REGION 9 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting
June 8, 2016
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE:
Region 9 Board of Education members: Coppinger, D’Agostino, Gombos, Hancock, Hocker, Johnston, King, Lewis
Administration: McMorran, Sullivan, Pin, Pierson Ugol
Others: Four members of the public and the videographer
Mr. Hancock called the meeting of the Region 9 Board of Education to order at 7:30 pm in the Joel Barlow Media Center.
AGENDA CHANGE
Motion: move to have Public Comment as the next agenda item. Lewis, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education recess the meeting to an Executive Session for discussion of negotiation strategy and annual review of Superintendent. D’Agostino King. Approved. Unanimous.
Dr. McMorran was invited to be present for the discussion of annual review.
The meeting recessed at 7:31 pm
RECONVENE
The Chair reconvened the meeting in public session at 8:26 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education approve the minutes of the May 17, 2016 Joint Meeting of the Easton, Redding and Region 9 Boards of Education as submitted. Gombos, Hocker. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Region 9 board of Education approve the minutes of the May 24, 2016 regular meeting as submitted. Gombos, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Lewis commented that the Superintendent’s contract is a 3 year rolling contract, with the Boards of Education approving the additional year annually, but was not sure of when that action was usually taken. After discussion, Mr. Hancock suggested that this be an agenda item for the next meeting.
Commenting on the Barlow Palooza event, several board members had comments ranging from fantastic to awesome. Mr. D’Agostino added that the drama production was magnificent.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON 2017 PROPOSED FIELD TRIP TO QUEBEC
French teacher, Ed Smith, presented information about the proposed field trip to Quebec for February 16-20, 2017. He noted that the students would be matched and housed with local families rather than staying in a hotel. This will provide greater opportunity to use the French language. Mrs. Gombos commented that she would prefer to have these types of trips operate outside the auspices of the school and District.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education approve the 2017 Field Trip to Quebec as outlined and discussed. Coppinger, Hocker. Approved. 7-0-1. Mrs. Gombos voted against the motion.
DISCUSSION AND ACTIN ON POLICY 3320.1: PURCHASING PROCEDURES, FIRST READING
Mr. King reported the Audit Committee prepared the policy for purchasing procedures. Discussion followed. It was suggested that the policy should be reviewed by the Policy Committee before the second and final reading. All comments and questions regarding the policy should be directed to Mr. King.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education accept Policy 3320.1 purchasing Procedures for a First Reading. Gombos, Johnston. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON POLICY REVIEW, second reading
The following policies were presented for a second and final reading:
- Policy 5113(a): Students – Attendance and Excuses
- Policy 5113.2: Students – Truancy
- Policy 4115: Evaluation and Support Program
- Policy 4131(a): Personnel – Certified Professional Development
The final versions of each of the policies were reviewed and several board members had comments or suggestions for non-substantive changes.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education accept the policies:
- Policy 5113(a): Students – Attendance and Excuses
- Policy 5113.2: Students – Truancy
- Policy 4115: Evaluation and Support Program
- Policy 4131(a): Personnel – Certified Professional Development
For a second and final reading, subject to the possibility of minor changes to be made by the Superintendent as long as it does not change the intent of the policy.
Motion by Mr. Hocker, seconded by Mr. Coppinger.
Discussion followed. It was noted that these are CABE recommended policies and the Policy Committee had not reviewed them prior to presentation. Dr. McMorran suggested that these policies be sent to the Policy Committee for review and make a recommendation to the full board. The Policy Committee should also review the process & procedure for approving policies.
Mr. Hocker withdrew the motion on the table.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON STUDENT ADMISSION IN RCA/MAGNET PROGRAMS
Mrs. Pin explained the acceptance procedures of the Regional Center for the Arts in Trumbull. The Region 9 budget includes funding for five slots at the school, four slots for current students and one additional slot. This year there are seven incoming freshmen who want to attend RCA, one was accepted with the additional slot, six students are pending. At this point, the parents of the six students can opt for Parents Choice enrollment directly with RCA and Region 9 would be obligated to pay the tuition of $2,500/student. The District is not obligated to provide transportation, but currently has a vehicle picking up a Special Education student in Trumbull for the return trip Barlow, and that vehicle can accommodate taking students to Trumbull. If the situation with the Special Education student changes, the transportation accommodation would have to be reviewed. Mrs. Pin indicated she is aware that three students/parents are moving forward with the Parents Choice option. Mrs. Pin will contact the other three parents/students regarding their plans.
Discussion followed. The board members agreed that further information was needed on the finances, the program selection process, and consideration of how to budget for such expenses in the future. The administration is reviewing the operating budget to find the funding for the students who opt for the RCA program.
No action was needed at this time.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT/HEAD OF SCHOOL
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education authorize the Chair and the Superintendent to sign the contract with Gina Pin as Assistant Superintendent/Head of School, pending review by legal counsel, with the details similar to what was discussed in executive session. Lewis, Gombos. Approved. 7-1-0. Mr. D’Agostino abstained.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Assistant Superintendent and Head of School: Mrs. Pin provided information that will be sent to students/parents and be on the website regarding the 1:1 initiative and the opportunity to purchase student owned electronic devices (computers and tablets). Barlow does not require bringing a laptop or tablet to school for classwork, it is an option. Students can use smartphones, school computers, or work with a peer. There are distinct advantages for students to have regular and reliable access to some sort of personal device. This program is designed to help parents find affordable laptop computers for their students. The vendor is offering members of the ER9 community the chance to buy a Chromebook or Dell laptop at the same discounted prices offered to schools. Final adjustments are being made to the student/parent information and website link. Mrs. Pin anticipates the letter will go out and the link will be available by the end of June.
Mrs. Pin also addressed the issues of communication with parents that was discussed at the previous meeting. Regular communication includes PowerSchool “blasts”, ListServ email messages, PTSA newsletter, Twitter used by administration, guidance and athletics, student email accounts, summer school information, and webpage calendar/events. She noted that although safety-related information is sent out as soon as possible, there may be incidents that are picked up by the media that would not be communicated in order to protect student identity and preserve student dignity. Parents may phone the school with questions or request hard copies of mailings and/or clarification of communication.
Mrs. Pin announced that three athletic teams, Boys Volleyball, Girls Lacrosse and Boys Lacrosse are all vying for the State Championship this weekend.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction: Dr. Pierson Ugol provided an overview of the summer curriculum work that is planned. An update on the SRBI Study was also provided. The study refines and aligns the district processes for identifying, using data in a purposeful way, and includes a new more meaningful/useful assessment plan. Priorities for the 2016-17 year were included.
Director of Finance: Mrs. Sullivan reported the final Excess Cost Reimbursement money was received; the reimbursement rate for the year was 69.75%. At this point, Mrs. Sullivan has projected an unexpended budget amount of about $40,000. No action is required at this time unless a contribution Pension Fund is desired. No action was taken on this. Mrs. Gombos asked for an update on the old Building Project. Mrs. Sullivan responded that she makes calls daily, but has no further information.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeanne Wendschuh, Redding: Mrs. Wendschuh thanked the members of the Board.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Mr. Coppinger thanked the members of the public who were present and apologized for the amount of time it took for the executive session.
Mr. D’Agostino reminded all of the Graduation Ceremony tomorrow night. He asked the administration for an update on the student graduation. Mrs. Pin responded that all students were graduating or had specific plans in place.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education meeting be adjourned. Lewis, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
The meetings were adjourned at 9:37 pm.
Submitted by,
Catherine Gombos
Region 9 Board of Education Secretary
Recorded by Mary Maday