EAST WINDSOR BOARD OF EDUCATION         

EAST WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT

 

The East Windsor Public Schools provide a climate that inspires the school community to achieve their full potential through continuous improvement, mutual trust and respect. A rigorous curriculum taught by outstanding educators motivates students to acquire fundamental, critical thinking, and problem solving skills necessary to become life-long learners and productive members of a global and diverse society.

 

 

MINUTES OF JUNE 15, 2006

 

 

I.       TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING

           

Chairman Pica-Sneeden called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in Room D-4 of the East Windsor High School

        

         Fourth quarter Outstanding Students were introduced to the Board:

 

         Samantha Couture, Grade 4

         Megan Donnelly, Grade 5

         Jessica Defilpo, Grade 11

 

                          

II.       ATTENDANCE

 

Present:  Chairman Pica-Sneeden, Vice Chair Rajala, Secretary Holigan, and Board Members Bates, Kubick, Raber, Signor and Willingham.  Also present:  Superintendent of Schools Gallucci, Assistant Superintendent Howes and Recording Secretary Nolan.  Absent:  Guiliano

 

 

III.      ADDED AGENDA ITEMS

 

         Upon motion by Ms. Rajala, seconded by Mr. Signor, it was unanimously

 

         VOTED:  To accept the added agenda items as presented.

                                     

 

IV.     PREVIOUS MINUTES

 

         A.  Minutes of May 18, 2006

 

               Upon motion by Ms. Rajala, seconded by Mr. Raber, it was unanimously

 

               VOTED:  To approve the minutes as presented.

 

              

V.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

 

Ms. Laurie Owens, mother of two high school students, expressed concern that students have been stealing items from the boys and girls locker rooms.  She asked the Board to look into placing monitoring cameras outside of the locker rooms.  

 

 

 

VI.       COMMUNICATIONS

 

            None

 

                           

VII.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

                    

            A.      Financial:  Howes

 

                     1.   Payment of Bills, Register No. 101

 

                           Upon motion by Ms. Rajala, seconded by Mr. Signor, it was unanimously

 

                           VOTED:  To pay bills amounting to $298,987.83

 

                     2.   Financial Statement

 

                           Distributed

 

                     3.   Cafeteria Account

 

                     4.   Pay for Participation

 

                           The Board has collected $56,985, almost 89% of its projected revenue.

              

            B.      Personnel

 

                     1.   Appointment

 

                           a.      Eleisha Pantaleo, Full Time High School English Teacher,

                                    effective August 28, 2006

 

                                    Upon motion by Mr. Raber, seconded by Ms. Holigan, it was unanimously

 

                                    VOTED:  To appoint Eleisha Pantaleo to the position.

 

                           b.      Recommended 2006-2007 Coaching Positions

 

                                    Upon motion by Mr. Raber, seconded by Mr. Signor, it was unanimously

        

                                    VOTED:  To table this item.

 

                     2.   Leave of Absence

 

                           a.      Holly Surrette, Grade 6 Math Teacher, employed since

                                    September 1, 2001, requesting Childrearing Leave for the

                                    2006-2007 School Year

 

Upon motion by Mr. Raber, seconded by Ms. Rajala, it was unanimously

 

VOTED:  To table this item.

                                   


 

                     3.   Resignations (Effective 6/21/06)

 

                           The Board was made aware of the following resignations:

 

                           a.      Alaina Felber, Broad Brook School Paraprofessional since

                                    January 6, 2004

              

                           b.      Patricia Mackenzie, High School Special Ed. Paraprofessional since

                                    September 1, 2005

 

                           c.      Mark Seltzer, High School Math Tutor since September 1, 2005

                                                                                                                                    

            C.     Information (**Consent Agenda per BP #9325.21)

 

                        1.   Middle School Sports Awards - Thur., June 15, 6:30 p.m., EWHS

 

                        2.   Middle School Graduation:  Tue., June 20, 6:30 p.m., EWHS

 

   3.  Employee Recognition Breakfast:  Thur., June 22, 8:00 a.m., EWHS Cafeteria

 

                        4.   High School Graduation Date - Fri., June 23, 6:00 p.m., EWHS

 

                        5.   Graduate and Celebrate Breakfast – Sat., June 24, 3:00 a.m., EWHS

 

                        6.   BOE Education Quarterly - Spring, 2006

 

                        7.  Article re Hartford School Uniforms

 

                        8.   Broad Brook School Newsletter

 

                        9.   Middle School Wildcat Weekly

 

                        10. Bumper Stickers (did not distribute)

 

                        Upon motion by Ms. Rajala, seconded by Mr. Signor, it was unanimously

 

                        VOTED:  To accept the consent agenda as presented.

           

            D.     Information (for possible discussion)

 

1.      Comments re Previous Board Meeting’s Public Participation (if applicable)

 

         None

 

                       2.     2006 Outstanding Service Award Winner:  Jim DeRagon, Technology Manager

 

                               Dr. Gallucci announced that District Technology Manager James DeRagon was selected as the 2006 Outstanding Service Award Winner.

 

                      

 

 

                       3.   Report on Activities at Mill Pond Apartments:  Terri Doyle

 

                             Ms. Doyle reported on the activities that Mill Pond Apartments try to provide

                             for its school-age residents.  She stated that there are 71 children between the

                             ages of 0-5 years; 155, 6-12; 70, 13-17 living in the apartments. 

                              

                              Currently, there is an after school program that services 40 children.  Students participate in activities such as cooking, gardening, rope jumping, movies, basketball and there is time for homework and a snack.  She hopes to expand the program. 

 

                       4.     Pass Program Alternative Education: Slattery

 

                               Mr. Slattery presented a proposal to pilot an alternative education program for “at risk” students who are experiencing a lack of success at the middle school.  Special Education Director Carol Fox and Special Education Teachers Patrick Tudryn and Adam Schumacher were in attendance to support the program. 

 

                               Upon motion by Ms. Bates, seconded by Mr. Signor, it was unanimously

 

                             VOTED:  To approve the pilot program at the middle school.

           

                                               

VIII.       UNFINISHED BUSINESS      

 

            A.         2006-2007 Budget Recommendations:  Howes

 

Mr. Howes reported that there would be no loss of supplies, programs or staff.

 

            B.         Revised Board Policy and Administrative Regulation #5132, Dress Code

                        (third reading)

 

The Board Policy Review Committee supports stopping the appeal process with the superintendent.

 

                            Ms. Kubick moved, and Ms. Holigan, seconded, a

 

                                MOTION:  To approve the policy as presented.

 

                        Voting for the motion:  Bates, Holigan, Raber, Signor, Willingham

                        Opposing:  Kubick and Rajala

                        The motion passed.

 

            C.        Revised Board Policy 5141.5, Wellness Policy (third reading)

 

                                Upon motion by Ms. Holigan, seconded by Ms. Bates, it was unanimously

 

                        VOTED:  To approve the policy as presented.

           

 

 

 

           

                                                                                               

IX.        NEW BUSINESS

 

            A.         Request for Use of Athletic Fields

 

Paula Corkum, on behalf of her husband Chris Corkum, asked to use the high school fields for his baseball camp in the future.  Mr. Corkum had been allowed to use the fields in the past.  This year, a town-sponsored, non-profit youth group reserved the fields. 

 

Dr. Gallucci recommended that the Board Policy Review Committee review Board Policy 1330, Use of School Facilities and Grounds.     

 

            B.         Discussion re Changing Legal Firm:  Gallucci

 

Dr. Gallucci presented information for the Board to compare legal firms Chinni and Mueser and Shipman and Goodwin.

 

The Board, by consensus, agreed to have Chinni and Mueser represent the East Windsor Board of Education.

                                               

            C.        Broad Brook School Bathrooms - Howes

 

Mr. Howes reported that the competitive bids came in low enough to renovate four bathrooms (kindergarten and pre-K), instead of two.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Signor, seconded by Ms. Bates, it was unanimously

 

VOTED:  To approve the bathroom design including asbestos removal and to present this proposal to the Board of Finance.

 

            D.        Board of Education Participation on Middle School Assistant Principal Search Committee.  Ms. Willingham volunteered to serve on the committee.

 

 

X.         REQUESTS FOR DATA FROM THE BOARD 

 

            A.         Driver Education Program:  Howes

 

                        Mr. Howes recommended using AAA or the Glastonbury program.

 

Mr. Pica recommended trying one for a year and reviewing the program next year. 

 

                        The Board, by consensus, agreed to use the Glastonbury school. 

 

            B.         2006-2007 Overnight Field Trips for BOE Approval:  Gallucci

 

                        Upon motion by Mr. Signor, seconded by Ms. Rajala, it was unanimously

 

                        VOTED:  To table this item.

           

                       

 

 

             

XI.        MISCELLANEOUS

 

            A.         Ms. Rajala asked how many eighth graders were denied going on the High Meadow Field Trip and was Board Policy followed?   Dr. Gallucci will get the information.

 

                                   

XII.       ANTICIPATED EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

            Upon motion by Ms. Rajala, seconded by Mr. Signor, it was unanimously

 

            VOTED: To go into executive session at 9:10 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

 

Attorney Chinni, employee and husband, Ms. Babut and Ms. Peck were invited to participate in the executive session.

 

The Board came out of executive session at 10:15 p.m.

 

Upon motion by Ms. Rajala, seconded by Mr. Raber, it was unanimously

 

VOTED:  To pay Mr. Howes the current superintendent’s salary when he takes over as Acting Superintendent on August 1, 2006.

 

                                                                                               

XIII.       ADJOURNMENT

 

            Upon motion by Ms. Rajala, seconded by Ms. Willingham, it was unanimously

 

            VOTED:  To adjourn at 10:16 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

JoAnne Holigan
Secretary