EASTON, REDDING REGION 9 JOINT BOARDS OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
Joel Barlow Middle School – Library Learning Commons
January 21, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.
Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Easton Board Members: Parker, Chieda, Stinson, Goldstein
Redding Board Members: Parkin, Whaley, Pilato, Hoffman, Reilly, Oulton
Region 9 Board Members: Johnston, Graziano, Berry, D’Agostino, Denny, Pampel
Absent: Hicks (E), Reed (E), Williams (R9), O’Brien (R9)
Administration: McMorran, Pierson Ugol, Reiss
Others: 5 members of the staff and public, the recording secretary and the videographer
T. Johnston called the Region 9 Board of Education meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
C. Parkin called the Redding Board of Education meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Annie Evans, Topstone Road, Redding, shared copies of two articles from the New York Times about the sleep patterns of teenagers. She said there needs to be a later start time for JBHS, which is similar to all the surrounding high schools, for the benefit of JBHS students.
Jim Lang, Barlow Drive, Redding, said he was there to make the Board aware of the citizens’ interest in renewable energy being utilized by public buildings in town. He said the Mark Twain Library has had a yearly savings of 20% on their energy costs since installing solar panels.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
H. Whaley updated the Boards on work that the Food Services Committee has been doing. She said there’s a great amount of trash at the elementary schools because of single-use plastics. H. Whaley said that S. Reiss met with Chartwells and there are three possible solutions: 1) purchase dishwashers; 2) reconfigure food service areas; and, 3) composting.
J. Parker called the Easton Board of Education meeting to order at 7:47 p.m.
M. Hoffman said his comment is a repeat of previous comments in that the Redding reassessment is happening soon and the ratio of property values vs. property taxes is high. He said that the budget work that needs to be done, needs to be now.
C. Parkin welcomed new Board members.
J. Chieda welcomed new Board members and said that she will miss Chris Hocker.
T. Johnston welcomed new Board members and said a welcome back to well-seasoned Board members.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: REVIEW OF JOINT COMMITTEES
T. Johnston said that there are currently eight joint committees, which creates a great deal of work for Board members, administrators and teachers. M. D’Agostino said that the Boards should not spend much time on this topic as Board assignments are at the discretion of the Board Chairperson. C. Parkin said that a formal Tri-Board Policy Committee is needed in order to pull together policy that works for everyone and puts the Boards in compliance with the law. J. Parker said that Region 9 needs to be involved in the Easton-Redding Curriculum committee since they both send students to JBHS. A further discussion took place considering skill sets of committee members, and the frequency and location of committee meetings.
MOTION: move that the Easton, Redding and Region 9 Boards of Education create a Joint Policy Committee, with members being appointed to committee by each Board Chairperson.
Easton: (Stinson, Parker) Approved. Unanimous.
Redding: (Whaley, Hoffman) Approved. Unanimous.
Region 9: (Graziano, Denny) Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: CENTRAL OFFICE CONTRACT REVIEW PROCESS
A lengthy discussion took place involving the topics of: 1) clarifying the process and responsibilities of the Negotiating Committee vs. the Review Committee for Central Office; 2) % of increase in Central Office salaries; 3) creation of Data Analyst position combined with elimination of Receptionist position; and, 4) reconfiguration of Special Services Department personnel.
MOTION: move that the Easton, Redding and Region 9 Boards of Education approve the creation of a new position to unify the structure of special services for students in ER9 from grades pre-K to 12. This position will be the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Pupil Personnel.
Easton: (Stinson, Chieda) Approved. Unanimous.
Redding: (Whaley, Reilly) Approved. Unanimous.
Region 9: (Graziano, Denny) Approved. 5-1.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: DISCUSSION OF THE CENTRAL OFFICE BUDGET
An initial discussion took place as to whether or not Executive Session needed to be called. After consulting Board by-laws and the Central Office administration in attendance, it was decided to proceed in Regular Session.
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF CENTRAL OFFICE BUDGET
A discussion followed concerning the salary, stipends and % of increase in salary for the Personnel Manager; a 4% increase was decided upon. Another discussion on the % of increase of salary and annuity for the Superintendent of Schools took place; a 2% increase on both was decided upon.
MOTION: move that the Easton, Redding and Region 9 Boards of Education accept the Central Office Budget of $2,093,915 for the school year 2020-2021.
Easton: (Chieda, Stinson) Approved. Unanimous.
Redding: (Hoffman, Reilly) Approved. Unanimous.
Region 9: (Berry, Denny) Approved. 5-1.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
J. Chieda thanked S. Reiss and Dr. Pierson Ugol for staying for the entire Tri-Boards of Education meeting. G. Denny said that she’d like there to be a conversation with First Student Bus Company about a later arrival time at JBHS for the buses.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: move that the Easton, Redding and Region 9 Joint Boards of Education meeting be adjourned.
Easton: (Stinson, Goldstein) Approved. Unanimous.
Redding: (Hoffman, Reilly) Approved. Unanimous.
Region 9: (Graziano, Berry) Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
Recorded by,
Sarah Ota
Submitted by,
Jennifer Chieda, Easton Board of Education Secretary
Colleen Pilato, Redding Board of Education Secretary
Juliette Berry, Region 9 Board of Education Secretary