Minutes
Attendance: Region 9 Board of Education members: Coppinger, D’Agostino, Hancock, Hocker, Lewis
Administration: Sullivan, Pin, Pierson Ugol, Sheehy, Geraghty, Czudak, Roszko
Student Representative: Sarah Jorgensen
Others: three 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.
STUDENT REPORT
Student Representative, Sarah Jorgensen, reported on student activities and events, student recognitions and upcoming events.
AGENDA ADDITIONS
Motion: move to add to the agenda Acceptance of Gifts. Lewis, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to alter the description of an agenda item, to read Memorandum of Understanding Date for Early Retirement Notifications and details of the proposal. Lewis, Hocker. Approved. Unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education approve the minutes of the December 12, 2015 meeting as submitted. Approved. 4-0-1. Mr. Hocker abstained.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Mr. D’Agostino questioned why it took so long to get the Honor Roll published. Ms. Pin will have specifics on why the process is so lengthy at the next meeting.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON CAPITAL PROJECT INVOICES
The final invoices from Imperial Roofing, and others associated with the Roof Project were reviewed by the Building Committee and recommended for payment. Mrs. Sullivan noted that the work has been completed and she expects to receive the warranty paperwork by the end of the week.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education approve the following invoices:
- Imperial Company Restoration Contractor, Inc., Invoice #6, $6,175.00
- Imperial Company Restoration Contractor, Inc., Invoice #7, $47, 036,23
- Phoenix Advisors, $4,500.00
- Day Pitney, LLP, $11,101.31
- U.S. Bank, $600.00
Motion by Mr. Coppinger, seconded by Mr. Lewis. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF 2016-17 BUDGET PARAMETERS
Ms. Pin provided a presentation that outlined the administration’s budget parameters for fiscal year 2016-17. Included was the goal to maintain excellent and quality education, to meet the proposed increase in State graduation requirements, to provide personalization for students, to account for the reality of continued enrollment decline.
The Enrollment and Staffing document will be available for the February meeting. The first budget workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, 2016.
Mr. Coppinger requested an organizational chart for the staff of the school.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS
Two companies have provided $5,000 grants for use by the Robotics Team.
Motion; move that the Region 9 Board of Education accept with gratitude the $5,000 grant from United Technology Co, and the $5,000 grant from Datto Co. for use by the Robotics Team. Lewis, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
A brief recess followed.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING DATE FOR EARLY RETIREMENT NOTIFICATION AND DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL
Mr. Hocker noted that the Negotiations Committee met with the JBEA regarding a proposal from the association for a Retirement Incentive and is recommending finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement includes provisions that the individual must be qualified for retirement, the notification date is February 29, 2016, that there must be a minimum of four individuals, the incentive is $20,000 per year for two years either in cash or as a Retirement Health fund. The offering applies only to the current year. Mr. Hocker noted that the JBEA is in agreement with the terms of the Memorandum. Mr. Lewis noted that in addition, each retirement will receive the $4,000 for advanced notification per contract provisions.
Motion: move that Region 9 Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Understanding as discussed, and authorize the board Chair to finalize the agreement. Hocker, Lewis. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON POLICY 5131.6
Policy 5131.6 was presented for a first reading. The Policy Committee completed their review and Mr. D’Agostino noted that the majority of the changes are in language clarifications or to reflect legal changes.
Motion; move that the Region 9 Board of Education accept Policy 5131.6 Drug Use, Drugs and Tobacco, for a first reading. Lewis, Hocker. Approved. Unanimous.
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Special Education Director, Patti Roszko, gave a presentation on legal standards, procedures and processes. The presentation was followed by questions and discussion.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON THE CAPITAL PLAN UPDATE
The updated Capital Plan will be reviewed by the Facilities and Fields Committee before coming to the full Board for approval.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Principal’s Report: Mrs. Pin reported the Program of Studies Night for parents and Grade 8 students was very successful. At the suggestion of parents, another evening session is planned to present information on student life and athletics. The CT SAT exam will be administered to all 11th grade students on March 2, 2016. The first semester has ended and the student progress reports will be sent out to parents shortly. The reports include the student progress in achieving the school-wide expectations in complexity, community and communication. The school’s next safety drill, a lockdown drill, will include a practice reunification component. The plan includes reunification of students following a crisis situation.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction: Dr. Pierson Ugol submitted a written report and added that progress reports for students K-8 are being sent out to parents. Grades 3-8 reports will include mid-year assessments and Smarter Balance Assessments.
Financials and Operation: Mrs. Sullivan reported on the following items:
- Pension Plan: the Pension Plan has been updated to reflect changes in terminology and the law. The Board of Education was asked to approve the updated plan which will be submitted to the IRS for review.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education adopt the amended Pension Plan and authorize the chairman to take appropriate action. Coppinger, Lewis. Approved. Unanimous.
- Audit Report: copies of the audit report were distributed to board members.
- Food Service: the State template for the RFP for the food service contract has been received. A meeting of the Food Service Committee will be scheduled.
- Health Insurance: claims for December were up, higher than average and budget. The Easton Board of Education received approval of a $1,300,000 appropriation for their Health Insurance Reserve Fund.
- Transfer Report: this was reviewed. One transfer was for the basketball hoops in the gym. Mr. Czudak noted that the repair was to address the condition of the equipment and safety concerns.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Mr. Hancock reviewed the various committee assignments.
- Audit Committee: King, Johnston and Scott Basset
- Building Committee: Coppinger, Johnston, Lewis, Susanne Krivit, one vacancy
- Curriculum: Lewis, Hocker, Gombos, Copppinger
- Facilities & Fields: D’Agostino, Hocker, Coppinger, Gombos
- Financial Advisory: Coppinger, Johnston, King, Susanne Krivit, Bobbie Cable, two vacancies
- Negotiations: Gombos, Hocker, King
- Pension: Coppinger, King, Jim Sanders, one vacancy
- Policy: D’Agostino, Coppinger
- Superintendent Evaluation: Gombos, Lewis
- Technology: Johnston, Lewis
- Transportation: Coppinger, Lewis
- Tri-District Wellness: Robin Abramowicz (E),Melinda Irwin (R), Jeff Parker (E), Lisa Schmidt (E), Peggy Zamore (R), and staff members
- Tri-District Food Service: Melinda Irwin (R), Todd Johnston (E), Jeff Parker (E)
- Tri-District Transportation: Coppinger, D’Agostino, Gwen Denny (R), Randy Hicks (E)
- Tri-District Calendar: D’Agostino, Sara Sobel (R), Dan Underberger (E)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Hocker commented that Region 9 and Easton are members of CES, the regional service center and have one seat on the membership council. He will continue to attend those meetings if no one else is interested.
Mrs. Sullivan noted that a Health Insurance Committee is needed for the spring.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the meeting be adjourned. D’Agostino, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
The meetings were adjourned at 9:55 pm
Submitted by Mike D’Agostino, Region 9 Board of Education
Recorded by Mary Maday