinician for Manchester Public Schools district wide. Ms. Gravelle received her Master's Degree in Speech/Language Pathology at Ohio State University. She resides in South Windsor.

Tara Lemkin, Speech/Language Clinician, Highland Park School. Ms. Lemkin received her Master's Degree in Speech/Language Pathology at Southern Connecticut State University. She resides in Manchester.

Siobhan (Sha-von) Leonard, Music Teacher, Buckley School. Ms. Leonard received her Bachelor's Degree in Music at the University of Connecticut. She would be relocating from Lakewood, New Jersey.

Diane Maloney, Art Teacher, Robertson/Keeney/Verplanck Schools. Ms. Maloney received her Master's Degree in Art Education at Central Connecticut State University. She resides in Manchester.
Hector Ortiz; Grade 4 Teacher, Nathan Hale School. Mr. Ortiz received his Master's Degree in Elementary Education at Eastern Connecticut State University. He resides in Willington.

Carolyn Pattavina, Reading Teacher, Buckley School. Ms. Pattavina received her 6th year degree in Reading & Language Arts at Central Connecticut State University. She resides in Hebron.

Bryan Phillips, Physical Education/Health Teacher for Manchester Public Schools district wide. Mr. Phillips received his Master's Degree in Health Education at Worcester State University. He resides in East Hartford.

Lee Piekos, Mathematics Teacher, Manchester High School. Ms. Piekos received her Master's Degree in Business Administration at Western New England College. She resides in Enfield.

Viana Turcios, Grade 2 Teacher at Nathan Hale School. Ms. Turcios received her Master's Degree in Human Development & Psychology at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She resides in Hartford.

Joseph Vernali, Art Teacher, Bowers/Washington/Waddell Schools. Mr. Vernali received his Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art at Central Connecticut State University. He resides in South Glastonbury.

Amorette Wilson, Physical Education/Health Teacher, .50 FTE, Manchester Public Schools district wide. Ms. Wilson received her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education & Health at Eastern Connecticut State University. She resides in Stafford Springs.

Benjamin Wry, Social Studies Teacher, Manchester High School. Mr. Wry received his Bachelor's Degree in History Education at Western New England College. He resides in Manchester.

Dr. Ouellette welcomed all of the new staff and asked that Dr. Richardson and Ms. Colavecchio address the Board and the public at the conclusion of the Consent Calendar item.

2. Appropriation for Education Special Projects - $1,000 Washington Media Arts Magnet School Literacy Program for the 2006/07 School Year, funded by Soroptimist
International of Greater Hartford

The Washington Media Arts Magnet School community has student/family programs that promote literacy and build strong home-school connections. This money would be used to buy materials to provide literacy bags to K-3 students, containing materials such as scissors, crayons, markers, pencils, pens, paper, rulers and suggestions for family related literacy activities. Each student would select a book from a variety of age-appropriate ones and add it to their literacy bag. The first bags would be distributed by the classroom teachers during parent-teacher conferences in the fall. The teachers would give the parents their child's literacy bag with the request that they support their child as they do their homework. Parents are going to be asked to read to their child every night and begin to build a family library. Research had shown that families who supported education were much more likely to have children who valued education and wanted to do their best.

D3. Increase in Appropriation for Education Special Projects - $655 for a total of $7665 - Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Hurricane Relief Program,

The ESEA Hurricane Relief Program is sponsored by the United States Department of Education (USDE). Funding is intended for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and private schools serving students displaced by Hurricane Katrina or Rita. We had been given an additional $665. There were currently two students in Manchester. The LEA may use program funds to provide instructional opportunities for displaced students who enroll in their schools and for expenses the recipient incurs in serving displaced students.

D4. Budget Transfers

In accordance with Board of Education Policy #3160, this transfer of funds between Categories and End of the Year Closeout for the FY2006 Budget are from the categories of: Salaries, Professional Services, and Property Services to the categories of: Employee Benefits, Purchased Services, Supplies & Materials, Equipment & Capital, and Dues and Fees.

D.5 Extended Field Trip - Manchester High School Roundtable Singers Competition
And Performances - Orlando, FL - 4/18/07 - 4/22/07

The request is for students to participate in a competition, which would take place April 18, 2007 through April 22, 2007. The cost per student was approximately $1,775. Fund raising activity had already begun.

Ms Hackett asked for a motion to approve the Consent Calendar.

Mr. Pohl asked if there was any kind of plan to showcase Manchester High School as a fundraiser for the proposed field trip. Mr. Ed Tyler responded that everything was on the table at this point. A Parent Group was meeting the following Sunday to discuss various options on how to raise this amount of money for students who had a financial need. Some families might even have two students in the Roundtable Singers and this would pose quite a financial burden.

Mr. Pohl said it was his understanding that three groups at the High School were in the top five on the continent, in terms of musical excellence, and it would be wonderful to have a program at Cheney Hall, where the public could pay to enjoy the talent at the high school.

Mr. Tyler shared the information that North American Music Festivals was where the Roundtable Singers, the Jazz Choir and the Women's Choir, performed last year in Washington, D.C. Word had been received, just prior to Graduation, that of all the festivals, which North America does; possibly some twenty festivals, the Roundtable Singers took a Fifth Place ranking nationally. Both the Jazz Choir and the Women's Choir took First Place rankings nationally and it was hoped the trend would continue.

MOTION: Edwards/Pohl s.v. The Manchester Board of Education approved the Consent Calendar, as presented by the Superintendent of Schools. 6/0/0.

Dr. Ouellette invited Dr. Ann Richardson, newly appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, and Mrs. Catherine Colavecchio, newly appointed Principal of Highland Park Elementary School to step forward and address a few words to the Board.

Mrs. Colavecchio thanked the Manchester Board of Education, and Dr. Ouellette, for giving her the opportunity to become the new Principal at Highland Park School. Everyone had told her about this wonderful school, and its supportive parent community. She was most grateful to follow in the footsteps of an Administrator as highly regarded as Diane Novak. She was confident that Highland Park would continue to strive during the upcoming school year and she looked forward to adding her twelve years experience as an Instructional Leader in Glastonbury, to the Manchester School System. Being given the opportunity was a great reward for her and she thanked her sons, and her husband, for being present and for their continuing support.

Dr. Richardson thanked the Manchester Board of Education and Dr. Ouellette for giving her the wonderful opportunity of being selected as the new Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. She looked forward to working with everyone as our schools moved forward to meet the challenges ahead. This was a terrific time to be a member of the Manchester Educational Team and she said, "Together, we can make a difference."

Dr. Ouellette asked the Board to join with her in wishing Attorney Joan Libby the very best in her retirement and future endeavors, and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. Attorney Libby thanked the Board for the bouquet and said she had enjoyed working with the Board and all the staff in the schools who did such a wonderful job.

Ms. Hackett added her personal thanks to Attorney Libby.

E. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT - Part II

E.1. District Reference Group (DRG) Update - Dr. Linda Gejda

Dr. Gejda, assisted by Dr. Richardson, presented the Board with a Power Point Presentation giving an overview of the District Reference Group (DRG), formerly known as the Educational Reference Group (ERG). Preliminary information had been shared with districts in April; however, there had been a slight delay in presenting to the Board because detailed profile information had not been accessible until mid July. Dr. Ouellette was aware that several community members questioned the recent drop from ERG F to DRG G.

Dr. Gejda began by explaining that, by definition, a DRG was part of a classification system in which the State Department categorized the districts that the public school students attended that had similar socioeconomic status (SES) and need, and grouped those districts together.

Dr. Gejda illustrated under the heading of District Reference Groups that in 1996 Manchester was in ERG F based upon information from the 1990 census and enrollment and poverty data provided by the school district. In 2006 Manchester was placed in DRG G based upon information from the 2000 census and home language, enrollment and poverty data provided by the school district. Comparison was shown between Educational Reference Group F 1996-2005 data and District Reference Group G 2006 data.

District Reference Groups showed as Indicators: Family Income - Median family income for families with children in school; Education - Percent of parents with a Bachelor's Degree or higher; for DRG purposes, both parents: Occupation - Percent of parents age 16 or older with a job in executive, management, or professional field; Family Structure - Percent of children living in single parent or in non-family households: Poverty - Percent of students from families eligible to receive free or reduced lunch: Home Language - Percent of children whose families speak a language other than English at home: District Enrollment Manchester ERG F: 1994 7,509 and DRG G 2004 7,475. For school districts in DRG G, the percentage of children from single-parent homes and percentage of children in poverty were significantly different from all other DRGs. The average student enrollment of this group was 4,274.

The presentation summarized that in comparing Manchester DRG data to Manchester ERG data (10 years ago), the following changes were evident: Increase in % parents' occupational level; increase in % single-parent families; increase in % poverty; increase in the % of families who spoke a language other than English at home; decrease in % of parents with BS degree or higher (this figure however referred to BOTH parents.)

It was cautioned that groups were based upon 2000 data (income, education, occupation, family structure); groupings based upon families residing in a district, not school attendance areas; DRG's may not accurately reflect the characteristics of districts that had magnet schools and "The DRGs set a context for districts to critically review the resources they allocated to education and student participation in academic programming."

Dr. Gejda, in summarizing, said some changes had occurred with regard to the demographics in the Manchester School System over the last ten years. There had been an increase in the number of parents who had occupations in the professional and managerial fields and a decrease in the percentage of parents who had Bachelor Degrees, or higher. This would appear to be almost a discrepancy and would require verification.
The State had released a Research Bulletin containing some relevant facts, showing that the focus was really on demographic information. Information on ERGs and DRGs was available on the State website under the heading "Research Bulletins", and copies of the June 2006 Research Bulletin was tabled.

Mr. Edwards thanked Dr. Gejda for her presentation, recognizing that it was a complicated matter. He found it interesting that they had changed the criteria for education to include both parents. From the second slide, which illustrated the family structure, it was noted that percentages had almost perfectly flip flopped: 34.9% to 26.4% in education, and then 26.5% and 37.2%, in terms of family structure. If a student lived in a single-parent household, were they automatically discounted in the education group? Dr. Gejda's said this would be the case.

Mr. Edwards talked about strategic school profiles, which would not report DRG results. He wondered if that was going to be true, in terms of when we get CMT and CAP scores. Are they no longer going to show us how Manchester's averages stacked up against our DRG, like they used to with ERGS? Dr. Gejda said there would be a presentation about this in the coming fall. There was also a lot of that information online.
Mr. Edwards had personally always found it helpful to be able to compare how we were doing against other districts in the State, as a whole. He thought we would be losing something if we could not see how Manchester compared to districts with similar demographic backgrounds. This was an important scorecard. He thought we should try to get that message through to the State that we want that data, if possible.

Ms. Hackett agreed with Mr. Edwards about the necessary comparative data and Dr. Gejda said she would convey her remarks to the State. Ms. Hackett would like to pinpoint just exactly what this data means and how we could capitalize on it to ensure that our students excel; with planning, and placements, etc.

Dr. Ouellette explained that the presentation was on the closing of the achievement gap, related to our Strategic Plan. She had wanted the Board to get a sense of what a DRG was, and why there was a drop from DRG F to G. A new Strategic Plan would be developed within the next six months and then the whole issue would be revisited.

E.2. Accelerated Middle School Schedule Update - Mr. Keith Epstein and
Mr. Robert Lamson

Dr. Ouellette invited Mr. Keith Epstein to update the Board on the Accelerated Middle School Schedule.

Mr. Epstein reported on the completion of a very successful summer of construction. Between $8m. -$9m. of construction work had been put into place over the summer; some of which was spent on concluding projects; regular facilities projects; infrastructure, academic and the acceleration of the middle schools. Some of the schools were just getting ready for next summer in preparation for all that had happened. For accelerated projects at the elementary schools, modular classrooms had been on site for the past month; installation was in progress at Buckley and Bowers Schools: installation would, supposedly, be completed by the upcoming Friday and at Washington Elementary School, the following Tuesday or Wednesday. Construction crews were on site working on completion. With regard to the elementary schools' partitions, continuous meetings had taken place with the contractor throughout the summer and offers had been made to help him complete the projects in a timely manner, as required by the contract documents. He would commence the finishing process on the following Friday.
At Keeney and Verplanck where partitions were being put in, or removed, this process should be wrapped up the following Friday. Buckley should be complete by next mid-week: two classrooms were being built out of locker rooms and the largest, Martin, was scheduled to be completed by September 1st. There was some doubt about the Contractor completing the work, on schedule. Windows and lockers remained the items that were needed for both Buckley and Martin - they were all out eight weeks from delivery at this point. These appeared to be the only items they did not see coming in, as scheduled, this summer.

A contingency plan was in place for all the schools in case there was a problem. A meeting was held to discuss Martin and there was talk about implementing the contingency plan, which would go right down to the wire for completion. As of now, they were looking at holding a special needs class that would come from Buckley to Martin: hold that class back for another two weeks, and make use of the gym for up to a week, for two of the 6th Grade classes. Their desire was to be conservative. There would be a WalkThrough on August 31st and it was hoped the Building & Sites Committee members would be present, together with the Board of Directors.

The remaining school was Illing, where they bid out late in the spring. There was asbestos abatement on the 1st floor corridor: the computer room had been renovated: two new science rooms were being created, and would be completed by the end of the following week. New furniture had been ordered for the science rooms and the gym. Everything was in, with the exception of the science room, and this would be shipping late. Temporary chairs would be used in the interim.

Mr. Edwards thanked Mr. Epstein for his report and expressed his appreciation for the yeoman's work he had accomplished. He referred to a visit he had made to Manchester High School a few weeks previously, when he had been amazed at the amount of demolition that had taken place.

Ms. Hackett thanked Mr. Epstein and Mrs. Brooks for taking her on a tour of Illing, Manchester, Buckley and Martin Schools the previous Friday. A significant amount of work had been, and was being done. Up to that time she had had no appreciation of the scope of the project and she was very pleased with the results so far. She said there was a whole new look and feel to the MHS building on the 1st floor alone. She believed our taxpayers and students had a lot of nice things to which to look forward. She thanked Mr. Epstein for his leadership and project management on keeping the projects on target and for his continued work with all the construction managers.

E.3. Opening of Schools/Safety Reminder

Dr. Ouellette reminded Parents and the Community generally that as the opening of schools date approached she urged that they help protect our children once again. State law required all vehicles to stop whenever a school bus had its red emergency lights activated. When these lights were flashing, cars could not pass and no one was allowed to direct traffic to pass it: they mean STOP - even in a parking lot! Violators would be fined $450 for breaking this law.

Ms. Hackett asked for someone from Administration to confirm when school would be opening. Dr. Ouellette confirmed that on Tuesday, September 5th, all pre-K through Grade 9 students would be welcomed back in the buildings; Wednesday, September 6, the entire Manchester community, K-12, would be welcomed back. Elementary School levels would be on a half-day period on September 5th.

F. OLD BUSINESS

F.1. Superintendent of Schools' Evaluation

Ms. Hackett stated that the following day Board members would be receiving a Self Evaluation form from the Superintendent's Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Chemerka, which they should electronically complete and return by Wednesday, September 6. The email would also contain instructions and directions for completing the evaluation.

G. COMMUNICATIONS

Ms. Hackett reported that she had asked the Board of Education's Counsel to review the bylaws. Counsel had provided some very thoughtful feedback and suggestions, which she wanted to share with the Board. On further consideration, she realized that the Board of Education's Policy Sub Committee might be the best route to begin to review the feedback and decide exactly what the Board needed to incorporate in its bylaws, etc. and the matter could be brought before the full Board.

H. COMMITTEE REPORTS

H.1 Buildings & Sites Committee

Mr. Pohl stated he would defer the reading of the Building & Sites Report, as Mr. Epstein's report had overtaken what he had been going to say. He reiterated that Mr. Epstein, Louise Guarnaccia, Dr. Ouellette and Ms. Brooks had done an incredible job in a remarkably short time; working with contractors to get things up and running on time; providing facilities for the Manchester students that were up to date and had worked to support our students' educational needs. As a reminder, on August 24, at 5:30pm, there would be a meeting of the Building & Sites Committee in the Central Office Boardroom. The Board of Directors, Board of Education and Building Committee would be taking a bus from Illing on the 31st to all the schools that had been renovated, to see at first hand exactly where we were with those. They looked forward to all of the schools opening on time.

H.2. Personnel & Finance Committee

Mr. Crockett requested deferment of the reading of the Personnel & Finance Committee minutes to the next regular meeting of the Board.


I. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Stringfellow said he supported the Great Path Academy Program at Manchester Community College and hoped it would be successful for many years to come.

Recommended Reading
Time Magazine 8/21/06; ran a cover story "Who Needs Harvard?" Articles for this story talked about the right college selection for students - small, medium, or two-year campus. One size did not fit all.
U.S. News, World Report Magazine 8/28/06 ran a cover story "America's Best Colleges.

Mr. Stringfellow thought that Dr. Gejda's DRG report was good but personally felt that the more educational level discriminated against single parents, and those who did not attend college and earned below $45,000, minimum wage or not. He thought all families should count. Family situations had changed over the years and we needed to be mindful of the fact. People without children still had to pay taxes. There are stepchildren, foster care, adopted, and immigrant families too. Down the road this needed to be looked at. People contribute in different ways.
Diverse Magazine talked not just about Diversity in Higher Education and he thought there was a correlation, not just of academics, but interaction and getting parents involved.

On the question of School Safety, Mr. Stringfellow hoped that students, who ride bicycles and motorcycles, respect the speed limit and wear safety helmets and seat belts.

Better Homes & Gardens Magazine August 2006 "Organize for Disaster and Prepare your family and yourself for Natural and Unnatural Disasters by Judith Kalkey. Copyright 2005/6.

J. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

No items were proposed for future agendas.

Ms. Hackett asked for a Motion to adjourn.

MOTION: Edwards/Pohl s.v. The Manchester Board of Education adjourned at 9:30 p.m. 6/0/0.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Rizzo, Secretary
Manchester Board of Education