WILLINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION
October 23, 2001
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by E. D’Agata, Chair.
Present: Board Members: H. Arico, M. Becker, E. Bancroft, E. D’Agata, M. Eldredge,
K. Fisherkeller, D. Tulis
Also Present: Superintendent C. Berglund, D. Harding, staff, townspeople
II. Communications
a) Meet the Candidates Night - November 1
b) Board Elections - Reminder of Sept. 27
c) CABE Delegate Assembly Registration Form
d) CABE - Election of New Officers
e) CABE - Honoring 10-Year Members
III. Present to Speak - No one.
IV. Peer Mediation Simulation
A simulation of Hall Memorial students’ peer mediation was conducted. This conflict resolution program was implemented during the last school year in grades 5-8. Trained program leader, teacher Paul Nash, accompanied the students. Suggestion was made to present a simulation
to the teachers and to the Parent Teacher Association.
V. Hall Memorial School Students Assistance Center
D. Harding described the process of student support through the assistance center.
VI. Consent Agenda
Motion #1 D. Tulis moved to approve the consent agenda minus item C. -
M. Eldredge 2nd Interaccount Transfers.
Aye: All to approve the minutes of the 10/9/01 regular meeting
and the minutes of the 10/9/01 special meeting.
to approve payment of bills.
Motion Carried
Item C. - Interaccount Transfers was deferred.
VII. Superintendent Reports
A. Internet Protection Act - Information has been forwarded to the Policy Committee.
B. Enrollments - 10-1-01
C. CAPSS Student - Superintendent Awards - Nov. 14 - Coventry High School - 7 p.m.
D. Newsletter - Sent
VIII. Old Business
A. Revised Board of Education 2002-2003 Budget Calendar - Distributed.
B. Prohibition on Recommendations for Psychotropic Drugs - Third reading conducted.
Motion #2 H. Arico moved to move the new policy - Prohibition on Recom-
M. Eldredge 2nd mendations for Psychotropic Drugs.
Aye: All Motion Carried
C. Board Goals - 2001 - 2002
H. Arico commented that nine goals may be too many. Three to four may be a better number. E. D’Agata noted that the goals would be reviewed quarterly so that deletions
and additions would be made, and therefore new board members would also have input.
K. Fisherkeller recommended prioritizing the goals. M. Becker noted that Goal #2 -
Improve Parent and Community Relations was recommended by her as an administrative
goal, not a board goal. K. Fisherkeller added that the Board needs to know how it plans
to carry out the goals before approving them.
E. D’Agata requested that board members prioritize the list prior to the next special
meeting on goals scheduled for November 13 at 6:30 p.m.
IX. New Business
E. O. Smith Transportation and Starting Time
C. Berglund and K. Fisherkeller reported on last night’s meeting to discuss possibility of
changing E.O. Smith starting time. There would be a huge cost factor for Ashford and
Mansfield. No changes will be made at this time.
X. Committee Reports
Finance D. Tulis reported that bills were approved.
Transportation E. D’Agata reported that a meeting was held with Laidlaw which will present a proposal. M. Becker stated that she recalled that the Board had voted a policy that any contract of any substantial value had to be put out to bid.
E. D’Agata will research this.
EASTCONN H. Arico noted that the 1980’s budget was 3 million and 150 employees.
Today’s budget is 30 million and 500 employees.
XI. Board Comments
E. D’Agata reminded Board of the 7 a.m. HMS breakfast.
H. Arico stated he is pleased that prospective Board members are attending meetings.
K. Fisherkeller asked about thank you notes being sent to the students who participated
in this evening’s simulation. C. Berglund confirmed that they would be sent. E. Bancroft
added that Mr. Nash should also be sent a thank you note for participating in the program
this evening. C. Berglund consistently does this.
M. Becker stated that the Board of Finance had stated in a public session that the teacher contract was moving towards arbitration; she thinks that the communication process to Board of Education members is flawed. E. D’Agata and C. Berglund stated that the
negotiating teams are only following state law; some material is confidential with the bargaining unit until ratification. D. Tulis also stated that confidentiality is in the ground rules.
E. Bancroft reported that he did attend the Townwide Safety Committee Meeting and does
recommend that this Board have a representative on this committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion #3 D. Tulis moved to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.
H. Arico 2nd
Aye: All Motion Carried
Respectfully submitted,
Ann S. Brndiar, Board Clerk
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