Present

Elizabeth Bobrick, Sally Boske (arrived at 6:14 p.m.), Frederick Chappelle, Marie Derosier, Daniel Filer, Edward McMillan, Geen Thazhampallath, and Barbara Weiss.

Also Present

Superintendent of Schools Carol Parmelee-Blancato, Associate Superintendent Richard Cormier, Assistant Superintendent John Hennelly, Assistant to the Superintendent/Board of Education Secretary Kathryn Eyles, MSA President Kim Berry, three representatives from the Middletown Federation of Teachers, one representatives from the Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals, and six visitors.

Mr. Chappelle called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m., and the pledge of allegiance was recited.

At this time, Mr. Chappelle asked for a moment of silence for Adrian Soares, a Middletown High School junior, who passed away March 15, 2001.

 MOTION Ms. Bobrick made a motion, seconded by Mr. Chappelle, and the Board VOTED with two in favor - Ms. Bobrick and Mr. Chappelle, and six abstentions - Ms. Derosier, Mr. Filer, Mr. McMillan, Mr. Thazhampallath, and Ms. Weiss to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2001 special meeting.

MOTION Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Mr. Filer, and the Board VOTED with five in favor - Ms. Bobrick, Ms. Derosier, Mr. Filer, Mr. Thazhampallath, and Ms. Weiss, and one abstention - Mr. McMillan, to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2001 regular meeting.

MOTION Ms. Bobrick made a motion, seconded by Mr. Filer, and the Board VOTED with five in favor - Ms. Bobrick, Ms. Derosier, Mr. Filer, Mr. McMillan, and Mr. Thazhampallath, and one abstention - Ms. Weiss, to approve the summary of the March 14, 2001 budget workshop.

MOTION Mr. McMillan made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bobrick and the Board VOTED with three in favor - Ms. Bobrick, Mr. Chappelle, and Mr. McMillan, and five abstentions - Ms. Boske, Ms. Derosier, Mr. Filer, Mr. Thazhampallath, and Ms. Weiss, to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2001 special meetings.

No one addressed the Board.

There were no items.

Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said that due to the uncertainty of next year's budget, the Board does need to look at non-renewal of contract teachers. She said that this is in accordance with the requirement of state statute 10-151, Employment of Teachers, that requires the Board of Education to notify all non-tenure teachers by April 1^st of their employment for the next school year. After a lengthy discussion, the Board decided not to lay off teachers.

Ms. Bobrick asked about the viability of Mr. Daley's suggestion, made at the Budget Workshop, to look at funding the salary line at a 95% level which includes a 3% reserve and more discussion followed.

MOTION Mr. Chappelle made a motion, seconded by Ms. Derosier, to authorize the administration to reformulate the budget to a 95% salary line with 3% reserve, and to present, in written format, to the leadership of the council with the expectation that the Board will come forward to the Council for additional funds if the Board of Education experienced a financial shortfall. He also directed that the Board be updated on a meeting by meeting basis of the status of the salary line. Ms. Bobrick offered a friendly amendment to cover special education costs. Mr. Chappelle said he would add with expectation that any extraordinary costs would be covered.

The Board VOTED unanimously to authorize the administration to reformulate the budget to a 95% salary line with 3% reserve, and to present, in written format, to the leadership of the council with the expectation that we will come forward with any request to deal with a financial shortfall.

There were no items.

There were no items.

There were no items.

Mr. Filer left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

MOTION Ms. Derosier made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bobrick and the Board VOTED unanimously to authorize the administration to apply for two additional Inter-District Cooperative Grant Programs, The Celebration of Learning, and Summer Institute for Science and Mathematics at Saint Joseph College, as recommended.

MOTION Ms. Bobrick made a motion, seconded by Ms. Boske and the Board VOTED unanimously to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing confidential correspondence from Board counsel pertaining to Transportation Contract.

Time: 7:20 p.m.

All Board members, the Superintendent, and the Associate Superintendent remained for executive session.

MOTION Ms. Bobrick made a motion, seconded by Ms. Boske and the Board VOTED unanimously to return to public session.

  At this time the Board addressed the non-renewal of contract of the following fourteen (14) teachers, twelve (12) of whom are one-year only teachers, and two (2) who were hired on DSAP (Durational Shortage Area Permit).

MOTION Ms. Bobrick made a motion, seconded by Ms. Boske and the Board VOTED unanimously to move that the contract of employment for the above-mentioned people not be renewed upon its expiration at the end of the current school year and that the Superintendent of Schools be directed to advise such persons in writing of this action.

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

Time: 8:03 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 

Barbara M. Weisss

Secretary/kce

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