BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION
April 23, 2007
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Attendance: Gary Brochu
Julie Erickson
William Lutz
Diane Mancini
Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss
Christopher Puzio Absent
Anthony Recck Absent
John Richards Arrived at 7:12 p.m.
Rachel Rochette
Also in attendance: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Cicchetti; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Rena Klebart; Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta; and Interim Principal of Hubbard School Dr. Patricia Hatch.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Cafeteria at the Richard D. Hubbard Elementary School, 139 Grove Street, East Berlin, CT. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by student Zachary Philippon. A moment of silence was observed.
II. STUDENT PRESENTATION – HUBBARD SCHOOL
Grade 1 teacher Meg Nardelli, Grade 2 teachers Melissa Cohen and Megan Sirois, Library Media Specialist/Computer teacher Debbie Lamond, and Music teacher Susan Kaczynski, along with grade one student presenters Julia Sisti and Lauren Veronneau, grade two student presenters Morgan Hamilton and Zachary Philippon, and grade five presenters Sierra Barnes, Alexandra Bouras, Brenton Cantliffe, Kevin Chiodo, Colin Cunningham, Yasmin Custovic, Emily Dittmar, Amanda Patterson, and Joey Termine performed selections from a CD that was made integrating reading strategies. First and second graders showed how they use and apply these strategies to improve comprehension.
III. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported on the Berlin High School band’s trip to New Orleans during the April vacation. Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported the students distributed the items that were collected for the teachers in New Orleans, which amounted to over $1,000 in monetary and gift card donations as well as 40 boxes of school supplies. Ms. O’Donnell-Moss also reported on the community service performed by the students while they were in New Orleans and the positive reaction from city residents who observed their work.
Ms. Mancini reported on the clerical negotiations.
Mr. Czuchta reported that representatives from NESDEC will be in district this Wednesday and Thursday to gather information for the educational specifications for the new high school. NESDEC representatives will be meeting with school and town officials. Mr. Czuchta reported a public forum will be held on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Berlin High School to give parents and community members an opportunity to speak with representatives from NESDEC.
Ms. Klebart reported that she, Mr. Czuchta, and Dr. Cicchetti met with PTO presidents to update them on the Wellness Policy and the State’s Healthy Foods Act and their implications for fundraising. Ms. Klebart reported on her attendance at the recent AARP meeting during which she gave an overview of the proposed 2007-08 budget.
Dr. Cicchetti reported on his attendance this past week at teacher recruitment fairs, specifically the Rhode Island Consortium for Educators and the Massachusetts Educational Recruitment Consortium. Dr. Cicchetti reported on his opportunity to also speak with individuals in the schools of education and career centers at Boston College and Boston University. Dr. Cicchetti reminded Hubbard parents in attendance that a reception will be held for Alfred Souza, III, the new Principal of Hubbard School, on May 9, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hubbard School.
Mr. Brochu reported on the report recently released by the Center for Teaching Quality, Designing a System that Students Deserve. Mr. Brochu emphasized the public forum on the new high school, which will be held on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Berlin High School. Mr. Brochu noted April 24, 2007 is Referendum Day, noting the two questions on the ballot: The approval of the Budget and the approval of the Technology Bond.
IV. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
Nothing to report.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Meeting of April 9, 2007
B. Resignation
Sharon Shepherd, teacher of grade 5 at Richard D. Hubbard School, has submitted her letter of resignation to be effective June 30, 2007. Ms. Shepherd has been on maternity/childrearing leave this school year.
Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss to approve the consent agenda as presented.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
Mrs. Shephard, who was in attendance at the meeting with her husband and baby, thanked the administration and Board of Education for their support during her years of teaching at Hubbard School.
VI. INFORMATION AND REPORTS
A. Status of the Board of Education’s Adopted Budget for 2007-08
Board members were provided with an update on the status of the Board’s Adopted Budget for 2007-08 as it heads to the Town referendum on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.
B. Life Threatening Food Allergies Plan
Dr. Cicchetti updated the Board on the work that Director of Pupil Personnel Services Margaret Butler and a committee of staff members have been doing this year with respect to developing a plan and policy to address life threatening food allergies in the schools. Ms. Butler will bring a recommended policy to the Board at the June 11 meeting.
VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:47 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Lutz, seconded by Mrs. Erickson, to go into Executive Session to discuss materials relative to negotiations.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
In attendance for Executive Session were Board members Brochu, Erickson, Lutz, Mancini, O’Donnell-Moss, Richards, Rochette. In addition, Dr. Cicchetti, and Mr. Czuchta were present.
At 8:12 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Lutz, seconded by Mrs. O’Donnell-Moss, to return to regular session.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
VIII. ADJOURNMENT (to Committee Meetings)
Moved by Mrs. Erickson, seconded by Mrs. Rochette, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Richards, Secretary
Berlin Board of Education
(JMR/bjd, original 4/24/07; Supt review 5/1/07; JMR final revisions 5/9/07)