Cromwell Public Schools Placing Student First CROMWELL BOARD OF EDUCATION Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, July 10, 2018 Minutes and Motions I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mr. Fletcher (Acting Chairperson) at 5:38 p.m. II. Roll Call Board of Education Present: Mr. Fletcher (Acting Chairperson), Mrs. Cantwell, Mr. Flanders (5:46), Mr. Matrullo, Mr. Sousa Absent: Mr. Camilleri (Chairperson), Mrs. Kelleher, Mrs. Merli, Mrs. Midgley Administration Present: Mr. Maloney, Dr. Karch Absent: Mrs. Binnington, Mr. Butwill, Ms. Cocchiola, Mr. DeCarli, Mrs. DiFiore, Mrs. DiTunno, Mr. Litwinczyk, Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. O Leary, Mrs. Wyskiel Student Representatives - Absent Town Council Absent Board of Finance - Absent III. Approval of Agenda/Additions and Deletions & Chair s Review of Agenda Highlights Motion to approve the agenda made by Mr. Flanders, seconded by Mr. Sousa. Vote: Unanimous. IV. Celebrating Our Students and Faculty/Staff - None V. Correspondence Mr. Fletcher stated that a note was received from Mrs. Chapman that thanked the Board for their acknowledgement of the Main Street Singers, it was greatly appreciated. Mr. Fletcher stated that the Board received an anonymous letter dated June 15th. The letter was written by a parent on behalf of their daughter who suffers from anxiety and who has a
difficult time with large groups and noisy events. The parent wrote that they were thankful that administration tried to keep the Presentation of Seniors respectful and calmer for all students by checking for items brought in to celebrate. The parent wrote that they talked with their daughter s friends who said that the search only asked that pockets of students were to be emptied, hands raised and hoods checked. The parent expressed that it was too bad about another parent speaking poorly in public with their inappropriate comments. VI. Public Comments (2-3 minutes per speaker general information or agenda items) - None VII. Report for Student Representatives - None VIII. Report of Liaison from the Town Council and Board of Finance (focused on issues of interest to the school community) Mr. Fletcher stated that the Board wishes Mrs. Drew their condolences as she was not able to attend the meeting due to a death in her family but sent an update. The Board of Finance met and unanimously approved the purchase of the scoreboard with the understanding that the Board of Education will pay for half of the cost with the surplus from this year s budget. This purchase will not only benefit the football team, but the entire town as the upgraded screen will have the capability for movies for all to enjoy. Mrs. Drew would also like to thank Mr. Dufresne and the football team as they attended the meeting, spoke, and showed their support. We appreciate that they came to see how government works. IX. Superintendent s Updates and Responses to BOE Comments/Action Items and Public Comments from Prior Meeting Mr. Maloney stated that there are a few updates. The before and after care program for the Pre- K students with the YMCA at ECS is on. We have been working with the YMCA and the Town to try and recreate the previous program and Mr. Maloney is happy to say that we have done so. The program will be under the umbrella of the Town but the YMCA will run it. Before and after care transportation will be provided for the parents. Mr. Maloney thanked the Town and the YMCA for their collaboration. Mr. Maloney stated that we held our reverse convocation on the Monday, June 18th to celebrate an extremely successful year. All were invited and we celebrated all the accomplishments that happened throughout the district. We had three days of PD that gave a great opportunity for staff to prepare for new initiatives and look to the future. On that following Thursday, the administrative team visited MIT. We are partnering with MIT through an innovative approach to put all of our different disciplines together. This is an incredible opportunity and more information will be given as we move forward. Mr. Maloney stated that the Board was given the information regarding possible dates for Learning Walks with the suggestion of visiting one building per year. Mr. Maloney stated there are facilities updates: we are updating the security, working on exterior buildings, fencing and auditorium floors are being finished. There are a lot of projects being done for the opening of the upcoming school year. Mr. Maloney also stated that we now have a signed contract with Dattco for the buses. X. Presentations and Reports of Administration A. Budget Update and Report on Business Manager/Financial Projects None. XI. Old Business - None.
XII. New Business A. Action: Approval of Minutes and Motions June 12, 2018 meeting Mrs. Cantwell stated that she would like the minutes to reflect under XVII. Comments, Updates and Announcements from Board Members and Administrators. Mrs. Cantwell asked that Mr. Maloney provide feedback to the Board for follow-up. Motion to approve the Regular Meeting Motions and Minutes dated June 12, 2018 with the edit XVII. Comments, Updates and Announcements from Board Members and Administrators. Mrs. Cantwell asked that Mr. Maloney provide feedback to the Board for follow-up. made by Mr. Sousa, seconded by Mr. Matrullo. Vote: Unanimous. Mr. Maloney stated that there will be an Ad Hoc Meeting immediately following this meeting. Mr. Maloney stated that he did contact and met with Mrs. Schmidt and her son. Discussion was that students were asked to lift up skirts; it was determined that no one was asked to lift up skirts, but were asked to expose their waist band to show hidden items. Also discussed was that a student was hit with a trash can. We could not see it on the cameras and could not verify this occurred. B. Action: Approval of Executive Session Minutes and Motions June 12, 2018 Motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes Meeting and Motions dated June 12, 2018 made by Mr. Sousa, seconded by Mr. Matrullo. Vote: Unanimous. C. Action: Food Service Program Milk Bid Approval Mr. Maloney stated that each year we go out to bid. In the last couple of years we have used Wade s Dairy and we would like to continue to do so as we have had good experience with them. Also, Guida s does not give a firm rate, it is fluctuating. Mr. Maloney stated he will give the last five years pricing information to the Board and in the future it will be part of the packet. Mr. Maloney will look into the reason for the yearly bid. Motion to approve the Food Service Program - Milk Bid for Wade s Dairy 2018-2019 with firm prices made by Mr. Sousa, seconded by Mrs. Cantwell. Vote: Unanimous. D. Proposal Solution in Setting Last Day of School Mr. Maloney stated that every school day is valuable and we need to we find a solution for snow days. Mr. Maloney stated that he feels there are only two solutions. The first is to maintain the 183 days and the graduation date will fall as it may. That is, if the last day of school after 183 days is a Wednesday, then graduation would be on that Wednesday. The second would center around keeping graduation on a Friday- if the last day of school fell on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, we could restructure exam schedules for seniors so they could end earlier and the remaining students would continue until the actual last day of school. Or if the last day fell on a Thursday or Friday, graduation would be on Friday. We would make some adjustments specific only to the seniors. This is only a proposal and does not bind the Board in any way. This will be kept in mind when setting graduation dates in the future. E. Appointment and Mission of Student Searches Ad Hoc Committee
Mr. Fletcher stated that there is an Ad Hoc meeting right after this Board meeting. The committee members are Mr. Fletcher, Mrs. Cantwell, Mr. Matrullo and Mrs. Kelleher. Tonight s meeting will be introductory and discussion will be on what we would like the administration to provide such as data and then at subsequent meetings have more discussions. Tonight s meeting with be informational and fact gathering. F. First Read by Full Board Personnel Certified/Non-Certified - Conduct - Policy 4118.23 from CABE G. First Read by Full Board Personnel Certified/Non-Certified Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco Policy and Regulation 4118.231 from CABE H. First Read by Full Board Personnel Certified Students Policy 4118.234 from CABE I. First Read by Full Board Personnel Certified/Non-Certified Staff/Student Relationships Policy 4118.24 from CABE J. First Read by Full Board Personnel Certified Duties of Personnel Policy 4118.3 from CABE K. First Read by Full Board Personnel Certified and Non-Certified Acceptable Computer Network Use Policy and Regulation 4118.5 Mr. Matrullo stated that items F - K are the first reads only and any comments, please send to him outside the meeting. L. Action: Remove Personnel/Certified/Non-Certified Temporary and Part-Time Personnel Policy 4120 from BOE Policies Mr. Matrullo stated that this is to remove the policy on temporary part time personnel, it is in conflict with our other policies. Under our other policies, the superintendent has the authority to hire. The only personnel that the superintendent has to come to the Board with is for administrative positions. This policy should be deleted from the policy book. Motion to approve Remove Personnel/Certified/Non-Certified Temporary and Part-Time Personnel Policy 4120 from BOE Policies made by Flanders, seconded by Mr. Sousa. Vote: Unanimous. M. Recognition of District Retirements Ellen Fisk, Transportation Coordinator Mr. Fletcher stated that Mrs. Fisk has worked for the school district for 39 years and she will be retiring. We thank her for her many years of service and wish her well. N. Principal Enrollment Reports O. Review of CREC Council Meeting June 20, 2018
XIII. Board Committee Reports A. A. Policy Committee Report from June 12, 2018 B. B. Facilities and Technology Committee No Report for July 10, 2018 Mr. Sousa stated that he would like to get a head start on the combined meeting regarding ECS. Mr. Maloney stated that the various Boards will need multiple meetings and it is in the works. XIV. Public Comment (Agenda items only 2-3 minutes per speaker) None. XV. Topics for Future Agendas and Possible Action to Approve Additional Topics August 14 End of Year Board Reports 2017-2018 August 14 Board s Evaluation of Superintendent September 11 Budget Calendar September 11 Update from Student Searches Ad Hoc Committee September 11 Veterans Day Plans October 9 School Calendar 2019-2020 October 23 Field Trip List October 23 Discussion of World Language Program Strategy and Possible Funding Needs November 13 November 13 Approval of Board of Education Meeting Schedule 2019 Set 2018-2019 Tuition Rate December 11 Update on Spain and Morocco 2019 May Out of State Field Trips XVI. Comments, Updates and Announcements from Board Members and Administrators
Mr. Matrullo stated in regards to the MIT program, there are also a few programs with the World Affairs Council that focus on issues that affect the globe and they have a component for high school age students. It would be worth looking into. Mrs. Cantwell stated that she attended the CHS graduation and it was a very nice ceremony. XVII. Executive Session for the Purposes of Discussing Superintendent s Evaluation Self Assessment Motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education at 6:21 p.m. and go into Executive Session for the Purposes of Discussing Superintendent s Evaluation Self Assessment made by Mr. Flanders, seconded by Mr. Sousa. Vote: Unanimous. XVIII. Adjournment Public session of the regular meeting ended at 6:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Hicks Lisa Hicks BOE Recording Clerk