Mr. Chappelle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the pledge of allegiance was recited.  He then called for a moment of silence to remember Dorothy Roberts, a special education teacher at Lawrence School, who died on February 18, 2000. 

 Mr. Chappelle asked if there were any comments on the minutes from the February 8, 2000, regular meeting. 

MOTION  
Ms. Boske made a motion, seconded by Ms. Weiss, and the Board VOTED, unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2000 regular meeting. 
 
 Mr. Chappelle told Board members that the summaries of the March 4, 2000 Board Retreat and March 9, 2000 Budget Workshop were for information purposes only. 
 
MOTION 
Ms. Boske noted the presence of Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and made a motion, seconded by Ms. Weiss, and the Board VOTED, unanimously to move up Agenda Item H-3. 
 

3) Youth Vote Program 

 Ms. Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, addressed the Board and spoke in support of the Youth Vote Program.  This program was successfully piloted in the Town of Enfield where voting was in a downslide.  As a result of the program, voting increased seven percent.  The program is presented in four mini lessons, and on Election Day, the students accompany their parents when they go to vote with the parents voting in one area and the students in another.  It is a tremendous way to get students involved.  The Town of Plainville is also participating.  This is a wonderful motivation for parents as well as students. 

Dr. Larson said how very proud we are to have a Middletown High School graduate serving as Secretary of the State.  He also said that the administration is very supportive of the Youth Vote Program. 
 
MOTION  
Ms. Boske made a motion, seconded by Mr. Filer, and the Board VOTED, and Mr. Chappelle called for discussion.  Mr. Duggan questioned if our Civics curriculum covered this area and questioned the seven percent increase in voting in Enfield.  Ms. Bysiewicz said this would enhance what was being taught.  The program benefits students and motivates parents to vote.  In Enfield, the program stopped the downslide and turned it around.  Ms. Weiss asked if this was a prescribed curriculum and the length of time the program would run.  Ms. Bysiewicz said that her office has developed packets that can be adapted to current curriculum.  Dr. Larson said that there are four twenty-minute lessons in the program, and it would not compete with other curriculum subjects. 

 The motion continued, and the Board VOTED, unanimously to endorse the school district’s participation in the Secretary of the State’s Youth Vote Program. 
 

 Mr. Chappelle reviewed the procedures for addressing the Board. 

 No one addressed the Board. 
 

1) Dr. Larson said that he had received cards from the families of Dorothy Roberts, Joseph Milardo, and Sergeant George Dingwall thanking the Board for their expressions of sympathy. 

2) Dr. Larson read a memorandum from Middletown High School Principal Robert E. Kozaczka informing the Board that the previously approved extended field trip to Williamsburg, VA in April 2000 would not be taken due to a conflict with the MHS band trip to Florida and the Easter Holiday. 

3) Dr. Larson read a letter from Mayor Domenique S. Thornton to DATTCO Bus Company, thanking them for the assistance they gave to the Police Department during the calling hours and funeral of Sergeant Dingwall. 

4) Dr. Larson mentioned that several Middletown High School students made the “All State” teams in basketball and swimming, and one student was being considered for “All American” status. 

5) Dr. Larson informed Board members that Macdonough School has been recognized as a 1999-2000 Title I Distinguished School. 

6) Dr. Larson said that Board members received a copy of an article authored by Linda Jessen, a Kindergarten teacher at Moody School, in the information items included with the Board packet. 
 

 Dr. Larson presented the Personnel Report Addendum that was distributed to Board members. 

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

 Appointment:  

 Susan S. Bates, Special Education Preschool Teacher, Step 8 of the Master’s schedule, salary $48,660 (pro-rated). 
 

 There were no items. 
 

 1) Report on Health Insurance for 2000-2001  
 Dr. Larson said that our contract with CIGNA ends on June 30, 2000.  Mr. Robert Lindberg from the firm of Lindberg and Ripple distributed a handout and discussed changing insurance carriers or staying with CIGNA Health Care.  Both Mr. Cormier and Mr. Lindberg recommended staying with CIGNA who is committed to a twenty-two percent lock for twelve months.  In seeking competitive proposals, two carriers declined to quote, Aetna was higher and Anthem slightly lower.  Mr. Lindberg said that there is a benefit to developing long-term stability with a carrier.  Mr. Duggan asked if there was a possibility of CIGNA matching Anthem’s rate?  Mr. Lindberg said no.  Dr. Larson mentioned that whenever we switch carriers it takes time, over and above their regular work, for the office staff to make changes.  Ms. Weiss asked about the twenty-five percent inflationary adjustment.  Mr. Lindberg said that was due to increased claim experience.  Mr. Cormier indicated that the City’s increase is twenty percent, and they are staying with CIGNA.  There being no further discussion, Mr. Chappelle thanked Mr. Lindberg for his presentation and reminded the Board that they would be making a decision on this item next month. 
 
 2) Music Evaluation  
This is the second, five-year program evaluation of the K-12 music program.  Staff members present from the music department were K-12 Music Coordinator Marco Gaylord, Stephen D’Amato, David Daddario, Louise Gordona, Michael Gosselin, Paul Johnson, Ann Kaiser, Marlene Bradshaw, Cynthia Peterson, Hallie Sorensen, Diane Taylor, and Lisa Zolkiwicz-Ives.  Ms. Muriel Barlow, an elementary instrumental music teacher, was absent because she was fulfilling an obligation associated with the Celebration of Excellence Award that she had received.  Mr. Gaylord briefly described the areas covered by the program, highlighted the fine work done by the Music Department, and listed recommendations for improvement which included development of a strings program and increasing general music instruction at the middle school level. 

Ms. Weiss complimented the committee on the report and asked if chorus and band could accommodate one hundred percent of the student population.  Mr. Gaylord said that they would need a substantial increase in staff.  She asked how technology would be used?  Mr. Gaylord said composing and arranging at the high school level and doing dictation at the elementary level.  Mr. Duggan stressed the importance of providing for students with a particular talent.  Mr. Gaylord said that students have the opportunity to perform in jazz and wind ensembles, the All-State Music Festival, and the American Choral Directors Association Honors Choir Festival to mention just a few performance opportunities.  Ms. Boske asked how much time was devoted to music at the elementary level.  Mr. Gaylord said in grades K-3 forty minutes per week and in grades 4-5 forty-five minutes per week.  Mr. Filer asked if we had any collaboration with Wesleyan.  Mr. Gaylord said that Wesleyan students work with students at the high school and Ms. Barlow has had Wesleyan students come into the elementary schools.  Mr. Chappelle asked about the number of instruments owned by the district.  Mr. Gaylord said that due to the age of our instruments and the amount of money we were spending on repairs, we are looking into a three to five year lease with purchase at the end of five years.  Performance space was also questioned. 

Mr. Chappelle thanked Mr. Gaylord and the members of the Music Department for this fine presentation. 
 
 3) Financial Statement 
 Dr. Larson said that special education tuition is leveling off, and we are looking at a projected $300,000 deficit over what we budgeted.  Other accounts that are being closely monitored include heating, diesel fuel and substitute teaching accounts. 
 
 4) Building Projects  
      a. Bielefield School  
Dr. Larson said that the major issue is that the cafeteria will not be finished until late September/early October.  Ms. Boske mentioned the school traffic flow, and Mr. Jackson said that they were in the process of trying to reconfigure the best way to address the parental/preschool and bus traffic flow.  Mr. Thazhampallath mentioned the principals request to “flip flop” some rooms and asked where that stood.  Mr. Jackson said that the committee voted to let the architect proceed to redesign the rooms as the principal requested. 

     b. Vo. Ag. Expansion  
Dr. Larson said the project is complete except for the punch list.  He also mentioned that the Vo. Ag. students would be putting in a bid to do the landscaping.  The dedication ceremony will be in May. 
 

 There were no items. 
 

1) New Policies – First Reading  

Dr. Larson said that the new policies are required by state statute.  Ms. Weiss spoke to three of the policies.  Policy #5127 – Student Representation on the Board of Education, she said that the students were very excited to sit on the Board and bring information back to the Student Council; Policy #6147 – Weighted Grading, when polled, the high school teachers indicated that they were not interested in weighted grading.  The revision of Policy #5123 – Promotion/Acceleration/Retention, was to make the language clearer.  Mr. Jackson said that Policy #3518 – Pest Management/Pesticide Application, was developed as a result of legislation passed that becomes effective July 2000.  He recommends that the Board go with an integrated program to reduce the risk to students and staff. 

Mr. Chappelle asked when the student representative to the Board would start.  Ms. Weiss said that the student would like to start at the next meeting if possible. 

MOTION  
Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Mr. Duggan, and the Board VOTED, unanimously to approve the first reading of Policy #3518 – Pest Management/Pesticide Application, Policy #5127 – Student Representation on the Board of Education, Policy #6147 – Weighted Grading and revision of Policy #5123 – Promotion/Acceleration/Retention. 

 Ms. Weiss asked permission of the Board to convene another Policy Committee meeting to consider the privilege of riding a bus after a certain number of detentions and the in-district no smoking policy.  Mr. Cormier said that he would seek a legal opinion prior to that meeting.  Dr. Larson reminded Board members that, under the Freedom of Information Act rules, only the people on the committee can participate in the meeting.  Non-committee members can attend the meeting, but cannot participate. 
 
2) 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant  

Dr. Larson said that this item requires Board approval so that the administration can apply for this grant. 

MOTION  
Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Mr. Thazhampallath, and the Board VOTED, unanimously to authorize the administration to apply for funds under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. 
 
3) Spencer School Playscape  

Dr. Larson said that this is part of our continuing plan to make all playscapes handicapped accessible.  With Board approval, we can obtain state reimbursement fifty to sixty percent reimbursement on this code update project. 

MOTION 
Ms. Weiss made a motion, seconded by Ms. Boske, and the Board VOTED, unanimously to approve the Spencer School Playscape educational specifications and request the Common Council approve the submission of the ED049 and establish the Board of Education as the building committee. 
 
Mr. Chappelle reminded Board members that Wednesday, March 29, 2000, was the date set to interview the candidates for Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. 
 

With no further discussion, Mr. Chappelle adjourned the meeting. 
Time: 8:25 p.m.