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MANCHESTER
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2005 |
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I N U T E S
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7:30
p.m.
Lincoln Center |
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A. OPENING PRESENT: Edwards, Golas (arrived 7:33 p.m.), Hackett, Huyler, Lok, O'Neill (arrived 7:40 p.m.), Rizzo, Robinson, Thresher ALSO
Mr. Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Robinson led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion: Hackett/Rizzo s.v. The Board of Education votes to approve the revised agenda for this meeting that was handed out before the meeting started. 7/0/0 Minutes of October 20, 2005 Mr. Robinson asked for a motion on the minutes of October 20, 2005. MOTION: Hackett/Rizzo s.v. The Board of Education adopts the minutes of the October 20, 2005 Board of Education meeting. (7/0/0) Out-going Board members, Tom Robinson, Sandra Lok, and Lisa O'Neill were recognized for their many contributions to the children and community of Manchester, and their years of dedicated service. Board members and the superintendent shared their comments, and presented them with flowers and plaques. Engraved chairs were given to the out-going Chair, Tom Robinson, and past Chair, Sandra Lok. A brief five-minute recess was taken.
B1. Bowers and Martin Elementary School Fund-Raising Project - The Superintendent introduced principals Mary Lou Ruggiero and Donna Fitzgerald, along with their teachers and students, who presented the Board with details of a fund-raising project they collaborated on to collect money to build a school in Sri Lanka. Both schools were invited to a Connecticut Association of Schools Presidential Celebration of Thanks, and they shared their experience with the Board members. Present from Bowers were teacher Laura Mullen and students Keara Blue, Patrick Sullivan and Hayden Merrill, and from Martin, teacher Patricia Lavey, and students Sam Bellock, Meghan Kelliher, and Michelle Terry. C. PUBLIC
COMMENTS 2) Dan
Glenney, 199 Dennison Ridge Road. Mr. Glenney asked if Item G5 Transition
Plan Presentation, and Item H1 Swing Space could be moved up sooner
on the agenda. Superintendent Ouellette responded with a point of clarification saying that the Board had not voted on any options of the Racial Balance Plan, that the "Sister School" plan, one of the options to the Racial Balance Plan, had been presented at an earlier Board meeting at the request of a Board member, for further explanation. She explained that the community would have the opportunity to participate in "Courageous Conversations" with the Equity Director over the next year, to help address the racial balance in our district. She explained that there are three options to this plan, and assured the public that the Board did not vote on any one option, nor have they decided on how to balance racial issues in our schools. Tom Robinson spoke to the issue saying the community would be involved in the next 3-4 years to help with the decision making process, and if the community wished they could put their immediate concerns in writing to the superintendent, or call the superintendent or Board members.
PTA President Merrill Kidd thanked the out-going Board members and wished them well. She mentioned that the Candidates Forum that was held was a success, and she thanked all who were involved. She thanked the superintendent for attending PTA Council meetings at various schools to keep parents informed about the construction and swing space process. Ms. Kidd mentioned that she would be a member of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, as well as the Calendar Committee. Ms. Hackett commented on the Candidates Forum, saying it was very helpful and informative, and she received very positive feedback on it. E. HEAD START/EARLY LEARNING CENTER UPDATES Dr. Reisman, Director of Head Start, explained that the Board of Education is engaged in trying to obtain funding to build a new Early Learning Center. The two funding sources are CHEFA and State Department of Education School Construction Facilities Grants. On July 6, 2005, the Department of Social Services provided the Town of Manchester with notice of intent to participate in a debt service through CHEFA funds, and they indicated that they would pick up 75% of that debt service. On July 22, 2005, the State Department of Education indicated that our application had been accepted, which means that in the next legislative session, our application, along with others that have been accepted, will be acted upon for funding next spring. As it stands right now, both of those two sources of funding represent about 95% of the project. The last piece of business that remains is that we still have not got in writing, from the Department of Social Services, the fact that they will repay 75% of the debt service. He mentioned that there have been conversations about it, and it has been agreed that it will happen, but we have not seen it in writing yet. That is the last obstacle, because the Board of Directors will not put it on their calendar to appropriate the funds that we would need, in order to go out to bid, even for an architect. That is the last remaining piece. Once that happens we will move very quickly on the process. Ms. Hackett asked when he anticipates getting that letter. Dr. Reisman explained that a meeting had been scheduled, but needed to be cancelled by the State, and he hoped to have the meeting rescheduled in the next two weeks. Ms. O'Neill asked if the funding we are getting would take care of the families on the waiting list to get into Head Start, so we will no longer have such a long waiting list. Dr. Reisman explained that Head Start currently serves 132 families a year, and the expansion represents a 45% expansion, going from serving 132 students to 192 students. F. CONSENT CALENDAR The superintendent mentioned that there were four items on the Consent Calendar that she recommended for approval by the Manchester Board of Education:
There were ten items under Personnel Action, which included requests for tenure, appointments, and resignations. The following
certified staff successfully completed the required length of service
to receive Monica
Giglio, Manchester High School; Tammy O'Malley, Washington School;
Dr. Bill Brindamour, retired elementary principal from Bowers Elementary School, will be assuming Attorney Joan G. Libby's duties as Interim Human Resource Director, until the end of the calendar year. Attorney Libby will be out for a number of weeks, due to a medical leave. Effective October 31, 2005, Kay Rosewall will move from the position of Principal at Keeney Elementary School to a district wide Consultant for Curriculum and Transition for the 6th Grade Academy. Ms. Rosewall has been with Manchester Public Schools since December 6, 2004. Ms. Rosewall will relocate from Keeney School to Central Office. Scott Gagnon will replace Kay Rosewall at Keeney School as the Interim Principal effective October 31, 2005. Mr. Gagnon has been the Assistant Principal at Bennet Middle School since July 1, 2000. Carolyn
Merritt has been selected to be a Special Education Teacher at Keeney
School. Patricia
Cerins has been selected to be a Special Education Teacher at Illing
Middle School.
Meghan Howard, a special education teacher, at Keeney School has submitted a letter of resignation for personal reasons effective October 6, 2005. Ms. Howard has been with Manchester Public Schools since August 23, 2005. Margaret Shapleigh, a special education teacher, at Illing Middle School has submitted a letter of resignation for personal reasons effective October 21, 2005. Ms. Shapleigh has been with Manchester Public Schools since March 29, 1999. Eva Beermann, a special education teacher, at Illing Middle School has submitted a letter of resignation for personal reasons effective November 15, 2005. Ms. Beermann has been with Manchester Public Schools since February 26, 2001. Leslie
Papandrea, a social studies teacher, at Manchester High School has submitted
a letter of F2. Budget Transfer -Interfund Transfer for Channel 16 F3. Budget Transfer Among Categories F4. Permission to Apply for Education Special Projects - $3,000
G. Superintendent's Report - Part II Superintendent Ouellette asked for the Board's permission to move Item G3. to be discussed first. Mr. Robinson asked for any objections; hearing none, he treated it as a friendly revision. G3. Verplanck and Waddell Kindergarten Presentations - Principals Mary Luce and Roland Axelson The Superintendent introduced principals Mary Luce and Roland Axelson who presented on kindergarten at their schools. She mentioned that Verplanck Elementary School offers full day, extended day, and half-day kindergarten. These opportunities allow the school to serve children with a variety of needs. Verplanck is proud of these innovations and has developed a program for the evening entitled "The ABCs of Kindergarten at Verplanck Elementary School. The Superintendent mentioned that Waddell Elementary School offers three half-day kindergarten sessions and as of October 11th, a full day kindergarten program, which is an extended day program developed as an Early Intervention Program. This program targets a group of kindergarten students who the Waddell Team thought would most benefit from a full day experience. This innovative program was implemented two years ago and it was found to be a successful intervention for the students at that time. Mr. Axelson presented first with a PowerPoint presentation titled, Waddell Elementary's Full Day Kindergarten Program for 2005-2006, which touched on the following points of interest: Program Goal:
Program Description:
Selection Process:
Criteria Included:
Parent Communication:
Extended Day Schedule:
Ms. Lok had a concern about the program and asked about the selection process and if there was any stigma attached for any child attending. Mr. Axelson responded saying there was not, and that parents are very supportive of the program. Mr. Rizzo asked if we had this program last year. Mr. Axelson responded saying we did not, but we had it two years ago. Mr. Rizzo asked if there were any families that wanted their child to attend, but are not being served. Mr. Axelson said that they identified only those students who were most at-risk, and all of those students are being served in this program. Mr. Rizzo asked how the children from two years ago faired in the program. Mr. Axelson said they all did very well and are now in third grade. Mr. Rizzo asked Mr. Axelson to come back at the end of the school year and give an update as to how this year's extended day kindergarten class does. Mr. Edwards wondered if we were tracking the data to see how successful the program is when they take the CMT's, and he asked Mr. Axelson to keep track of the data for future use. Ms. O'Neill asked that they keep in mind how we might expand the program in the future. Ms. Hackett asked what kind of opportunities there might be for the staff of Waddell and Verplanck to collaborate. Mr. Axelson responded saying that they have not at this point; as there are a lot of issues to deal with, but he feels it is an excellent suggestion. Ms. Hackett asked what type of summer program is available for these students. Mr. Axelson said that there is the PRIMES program, which they look at all the kindergarten students to identify which ones need it. Mary Luce gave a PowerPoint Presentation title, The ABC's of Kindergarten at Verplanck Elementary School, which highlighted some of the following points of interest:
At the beginning of the year we welcome a new group of students to our "Community of Enthusiastic and Empowered Learners". Before the school year begins, a group of former kindergarten parents hold an informative meeting entitled "Through the Eyes of Parents" for incoming parents and children. This meeting allows a parent-to-parent conversation about the ins and outs of kindergarten. Criteria for determining which students would benefit most from our full day; extended day and half-day program is collected during the month of September. Extended day is a new offering this year at Verplanck. Twice a week our Literacy Facilitator works with a group of six to eight children for a period of eight weeks. This program provides literacy instruction for children in all academic ranges. Hands-on activities are an integral part of the kindergarten program. Kindergarten is a place for children to practice social skills, with emphasis on social-emotional development and aesthetic and artistic development. Literacy is a gift we wish to present to all Verplanck children, where children are exposed to letters, sounds, sight words, and decoding strategies. Math skills are embedded into the kindergarten day through a variety of counting activities. Pledging the flag daily and repeating the Verplanck Respect Pledge at the Monday school wide meeting are important parts of school life for our kindergarten children. Students in Verplanck's kindergarten, along with their parents, are invited to many activities at the school, including Open House, PTA meetings and Barbeque, Lunch Bunch, Family Fun Night, and more.
Ms. Hackett asked if Verplanck was collaborating with any other schools that offer this type of program. Ms. Luce said that they actually took a lot of ideas from Waddell's program for their school. Ms. Hackett asked if she had thought about summer school programming. Ms. Luce said that they collaborated with the Lutz Museum during the summer, called Theater of the Mind with the second graders, which helped the children retain some of what they had learned during the school year. They will look at that again this summer to help with maintaining what the children have learned during this school year. Ms. Lok cautioned that it is important that we are mindful of the children, when we speak of these programs, and why they are attending them. She mentioned that she was very impressed with Verplanck's presentation of using the alphabet to explain it, and pleased with both presentations and all that she had learned. Mr. Rizzo mentioned what was presented under the letter "B" is a wonderful idea. Ms. Luce said that it was a parent who thought of the idea and the program is run by the parents. Ms. O'Neill asked if there were Head Start children at Verplanck. Ms. Luce said there was, and that it is a strong component of the school. Ms. O'Neill asked if it has been visualized, with the new Head Start facility, if all day kindergarten will be expanded into that space that Head Start occupied. Superintendent Ouellette responded saying that that is absolutely her intent and goal, especially with the Governor's initiatives, and the Commissioner's. G1.
Manchester High School Update Issues - Don Sierakowski Mr. Sierakowski told the members that recently they sent a check for $4,001 to the Connecticut Association of Schools, which students and staff raised together in support for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The funds will be used to build a new school in Louisiana. He thanked all of the students, staff, and parents that helped with this effort. Mr. Sierakowski reported on concerns about student smoking. He mentioned that smoking referrals are down considerably, particularly this year. Nurses and student support personnel run smoking cessation groups, and they are doing all they can to stop smoking in the bathrooms at school. Mr. Sierakowski mentioned a concern about hallway numbers. He explained that the high school has room numbers, with some of them fully identifiable for students with extremely limited vision, about 3-4 inches high on yellow paper with black numbers. He mentioned that there would be new room number signs with Braille on them as well. Mr. Sierakowski talked on the concern about stripes in various hallways to help students find their rooms. He said the architects are planning to have little directories at the end of each hallway, like you would find at a hotel, which should be helpful to the students. He mentioned that the students have been part of the design team for the interior décor for the new addition and renovated corridors. G2.
Bus Concerns Update - Pat Brooks Ms. Brooks stated that first of all, she would like to inform the Board that there are many different buses on the roads of Manchester. First Student provides Manchester Public Schools with regular and some special transportation, in addition, the Board of Education contracts with Access Transportation, Specialty Transportation, Curtin Transportation and Connecticut Transportation Solutions for additional special transportation. Also, there are additional bus companies transporting Manchester students to out-of-town magnet schools, private schools and charter schools. Other towns transport their students to Connecticut Child Guidance Center, Manchester Regional Academy, Cheney Tech, East Catholic and the Manchester Hospital Program using buses from M & J Bus Company, Laidlaw and various other vendors. It is important if someone has a complaint, or concern, about a bus to take down the license plate number so we can trace the bus run. Safety Checks Each day, a First Student bus driver must complete a Daily Vehicle Condition Report for every trip that they drive. The Daily Vehicle Condition Report is a three-part form. The white copy is turned into the bus lot office at the end of a run if there is a defect; otherwise it is returned to the office at the end of the day. If the vehicle is operational, the yellow copy stays on the vehicle and is continued to be filled out by the driver on the next trip that vehicle makes that day. At the end of the day, the yellow copy is returned to the bus lot office. The pink copy remains in the Daily Vehicle Condition Report book. The book is kept in the vehicle at all times. The Department of Motor Vehicles can stop a school transportation vehicle and ask to see their Daily Condition Report Book. For defects in any of the highlighted areas on the Daily Vehicle Condition Report, the driver informs the dispatcher who then contacts the shop to see if the repair (such as lights) can be made immediately. If not, the bus is pulled from the fleet and a replacement vehicle is used. If the driver has any doubt about the mechanical condition of a bus, they are instructed to bring it to the attention of the dispatcher. If the driver fails to report concerns about the mechanical condition of a bus, and a problem results, disciplinary action is taken. For defects in other areas on the Daily Vehicle Condition Report, the driver files the report in the service bin at the bus lot office. Most repairs are done within three days. Preventive maintenance is performed on all vehicles at 3,000 miles. Ms. Brooks
mentioned that this year, nine Type 1 (72 passenger) buses, two lift
vehicles and three Type 2 (20 passenger) buses were added to the Manchester
First Student fleet. In addition, four additional Type 2 buses are on
order and delivery expected in December. The addition of these vehicles
has made a significant difference in the number of vehicles, without
maintenance issues, that are available each day. Late Runs and Poorly Marked Buses Ms. Brooks passed out a summary of First Student's performance through last Thursday, and she explained that they have had very few performance problems so far this year. Since August, there have been a total of sixteen buses arriving to schools late, only a small number of these were due to driver issues or mechanical problems. Many of the incidents were out of the bus drivers' control, i.e., rerouting because of construction or traffic accidents. When a bus is taken out of service and replaced with another vehicle, the bus driver places a sign in the window with the bus number on it.
Superintendent
Ouellette mentioned that at the last several Board of Education meetings,
Goad IV: Develop Student Attitude, Character, and Ownership in the Community A: Respect for the learning process, for diverse people: positively modeled and supported by adults in school, home, and community. 1. Pride in school's cultural community:
Increase social skills for pre-school and elementary students
Preparing children for school
Study All-day Kindergarten with expanded options for parents
Expand pre-school as a universal option
Dr. Reisman presented on the School Readiness Council saying that it is one of the most valuable assets this community has. The School Readiness Council is designed to look at children in a pre-school environment throughout the community. The Council takes a look at their skills, provides support, nurturance, and education through staff development to all of the pre-school providers, so that they present their best options to those children, who then will come into our system. They are working on providing support and technical assistance to all of those providers. He explained that all of the children, who are in pre-school programs and living in Manchester, are targets of the School Readiness Council. They are also working to have more communication with pre-school providers and kindergarten teachers, so there is a better understanding of what it is that kindergarten teachers expect of children when they enter school, and then kindergarten teachers have a better understanding of what it means to be a pre-school provider, and what kind of experience they are giving their students. This is helping to bridge the gap between what was pre-school and what is kindergarten. Dr. Reisman mentioned that The Connecticut Benchmarks Assessment Protocol is being used by a growing number of pre-school providers, which means kindergarten teachers receive students with a profile of what that child has learned the previous year. Dr. Reisman also told the Board that the School Readiness Council is important because it works with a population of individuals who will get children ready for school. G5. Transition Plan Presentation - Carol Burgess The Superintendent explained that Manchester Public Schools staff members have addressed issues of student transition between elementary schools and middle schools, and middle schools and the high school, in a variety of ways. She mentioned that enclosed in their agenda packet is a list that provides a summary of the many activities assisting student transition. Ms. Burgess provided further explanation with the following presentation: Ms. Burgess told the Board members that Manchester Public Schools staff members address issues of student transition between elementary schools and middle schools and middle schools and the high school in a variety of ways. The following list provides a summary of the many activities assisting student transition: District wide
Transitioning to middle school
Transitioning to high school
Mr. Rizzo said that this is a good description of what we are doing, and he knows it is helping, but he would like to have information, for the future, on how well this is helping. He realizes that some of this is new and some of these things we have been doing for quite a long time. He asked what are we doing in the middle schools with the 6th graders, to see how well they are acclimating, what is the data. Ms. Burgess said she would get that information for a future Board meeting. Ms. Hackett said that these are great outreach activities and opportunities, and asked if we can do more, and do better. Can we reanalyze some of these activities and see what we can do to make them better, or target other segments of the population that don't seem to get connected, or are not able to respond to our outreach. She mentioned this as food for thought. G6. Class Sizes at Illing Middle School and Bennet Middle School - Joan Libby Superintendent Ouellette mentioned that at the October 6, 2005 Board of Education meeting, Attorney Libby presented an enrollment update to the Board. It was requested that another update, with more specific class size numbers for Illing and Bennet Middle Schools, be given at a future Board meeting. Attorney Libby presented that update with a handout of class sizes at Bennet and Illing Middle Schools, subject by subject. One handout showed comparisons by subject and by grade of the averages class sizes at Bennet and Illing. Another handout gave a different perspective, showing classes with the number of students in each class for each grade level and subject. She said these two options would give the Board members a sense of how the classes are, and how they compare in each school. She also mentioned that the two schools schedule a little bit differently. She explained the differences as to how the structures are set up. Mr. Edwards asked if there are any repercussions anecdotically, with the large class sizes at Illing, and are they affecting student performance in a negative way, and if the smaller class sizes at Bennet are affecting student achievement in a positive way. Attorney Libby responded that she has not heard any statements, anecdotically, to this affect. Mr. Edwards asked if we could find this out at a later time, as we go forward, as to what the affects are.
H. OLD BUSINESS H1.
Swing Space Update The Superintendent explained that Mr. Epstein was here tonight to update the Board with regards to the renovations at the elementary school, as well as the design for the 7th and 8th grade programs with a cost analysis. Mr. Epstein explained to the Board that the Town's Facilities Planning Department has continued to review with the Superintendent's office and school Principals, to further define the final requirements for locating the 6th grade classes in the existing elementary schools through the 2006-2008 school years. They remain consistent to the original program assessment with exception of a school location for the Robertson 6th grade. Their review initially saw Waddell with ample space as an excellent fit. After further review they found less existing built out space available than originally projected, and increased the space need to be constructed from 3,000 to 5,000 s.f. This area would be built in an unoccupied lower level area currently used for miscellaneous storage. Further review of Bowers proved more space was available than originally projected. Two classroom spaces are not utilized. The stage can be utilized as a music room freeing up the current music space. This will allocate three classrooms for Robertson. The total estimated budget cost for all swing space work is $720,000. If Waddell were utilized for the Robertson students, the overall cost would increase by over $400,000. Mr. Epstein further explained that they have further reviewed and analyzed the impact to Illing, as it becomes a town-wide grade 7 and 8 school in September 2006. Based off the current enrollments, over the next two school years, Illing will accommodate approximately 1000 students each year. They have closely coordinated with the middle school principals the current program requirements, as they relate to spatial needs. Based off the criteria grades operate in teams, they are divided with up to 125 students per team at 25 students per team and 5 dedicated rooms per team, and the curriculum requires 8 teams and 40 classrooms of which one classroom per team is a science room. The major needs and requirements identified were:
Mr. Epstein explained that the new science classrooms were not identified in the Ed. Spec. It is their intention to attempt to fund this build-out through the allocated bond appropriation, while not compromising the intent of the project. He handed out a spatial organization plan, and advised the Board that they will continue to keep them informed and up to date. A lengthy discussion followed, which included:
Ms. Lok asked if Board of Education approval is required, in order to accelerate this project, or is the Town prepared to move forward without Board of Education approval. Mr. Epstein assured her that the Board of Education approval is necessary, especially with the swing space use. The Superintendent told the Board that Mr. Epstein has been working with her very closely, and has alerted her to any changes in a timely manner. Ms. Hackett asked what flexibility they have, in terms of when they adopt and approve this. Superintendent Ouellette responded saying it certainly is the prerogative of the Board to move it to another agenda. She mentioned they are already working behind the scenes with both principals in reassigning staff, in anticipation of closing Bennet Middle School this June. However, if it is delayed much further, in the next couple of months, she feels it will compromise the effectiveness on how efficient they can be in dissolving it. They would like to start it as soon as possible. Ms. Hackett wondered if they would benefit by the luxury of a little more time, even one more meeting, in order to make sure all of their efforts are synchronized. Mr. Robinson stated that the more they delay, the more the prices are going to go up. With $2,280,000 built in, for additional swing space needs that might come up, it probably gives them enough flexibility to deal with those issues, and not foreclose the possibility of keeping the all day kindergarten classes open. He felt putting off the decision might be risking losing a good savings to the district, with very little risk of losing the programmatic aspects that they have been fighting hard to keep. MOTION: Edwards/Hackett s.v. The Board of Education moves to refer this item to the Buildings and Sites Committee for further discussion, and bring it back to the November 28, 2005 Board of Education meeting under Old Business, with their recommendation. 8/1/0 Ms. Lok offered an amendment to the motion that the approval by the Board of Education be contingent upon the Buildings and Sites Committee approval. That if the Building and Sites Committee approve this plan, it would not have to come back to the full Board for approval. The Chair called the question for the amendment, and the amendment failed.
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS 1) Lisa Pilney, 136 Grandview Street, wanted to make sure everyone was focused on where all the six graders are going to go, and to maintain the curriculum they have been offered through Illing and Bennet. She feels there is no way they can split all of the teachers ten ways. She asked why we would need to take two years, if the plan is not passed to dissolve Bennet this year, and can we just take one more year instead of two. She wanted to know what the drop-dead date is as to when it would have to be tabled for this year. K. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS - None MOTION: Hackett/Rizzo s.v. The Board of Education moved to adjourn -10:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Margaret
Hackett, Secretary |
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