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Colchester Board of Education
Meeting
Minutes
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Bacon Academy
Library Media Center
Board Members Present: Ronald Goldstein, Donald Kennedy, Mary Tomasi, Brad
Bernier, Michael Voiland, Student members Courtney Vitale
and Mitchell Hallee
Late arrivals: Mitchell Koziol at 7:03 and Mike Egan at 7:17
Administration Present: Superintendent Jeff Mathieu, Principal Mark Ambruso,
Principal Chris Bennett, Principal Deb Sandberg, Principal
Anne Watson, Assistant Principal Linda Iacobellis, Assistant
Principal Charles Hewes, Director of Teaching and Learning
Barbara Gilbert, Director of Pupil Services Kathie
Shaughnessy
1. Call to Order
Chairman Ronald Goldstein called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2. Citizen Comments
None.
3. Additions to the Agenda by the Board of Education
None.
4. Citizens Comments on Additions to the Agenda
None.
5. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the December 11, 2013 Tri-Board Special Meeting, the December 12,
2013 Board of Education Regular Meeting, and the January 6, 2014 Board of
Education Special Meeting were submitted for Board approval.
Motion: D. Kennedy
To approve the December 11, 2013 Tri-Board Special Meeting as
read.
Seconded by: B. Bernier
Vote: Unanimous for those present
Motion: M. Tomasi
To approve the December 12, 2013 Board of Education Regular
Meeting as read.
Seconded by: D. Kennedy
Vote: Unanimous for those present
Motion: B. Bernier
To approve the January 6, 2014 Board of Education Special Meeting
as read.
Seconded by: D. Kennedy
Vote: Unanimous
Abstained: M. Koziol
6. Communications/Correspondence
None.
7. Celebrations
7.1 Strategic Plan Goal #3: Students, staff, parents and community members will
promote a positive school environment that fosters respect, safety, and a sense
of belonging.
• Colchester Citizen Provides Students with Dictionaries
Principal Deb Sandberg introduced Fred Brown. Mr. Brown has generously
given dictionaries to third grade students each year for the past ten years. He
attended each JJIS school program celebrating Noah Webster’s birthday,
handing out over 2,200 dictionaries to students over the years. Mr. Brown also
engaged the students by inviting them to select a word from the dictionary and
tell why they chose the word, or use the word in a sentence. Then, using a
lottery system, he would select one student’s entry and send the student a prize.
Mr. Brown was commended for the long-lasting impression he has made on
Colchester students over the past decade, especially taking into account he has
no children in the district. Mr. Brown is also the Colchester Learning
Foundation Board President. The Board presented him with a Certificate of
Excellence.
7.2 Strategic Plan Goal #2: Highly effective staff will be hired, supported, valued
and retained.
• WJJMS Office Professional Recognized for 26 Years of Service
WJJMS Principal Chris Bennett spoke highly of Kathy Hustus, former WJJMS
Office Professional. Mrs. Hustus began work in the Colchester Public Schools in
November 1987 and retired December 2013, following a 26 year career serving
and supporting the students and staff in our school system. Though unable to
attend tonight’s meeting, the Board still commended her for her service and
presented her with a Certificate of Excellence, accepted by Mr. Bennett on her
behalf.
7.3 Strategic Plan Goal #2: Highly effective staff will be hired, supported, valued
and retained.
• Paraprofessional Recognized for Many Years of Service
Principal Watson introduced CES paraprofessional Diane Zettervall who
served the students of Colchester Public Schools for twenty years. Throughout
her career within the Colchester District, Mrs. Zettervall worked in every school
and was highly commended by Ms. Watson. The Board presented Mrs.
Zettervall with a Certificate of Excellence and commended her on her twenty
years of service.
7.4 Strategic Plan Belief: Students, families, schools, and community are all
responsible to ensure that every student succeeds, thrives, and contributes to
our changing world.
• JJIS Parent is Advocate for HOT Schools
JJIS Principal Deb Sandberg introduced Meghan Wildstein, parent of a CES
kindergartner and a JJIS fourth grader. Mrs. Wildstein wrote an excellent article
“HOT is the Way” in support of Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools. The
article was published in the fall issue of HOT Schools Network and is currently
featured on the State’s DECD Office of Culture and Tourism HOT Schools
website page. Accolades were given to Mrs. Wildstein from Principal Sandberg
and the Board. Ms. Wildstein also serves a Co-President of the JJIS PTO and
shared with the Board her passion for the Colchester School District. The Board
presented her with a Certificate of Excellence.
8. Administrative Reports
8.1 Superintendent’s Report
8.1.1 Collaborative for Colchester’s Children
Early Childhood Coordinator Dr. Cindy Praisner provided a detailed
PowerPoint presentation on the annual report and work of the Collaborative for
Colchester’s Children (C3) and its expenditures and projected funding goals.
Currently C3 assists and supports approximately 1600 Colchester children. Dr.
Praisner answered questions from the Board regarding the presentation.
Board member Mike Egan arrived during this presentation, 7:17pm.
8.1.2 First Selectman’s Round Table Recap
Superintendent Jeff Mathieu reviewed speaking points from the First Selectman’s
Community Round Table Drug Forum on January 6, 2014. Superintendent
Mathieu stated that he spoke about the health curriculum in grades 5, 6, 8, and 9
and the lengthy topics which are covered. He also gave community members
information about the ID forums which Colchester Youth First and the schools
have sponsored, the middle school and high school mentor/advisor programs,
and about the SRO whose salary is paid for by the school district.
8.2 Financial Reports
8.2.1 Monthly Budget Report
D. Kennedy discussed the budget and specific line items through
December 31, 2013.
8.2.2 Request for Budget Transfer - None this meeting.
8.2.3 Notification of Transfers - None this meeting
8.2.4 Health Insurance Account
D, Kennedy briefly summarized status to date.
9. Unfinished Business
9.1 Conclusions from Action-research Project
The Board approved an action-research project at their August 13, 2013 meeting to
be conducted by WJJMS SRBI Paraprofessional Katie Kehoegreen. Ms. Kehoegreen
presented her findings and conclusion on the effectiveness of instructional videos
using the Khan Academy Coach five in a row tool in a Tier III intervention
mathematics setting. Her research project will be used to fulfill the requirements of
the Educational Technology Master’s program at Eastern Connecticut State
University. Ms. Kehoegreen answered questions from the Board and was
commended on her completed project.
9.2 GMO-Free/Organic Food Petition Update
On October 8, 2013, the Board was presented with a petition from the Bacon
Academy Community Activism Class requesting that Colchester serve “GMO-free
and/or Organic food alternatives in the Colchester school district cafeterias.” The
Board acknowledged receipt of a GMO petition and authorized Student Board
members, Courtney Vitale and Mitchell Hallee, to research the feasibility of the
request stated in the petition. Ms. Vitale and Mr. Hallee have been diligently
working on the project and presented an update of their progress to date as well as
their projected next steps. Sharon Floyd, Colchester Public Schools Food Services
Supervisor, was present and contributed to the presentation also answering
questions from the Board. The next update regarding this project will be in the
spring.
9.3 WJJMS Capital Needs and Building Project
Superintendent Mathieu and Chairman Goldstein discussed ongoing WJJMS Capital
Needs and the future of the Building Project and reminded and encouraged all to
attend the upcoming town meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday January 16, 2014
at 7:00pm for the purpose of discussing the amended project as it moves forward.
10. New Business
10.1 Request for Leave of Absence
Ms. Rubin has been a paraprofessional in the CES preschool program since 2004.
Ms. Rubin has been an active mentor of the Robotics Team 1699 for the past six years
and is requesting unpaid leave to attend their April field trip if the team qualifies for
the Boston tournament. Principal Watson supports the request and assures us that a
qualified substitute will be available to provide support in the CES Preschool
Program during her absence.
Motion: M. Tomasi
To approve a one-day unpaid leave of absence for Ms. Linda Rubin.
Seconded by: D. Kennedy
Vote: Unanimous
10.2 BA Student Success Plan Area of Focus
Bacon Academy Guidance Counselors Tom Racine and Christie Williams-Kahn
presented and explained the proposed modification to be made to the Student
Success Plan Area of Focus requirements which were approved by the Board at their
February 8, 2012 meeting. The modification would be to change the “requirement”
to select an area of focus to a “recommendation”, though the same amount of
student support will be provided regarding the student success plan area of focus.
Motion: D. Kennedy
To approve the modification of the BA Student Success Plan Area
of Focus from requirement to recommendation while continuing to
provide the same support and effort to students regarding focus
areas.
Seconded by: M. Tomasi
Vote: Unanimous
10.3 Donations
To accept the following donations:
• Three rainbow looms from Mrs. Lynne Mancini for the benefit of the JJIS
After School Club.
• $6 from the Mocksfield Family, $6 from the Smith Family, and $16 from
the Snow family to benefit the JJIS grade five scholarship field trip
student activity fund.
• $500 from an anonymous donor for the purchase of books for the BA
English department.
Motion: D. Kennedy
To accept the donation of three rainbow looms from Mrs. Lynne
Mancini for the benefit of the JJIS After School Club.
Seconded by: B. Bernier
Vote: Unanimous
Motion: D. Kennedy
To accept the donation of $6 from the Mocksfield Family, $6 from
the Smith Family, and $16 from the Snow family to benefit the JJIS
grade five scholarship field trip student activity fund.
Seconded by: B. Bernier
Vote: Unanimous
Motion: B. Bernier
To accept the donation of $500 from an anonymous donor for the
purchase of books for the BA English department.
Seconded by: D. Kennedy
Vote: Unanimous
10.4 Field Trip
First Robotics Team 1699 leader Keith Deslandes and student team members Ethan
Backus and Annie Ciesinski presented the Board with a short video of what the
upcoming competition entails. They are asking the Board to approve following
field trip:
• First Robotics Team 1699 to Boston, MA from April 10-13, 2014
Motion: M. Tomasi
To approve the First Robotics Team 1699 field trip to Boston, MA
from April 10-13, 2014.
Seconded by: B. Bernier
Vote: Unanimous
10.5 Extension of Board Policy #3240 Tuition Fees
Superintendent Mathieu and Bacon Academy Principal Mark Ambruso addressed
the Board on expanding policy #3240. The policy states “The Board of Education will
permit students from other school districts to attend the Colchester Public Schools
when they can be accommodated in existing classes. The student, or caregiver/parent,
or sending school district, will pay a tuition fee to be established annually by the Board
of Education.” Mr. Mathieu and Mr. Ambruso explained that expanding upon the
current policy by having more tuition-paying students attend Bacon Academy will
help us maintain the curriculum and variety of course offerings at Bacon Academy in a
time of decreasing student population. In addition, area districts have informally
asked whether Colchester would accept tuition-paying students from their districts.
The Board discussed expansion of the policy as requested and noted that the course
offerings we now have are part of what makes Bacon Academy special. The Board
posed questions to administration and will discuss this further at an upcoming
meeting.
10.6 2014-15 Proposed School Year Calendar
Superintendent Mathieu presented to the Board the proposed 2014-2015 school
calendar as it was developed by the Colchester District Calendar Committee based
on both EASTCONN and LEARN calendars.
Motion: D. Kennedy
To approve the 2014-15 proposed school year calendar as read.
Seconded by: M. Tomasi
Vote: Unanimous
10.7 New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) BA Core Values,
Beliefs, and 21st Century Learning Expectations (Mission Statement)
Principal Ambruso and Assistant Principal Hewes presented the proposed Bacon
Academy Core Values, Beliefs, and 21st Century Learning Expectations, previously
known as the mission statement. This proposal is part of an on-going review,
required by NEASC, for Bacon Academy’s continued accreditation. BA will be
submitting a Pre-Self-Study Report to NEASC, due on April 1, 2015, describing the
process used to review and revise the school’s core values, beliefs about learning,
and 21st century learning expectations to ensure they have met the standards set by
NEASC. This process included an extensive amount of feedback and input from
district students, faculty and Colchester community members over the course of the
past year. Though the previous mission statement has been revised and updated,
the core values within the statement remain the same. The Board commended Mr.
Ambruso and Mr. Hewes on their year-long commitment to this extensive process.
Motion: M. Tomasi
To approve the proposed BA Core Values, Beliefs, & 21st Century
Learning Expectations (Mission Statement) as read.
Seconded by: D. Kennedy
Vote: Unanimous
10.8 BA Proposed Increase in Math Credits Required for Graduation
The Bacon Academy Math Department is proposing a change in graduation
requirements beginning with the Class of 2018. Current requirement is the
successful completion of three (3) credits of Mathematics. Proposed requirement is
for the successful completion of a minimum of four (4) credits and four (4) years of
Mathematics. BA mathematics teacher and Department Head Meaghan Kehoegreen
explained the rationale for this recommendation and explained it is in alignment
with new minimum standards for admission set by the Connecticut State
Universities. BA graduation requirements will remain at 25 credits.
Motion: B. Bernier
To approve the proposed increase to four (4) math credits and (4)
years of mathematics required for graduation, beginning with the
Class of 2018.
Seconded by: M. Egan
Vote: Unanimous
10.9 WJJMS-BA Integrated Science Testing Out Option
BA Principal Mark Ambruso explained a proposal to allow incoming 9th grade
students to test out of the 9th grade Integrated Science curriculum by demonstrating
competency of content knowledge and skill. This will allow incoming 9th grade
students to advance to Level III Biology during their freshman year. In order to be
advanced to Level III Biology in the freshmen year, any interested 8th grade student
must meet all of the presented criteria, all of the rigorous requirements and each
deadline. A lengthy discussion ensued among the Board and Principals Ambruso
and Bennett. The Board also requested a modification to the criteria that students
achieve a passing score on the Integrated Science final examination to add an
additional requirement that students will receive an item analysis of the corrected
final examination with the expectation that students will need to independently
remediate their areas of weakness in order to prepare for the 10th Grade Science
CAPT assessment. .
Motion: D. Kennedy
To approve the WJJMS-BA Integrated Science Testing Out Option
pending the student meets all of the rigorous requirements, criteria
and deadlines as proposed. Also with the expectation that students
will independently remediate the areas of weakness in order to
prepare for the 10th grade Science CAPT assessment.
Seconded by: B. Bernier
Vote: Unanimous
10.10 Request for Additional Paraprofessional Hours
An additional three (3) hours per day for a one-on-one paraprofessional are
necessary due to a DCF placement and nexus change. The Budget Committee
approved this request at their January 8, 2014 meeting.
Motion: D. Kennedy
To approve the requested three (3) additional hours per day for a
one-on-one paraprofessional.
Seconded by: M. Tomasi
Vote: Unanimous
11. Chairman’s Report
11.1 Chairman Goldstein reminded Board members of the upcoming session
scheduled for January 25, 2014 at 9:00am.
12. Committee Reports
None this meeting
13. Information Items
13.1 Enrollment
13.2 AASL Publishes Lesson Plan by CES Media Specialist Maureen Schlosser
13.3 CES Stuff A Bus
14. Executive Session (Enclosures/Handouts for Board Members only)
14.1 *Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Motion: D. Kennedy
To move into executive session.
Seconded by: B. Bernier
Vote: Unanimous. Time 10:06pm.
Chairman Goldstein brought the Board out of Executive Session at 10:10pm.
14.1 Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Motion: D. Kennedy
To approve a leave of absence for L. Albert.
Seconded by: B. Bernier
Vote: Unanimous.
15. Adjournment
Motion: D. Kennedy
To adjourn the meeting,
Seconded by: M. Tomasi
Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Goldstein adjourned the meeting at 10:11pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Shannon Tamosaitis
Board Clerk