EASTON, REDDING AND REGION 9 JOINT BOARDS OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING
November 10, 2020 – 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
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Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board members:
Easton: Stinson, Goldstein, Hicks, Parker, Wible
Redding: Parkin, Whaley, Pilato, Hoffman, Reilly, Oulton, Hocker
Region 9: Johnston, Graziano, Berry, D’Agostino, Pampel, Denny, Williams, O’Brien
Administration: Harrison
Members of public: None
CALL TO ORDER
C. Parkin called the Redding Board of Education meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
J. Stinson called the Easton Board of Education meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
T. Johnston called the Region 9 Board of Education meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT – None
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: CANDIDATE APPOINTMENT FOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS
T. Johnston gave summary of board process for candidate appointment.
R. Harrison gave summary of candidate credentials.
J. Stinson gave summary of negotiations committee work on compensation and benefits.
C. Graziano inquired about the hourly rate for retaining Mr. Reiss.
R. Harrison stated hourly rate is $150 and is commensurate with per diem rate.
M. D’Agostino stated that members of the board have a right to a differing of opinions and that the selection process for the candidate was less than optimal. He stated that he hoped the candidate understood the expectations of the position and that there was a lack of planning and timing to hire a person for the position. He said that he always tries to prioritize the best interest of the students and cannot support the contractual terms as presented.
M. Williams stated the process is not optimal but that the candidate is well qualified.
C. Graziano agreed with Williams and would like to improve the process.
C. Parkin stated that the goal is a cohesive understanding of governance between the 3 boards and to remedy this a negotiations committee was established which acted on behalf of all 3 boards.
MOTION: move that the Easton Board of Education (1) Accept the recommendation of the Personnel Search Committee and direct the Superintendent to appoint Clarence Zachery to serve as the E/R/9 Director of Finance and Operations with an anticipated start date of November 11, 2020; (2) Assign the Board Chairs and Superintendent as the delegates to execute the contract agreed to by the ER9 Joint Negotiating Committee as between Clarence Zachery and the Easton, Redding, and Region 9 public schools; (3) Direct the Superintendent to retain Scott Reiss to provide transitional services with respect to finance and operations functions starting November 11, 2020 at a total fee not to exceed $4,000. Such fee shall be divided among the districts in accordance with the salary of the E/R/9 Director of Finance and (4) Terminate the search process for the Director of Finance and Operations and dismisses the Personnel Search Committee (Parker, Hicks). Approved 5-0.
MOTION: move that the Redding Board of Education (1) Accept the recommendation of the Personnel Search Committee and direct the Superintendent to appoint Clarence Zachery to serve as the E/R/9 Director of Finance and Operations with an anticipated start date of November 11, 2020; (2) Assign the Board Chairs and Superintendent as the delegates to execute the contract agreed to by the ER9 Joint Negotiating Committee as between Clarence Zachery and the Easton, Redding, and Region 9 public schools; (3) Direct the Superintendent to retain Scott Reiss to provide transitional services with respect to finance and operations functions starting November 11, 2020 at a total fee not to exceed $4,000. Such fee shall be divided among the districts in accordance with the salary of the E/R/9 Director of Finance and (4) Terminate the search process for the Director of Finance and Operations and dismisses the Personnel Search Committee (Hocker, Whalen). Approved 7-0.
MOTION: move that the Region 9 Board of Education (1) accept the recommendation of the Personnel Search Committee and direct the Superintendent to appoint Clarence Zachery to serve as the E/R/9 Director of Finance and Operations with an anticipated start date of November 11, 2020; (2) Assign the Board Chairs and Superintendent as the delegates to execute the contract agreed to by the ER9 Joint Negotiating Committee as between Clarence Zachery and the Easton, Redding, and Region 9 public schools; (3) Direct the Superintendent to retain Scott Reiss to provide transitional services with respect to finance and operations functions starting November 11, 2020 at a total fee not to exceed $4,000. Such fee shall be divided among the districts in accordance with the salary of the E/R/9 Director of Finance and (4) Terminate the search process for the Director of Finance and Operations and dismisses the Personnel Search Committee (Williams, Graziano). Approved 6-2. (Berry, D’Agostino opposed).
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT:
J. Stinson acknowledged that the process needs attention.
C. Hocker stated that he is very unhappy with the process and that past precedent is not written policy.
C. Parkin agreed with Mr. Hocker.
H. Whalen agreed with Mr. Hocker and stated that the candidate is highly qualified.
C. Parkin stated that any concerns about the hiring are around the process, not the candidate.
M. D’Agostino thanked everyone for their comments and stated that he did not impugn the candidate and he appreciated the interest in the process policy.
C. Graziano stated that she was in the middle of the position as she agreed with having written policy and that she is passionate about volunteer work.
M. Williams was disquiet about the process, but felt that it was collaborative between the three boards.
T. Johnston stated that it is tough to get all 21 members to agree on all issues.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education meeting be adjourned (Parker, Hicks). Approved, 6-0.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education meeting be adjourned (Reilly, Whalen). Approved, 7-0.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education meeting be adjourned (O’Brien, D’Agostino). Approved, 8-0.
The Easton, Redding and Region 9 Joint Boards of Education special meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by
Juliette Berry, Secretary, Region 9 Board of Education