Present

Elizabeth Bobrick, Sally Boske, Frederick Chappelle, Lloyd Duggan, Daniel Filer, 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 Ken Jackson, Assistant to the Superintendent/Board of Education Secretary Kathryn Eyles, MSA President Kim Berry, Student Representative Roisin Wisneski, two representatives from the Middletown Federation of Teachers, two representatives from the Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals, two representatives from Local #466, Hartford Courant Reporter Ken Byron, Middletown Press Reporter Laura Kennedy, and twenty-five visitors.

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

At this time, Mr. Chappelle asked for a moment of silence for Lillie Mae Fitzpatrick, NAACP Education Chair, who passed away March 9, 2001.

MOTION Ms. Boske made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bobrick and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2001 Regular Meeting.

 B PUBLIC SESSION

Mr. Chappelle reviewed with the public the procedures for addressing the Board.

Mr. George Suoto, 56 Julia Terrace, spoke in support of extending the wrestling program to the middle school level.

Mr. Rosalyn Andrews, 3 Blue Orchard Drive, spoke in support of extending the wrestling program to the middle school level.

Ms. Jackie Arabas, 25 Prospect Street, spoke in support of extending the wrestling program to the middle school level.

Mr. Michael Goldstein, Vice President of Local #466, spoke against cutting any custodial or maintenance positions due to budget constraints.

Ms. Anita Melchorn, 165 Plaza Drive, spoke in support of extending the wrestling program to the middle school level.

Ms. Mary Pistorino, President of the Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals, spoke against cutting any paraprofessional positions due to budget constraints.

Officer Tim Riley, Middletown Police Department, offered his assistance to the wrestling program.

Ms. Bobrick commented on how much her daughter enjoyed the wrestling program and expressed her appreciation for Coach Mark Fong's efforts.

Ms. Boske reminder Board members that Wednesday, March 28, 2001, is CABE "Day on the Hill" from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and in the evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

MOTION Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Mr. Filer and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the following Personnel Action items:

Resignation:

Alice LaMarche, a Physical Education Teacher employed since November 1993, has submitted her resignation effective June 30, 2001 for the purpose of retirement.

Julie Wiszniak, a Special Education Teacher employed since August 2000, has submitted her resignation effective March 18, 2001 for personal reasons.

There were no items.

Financial Statement

Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said that the budget is being closely monitored, especially fuel and diesel oil and special education transportation. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said that some lines that were frozen have been made available to administrators. Ms. Weiss asked about the special education transportation deficit. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said a number of students are placed out-of-district and require special transportation which could be a car for one student. Ms. Weiss asked if this would be addressed in the next budget. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said yes.

Building Projects

Mr. Jackson reminded Board members that the referendum date is May 1^st. Mr. Duggan asked Mr. Jackson if wiring for technology would be incorporated in both schools. Mr. Jackson said yes, it would follow the district plan. Ms. Boske asked about the impact on students. Mr. Jackson said both firms and committees are looking to capture space within the existing school. Ms. Boske asked about support for the building projects. Mr. Jackson said the committee chairs are in the process of lining up committee members to address PTA and PTO members in April.

 Connecticut Mastery Tests - Results

Dr. John Hennelly presented the Connecticut Mastery Tests (CMT) results using a power point presentation. He told the Board that these results are the first of Connecticut's 3^rd generation tests. The chief design difference between the new tests and the previous ones is the new tests' broadened scope. In all three areas - reading, writing, and mathematics - the state has included additional and, in some instances, more specific measures. Also, this year's testing population includes a greater number of special needs students, as directed by the state. Dr. Hennelly said that Middletown students' overall performance in grades 4, 6, and 8 reflects previous years' performance, with some irregularities between levels. District scores remain relatively stable, reflecting higher performance than those of its ERG, and lower performance than the state average. He noted that because this year's results and individual student profiles arrived much later than in previous years, and the fact that the grades 3, 5, and 7 results are based on 2^nd generation tests, his report comprises grades 4, 6, and 8 results only. Where legitimate comparisons can be drawn, the Middletown schools have attempted to do so; however, as Commissioner Sergi cautions, drawing comparisons between these and the previous generation results in inadvisable. Dr. Hennelly said that a more complete, including 2^nd and 3^rd generation and grades 3-8 results will be submitted to the Board within the next month.

Mr. Thazhampallath asked about the tests' correlation to the staff. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said the principal does discuss the results with the teacher. Mr. Duggan said he did not notice a meaningful role for parents. Dr. Hennelly said the tests are shared with parents groups and the profiles were sent home last week. Ms. Boske asked if schools are still meeting with parents to go over scores? Spencer School Principal Sylvia E. Webb said they do when parents request meetings. Ms. Bobrick asked if parents were aware that they need to request a conference. Snow School Principal Gene P. Nocera said letters to parents encourage them to contact the teacher to go over results. Dr. Hennelly said the profiles did not go home. Mr. Duggan asked if we had any information on how our budget compares to those of our ERG group members? He said he was interested seeing aggregate budgets because our system was doing so much better. Ms. Bobrick mentioned the importance of translating the information gathered into professional development services.

4) Professional Development Evaluations 2000-2001

Dr. Gene Nocera discussed this year's professional development document which includes the initial evaluations of the 74 workshops offered this year, average ratings (1 to 5) are reported on five indicators for each workshop. As in past years, the district's professional development committee plans, monitors, and assesses a wide array of professional development offerings designed to help Middletown educators implement district, school and department initiatives. Amount the many initiatives supported by this year's workshops were diversity enhancement, performance-based learning, educational technology, elementary science, and writing across the curriculum. Participants' immediate evaluations of the workshops were generally favorable.

Ms. Weiss expressed her pleasure that so many staff members are presenting at workshops. Ms. Bobrick thanked Dr. Nocera and the committee for their fine work. She asked what his sense was regarding diversity training and asked if we need to refocus workshops. Dr. Nocera felt the district has done a tremendous job following our Diversity Plan which has been in place for many years. He said that elementary and middle schools have been involved for many years in diversity training, so they will do follow-up training so it isn't lost. This year the high school will enter into 12 hours of diversity training. Mr. Chappelle said he thought the essential issue of concern is that we not relate to the topic based segment - it needs to be integrated in all areas - that is where our challenge is. Through the Chair, Mr. Duggan asked Dr. Hennelly how we compare with districts in our ERG with what we spend on professional development. Dr. Hennelly did not have that information; however, he said there are other indicators. He said what you want to look at are the stated outcomes and how we assess effectiveness.

 G OLD BUSINESS

1) School Calendar

Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said that the administration is recommending, due to inclement weather, that the Board approve Friday, June 22, 2001, as an additional make up day if needed. She said that if more than one additional day is needed, the April vacation days will be used as make up days.

MOTION Ms. Boske made a motion seconded by Ms. Bobrick, and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the use of Friday, June 22, 2001, as an additional make up day if needed for the 2000-01 school year.

2) Board of Education Budget 2001-02*

Mr. Chappelle told Board members that he had asked the Superintendent to develop a potential list budget cuts which would eventually bring the Board of Education Recommended Budget down to 4.48%. Items #1-25 do not impact current positions, Item #26 concerns new positions, and Items #27 through 47 will impact current employees and positions. They are not prioritized, but there is no doubt that they will effect class sizes. It was suggested that, prior to the Board Budget Workshop with the Common Council on Wednesday, March 14^th, that a brief narrative showing the impact of each reduction should be added.

*NOTE: This item was for information purposes only.

 H NEW BUSINESS

21^st Century Community Learning Center Grants

MOTION Ms. Boske made a motion seconded by Ms. Bobrick, and the Board VOTED unanimously to authorize the administration to apply for funds under the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant.

Inter-District Cooperative Grants (a) to (e)

MOTION Ms. Boske made a motion seconded by Mr. Filer, and the Board VOTED unanimously to authorize the administration to apply for three Inter-district Cooperative Grants - Youth Mathematics and Technology Academy, Inter-district Enrichment and Academic Symposium (IDEAS), and Middle College High School - and participate in additional Inter-district grant projects - Technology, Exploration, Application, and Modeling (TEAM) and Camp Clubhouse Summer on the Sound - with Essex and Clinton, as recommended.

Center for School Change Grant

MOTION Mr. Duggan made a motion seconded by Ms. Bobrick, and the Board VOTED unanimously to authorize the administration to apply for funding under the Center for School Change Grant Program. 

Mr. Chappelle reminded Board members that the Board of Education will hold a workshop with the Common Council on Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at 7:00 p.m.

 J ADJOURNMENT

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

Time: 9:38 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara M. Weiss

Secretary

/kce

REMINDER The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2001, at 7:00 P.M.

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