North Branford Board of Education Meeting April 16, 2015

North Branford Board of Education Meeting April 16, 2015 The North Branford Board of Education met on Thursday April 16, 2015 and was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room at Stanley T. Williams School. I. Roll Call SECRETARY O ROURKE: Superintendent of Schools: Director of Business/Personnel: ABSENT Scott Schoonmaker Donald Winnicki II. III. Salute to the Flag Visitors Director of Curriculum/Instruction: Director of Special Education: Principals: Tracy Wootton Suzanne Wright Todd Stoeffler - NBHS Alan Davis-NBIS Dr. Kris Lindsey - TVES Keith O Rourke Bruce Williams Clifford Potter T.J. McMahon Gregg Gwudz Charlene Ramsey Theresa Frandsen Rose Angeloni IV. Student Representative Student Representative Bryce Mace reported on the following: The Spring Senior Citizen luncheon was held on Thursday March 16 th and hosted by the National Honor Society. It was a wonderful day with food prepared by Ms. Lanzoni s food service class with entertainment from The Concert Choir conducted by Mr. Carnaroli. National Honor Society service week will be held next week at the high school. Members are scheduled to participate in several service activities such as running advisory classes for students and teaching about the importance of leadership. Information was presented on the following spring sports: track, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls tennis, baseball, softball, golf and Frisbee. 04/16/2015 Page 1 of 10

Gabby Annunziato reported on the following; April 3, 2015 NBHS students and staff left for Europe, which included stops in London, Normandy and Paris. NBHS will continue to offer overseas opportunities for the extraordinary educational purposes it presents. English and Social Studies trips will continue alternating yearly with the World Language trips. During the month of March, grade 10 students completed Science CAPT with results available sometime in early July. Upcoming Smarter Balanced testing is scheduled for the last week of April and beginning of May. The test will occur during class time while grades 9, 10 and 12 will continue with normal schedules. NBHS Junior Prom will be held at Bill Millers Castle and is scheduled for April 24 th. Superintendent Schoonmaker informed the Board that 79 students from the NBHS Band set off for Washington DC along with Mr. Carnaroli to represent the high school. Deborah Prunier arrived at 7:03 pm V. Approval of Previous Minutes a. March 19, 2015 Board of Education Meeting The Superintendent submitted to the Board the minutes of the March 19, 2015 Board of Education Meeting as submitted. Moved by Phillip Dahlmeyer, seconded by David McMahon to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2015 Board of Education Meeting as submitted. VI. Personnel a. Resignations- none b. Appointments The Superintendent announced that he has received recommendations from North Branford Intermediate School administration for the following spring coaching positions: 04/16/2015 Page 2 of 10

Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by David McMahon the approve the appointment of Bruno Castaldi to the position of North Branford Intermediate School Boys Baseball Coach for the 2014/2015 school year to be paid in accordance with the agreement between the North Branford Board of Education and the North Branford Federation of Teachers. Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by Deborah Prunier the approve the appointment of Peter Ramada to the position of North Branford Intermediate School Girls Softball Coach for the 2014/2015 school year to be paid in accordance with the agreement between the North Branford Board of Education and the North Branford Federation of Teachers. c. Leaves none VII. Superintendent s Report a. Recognition none b. Donations - none c. Communications The Board reviewed Board of Education Briefs from each school for the month of April 2015. Superintendent Schoonmaker announced that the Addams Family play was a huge success and all schools remain busy as they begin to wind down for the school year. 04/16/2015 Page 3 of 10

d. Field Trips Superintendent Schoonmaker received a field trip request from North Branford High School for a field trip to New York Stock Exchange on April 21, 2015. Students will meet people who work on Wall Street and will be able to discuss their classroom experiences with the Stock Market Game with people who do it for a living. This field trip does not require Board approval, as it does not include an overnight stay. e. ACES Educational Center for the Arts Superintendent Schoonmaker received a letter from ACES regarding two returning students and four newly accepted student into the Educational Center for the Arts. In the past, the board has paid the entire share of the tuition not covered by the State grant for these students as well as transportation to ECA for students. Transportation home from ECA has been the responsibility of the parents. The total tuition rate for each student is $9,277 for the 2015/2016 school year. The State of Connecticut offsets this amount with a grant leaving a balance of $4,324 per student. The cost to the district for the 2015/2016 would be a total of $25,944. The 2015/2016 budget included three students at $4,540 each, for a total of $13,620. The remaining $12,324 will need to be included in the final budget revisions. Moved by Deborah Prunier, seconded by David McMahon the approve the six students from North Branford Public Schools attending the ACES Educational Center for the Arts for the 2015/2016 school year at the above noted rate. Superintendent Schoonmaker began discussion on the competitiveness of acceptance into the program. He explained the rigorous process for acceptance, which includes an audition. Tracy Wootton, Director of Curriculum also gave a brief overview of the competitiveness of the program and the success of this program for students in the district. Mr. Schoonmaker thanked the Board for their support of this valuable program. 04/16/2015 Page 4 of 10

f. Graduation Date 2015 Superintendent Schoonmaker announced that in accordance with State Statute, the North Branford Board of Education may establish a firm graduation date after April 1 st of the school year. In as much as the school system has experienced four cancellation days, this moves graduation to Monday, June 22, 2015. Moved by David McMahon seconded by Phillip Dahlmeyer to establish the 2015 North Branford High School graduation date for Monday, June 22, 2015. g. Non-Renewals Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business reported that there are currently no nonrenewals of certified teachers on a continuing contract. A list of non-renewals for teachers hired for one year or as long-term substitutes was provided and would be discussed in Executive Session. VIII. Committee Reports a. Negotiations Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel reported he would have information in May b. Budget & Operations Donald Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel reported on a recommendation regarding increasing school lunch prices for the 2015/2016 school year. Moved by Phillip Dahlmeyer, seconded by David McMahon to approve an increase of $0.25 in school lunch prices for the 2015/2016 school year. Chairman Paternoster stated there has been no increase in the program in five years; with food prices increasing he felt this is a reasonable request. Deborah Prunier requested permission to address a few questions to the Town Council liaison regarding the Capital Budget request. Ms. Prunier asked if it was known how much money was left from the NBIS project and returned to the town. 04/16/2015 Page 5 of 10

There was discussion between Ms. Prunier and Town Council Liaison, Rose Angeloni regarding questions pertaining to bonded money returned to the Town from the NBIS project. Items addressed during the discussion referred to capital projects in Town as well as Board of Education capital projects funded, the amount of money bonded for projects, expenses associated to the redesign of the TVES roof project as well as potential excess money returning to the budget. Deborah Prunier requested that Ms. Angeloni obtain information from the Town Finance Director regarding the amount of the initial money that was left from the NBIS Project and what has been spent to date. Superintendent Schoonmaker stated the original goal for the Communications Committee was to allow open conversations before the budget process so there is a better understanding of priorities. Mr. Schoonmaker explained that although he understands the need for other Town projects he hopes that since there is money coming back to the budget he hopes the Board of Education will have an opportunity to weigh in on their priorities. c. Curriculum, Instruction and Strategic Planning Tracy Wootton, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the Board with copies of the revised North Branford Educator Evaluation Program for approval. Ms. Wootton explained this encompasses both the Teacher and Administrator Evaluation Plan as required by the Connecticut State Department of Education for the 2015/2016 school year. The plan must be submitted to the CSDE by May 15, 2015. Upon acceptance by the State, the Board will be asked to approve the plan for implementation during the 2015/2016 school year. Ms. Wootton gave an overview of a possible professional development day to help teachers prepare for the PLC end of year meetings along with the information teachers need. 04/16/2015 Page 6 of 10

Moved by Vice Chair Onofrio, seconded by David McMahon to approve the North Branford Educator Evaluation Program for submission to the Connecticut State Department of Education for the 2015/2016 school year. d. Pension Did not meet. e.policy Did not meet f. ACES Phillip Dahlmeyer reported he attended a meeting last week and they are currently negotiating a contract to buy a building in Hamden, which will replace the two buildings on Skiff Street. g.building Committee Diane Vumback reported she attended the meeting where they discussed that TVES bids would be open on May 5 th, and a mandatory walk through will take place on April 21st. She reported that there was a slight delay due to a few changes made by the State. Superintendent Schoonmaker reported that in order to receive reimbursement from the State, the Board of Education is required to formally accept the two high school roofing projects as complete. The first roofing project, which includes the main gym and wellness center, was done on an emergency basis in the summer of 2013, and so it does not follow the normal pattern and still has a temporary project number. There was a meeting with the Department of Administrative Services School Facility Unit on Tuesday, April 14 th. The Board must accept the project as complete after that meeting was held. The second roofing project, for the remainder of the building, was done in a normal sequence and competed in the summer of 2014. All other necessary documentation has already been completed. The only remaining item prior to applying for reimbursement is final acceptance by the Board. 04/16/2015 Page 7 of 10

Moved by Deborah Prunier, seconded by David McMahon to approve and accept the school building Project #TMP099-WVDK North Branford High School roof project (gym and wellness center) as complete. Moved by Deborah Prunier, seconded by David McMahon to approve and accept the school building Project #099-0050-RR North Branford High School roof project (balance of roof) as complete. Vice Chair Onofrio questioned the reimbursement on the old roof. Donald Winnicki, Director of Personnel and Business explained that having this Board approval is part of the process. He stated he attended a meeting at the school facilities unit with the Town Manager, Town Purchasing Agent as well as an architect hired to attempt to garner the reimbursement. Although there are a number of items that need to be done, the architect feels this can be accomplished. Superintendent Schoonmaker thanked Mr. Winnicki, Director of Business and Personnel and Kim Neubig, Supervisor of Fiscal/Support Services for their hard work submitting information on this project. Mr. Winnicki gave an overview of the history and problems associated with the project, stating the reimbursement can be achieved after the appropriate paperwork is done. h.communication- did not meet Chairman Paternoster moved to X. Good of the Board and XI. Visitors and Press. X. Good of the Board: No comments XI. Visitors and Press: No comments 04/16/2015 Page 8 of 10

IX. New Business: Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by David McMahon to adjourn to executive session as per Section 1-225 of the Connecticut General Statutes as permitted by Section 1-200 (6)(A) & (E) of the Connecticut General Statues to discuss agenda items VIII g. and IX a. ALL VOTED Board Members returned from Executive Session and reconvened the Regular Meeting. Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by Deborah Prunier to approve the nonrenewal of the one-year contract of employment of Stacey Parente, grade 5 teacher at Totoket Valley Elementary School and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by David McMahon to approve the nonrenewal of employment of Stephanie Gilloran long-term substitute at Totoket Valley Elementary School for the 2015/2016 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. 04/16/2015 Page 9 of 10

Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by Deborah Prunier to approve the nonrenewal of employment of Jaclyn Mathieu, long-term substitute at Totoket Valley Elementary School, for the 2015/2016 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. Moved by Vice-Chair Onofrio, seconded by David McMahon to approve the nonrenewal employment of Josh Orosz, long-term substitute at North Branford Intermediate School, for the 2015/2016 school year and to direct the Superintendent of Schools to advise such person in writing of this action. Deborah Prunier thanked all the long-term substitutes for their dedication and hard work for the students in the district. XII. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2015. XIII. Adjournment MOTION Vice-Chair Onofrio moved, seconded by David McMahon to adjourn this North Branford Board of Education meeting at 7:46 p.m. ALL VOTED Respectfully Submitted Mary Caruso BOE Clerk 04/16/2015 Page 10 of 10