December 8, 2008 at 7:00 PM - BOE Meeting Template

Mrs. Lisa Reilly, Curriculum Specialist Teacher for Language Arts grades K-5, and Mrs. Rae Teed, Curriculum Specialist Teacher for Language Arts grades 6-12, will present an update on the progress of curriculum work, professional development, and integration of technology across the district in the area of Language Arts. An executive summary is included with the Board of Education packet outlining the presentation.

Dr. Judith Houle, Director of Curriculum and Mr. James Morrow, Director of Technology, will present an update on the integration of technology into our curriculum and instructional practice, including reviewing state standards for their appropriate integration into content area curricula and professional development to increase teachers’ skills in the use of technology as an instructional tool. Enclosed with the Board of Education packet is an executive summary of our progress to date and plans for the remainder of this school year.

An update on the guidance services at SHS will be presented.  A summary of the details are included in your packet.  Mr. Cotzin will be available to respond to any questions.

As a result of the Connecticut State Department of Education’s monitoring efforts, the district received reports noting two areas of concern:

1.      Disproportionate number of white students (as compared to black and Hispanic) identified under the disability category of Speech and Language Impairment; and

2.      Frequency of students with intellectual disability attending out-of-district placements.

Ellen Quagliaroli, MBA Social Studies teacher, has submitted her retirement notice effective 4/24/09.  Ellen taught in the district from 1979-2000 and again from 2003-2009.

Julie Kunzelman, MBA World Language teacher, has requested a child-rearing leave beginning approximately 5/25/09 through 1/26/10 as per Article 19.F.2 of the SEA collective bargaining agreement.

Each board member has received a copy of the 2007-08 Strategic School Profile in their packet.  Much of the test data has been presented at our previous meetings.  The superintendent will highlight some key areas of the report (see attached handout of superintendent’s presentation).

Mr. Cotzin will present the Course Selection Guide for the 2009-2010 school year.  He will be available to answer any specific questions the board may have regarding any changes.  No new courses have been included for the new course catalog and minor changes are being made regarding prerequisites for certain courses.

The 2009-2010 school calendar is presented after considerable efforts were made to coordinate the start date, vacations, and meeting times throughout the year with input from administration, the S.E.A., and staff.

The updated bullying policy reflects changes to the district policy as required by state mandates.  This policy was first warned on the 10/27/08 BOE agenda and is now ready for adoption. 

DBS Code 2120: Organizational Chart reflects transfers of some positions for this school year.

DBS Code: 3511 – Compliance with 504 Regulations, DBS Code: 4112.5/4212.5 – Security Check/Fingerprinting and DBS Code: 5144.1 – Use of Physical Force and Seclusion Policy are new policies which are mandated.

DBS Code: 3511 – Compliance with 504 Regulations, DBS Code: 4112.5/4212.5 – Security Check/Fingerprinting and DBS Code: 5144.1 – Use of Physical Force and Seclusion Policy are new policies which are mandated.

DBS Code: 5125.11 – Health/Medical Records, DBS Code: 5131.21 – Threats or Acts of Violence and  DBS Code: 5141.6 – Crisis Prevention/Response and are new recommended good practice policies.

DBS Code: 5125.11 – Health/Medical Records, DBS Code: 5131.21 – Threats or Acts of Violence and  DBS Code: 5141.6 – Crisis Prevention/Response and are new recommended good practice policies.

DBS Code: 5125.11 – Health/Medical Records, DBS Code: 5131.21 – Threats or Acts of Violence and  DBS Code: 5141.6 – Crisis Prevention/Response and are new recommended good practice policies.

DBS Code: 3511 – Compliance with 504 Regulations, DBS Code: 4112.5/4212.5 – Security Check/Fingerprinting and DBS Code: 5144.1 – Use of Physical Force and Seclusion Policy are new policies which are mandated.

The Somers Basketball Association, a division of the Somers Recreation Commission, has offered to replace the existing scoreboard at SES with a new scoreboard similar to the one at MBA.  All funding and installation charges will be paid for by the association.  There will be no costs incurred by the school department.

Student transportation is an important component of the day-to-day operation of the school district.  First Student (formerly Laidlaw Transit) continues to do an excellent job of working with the district to provide safe and efficient transportation.

This year there have been less than 10 requests for route changes.  Each request has been evaluated based upon safety and efficiency with First Student and, as appropriate, with input from public safety personnel.  Approximately one-half of these requests have resulted in changes.

There are 16 students that require transportation out-of-district (OOD) excluding Rockville High School and Cheney Tech.  In addition to working with First Student in this area, we also work with Coordinated Transportation Service.  OOD transportation continues to present a challenge due to the nature of individual student needs, facility locations, school day start/end times and state regulations regarding the amount of time a student may be in transit.  We continually look to collaborate with other districts regarding OOD transportation, however, the constraints referenced above provide a number of obstacles.

Please do not hesitate to contact Bill Boutwell, Director of Business Services, with any questions. 

The 11/1/08 enrollment data reflects changes throughout the district as a result of students transferring in and transferring out.  Overall, there was an increase of 1 student in the AM Kindergarten, 2 students in grade 2, 1 student in grade 8, 1 student in grade 9, 2 students in grade 10, and a reduction of 1 student in grade 1, 2 students in grade 4, 1 student in grade 6, 1 student in grade 7, and 1 student in grade 12.

The 12/1/08 enrollment data reflects a decrease of two students overall.  Ninth grade numbers reflect a transfer out of state and tenth grade changes are due to one student who has withdrawn from school, one student moving out of town, and one student moving into Somers.

The budget calendar submitted is similar to the timeline used last year.  We have been working since September to meet the specific timelines designated on this calendar.  This year’s budget process will be very different in that bottom line revenue sources may not be known until much later in the year.