BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION

March 27, 2006

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

 

Attendance:      Gary Brochu

                        Julie Erickson  

                        Michelle Hartel                                     Absent                                      

                        Diane Mancini                                       

                        Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss

                        Christopher Puzio

                        Anthony Recck                                    Absent

                        John Richards                                                  

                        Rachel Rochette                                              

 

Also in attendance:  Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Cicchetti; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Ford; Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta; Principal of Berlin High School George Synnott; Principal of Hubbard School Nancy Testori; and Director of Pupil Personnel Services Margaret Butler.

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Board of Education (“the Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by student, Sarah Hagen.  A Moment of Silence was observed.

 

II.        BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS

 

Ms. Erickson reported on her attendance at the Internet Safety workshop on March 15, 2006 at the McGee Middle School and the wonderful presentation Officer Dennehy of the Rocky Hill Police Department presented.  Ms. Erickson would encourage any parent to attend any future training offered by Officer Dennehy.  Ms. Erickson also reported on her attendance this past weekend at Berlin High School’s musical,  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

 

Ms. O’Donnell-Moss reported that the Berlin Education Council met for the first time, which was productive and well represented from almost every group in town.  The next meeting with take place in May. 

 

Ms. Mancini reported on her attendance at the Internet Safety workshop and also thought it was an excellent, informative program.  Ms. Mancini reported on her attendance at the Responsive Classroom Professional Development accompanied by Chris Strickland, a classroom teacher from Griswold School.  Ms. Mancini is appreciative of the support from Superintendent Cicchetti as well as Susan Ford and Laurie Gjerpen for exploring the Responsive Classroom model.

 

Mr. Richards reported on his nomination to become a member of the Capitol Regional Education Council’s (CREC) Board of Directors and will provide for the Board’s packet, by the end of the week, as to what this means. 

 

Ms. Ford reported on her attendance at the Internet Safety workshop and indicated she will be providing follow up sessions to help elementary parents understand concepts such as “cookies” and “trails.”  Anyone interested in participating should contact Ms. Ford or obtain a flyer from the schools.  Ms. Ford reported that internet safety lessons were developed at the McGee Middle School, and we are sharing our lessons with St. Paul School as well as a school district in Rhode Island. Ms. Ford also reported on the very successful professional

Berlin Board of Education Minutes

          March 27, 2006

 

 

development day held this date in which Lee Jenkins from Phoenix, Arizona was a presenter.  Finally, Ms. Ford has extended an invitation to anyone who would like to score the senior portfolios on April 25 and 27.  Ms. Ford would like to have parents, members of the community, board members, and teachers involved so they can see the quality of writing. 

 

Ms. Butler reported the State Department of Education has released the RFP for the next year’s special education grant, which will be due in mid-May.  Ms. Butler indicated she will be developing that grant to support our programs for next year.

 

Mr. Czuchta reported on his attendance at the Town Council meeting and Town meeting last week wherein the funding for the dividers for the stage area in the gymnasium for both Willard School and Griswold School were approved.  Mr. Czuchta also reported that the reconstructed Town Technology Committee will hold its first meeting Tuesday night, March 28, 2006, at 6 p.m.  Dr. Cicchetti, David Evon, and he are members of the committee. 

 

Dr. Cicchetti reported on the first Berlin Education Council meeting and how it was very interesting to present to this varied group our vision for change and plans for continuous improvement.  He noted the value of having the perspective of groups such as senior citizens, the clergy, as well as people who work for the town as this helps us to build a better connection to the community and provides us with input as we do our work.  Dr. Cicchetti also updated the Board on the administrative searches for the principalships at Willard and Hubbard Elementary Schools as well as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  Dr. Cicchetti also reported on communication received from the State concerning the Connecticut Junior Solar Sprint Program, which is a program that brings together students to design, construct and perform a model solar electric vehicle.  The race coordinator for this program statewide is John Madden, Technology Education teacher at McGee Middle School.  Finally, Dr. Cicchetti recognized Ms. Ford for all her efforts in bringing Lee Jenkins to Berlin for today’s professional development day.

 

Mr. Brochu reported, in Ms. Hartel’s absence, the Leadership, Accountability and Measurement committee will meet tomorrow night at 7 p.m.  The focus will be both to look at the Board’s self evaluation as well as to look at the school calendar in June, specifically the late end of the school year.  Mr. Brochu reminded the Board as to the email he sent regarding the survey concerning professional development opportunities, support, deficiencies and areas to look at.  Mr. Brochu asked those who have not responded to please do so with the hope of having a follow-up discussion in April.  Mr. Brochu reported that on Wednesday afternoon, March 29, in Glastonbury, CABE is having a seminar on the roles and responsibilities of board members - before, during and after Board of Education meetings.  Mr. Brochu reported that on April 27, CABE will hold a seminar at their offices concerning improving student wellness and policy perspective.  Finally, Mr. Brochu reported he will be in Chicago for the National School Board Association convention April 6 – 11. 

 

III.       SPECIAL PRESENTATION/ANNOUNCEMENT

 

The Board of Education extended its congratulations to the Berlin High School Boys’ Basketball Team for winning the State Division III Championship and the Berlin High School Cheerleading Squad for winning the State Class L Championship. 

Berlin Board of Education Minutes

March 27, 2006

 

 

Principal George Synnott said it was a privilege and honor to present to Board members and the audience of citizens the two State championship teams from Berlin High School.  He remarked that we are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that has gone into this season.  The work of the players and the coaches has made this an outstanding winter for sports at Berlin High School.  Coaches David Bosso and Rachel Maraio introduced their respective students.   

 

A short recess was held from 7:28 p.m. to 7:43 p.m.

 

IV.       AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS

 

Nothing to report.

 

V.        CONSENT AGENDA

A.                 Approval of Minutes

1.      Regular Meeting of March 13, 2006

 

The minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 2006 were enclosed in the Board packet.

 

Moved by Ms. Mancini, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

VI.       PERSONNEL

            A.        Resignations

 

Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Ms. Nancy Peterson’s intention to resign as teacher of special education at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2006.

 

Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Rochette, to accept the resignation of Ms. Nancy Peterson, teacher of special education at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2006.  Also to thank her for the four years of service she has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish her well in her future endeavors.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

Dr. Cicchetti presented the notice of Mr. Sean Vivier’s intention to resign as teacher of World Language at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2006. 

 

Moved by Ms. Erickson, second by Ms. Mancini, to accept the resignation of Mr. Sean Vivier, teacher of World Language at Berlin High School, effective June 30, 2006.  Also to thank him for the two years of service he has provided to educating the youth of Berlin and to wish him well in his future endeavors.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

Berlin Board of Education Minutes

          March 27, 2006

 

B.                 Non-renewal of Contracts for Non-tenured Teachers

 

Dr. Cicchetti indicated that these non-renewals of non-tenured teachers were due to the fact that the teachers were appointed to one-year positions resulting from leaves of absences for the 2005-06 school year.  He thanked and commended Mrs. Mayette and Mrs. Kelly for their work this year.

 

Moved by Mr. Puzio, seconded by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, that the contracts of employment for the following non-tenured teachers not be renewed for the 2006-2007 school year, upon their expiration at the end of the current school year:  Evelisa Mayette, teacher of English at Berlin High School and Maria Kelly, Guidance Counselor at McGee Middle School.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0 

 

VII.     INFORMATION AND REPORTS

            A.        NESDEC Presentation – Long-Range School Facility Master Plan

 

Donald G. Kennedy, Ed.D., team leader for the NESDEC Project Team, presented to the Board an overview of the process that will be used to develop the long-range facility master plan for the district.  Various members of the Town Council and town officials were in attendance for this presentation.  A handout entitled Plan Description/Milestones Analysis of Project Plan was distributed to the Board as well as the members in attendance, which summarized the presentation.  The presentation detailed the three-phase approach of NESDEC’s master planning process.  Phase I is the data gathering phase; Phase II will proceed to develop alternative solutions to the problem in which two or more options will be developed and will be presented and reviewed at an “Open Forum” attended by the Board, town officials, parents and other residents; and Phase III will evaluate these alternatives using four long-range planning criteria (degree of solution, educational program impact, future flexibility and financial feasibility) and will present advantages and disadvantages of each opinion.  A final report will be formally presented to the Board of Education.  Dr. Kennedy answered questions from the Board as well as the Town Council concerning this process.  He commented that this is the largest turnout of Town elected officials and employees that he has seen in any district in which NESDEC has conducted this type of study.  The Board expressed appreciation for their attendance at this session. 

 

B.           Status of the Board of Education’s Adopted Budget for 2006-07

 

Mr. John Richards, Chairperson of the Resources and Capacity-Building Committee, provided Board members with an update regarding the status of the Board’s Adopted Budget for 2006-07, including action that was taken by the Town Council at their March 21 meeting.   Mr. Richards updated the Board on the status of the Operational Budget, Capital Budget, and Building and Site Budget.  Pursuant to Ms. Mancini’s request, Mr. Richards will provide a summary of approved amounts, to be included in the Friday packet. 

 

VIII.    RECOMMENDED ACTION

A.                 NEASC Mission Statement

 

Dr. Cicchetti reported that at the March 13 Board meeting, Berlin High School Principal George Synnott presented the Board with a proposed mission statement that was developed by the high school administration and staff in preparation for the high school’s ten-year accreditation visit in October, 2007 and indicated that NEASC requires formal Board of Education approval for the mission statement. 

Berlin Board of Education Minutes

          March 27, 2006

 

 

Moved by Ms. Rochette, seconded by Ms. Erickson, that the Berlin Board of Education approve the Berlin High School Mission Statement as presented on March 13, 2006.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

 

IX.       ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA

 

Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Rochette, to add an item to the agenda.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

Mr. Brochu noted that since there are only two items slated for the April 10, 2006 Board meeting, one of the items, the date for the high school graduation, will be discussed tonight.  The other is a report on the 2006-07 budget, for which there will be no new information prior to the April 10 meeting.  Mr. Brochu requested that the Board consider canceling the April 10, 2006 meeting. 

 

Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Mancini to cancel the April 10, 2006 board meeting.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. Mancini, to add an item to the agenda concerning the graduation date.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

Dr. Cicchetti reported that there were two dates originally being held by the high school for graduation.  The earlier of those two dates, June 18, was released in December due to the number of snow days.  Therefore, the date for this year’s graduation will be Sunday, June 25, 2006.  The ceremony will be held at Central Connecticut State University. 

 

Moved by Mr. Richards, seconded by Ms. Mancini, for the setting of the graduation date for June 25, 2006 at Welte Hall, CCSU, for 1:30 p.m.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED:  6:0

 

X.        ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Ms. O’Donnell-Moss, seconded by Ms. Rochette, to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m.

 

FAVOR:         ALL

MOTION CARRIED: 

 

Berlin Board of Education Minutes

          March 27, 2006

 

 

 

 

Submitted by:                                                               John M. Richards

                                                                                    Vice President