Scroll down or click the bookmarks to see all the submitted minutes for meetings held in
December
East Lyme High School
INTV Room – B101
Regular Meeting – 7:30 p.m.
Not official until approved by the East Lyme Board of Education on January 7, 2008
Board Members Present: Kevin Seery (Chair), Judy Engel (Secretary), Mary Broderick, Tim Hagen, Marlene Nickerson, Andy Dousis, Al Littlefield, Jaime Ellis, Elizabeth Groeber
Administrators Present: Paul Smotas, Paul Freeman, Steve Buck, Don Meltabarger,
Judy DeLeeuw, Lucy Schuman, Larry Roberts, Karen Costello,
Kathryn Sassu, David Miko
I. CALL TO ORDER – 7:33 p.m.
The Chair was relinquished to the Superintendent for the purpose of conducting the election of a new chairperson. Dr. Smotas called for nominations.
A. Election of Board of Education Chair
MOTION: Judy Engel nominated Kevin Seery for the position of Chair; Al Littlefield seconded.
VOTE PRO: Judy Engel, Mary Broderick, Tim Hagen, Marlene Nickerson, Andy Dousis, Al Littlefield,
Jaime Ellis, Elizabeth Groeber,
ABSTAIN: Kevin Seery MOTION CARRIED
B. Election of Board of Education Secretary
Chair, Kevin Seery, called for nominations for the position of Board of Education Secretary.
MOTION: Al Littlefield nominated Judy Engel for the position of Board Secretary; Marlene Nickerson seconded.
VOTE PRO: Kevin Seery Mary Broderick, Tim Hagen, Marlene Nickerson, Andy Dousis, Al Littlefield,
Jaime Ellis, Elizabeth Groeber,
ABSTAIN: Judy Engel MOTION CARRIED
C. Election of Board of Vacancy
Kevin Seery announced that Paul Ludington submitted a letter to the Town Hall on Friday, December 2, 2007, at 3:30 p.m. declining the Board seat due to personal reasons. Kevin Seery introduced Melissa Ford, 38 Carriage Hill Drive, who is interested in filling the vacancy. Kevin Seery called for nominations.
MOTION: Al Littlefield nominated Melissa Ford to fill the Board vacancy; Marlene Nickerson seconded.
Tim Hagen confirmed that this nomination would be in effect until the 2009 elections and that the new candidate would not be able to vote until the Town Hall is notified in writing of the appointment.
VOTE PRO: Unanimous MOTION CARRIED
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Beth Groeber
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Stephen Fennell, 59 Carriage Hill Drive, informed the Board that even after submitting a letter of complaint in October and meeting with Dr. Smotas, it still is taking too long for Lillie B. Haynes students to arrive home off bus #12. Families are not able to attend after school activities due to this lateness. He is in the process of submitting another letter with signatures requesting that the route be changed.
2. Vivian Gregor, 194 Roxbury Road, added to Stephen Fennell’s comments stating that this is the first year that it takes an hour for Lillie B. Haynes students to arrive home and was dismayed that the bus company’s policy allows for students to be on the bus for up to an hour. She indicated that the high school run takes 20 minutes, the middle school run takes 15 minutes, and Haynes school 60 minutes.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Judy Engel moved approval of the minutes of the Board of Education regular meeting of November 26, 2007; Tim Hagen seconded.
VOTE: Kevin Seery, Judy Engel, Mary Broderick, Tim Hagen, Marlene Nickerson, Andy Dousis, Al Littlefield
ABSTAINED: Beth Groeber and Jaime Ellis MOTION CARRIED
V. SPECIAL REPORTS: SELECTMEN'S REPRESENTATIVE, STUDENTS' REPRESENTATIVES, and OTHER REPORTERS
A. Selectman's Report – Pam Rowe, on behalf of the East Lyme Selectmen
· Kevin Seery welcomed Pam Rowe as the new Selectman’s representative.
B. Town Building Committee Representative - Gerard Burkhardt was not present.
C. Students’ Representative – Robyn Engel updated the Board on the following:
· The students are looking forward to the December vacation.
· Winter sports are in full swing. The 1st wrestling match was held on 12/12.07.
· Mid-terms are approaching.
· Seniors are calmer since most college applications have been submitted.
· The Senior’s are holding a Krispy Kreme Donut fundraiser to help support their prom night.
D. Grasso Tech Principal, Kerry Bell, passed out information about their program to Board members and thanked the Board for providing transportation to Grasso Tech for the 12 East Lyme Students who are enrolled in their school. Grasso Tech senior, Craig Kelly, personally thanked the Board for the opportunity to attend Grasso Tech, which has been a life changing experience for him. Assistant Principal, Gina Farfarz, spoke to the numerous positive changes in the Connecticut Technical School System. Judy Engel asked how many students attend Grasso from East Lyme, Niantic, and Salem and the principal replied: 12.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: Marlene Nickerson moved approval of the Consent Agenda; approving (1) an out of state weekend field trip for the ELHS Ski Club to Mt. Stowe, Vermont on February 1-2, 2008 and (2) the acceptance of a $1,000.00 donation from Lisa and Bill VanCura to the ELHS Boy’s Lacrosse Team; seconded by Al Littlefield
VOTE: Unanimous MOTION CARRIED
VII. DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS
A. Finance/Facilities/Community. No Report.
B. Instruction
1. Discussion re: Presentation by Carl Reichard regarding the CIAC Athletic Department Self-Evaluation.
This self evaluation is being undertaken in response to an imposed sanction last school year by the CIAC regarding our tennis team. The five standards that will be reviewed are the Program Guiding Principles, Program Curriculum, Program Resources and Equity, Program Administration, and Program and Player Evaluation. A survey will be conducted, including all coaches, students (past and present), and parents. The data will be used to evaluate our program and will be reviewed by the committees established to evaluate each standard. Questions from Judy Engel, Mary Broderick, Beth Groeber, Tim Hagen, and Dr. Smotas included: How will sampling be done? Ask other districts what worked well. Will we get feedback from CIAC as to how many received the CIAC “rule” regarding seniors being able to only play on a varsity team.
2. Discussion/action re: proposed half day requests for ELHS NEASC self study.
In order to complete the self study process for the New England Associated of Schools and Colleges Accreditation, the ELHS is requesting one half day per month beginning February 2009 and concluding in January 2010 to accommodate all the work that needs to be completed for this process. School will end for students at 12:05 p.m. and the faculty work day will conclude at 2:45 p.m. (Dates: 2/11/09, 3/25/09, 4/15/09, 5/13/09, 6/03/09, 9/23/09, 10/21/09, 11/18/09, 12/09/09, and 1/27/10) Much discussion followed this discussion/action item. Questions from Mary Broderick, Andy Dousis, Marlene Nickerson, Judy Engel, Tim Hagen, and Al Littlefield included: What if the State of Connecticut changes hourly requirements? How much does this cost in teacher dollars?
MOTION: Mary Broderick moved to approve the half day requests for the ELHS NEASC self study; seconded by Al Littlefield.
VOTE PRO: Kevin Seery, Judy Engel, Mary Broderick, Tim Hagen, Al Littlefield, Jaime Ellis,
Beth Groeber
VOTE CON: Andy Dousis, Marlene Nickerson MOTION CARRIED
MOTION CARRIED
C. Personnel. No report.
D. Policy. No report.
E. Other. No Report
VIII. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
A. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Smotas:
· Dr. Smotas congratulated the High School on being named one of the top high schools in the country in the December 6, 2007 issue of the U.S. News & World Report.
o
Larry Roberts added to Dr. Smotas’ report with a letter of congratulations that the high school received from U.S. News & World Report for being awarded a silver metal as a top performing school in Connecticut.
· The East Lyme Marching Band proudly led the Light Parade on Sunday, December 9th.
· Have held two Budget 101 Workshops and have three more scheduled. They will be aired on Channel 22 through the budget process. 20 attended the first session, 9 attended the second session.
· There will be a Salem reconciliation meeting on December 19th at 3:00 to set tuition rates for 2008-2009 school year.
· The Salem Co-op meeting is scheduled for January 14th at 6:00.
B. Assistant Superintendent Paul Freeman: No report.
C. Business Director Don Meltabarger:
· Reporting for the Building Committee: The dampness in the high school gym is down from 20% to 9%. The wood flooring will be delivered before January 1st and the gym floor should be done the first part of February.
· CL&P is sending a refund check in the amount of $8,975.00.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Budget Committee: No report.
B. Policy Committee: No report.
C. Community Relations Committee: No report.
D. Personnel Policy: No report.
E. LEARN Update: No report.
F. Long Range Planning Committee: No report.
G. Buildings & Grounds Committee: No report.
H. Pool Committee: No report.
I. Pool Adhoc Committee: No report.
J. Elementary/Middle School Enhancement Committee: No report.
K. Substance Abuse Adhoc Committee: No report.
L. Other Committee Reports: No report.
X. COMMUNICATIONS
A. VNASC Town of East Lyme Annual Report (2006-2007)
B. NEASC Accreditation Letter Dated November 15, 2007
C. Viking Saga, Volume XLI, Edition 6, December 3, 2007
D. America’s Best High Schools, U.S. News Article Dated December 6, 2007
XI. NOTICES
A. Notice of the following staffing changes:
1. Appointments:
Thomas Christina, 1.0 Science Long-Term Sub, ELHS (For Jolene Hiltz, Effective 12/06/07)
Catherine Nixon, 1.0 Instructional Aide , Integrated Preschool, effective 12/03/07
John Rudker, 1.0 PE Long-Term Sub, ELHS (For Kim Thompson) from 11/26/07
through on or about 1/30/2008.
Maryann Smith, 1.0 Accounts Clerk, ELHS, effective 11/28/07
2. Reassignments: None at this time.
3. Increases/Decreases in FTE: None at this time.
4. Resignations:
Jane Martinez, .5 Greeter, Flanders School, effective 12/7/07
5. Retirements – None at this time.
6. Leave of Absences (Under FMLA):
7. Supplemental Appointments (2007-2008):
John Ahern, Men’s Basketball Freshman Coach, HS
Jamie Barnard, Volunteer Boy’s Swim Coach, HS
Kim Binaco, Cheerleading Coach (Winter), HS
Holly Buckley, Boys Swimming Assistant Coach, HS
James Cunningham, Men’s Basketball Assistant JV Coach, HS
Sam Harfenist, Men’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS
Steve Hargis, Women’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS
David Hemming, Wrestling Assistant Coach, HS
Lacey Johnson, Women’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS
Tinita Larmann, Volunteer Boy’s Swimming Coach, HS
James Littlefield, Fitness Center Head Coach (Winter), HS
Mark LoPresto, Women’s Basketball Freshman Coach, HS
Carl Reichard, Women’s Indoor track Head Coach, HS
Dale Schumacher, Volunteer Basketball Coach, HS
Dave Sdao, Women’s Indoor Track Assistant Coach, HS
Peter Sepko, Men’s Indoor Track Head Coach, HS
Ben Stone, Women’s Basketball Assistant JV Coach, HS
Michael Spellman, Volunteer Basketball Coach, HS
Jack Stabach, Boy’s Swimming Head Coach, HS
B. Notice of the following out of state field trips:
1. ELHS field trip to Okemo Mountain, Ludlow, Vermont on Saturday, 12/15/2007.
2. ELHS field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY City on Tuesday, 12/04/2007.
3. ELMS Grade 5 (Sea Hawks) field trip to the Boston Museum of Science on Wednesday, February 6, 2007.
XII. BOARD COMMENTS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A. Board Comments
1. A Board orientation/retreat will be scheduled the beginning of January.
2. The First Selectman’s budget presentation is tentatively scheduled for February 20th which will extend the time to adopt the budget by a couple of weeks.
B. Future Agenda Items:
4. Homework
5. Recess
6. Long Range Planning
7. 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 ELPS Calendar
8. 2008 BOE Meeting Date Calendar
9. Soaring Through Summer Program Overview
XIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Judy Engel thanked everyone for supporting their Senior Class Party Craft & Gift Fair which was a huge success.
2. Mike Schultz, Lovers Lane, thanked the high school for a great job in accommodating all 52 craft vendors.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Andy Dousis moved to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.; Al Littlefield seconded.
VOTE: Unanimous MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Judith F. Engel/lr
Judith F. Engel, Secretary
East Lyme Board of Education