A. OPENING

PRESENT: Crockett, Edwards, Golas, Hackett, Huyler, Rizzo, Rowe, Stafford

ABSENT: Small-Miller

ALSO
PRESENT: Superintendent of Schools Ouellette, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Burgess, Director of Student Support Services Tait, Director of Business and Operations Brooks, Interim Human Resource Director Brindamour

A1. Call to Order
Ms. Hackett called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

A2. Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Hackett led the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. PUBLIC COMMENTS

1) Stephanie Knybel, 138 Bobby Lane. Ms. Knybel mentioned that the Bennet PTSA meeting had been scheduled for Dec. 6, 2005, where the Superintendent was going to speak to the parents about swing space and the accelerated middle school schedule, but needed to be cancelled when the Special Board meeting was scheduled for the same night. Ms. Knybel asked that in the future, the Board and Superintendent check the Event Calendar to see if there are any major conflicts before scheduling a Board meeting. She also mentioned that there is a lot of talk about when to close Bennet, and is the decision being driven by a money factor. She stated that this is a tough question for a new Board to consider.

2) Tom Stringfellow, 183 Hillstown Road. Mr. Stringfellow mentioned a follow up to Native American Awareness Month and one group that he forgot to mention, which is the Alaskan Natives, the Eskimos. He also mentioned the following books: Dogs of War, 1491, and How Smart is Your Child. He also talked about an article in the UConn Traditions Magazine titled, Breaking the Grip of Addition. He mentioned that Dec. 7th is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

3) Catherine St. Onge, 43 Mill Street. Ms. St. Onge mentioned that there are too many unanswered questions still, and she doubts all can be done to start school in September 2006. She stated that there will be too many transitions that will impact all of the schools, and she suggested that the Board wait until June 2007 to close Bennet Middle School.

C. AGENDA ITEM:
C1. Accelerated Middle School Schedule/Swing Space

Superintendent Ouellette stated that it was her intent to bring about clarification, at this meeting, to some of the points that have been raised with regards to accelerating this program. She was hoping to give the Board and community a designated path to provide them with some comfort level, and details, that will release some of the anxiousness that they might have with the accelerated schedule. She explained that the presentation would start with her giving a historical review, and then Mr. Michael McDonald from the Downes Group would present enrollment projections and Manchester enrollment trends, followed by Mr. Keith Epstein and Dr. Brindamour explaining space analysis for floor plans for elementary schools' K-6 adaptations. Assistant Superintendent Carol Burgess would then present curriculum and instruction modifications and adjustments, followed by Dr. Brindamour presenting contingency plans and possible school calendar adjustments.

Superintendent Ouellette presented the following historical information from the summer
of 2005:
" Referendum passes successfully: June 7, 2005
" Board approves educational specifications for both middle school building projects (Educational Consulting Services)
" Town Building Committee recommends the acceleration of middle school building project
" Swing Space options and zoning regulations discussed with Town Director of Operations and Director of Neighborhood Services and Economic Development
" Superintendent discusses accelerated plan with State Department of Education
" Superintendent and Director of Business and Operations investigate rental space/modular campus option
" Rental space not cost effective or feasible for swing space option
" Most parents prefer K-6 option

The Superintendent reported on three site visits of schools that are currently 6 Grade Academies, which took place the summer of 2005, and explained the pros and cons of each school:

Sunset Ridge School in East Hartford: 6th Grade Academy
" 18 months to plan
" No swing space needed
" Transitional preparatory philosophy
" Differentiated instruction
" Healthy lifestyle break

Gideon Hall: 6th Grade Academy (elementary model)
" Standard elementary schedule and curriculum
" Limited exploratory course offerings due to budget constraints
" No swing space needed
" Healthy lifestyle break

Middletown 6th Grade Academy:
" Thematic and teamed-based
" Middle School philosophy
" Unified Arts/Fine Arts
" Classes rotate
" Extracurricular activities/intramurals
" No interscholastic sports

The Superintendent then discussed further dateline information and happenings from the fall of 2005:
" Town Building Committee approves acceleration for cost savings
" Accelerating would save 1.5 million and the 8% - 10% current inflation rate per year
" Concern with increase in construction costs due to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina
" Superintendent meets with 2 middle school faculties in August 2005 to plan merging of schools
" Selection of Gilbane Construction as construction management firm for both middle schools
" Selection of Design Partnership of Cambridge as architects for Bennet renovation
" Selection of Friar Associates as architects for Illing
" Town architect conducts space analysis at 10 elementary schools
" Superintendent discusses plan with elementary and middle school PTAs

Superintendent Ouellette proceeded to explain the reimbursement guidelines stating that the Connecticut State Department of Education:
" Will reimburse towards leased space for swing space, e.g., leased building space and portable classrooms
" Will not reimburse towards space purchased for swing space
" Will not reimburse for existing school areas renovated towards swing space if they do not have a program use after the swing space. Program must have been approved as a project through the State Legislature (e.g., adult ed., district learning program, all day kindergarten, and special education)
" We can commence without risk of losing a reimbursement prior to legislative approval as long as we follow the Connecticut State Department of Education guidelines.
" Stipulation: No financial reimbursement commitment will be authorized until approval by State Legislature. Until that time, the Town moves forward at its own risk.

The Superintendent finished the first part of her presentation by informing the Board of the action plans to date:
" Middle School Principals work on action plan to merge 2 middle schools' staff and create Illing Middle School and 6th Grade Academy
" Assistant Superintendent works with curriculum leaders and supervisors
" Director of Business and Operations analyzes 2006-2007 budget implications including transportation costs
" Upon Board approval, meet with Bargaining Unit Presidents

The Superintendent introduced Mr. Mike McDonald from the Downes Group, saying that he has been very instrumental in helping to put the 6th Grade Academy together. She informed the Board that he would present an outline of enrollment projections, and some of the future enrollment trends in Manchester that he sees, as well as throughout the State of Connecticut.

Mr. MacDonald explained the NESDEC enrollment projections done in October 22, 2004, showing historical enrollment for grade 6 that occupy seats at Bennet and Illing Middle Schools. It showed that in 1995 - 1996, we had 578 sixth graders, which declined to 435 last year, and the projections from NESDEC that we used for the study last year went from 498 to 468, again a steady decline in a net, over 20 years, of 110 less sixth graders from the years 1995 to 2015. He explained figures of seventh and eighth graders that were enrolled in 1995 with 1120, which bounced up and then down again, with the projections showing 1026 down to 935. He summarized that NESDEC showed we were heading below 500 for sixth grade students and between 900 and 1000 for seventh and eighth grade students. He mentioned that the model ed specs for the two schools were based on 500 students for Bennet and 1000 students for Illing, as the numbers projected are in consistent decline year to year.

Mr. MacDonald also went over the latest projection figures from NESDEC, dated November 10, 2005, which showed an even steeper decline, with sixth graders dropping to 421 by the year 2015. Seventh and eighth graders showed a similar pattern, declining to 863 students in 2015. This further reinforced the pattern of decline. He further explained that about 700 students go on to other schools outside of the Manchester Public Schools, such as Vocational Technical Schools, Special Education Out Placements, home schooled students, and magnet and charter schools. There are also an uncertain number of students who attend private and parochial schools that are not accounted for because the parents never enrolled these students in our system.

Mr. MacDonald also went over information from the website of the State of Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development, who track trends in the State for the purposes of job growth, showing a very flat growth rate. He also went over information from the United States Census Bureau, which also showed a nearly flat growth since 2000. Our ranking nationally is 48 out of 50 states in rate of growth. He explained that all of New England is stagnant in growth population. We have a low birthrate and 18-21 year olds are moving out of New England, due to high taxes and other factors. Mr. MacDonald stated this is why they recommended a 500-student program at Bennet for sixth graders, and 1000 enrollment of seventh and eighth graders at Illing. He feels these numbers will be more than adequate as the years go out.

The Superintendent added that looking at the end-of-the-year enrollment figures and the NESDEC numbers, they are lining up as we look at the June enrollment.

The Superintendent asked Dr. William Brindamour and Keith Epstein to come forward to present a look at the space analysis for floor plans for elementary schools, and some of the K-6 adaptations.

Dr. Brindamour gave a presentation with regard to the changes needed in elementary schools to accommodate sixth grade students.

He stated that a policy decision would have to be made early regarding class size. A few schools have very small class sizes. Combining those classes will automatically free up classroom space. However, principals will advocate for smaller class sizes and to keep the same number of classes, even if some classes can easily be combined. This decision will affect the availability and ease of acquiring rooms at Buckley and Waddell schools.

In schools where recommendations to close computer labs to accommodate classrooms have been made, it is recommended that laptop computers on carts be provided to those schools. The computers that are presently in the computer labs would be distributed throughout the schools for classroom use. The cost for the laptop computers would be absorbed in the swing space funding.

This swing space plan gives no flexibility if other new classes such as pre-k special education (very likely) or a STEP (Sequential Transitional Education Program) class to hold grades 5 and 6 (possible) need to be opened in the future. Also space has not been allocated for additional staff such as assistant principal, social worker, speech and language clinician, or psychologists since we do not know how they will be allocated.

Bowers Present Enrollment - 392 Projected Enrollment - 496

Bowers will need five extra classrooms to accommodate their own students as well as the students from Robertson. To accommodate these classes the following should be considered:

¢ Two full-sized classrooms are presently used for music. They should be returned to classroom space.

¢ One full-sized classroom is currently used as a learning center. It should be used as a classroom. Both learning center teachers can share the remaining learning center room.

¢ The room presently used by the curriculum specialist should be used as a classroom. There is other office space available to house the curriculum specialist.

¢ The room, which is presently not used next to the entrance off the parking lot, should be used as a classroom.

¢ Music classes could be held on the stage or brought into the classrooms. A sound barrier will have to be built for the stage if classes are held on the stage.

Some additional storage and office space will be needed at Bowers. A modular classroom should be put on the site and divided up to provide for both of these needs.

Contingency Plan - If the modular space was not ready, the art room could be used for temporary storage and office space.

Buckley Present Enrollment - 340 Projected Enrollment - 429

At the present enrollment, Buckley will need four extra classrooms the first year and five classrooms the following year to house their students and the students from Nathan Hale School. To accommodate these classes the following should be considered:

¢ Eliminate the computer lab and put the computers into existing classrooms. Laptop computers on carts should be provided for the school.

¢ Move one Multiple Abilities Program (MAP) class to Martin School.

¢ Convert the rooms that now hold physical education office and storeroom and the physical therapy room and storage into two classrooms. We will need to provide storage space for Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy equipment. This space could be built in conjunction with the renovation of the classroom space mentioned above, or it could be built off of one of the existing special education classrooms.

¢ Install a modular classroom the first year in case of an enrollment spike.

Contingency Plan - The gymnasium would house some classrooms. The art room could also be used as a classroom. Head Start could be moved back to Bentley School. Consider moving the special education kindergarten to Keeney School.

Significant construction will be needed at this site.

Highland Park Present Enrollment - 257 Projected Enrollment - 300

Highland Park will need two extra classrooms next year. To accommodate these classes the following should be considered:

¢ Convert the art room back into a learning center. The art teachers prefer using the cafeteria for art class as it stands.

¢ Convert the learning center into a classroom.

¢ Move the language arts consultant out of the full classroom he now occupies and move his office into the room now labeled as the media center annex, which is only used for small group instruction on occasion. The occasional small group instruction can take place in classrooms.

Contingency Plan - Due to the lack of construction at Highland Park, we do not need to make a contingency plan.

Keeney Present Enrollment - 377 Projected Enrollment - 439

Keeney School will need three extra classrooms next year. To accommodate these classes the following should be considered:

¢ Move the art class from the present space and build an art classroom at the end of the cafeteria. This space is already divided off with a sliding wall. A soundproof wall will need to be built.

¢ Eliminate the computer lab and put the computers into existing classrooms. Laptop computers on carts should be provided for the school.

¢ Combine the learning centers and have them share the room with the speech and language clinician and also use the space now used only by the special education paraprofessional. Demolish the partition between the present learning centers and make that space into a classroom.

¢ Adjust the space in the open classroom wing to create more useable space.

Contingency Plan - If needed, classes can be put on the stage in the gymnasium as well as on the gymnasium floor. If the proposed art room is not finished for the opening of school, the art program could be on a cart until it is finished.

Construction will be needed at this site.

Martin Present Enrollment - 220 Projected Enrollment - 264

Martin School has no space to accommodate their own sixth grade students. It is suggested that two new classrooms be built to accommodate the sixth grade. In addition, a third classroom should be added so the Multiple Abilities Program (MAP) program can be moved from Buckley School to Martin School freeing up space at Buckley. The Multiple Abilities Program needs a handicapped lavatory with a changing table. We will also have to provide large storage area for Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy equipment

Contingency Plan - Sixth grade classes would be held in the gymnasium. The Multiple Abilities Program could stay at Buckley or be put in the reading lab at Martin.

Significant construction will be needed at this site.

Nathan Hale Present Enrollment - 342 Projected Enrollment - 342

Nathan Hale has no space to house their sixth grade students next year. Nathan Hale students should attend Buckley School.

No contingency plan is needed at Nathan Hale since sixth grade students will be attending Buckley.

Robertson Present Enrollment - 375 Projected Enrollment - 375

Robertson has no space to house their sixth grade students next year. Robertson students should attend Bowers School.

No contingency plan is needed at Robertson since sixth grade students will be attending Bowers.

Verplanck Present Enrollment - 314 Projected Enrollment - 368

Verplanck will need three extra classrooms to their sixth grade. To accommodate these classes the following should be considered:

¢ Convert the literacy center (room 4) back into a classroom.

¢ Convert the classroom presently used for music back to a classroom.

¢ Put music on the stage or bring it into the classrooms. A sound barrier will have to be built for the stage if classes are held on the stage.

¢ Build a wall in cafeteria to create an art room.

Contingency Plan - If the art classroom is not completed at the opening of school, the art program will be on a cart for a few weeks.

Construction will be needed at this site.

Waddell Present Enrollment - 366 Projected Enrollment - 432

Waddell is the school where class size will really impact space. Grade one presently has 62 students in four classes. Combining the classes into three classes next year automatically gives one classroom and the class sizes will be 20 - 21 - 21. Kindergarten has four classes with 43 students. Reducing the first grade to three classes will provide class size of 15 - 14 - 14. Reducing that to two classes will maintain a class size of 22 and 21. However, Mr. Axelson indicates that he expects about 10 new students to enter first grade. If that were correct, that would give a total of 53 students. Dividing that into three classes would give classes of 17 - 18 - 18. Those numbers are typical throughout the district. This would free up another classroom. The following should be considered:

¢ Combining classes in next year's first and second grades will automatically free up space to accommodate the sixth grade students without any further building.

¢ An additional classroom could be available by reassigning reading tutors out of a classroom and putting them in another area of the building. There is space available to do this.

The average Title I class size is 17 students in grades one and two. However, individual Title I schools have classes of twenty in grades one and two.

If classes are not combined, two additional classrooms will need to be built. There are several options being considered to accomplish this.

Contingency Plan - If needed, classes could be held in the gymnasium and in the art room.

Washington Present Enrollment - 347 Projected Enrollment - 396

Washington School is pressed for space. Washington presently has 51 students in three fifth grade classrooms. To accommodate these classes the following should be considered:

¢ The present music room should be converted into two classrooms. The size of the rooms will be smaller than the other rooms in the school but will nicely accommodate the smaller classes. Music could be on the stage or brought into the classrooms. A sound barrier will have to be built for the stage if classes are held on the stage.

¢ A modular classroom should be placed on the site.

Contingency Plan - If needed, the Family Resource Center and the gymnasium could be used for classroom space. In addition, there is a large exercise room at the Mahoney Recreation Center that could be used as a temporary classroom.

Significant construction will be needed at this site.

Mr. Epstein presented his spreadsheet to the Board regarding Projected Swing Space. He mentioned that it was determined that an additional modular should be set outside Bowers Elementary School; Martin Elementary School will receive 3 new classrooms to accommodate sixth grade, and Buckley MAP classes will move to Martin; Nathan Hale Elementary School 6th grade students will attend Buckley and a modular classroom will be added. Buckley will require 4 sixth grade classrooms during the school year 2006-07 and 5 sixth grade classrooms in 2007-08. Robertson Elementary School sixth grade students will attend Bowers Elementary School, where the music room will utilize the stage as a classroom. Waddell Elementary School will have two options: 2 new classrooms will increase base budget by $200,000, or a new library and renovation of 2 classrooms will increase the base budget by $500,000. The total projected costs are estimated at $1,335,000. This has already been approved in the referendum in June 2005. He is asking for approval of the concept that Dr. Brindamour presented.

Superintendent Ouellette asked Assistant Superintendent Carol Burgess to review with the Board where they are in regards to curriculum and instructional modifications, and some of the adjustments that have been made to transition the students back to neighborhood schools, as well as some of the transition plans that will be in place for Robertson students going to Bowers, and Nathan Hale students to Buckley.

Ms Burgess presented the following projections for the two-year 6th grade curriculum:

" Maintain teaming
" Teams depend on the number of sections: 3-4 on a team representing Language Arts, Science, Math and Social Studies
" Music, Art, and P.E./Health remain
" World Language as part of a modified Unified Arts program with Tech. Ed. and Family Consumer Science

" Proposing 90 minute blocks for Language Arts and math with opportunities for enrichment and support time as needed
" Unified Arts Schedule ready to be proposed - rotating quarters at each school
" Music, Art and P.E. teachers already working on schedule
" Media specialists planning for Bookmobile: Traveling library
" Mobile Computer labs proposed for additional access to technology
" Science and Math texts and materials ready to be ordered to accommodate 6th grade in all building
" Report Cards

The Superintendent mentioned that there have been questions saying we only have eight months to complete this, and what if we can't finish on time. She mentioned that under the Board's direction they put some contingency plans together, some possible solutions to address if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate, or if there is a shortage of materials, which she doesn't anticipate to have happen. She is confident that they will open on time. She asked Dr. Brindamour to review possible solutions to gain more building time throughout the summer. One, in particular, is the possible delay in the opening of school, with perhaps opening 4 or 5 days later, which would then be after Labor Day.

Dr. Brindamour presented the calendar contingencies for 2006-2007.

He stated that the Human Resources Office looked at the 2006-2007 school calendar with the goal of adjusting the starting date to allow for a longer summer in order to finish any building renovations due to the closing of Bennet Middle School. Different versions of the calendar were presented to the Personnel and Finance and Curriculum and Instruction Committees. The committees requested that versions 1a and 1b be brought to the Board. The Committees' preference was calendar 1a.

Both calendars have students starting on September 5, which is the Tuesday after Labor Day. The calendars differ only in the placement of the April vacation. Calendar 1a has April vacation starting on April 16 and continuing until April 20. The last day of school would be June 21. Calendar 1b links April vacation with Good Friday and would run from April 2 until April 6. The last day of school would be June 20, so you save a day in June. This means that there would be 11 weeks at the end of school without a vacation break. Calendar 1a has nine weeks of school after April vacation.

He explained that they then developed two other calendars, which start school even later in case more time is needed for building renovations. Calendar 2a and 2b have students starting school on September 11. April vacation will be greatly reduced. Both calendars link April vacation with Good Friday. Calendar 2a has a vacation starting on Thursday, April 5 with students returning to school on Tuesday, April 10. The last day of school would be June 22. Calendar 2b only has two vacation days, Thursday and Friday, April 5 and 6. The last day of school would be June 21. Both of these calendars run the risk of having students attending school during the last week of June in the event of a snowy winter.

The Superintendent went over the Pros and Cons of moving ahead with the closing of Bennet in June 2006:

Pros:
" Eliminate Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) issues at middle school level
" Improve racial balance at Buckley
" Eliminate emergency facility issues at Bennet
" Save over 1.5 million dollars with 8%-10% current inflation by accelerating project
" Possible savings in utility costs with Bennet off-line
" Momentum maintained for school repairs and renovations
" Improves handicapped accessibility issues at grades 7 and 8

Cons:
" Building/modulars might not be ready to open school
" Limited time to plan/recheck space estimates, staff estimated, busing impact

The Superintendent gave an overview of the building project timeline:

" May 2005: Submit ED049 "Grant Application for a Construction Project" to the State Department of Education
" September 2005: Interview and retain architect and construction manager
" October 2005-February 2006: Project design and construction estimates
" March 2006-June 2006: Local and State approvals, construction documents and final construction estimates
" June 2006: Close Bennet Middle School
" July 2006: Submit ED042 "Request for Review of Final Plans" to the State Department of Education
" July 2006 - August 2006: State Department of Education project review and approval to bid
" September 2006 - October 2006: Project bid and construction contract awards
" October 2006 - July 2008: Demolition environmental remediation and construction
" June 2008 - August 2008: Furniture, fixtures and equipment delivery and installation
" June 2006: State Legislation ED049 approval
" September 2008: Open Bennet 6th Grade Academy School

There was a discussion following the presentation with regard to:

- Portable classrooms and what will happen with them
- Security issues, possible theft of laptops - must be kept under lock and key
- Start time and length of time swing space will go on
- Construction workers' schedule - daytime/evening hours
- Inspection of reimbursables
- COWS - computers on wheels versus computers in libraries
- Merging of all staff/meetings with union leaders
- Separation of classes between younger students and older students
- Reimbursements, commitment from the State, and bond money
- Contingency plans, risk of going forward versus risk of waiting

Board members, at this time, expressed confidence in moving the plan forward, and confidence in the Superintendent's leadership and knowledge to get it done. They expressed their satisfaction that "all the t's have been crossed and all the i's have been dotted". They thanked the Superintendent and all the presenters for a very informative presentation, which helped to alleviate any doubts they had on moving forward with the project.

MOTION: Rizzo/Huyler s.v. The Board of Education approves moving ahead with the accelerated middle school schedule. 8/0/0

Ms. Hackett mentioned the possibility of voting on a revised school calendar for 2006-2007 at the meeting tonight.

Superintendent Ouellette stated that it could be added to the December 12, 2005 Board of Education meeting agenda under Old Business, and Board members agreed with that suggestion.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

1. David Keith, 108 Bolton Street. Mr. Keith asked if anyone had looked at what will happen to the summer camps, which are normally held at the neighborhood schools, with construction going on this summer. Superintendent Ouellette responded saying that the Director of Business and Operations has been in discussions regarding on-going adjustments on this issue.

2. Keith Carson, 45 Kane Road. Mr. Carson mentioned that there is a lot of work ahead of us, and we must keep in mind the contingencies that might arise. He asked that information be given out to the community of what has been completed, as the building project moves along, whether it is through the website, newsletters, billboards, or meetings. He asked about new textbooks for science and math books to be purchased that he thought he heard mentioned under curriculum, so they could move with the new sixth grade. Superintendent Ouellette responded saying they were not new, but adopted, with a plan on how to redistribute them within the elementary schools to accommodate sixth grade. He asked if the contingency is for just one year, and the Superintendent responded saying that she is asking the Board to approve a revised calendar for 2006-2007, then early next year look at the 2007-2008 school calendar, as it might need to be adjusted depending on how the building projects are coming along.

3. Melissa Dumont, 9 Hendee Road. Ms. Dumont noticed that some of the plans were to eliminate some of the newly given areas for occupational therapy and physical therapy, the learning center, the multiple ability program that is being moved, and the literacy center. She asked that this population be kept in mind, as they are a little more volatile being juggled around so much.

4. Tom Stringfellow, 183 Hillstown Road. Mr. Stringfellow commented on his concerns about moving the teaching staff around and asked that substitutes or new paraprofessionals could be helped out with this adjustment period, depending on the schools they will have to travel to. He mentioned quality of life and public safety and talked about an ad he saw stating that REMAX

Realtors have agents with language skills. He asked that the Board use the $3 million dollars wisely saying that we're all in this together, and asked that they listen to all voices.

5. Sherri Crane, 86 Barry Road. Ms. Crane asked how this is going to affect students going from Robertson or Nathan Hale to the other schools, and how are the Title I services going to be addressed. Are they going to be open to just the students who are transferring or for all the students in the schools, and who is going to have to pay for those costs. Superintendent Ouellette stated that Kate England, the K12 Language Arts Supervisor, is reviewing this with regards to Title I services. She believes the funds travel to support the students that are being relocated, as well as breakfast programs. She anticipates more money being distributed to the elementary schools out of Title I funding.

MOTION: Golas/Rizzo s.v. The Board of Education moved to adjourn -10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David Golas, Secretary
Manchester Board of Education