REGION 9 BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
August 17, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
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Meeting ID: 890 9441 7520 – Passcode: 394890
Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board members: Johnston, Graziano, D’Agostino, Denny, Lehberger, O’Brien, Pampel, Williams
Administration: McMorran, Pierson Ugol,
Others: Members of the public
CALL TO ORDER
C. Graziano called the Region 9 Board of Education Special Meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education Approve the minutes of the July 20, 2021 Region 9 Board of Education Regular Meeting (Pampel, Williams), Denny abstain.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT/COMMITTEE REPORT
M. D’Agostino reported on behalf of the Field & Facilities committee, that building improvement projects have been moving forward at JBHS gym and cafeteria HVAC improvement project. . The new chillers are online, and the cooling system is running. The air quality upgrade system will be installed next week. All projects are moving according to the timeline discussed.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: UPDATE ON JBHS SCHOOL RE-OPENING PLAN
Dr. McMorran thanked M. D’Agostino for his hard work on the building improvement plans. He reported that in regards to the re-opening plan, students who were at Barlow last year, will not notice much of a difference in school. Upcoming freshman will have an orientation where school leaders will explain the rules, routines, and procedures of JBHS. Block scheduling will continue in order to stagger times. Students will be able to eat in the cafeteria, which now has air conditioning. Dr. McMorran explained that the Governor’s Executive Order is still in effect until September 30, which includes masks indoors. No other guidelines past September 30th, have been released. The social distance requirement indoors has been decreased from 6ft to 3ft. If a student/class/grade goes into quarantine, no remote instruction will take place, work will be sent home. T. Johnston asked about extra-curricular activities. Dr. McMorran said that activities and extra-curricular activities will take place with mitigation strategies enforced. Administrators will be communicating with families in the next few weeks with more specific information. M. D’Agostino asked about parking fees, future discussion will take place.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: CHANGE TO THE AUTHORIZED SIGNER OF THE ED-099 AGREEMENT FOR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM TO DR. THOMAS MCMORRAN, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education change the authorized signer of the ED-099 agreement for child nutrition program to Dr, Thomas McMorran, Interim Superintendent of Schools. (O’Brien, Denny) unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: FINALIZE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 UNEXPECTED FUNDS.
Conversation will take place at a future meeting.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: UPDATE ON PERSONNEL SEARCH FOR THE JBHS HEAD OF SCHOOL
The application process has closed. The search personnel committee has been reviewing applications and have been working with Dr. Erardi to move to the next steps. Dr. McMorran commented that the pool of candidates for the position has been very positive. He is confident that an excellent choice will be made from this pool of candidates.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: UPDATE ON THE JBHS GYMNASIUM/CAFETERIA HVAC AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
M. D’Agostino presented an invoice for construction partial payment milestone for approval by the Board. The invoice was reviewed and recommended for payment by the Building Committee.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education approve payment to Millennium Builders, invoice number 1110-1, in the amount of $396,000.00. (D’Agostino, Pampel) Lehberger abstain.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dana Benson-34 Pond Road, Easton, asked if children will be required to change/dispose of soiled masks. A parent shared with Dana a concern about the duration of time students were required to wear a mask.
Mimi Jacob-41 Morningside Drive, Easton, thanked the Board for getting the school ready for re-opening. She asked if the Board considered moving away from the block system of scheduling.
Beth Natt- Maple Road, Easton, thanked the board for all their efforts. She agreed in having extra-curriculars take place during the school year. In addition, she asked about moving away from the block schedule format.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
T. Johnston thanked M. D’Agostino for hosting the 2 committee Zoom meetings and C. Graziano for hosting the Board Zoom meeting as he was not sure if he would be able to attend due to returning from dropping a child at university. T. Johnston also thanked the Administrators for preparing the school for re-opening. He also thanked the Board members for participating in the near daily personnel search meetings for Central Office and Head of School roles.
K. O’Brien thanked Dr. McMorran and Dr. Pierson-Ugol for their hard work.
M. Pampel-thanked the administration for all they have done on behalf of the students. She is looking forward to getting to talk to the director of technology in regards to curriculum.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education Regular meeting to be adjourned. (O’Brien, Denny). Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Submitted by Todd A. Johnston
Chairperson, Region 9 Board of Education
Recorded by Kim Keil