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Wethersfield Board of Education 127 Hartford Avenue

Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109-2798

Agenda for the Meeting of the Board of Education Tuesday, October 14, 2014

7:00 p.m., Town Hall Council Chambers 505 Silas Deane Highway

1. Call to Order a. Roll Call for Quorum b. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Student/Staff Recognition/Presentations

3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings

a. September 23, 2014 Regular Board of Education Meeting (Ref. 1) b. September 25, 2014 Special Board of Education Meeting – Retreat (Ref. 1a) c. October 6, 2014 Special Board of Education Meeting (Ref. 1b)

4. Public Comment

5. Communications

6. Action Items

a. Recommended Motion: Approval of Policy Series 0000 (Ref. 2) b. Recommended Motion: Approval of Contribution to Wethersfield High School 2015

Safe Graduation Party (Ref. 3) c. Recommended Motion: Approval of Leave of Absence for Employee ID#906018 (Ref. 4)

d. Recommended Motion: Approval of Leave of Absence for Employee ID#905444 (Ref. 5) e. Recommended Motion: Approval of Leave of Absence for Employee ID#905890 (Ref. 6) f. Recommended Motion: Approval of Acceptance Gift (Ref. 7) g. Recommended Motion: Approval of Textbook for Algebra II (Ref. 8) h. Recommended Motion: Approval of Algebra II Curriculum (Ref. 8a) i. Recommended Motion: Approval of Integrated Algebra II/Geometry Curriculum (Ref. 8b) j. Recommended Motion: Approval of French II Curriculum (Ref. 8c)

7. Reports/Discussion Items

a. Announcements/Information (Ref. 9)

8. Board of Education a. Meetings Held (Ref. 10)

Special Board of Education Meeting- Retreat, 09.25.14 Shared Services Committee, 09.29.14 Student Program and Services Committee, 09.30.14 & 10.07.14 School Projects Building Committee, - Special Meeting, 10.06.14 Finance and Information Management Committee, 10.06.14 Human Resources and Personnel Committee, 10.06.14 School Projects Building Committee, 10.14.14

b. Meetings Scheduled CREC Council, (10.15.14 @ 11:30 a.m.) Wethersfield Early Childhood Collaborative, (10.20.14 @ 4:30 p.m.) Student Program and Services Committee, (10.21.14 @ 6:30 p.m.) Facilities and Maintenance Committee, (10.22.14 @ 6:00 p.m.) School Projects Building Committee, (10.27.14 @ 6:30 p.m.)

9. Unfinished Business

10. Public Comment

11. Board Comments

12. Proposed for Executive Session a. Discussion on Superintendent’s Goals

13. Adjournment

Reference 8 Reference 8a Reference 8b Reference 8c

Wethersfield Board of Education

127 Hartford Avenue Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109

October 10, 2014

TO: Wethersfield Board of Education FROM: Michael T. Emmett, Superintendent of Schools RE: Recommended Motions I have enclosed the following motions regarding a Textbook Adoption and Curriculum Approvals. Recommended Motion: - Reference 8 MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve the Algebra 2 Textbook - Copyright 2012, Author(s)/Editors: Burger, Chard, Kennedy, Leinwand, Renfro, Roby, Waits. Common Core Edition. Publisher; Holt McDougal. Recommended Motion: - Reference 8a MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve the Algebra II Curriculum. Recommended Motion: - Reference 8b MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve the Integrated Algebra II/Geometry Curriculum. Recommended Motion: Reference 8c MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve the French II Curriculum. Background: The Student Programs & Services Committee met on September 30, 2014 to review and discuss these recommendations. The Committee approved forwarding them to the full Board for approval. Mrs. Dastoli will be present on Tuesday evening in the event Board members have any questions. MTE:eh H:\BOE\BOERef\Curriculum\FY2014.15\MTECvrMemo10.14.14.doc

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Unapproved

Reference 1

Board of Education

September 23, 2014

Chairperson DeAngelo requested Board Members to turn off cell phones.

This meeting was videotaped and can be seen on the

Wethersfield Board of Education website.

The Wethersfield Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at

7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, Town Hall, 505 Silas Deane Highway. The following

Board members were present: Mr. Carey, Mr. Forrest, Mrs. Latina, Ms. McDougall, Ms. Moon,

Mr. Morris, Vice Chairperson Paradise, and Chairperson DeAngelo. Also present were:

Superintendent of Schools, Michael Emmett; Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources &

Finance, Timothy Howes; Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Sally Dastoli; Director of

Technology, Keith Rafaniello; Wethersfield Public Schools Supervisor of Literacy K-12, Darla

Miner; Wethersfield Public Schools Supervisor of Mathematics K-12, Katarzyna Maleszewka;

Wethersfield High School Principal, Thomas Moore; Wethersfield High School Assistant

Principal, Dr. Diana DeVivo; Silas Deane Middle School Interim Principal, Donald Sierakowski;

Charles Wright School Principal, Glenn Horter; Emerson-Williams School Principal, Neela

Thakur; Hanmer School Principal, Margaret Zacchei; Highcrest School Principal, John Bean;

Webb School Principal, Michael Verderame; and Wethersfield High School Student

Representative, David Scales.

1. Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Morris led the Board and public in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Student/Staff Recognition/Presentations

There were no Student/Staff Recognition/Presentations made during this meeting.

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3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings

a. September 9, 2014 Regular Board of Education Meeting

Mr. Carey MOVED to approve the minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting

of September 9, 2014, as submitted. The motion was SECONDED by Ms. Moon and

VOTED unanimously.

4. Public Comment

There were no comments made by the Public during this portion of the meeting.

5. Communications

Mr. Emmett noted WHS has been ranked 2nd in the State for quality of its Marketing Education

Program and thanked Mrs. Ricardi for her dedication to the program, as well as all students in

that program. He also commented favorably of the DECA program and all the work

accomplished in that program. Mr. Emmett noted the following student

accomplishments/awards: 1) WHS student, Stefania Maya, was cited for her efforts in

competing in the Department of Motor Vehicles 2014 Travelers Teen Safe Driving Video

Contest, 2) WFSB’s recent feature of WHS Marching Band as “Band of the Week;” and

3) Keane Foundation award of a Three Thousand ($3,000.00) Dollar grant to WHS Pieces

Literary Magazine. Mr. Emmet indicated there was a main transformer failure at WHS last

weekend [with loss of power for approximately seven (7) hours], and CL&P responded by

providing a temporary generator which ran from 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21 until

approximately 6:30 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2014. The main transformer was replaced,

and there was no interruption to the opening and operation of school on Monday. Mr. Emmett

noted WHS Gym, Media Center, and Music rooms are on target for a December opening and that

the new elevator is scheduled to open in late October. Mr. Emmett indicated that some

additional asbestos and PCB material exists and that abatement may occur during Columbus Day

weekend. Information regarding this matter will be sent to parents and students once the plan

has been solidified by the Construction Manager. Mr. Emmett commented favorably of the first

WHS football game played and the WHS Marching Band, Dance Team, and Cheerleading Team

performances at Cottone Field last Friday, September 19. 2014. He mentioned WHS Football

Team is currently ranked #9 in the State. He noticed lighting issues behind WHS and passed the

information on to the Construction Manager. He noted that the sound system at Cottone Field is

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temporary and that the purchase of a new, well-engineered, sound system is currently being

worked on.

6. Action Items

a. Recommended Motion: Approval of Bylaws of the Board Policy #9125

Mrs. Paradise MOVED that the Board of Education approve the Bylaws of the Board Policy

#9125. The motion was SECONDED by Mr. Carey.

Discussion: Mr. Forrest moved to amend the proposed Bylaw #9125 as follows: 1) move to

strike the language in item #2 “as a whole and voted on by the majority” and insert the following

language “a majority vote of” between the words “by” and “the”; and 2) move to strike the

language in item #3 “as a whole and voted on by a majority” and insert the following language

“a majority vote of” between the words “by” and “the”. Items 2 and 3 of Bylaw #9125 would

read as follows: 2. Give his/her written opinion on all legal questions referred to him/her by a

majority vote of the Wethersfield Board of Education, Chairperson, or the Superintendent.

3. Attend Board of Education meetings, conferences, and other meetings as requested by a

majority vote of the Wethersfield Board of Education, Chairperson, or the Superintendent.

The motion was SECONDED by Mr. Morris and VOTED 6-2 in Favor, as follows:

Aye: Mr. Forrest, Mrs. Latina, Ms. Moon, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Paradise, and Mrs. DeAngelo;

Nay: Mr. Carey, Ms. McDougall. Board Comments: Mr. Forrest, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Paradise,

Ms. McDougall, Ms. Moon, Mr. Carey, and Mrs. DeAngelo commented. Mr. Emmett also

commented.

Mr. Forrest MOVED that the Board of Education approve the Bylaws of the Board Policy #9125

as amended. The motion was SECONDED by Mr. Morris and VOTED 7-1 in Favor, as follows:

Aye: Mr. Forrest, Mrs. Latina, Ms. McDougall, Ms. Moon, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Paradise, and Mrs.

DeAngelo; Nay: Mr. Carey.

b. Recommended Motion: Approval of Proposed Budget Transfers

Mr. Carey MOVED that the Board of Education approve the fund transfers, pursuant to the

memorandum dated September 17, 2014 from Mr. Howes to Mr. Emmett. The motion was

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SECONDED by Ms. Moon and VOTED unanimously. Board Comments: Ms. McDougall

commented. Mr. Howes also commented.

7. Reports/Discussion Items

a. First Reading: Policy Series 0000

Mrs. Paradise spoke of the hereinabove mentioned Policy which pertains to Board missions and

goals. She noted that the items listed in bold print are mandatory for inclusion in this series. She

also noted that any comments regarding this series are to be directed by e-mail to Mr. Emmett or

her for any necessary input from CABE, and prior to the second reading, which is scheduled to

occur at the Board of Education’s next regular meeting.

b. 2013-2014 Standardized Assessment Results

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Sally Dastoli made a presentation regarding the

2013-2014 Standardized Assessment Results. Comments: Mr. Morris, Mrs. DeAngelo,

Mrs. Latina, Mr. Carey, Ms. McDougall, and Mr. Forrest commented. Mr. Emmett also

commented.

c. Announcements/Information

Chairperson DeAngelo reviewed the items in Board Members’ packets and reminded Committee

Chairpersons/Board members to review scheduled meeting dates and times with their calendars.

She advised Board members to verify their attendance at Committee Meetings with the

Committee’s Chairpersons and Administrative Chairperson.

8. Board of Education

a. Meetings Held

Chairperson DeAngelo announced the following meetings: Policy and Planning Committee:

Mrs. Paradise indicated there was a discussion on 1) how the committee plans to approach the

remainder of the policies for the 2014-2015 school year, 2) Policy #9125, 3) the review of Policy

#0000, which came before the Board this evening, 4) the 1000 Series (as the committee is

midway through its review) and the remainder of said review planned for the next committee

meeting. CREC Council: Mrs. Paradise reported that CREC Director, Bruce Douglas, is retiring

in December 2015. She noted there were discussions regarding 1) the attributes desired in the

State’s next Commissioner of Education, as the current Commissioner, Stefan Pryor, will not be

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seeking a second term, 2) summer achievement, 3) Camp Jewel, 4) the public safety program,

5) legislative updates, and 6) careful selection of new Math programs with more rigor as well as

alignment with common core standards. She mentioned that incumbent Governor Malloy and

gubernatorial candidate, Tom Foley, visited CABE to promote their candidacy and discuss with

CABE members qualities they desire in the next Commissioner of Education. Mrs. Latina and

Mrs. Paradise attended the gubernatorial candidate sessions. School Projects Building

Committee: Mr. Emmett indicated the Committee discussed change orders, invoice approvals,

subcommittee reports, and the project’s progress. There was an informational presentation from

David Lerner, who provides the service of capturing evidence of construction projects from start

to finish for archiving purposes. Human Resources and Personnel Committee: Ms. Moon

reported job descriptions and their connection to the employee handbook were discussed.

Mr. Howes noted at the Committee meeting that the compiling of information was approximately

seventy-five (75%) percent completed. The search for a new Principal for SDMS was discussed

with interview and candidate selection process planned for conclusion by the end of December.

The Superintendent’s mid-term evaluation was also discussed.

b. Meetings Scheduled

Chairperson DeAngelo announced the following are scheduled: Special Board of Education

Meeting - Retreat, Student Program and Services Committee, Policy and Planning Committee;

and School Projects Building Committee. In order to ensure a quorum at Committee Meetings,

Chairperson DeAngelo advised Board members to verify their attendance at Committee

Meetings with the Committee’s Chairpersons and Administrative Chairperson.

9. Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business to discuss.

10. Public Comments

There were no comments made by the Public during this portion of the meeting.

11. Board Comments

Mr. Carey commented favorably of the performances by the WHS Cheerleaders and the WHS

Marching Band at the Cornfest annual event held on the Broad Street Green on

Saturday, September 20, 2014.

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David Scales commented favorably of ECE and AP courses being offered at WHS and explained

there will be an increased demand from students for those course offerings as more selective

colleges are looking for students to complete both types of courses.

Chairperson DeAngelo commented favorably of the completion of the 9000 Policy Series. She

noted the WHS Marching Band is having its first competition on Saturday, September 27, 2015,

1:30 p.m. at Rocky Hill High School and encouraged the public to attend. She wished

Mrs. Paradise a Happy Birthday on Wednesday.

Mr. Carey MOVED to leave public session and enter executive session at 8:53 p.m. for the

purpose of discussion of contract negotiations. The motion was SECONDED by Mr. Forrest and

VOTED unanimously.

Present for executive session: C. Carey, G. DeAngelo, M. Forrest,

J. Latina, T. McDougall, P. Moon, J. Morris, E. Paradise.

Others: Mr. Emmett; Mr. Howes.

Mr. Morris MOVED to leave executive session and re-enter public session at 9:17 p.m. The

motion was SECONDED by Mr. Carey and VOTED unanimously.

Mr. Morris MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. The motion was SECONDED by

Mrs. Latina and VOTED unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________________

Elaine Steinmiller-Paradise, Vice-Chairperson – Secretary

Minutes Recorded by Ellen Goslicki, Recording Secretary

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Unapproved

Ref. 1a

Board of Education

September 25, 2014

The Wethersfield Board of Education met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday,

September 25, 2014 in the Stillman, 127 Hartford Avenue. The following Board members were

present: Chairperson DeAngelo, Vice-Chairperson Steinmiller-Paradise, Mr. Carey, Mr. Cascio,

Mrs. Latina, Ms. McDougall, and Mr. Morris. Also present were: Superintendent of Schools,

Michael Emmett; Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Finance, Timothy Howes;

Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Sally Dastoli, Director of Technology, Keith Rafaniello;

Director of Maintenance and Operations, Fred Bushey; and Connecticut Association of Boards

of Education (CABE) Facilitator, Nick Caruso.

Board Goals Sept. 25, 2014 - SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm

Michael Emmett introductions

Focus to lay groundwork for the future.

Mike Emmett expressed that Wethersfield has had a Renaissance

Flow of ideas from BOE

- every principal talked about needing social workers and other support people - quality professional development - class size - capital improvement - graduation requirements - exploration of new high school setting; alternate education - new science standards - world languages - H.S. Security and Custodial - more instructional time - a district wide Pre-K - facility plan - gifted and talented program

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- technology plan - summer school - more teachers - ESL - Grouping within class and appropriate staffing - engaging families ....30% of our families are not engaged - homeless students - DCF - more transparent budget process - community engagement - certified library media elementary - secondary interventions are needed

What is the role of the BOE

Students get a quality education by having a quality administrative team Committee work is being done efficiently - but at last minute the ideas are derailed Need to support our administrative team We want to educate children. Legislature says YOU should support good schools Nick recommends that we review Board goals at each meeting.

POTENTIAL GOALS

- gifted and talented (short term)

Appropriate Staffing

Engaged families Get social workers for each building ESL Need for more teachers Secondary instruction

Budget

Community leaders need to become aware of teaching in the 21st century Such as SBAC testing that requires computers

Instruction

Student achievement Parent involvement

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Major Categories for Goals

Instruction

Community

Facility

Next time -

Review of mission Prioritize our list How to measure goals Mr. Cascio MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion was SECONDED by

Mrs. Latina and VOTED unanimously.

Respectfully submitted by,

____________________________

Elaine Steinmiller-Paradise, Vice-Chairperson-Secretary

Unapproved

Reference 1b

Board of Education

October 6, 2014

The Wethersfield Board of Education met in special session at 1:00 p.m., on Monday,

October 6, 2014 in the Stillman Building, 127 Hartford Avenue. The following Board members were

present: Mrs. DeAngelo, Ms. Moon, and Ms. McDougall. Also present were: Superintendent of

Schools, Michael Emmett, Attorney Anthony Shannon, Attorney Elisa Bartlett,

Attorney Marc Mercier, Attorney Elizabeth Foran, Ms. Doe, and Student Doe.

1. Proposed for Executive Session

Discussion of Exempt Documents Pertaining to a Student Matter

Ms. Moon MOVED to leave public session and enter executive session at 1:19 p.m. to discuss exempt

documents pertaining to a student disciplinary matter. The motion was SECONDED by

Ms. McDougall and VOTED unanimously.

Present for executive session: Mrs. DeAngelo, Ms. Moon, and Ms. McDougall. Also present were:

Superintendent of Schools, Michael Emmett, Attorney Anthony Shannon, Attorney Elisa Bartlett,

Attorney Marc Mercier, Attorney Elizabeth Foran, Ms. Doe, and Student Doe.

Ms. Moon MOVED to leave executive session and re-enter public session at

1:48 p.m. The motion was SECONDED by Ms. McDougall and VOTED unanimously.

Mrs. DeAngelo MOVED, that the Wethersfield Board of Education accept the stipulated agreement

entered into between the Administration of the Wethersfield Public Schools and the student who is the

subject of the hearing regarding the Student’s expulsion from Wethersfield Public Schools, effective

September 17, 2014, for a period of one calendar year, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in

the stipulated agreement presented to the Board during the expulsion hearing.

The motion was SECONDED by Ms. Moon and VOTED unanimously.

Ms. Moon MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 1:50 p.m. The motion was SECONDED by

Ms. McDougall and VOTED unanimously.

Respectfully submitted by,

___________________________________________

Elaine Steinmiller-Paradise, Vice-Chairperson-Secretary

Reference 3


Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109

October 10, 2014 To: Wethersfield Board of Education From: Michael T. Emmett, Superintendent of Schools Re: Contribution to Wethersfield High School 2015 Safe Graduation Party Recommended Motion: MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education contribute $1,000 to the 2015 Wethersfield High School Safe Graduation Party. Background: The Wethersfield High School Safe Graduation Party began in 1986 as a Wethersfield Junior Woman’s Club project. There has been over 95% student attendance at this event for the past 28 years. The Board of Education has traditionally made a contribution to this activity, which is budgeted annually. MTE:eh H:\BOE\BOERef\Graduation\2015Grad\MTECvrMemo10.14.14.doc

Reference 4



October 10, 2014 TO: Wethersfield Board of Education FROM: Michael T. Emmett, Superintendent of Schools RE: Request for Childrearing Leave of Absence for Employee ID #906018 Recommended Motion: MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve a childrearing leave of absence for ID #906018 under the provisions of Article VII of the current agreement between the Wethersfield Board of Education and the Wethersfield School Nurses’ Association, Connecticut Healthcare Associates, National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, July 2012 - June 30, 2015. Leaves without pay may be granted by the Board for periods of from thirty-one days to one year (31 to 365). MTE:eh

Reference 5



October 10, 2014 TO: Wethersfield Board of Education FROM: Michael T. Emmett, Superintendent of Schools RE: Request for Childrearing Leave of Absence for Employee ID #905444 Recommended Motion: MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve a childrearing leave of absence for ID #905444 under the provisions of Article 5.6 of the current Agreement between the Wethersfield Board of Education and the Wethersfield Federation of Teachers. This request is for the period beginning approximately February 17, 2015 and continuing through the remainder of the 2014 – 2015 school year. MTE:eh

Reference 6



October 10, 2014 TO: Wethersfield Board of Education FROM: Michael T. Emmett, Superintendent of Schools RE: Request for Childrearing Leave of Absence for Employee ID #905890 Recommended Motion: MOVED that the Wethersfield Board of Education approve a childrearing leave of absence for ID #905890 under the provisions of Article XI, E, 2 of the current agreement between the Wethersfield Board of Education and the CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, CTW (Secretarial/Clerical/Paraprofessional) July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2017. This request is for a sixteen (16) week maternity and childrearing leave following the birth of her child beginning August 29, 2014 and continuing through December 18, 2014. Leaves without pay may be granted by the Board for periods of from thirty-one days to one year (31 to 365). MTE:eh