REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 16 Board of Education Meeting January 14, 2015 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Weighted Vote Per Member Beacon Falls Priscilla Cretella.7 Christine Arnold.7 Sheryl Feducia.7 David Rybinski.7 Prospect Donna Cullen 1.3 Robert Hiscox 1.3 Nazih Noujaim 1.3 Roxann Vaillancourt 1.3 STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Yamin, Superintendent of Schools Pamela Mangini, Dir. of Finance and Business Operations Barbara Peck, Director of Curriculum Kurt Ogren, Principal WRHS I. CALL TO ORDER The Board of Education meeting was called to order by Donna Cullen at 7:06 p.m. at Woodland Regional High School, Beacon Falls, CT. II. III. IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG MISSION STATEMENT RECORD OF MEMBERS PRESENT A roll was taken. A quorum was present. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of November 19, 2014, Board of Education Meeting (Ex. I) approve the minutes of November 19, 2014, Board of Education Meeting (Ex. I). ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-001 Minutes of December 17, 2014, Board of Education Meeting (Ex. II) approve the minutes of December 17, 2014, Board of Education Meeting (Ex. II). ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-002 VI. VII. TOWN OFFICIAL COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary Pruzinsky, resident of Beacon Falls, spoke as a parent of children who have attended United Day School. Ms. Pruzinsky spoke from a community perspective. Ms. Pruzinsky shared her opinion of United Day School, calling them, responsible, and dependable, safe, secure. Ms. Pruzinsky stated that United Day School provides a loving, caring environment that is family like. VIII. CORRESPONDENCE Mr. Yamin spoke in regards to a letter re Jump Rope for Heart received from Lynne Mohlenbrok. Mr. Yamin stated that the Jump Rope for Heart event has raised over $48,000 over the past 12 years at Algonquin School. Jump Rope for Heart will hold another event on February 10, 2015, at Algonquin School. IX. TREASURER S REPORT Ms. Feducia read through the Treasurer s Report: Balance in General Fund as of 1/14/15: $5,271,707.01 Tonight s invoices total: $839,404.47 General Fund: $698,203.17 Federal and State Grants: $30,230.00 Adult Ed, Other Grants, Athletic Fund: $762.80 School Construction Payments: $110,208.50 Balance of PK-5 Elementary School Project: $6,574,655.11 X. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE S REPORT (Donovan White) Mr. White read the report to the Board. The Guidance Department is in the process of holding junior planning for grade 11 students and parents. Guidance is also working to match seniors with internship/job shadowing opportunities. The Journalism Department is in the process of planning their annual trip to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association s Spring Convention. The students will spend three days at Columbia University in March. The National Honor Society is currently collecting donations of sandwich making supplies for an upcoming event. Students will make sandwiches with the donated items which will then be given to local soup kitchens. The GSA will be holding a meeting open to the entire school this Thursday January 15 th. They will be discussing gender issues. The Best Buddies club held their annual Christmas Tree Pickup Fundraiser. Residents paid for the club to come to their homes to pick up and dispose of their Christmas trees. The WRSC held their rescheduled Pep Rally on December 23 rd. The event was a huge success. They also held their first RSVP Idea Forum in which the entire student body was invited to give feedback on past events that the Student Council held. The first MOD meeting was held and members worked on parliamentary procedure. On January 29 th, members of the Student Council will be volunteering at the Open House held for incoming freshmen. During the week of February 2 nd, the WRSC will be selling
handmade bracelets called UDA bands. The bracelets are made by women in Guatemala and all profits will be put towards educating the people of Guatemala. XI. XII. EXEMPLARY PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS The custodial crew at Laurel Ledge and districtwide were commended for their hard work. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT A. Superintendent s Update 1. RFP for Prospect Elementary School bids (distributed 12/17/14). An RFP was previously distributed to members of the Board for their review. Board members were also provided with fee schedules to review. 2. Update on LRMS schedule following the holiday break. New time blocks and schedules began at LRMS on January 5, 2015. Flex time was added back into student schedules. This resulted in no cost. The change went smoothly and was well done. 3. Building project updates. Mr. Yamin reported that the PES project is on schedule and under budget. Laurel Ledge project continues and will be ready in September. In regards to the 3 rd phase of the project (District Office), bids will be read on January 22, 2015. There will be a subcommittee meeting on January 26, 2015. Hopefully, a decision will be made on February 3, 2015. The community has been kept abreast on the project. B. Action Items 1. Act on approval of 2015-2016 school calendar. Two different versions of the school calendar (version 3 & 4) were provided for the Board s review. Both options were discussed briefly. A MOTION was made by Nazih Noujaim and SECONDED by Sheryl Feducia to approve version 3 of the 2015-2016 School Calendar. ALL IN FAVOR, except Priscilla Cretella, who opposed. (weighted vote in favor totals 7.3) 15-003 2. Act on first reading of policy and regulation 1330- Use of Facilities Mr. Yamin highlighted some information such as daily uses and that the BOE will be informed of District Office decisions. A MOTION was made by Sheryl Feducia and SECONDED by Robert Hiscox to accept the first reading of policy and regulation 1330- Use of Facilities as read. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-004 3. Act on first reading of policy 9325- Bylaws of the Board Meeting Conduct. accept the first reading of policy 9325- Bylaws of the Board Meeting Conduct as read. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-005
4. Act on approval of bid for Before and After School Program for PES. Mr. Hiscox recommended that the bid for the Before and After School Program be awarded to YMCA. Mr. Noujaim agreed with Mr. Hiscox s recommendation. Ms. Feducia believed the bid should be awarded to United Day. Ms. Cretella and Ms. Arnold were also in support of awarding the bid to United Day. Mr. Rybinksi pointed out that the fees are nearly equal. A vote was then taken among Board members. A MOTION was made by Robert Hiscox and SECONDED by Nazih Noujaim to award the bid for Before and After School Program at PES to YMCA. IN FAVOR: Robert Hiscox and Nazih Noujaim (weighted vote in favor totals 2.6) OPPOSED: Priscilla Cretella, Sheryl Feducia, Donna Cullen, Christine Arnold, David Rybinski, and Roxann Vaillancourt. (weighted vote opposed totals 5.4) MOTION FAILED A MOTION was made by Priscilla Cretella and SECONDED by Sheryl Feducia to award the bid for Before and After School Program at PES to United Day. IN FAVOR: Priscilla Cretella, Sheryl Feducia, Donna Cullen, Christine Arnold, David Rybinski, and Roxann Vaillancourt. (weighted vote in favor totals 5.4) OPPOSED: Robert Hiscox and Nazih Noujaim (weighted vote opposed totals 2.6) MOTION PASSED 15-006 5. Act on approval of new course proposals at WRHS for 2015-2016: Anatomy and Physiology; AP Art History; Manufacturing. Adding these courses will have no impact on the 2015-2016 budget. A MOTION was made by Sheryl Feducia and SECONDED by Priscilla Cretella to approve new course Anatomy and Physiology for the 2015-2016 school year. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-007 approve new course AP Art History for the 2015-2016 school year. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-008 A MOTION was made by Sheryl Feducia and SECONDED by Priscilla Cretella to approve new course Manufacturing for the 2015-2016 school year. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-009 add action item #6 to the agenda, to approve a BOE member to be secretary. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-010 6. Act on approving a BOE member to be secretary. A MOTION was made by Nazih Noujaim and SECONDED by Roxann Vaillancourt to approve Mr. Hiscox to be Board secretary. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-011 C. Director of Finance and Business Operations Report 1. Mrs. Mangini provided the Board with the Director s Update dated January 14, 2015
Ms. Mangini stated that Tyco has completed the security camera installation work for all of Algonquin, Community and Long River, with some minor adjustment work to be completed. Laurel Ledge is 85% complete, and Woodland s work will begin in the next couple of weeks. Silent alarm systems will be addressed next. Calvert is handing the Brivo door swipes and continues to work collaboratively with Tyco. Digital radios are in and Utility Communications is currently programming the radios; this should be complete within the next couple of weeks. Tamper resistant panels have been installed at Woodland, Long River, and were 95% complete at Laurel Ledge. The spectator fence at Woodland is complete along with the fence at Laurel Ledge. Additional fencing prices are being looked into for the Woodland. Currently the District is working with the town of Prospect to clarify the fencing at Long River. Ms. Cretella would like a better understanding of this and volunteered to walk the site. Quotes are being collected for the generators at Woodland and Long River. This installation should be complete by the spring. There is a hold on the wireless security signs until further Board review. Mr. Ceresa is currently working with the CT Energy Program for pricing on exterior building lights at Woodland and Laurel Ledge. The retrofitting for a sally port style entrance at Laurel Ledge and Long River is in the process of review; there will be more information at the February meeting. D. Old Business 1. Mr. Hiscox asked for an update regarding the easement. Mr. Yamin stated that he spoke to Mr. Bielick who was in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Bielick informed the Board that he was finalizing some minor word changing. E. New Business 1. Mr. Yamin spoke in regards to the canine search of WRHS. Mr. Yamin informed the Board that he is committed to keeping the schools drug free. He apologized to the Board if there was a lack of information regarding this search. The Board was in support of Mr. Yamin s commitment to keeping the schools drug free. Mr. Yamin distributed and read an email from a parent who congratulated Mr. Yamin and the Board for authorizing the surprise search at Woodland. During the lockdown on 1/13/15 between the timeframe of 9:05-9:40 a.m. a canine sniff search ensued. Mr. Yamin informed parents immediately via email. 2. Mr. Yamin stated that he will be holding an open house on Saturday January 31, 2015, from 9-11 a.m. at District office. This meeting will be for any parents, students or members of the public who would like to discuss any issues or ask any questions. F. Information Items (discussion with possible action) 1. Security grant project update (P. Mangini/M. Yamin) Please see information in the Director of Finance and Business Operations Report. 2. Advertising and Promotion Policy. A collective meeting between the Booster Clubs and PTO will open up this conversation. This meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2015. XIII. REPORT OF COMMITTEES 1. Personnel and Negotiations Committee
Executive Session 2. Facilities and Transportation Committee Quarterly meetings to be held with the Director of Facilities to review and monitor school grounds and maintenance items. 3. Curriculum Committee The Curriculum Committee met this evening. Approval for addition of new courses was discussed. 4. Policy Committee 5. Public Communications 6. Technology Committee Quarterly meeting on 2/11/15 at WRHS, at 6:15 p.m. Director of Technology to update BOE subcommittee on utility of infrastructure and instructional technology in Region 16. Mr. Noujaim also spoke in regards to the success of STEM program s in other schools and the benefits. 7. Recognition Committee 8. Liaisons a. Schools b. Wellness Committee. c. Professional Development Committee PDEC Committee meetings are held on the 4 th Wednesday of every month at District Office. The meetings are well attended. d. 2COM Committee is seeking community volunteer for Chair and BOE representation. e. Curriculum Council A MOTION was made by Sheryl Feducia and SECONDED by Christine Arnold to go into Executive Session at 8:05 p.m., to include Ms. Mangini and Mr. Yamin, for the purpose of discussing negotiations. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-012 The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. XIV. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION was made by Nazih Noujaim and SECONDED by Christine Arnold to adjourn the January 14, 2015 Board of Education meeting at 8:42 p.m. ALL IN FAVOR (weighted vote totals 8.0) 15-013 Robert Hiscox, Board Secretary These minutes are subject to Board approval, Kelly Blum, Board Clerk