Enfield Board of Education s4

ENFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING May 16, 2006

A special meeting of the Enfield Board of Education was held at JFK Middle School, Cafeteria, 155 Raffia Road, Enfield, CT. The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Racine at 7:30 PM.

MEMBERS PRESENT Judith Apruzzese-Desroches, Donna Corbin Sobinski, Andre Greco, Joyce Hall, Albert Harrison, Charles Johnson III, Susan Lavelli-Hozempa, Sharon Racine

MEMBERS ABSENT Samuel McGill

ALSO PRESENT Dr. John Gallacher; Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Torre; Assistant Superintendent,

1. CALL TO ORDER Sharon Racine

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Sharon Racine

3. APPROVE GIRL’S SWIMMING COOPERATIVE TEAM AGREEMENT WITH SOMERS

Ms. Hall moved, seconded by Mrs. Apruzzese-Desroches that the Enfield Board of Education approves the Cooperative Team Agreement between Enfield High School and Somers High School for girls swimming.

Trish Witkin, Athletic Director, explained that cooperative agreements are an opportunity for 2 or 3 schools to merge their programs that would not be able to sustain on their own. The CIAC sets the minimum standards for each sport. When a school reaches the membership limits, they can no longer be part of a cooperative. The minimum team membership for girls swimming per school is 14.

Votes by roll call 8-0-0, motion passes.

4. BUDGET DELIBERATIONS

The Board discussed the approved appropriation by the Town Council of $67,898,425 which represents a 4.40% increase over last year. The Board discussed the administrative recommendations as well as the proposed budget requests that were set in February. The Board reviewed some changes to the proposed budget from February as follows:

1. The Pupil Services Transition Program is in negotiations with St. Bernard’s to rent their East Campus facility. The original location at the Angelo Lamagna center is no longer an option. The rent has been set aside in the IDEA grant and should not have an impact on the budget.

2. EHS Teen Leadership Teacher can be funded by a reduction of an FTE in the Business classes.

3. Discussion to dissolve the alternative program at JFK; take the salaries of those two positions and apply it towards the Reading Teacher for JFK and the New Directions Program request of $25,000.

4. Discussion on the late bus runs at the high schools. The combined total per year is approximately $17,000.

5. The breakfast program at FHS is currently self-sufficient. The recommendation is to keep it running before the school day starts and discontinuing it during school day hours. 1 May 16, 2006 6. Implement the TLC system-wide to put equity into all the schools.

7. The boiler system will not be installed until next spring due to the time constraints of going out to bid, energy conservation measures, building the boiler system and installation.

8. Discussion of funding $25,000 for mini-grants with-in the budget.

9. Return of any favorable balance to the town.

10. Audience participation.

11. Plan for the creation of an Alternative Learning Committee as recommended by the Budget Advisory Committee and proposed by Ms. Hall at a prior Board meeting.

The Board requested these items for the next Board meeting as follows:

1. Cost savings by eliminating the Terra Nova Program and the impact on Enfield High School.

2. Provide information for the technology equipment replacement plan.

3. An employment breakdown within the school system.

4. A list of the mini-grant recipients totaling $37,000.

5. Address the $1.3 million dollar shortfall in the budget proposal via the fixed cost items such as salaries for certified staff and support staff.

5. APPROVAL TO BEGIN RECALLING NON-RENEWED STAFF

Mr. Greco moved to table this agenda item until the end of the month when discussions on budget deliberations are complete and there is a better understanding of what we are going to cut and what will be funded. Mr. Greco further stated that to bring these people back before the Board sets a budget is irresponsible. Seconded by Mr. Johnson.

Votes by roll call 5-3-0, with Mr. Harrison, Ms. Hall and Chairman Sharon Racine in dissent. Motion to table passes.

6. ADJOURNMENT

Mrs. Corbin Sobinski moved, seconded by Mr. Harrison that the Enfield Board of Education adjourns the Board Meeting at 9:10 PM. All ayes motion passed unanimously.

Meeting stood adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Donna Corbin Sobinski Secretary Enfield Board of Education Respectfully Submitted,

Patricia West, Recording Secretary

2 May 16, 2006