Enfield Board of Education s2

ENFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING September 13, 2005

A regular 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 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, Lynn Scull, Nicholas Sinsigalli, Jr.

MEMBERS ABSENT none

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

CALL TO ORDER Kenneth Hilinski

INVOCATION OR MOMENT OF SILENCE Sam McGill

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Sam McGill

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Harrison moved, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the minutes of September 1, 2005 be approved. There were no changes, additions or corrections. A vote by show of hands 8-0-1, with Mrs. Scull abstaining. Motion passes.

BOARD GUESTS

A. Madeline Landrau, MassMutual Financial Group

Ms. Landrau presented information on the LifeBridge Program offered by MassMutual Financial Group to the Enfield Community. The $50,000 term life insurance package is free to any parent of a child under the age of 18 with an income of not less than $10,000 or more than $40,000 annually. The life insurance policy would be paid directly to a trust to cover the cost of college for that child to attend in case the parent dies. The policy expires at the end of 10 years. It is non-renewable and will not be revoked if your status changes. The policy will only cover the children listed to benefit at the time the application is made. MassMutual is offering this program to Enfield residents as part of giving back to the community. There is absolutely no cost to the parent or child and the policy remains in effect for 10 years from time of acceptance.

MassMutual will set up a table during Family Day to collect applications and requirements to become eligible if approved by the Board.

CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS none

AUDIENCES

Margaret Jedziniak, Enfield Mrs. Jedziniak stated that she would like some answers regarding the signing of the contract between the Board of Education and Town of Enfield concerning the merging of the school grounds keepers with the town. She asked if the contract being voted on tonight is binding on the school custodians or is it contingent on any town public works person having the right to bid for grounds crew jobs? She stated there are rumors out there now that the town employees want these jobs. 1 September 13, 2005 Her opinion is that it is obscene that the custodians have been paying a mere 4% cost of health insurance and that the Town Council and Board of Education have the gall to bring forth a 5.7 million dollar referendum and ask the taxpayers to pay possibly 100% of the recipients insurance to merge the two groups. The Town Council should tell the taxpayers up front what it would really cost the town for the referendum. Over the next 12 years it will cost Enfield an additional $960,000 above the referendum for upkeep on the new athletic field tracks before they need to be replaced. The materials used at the Target store children’s play area is already deteriorating and it is the same materials that will be used for our track fields.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Mr. Hilinski awarded a small token of appreciation to the student representatives who will serve on the Board this year. Olga Ndoci from FHS and Meaghan Cooper from EHS will serve as the student representatives for the school year 2005-2006. Mr. Hilinski thanked them and stated their comments are very valuable to the Board.

Mr. Hilinski thanked the custodians union and the public school staff for the long hours put into reaching an agreement and passing the contract.

Mr. Hilinski stated that this Thursday there would be a presentation and reception at TGI Friday’s from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. TGI Friday’s had a silent auction with the public of all their décor before remodeling. They are donating all the proceeds of that auction to the school system at the reception. TGI Friday’s is another good community partner to the school system.

Mr. Hilinski stated that he attended the September 11th services at 9:00 AM for the victims of 9/11/01 and the 7:00 PM candlelight vigil in honor of the servicemen oversees. He thanked Scott Ellis of the Thompsonville Fire Department for organizing the ceremonies and the rest of the firefighters who participated. Mr. Hilinski also mentioned the staff and students of the Enfield school system who participated. At the 9:00 AM ceremony, Maureen Sampl, Principal of Parkman School, remembered the private citizens who perished on 9/11. At the 7:00 PM candlelight vigil, the members who performed were Tom Duffy, Sean Crane and Tim DeFilipi of EHS and Robert Murray, of the Town IT Department and students, Alyssa Sutto, Heather Roundsville, Emma Meers and Joseph Lemeris of EHS and Dominic DeFilipi of Somers Elementary School. Emma Meers and Meghan Johnson sang the National Anthem. Mr. Hilinski stated that both ceremonies were well attended. Mr. Hilinski stated that the town would like to make this an annual event.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mrs. Corbin Sobinski reported that the Joint Blue Ribbon IT Committee would like to have a joint Town Council and Board of Education meeting for a report by the committee on Wednesday, September 28, at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall.

Mr. Jones requested an agenda and an information packet prior to the meeting. Mrs. Corbin Sobinski stated that the committee would meet on September 21st, at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall for a final meeting before the report is made.

Mrs. Racine reported that the Curriculum Committee would meet on September 21st at 6:30 PM in the Board Conference Room at Barnard.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

As reported in the Board Packet.

The Board will have the issue of cell phones at the high schools added to the agenda for the next meeting. 2 September 13, 2005 APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS AND PAYROLL a. For the Month of July and August 2005

Mr. Sinsigalli moved, seconded by Mr. Harrison, that the Enfield Board of Education accepts the Superintendent’s certification as follows:

“I hereby certify that in the month of July for FY 2004-2005, total expenditures amount to $339,296.96,broken down between payroll totaling $33,845.40 and other accounts totaling $305,451.56. All payments have been made in accordance with the approved budget and are properly accounted for within the books of accounts. Copies of approval for check invoices are properly documented.” A vote by show of hands 9-0-0, motion passes.

“I hereby certify that in the month of August for FY 2004-2005, total expenditures amount to $229,503.91 broken down between payroll totaling $75.00 and other accounts totaling $229,428.91. All payments have been made in accordance with the approved budget and are properly accounted for within the books of accounts. Copies of approval for check invoices are properly documented.”

A vote by show of hands 9-0-0, motion passes.

“I hereby certify that in the month of July for FY 2005-2006, total expenditures amount to $1,932,996.10 broken down between payroll totaling $621,081.45 and other accounts totaling $1,311,914.65. All payments have been made in accordance with the approved budget and are properly accounted for within the books of accounts. Copies of approval for check invoices are properly documented.”

Mr. Sinsigalli moved, seconded by Mrs. Scull, that the Enfield Board of Education accepts the Superintendent’s certification as follows:

“I hereby certify that in the month of August for FY 2005-2006, total expenditures amount to $1,975,354.27 broken down between payroll totaling $672,014.07 and other accounts totaling $1,303,340.20. All payments have been made in accordance with the approved budget and are properly accounted for within the books of accounts. Copies of approval for check invoices are properly documented.”

NEW BUSINESS a. Endorse MassMutual’s LifeBridge Program

Mr. Sinsigalli moved, seconded by Mrs. Scull, that the Enfield Board of Education endorses the administration’s intention to make Enfield parents aware of the LifeBridge Program as offered by 3 September 13, 2005 MassMutual.

Dr. Gallacher stated that MassMutual has been very active with the community. The Administration has no reservations to endorsing the program as offered.

Mr. Jones thanked Ms. Landrau for the presentation. He stated that other businesses in town should use MassMutual’s commitment to involvement as an example of giving to the community.

A vote by roll call 9-0-0, motion passes. b. Board Discussion on Waiver of Building Rental Fees

Dr. Gallacher stated that numerous groups and organizations make requests to use the school facilities. A request to waive the fees and costs for use of the FHS auditorium for a fundraiser for hurricane Katrina was denied by the administration citing:

a. Policy #1330; b. The belief that it is inappropriate for the administration to authorize the use of public tax dollars; c. Article VI, Section II of the Town Charter that addresses the issue of “contributions” to any organization or private corporation.

Mr. Jones suggested that the Board re-open this issue and grant an exception to catastrophic events.

Mrs. Scull stated that the Board has a right to waive the policy to allow for “special” circumstances.

Mr. Hilinski stated that this issue could go back to the Policy Committee for review to possibly add a clause addressing catastrophic events.

Dr. Gallacher stated that not only the cost of rental but the custodian pay and an insurance waiver is at issue too. The rental is $300 for four hours and $100 for each hour after that and the custodian fee is $40 per hour. Dr. Gallacher stated he was not sure how much an insurance waiver costs. If a custodian wants to contribute to the fundraiser, we must pay him first and he can donate his paycheck back to the charity.

Mrs. Scull moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the Enfield Board of Education waive Policy #1330 and allow usage of its facilities at no cost for a fund raising event for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Mr. Harrison suggested that this item be added to the agenda at the next meeting to allow time for the administration to research the Town Charter and other questions and concerns raised in tonight’s discussion.

Mr. Harrison moved to table the motion, seconded by Mr. Sinsigalli.

A vote to table this motion until the next meeting, by roll call 8-1-0, with Mr. Jones in dissent. Motion passes.

Mr. Sinsigalli suggested that the Board challenge the Town Council to personally donate the funds needed to use the FHS auditorium for the hurricane relief effort as long as the vendor gets an insurance waiver. Mr. Hilinski stated he would communicate the challenge to the Town Council.

The Board has a need to enter into Executive Session before addressing items under New Business.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

4 September 13, 2005 Mrs. Hamilton moved, seconded by Mrs. Corbin Sobinski that the Enfield Board of Education enter into Executive Session for:

a. Matters Related to Collective Bargaining b. Matters Related to Personnel

The Board moved to the Staff Lounge for 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, seconded by Mrs. Racine to end Executive Session and return to Open Session. All ayes, motion passes. There were no other actions taken by the Board while in Executive Session.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Ratification of New Tentative Agreement with AFSCME Custodial Union

Mrs. Racine moved, seconded by Mr. Harrison, that the Enfield Board of Education ratifies the new four- year agreement (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2009) between the Enfield Board of Education and Local 1303-46 of Council #4 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees as presented in the new tentative agreement.

A vote by roll call 6-3-0, with Mr. Sinsigalli, Mr. Jones and Mrs. Scull in dissent, motion passes. b. Transfer Selected Equipment to the Town of Enfield

Mrs. Corbin Sobinski moved, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the Enfield Board of Education approve the transfer of selected pieces of equipment to the Town of Enfield as outlined in Dr. Pongratz memos to Dr. Gallacher dated July 5, 2005 and July 12, 2005.

Mr. Jones stated he couldn’t support this motion because the Board of Education used budgeted funds to purchase this equipment. The town is not repaying the Board for this valuable equipment and he feels there should be some sort of compensation to the Board.

A vote by roll call 6-3-0, with Mr. Sinsigalli, Mr. Jones and Mrs. Scull in dissent, motion passes. c. Assign Grounds Crew to Town’s Public Works Facility

No action is required on this item because the Enfield Board of Education has ratified the AFSCME Custodial Contract.

ADJOURNMENT

Mrs. Hamilton moved, seconded by Mrs. Corbin Sobinski, that the Enfield Board of Education adjourns the Board Meeting at 9:25 PM. All ayes motion passed unanimously.

Meeting stood adjourned at 9:25 PM.

Roger Jones Secretary Enfield Board of Education Respectfully Submitted,

5 September 13, 2005 Patricia West Recording Secretary

6 September 13, 2005