February 14, 2006 at 7:00 PM - 2-14-06 Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Chair Boske explained the rules of Public Session.

Rationale:  PERSONNEL ACTION: Leave of Absence: Diane Watrous, Elementary Teacher (Bielefield School) employed in Middletown since September 1998, has requested a child-rearing leave of absence for approximately six to eight weeks. The effective date is April 15, 2006. STATUS OF CERTIFIED EMPLOYMENT: Vacancy: There is a vacancy for an Assistant Superintendent of Schools, which is being filled by an Interim.

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PILOT GRANT The district is applying to the State Department of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services, for a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Grant. Connecticut was one of six new states (including Utah, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Texas, and Idaho) that was chosen by USDA to be eligible for grant monies. Twenty-five grants will be awarded in Connecticut. Proposals under this grant initiative must establish partnerships with local vendors and grocers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. The vendor partners work with local farmers to supply the fresh produce to further strengthen the Farm-to-School initiative within the State and school districts. Schools with a free and reduced rate higher than 50% are given priority points in the grant competition; therefore, Macdonough School was selected as the pilot site. This project establishes a new partnership with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program to address enhanced nutrition for the students that participate in the afterschool program. Macdonough will help promote a positive learning environment by providing healthy snack choices in the afterschool program, including fresh fruit, dried fruit, and fresh vegetables that the children can take home to share the excitement of trying a new fruit or vegetable for the first time. This program will inspire students to choose a healthier, more active lifestyle by making good nutrition and nutritious snacks a priority. Students will be encouraged to try different fruits and vegetables that they would not normally be exposed to in their home environment. This program will provide an opportunity to allow students to see the benefits to eating fresh fruits and vegetables and to see how good nutrition can affect positive change. Macdonough School was also chosen because it is the pilot sight for a new district initiative, The Scholar’s Academy. Twenty identified students were selected to participate in this intensive, 8-week afterschool program, to strengthen targeted skills to assist them in reaching the State goal on the spring Connecticut Mastery Test. This pilot has the support of students, parents, teachers, and the building administrator, and it will compliment and support the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program. How nutrition affects student achievement was identified as a key concern and important component in helping these students achieve. Funding Requested: $17,600

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT The district is applying to the Department of Planning, Conservation and Development, for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for the 2006 funding round. The CDGB program provides approximately $500,000 in federal funds each year to the City of Middletown, which is disbursed in accordance with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines. The primary objective of the CDBG program is to improve living conditions of low and moderate-income residents of Middletown. Proposals must addressed identified goals and objectives within the City of Middletown’s Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. For the 2006-07 school year, the district is applying for funding for capital improvements to the Macdonough School Preschool Program. A unique and new collaborative partnership between the Middletown Board of Education and Middlesex Community College will be developed to provide a high quality preschool program at Macdonough School and for children living in the North End who are unable to attend a preschool program because they lack transportation. In the lowest income census tract by far, there is no preschool program of any kind, and no transportation to full-day childcare anywhere in the city. This program will begin to meet the urgent need for childcare within walking distance for working families. The preschool will be operated by Middlesex Community College and supported by the Board of Education with a wide range of in-kind services. The new School Readiness site at Macdonough School will address goals critical to early childhood needs in the North End of Middletown to include: · Provide two years of a high quality preschool experience for children living in the North End, especially those who do not have transportation to a community program. · Develop a program that integrates children from all socioeconomic groups. · Provide a smooth transition for students and their families from the Macdonough Family Resource Center’s birth-to-three programs to the preschool program, and then to kindergarten. · Provide education, resources, and support to parents before their child enters kindergarten to help parents in their role as their child’s first teacher and to develop a lasting and positive relationship between the family and the school. · Provide an additional high quality preschool site in Middletown where Middlesex Community College early childhood education students can conduct observations and student teach. Items included in this capital improvement proposal will assist the site in meeting National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation standards to include: installation of cabinetry, adult-level counters and sink, and child-level sink in the classroom; fencing for the preschool playscape and nearby blacktop; addition of wood chips to the preschool playground; and the purchase of a storage shed, furniture, equipment, and materials for the classroom. Funding Requested: $108,300

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY READING FIRST CONTINUATION GRANT The district is applying to the State Department of Education for a three-year Reading First Continuation Grant. The district will apply for the continuation on behalf of Lawrence School. The Connecticut Reading First Schools grant program was established to provide the support necessary to ensure that all children in the eligible schools are able to read independently by the completion of Grade 3. This three-year grant program focuses on increased professional development to ensure that all teachers of children in Grades K-3 understand, apply, and integrate research-based, successful reading strategies into classroom practice so that every child learns to read. Activities funded through the Reading First grant program will integrate scientifically-based reading research into: 1. instructional practices; 2. professional development; and 3. effective school-wide change processes that will ensure that students in the neediest schools will become successful readers by the completion of Grade 3. To accomplish the purpose of the Reading First program and to assure that the five essential components of reading instruction are addressed – phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension – grant funds will support four primary activities related to reading: - professional development for teachers; - expansion of the train-the-trainer model in Early Reading Success Institutes; - intensive and ongoing training of the external and internal literacy facilitators; and - continued alignment of curriculum to ensure that scientifically-based reading research strategies are integrated into classroom practice. The grant guidelines require that districts hire an internal literacy facilitator as a full-time position in the school to coordinator literacy activities and that districts also set aside 48% of their yearly funding ($120,000 per year) to support professional development and an external facilitator for the project. The Lawrence School Literacy Team selected the Houghton Mifflin Nation’s Choice series as a core literacy program for the Reading First initiative. Funding: $250,000 for each of the three years of the grant

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 BOE Meeting 02-14-06 The following bylaw is for the Board of Education’s consideration and will require two readings: #9310 Development, Distribution & Maintenance of Manual of Policies, Regulations, Bylaws—The Policy Committee spoke regarding keeping the policies, regulations and bylaws electronically as opposed to the present manuals. Michael Frechette stated our lawyer advised to be in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act our website should make available all policies, regulations and bylaws to the public. The present bylaw has been changed to address the posting of policies, regulations and bylaws on the Middletown School District website and that it is no longer necessary to keep the paper manuals.

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – 2 BOE Meeting 02-14-06 At the January 10, 2006 Committee Meeting, the Committee recommended the following mandated policy be presented to the Board of Education for its consideration and will require one reading: #3518 Pesticide Application-Hazardous materials—The State mandated policy (#3524.1) was compared to our present policy and regulation (#3518) for pesticide application and hazardous materials. A proposal was made to change the policy to prohibit the application of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of elementary schools beginning January 1, 2006 instead of July 1, 2008, as suggested by CABE. This change will bring the policy up-to-date. Please see attached document for change.

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – 2 BOE Meeting 02-14-06 At the January 10, 2006 Committee Meeting, the Committee recommended the following mandated policy be presented to the Board of Education for its consideration and will require one reading: #4118.11 Nondiscrimination—This new State mandated policy addresses nondiscrimination and the grievance procedure along with the inclusion of a Discrimination Grievance Form. NEW POLICY 4118.11(a) 4218.11 Personnel Certified/Non-Certified Nondiscrimination In compliance with regulations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Civil Rights Act of 1987 and the American With Disabilities Act, the Board of Education adopts the following Equal Employment Opportunity and Equal Education Opportunity Policies. Equal Employment Opportunity Both federal and state law prohibit discriminatory practices in hiring and employment. It is the policy of the Board of Education to prohibit acts of discrimination in all matters dealing with employees and applicants for positions with the school district and to further the principle of equal employment opportunity in all actions affecting employees and applicants. As an equal opportunity employer, the Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation past or present history of mental disorder, mental retardation, learning disability, regarding any individual who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations physical disability (including blindness) or other disability (except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification or need.) Equal Education Opportunity Pursuant to the IDEA, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, no otherwise qualified individual with handicaps shall, solely by reason of such handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program of the Board of Education. Every student has the right to participate fully in classroom instruction and extracurricular activities and shall not be abridged or impaired because of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, pregnancy, parenthood, marriage, or for any reason not related to his/her individual capabilities. The Administrators for the Board of Education have the responsibility to monitor the compliance of this policy. Further compliance with policy is a responsibility of all district administrators in accordance with the procedures set forth in the attached regulations. 4118.11(b) 4218.11 Personnel Certified/Non-Certified Nondiscrimination Equal Education Opportunity (continued) Students shall not be discriminated against, including but not limited to, in the areas of: Admission Use of School Facilities Vocational Education Competitive Athletics Student Rules, Regulations and Benefits Financial Assistance School-sponsored Extracurricular Activities Enrollment in Courses Counseling and Guidance Physical Education Graduation Requirements Treatment as a Married and/or Pregnant Student Health Services Most Other Aid, Benefits or Services Employee/or applicants shall not be discriminated against, including but not limited to, the areas of: Hiring and Promotion Compensation Job Assignments Leaves of Absence Fringe Benefits Labor Organization Contracts or Professional Agreements Sexual harassment has been established as a form of sexual discrimination and is defined as follows: "Any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or participation in an educational function (2) submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or educational decisions affecting the individual or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment." 4118.11(c) 4218.11 Personnel Certified/Non-Certified Nondiscrimination Equal Education Opportunity (continued) Examples of specific behaviors (that are unwanted and sexual in nature) that could constitute sexual harassment include, but not be limited to: Touching, Sexual name calling, Inappropriate public display of affections, Gestures, Jokes/cartoons/pictures, Pulling at clothes, Verbal comments, Sexual rumors, Too personal a conversation, Corner/blocking, Leers, Attempted rape/rape, Harassing telephone calls If you believe that you have been discriminated against in regard to either of the preceding policies, you may file a grievance that your rights have been denied or violated. If you wish to discuss these regulations or your rights under this policy, or wish to discuss or file a grievance, please contact our Administrators at the Board of Education. Forms are available from any Administrator or from the Middletown Public Schools website (www.middletownschools.org). Contact with the Administrators should take place within forty (40) calendar days of the alleged occurrence. Discrimination Grievance Procedure The purpose of this procedure is to secure, at the lowest possible administrative level, equitable solutions to problems which may arise concerning claims of discrimination. Evidence of reprisal against a complainant or witness shall be viewed as a violation of this policy. Any person who wishes to inquire or to register a complaint concerning alleged discrimination in the Middletown Public Schools shall have an opportunity to bring such concerns to the attention of an Administrator or the Superintendent, who has the authority to resolve such complaints. The following grievance procedure shall be utilized by any student, parent or employee in making a complaint or inquiry. Officials shall be governed by this procedure 4118.11(d) 4218.11 Personnel Certified/Non-Certified Nondiscrimination Discrimination Grievance Procedure (continued) Level I: The complainant shall discuss the alleged discriminatory act or practice with an Administrator or the individual closest to the daily decision-making level. This will normally be a Principal, teacher, counselor, Department Chairperson, Head Custodian, or Cafeteria Manager. If satisfaction cannot be achieved through informal discussion, the following procedure must be initiated. Level II: The complainant shall, within forty (40) calendar days of the alleged incident, on forms provided, put the complaint in writing and file it with any Administrator. Within five (5) working days a conference must be held. Within five (5) working days following the conference, the complaint must be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties or referred to the Superintendent of Schools. Within five (5) working days, the Administrator shall notify the Superintendent and must notify the complainant of this notification. The Board will be apprised by the Superintendent of any grievance reaching Level II. Level III: Within ten (10) working days after receipt of such complaint, the Superintendent must hold a hearing; and within five (5) working days of the hearing, resolve the complaint, negotiate a long-term solution or refer the matter to the Board of Education for consideration. Level IV: The Board of Education, Superintendent and Administrators shall proceed in accordance with appropriate laws or regulations. Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 10 153 Discrimination on account of marital status. 46a 60 Discriminatory employment practices prohibited. Federal Law Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964 Section 504 and the Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 20 U.S.C. 706(7)(b). American Disability Act of 1989. Chalk v. The United States District Court of Central California. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Civil Rights Act of 1987. P.A. 05-10 An Act Concerning Civil Unions Policy adopted: MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Middletown, Connecticut

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – 2 BOE Meeting 02-14-06 At the January 10, 2006 Committee Meeting, the Committee recommended the following mandated policy be presented to the Board of Education for its consideration and will require one reading: #4212.42 Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers— This new State mandated policy was discussed by the committee. This policy addresses the fact that a private service provider is required to have a drug and alcohol testing program that fulfills federal law and regulations and said provider shall provide annually to the Middletown Public School District a letter stating same. NEW POLICY 4212.42 Personnel – Non-Certified Drug and Alcohol Testing For School Bus Drivers The Middletown Public School district is committed to the establishment of a drug use and alcohol misuse prevention program that meets all applicable requirements of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1999 (OTETA). The District shall adhere to federal law and regulations requiring a school bus drivers drug and alcohol testing program. The Middletown Public School district contracting with a private service provider will require that provider has a drug and alcohol testing program which fulfills federal law and regulations. Said provider will annually file with the Middletown Public School district a letter stating its compliance with the federal law and regulations along with the relevant policy and procedures. Legal Reference: United States Code, Title 49 2717 Alcohol and controlled substances testing (Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991) Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 40 Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs 382 Controlled Substance and Alcohol Use and Testing 395 Hours of Service Drivers Holiday v. City of Modesto (1991) 229 Cal. App. 3d. 528, 540. International Brotherhood of Teamsters v. Department of Transportation 932 F. 2d 1292 (1991) American Trucking Association, Inc. v. Federal Highway Administration, (1995) WL 136022 (4th circuit) Connecticut General Statutes PA 95-140 An Act Authorizing Drug Testing of Drivers of Certain Commercial Motor Vehicles. Policy adopted: MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Middletown, Connecticut

Rationale:  The full report of the K-12 Science Education Program Evaluation for 2005-2006 was mailed to each Board member on Friday, January 27, 2006. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY K-12 SCIENCE PROGRAM EVALUATION, 2005-06 As directed by the Assistant Superintendent and led by Science Supervisor Kristen Marszalek and her co-chairs Principals Joseph Cassella and Renata Lantos, the Science Program Evaluation Committee carefully reviewed Middletown’s K-12 science program, beginning its work in May of the past school year. The committee comprised teachers and administrators from across the district who collected performance and assessment data including surveys of students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Additionally, the committee reviewed current practices and literature, and gathered comparative information from districts within and beyond our Educational Reference Group (ERG). The Committee met five times from May 2005 through January 2006 to complete its work. Growing out of the committee’s extensive analysis and review are the following recommendations: RECOMMENDATIONS (not prioritized) 1. Revise K-12 science curriculum to align with Connecticut Framework and current instructional and assessment practices, enhancing greater communication and coordination across grade levels. 2. Provide financial support K-12 to implement assessments and purchase of instructional materials and appropriate textbooks. 3. Provide appropriate equipment (e.g., technology, science kits, laboratory materials) and space (e.g., space for hands-on, laboratory work) to support science learning K-12. 4. Provide elementary school teachers with assistance in developing assessments, updating curriculum, replenishing materials, integrating technology, and using new instructional strategies in science by appointing a district K-5 science coordinator, K-5 science resource teachers, or media/resource science specialists. 5. Provide greater flexibility and a greater range of professional development related to specific needs of science teachers and learners at each grade level. 6. Identify benchmark mathematical skills for each grade K-12 (with the inclusion of skill instruction embedded into curriculum) and develop a stronger coordination with mathematics program. 7. Develop (or identify) and implement common, formative assessments in grades 2-10 (one per trimester at the elementary level and one per quarter at the secondary level) that would assist teachers in gaining reliable, timely feedback on student progress and working collaboratively to refine instructional strategies to meet the needs of every student. Committee leadership and members look forward to sharing the report – mailed early under separate cover – with the Board on Tuesday, February 14th.

Rationale:  MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Facilities Department 311 Hunting Hill Avenue, Middletown, CT 06457 860 638-1407 860 638-1497 Fax jacksonk@mps1.org TO: Michael Frechette, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools FROM: Ken Jackson, Director of Facilities KJ DATE: February 7, 2006 RE: New High School / Vo-Ag Project Per your request, to follow is an update regarding the new High School and Vocational Agriculture projects. * The new and expanded Building Committee has been established and Chair W. Lee Osborne has established a twice per month Committee meeting schedule. * The Building Committee is currently investigating the options listed below. At the January 9, 2006 Committee meeting Pinnacle One presented the potential cost impact and project delay for each option. Pinnacle One’s assessment was made using a baseline of keeping the same Architect, Construction Manager and Site. Alternative Options: - Replace Architect and retain CM with no Site change. - Replace CM and retain Architect with no Site change. - Replace Architect and CM with no Site change. - Change Site. - Eliminate PLA (Project Labor Agreement). - The Option III plans and specifications prepared by the DeCarlo & Doll have not been approved as of yet by the Building Committee and until this is done TBI cannot proceed with awarding certain existing bid packages, re-bidding certain bid packages or determining the project’s GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price). - Site work continues and the sewer lines and storm drainage is being installed. Footing work has commenced. Utility work to bring utilities on-site is ongoing. - Site work has commenced for development of athletics fields in the area to the east of Keigwin Middle School. - Pinnacle One and the City are developing a RFP for Wetlands Monitoring during Construction and the five year maintenance plan as mandated by the Inland Wetlands Commission. - Pinnacle One’s Energy Services Group will be giving an update regarding the Tri-Gen concept to the Building Committee at the February 9th Committee meeting. - The sewer line from the Maintenance Garage has been connected to a sewage holding tank to be maintained by TBI. - To date there have been incidents reported to me regarding the use of the temporary access road by DATTCO. DeRita Construction has satisfactorily addressed snow removal and sanding. Please advise if you require any additional information at this time.

Rationale:  TRANSPORTATION REPORT JANUARY 1, 2006 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2006 In general, bus transportation for January 2006 went very well. The unusually warm temperatures experienced this January have been extremely kind to children waiting along our bus routes. Even with these favorable temperatures we still managed two school cancellation days. During the month there was a week of extra busing and split dismissals to accommodate for mid term exams at Middletown, Mercy, and Xavier High Schools. Parental requests for new bus stops continue to be reviewed. The Transportation Department and Dattco Representatives continue to meet weekly.