BERLIN BOARD of EDUCATION
May 15, 2007
MINUTES
Special Meeting
Present:
John Richards, Chair
Julie Erickson
William Lutz
Kathy O’Donnell-Moss
Rachel Rochette
Absent None
The meeting was called to order by Board Secretary Richards Brochu at 7:32 a.m. in the Board of Education (the “Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
Moved by Mrs. Rochette, seconded by Mr. Lutz to enter an executive session for the purposes of conducting an expulsion hearing at 7:33 a.m.
FAVOR: All
MOTION CARRIED: 5:0
Present: Board members Richards, Erickson, Lutz, O’Donnell-Moss, and Rochette.
Also, Superintendent Cicchetti, McGee Middle School Principal
Mr. B. Benigni, attorney for the Board Mr. Richard Mills, Student A, and Student A’s mother.
At 7:40 a.m., all but the Board members departed the meeting room.
At 7:43 a.m., all but the Board members returned to the meeting room.
Moved by Mrs. Erickson, seconded by Mrs. Rochette to return to regular session at 7:44 a.m.
FAVOR: All
MOTION CARRIED: 5:0
Moved by Mrs. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Mrs. Rochette that Student A be expelled from school, effective May 15, 2007 and continuing through May 15, 2008, based on Student A’s conduct in violating the Board’s Student Discipline policy by engaging in threatening behavior toward other students, through Student A’s creation of a “hit list” that included the names of other students, in or about April or May of 2007:
1. During the period of expulsion, the Board will provide Student A with an alternative educational program deemed appropriate by the Administration, in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-233d of the Connecticut General Statutes.
2. During the period of expulsion, Student A will not be permitted to be on school grounds and will not be permitted to attend or participate in any school-sponsored activities, with the sole exception of Student A’s participation in the alternative education program provided by the Board in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
3. Prior to the first day of the 2007-08 school year, the Superintendent will review Student A’s conduct, as well as Student A’s attendance and effort level in the alternative educational program. Based on that review, the Superintendent will determine, in his sole discretion, whether Student A should be readmitted to
school, effective on the first day of the 2007-08 school year.
4. If the Superintendent determines that Student A should be readmitted to school early in accordance with the preceding section, and if Student A subsequently commits any offense that would warrant suspension and/or expulsion under the policies of the Berlin Board of Education, the Superintendent may reinstate Student A’s expulsion for the remainder of the expulsion period, through May 15, 2008, without the need for any further proceedings before the Berlin Board of Education.
FAVOR: All
MOTION CARRIED: 5:0
Moved by Mrs. Erickson, seconded by Mr. Puzio to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 a.m.
FAVOR: All
MOTION CARRIED: 5:0
Submitted by, John M. Richards, Secretary
Berlin Board of Education
JMR: jmr (Original 5/24/07)