Present

Elizabeth Bobrick, Sally Boske, Frederick Chappelle, Daniel Filer, Lloyd Duggan, Edward McMillan (arrived at 8:00 p.m.), Geen Thazhampallath, and Barbara Weiss.

Also Present

Superintendent of Schools Carol Parmelee-Blancato, Associate Superintendent Richard Cormier, Assistant Superintendent John Hennelly, Director of Food Services and Transportation William Pillarella, Director of Facilities Kendall Jackson, Assistant to the Superintendent/Board of Education Secretary Kathryn Eyles, Middletown Schools Association President Kimberly Berry, Board Extern Evelyn Ambriscoe, Student Representative Roisin Wisneski, one representative from the Middletown Federation of Teachers, one representative from the Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals, Hartford Courant Reporter Ken Byron, Middletown Press Reporter Laura Kennedy, and twenty-four visitors.

Mr. Chappelle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the pledge of allegiance was recited.

Mr. Chappelle asked if there were any comments on the Minutes of October 3, 2000.

MOTION Ms. Boske made a motion, seconded by Mr. Duggan and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2000 regular meeting.

No one addressed the Board.

1. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato informed the Board of a thank you note received from Jesse Salafia expressing his appreciation to the Board of Education for honoring him by dedicating the School Based Health Center at Keigwin School in his name.
2. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato shared with the Board that they will be receiving an invitation from the NEASC visiting committee. They will be at Middletown High School from Sunday through Wednesday (November 12-15, 2000) and would like to meet with the Board on Sunday, November 12^th, at 1:30 p.m. in the Media Center.

There were no items.

There were no items.

Ms. Parmelee-Blancato began her report outlining the background of the high school advisory committee and introduced the members present. She continued with a presentation of suggestions for the Enrollment and Space Utilization for the school district of Middletown. Two options were presented:

Option #1 - Expand the Present High School

Option #2 - Build a New High School

In addition with Options 1 and 2 Ms. Parmelee-Blancato recommended closing Macdonough School and expanding Lawrence and Wesley Schools. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato considered the following categories for each option: Considerations, benefits, constraints, MHS preparation, state reimbursement and cost projections.

Option #1, Expand the Present High School, at $28,120,000, would involve having the City give the Board Pat Kidney Field and adjacent City land, as well as, closing Hunting Hill Avenue to public traffic from the Vo-Ag Building to create a campus style atmosphere. Option #2, Build a New High School, $71,400,000, would provide Middletown with a new public high school. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato recommended using the site currently occupied by Woodrow Wilson Middle School (WWMS) for the new high school, and upon completion of the new school, WWMS would be demolished. The current Middletown High School would become a grades 7 and 8 middle school. It should be noted that for Options 1 and 2, the benefits, constraints, and preparation remain the same for Macdonough, Lawrence, and Wesley Schools. The cost to expand Lawrence and Wesley Schools would be: Lawrence - $3,775,000 and Wesley - $4,485,000.

Ms. Parmelee-Blancato asked if there were any questions, and Mr. Chappelle asked for her recommendation. She said after a great deal of thought, review of the data, she must recommend a new high school; however, it is ultimately the Board's decision. Ms. Wisneski asked where the high school would be located if Option 2 was approved. Mr. Jackson said that a feasibility study would be completed. Mr. Duggan asked if relocatables would be used to deal with additional students between now and 2007. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said yes. At a cost of $500,000 to purchase and $250,000 to lease. Mr. Jackson said the lease is usually for three years and after the initial $250,000 the cost is $99,000 per year for the next two years.

Ms. Weiss asked about the student distribution upon closing of Macdonough. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said there would be a major redistricting of the entire school district. Ms. Weiss asked if the superintendent proposed the demolition of WWMS because no other site was available. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said yes, because although Wesleyan was very cooperative, they may not have any land available until 2008, and to make Option II viable, she had to find land. Ms. Weiss commented that the Mayor should be responsible for finding land and not the committee. In addition, she recalls every mayor since 1982 being asked to look for land. Mr. Thazhampallath asked about the limitations mentioned in Option #1. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said there might be some limitations because 34 acres (which is considered standard acreage) are not available at the Hunting Hill Avenue site. He also asked what the expansion would entail at Lawrence and Wesley Schools. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said five classrooms at each school. Mr. Thazhampallath asked about the time frame for the two options and which would be more difficult to carryout. Mr. Jackson said both options could start at the same time; however, Option 2 would take six months longer and the expansion would be more difficult. Mr. Thazhampallath questioned the closing of Macdonough School. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said for several years the Board has had to "spot" redistrict to keep Macdonough School in racial compliance, and she felt, with the Lawrence and Wesley Schools building projects, this was the time to bring this option to the Board.

Ms. Boske mentioned that the cost for Option #2 is $71,400,000 using our land and this price could be higher if we ask the Mayor to find a site for the new high school. Both Mr. Thazhampallath and Ms. Bobrick felt the Board should think carefully before letting Macdonough School go out of Board control. Mr. Filer asked if Carol's recommendation was also the committee's recommendation. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said that the committee went from seven options to two, and their suggestion was that the options mentioned above be presented to the Board for consideration. High School Committee Member Sheila Daniels expressed her concern with the new or expanded high school issue, the Lawrence and Wesley Schools renovation and expansion, and the redistricting presented at the same time to the community. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said these options would be separated out. Ms. Boske asked when the Lawrence and Wesley projects would go to referendum. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said Spring or Fall of 2001 depending on state approval.

Mr. Chappelle thanked the members of the High School Committee and reminded Board members that they would be meeting on November 1, 2000 to further discuss this issue and cautioned Board members to carefully weigh the options presented by the Superintendent. The decision of the Board will have a tremendous impact on the community and government.

Mr. Chappelle called for a brief recess at 9:00 PM

Mr. Chappelle reconvened the meeting at 9:06 PM

1) Policy #4118.4 (a) to (c) - Acceptable use - Computers, Networks, and Email for Certified and Non-certified Staff - First Reading

MOTION Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Ms. Boske, and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve Policy #4118.4 (a) to (c) - Acceptable use - Computers, Networks, and Email for Certified and Non-certified Staff.

There were no items.

With no further discussion, Mr. Chappelle adjourned the meeting.

Time: 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara M. Weiss

Secretary/kce

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