ENFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING September 1, 2005
A special meeting of the Enfield Board of Education was held at Henry Barnard Elementary School, Conference Room, 27 Shaker Road, Enfield, CT. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Hilinski at 7:30 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT Donna Corbin Sobinski, Kristen P. Hamilton, Albert Harrison, Kenneth Hilinski, Roger Jones, Samuel McGill, Jr., Sharon Racine, Nicholas Sinsigalli, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT Lynn Scull
ALSO PRESENT Dr. John Gallacher; Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Torre; Assistant Superintendent of Schools
CALL TO ORDER Kenneth Hilinski
INVOCATION OR MOMENT OF SILENCE Sharon Racine
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Sharon Racine
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Corbin Sobinski moved, seconded by Mrs. Racine, that the minutes of August 10, 2005 be approved. There were no changes, additions or corrections. A vote by show of hands 8-0-0, motion passes.
BOARD GUESTS none
CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Distribution of pamphlet to Board Members and Board candidates regarding political campaign signs. 2. Dr. Gallacher requested that Board Members call his secretary by September 9th if you intend to participate in the CABE conference. 3. CABE will be mailing information to candidates for the Board. There will be workshops offered that have a fee for attending them. 4. Letter to elementary parents informing them that the instructional delivery model in grades K-6 is being revised in response to NCLB plans. 5. A flyer from Shaw’s regarding backpack donations. Costco has also donated 800 backpacks to the Title I Schools.
AUDIENCES
Jeffrey Allen Scott, 17 Connecticut Ave., Mr. Scott relayed his frustration regarding his son who has been retained in 9th grade because he did not pass Algebra I. He requested the Board re-evaluate how the policy was instituted. He was not aware until mid August that his son would be retained in the 9th grade. He feels that the Board put this policy into play so that the 10th grade CAPT tests would yield better results. His son was prepared to repeat Algebra I in the 10th grade because he knew he could do that and still have enough credits to graduate in 3 years. Mr. Scott feels that there was no guidance to the parents of the students held back and no choices were given to the students. By the time they knew his son was being retained, it was too late to take a summer make up course. He is also upset at the way he heard a teacher had treated his son because he was no longer a sophomore. He equated it to the hazing clause printed in the student handbook.
1 September 1, 2005 Eileen Wesloski, Lakeshore Dr., Mrs. Wesloski urged the Board to retain all or at least 2 of the current committee members of the Suffield Regional AgriScience Center Consulting Committee. Mrs. Wesloski stated that Mr. Hietala and Mr. Collins have always demonstrated complete support of all their students, including her daughter, who had suffered a family disaster last year. They are both supportive of the 4-H clubs that are important to the students who participate in them.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Jones stated that he agrees with Mr. Scott and the way the Policy was instituted. He would also like a letter of reprimand given to the teacher who singled out his son in class. He feels that is a form of bullying and should not be tolerated.
Mr. Jones suggested that the Board draft a resolution to sue the State for their Unfunded mandates that they impose upon local Boards in the same manner that Attorney General Blumenthal is suing the Federal government for the federal Unfunded mandates imposed on the State. He suggested sending the resolution to CABE to see if there is any support for a lawsuit.
Mr. Jones stated that he supports candidates Gary Hietala and John Collins as representatives to the Suffield Regional AgriScience Center Consulting Committee.
Mr. Jones stated he has received several complaints that the Joint IT Blue Ribbon Technology Committee has been holding secret meetings that are illegal. He would like an answer to that accusation.
Mrs. Corbin Sobinski, a member of the Joint Blue Ribbon IT Technology Committee stated that all meetings have been published.
Mr. Sinsigalli stated that he shares his concerns with Mr. Scott. He would like to have the situation investigated particularly the summer school situation. He would like to know if the student was notified in time to attend summer school to make up his course.
Mr. Sinsigalli questioned why the last meeting was cancelled. He does not feel that the absence of 3 Board Members is justification for canceling a meeting. A majority of the board would have been in attendance.
Mrs. Hamilton stated she is encouraged with the start of this school year that we have a plan in place to notify students well in advance of possible retention if they do not pass a core subject. Mrs. Hamilton acknowledged that this year’ retainees could have been handled better.
Mr. Harrison stated he is passing along a message from the Mayor that the town is putting together a collection of bottled water, non-perishable food items and supplies for the hurricane victims Saturday, September 3, 2005, and is asking for volunteers to meet at the Town Hall at 9:30 AM.
Mr. Hilinski stated that it is unfortunate what happened to Mr. Scott’s son. The Board adopted that ruling late in June and it is evident there was not enough time to implement it properly. It is a lesson learned and the Administration is looking into the matter.
Mr. Hilinski stated that as Chairman of the Board, it is his prerogative to cancel a meeting and he choose to because of the absence of 3 Board Members and the important decisions that needed to be made. He apologized to Mr. Scott and anyone else that was inconvenienced by his decision.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
As reported in the Board Packet.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS none 2 September 1, 2005 APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS AND PAYROLL none
UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Appoint Representative to the Suffield Regional Agri-Science Center Consulting Committee.
Mr. McGill moved, seconded by Mrs. Racine, that the Enfield Board of Education appoint the recommended candidates to the Suffield Regional Agri-Science Center Consulting Committee as follows:
Lorraine Dentamaro and Michele Longhi as voting Members; John Collins, Francis Lutwinas, Jr., Tom Fournier as non-voting Members.
Mr. Sinsigalli suggested that as a requirement for application to Suffield Vo-Ag, students must be part of the 4H Club. Mr. Sinsigalli further suggested that the Enfield Board of Education keep the current 3 members of the Suffield Vo-Ag Committee active until new members have had time to acquaint themselves with the formalities of the new Committee.
Mrs. Racine does not agree with the 4H Club requirement because all aspects of Suffield Vo-Ag do not require participation in the 4 H Club.
Mrs. Corbin Sobinski suggested that the new Committee Members could follow through on the application process.
Mr. Harrison stated that as a member of the selection committee, every candidate was outstanding and showed much enthusiasm. As a point of information, current committee member, Gary Hietala, stated he would be happy to step aside if someone new wished to join the committee.
Mr. Jones suggested that one candidate who has already served on the Committee remains a voting member along with one new candidate to the Committee as a voting member.
A vote by roll call 6-2-0,with Mr. Sinsigalli and Mr. Jones in dissent. Motion passes.
NEW BUSINESS a. Boy’s Swimming Cooperative Team Agreement
Mr. Sinsigalli moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the Enfield Board of Education approve the application for a CIAC Cooperative Team Sponsorship for Boys’ Swimming between Fermi High School, Enfield High School and Stafford High School.
A vote by roll call 8-0-0, motion passes. b. Acceptance of Work Done at Nine (9) Schools in the School Expansion Project as Complete and Authorization to Submit ED049F for Final Payment
Mr. Sinsigalli moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the Enfield Board of Education authorize the administration to submit form ED049F “Final Grant Application for a School Building Project” for these projects outlined in Dr. Gallacher’s memo to the Board dated 8/23/05 to the State of Connecticut on behalf of the Board.
Mr. Hilinski stated that he would like to thank Mr. Sinsigalli and William Thomson, former Chairman of the Board for their grass-root efforts and work in getting the referendum on the ballot and approved.
3 September 1, 2005 Dr. Gallacher also thanked Art Pongratz, Director of School Facilities and Colleen Brand, Assistant Director of Public Works, for their hard work to keep the construction at each school on task and under budget and constant monitoring of expenditures. It was a very tedious project to handle on top of all the other daily responsibilities. Dr. Gallacher also commended Art and his department for the gymnasium floors that have been conditioned for the new school year. They look brand new.
A vote by roll call 8-0-0, motion passes. c. Approve Contract with Charter Oaks State College for CT Adult Virtual High School Services
Mr. Sinsigalli moved, seconded by Mr. Harrison, that the Enfield Board of Education approve the contract with Charter Oak State College for Adult Virtual High School Services for the FY05-06 school year as described in Dr. Gallacher’s memo dated August 23, 2005 and authorize the Superintendent to sign it on behalf of the Board.
A vote by roll call 8-0-0, motion passes.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Harrison moved, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the Enfield Board of Education enters into Executive Session to discuss the following items:
Matters Related to Personnel
A vote by show of hands 8-0-0, motion passes.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:50 PM.
Dr. Gallacher, Mr. Torre, Craig Cooke, Human Resources Director and Art Pongratz, School Facilities Director, joined the Board in Executive Session. Mrs. Corbin Sobinski moved to end Executive Session and return to Open Session. Seconded by Mrs. Racine. All ayes, motion passes. There were no other actions taken by the Board while in Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. Corbin Sobinski moved, seconded by Mr. Harrison, that the Enfield Board of Education adjourns the Board Meeting at 9:14 PM. All ayes motion passed unanimously.
Meeting stood adjourned at 9:14 PM.
Roger Jones Secretary Enfield Board of Education Respectfully Submitted,
Patricia West Recording Secretary
4 September 1, 2005