REGION 9 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Joel Barlow High School Media Center
Thursday, December 14, 2017
7:30 p.m.
Attendance:
Region 9 Board of Education members: Hancock, D’Agostino, Coppinger, Denny, Graziano, Hocker, Johnston, Williams
Administration: McMorran, Pin, Pierson-Ugol, Reiss
Others: 8 members of staff and public and videographer
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. McMorran called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Joel Barlow High School Media Center.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to add June 29, 2017 Region 9 Board of Education regular meeting minutes to the agenda. D’Agostino, Hocker. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the June 29, 2017 Region 9 Board of Education regular meeting minutes with the below corrections:
– Remove extra spaces on page 1 under Approval of Minutes and first Motion
– Correct spelling to Coppinger on page 1
– Correct last sentence on page 1 to read: Mr. D’Agostino noted that the BoE would benefit from advance
copies of finance information for consideration at meetings.
– Motion on page 2, corrected to read $11,186.28 (add dollar sign, remove extra space)
– Last sentence in last paragraph on page 2 to read: The deductible for the insurance claim is $10,000.
– Public Comment on page 3, correct spelling to Jeanne Wendschuh
– Board Member Comment on page 3, names corrected to read: Paul Coppinger and Chris Hocker.
D’Agostino, Hocker. Approved. Denny, Williams, Graziano abstained.
Motion: move to approve November 16, 2017 minutes as submitted. Mr. Coppinger noted Mala is spelled “Maha” and is corrected. Hocker, Coppinger. Approved. Denny, Williams, Graziano abstained.
STUDENT COMMENT
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Barbie Powell, Sanford Street, Easton spoke of the importance of appropriate use of social media and updates regarding the Easton Redding Community Care Coalition (ERCCC). Ms. Powell suggested a survey for social/ emotional wellness for students in high school.
Laura Hoeing, Umpawaug Road, Redding, spoke about the value of the “Wingman” program at the Middle School. She also expressed concerns about students vaping in the bathrooms at JBHS.
Andy Scott, Black Rock Turnpike, Easton spoke about need for a School Resource Officer (SRO) at JBHS.
Mike Falowski, Limekiln Road, Redding, spoke about continued support of the ERCCC and also voiced support for an SRO.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Gwen Denny reported on positive student culture and JBHS. Mr. Coppinger welcomed and congratulated new board members to Region 9 Board of Education. Mr. Hocker spoke of the extensive coverage of the JBHS football team in the Danbury News-Times.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Nomination: Mr. Coppinger nominated Michael D’Agostino as chairperson for the Region 9 Board of Education. The nomination was seconded by Mrs. Graziano. There were no other nominations. Per board policy, paper ballots were distributed to Board members, collected, and tabulated by Dr. McMorran. The vote for Mr. D’Agostino was unanimously approved.
Nomination: Mr. D’Agostino nominated Paul Coppinger as vice-chairperson for the Region 9 Board of Education. The nomination was seconded by Christopher Hocker. Per board policy, paper ballots were distributed to Board members, collected, and tabulated by Dr. McMorran. The vote for Mr. Coppinger was unanimously approved.
Nomination: Mr. D’Agostino nominated Todd Johnston as treasurer. The nomination was seconded by Mr. Coppinger. Per board policy, paper ballots were distributed to Board members, collected, and tabulated by Dr. McMorran. The vote for Mr. Johnston was unanimously approved.
Nomination: Mr. D’Agostino nominated Christopher Hocker as secretary. The nomination was seconded by Mrs. Williams. Per board policy, paper ballots were distributed to Board members, collected, and tabulated by Dr. McMorran. The vote for Mr. Hocker was unanimously approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: REVIEW OF CENTRAL OFFICE FINANCIAL PRACTICES
Mr. Hancock suggested the Region 9 BOE review the Redding Board of Finance forthcoming report on Central Office practices and determine how that would assist the Region 9 BOE’s own review. The PKF O’Connor Davies review proposal was discussed with summary included in accompanying handouts.
Motion: move to defer action on financial practices review until after the Redding Board of Finance review is available. Hancock, Hocker. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: APPROVAL OF 2018 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
Motion: move to accept proposed Board Meeting Schedule for 2018, with the date of the January meeting changed from Jan. 30 to Jan. 31. Hocker, Williams. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. D’Agostino suggested it may be necessary to have a special Region 9 BOE meeting in June to be scheduled before the JBHS graduation date.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: JOB DESCRIPTION FOR DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL LEARNING
Dr. McMorran spoke about the job description for the Director of Digital Learning for the three districts, a new position that would eliminate the position for Region 9 Director of Technology. There will not be any action taken at this time.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: PROMOTING WELLNESS VIA STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Dr. Pin gave a PowerPoint presentation to be posted on website.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS – PSAT’s
Dr. Pin gave a PowerPoint presentation on PSAT student scores.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: REVIEW OF ANNUAL AUDIT
Mr. Johnston reported that the audit report is in order and is similar to last year with minor changes. The Audit Committee reviewed the audit and asked the board to approve the results.
Motion: move to approve financial audit from 2016-2017 as reported by Mr. Johnston. Johnston, Hancock. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS
Dr. McMorran gave a PowerPoint presentation, which included Prowda and NESDEC studies. He summarized that the number of students will continue to decline for the next 4-5 years reflecting the overall trends in the region.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Dr. Pin reported on the Tri-State Curriculum Leaders study group results. Dr. Pin invited everyone to attend the annual community Holiday Sing Along scheduled for December 20, 2017 at JBHS.
Dr. McMorran reported (Dr. Pierson-Ugol left early) on the TEAM program for teachers that will no longer be funded by the state. The state will continue to require it for teachers and funding will be reflected in the next budget proposal.
Mr. Reiss reported on the budget and indicated that special services expenditures have exceeded the planned amount. Mr. D’Agostino suggested exploring ways to predict needs in special services to prevent overspending in the future. Mr. Reiss spoke about the Transfers report and indicated BOE was in good position.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. D’Agostino reported on the proposed committee meeting schedule for both the Pension Committee and Fields and Facilities.
Motion: move to approve both the Pension Committee Quarterly Schedule for 2018 and the Fields and Facilities Quarterly Schedule for 2018 as presented. Hancock, Hocker. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeanne Wendschuh, Deer Spring Road, Redding, attended the Audit Committee meeting and was impressed with the efficiency and professionalism of staff members.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Mr. Hancock on behalf of the Region 9 Board of Education welcomed new members Gwen Denny, Cheryl Graziano, and Maureen Williams.
Mr. D’Agostino invited members to submit their lists of preferred committee assignments to be finalized by the January meeting.
Motion: move to recess to Executive Session at 10:34 p.m. to discuss School Security Update.
Mr. Reiss, Dr. Pin, and Dr. McMorran invited to attend the Executive Session. Hocker, Johnston. Approved. Unanimous.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board returned to public session at 11:10 pm. No action was taken regarding the matter discussed in Executive Session.
Motion: move to add to the Agenda appointment of board members to certain committees. Coppinger, Denny. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. D’Agostino announced the appointment of Paul Coppinger and Chris Hocker to the Facilities and Fields Committee, and the appointment of Vance Hancock and Chris Hocker to the Pension Committee.
Motion: move to recess to Executive Session at 11:12 pm to discuss the Superintendent’s contract for the school year 2018-2019. Dr. McMorran invited to attend the Executive Session. Coppinger, Denny. Approved. Unanimous.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board returned from Executive Session at 11:35 pm.
Motion: move to approve the Superintendent’s contract on the terms discussed in Executive Session. Hocker, Hancock. Approved. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Coppinger, Johnston. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:36 pm.
Recorded by Deborah DeLorenzo
Submitted by Chris Hocker, Region 9 Board of Education Secretary