EASTON, REDDING, REGION 9 JOINT BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
Joel Barlow High School – Auditorium
Monday, May 14, 2018 – 7:30 pm
Minutes
ATTENDANCE:
Region 9 Board of Education: D’Agostino, Coppinger, Johnston, Hocker, Denny, Graziano, Hancock, Williams
Redding Board of Education: Irwin, Hoffman, Parkin, Hoeing, Pilato, Reilly, Whaley
Easton Board of Education: Parker, Bindelglass, Shortt, Reed (arrived 8:02 pm),
Absent: Chieda (Easton), Hicks (Easton)
Administration: McMorran, Pierson Ugol, Reiss, Pin, Kaplan
Other: Dave Kennedy (Chartwells)
Members of the Public: Approximately 5
CALL TO ORDER:
Dr. Irwin called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.
Redding Board of Education – Dr. Irwin called the meeting to order at 7:36 pm.
Region 9 Board of Education – Mr. D’Agostino called the meeting to order at 7:36 pm.
Easton Board of Education – Mr. Parker noted the Easton Board of Education does not have a quorum at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT:
None
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: EXTENSION OF CONTRACT FOR FOOD SERVICES VENDOR
Mr. Parker reported Laura Ponzio conducted a survey of parents on Chartwells. In general, Chartwells received favorable feedback from the 117 responses. There was a request for more organic products. Mr. Parker noted the positive working relationship with Chartwells. The recommendation is to extend the contract for one year with the current provider.
Members of all three boards asked questions and discussed renewing the contract for one year versus a multi-year contract and historical concerns on meeting standards as well as snack foods being available to the students. Dave Kennedy, from Chartwells, responded that Chartwells changed the elementary menus to address menu concerns and will continue to work with the schools.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education to accept the recommendation to renew Chartwell’s contract with a one-year extension as submitted. Coppinger, Johnston. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education to accept the recommendation to renew Chartwell’s contract with a one-year extension as submitted. Whaley, Hoffman. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: HEALTHY FOOD CERTIFICATION AND EXEMPTION FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE ITEMS
Mr. Parker reported Easton, Redding and Region 9 Boards of Education permit the sale of food and beverage items that do not meet the CT Food Nutrition Standards based on the following criteria: in connection with an event occurring after a regular school day, and/or during the weekend, the sales is at the location of the event, and the items are not sold from a vendor machine or school store. This exemption allows certain groups and/or activities to sell items to raise money during their events.
There was a discussion on compliance responsibility and who manages the vending machines. Dave Kennedy, from Chartwells, responded only the high school has vending machines (athletics and student council) which are compliant with CT healthy snacks and the vending machines are not available during lunch periods.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education will continue to certify that all food items offered for sale will meet the CT Nutrition Standards; and further move to accept the exemption for food and beverage items as submitted. Coppinger, Hancock. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education will continue to certify that all food items offered for sale will meet the CT Nutrition Standards; and further move to accept the exemption for food and beverage items as submitted. Reilly, Whaley. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: REPORT ON STATUS OF AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE LOCATION OF CENTRAL OFFICE
This agenda topic is listed for the Executive Session.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION BID CONTRACT REVIEW
Mr. Parkin reported the Transportation Committee has received bids and is the selection process. Dr. Irwin inquired on a timeline. Mr. Parkin responded a timeline was not available at this time.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: RFP FOR OUTSOURCING OF SERVICES
Mr. Hoffman noted all three Boards of Education negotiate contracts for non-certified staff and/or custodial services. He suggested looking at alternate options for custodial services prior to contract negotiations. Members of all three Boards asked questions and discussed the benefits of negotiating together, each Board could decide not to participate in a joint negotiation process, forming an ad hoc committee, enlisting an outside 3rd party to assist, and the folded the timing into the budget process. Mr. D’Agostino noted the Boards will want to make a motion to form an ad hoc committee and for each chairperson to appoint a representative.
Motion: move that Dr. Irwin will appoint a board member from the Redding Board of Education to an ad hoc committee to explore the outsourcing of custodial services. Hoeing, Hoffman. Approved. Unanimous.
Mrs. Reed arrived at 8:02 pm.
Easton Board of Education Chairman, Mr. Parker, called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.
Motion: move that Mr. Parker will appoint a board member from the Easton Board of Education to an ad hoc committee to explore the outsourcing of custodial services. Shortt, Bindelglass. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that Mr. D’Agostino will appoint a board member from the Region 9 Board of Education to an ad hoc committee to explore the outsourcing of custodial services. Coppinger, Graziano. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Kathy Katts, Silver Hill Road, Easton – In response to the budgets not passing, she noted that the only information in the paper were Op Eds. There was not official information about the budget plans, numbers, and what’s at risk of being cut. In the past, the information was provided in the paper and a mailing. Ms. Katts suggested the schools use Facebook to share information with the public with the help of student volunteers.
Eva Ortiz, Cricklewood Road, Redding – In response to Transportation, Mrs. Ortiz inquired as transportation bids are coming in, are there discussions assessing the number of buses needed given changes in enrollment and/or alternative options such as consolidating buses?
In response to Special Education Costs, Mrs. Ortiz noted the Special Education costs are impacting all three Boards and asked if there will be a committee to look at it as a whole to look for ways to reduce costs.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education enter into Executive Session to discuss lease options for central office and a transportation issue. Dr. McMorran and Mr. Reiss were invited to attend. Denny, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education enter into Executive Session to discuss lease options for central office and a transportation issue. Dr. McMorran and Mr. Reiss were invited to attend. Bindelglass, Shortt. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education enter into Executive Session to discuss lease options for central office and a transportation issue. Dr. McMorran and Mr. Reiss were invited to attend. Parkin, Hoeing. Unanimous.
RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
No action was taken on items discussed in Executive Session.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT:
Ms. Whaley raised question about matters considered for busses.
Mr. Hancock encouraged the public to attend the Barlow Palooza on May 24 to experience the quality of Joel Barlow High School.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education adjourn the meeting. Shortt, Bindelglass. Approved 4-0.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education adjourn the meeting. Parkin, Whaley. Approved 7-0.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education adjourn the meeting. Coppinger, Denny. Approved 8-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Submitted by,
Chris Hocker, Region 9 Board of Education Secretary
Recorded by,
Christine DiDomenico