Filed subject to approval
REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, April 6, 2021- 7:30 p.m.
Held Remotely Pursuant to Executive Order NO. 7B
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Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board members: Parkin, Whaley, Hoffman, Reilly, Hocker, Oulton, Pilato
Administration: Zachery, Harrison, Pierson Ugol, Del Conte
Other Members of the Staff and Public: 12
CALL TO ORDER
C. Parkin called the Redding Board of Education Special Meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the March 2, 2021 Redding Board of Education Regular Meeting with the following corrections, on page 2, Board Member Comment, H. Whaley’s comment should read, “lower threshold for excess cost reimbursements,” not, “lower threshold expectation,” and the budget number on page 3 corrected to $23,249,211.00. (Hoffman, Whaley). Approved by unanimous consent.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the March 12, 2021 Redding Board of Education Special Meeting, and the March 29, 2021 Redding Board of Education Special Meeting. Approved by unanimous consent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
C. Pilato thanked Dr. Harrison, C. Parker, and C. Zachery for their presentation at the Public Hearing.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Pierson Ugol gave an update about the summer school program. Planning between schools, town officials, libraries and the Easton Board of Education have been taking place. The summer school program will offer in person learning, and a few remote program options. Dr. Harrison explained that the summer school program will be funded via COVID Rescue Funds & SR2 Fund.
This subsidy will run over two consecutive summers and aim to support student academic achievement.
Teachers will also be receiving additional training and professional development over the summer using COVID Rescue Funds. Dr. Pierson Ugol explained there was overwhelming support for the summer program as indicated by the parent survey, which received over 300 responses.
Dr. Pierson Ugol updated the board on the NWEA assessments at JRMS. A different “non-standard” administering the exam earlier in the year will allow more time to provide intervention. Parents will be receiving the results of the exam towards the end of the week. The Smarter Balanced assessment will begin to be administered in May. The state is expecting the district to participate in this exam. Students who are remote learning will have the option to take the assessment in-person or remotely.
BUILDING ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Redding Elementary School Principal, N. Hammond, reported that Spring has been a welcome change at RES, and she highlighted the main areas of focus in each grade-level. C. Parkin asked for a Kindergarten enrollment update. N. There are 68 confirmed Kindergarten registrations for the following school year. There are several families who are waiting to decide if they will send children or hold them an additional year, conversations with those families have begun to take place. The current incoming projection is around 100, current enrollment numbers are in the low 70’s. J. Amodio reported the schedule for the upcoming SBA assessments.
John Read Middle School Interim Principal Dr. Amori acknowledged the hard work of the staff and students at JRMS and explained how Cohort C has been affected by positive cases and quarantine. 22% of the student body is currently in Cohort C. The JRMS community has been participating in community service projects that promote kindness, giving, and acceptance.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION FOR NON-RENEWALS
C. Parkin explained the positions that will not be renewed the following year. Dr. Harrison commented that this is not reflective of performance, but in some cases, employees that were on a 1-year contract.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education determine that the contracts of employment for the following teachers be terminated effective July 1, 2021 due to reduction in force: Amanda Basso, Stephanie Boyd, Erin Hannagan, Marcia Kallon, Purvi Rana, Jeanette Thompson, and Rachel Williams. The Superintendent of Schools is directed to advise such persons in writing of this action. (Hoffman, Whaley). Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: POLICIES – 1ST READINGS
The policy adjustments that are coming to the Board for updating, reflect changes in administrative policies to Title IX. C. Parkin explained it’s on advice of counsel and adhering to current regulations. Dr. Pierson Ugol explained the new regulations have been followed since the beginning of the school year.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education accept for first reading Policy 4000.1 Personnel, Policy Regarding Prohibition of Sex Discrimination And Sexual Harassment In The Workplace. (Whaley, Hocker). Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education accept for first reading Policy 5145.44 Students, Policy Regarding Title IX of The Education Amendments Of 1972 – Prohibition Of Sex Discrimination And Sexual Harassment (Whaley, Reilly). Approved. Unanimous.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
J. Del Conte reported that end of the year transition meetings has begun. Parent meetings, teacher collaboration between teachers/schools are included in these meetings. Work on the preschool handbook has continued. This is to include more comprehensive information regarding the program and what it offers to students. A discussion followed.
C. Zachery reviewed the Transfer Report and Budget Object Summary. He continued to the Health Claims Analysis, and explained the background of the software issues at the provider, which impacted specific reports and has caused the March total to be a combination of January, February, and March claims. C. Zachery raised concern about the alarming increase in cost of claims. He explained the Reserve Fund and how it can be impacted if the numbers continue to trend. A discussion followed.
Dr. Harrison said that Dr. Amori sent out updated information in regards to 8th grade graduation. The governor has updated regulations and will be issuing new guidelines regarding graduations. It is anticipated that an in-person, socially distanced graduation will take place.
BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORTS
H. Whaley reported that the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity taskforce has met and will be presenting at the next Tri-Board meeting, and encourage attendance at task force meetings.
C. Parkin said that the Joint Policy meeting scheduled for this Thursday, April 8, 2021 is postponed to Thursday, April 22, 2021.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
H. Whaley thanked all the Board of Education for their hard work and cooperation during the budget process.
J. Reilly echoed H. Whaley’s comments and continued by thanking all of the staff for their service, including those staff members not coming back for the next school year.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education Regular meeting be adjourned. (Hoffman, Whaley). Unanimous
The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen Pilato
Secretary, Redding Board of Education
Recorded by Kim Keil