Minutes - South Windsor Public Schools

BOARD OF EDUCATION
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT
MINUTES
On February 26, 2013 the Board of Education held a regular meeting at the Timothy Edwards Middle
School, 100 Arnold Way.
Members present: Sheila Appleton, Diane Behler, Carol Driscoll, Michael Gonzalez, David Joy, Phil
Koboski, Rich Mabey, Lisa Maneeley and Rick Stahr
Also present: Superintendent Kate Carter, Assistant Superintendent Daniel Hansen, Assistant
Superintendent Richard Cormier, and Director of Finance and Operations, Chris Chemerka
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Joy called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
ROLL CALL
Roll call was taken.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2013 regular board meeting.
(Appleton/Mabey) VOTE: Approved/Unanimous (9-0)
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2013 special board meeting.
(Behler/Mabey). VOTE: Approved/Unanimous (9-0)
COMMUNICATIONS
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Carter reviewed Good News from Schools.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Hansen advised the board that the district continues to prepare for the new educator evaluation
model, noting that today was the second day of training for the teacher evaluation component. The
superintendent plans to submit the proposal representing a hybrid of the state’s plan by April 15. Mr.
Hansen reminded parents that CMT and CAPT testing would be held the week of March 4.
Student Representatives
Katie Cavanaugh reported on the following:
• World language societies held induction ceremony for new members
• SWHS students led eighth grade students on tour of the high school
Auna Harvey reported:
• Students and are staff preparing for CAPT testing to be administered next week
• Juniors and Seniors are offered AP review classes during that time
• SWHS Pep Rally held last week
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Board members
Mrs. Maneeley questioned whether there will be a time when students taking CAPT will also have
an opportunity to attend AP review sessions.
Chairman Joy provided the following comments:
• Appealed to the public to clear their sidewalks for the safety of school children walking to
bus stops.
• Commented on a report by the State Auditors of Public Accounts regarding the State
Education Resource Center (SERC). One of the findings of the report was that SERC is
not a non-profit agency and is funded by the State Department of Education, despite its
characterization as such. He requested that the superintendent report back to the board
as to whether South Windsor Public Schools has any business relationships with SERC
so that the board can consider whether those relationships are appropriate.
• Reminded the public that the 11 th Annual Eugene Policelli Service Award nominations are
still open, noting that the ceremony will be held on May 7 in the SWHS foyer. The forms
are available on the website.
• Reminded the public that the first induction ceremony of the SWHS Hall of Fame will take
place on March 2.
• Read the letter of resignation from board member Rich Mabey, citing his intention to serve
the committee in other ways, effective March 1, 2013. Chairman Joy thanked Mr. Mabey
for his service to the board.
• Read a letter received from Debbie Reid, Clerk to the Town Council, addressed to Mr.
Mabey, informing him that at its meeting of February 4, 2013, the council accepted, with
regret, his resignation and extended their thanks..
• Read a letter received from Debbie Reid Clerk to the Town Council addressed to Mr.
Riley, informing him that on February 19, 2013 the council approved the appointment of
Mr. Riley to fill Mr. Mabey’s position on the Board of Education effective March 1, 2013
ending November 5, 2015.
HEARING OF VISITORS
No visitors wished to be heard.
CONSENT
Approve Child Rearing Leaves of Absence
MOTION: Move the consent calendar. (Driscoll/Mabey). VOTE: Approved/Unanimous (9-0).
DONATIONS
MOTION: Move to approve the following donations: from the Timothy Edwards PTO - $300 to the
Timothy Edwards music department and $4,500 to Timothy Edwards special events for grades 6-8
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and $403.25 from Aetna to South Windsor High School. (Gonzalez/Mabey) VOTE:
Approved/Unanimous (9-0)
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Presentation Regarding Student Success Plans
Mr. Hansen provided the board with brief introductory remarks regarding the Student Success Plan,
noting that it is a state-mandated requirement of all school districts in response to Public Act no. 11-
135. Mr. Hansen advised that the Plan calls for individualized student plans to support career and
academic choices in grades 6-12, which include three core components: academic, career and social,
emotional and physical development. Ms. Donna Shea, Director of School Counseling, South
Windsor High School and Ms. Teri Dowty, School Counselor, Timothy Edwards Middle School
provided the board with a PowerPoint presentation regarding the implementation of the Plan as well
as tools utilized to support the Plan including advisor/advisee programs, Naviance, e-portfolios and
the piloting of a Capstone requirement for seniors. Ms. Dowty and Ms. Shea fielded and answered
questions posed by the board. Student representative, Katie Cavanaugh provided the board with the
student’s perspective on the advisor/advisee meetings as well as interaction with Naviance. In
response to board member questions, Mr. Hansen advised that he would provide the board with
screen shots of Naviance and the e-portfolio, with confidential information redacted, in order to allow
for better understanding of how those programs assist the district in satisfying the requirements of the
law.
Dr. Carter thanked Ms. Dowty and Ms. Shea for their presentation as well as classroom teachers for
their involvement in this initiative, noting the admirable progress made in this first year of
implementation.
UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
Approval of 2013-2014 Budget
MOTION: Move to approve Fiscal Year 2014 Board of Education budget in the amount of
$68,123,940 which represents a 3.97% increase. (Koboski/Mabey).
Discussion:
Mr. Mabey congratulated the superintendent and administrative team for the transparent budget,
calling for very few questions. He noted his support for the budget.
Mrs. Maneeley congratulated the superintendent and Ms. Chemerka for a very smooth budget
process.
Mrs. Behler noted her support for the budget and thanked Dr. Carter and the administration. She
noted her concern with the tax increase in tough economic times and her wish that it could have been
lower, but also noted that a flat budget would not be being true to our students and our town.
Chairman Joy noted his appreciation to the superintendent and the work of the entire team, noting
that the budget exhibits good financial stewardship and restraint in a challenging economic
environment and that the board produced a very appropriate budget given some hurdles that they
may have to face. Mr. Joy summarized that Dr. Carter’s approach not to ask for $1.20 when you need
$1.00 and his hope that the council will support the budget in full.
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VOTE: Approved/Unanimous (9-0)
Dr. Carter thanked the board for their thoughtful questions during the budget process and noted her
appreciation for their sentiments regarding the process, describing it as team effort. She stated that
the team prioritized full-day K to adhere to the Strategic Plan, the district’s vision and commitment to
offering a sound foundation to our youngest learners. She noted her wish that other obligations had
not crowded out improvements, but summarized that the budget reflects what she believes addresses
the needs to continue the level of programming which the community deserves and demands.
Policy #5145.14 Uniform Treatment of Recruiters-First Read
Dr. Carter explained that the policy was amended to adjust for minor language changes required by
legislation. Dr. Carter summarized those changes for board members.
Mrs. Behler requested clarification for the reference in paragraph six to “secondary school students”
and suggested that the references should be changed to “high school students.”
Committee Reports
Mr. Stahr updated the board regarding the work of the technology committee, noting that the first
meeting was recently held at which the discussed the technology devices in the district as well as the
use of cell phones in school. He noted that the advisory committee will work toward building a
“bridge” between what had been in capital projects over the years. Another meeting is scheduled in
April and encouraged board members to contact him with topics of interest.
HEARING OF VISITORS: No additional visitors wished to be heard.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: Chairman Joy requested that the board be provided with a report
regarding South Windsor Public Schools’ participation with SERC.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Mrs. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Mabey, the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 pm.
Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Driscoll
A video recording of the entire meeting may be found on the district website,
www.southwindsorschools.org
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