REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting Minutes
John Read Middle School Community Room
April 2, 2019
ATTENDANCE
Board of Education: Irwin, Hoeing, Hoffman, Parkin, Pilato, Reilly, Whaley
Administration: Pierson Ugol, Reiss, Hammond, Martin,
Members of the Public: 4
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Irwin called the meeting to order at 7:31p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the March 18, 2019 Special Board of Education Meeting. Reilly, Whaley. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Christina Taylor, Winding Brook Court, thanked T. McMorran for his ongoing communications efforts, expressed concerns about math at JRMS, particularly as it related to high achieving students. She also lamented the lack of events like a science fair and history day at JRMS.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
C. Parkin noted that the International Festival at RES was a great success and thanked the PTA for its efforts in the annual event. He also congratulated the Third Grade Odyssey of the Mind Team for qualifying for World Finals. He noted that the program is now entirely run by parent volunteers as all funding has been cut from the budget.
BUILDING ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
N. Hammond discussed the International Festival, Odyssey of the Mind Team, and offered an enrollment update.
D. Martin discussed Eighth Grade Multicultural Day, the new form of what used to be known as Immigration Day.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: POLICIES FOR REVIEW – 2nd READINGS
Motion to approve the following policies for a second reading:
2400 Evaluation of Administrators and Administration
5144.1 Use of Physical Force
6173 Homebound/Hospital Instruction
Parkin, Hoffman. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: POLICIES FOR REVIEW – 3RD READINGS
Motion: to approve policy 5145.53 Gender Identity and Expression for a third reading. Parkin, Hoeing. Unanimous.
A brief discussion of Policy 6172 followed, with requested revisions of the Assistant Superintendent adopted.
Motion: to approve policy 6172.1 for a third reading, as amended [striking “Easton” and “creatively and artistically”]. Parkin, Reilly. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: POLICY 5141.4 REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT & SEXUAL ASSAULT.
Policy 5141.4 Reporting of Child Abuse, Neglect & Sexual Assault was discussed but no action was taken. It was referred back to the policy committee:
Motion to move discussion of 9327.1 to after Professional Development Update. Hoeing, Hoffman, Unanimous.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
S. Pierson-Ugol presented on curriculum and professional development work in the district. The discussion included a focus on literacy, how math sections are structured at the middle school, how professional development is scheduled throughout the year, and efforts to provide appropriate development with reduced budgets.
POLICY REVIEW CONTINUED
The Board discussed proposed bylaw 9327.1, Board Use of Internet Social Networks, at length. Board members expressed reservations about the quality of online discussion, potential FOI impacts of social media use, and individual board members’ speech rights online and elsewhere. No action was taken.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
S. Reiss provided a brief update on the health reserve balance and anticipated spending through the end of the fiscal year.
C. Twiss’s report was accepted in writing.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
C. Parkin provided an update regarding a potential bus depot project in Easton or Redding and potential cost savings associated with the same. He also provided a rough draft building administrator report template based on discussion from the Structure and Ways of Working Committee and solicited feedback.
C. Pilato provided an update on Communications Committee work and noted that when the referendum date is formally set, formal communications will have to be very carefully drafted to avoid advocacy.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike D’Agostino, Glenn Hill Road, noted that social media is a challenge, he is not on any social media, but he expressed concern that any use of social media on the topic of education would be inappropriate.
A brief discussion followed.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
None
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Whaley, Hoeing. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by
Chris Parkin, Redding Board of Education Secretary