WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Where Children Learn to Soar and Dreams Take Flight
 

 

WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

MEETING HELD AT CROSSETT BROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

“APPROVED” Minutes for January 5, 2006

 

 

BOARD:                           Susan Flynn, Jeffrey Larkin, Dale Smeltzer, and Sherry Ziemke

ADMINISTRATION:       Bob McNamara, Ken Page, Don Schneider, and Kevin Hamilton

STAFF:                             Alison Bergman, Jessica Diem, and Jeanne Bataille

PUBLIC:                           Georgeanne Baker, Ally Bataille                   

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. and confirmed the agenda items.

 

  1. Ms. Baker asked for an update regarding buses traveling on Union Street.  Mr. Schneider explained that John Pike and the representative from the transportation firm have discussed the issue.  Mr. Schneider will speak to both individuals again about conducting a survey for mileage.

 

Sherry Ziemke arrived at 6:07 p.m.

 

  1. Ms. Flynn asked the administration for a review of the DRA results and information as to how the results are used to make programmatic changes for those students who did not meet the standard.  The administration indicated that work is being done to provide a report at a future meeting.

 

  1. Mr. Page reviewed a Summary of Technology Proposals, dated January 3, 2006, the W-D School District FY 07 Budget Proposal dated January 5, 2006, and the WWSU Summary of FY 07 Budgets.  Ms. Smeltzer explained aspects of the budget proposal further to those in attendance. 

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer continued a discussion on the memo she distributed at a prior meeting.  (Budget Planning for Maintenance Needs:  Short Term Maintenance Line Item, Special Article for Long Term Maintenance Reserve Fund, and general budget items).  Board members asked pointed questions about high-risk students and the proposed staffing cut.  Donarae Cook, WWSU Special Education Coordinator, will begin an analysis of the K-8th program for the W-D School District.  Superintendent McNamara indicated that the all student needs can be met if the proposed staffing cut is realized.  He indicated that the analysis will be important in determining how student needs will be met with the staff available.

 

  1. Mr. Hamilton provided a systems in-house audit (two handouts outlining CBMS and TBPS Instructional Assistant service time availability based on budgeted FTE’s, compared to actual projected needs based on student Individual Education Plans). 

 

  1. Mr. Schneider provided a document entitled Early Childhood Preschool & Kindergarten Staffing 2003-2007 dated January 4, 2006. 

 

  1. Mr. McNamara distributed a letter from CBMS special educator Patty Carroll that represented her concerns and ideas for the resources within the system.  Ms. Ziemke asked the administration about a comment made regarding the IA’s concern that they are not skilled enough to work with some of the learning disabled population.  Mr. Hamilton stated that he will need to be training IA’s next year as part of his new special education role for the District that is part of the special education staff changes proposed for FY07.

 

  1. February 3, 2006 is the final date Ms. Centonze could receive any materials for the Town Report.  The Board set a 7:30 a.m. meeting for January 26, 2006 at CBMS to approve the warning for the annual meeting. 

 

  1. The Board discussed whether the Short Term Maintenance line item for TBPS should remain at $25,000 due to the specific needs of this next year.  The Board agreed that the allocation should remain the same.

 

  1. Mr. Schneider distributed Attorney Paul Guliani’s proposed article for the Capital Improvement Reserve Fund for the Long Term Maintenance item.  The Board provided feedback.  Mr. Schneider will ask Mr. Guliani to incorporate the changes discussed into the article.  Mr. Guliani will also be asked if the designated amount can be included in the budget to add to this Reserve Fund in future years without special voter approval.  Mr. Larkin felt strongly that the parameters of the Reserve Fund should include voter approval before the money be spent.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve the Board minutes dated December 15, 2005 as corrected (correction Mr. Pike left at 8:16); and the Board minutes dated December 22, 2005. Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve Board order dated January 3, 2006 in the amount of $67,994.13, December 21, 2006 in the amount of $2,448.27, December 22, 2006 in the amount of $214.75, January 3, 2006  in the amount of $159.587.05 and Board order dated November 30, 2005 in the amount of $2,587.35.  Sherry Ziemke seconded.  Ms. Flynn raised questions regarding the reimbursement for mileage.  She requested that school errands be better planned to decrease time and money loss for the District.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. The Waste Water Permit was reviewed and signed by the Board Chair.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin moved to confirm the contracts of Robin Heath, custodian, TBPS, and Catherine Loughney, full-time aide, TBPS.  Sherry Ziemke seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Susan Flynn moved to enter into executive session at 7:58 p.m. to discuss personnel.  Jeffrey Larkin seconded.  Passed unanimously.   It was agreed to come out of executive session at 8:22 p.m. with no action taken.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin made a motion to go into executive session to discuss contract issues at 8:22 p.m.  Susan Flynn seconded. Passed unanimously.  It was agreed to come out of executive session with no action taken, at 8:41 p.m. 

 

  1. Susan Flynn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m.  Jeffrey Larkin seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

These minutes are in my opinion substantive until adopted by the Board.  Georgeanne Baker