Monday, November 10, 2008   Regular Meeting:  7:30 P.M.

East Lyme High School

INTV Room (B101)

Regular Meeting

Not official until approved by the East Lyme Board of Education on November 24, 2008

Board Members Present:          Kevin Seery (Chair), Jaime Ellis (Acting Secretary), Mary Broderick,

Melissa Ford, Laura Greenstein, Tim Hagen, Al Littlefield

Board Members Excused:        Elizabeth Groeber, Andy Dousis, Marlene Nickerson

Administrators Present:            Paul Smotas, Paul Freeman, Steve Buck, Karen Costello, John Sullivan, Judy DeLeeuw, David Miko, Lucy Schuman, Don Meltabarger

I.        CALL TO ORDER –   7:30 p.m.

II.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Dr. Paul Smotas

The East Lyme Board of Education recognized East Lyme Middle School teachers Cristina deCastro and Jay Gionet for their organization of the recent Walking Across the Curricula Walkathon.  Approximately 30 teachers, 55 parents, and 415 students participated in the walkathon raising $40,163 for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.

III.     PUBLIC COMMENT – None at this time.

There were no objections to moving item VII.C. before VII.A.

   IV.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION:       Al Littlefield moved approval of the minutes of the Board of Education Regular Meeting of October 28, 2008; Mary Broderick seconded. 

VOTE:             Unanimous                                                                             MOTION CARRIED

     V.    SPECIAL REPORTS: SELECTMEN'S REPRESENTATIVE, STUDENTS' REPRESENTATIVES, and OTHER REPORTERS

A.     Students’ Representatives Sara Schwartz and Tasmia Khan

       ·  Sophomores won Spirit Week

       ·  Over 300 students participated in a mock election. Obama won by over 70%

       ·  The ELHS Marching Band was chosen to participate in the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 and was featured on Channel 3.  The Concert Band will perform at Flanders and the ELHS Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra will perform at Niantic Center School and ELMS. 

       ·  Performances of the play “Whose Wives are they Anyway” will run this weekend at ELHS.  

Dr. Smotas announced that East Lyme High School has been chosen as one of Channel 3 “Cool Schools” and will be featured in a December newscast.

B.     Selectmen’s Representative Pamela Rowe

       ·  The Board of Selectman voted unanimously to donate $3,000 to the shelter at St. James

          Church in New London. 

C.     Building Committee Representative Gerard Burkhardt was not present.

D.     Other Reporters

VI.       CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION:       Melissa Ford moved approval of the Consent Agenda (A)  Proposed After School Activity Program (Fall) for NCS  (B) Proposed Exxon Mobil Corporation Grant  to NCS in the amount of $500.00 (C) Proposed Donation from the Dominion Resources Service, Inc. to the ELHS Contemporary Issues Class in the amount of $500.00 (D) Proposed Donation from The School for Ethical Education to the ELHS Academic Integrity Committee in the amount of $4,000.00; Al Littlefield seconded. 

VOTE:             Unanimous                                                                             MOTION CARRIED

VII.    DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS

A.     Finance/Facilities/Community

B.      Instruction

1.   Discussion/action re:  Proposed ELMS Out-of-Country Field Trip to Montreal, Canada

Dr. Smotas noted that 7^th and 8^th grade students have enjoyed this field trip for the past 20 years.  ELMS French teacher Ginny Amlong and Jackie Curry were present to address Board questions.   

MOTION:       Mary Broderick approved the proposed ELMS field trip to Montreal Canada on Thursday, April 2 through Saturday, April 4, 2009; Al Littlefield seconded. 

VOTE:              Unanimous                                                                            MOTION CARRIED

The Board commended the faculty for making this opportunity available for our children.

                  2.    Discussion/action re:  Proposed ELHS Sunday Sailing Competition in New Orleans, LA

The ELHS Sailing Team has been invited to participate in the Great Oaks Invitation Regatta in New Orleans, LA from Friday, November 14, 2008 through Monday, November 17, 2008.  Sailing Coach Neil O’Connell proudly informed the Board that East Lyme is one of four teams selected to represent New England and one of only 30 teams nationally.

MOTION:       Tim Hagen approved the proposed ELHS field trip to New Orleans, LA on Friday, November 14, 2008 through Monday, November 17, 2008 to participate in the Great Oaks Invitation Regatta; Laura Greenstein seconded. 

VOTE:              Unanimous                                                                            MOTION CARRIED

3.      Discussion re:  ELHS and ELMS Discipline Update

Dr. Smotas presented the Board with a suspension and expulsion report for the 2007-2008 school year and the 2008-2009 school year thus far.  Expulsion rates are dramatically lower.  Shorter expulsion terms have been implemented for other than weapon/drug infractions, and a community service component and drug/alcohol counseling, if applicable, are required. The increase in the number of infractions from grade 7 to 8 was noted.  MS Principal Judy DeLeeuw focused on the importance of keeping students in school.  The MS in-school

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suspension program provides students with academics, reflection on behavior, resolution and counseling.  HS Principal Dr. John Sullivan commended the assistant principals and teachers for working with students through progressive discipline and spoke of the commitment of the ELHS Academic Integrity Committee.

4.      Discussion re:  Presentation of the 2007-2008 ELPS Strategic School Profile

Dr. Smotas gave an overview of the final version of the 2007-2008 ELPS Strategic School Profile, highlighting specific areas of interest and concern as follows:

                  Highlights

1)      The 5-year student enrollment change is -0.5%

2)      88.7% of Kindergarten students attend preschool.

3)      44.1% of students reached health standards on all four tests compared to the State average of 36.1%.

4)      The cumulative four-year dropout rate for the class of 2007 is 2.7% compared to the State average of 6.2%.

5)      Students pursuing higher education is 86.8% and is 3.4% higher than the State average.

6)      Low class sizes are evidence of Board commitment and Town support.

7)      Expenditures per pupil for instructional supplies and equipment, student support services, administration and support services, and transportation are lower than our DRG and State average.

8)      The percentage of students with disabilities who graduated in 2006-2007 with a standard diploma is significantly higher than the State (90.5% compared to 77.2%) which is testimony to the successes of our special education programs.

9)      The percentage of juniors and seniors working 16 or more hours per week is significantly lower than our DRG and the State. 

10)  The percentage of students reaching health standards on all four tests is higher than    the State.

                              Concerns

1)      The number of hours of instruction per year in elementary and middle school are lower than our DRG and the State average.

2)      The percent of time K-12 students with disabilities spent with their non-disabled peers is lower than the district goal of 75%.

C.     Personnel

1.  Discussion/action re:  Proposed Use of Consultant Service – Interim Director of Special

     Services

Director of Special Services Steve Buck is retiring effective January 1, 2009.  Dr. Smotas asked the Board to consider contracting the services of Future Healthcore, LLC to provide an Interim Director of Special Services through the end of the school year.  Future Healthcore Representative Dr. Peter Bittel provided a summary of proposed services and highly recommended Dr. Corrine Berglund to fill the interim position. 

MOTION:       Mary Broderick approved the Futures HealthCore, LLC proposed use of consultant service effective January through June 2009 to provide an Interim Director of Special Services to ELPS, paid by the budgeted salary of the retiring Director of Special Services, as presented; Laura Greenstein seconded. 

VOTE:              Unanimous                                                                            MOTION CARRIED

2.      Discussion/action re: Proposed Use  of Consultant Service – Clinical and Educational

      Services Analysis to ELPS

                        Dr. Smotas proposed Futures HealthCore, LLC be contracted to provide a clinical and educational analysis of all ELPS special education programs for efficiency and

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                        effectiveness. The interim Special Education Director will identify, in collaboration with other Futures staff, a plan for continued success of the special education department.          

MOTION:       Tim Hagen moved to approve the Futures HealthCore, LLC Proposal to Provide a Clinical and Educational Services Analysis to ELPS from January through June 2009, paid by the budgeted salary of the retiring ELPS Director of Special Services, as presented; Al Littlefield seconded. 

VOTE:              Unanimous                                                                            MOTION CARRIED

D.         Other        

  VIII.     ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

A.     Superintendent of Schools – Dr. Paul Smotas

       •  Board members are invited to attend Veteran’s Day activities at all schools.  A schedule of

           events was distributed.

       •  Board representation is requested on each of the following committees:  Insurance, Teacher

           Retention and the Salem Cooperative Committee.

       •  Based upon our attorney’s opinion regarding student fees, students will be responsible for

           paying the full AP test fee of $78.00.

       •  The ELHS gym floor is buckling and remedies are being tried.  The Board was            

           reminded that it voted unanimously to replace the entire gym floor.

       •  The leaking pipes under the floor at Haynes are being repaired.  The cost may reach

           $20,000.

               B.    Assistant Superintendent of Schools – Mr. Paul Freeman – no report at this time.                          

C.      Business Manager –  Mr. Don Meltabarger

                      •   The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new requirements for school buses built

                            beginning 2010 include raising seat backs, 3-point seatbelts and larger buses.

    IX.            COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.     Budget Committee

B.     Policy Committee

C.     Community Relations Committee

D.     Personnel Policy Committee

               E.   Long Range Planning Committee

F.   Buildings & Grounds Committee –11/10/08 meeting update – A presentation of the proposed

      Flanders Safety Town Program was well received by the Committee and will be presented to

      the Board of Education at its next meeting.  An ELHS North Gym floor update was given.

G.  Elementary/Middle School Enhancement Committee

H.  Substance Abuse Ad Hoc Committee 

I.    School Calendar Ad Hoc Committee – 11/5/08 meeting update.  Representation included

      parents, teachers, the Salem Board of Education, and community members. A copy of the draft

      calendar will be posted on the district website for community input.

J.    East Lyme Aquatic and Fitness Center Committee – The Committee is working to establish

      funding for a scholarship program.  A proposal will be brought forward to the Board in the

      near future.

K.  Other Committee Reports

X.          COMMUNICATIONS

A.     ELHS Viking Saga, Volume 42, Edition 5, 11/3/08                                                                            B.   CABE Journal Vol. 14 No. 10 Article Entitled Northeast Region Endorses Broderick by                  Acclamation dated November 2008

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           C.  Letter from Mary Conway acknowledging ELHS Science teacher Laura Rotchford’s   participation on the NEASC Visiting Team at Amity High School          

D.  Education Week Article by Arthur E. Levine and David Haselkorn entitled Teaching at the Precipice –  Strengthening Teacher Retention and Recruitment for the Long Haul, dated 11/5/08    E.  Letter from Gugliotti Assoc. Inc. regarding ELHS Gym Update dated 11/4/08                         F.  Request for feedback packet from Jaime Ellis regarding CABE Delegate Convention                                                        

     XI.     NOTICES

A.     Notice of the following staffing changes:

1.      Appointments

           2.   Increases/Decreases in FTE    

                      3.   Resignations      

4.      Supplemental Appointments (2008-2009)

•  John Ahern, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach (Frosh), HS, not a member of the

   ELPS professional staff

•  Kim Binaco, Cheerleading Coach, HS, not a member of the ELPS professional

   staff

      •  Katie Breen, Elementary Band Director

      •  Katie Breen, Elementary Instrumental Coordinator

      •  Holly Buckley, Men’s Swimming Assistant Coach, HS

      •  Robert Crane, Football Volunteer Coach, HS, not a member of the ELPS

         professional staff

      •  Jim Cunningham, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach (JV), HS

      •  Dede Currier, Science Co-Coordinator, HA

      •  Rory Deer, Women’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS, not a member of the

         ELPS professional staff

      •  Jeffrey Drew, Interscholastic Boys’ Basketball Coach, MS

      •  Jeffrey Drew, Volunteer Football Coach, HS

      •  Chris Faulkner, Science Co-Coordinator, HA

      •  Colleen Gebhard, Fencing Head Coach, HS

      •  Sam Harfenist, Men’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS

      •  Steve Hargis, Women’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS

      •  Alison Janus, Cheerleading Volunteer Coach, HS, not a member of the ELPS

         professional staff

      •  Susan Levanti, Cheerleading Volunteer Coach, HS, not a member of the ELPS

         professional staff

      •  Alvin Lewis, Women’s Basketball Head Coach, HS, not a member of the ELPS

         professional staff

      •  Jim Littlefield, Fitness Center Coach (Winter), HS

      •  Mark LoPresto, Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach (Frosh), HS

      •  Edwin Lorah, Wrestling Head Coach, HS, not a member of the ELPS

         professional staff

      •  Robert Oliver, Men’s Basketball Volunteer Coach, HS, not a member of the

         ELPS professional staff

      •  Carl Reichard, Women’s Indoor Track Head Coach, HS

      •  Dale Schumacher, Men’s Basketball Volunteer Coach, HS, not a member of the

         professional staff

      •  Peter Sepko, Men’s Indoor Track Head Coach, HS

      •  Dan Spellman, Men’s Basketball Head Coach, HS, not a member of the

         professional staff

      •  Mike Spellman, Men’s Basketball Volunteer Coach, HS, not a member of the

          professional staff

      •  Jack Stabach, Boys’ Swimming Head Coach, HS

      •  Charles Ben Stone, Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach (JV), HS, not a member

          of the professional staff

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      •  Roger Templeton, Men’s Swimming Volunteer Coach, HS

      •  Ben Thuma, Women’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS, not a member of the

          professional staff                                                                                    

B.       Notice of the following out of state field trips: 

                       •  ELHS grade 11-12 field trip to NYC, NY on Thursday, December 4, 2008 to visit the South

                          Street Seaport and the Museum of Natural History

                      •  ELMS grade 7 field trip to NYC, NY on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 to see a Broadway

                           Show at the Imperial Theater

XII.    BOARD COMMENTS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

A.  Board Comments

1.  The NSBA’s Northeast Region endorsed NSBA Northeast Regional Director and CABE

        Past President Mary Broderick for NSBA Secretary-Treasurer by acclamation. 

        Congratulations Mary!

B.   Future Agenda Items:

     1.  2009-2010 ELPS Calendar

     2.  Update on ELMS Physical Education Attire – November 24, 2008

     3.  Early Childhood Education Update

XIII.    PUBLIC COMMENT –

            1.  Karen Rak, 27 Black Point Road, asked for clarification regarding the offenses entitled “other”

                  on the ELMS Discipline Report.

            2.  RoseAnn Hardy, EL Board of Selectman, stated the Board of Selectman voted and approved 

                    funding for replacement of the full ELHS North Gym floor.

5-minute recess at 9:09 p.m.

XIV.   EXECUTIVE SESSION –

Board Members Present:  Kevin Seery, Jaime Ellis, Mary Broderick, Melissa Ford,

                                          Laura Greenstein, Tim Hagen, Al Littlefield

Administrators Present:    Paul Smotas and Paul Freeman

MOTION:    Al Littlefield moved to enter into Executive Session at 9:13 p.m., to include the

                      Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, for the purpose of personnel/litigation issues;

                      Jaime Ellis seconded.

The Board exited Executive Session at 9:37 p.m.

XV.    ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:       Jaime Ellis moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:37 p.m.; Al Littlefield seconded. 

VOTE:              Unanimous                                                                            MOTION CARRIED

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Jaime Ellis/lb

                                                                                    Jaime Ellis, Acting Secretary

                                                                                    East Lyme Board of Education