REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
December 7, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.
John Read Middle School – Community Room
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJhKa9oQfe31ydov_I-EvA
ATTENDANCE
Board members: Parkin, Hoffman, Oulton, Belfatto, Gibbons, Hardridge, Sadana
Administration: McKinnon, Pierson Ugol, Petruzzelli, Del Conte
Others: 5 members of the staff and public, and the recording secretary.
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. McKinnon called the Redding Board of Education Regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education appoint Dr. Jason McKinnon as Temporary Chairperson. (Parkin, Hoffman). Approved. Unanimous.
APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY SECRETARY
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education appoint Stephanie Oulton as Temporary Secretary. (Parkin, Hoffman). Approved. Unanimous.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
M. Hoffman made a nomination for C. Parkin for Chairperson; the nomination was seconded by S. Oulton. The vote from BOE members was 5 votes in favor of the nomination. C. Parkin then presided over the remaining nominations and election process.
S. Oulton made a nomination for M. Hoffman for Vice Chairperson; the nomination was seconded by L. Gibbons. The vote from BOE members was 7 votes in favor of the nomination.
M. Hoffman made a nomination for S. Oulton for Secretary. The vote from BOE members was 7 votes in favor of the nomination.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the October 28, 2021 Easton, Redding and Region 9 Special Joint Boards of Education meeting as submitted. (Oulton). Approved. 2-0-5. (Hoffman, Belfatto, Gibbons, Hardridge, Sadana abstained).
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the November 3, 2021 Regular Board of Education meeting with the following revision: on page 3, at the end of the Motion the language of “as advisory and non-voting members,” will be added. (Hoffman, Oulton). Approved. 3-0-4 (Belfatto, Gibbons, Hardridge, Sadana abstained).
PUBLIC COMMENT
M. D’Agostino, Glen Hill Road, welcomed the new Redding BOE members.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
C Parkin welcomed the new Redding BOE members.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jason McKinnon, welcomed the new Redding BOE members.
Interim Redding Elementary School Principal, Sharon Weirsman, reported that kindergarten registration is to begin on the next day, that there will be a parents’ tour on December 15 and that a second vaccination clinic for children age 5-11 was held recently. She referred BOE members to her written report that focused on RES specialists in math, literacy, STEM and advanced learning opportunities.
John Read Middle School Principal, Meghan Ward, reported that the Chamber Choir had performed at the Town of Redding Christmas tree lighting and will be performing at area senior centers, and that the last meeting of the Cyber Patriots Teams will be on December 15. She referred BOE members to her report that included more information on numerous school activities.
Director of Special Services, Jennifer Del Conte, reported that members of her staff are participating in weekly training from the State of Connecticut on the new I.E.P. program, which, she said, is more user-friendly and data-driven. She said that now is the time when her department starts to consider student transitions to new school buildings. Board members asked about enrollment in the Junior bridges program; J. Del Conte replied that there are six students enrolled and that they are looking to expand. She said that she will have more information about expansion plans at the next BOE meeting.
Director of Finance & Operations, Scott Petruzzelli said that there was nothing to point out within the Budget Object Summary and Transfers reports. He reported that health claims are running high and that the 600K, approved at the June 2021 BOE meeting, will be transferred into the account. A discussion followed on the high health claims, a running deficit and the need to continue the discussion at the January meeting when there will be more updated information. Personnel Manager, Vicki Cram, added that they would be meeting with Brown & Brown the next day and at this meeting will receive a better idea on how claims are trending.
Dr. McKinnon updated the BOE on the RES Principal search: out of 29 candidates, six had been selected for an interview; three to four candidates will be called back for a second interview next week; after a performance task and more questions, one to two will be invited to meet and answer questions from the BOE. He is hoping for a start date of January or February 2022. Dr. McKinnon said he had met that day with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Education to receive the weekly update on cases; Redding is at 19/20 per 1,000, with increases in quarantining students. Approximately 10 students are using Screen and Stay. He said he had sent an email to parents inviting them to attend a medical panel on December 16 at 5:00 p.m. during which holiday mitigation strategies will be discussed. He also noted that changes will be made to the ways the annual budget is presented. Line items will be replaced with cost centers that can be filtered and viewed. Increases such as healthcare and fuel prices will need to be considered.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: 2022 MEETING SCHEDULE
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education adopt the 2022 schedule of board meetings as presented with the following revisions: start time for all meetings is 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, January 6 Redding BOE Regular meeting changed to ER9 Joint BOEs Regular meeting; addition of Redding BOE Budget Presentation on Saturday, January 22 at 12:00 p.m. at JBHS; and Tuesday, October 4 Regular meeting changed to Thursday, October 6. (Hoffman, Oulton). Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
C. Parkin said that volunteers were needed to fill the spots on several committees vacated by retiring BOE members. The following committees spots were filled: Communications, S. Oulton, C. Parkin; Curriculum, J. Belfatto, L. Gibbons; Calendar, L. Gibbons; Structure & Ways, C. Sadana; Food Service, J. Hardridge; Health Insurance, M. Hoffman; Wellness, Sadana. C. Parkin said the committee topic will need to be revisited at a future meeting. M. Hoffman will remain on the Facilities Committee.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
C. Parkin said the Policy Committee continues to meet every Friday at 9:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education Regular meeting be adjourned. (Hoffman, Belfatto). Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Submitted by Stephanie Oulton
Secretary, Redding Board of Education
Recorded by Sarah Ota