WILLINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION
June 12, 2001
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by E. D’Agata, Chair.
Present: Board Members: H. Arico, E. Bancroft, M. Becker, E. D’Agata, K. Fisherkeller, D. Tulis Superintendent. C. Berglund, Atty. Strickland, staff,
townspeople
Absent: Board Member: M. Eldredge
II. Communication
A request from Chair of WEA for representatives from Board to be appointed to a panel
concerning request regarding sick day bank. H. Arico and E. D’Agata will serve.
III. Present to Speak - No one.
IV. Consent Agenda
Motion #l H. Arico moved To divide the consent agenda into three items.
D. Tulis 2nd
Aye: All Motion Carried
Motion #2 H. Arico moved To approve the minutes of May 8 with one change:
M. Becker 2nd Under Comments where H. Arico stated that he was not
Aye: All happy with bus parking, add to statement “because of security and safety factors.”
` Motion Carried
Motion #3 M. Becker moved To approve the minutes of May 22.
E. Bancroft 2nd
Aye: 5
Abstain: 1 (H. Arico) Motion Carried
H. Arico had questioned the statements and motion recorded in the 5/22 minutes made during Executive Session. These were clarified as all right by Atty.
Strickland.
Motion #4 E. Bancroft moved To accept the payment of bills.
M. Becker 2nd
Aye: All Motion Carried
V. Superintendent Reports - C. Berglund reported on the following:
A. Technology Literacy Challenge Fund Grant Submission by Ashford, Mansfield, Union, and Willington
B. June 11 - Meeting for Parents of Students Moving from Gr. 3 to 4
C. Town Office Telephone System -- June 15 Transition
D. HMS Students Recognized by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
VI. Old Business
A. Approve Final Plans and Cost Estimate on Project #160-03-A -HMS Air Conditioning
Motion #5 H. Arico moved To approve the final plans and cost estimate $17,300
D. Tulis 2nd on Project #160-031-A – HMS Air Conditioning.
Aye: All Motion Carried
B. Policy - Partial Enrollment
Second reading conducted for Partial Enrollment policy. H. Arico questioned whether
community input had been obtained.
C. Principal Search Update and Selection - Deferred until after agenda item VII.C.
D. Reschedule Time for Superintendent’s Evaluation
Tentative date is Monday, June 18 at 7 p.m.
VII. New Business
A. Review and Possible Action Regarding Grievance Procedures Involving WEA and Staff
Member
E. D’Agata stated that this involves procedural timelines as to whether the timeline was followed properly or when the timeline was not followed properly and
was waived.
Atty. Strickland suggested to the Board that the matter cannot be heard as a valid grievance. Ms. Perry should be invited to a future meeting when she has straightened out
her representation issue.
Atty. Strickland recommended that the Board make the following motion:
“I move that the Board ratify the position of the Superintendent of Schools and the Board Chair to the effect that the grievance of Mary Perry dated May 2, 200l is not a valid grievance under the WEA contract because of failure to follow the grievance procedure, but that the Board direct the Superintendent to contact Ms. Perry and the WEA and offer an opportunity to appear at a future Board meeting to present and be heard over her complaints over her treatment as a Board employee, without waiver of the position that she
does not possess a valid contract grievance under the WEA Agreement.”
Ms. Perry asked for clarification of the recommended motion. She stated that she was not prepared for this at this meeting. Her understanding was that she was here to talk about the contract and why the grievance procedure is confusing. Her interpretation is that this
meeting is being treated as a hearing and she is not prepared to argue her timelines.
Atty. Strickland replied that he had spoken with her new attorney today about this meeting this evening. C. Berglund noted that the CEA representatives were also aware of the
purpose of this meeting.
Ms. Perry requested a postponement.
M. Becker commented that she wished that this had been handled differently as it is unreasonable to expect average citizens without legal expertise to make a decision about
the recommended motion so quickly and she does not like to feel pressured.
Motion #6 K. Fisherkeller moved To move Atty. Strickland’s motion with suggested
D. Tulis 2nd amendment.
Motion reads:“ I move that the Board ratify the position of the Superintendent of Schools and the Board Chair to the effect that the grievance of Mary Perry dated May 2, 2001 is not a valid grievance under the WEA contract because of failure to follow the grievance procedure, but that the Board direct the Superintendent to contact Ms. Perry, her attorney, and the WEA and offer an opportunity to appear at a future Board meeting to present and be heard over her complaints over her treatment as a Board employee, without waiver of the position that she does not possess a valid contract grievance
under the WEA Agreement.”
Aye: 5
Abstain: 1 (K. Fisherkeller) Motion Carried
Ms. Perry reiterated again for the record that she was not aware of the purpose of this meeting until she got here this evening, that she did request a postponement and did offer
to agree to put in writing to extend the time period for the Board.
B. Approve Teacher Hire
Motion #7 D. Tulis moved To approve the hiring of Alyssa LePine as Spanish
M. Becker 2nd teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades for the school
Aye: All year 2001-2002.
Motion Carried
C. Approve CONSULT Childcare Program for 2001-02.
Motion #8 H. Arico moved To approve the childcare program under the auspices
M. Becker 2nd of CONSULT.
Aye: All Motion Carried
H. Arico assumes a year-end report is forthcoming. E. Bancroft requested some type
of evaluation process with input from parents.
Executive Session
Motion #9 H Arico moved To go into Executive Session to discuss strategy and
E. Bancroft 2nd negotiation for collective bargaining. Meeting
Aye: All to include Atty. Strickland, C. Berglund, E. Gluck, B. Lysik,
and A. Jones.
Motion Carried
Mr. Gluck stated that he did not wish to participate in the executive session and left the
meeting.
Motion #10 D. Tulis moved To return to public session at 10:47 p.m.
K. Fisherkeller 2nd
Aye: All Motion Carried
Motion #11 M. Becker moved To adopt the addendum to the Willington Public School
K. Fisherkeller 2nd Administrators Association 2001-2003 contract for 2001-
Aye: All 2002 and 2002-2003 and authorize and direct the Chair to
Sign the addendum for the board.
Motion Carried
VII. D. No discussion or action.
VIII. Committee Reports
A. A policy committee meeting is planned for 6/21 at 7:30 p.m. at Center School with the
committee and A. Jones.
X. Adjournment
Motion #12 M. Becker moved To adjourn the meeting at 10:55 p.m.
D. Tulis 2nd
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Brndiar, Board Clerk
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