EASTFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Eastford Elementary School
12 Westford Road
Eastford, CT 06242
August 13, 2015
Present: Stephen Bowen, Robert Ellsworth (Attending Electronically to 8:15 P.M.), Christine
Hustus, Thomas Latham (7:15 P.M.), Gerald Marmat
Absent: Sharon Kozey, Margherita Nichols-Shaw, Amy Whitehouse
Also Present: Linda Loretz, Superintendent; Heather Tamsin, Principal
I.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Hustus at 7:00 P.M.
II.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mrs. Hustus led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III.
Citizen Participation
First Selectman Brodeur spoke to the Board concerning the energy initiatives in the
Town. A Municipal Energy Action Plan is being developed which will include all town
buildings. As stewards of the school building, the Board needs to be thoroughly engaged
in the process for the betterment of the community.
Jim Trowbridge spoke on behalf of the Republican Town Committee in support of
Thomas Latham to fill the anticipated vacancy on the Board of Education.
IV.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: (Bowen/Marmat) That the Board of Education Regular and Executive
Minutes of June 11, 2015 be approved with corrections. Motion passed unanimously.
V.
Correspondence, Communications
• Letter from Amy Whitehouse
• Letter from Jennifer Page
• Resignation from Diane Martin
• Resignation from Julie Hemeon
• Letters from Union Parents
• CABE Information
• Letter to Charles Rukstela
• Emails Concerning Transportation Issue
• Scholarship Awards from Community Foundation
• Thank You Notes from Scholarship Recipients
• Email Concerning Electronic Meeting Attendance
• Email exchange Ken Barber/Jessica Ritter
• Email from Mark Temple, Lenard Engineer
• Letter from Craig Russell, DAS—construction grant
• Flyer about Bay State Textiles
• Email from Noelle Cormier
• Letter from SDE, Shannon Marimon
MOTION: (Bowen/Marmat) To move New Business A, Resignation of Member; and New
Business B, Board of Education Vacancy to before VI. Committee Reports. Motion passed
unanimously.
New Business
A. Resignation of Member
MOTION: (Bowen/Marmat) To accept with regret the resignation of Amy
Whitehouse. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Board of Education Vacancy
MOTION: (Marmat/Bowen) To appoint Thomas O. Latham as Board of Education
member to fill the vacancy created by Amy E. Whitehouse’s resignation. Voting for
the Motion: Bowen, Hustus and Marmat. Abstaining: Ellsworth. Motion passed.
Chair Hustus gave Mr. Latham the oath of office and he took his seat at 7:15 P.M.
VI.
Committee Reports
A.
Executive/Personnel – None.
B.
Fiscal – None.
C.
Policy – None
D.
Woodstock Academy – Mr. Marmat reported WA is considering a capital
campaign for a STEM Center. August 17-20 counselors will be available to help
with class schedule issues. August 18 is the next Board of Trustee meeting
preceded by the Cooperators Meeting. August 25 is Family Tradition Day for
incoming new students. October 14 is Test Day and all students will take SATs or
PSATs, as appropriate.
E.
EastConn – None
F.
Long Range Facilities – Mr. Ellsworth reported that he was part of a conference
call with the Green Energy Committee.
G.
Transportation – None
H.
Curriculum – None.
I.
Scholarship Steering Committee – None
J.
School Safety Committee – None
VII. Superintendent Report
Received the Superintendent’s report which discussed and/or provided the following
information:
A.
Goals and Professional Development
B.
Policies and Contracts
C.
Personnel/Openings/Soccer Coaches
D.
Fiscal/Encumbrances
E.
Facilities/Stage Divider/Energy Plan/NPR Request
F.
Web Site Report
G.
Community Foundation Scholarships
VIII. Principal Report
Received the Principal’s report which discussed and/or provided the following
information:
A.
School Goals and Professional Development/Summer Work
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Current Enrollment
Readiness Council and Program
Community Outreach
Fund Raisers/Field Trips
Student Progress Report
Technology Plan/Expected Learning Progression
RTI/Assessment Grant
IX. Director of Special Education Received the report dated July 2015, which shows changes
from May 31, 2015. Ms. Chretien also included a copy of a letter sent to all
parents/guardians of students eligible for special education services. Eastford is among
districts selected to be part of a survey conducted by CSDE.
X. Unfinished Business
A.
Scholarship Steering Committee – No Action.
B.
Residency Case – No Action
C.
Panels for Stage
Mrs. Loretz reported that the panels will not be installed before school starts.
XI. New Business, continued
A.
Readiness Report: Non-Residency Option
Mrs. Tamsin reviewed the letter received from Harriet Feldlaufer concerning the
School Readiness Non-Residency Option. This option will be discussed at the
School Readiness Council meeting.
B.
Technology Skills, K-8
The Board received and reviewed an Introduction to the Scope and Sequence
Document for Common Core State Standards K-12 Technology Skills Scope and
Sequence. This document is adapted from the Fresno County Office of Education
Recommended Digital Literacy and Technology Skills.
C.
In-District Coaching Assistance
Mrs. Tamsin informed the Board that Eastford is one of the districts awarded
Coaching/Technical Assistance for the 2015-2016 school year. This is
administered through EastConn.
D.
Assessment and RTI Updates
The Board received a copy of assessments given to students including grade level,
frequency and subject.
E.
Reports on Student Activities, Milk and BASP Accounts
The Board received and reviewed the Student Activities, Milk and BASP
Accounts ending June 30, 2015.
F.
Energy Efficiency Initiatives
The Board received and reviewed information from the Clean Energy Task Force.
The Facilities Committee will be involved in this project.
G.
Engineer Plans for Removal and Replacement of the Underground Oil Storage
Tank
MOTION: (Ellsworth/Marmat) To accept the engineer plans from Lenard
Engineering, Inc. for the removal and replacement of the underground oil storage
tank. Motion passed unanimously.
H.
Resignation of Diane Martin
MOTION: (Bowen/Ellsworth) To accept, with regret, the resignation of Diane
Martin as school social worker. Motion passed unanimously.
I.
J.
K.
L.
XII.
Resignation of Julie Hemeon
MOTION: (Bowen/Ellsworth) To accept, with regret, the resignation of Julie
Hemeon as Spanish teacher. Motion passed unanimously.
Requests from Union Parents
MOTION: (Marmat/Ellsworth) To approve the requests for five Union students
to participate in sports at EES, contingent upon eligibility and according to the
Board of Education policy. Motion passed unanimously.
Special Education District Annual Performance Report.
MOTION: (Bowen/Marmat) To accept the District’s Special Education Annual
Performance Report. Motion passed unanimously.
CABE Conference Registration
Board members need to register before August 31 to receive the discount.
Additional Agenda Items – None.
XIII. Financial Reports
A.
June 2015 – sent to BOE via email
B.
July 2015 Disbursements – sent to BOE via email
C.
End of Year Financial Summary, 2014-2015
D.
The Board received and reviewed the yearend report.
E.
Monthly Financial Summary, July 2015
F.
The Board received and reviewed the monthly report.
G.
Budget Transfers – None.
XIV. Citizen Participation
Jim Trowbridge wanted the Board to know that the Board of Selectmen will be taking the
lead concerning Bay State Textiles.
XV. Executive Session
MOTION: (Bowen/Marmat) To enter into Executive Session at 8:05 P.M. for discussion
concerning attorney-client privileged written communications and invite Attorney Anne
Littlefield and Superintendent Loretz to stay. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ellsworth disconnected his transmission at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary W. Grube, Clerk
The Board left Executive Session at 9:34 P.M.
XVI. Statement or Action Pertaining to Designated High Schools – This discussion was
assigned to the Policy Committee.
XVII. Statement or Action on Woodstock Academy Contract
MOTION: (Hustus/Bowen) The Board of Education directs the Superintendent to work
with legal counsel, the Special Education Director and a designated Board of Education
member to engage in discussion with Woodstock Academy representative regarding the
contractual relationship between the Board and the Academy with respect to Eastford
students and to discuss the Board's concerns with respect to same. Further, the Board
authorizes Board Chair, Christine Hustus, to designate a Board member to work with the
Superintendent for this purpose. Motion passed unanimously.
XVIII. Statement or Action on Transportation Contract – No Action
XIX. Adjournment
MOTION: (Marmat/Bowen) To adjourn the meeting at 9:37 P.M. Mrs. Hustus
adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen O. Bowen
Board Secretary