Present

Elizabeth Bobrick, Sally Boske, 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, Director of Food Services and Transportation William Pillarella, Director of Facilities Ken Jackson, Assistant to the Superintendent/Board of Education Secretary Kathryn Eyles, Board of Education Extern Gwen Eaddy, two representatives from the Middletown Federation of Teachers, one representatives from the Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals, Hartford Courant Reporter Matthew Brown, Middletown Press Reporter Laura Kennedy, and five visitors.

Mr. Chappelle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for a moment of silence for Board of Education electrician Sebastian Lisitano who passed away on December 17^th.

The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Mr. Chappelle acknowledged and welcomed Gwen Eaddy as the new Board Extern.

MOTION Ms. Derosier made a motion, seconded by Ms. Boske and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2000 regular meeting.

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

Mr. Lee Smith, 17 Afton Terrace, addressed the Board about his concern with a bus driver using the "brakes" to discipline students.

Mr. Chappelle informed Board members that when he and Ms. Parmelee-Blancato went before the Planning and Zoning (P & Z) Commission, they provided information about eleven (11) potential building sites for the new Middletown High School. He also said that P & Z Commission Chair William Holley asked to have a workshop with the Board prior to their next meeting on January 10, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. Therefore, the Board will meet with the P & Z Commission on Wednesday, January 10, 2001, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

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

Resignation:

Sandra DiPietro, an Art Teacher employed since September 1976 has submitted her resignation effective February 2, 2001 for the purpose of retirement.

Robert Mitchell, a Mathematics Teacher employed since August 2000 has submitted his resignation effective January 2, 2000 to accept a position in another district.

Ms. Weiss informed the Board that at the January 9, 2001 Board meeting, the Policy Committee will be recommending, under New Business, that the Board revisit the Policy for Extracurricular Activities. Ms. Boske asked Board members to submit any questions regarding this policy prior to the meeting so the committee will be prepared to answer them.

Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said that there is not much change from last month, and we are still looking at a projected deficit.

Mr. Jackson said that the project’s completion is not as timely as anticipated, and the administration has expressed their concerns to Haynes Construction Company and the architect. The kitchen plans to commence serving hot lunches on January 2, 2001. In addition to the punch list, two other issues that must be addressed in the kitchen are installation of an electric heating unit (to replace the two small electric units currently there) and replacement of a grease trap and installation of an indirect drain assembly. There is also a problem with the sewer line egress from the circular addition section of the school. All efforts are being made to specifically identify the problem so that a plan for repair can be developed. This has been given a very high priority.

Several Board members expressed their concern over who would bear the cost of correcting the sewer problem. Mr. Jackson said if it was an existing problem it would be corrected through a change order; however, if it occurred during construction, Haynes would be liable.

Mr. Thazhampallath said that the building committee interviewed two architectural firms, Friar Associates and AM Design, and the committee chose to recommend to the Mayor AM Design Architects, Inc. of Middletown. Mr. Thazhampallath noted that at the last meeting of the building committee, the Mayor attended and asked for support for AM Design Architects, Inc. There was much discussion about Friar Associates not being selected as an architect for school building projects.

Ms. Bobrick said that on December 28^th the building committee will be interviewing six architectural firms.

Mr. Chappelle said that the Board must adopt a proposed budget for the 2001-2002 fiscal year.

Mr. Thazhampallath read a pre-written statement expressing opposition to the proposed budget due to the cost of expected and current building projects and the expected impact on the tax base. Ms. Derosier agreed with Mr. Thazhampallath but said that the Board gave the Superintendent a charge to propose a budget that would reflect the needs of the school system. Mr. Filer said he would be voting yes. He feels that the budget increases received by Board over the past few years have lagged behind enrollment and inflation. Ms. Parmelee-Blancato said she knows a double-digit increase looks high; however, it reflects what the Board asked of the Superintendent. Ms. Weiss said the Board put the charge to the Superintendent in the Budget Guidelines that the Board adopted. She said she would be voting no because she supports the proposed 12.5% budget. Ms. Bobrick said that she would be voting yes and agreed with Ms. Weiss that the Superintendent was asked by the Board to bring forward a budget that would reflect the needs of the school system. However, after looking at the figures, she felt that very reluctantly some cuts would have to be made. Ms. Boske said she would vote yes and stressed the importance of maintaining class size and her support for the administration. Mr. McMillan said he would be voting yes but thought that the Board and administration should look at other ways to use our resources to teach students. Mr. Chappelle said he felt the budget process the Board inherited was flawed. He praised the Superintendent for the job she did preparing the 12.5 budget but was sure reductions would be made.

MOTION Ms. Boske made a motion, seconded by Mr. McMillan and discussion continued.

Mr. Chappelle called the vote, and at this time the motion continued and the Board VOTED with four in favor – Ms. Bobrick, Ms. Boske, Mr. Filer, and Mr. McMillan, and three against – Ms. Derosier, Mr. Thazhampallath, and Ms. Weiss, to adopt the proposed 9.94% budget for 2001-2002 fiscal year.

Dr. Hennelly presented the amended Board of Education Policy #6146(a) - Graduation Requirements – with the new Social Studies course, Civics. The CT legislature voted to require all high schools to offer a semester course in Civics beginning with the graduating class of 2004. Also, credit requirements for Mathematics, English, and U.S. History were incorporated into the graduation policy.

MOTION Ms. Bobrick made a motion, seconded by Ms. Weiss and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the revision of Policy #6146(a) – Graduation Requirements – to reflect more specifically the requirements in mathematics, language arts, and social studies.

Dr. Hennelly recommended a new course Democracy in Action that is designed to help students meet the Civics requirement. In addition to this new course, the two presently offered electives Street Law and American Politics would allow students to meet the new civics requirement.

MOTION Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Ms. Derosier and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the proposed new course – Democracy in Action.

Dr. Hennelly said this course was developed to provide sophomores with more engaging and challenging opportunities in English and Social Studies. This course would be piloted as an interdisciplinary English 10/U.S. History course that will be scheduled for two consecutive periods and be taught collaboratively by one English instructor and one Social Studies instructor. The course content will include that provided in the separate English and social studies courses, this offering will be organized thematically, with particular emphasis on helping students develop a fuller understanding of the interplay among the historical events, literature, and cultural developments that have and continue to shape our American identity. Dr. Hennelly said that the request for this course came forward from the English Department and was developed by our staff.

MOTION Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Ms. Derosier and the Board VOTED unanimously to approve the new course – Interdisciplinary American Studies, to be offered beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.

Ms. Weiss stated that the Policy Committee requests that the Board, at their next meeting, discuss and review Policy #6145.2 – Athletics/Extracurricular Activities.

Ms. Derosier shared with Board members her visit to Bielefield School to present the school with a flag that flew over the U.S. Arizona and certificate and a picture of Senior School Physician Dr. Joseph Havlicek’s father who was a member of the original Bielefield School Building Committee. Ms. Derosier said that a young student put together a report on the U.S. Arizona, and she received thank you cards from every class that included some information about WWII.

Mr. Chappelle reminded Board members to mark their calendars for Tuesday, May 22, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. for Middletown High School Goes To The Bushnell.

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

Time: 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara M. Weiss
Secretary

REMINDER

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