BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION
June 11, 2007
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING

Attendance:      Gary Brochu          
        Julie Erickson
        William Lutz         
        Diane Mancini(Arrived at 7:35 p.m.)
        Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss (Departed at 11:00 p.m.)
        Christopher Puzio                
        Anthony Recck    (Arrived at 8:50 p.m.)
        John Richards                
        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; Director of Pupil Personnel Services Margaret Butler; Principal of Griswold School Laurie Gjerpen; Principal of Willard School Robert J. Sullivan II; Principal of McGee Middle School Brian Benigni; and Principal of Berlin High School George Synnott.  

IA.    CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Berlin High School Media Center, at 139 Patterson Way, Berlin, Connecticut.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed.

At this time, item II. A. was moved up in the agenda.  Hearing no objection, the item was addressed.

II.    BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS
A.    Recognition of James Bryers as State Golf Coach of the Year

    Mr. Synnott recognized James Bryers as the State’s 2007 Boys’ Golf Coach of the Year.

IB.    SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Mr. Synnott recognized the following Berlin High School students:

Berlin High School Recognition – Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Valedictorian – Jordan E. Taylor
Salutatorian – Emily I. Thurston
CAS Scholar Athletes – Sarah E. Hansen & Benjamin C. Heslin
CABE Student Leadership Awards – Jordan Taylor & Jonathan Schaller
Student Council 2007:
President – Lindsey Fortunato
Vice President – Toni Rauseo
Corresponding Secretary – Mari Rauseo
Recording Secretary – Kelly Foy
Treasurer – Avani Patel
Class of 2007 Officers:
President – Rachel Keyworth
Vice President – Alan Zaniewski
Secretary – Jenna Campagna
Treasurer – Jordan Taylor

Rena Klebart, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction recognized the following students as distinguished senior writing portfolio authors:  Stephanie Bedus, Joel Burgos, Matthew Cavedon, Gong Chen, Amanda Fazzio, Lindsey Fortunato, Elizabeth Hull, Edmund Kindelan, Jordan Taylor and Lauren Vernlund.  The following students were recognized as commended authors:  Brad Allen, Elizabeth Bujda, Jenna Campagna, Leah Carvalho, Aaron Clarke, Sara Collins, Aleah Edwards, Amanda Francini, Benjamin Heslin, Melody Kasulis, Rachel Keyworth, Michelle Maroon, Martha Rakowicz, David (Wells) Riley and Laura Wnuk.  Authors Stephanie Bedus, Elizabeth Bujda, Joel Burgos, Gong Chen and Elizabeth Hull read their portfolio pieces to the Board and audience.  

Band Trip to New Orleans

Mr. Todd Lamson provided the Board and audience with a summary of the Berlin High School band’s trip to New Orleans during the April vacation in which 107 students and seven chaperones participated.  Mr. Lamson also shared a video montage assembled by band students students Molly Moskey and Jeff Sirois.

A short recess was taken from 7:56 p.m. to 8:23 p.m.

II.    BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS
A.    (Recognition of James Bryers moved up in the agenda; see it after I.  Call to Order)
    B.    Recognition of James Day for Years of Service as Wrestling Coach.

Mr. Day was not able to be present and the item will be rescheduled.

Ms. Erickson reported on her attendance at the Pop’s Concert last Tuesday at Berlin High School.  Ms. Erickson reported on her attendance at the Board’s Retirees Reception held last week for retiring teachers.  

Ms. Rochette reported on her attendance at the UpBeat town-wide picnic on May 31, 2007.

Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported on her attendance at the Pop’s Concert last Tuesday at the Berlin High School wherein approximately 3,000 canned foods were collected for the food pantries.  Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported on her attendance at the UpBeat town-wide picnic on May 31, 2007.

Mr. Puzio reported the DARE graduation for Hubbard School will be held this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Ms. Mancini reported on the clerical negotiations with another meeting scheduled June 19, 2007.  Ms. Mancini reported on her attendance last week at Willard’s talent show and the UpBeat town-wide picnic on May 31, 2007.

Mr. Richards reported the Resources and Capacity-building Committee will bring to the Board this evening revision to a Board policy dealing with substitute pay.  Mr. Richards extended a thank you to Donald G. Kennedy, Ed.D. and John H. Kennedy, M.A., representatives from NESDEC, for the presentation last Thursday.  Mr. Richards also thanked the administration, Mr. Czuchta and Mr. Synnott for gathering the information for the proposed educational specifications.  Mr. Richards requested the Board stay focused on the proposed educational specifications themselves for this meeting, as there will be time in the future to attend to the other details necessary to build the new high school.   

Dr. Cicchetti reported the Michael’s Cup program has selected Berlin High School as one of the recipients for the Special Olympics Connecticut Unified Sport’s Award.  Dr. Cicchetti reported that Michael Marcus, Social Studies teacher at Berlin High School, has been accepted to attend the six-day seminar Teacher Institute 2007:  Dutch Art in the Golden Age in Washington, D.C. from July 30, 2007 through August 4, 2007.  Dr. Cicchetti congratulated Pam Kiniry, teacher at McGee Middle School and a member of the CAPT Response to Literature Content Advisory Committee, for the letter of commendation received from the State Department of Education.  

Mr. Brochu reported on his attendance at Hubbard’s talent show held last Friday.  Mr. Brochu reported he spoke with Mayor Adam Salina this date and updated him with regard to the education specifications.   

III.    AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS

Nothing to report.

IV.    CONSENT AGENDA
A.Approval of Minutes
1.Regular Meeting of May 29, 2007

B.Payment of Bills – Period ending May 31, 2007

C.Action Regarding Non-Renewal Notice

Due to a resignation, the District is able to extend Lynn Addamo’s employment as a teacher in the Berlin Public Schools.  It is, therefore, recommended to rescind the non-renewal notice issued to Lynn Addamo and offer her a contract for the 2007-2008 academic year.

D.Transfers

Roman Czuchta, Director of Business Operations, provided a sheet of transfers that represent year end adjustments to accounts.

Moved by Ms. Erickson, seconded by Ms. Rochette, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

FAVOR:        ALL
MOTION CARRIED:  7:0 

V.      INFORMATION AND REPORTS
A.Activity Fund Reports
1.Berlin High School Enterprise Fund – Period ending April 30, 2007
2.Berlin Public Schools Activity Fund – Period ending April 30, 2007
3.Cafeteria Fund – Period ending April 30, 2007

These reports were noted with interest.

B.    English Language Learners (ELL) Report

Abby Hunting, ELL department chair, has been working with the ELL tutors to develop procedures and policies for the department.  Ms. Hunting presented to the Board a PowerPoint presentation outlining the program, specifically the mission of the ESOL program; number of ELL students Berlin services; language ELL students speak other than English; who services the ELL students and how; how students are referred to the program and, after referral, how students qualify for the services; how ELL students are integrated into regular education and how a student’s progress is tracked; annual measurement academic objectives (AMAOs); the dismissal process; the role of technology in the program; the 2006 – 2007 accomplishments for Berlin’s ESOL program; and goals for the 2007 – 2008 school year.   Ms. Hunting answered questions from the Board members regarding the report.

C.     BHS Mentor Program

Mr. Synnott presented the Board with an update on the first year of the high school mentoring program.  Mr. Synnott indicated that during the course of the year, mentoring groups addressed such issues as school climate and morale, school security, suggestions for change, academic rigor, and zero tolerance policies.  Mr. Synnott indicated the mentoring groups met once per month this year and the expectation is to increase to bi-monthly meetings for the 2007 – 2008 school year.  Mr. Synnott responded to questions from the Board members regarding the mentoring program.

D.     Status of Educational Specifications for the New High School

Donald G. Kennedy, Ed.D. and John H. Kennedy, M.A., representatives from NESDEC, presented their preliminary report and provided the Board with a copy of same regarding the preliminary educational specifications for a new high school facility.  Mr. Donald Kennedy reviewed each of the four pages of the report, specifically giving a description and dimensions of the spaces, number of spaces, type of spaces, the rationale for these spaces and the amount of reimbursement from the State for the new high school.  Mr. Kennedy also highlighted what currently exists in the high school and what does not exist.  Mr. Kennedy remarked that it is important to understand that this design is directed towards providing sufficient space to get the job done instructionally.  

Dr. John Kennedy remarked that one of the major exercises that NESDEC has done is to help the Board recognize what would best serve Berlin’s needs and what would be best for the new high school in each of these spaces.  

Dr. Kennedy, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Synnott responded to questions from the Board regarding the preliminary report and the rationale for same.

A committee meeting will take place on Thursday, June 14, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. regarding the educational specifications with anticipated action on the final education specifications by the Board at their June 25, 2007 Board meeting.

Ms. O’Donnell-Moss left the meeting at 11:00 p.m.


E.     Policy Revision – 1st Reading – Policy GCE-R – Substitute Pay

Dr. Cicchetti indicated accompanying the agenda is a proposed revision for Policy GCE-R: Substitute Pay.  The revisions, which were discussed by the Board’s Resources and Capacity-building Committee, reflect what the current practice has been regarding substitute teachers.  Since this is a first reading, there is no Board action requested at this time.  The policy will be brought back for a second reading and anticipated approval at the June 25 Board of Education meeting.

VI.    EXECUTIVE SESSION
    A.    Discuss Materials Relative to Negotiations

The Board did not enter into Executive Session to discuss materials relative to negotiations.

VII.    ADJOURNMENT

    Moved by Mr. Recck, seconded by Ms. Erickson, to adjourn the meeting at 11:22 p.m.

FAVOR:     ALL  
MOTION CARRIED:  7:0
 
Respectfully submitted,




John M. Richards, Secretary, Berlin Board of Education


(JMR/bjd original 6/12/07; Supt review 6/15/07; JMR final 6/22/07)

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