REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 1, 2018
ATTENDANCE:
Board of Education: Irwin, Hoffman, Parkin, Whaley, Pilato, Hoeing, Reilly
Administration: McMorran, Martin, Hammond, Reiss, Pierson Ugol, Torre
Members of the Public: Approximately 5
CALL TO ORDER:
Dr. Irwin called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion: move that Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the April 3, 2018 Redding Board of Education regular meeting. Reilly, Hoeing, Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mike D’Agostino, Glenn Hill Rd. – Mr. D’Agostino made his annual plea for everyone to come see the JRMS Play.
Motion: Move to amend the Agenda and add an executive session to discuss building administrator contracts between Board Member Comment and Adjournment. Parkin, Hoffman. Unanimous.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT:
Mrs. Hoeing encouraged anyone who could to sign up for youth mental first aid training. The eight hour course is being offered over the course of June 4 and 6.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Mrs. Martin reported that play rehearsals were going well, the second annual Art Con is coming up, the Wingman meeting was a success and students are training to learn how to be Wingmen, transition season is underway for incoming 4th graders and outgoing 8th graders; and SBA testing begins soon. She explained efforts made to avoid testing on bad days with other commitments and time pressures interfering with optimal performance.
Mrs. Hammond reported that its SBA season at RES; kindergarten readiness night was a success; kindergarten welcome is May 8; student choice will be May 8; kindergarten enrollment is currently at projection for next year, in recent years we have added 5-10 kindergarten students over the summer. Mr. Hoffman asked for, and received, an update regarding the garden initiative.
Mrs. Torre reported on increases in autism spectrum disorder nationwide. She said that the rate was up about 15% and that it is still likely under-identified with a national prevalence rate of 1:59. Closer to home it’s 1:34 in New Jersey. There were not test sites in CT in the study Mrs. Torre reported on.
Mr. Reiss reported that the budget is on track to be spent above 98% and health insurance fund will go to zero if claims run about 200k per month for final three months of the fiscal year, which is below average. Mr. Parkin inquired about the impact of the central office audit. Mr. Reiss indicated that he and his staff have spent approximately 100 hours complying with requests in addition to their regular duties.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – TRANSITION SURVEY RESULTS:
Mrs. Martin reported on the results of a survey of current JBHS 9th graders regarding their impression of high school. The results were compared to a similar survey the same cohort took last year regarding expectations for high school.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – DATE FOR RETREAT:
The Board discussed a summer retreat for the dual purpose of reviewing the prior year and what could have been done better and settling on a vision and mission for the district to enable the work of several committees engaged in forward looking planning.
It was agreed that the Communications, Structure and Ways of Working, and Long Range Planning Committees would collaborate on draft vision and mission statements prior to the retreat.
Target retreat dates in late July/Early August.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Dr. McMorran provided a brief presentation to demonstrate how the more things change when it comes to school budget politics, the more they stay the same.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Curriculum Committee: Dr. Irwin noted that a meeting was being scheduled now that Dr. Pierson Ugol had returned.
Food Service – Mrs. Whaley provided an update regarding the school lunch program and the pros and cons of moving away from the national school lunch program.
Transportation – Mr. Parkin reported that the committee had interviewed three bidders and the work of selecting a provider was continuing.
Central Office – Mr. Parkin reported that the committee had a meeting planned for May 3.
Structure and Ways of Working/Communications – Mrs. Pilato reported that the committees met jointly to discuss communication strategies and potential structural change. Committees agreed on need to finalize vision and mission to guide future work.
Health and Wellness – Mrs. Pilato noted a meeting was upcoming in May.
Facilities – Mr. Hoffman provided an update on the water situation in both buildings and reported that the consultant’s report was due to be completed soon.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ms. King (inaudible), Rock House, Rd. – thanked the Board for its hard work advocating for the schools.
Mike D’Agostino, Glenn Hill Rd – Mr. D’Agostino sought and received clarification regarding Mrs. Whaley’s report on the food service committee.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT: None
Motion to enter executive session to discuss building administrator contracts and invite the superintendent to attend. Parkin, Hoeing. Unanimous.
The Board recessed to executive session at 9:12 p.m. Dr. McMorran was present throughout.
The Board exited executive session at 9:29 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Move to adjourn. Pilato, Whaley. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Submitted by
Chris Parkin, Redding Board of Educati