REGULAR MEETING OF THE GREENWICH BOARD OF EDUCATION

TIME:

June 15, 2006

PLACE:

Town Hall Meeting Room

PRESENT: Board:

Mrs. Colleen Giambo, Chairman Ms. Virginia L. Gwynn, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Leslie B. Moriarty, Secretary Mr. Steven B. Anderson Dr. Susan S. Ellis Mr. William G. Kelly Mr. Steven H. LoParco Mrs. Nancy Weissler

Administration: Dr. Larry Leverett, Superintendent of Schools Ms. Mary Capwell, Deputy Superintendent Mr. John P. Curtin, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Susan O. Wallerstein, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ellen Flanagan, Director of Human Resources Mr. Anthony Byrne, Director of Facilities Ms. Mary P. Forde, Director, Pupil Personnel Services Ms. Kim Eves, Director of Communications Other:

Mrs. Cathy Delehanty, President, GEA; Mrs. Janice Richards, Mrs. Gerri Fleming, Mrs. Dora Williams, PTA Council; Mrs. Frances Avery, Mr. Bill Robbins, New Lebanon School; Mr. Jim Harris, BET; Mr. Carl Marinaccio, Mrs. Kim Sitarz, Glenville School; Mrs. Laura Erickson, Mrs. Patti Jomo, Riverside School; Mr. Tom Conelias; Ms. Keach Heagey, Green wich Time; Mr. Ken Borsuk, Green wich News, and various community members. An attendance list is on file in the Superintendent’s Office.

The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Giambo, Chairman, at 7:05 p.m.

STUDENT/STAFF RECOGNITION Mr. Nick Edwards, from the Kiwanis Club, presented the Joseph Kaye Memorial A ward to William Borgardus, our representative for Teacher of the Year A ward. Mrs. Dolores O’Callaghan presented the National Silver A ward in Photography from the 2006 Scholastic Art A wards to Sophie Vos. Dr. Jeffrey Spector presented First Place in the Long Island Foundation Drawing Contest to Lena Schipper. Mrs. Fran Kompar presented Cablevisions Education Access A wareness A wards to Spencer Rubin, Zade Constantine, Chris Stone, Alex Halpern, Kasey Morrison, Russell Rosenband, and Juan Pabon. Mr. Rick Kohn presented the Connecticut Drama Association Festival A ward for Excellence to Melanie Baker, Neilie Bouknight, Erik Breakell, Sinead Carroll, Sarah Derene, Devon Ellis, Kit Fraser, Melissa Fulgieri, Lindsay Garofalo, Jared Gelbs, Kelsey Grant, Christine Greto, Olivia Harding, Megan Harris, Stephen Hohl, Derek Jay, Teddi Josephson, Lila Khan, Elise Krob, Zachary Lee, Madeline Marianacci, Brendan Martise, Robert Martise, Robert McGlynn, John McKean, Tina Mediate, Katelyn Miles, Katherine Mott, Malcolm Pradia, Melody Rabe, Zachary Rebich, Samantha Richardson, Zachary Roberts, Sarah Stoecker, Christiana Ting, Devon Walker, Jason Wein, Bryan Dmuchowski, Timothy Garlid, Sarah O’Sullivan, and Sally Slater. MOTION:

It was moved by Ms. Gwynn and seconded by Mrs. Weissler to adjourn to reception at 7:20 p.m. VOTE: 8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

The meeting was called back to order by Mrs. Giambo, Chairman, at 7:45 p.m.

MOTION:

It was moved by Mrs. Moriarty and seconded by Mr. Anderson to approve the revised Agenda, adding 6D, and 8D to the Agenda. VOTE: 8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

PUBLIC HEARING The following people spoke at the public hearing: Mrs. Janice Richards, PTA Council President, spoke on the PTA Council’s positive reaction to the increased interaction between the Board and the PTA Council. She also thanked the Board for the “blue sheet” which was presented to all new PTA representatives. She said the population needs to know about policy governance and ho w it effects overall performance. She stated we need to get the message to all parties.

Ms. Cathy Delehanty, GEA President, addressed teacher communications. Mr. Tom Conelius spoke preschool needs and the fact that over 200 kids are unable to go and are on the wait list due to lack of space. He also spoke on the gift cap and the mural at Hamilton Avenue School.

BOARD DEVELOPMENT/SHARING INFORMATION a.

Monitoring Reports 1.

Board of Education Policy E-060 – Administrative Code of Ethics MOTION:

It was moved by Mr. Kelly and seconded by Mrs. Weissler to approve the Monitoring Report for Policy E-060-Administrative Code of Ethics.

Ms. Gwynn inquired who the code of conduct is for, does it apply to coaches as w ell? Mrs. Moriarty stated there should be a mechanism in place to report violators. AMENDMENT MOTION:

It was moved by Ms. Gwynn and seconded by Mrs. Moriarty to change the title of Policy E-060 to Employee Code of Conduct. VOTE: 8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION, AS AMENDED: 8 in favor, none opposed 2.

MOTION CARRIED

Board of Education Policy L-001 – Legal Requirements MOTION:

It was moved by Mr. Kelly and seconded by Mrs. Moriarty to approve Policy L-001 – Legal Requirements.

Mrs. Weissler questioned the time frame for Title 9. Mrs. Moriarty requested a list of infractions and a list of lawsuits. Dr. Leverett assured the Board that a report on the status and number of lawsuits would be provided to the Board. VOTE:

3.

8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

Board of Education Policy L-030 – Aligned Operations Management

MOTION:

It was moved by Mr. Kelly and seconded by Mrs. Moriarty to approve Policy L-030 – Aligned Operations Management

VOTE:

8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

b. Written Reports 1. Green wich High School Security Update Mr. Al Capasso provided the Board with an update on Green wich High School Security. Mrs. Ellis questioned how can we measure and what is criteria for success? Why a police officer – what data will sho w we need him? Dr. Leverett advised that the monitoring report will provide outcomes measures. Mrs. Weissler questioned training of security staff and has it begun already? Mr. LoParco asked about free time. Mr. Kelly noted that the memorandum of understanding stated “resource officer”. It should be taken out and replaced with “Youth Officer”. c. Reports of Officers, Com mittees, Liaisons and Superintendent Knowledge & Skills Committee – Mr. Kelly reported that they are forming groups over the summer to look closely at some pieces of the plan. GOSA negotiations are beginning and are being discussed with the Administrative Team. They are pursuing pay for performance. Hamilton Avenue Building Committee – Mr. LoParco advised that Phase 2 of the project is moving for ward and scheduled to be completed next year. Mrs. Giambo reported that Mrs. Weissler has become a member of the Negotiations Committee and Mrs. Moriarty will be the BET Liaison. She discussed the achievements of Dr. Leverett during his tenure in Green wich, i.e. student achievement, social and emotional learning, policy governance, built a great central office staff and a shared reality. Dr. Leverett thanked the Board for providing him with excellent support during his tenure.

6.

Board Action Items a. Action on Revision to Policy E-002 Whole Student Development MOTION:

It was moved by Ms. Gwynn and seconded by Dr. Ellis, to approve the revision to Policy E-002 Whole Student Development.

VOTE:

8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

b. Action on Approval of 2006-2007 Board Meeting Agenda Plan

MOTION:

It was moved by Mrs. Moriarty and seconded by Dr. Ellis to approve the 2006-2007 Board Meeting Agenda Plan.

The Board indicated the need to have a discussion on assessment, one on declining enrollment, middle schools, start times, and the international baccalaureate program. VOTE:

8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

c. Action on 2006-2009 Green wich Public Schools Technology Plan MOTION:

It was moved by Ms. Gwynn and seconded by Dr. Ellis to approve the Green wich Public Schools Technology Plan.

Mr. Kelly asked how many teachers were proficient and ho w many use it in the classroom. Mrs. Weissler wanted to know why the percentage rate was 80% and not 100%. VOTE

8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

d. Action on Appointment of Mary Capwell as Acting Superintendent of Schools from July 1, 2006 through August 13, 2006 MOTION:

It was moved by Ms. Gwynn and seconded by Dr. Ellis to approve the appointment of Mary Capwell as Acting Superintendent of Schools from July 1, 2006 through August 13, 2006.

VOTE:

8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

7. Board Discussion Items a.

Closing The Achievement Gap Update Mrs. Capwell and Mr. Curtin provided the Board with a complete and detailed update on closing the achievement gap. They discussed the visit to Amisted Academy, shared reality, core set of values, the data dashboard, plans to address deficiencies, DRP results sho wing improvements, the combination of SPED ESY and preschool/summer school. They indicated that of the 185 students identified with IPS and qualify for free lunch, all were offered the summer program for free and 181 are attending. They also addressed everyday math K-2 and 3-5 and a revised secondary program are being w orked on for next year. The new requirement will be completion of Algebra I by the end of 8th grade. They stated that meetings next year are being set up with Administrators at the high school and all k-12 program coordinators to better coordinate what we are doing in curriculum areas and to develop a set of standards. They stated that they will need to add one section of preschool for next year and the Hamilton Avenue School preschool program being integrated into the magnet school and will hopefully meet the need for gro wth in the preschool program. They talked about professional learning and

differentiation in learning for staff members. The Board complimented Mr. Curtin and Mrs. Capwell on an excellent presentation.

8.

Board Consent Agenda a. Approval of Monthly Financial Report b. Approval of Superintendent’s Authorization to Approve all Budget Transfer Requests Submitted from June 8, 2006 Through the Next Scheduled Board of Education Meeting in September, 2006 c. Approval of Minutes of May 11, May 16, and May 18, 2006 d. Approval of Changing of Wording – Policy E-050 Management of Human Resources

MOTION:

It was moved by Mr. LoParco and seconded by Mr. Kelly to approve the Board Consent Items VOTE:

8 in favor, none opposed

MOTION CARRIED

Upon motion duly made by Ms. Gwynn and seconded by Dr. Ellis, the meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted,

Leslie B. Moriarty Secretary