EXHIBIT I
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Record of Proceedings
Regular Meeting
Mrs. Lydia Tedone called the regular meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Board of
Education Conference Room.
March 25, 2014
Roll Call:
Members present: Mmes. Lydia Tedone, Susan Salina and Tara Willerup. Messrs.
Chris Kelly and Mike Wade.
Members absent: Messrs. Mike Goman, Todd Burrick and Tom Doran.
Also present: Superintendent Matt Curtis, Assistant Superintendent Erin Murray,
Assistant Superintendent Sue Homrok-Lemke, Business Manager Burke LaClair,
Student Representative Patrick Long and Recording Secretary Katie Wilde.
RECOGNITIONS
The board recognized the SHS Girls Hockey Team who won the state championship.
Cindy Parsons, Art Department Supervisor, presented the Scholastic Art Award
winning artwork.
Recognitions
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
None.
Public Audience
BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Patrick Long, BOE Student Representative, reported on activities at SHS including
the start of spring sports, the first handball tournament, the start of dodge ball, the
FBLA conference and the College Fair next week. He discussed his experience at
CABE Day on the Hill and noted that he, Jakob Gattinger and Ms. Tedone
participated in a radio program.
Communications
Ms. Murray reported on the Invention Convention at Tariffville School during which
students made a prototype of their individual inventions. Mr. Baker, Tariffville
Principal, stated that 7 of the student participants are going to compete at UConn in
May.
Ms. Lemke stated that the town has formed a Community for Care group that
includes town staff, school district staff and town residents. She reported that the
Communications Committee met to discuss formal communications with
stakeholders. An assessment will be drafted to assess if we are sending out
information that the stakeholders want to receive.
Mr. Curtis noted that today was the first day of SBAC testing and he thanked
teachers, administrators and students for a successful day. Mr. Curtis reported that
he and Ms. Tedone met with local legislators and Granby Superintendent Alan
Addley to discuss the multitude of state initiatives at one time that require the need
for resources to crossover.
Ms. Tedone noted the legislation that is expected to come out of the Education
Committee and the testimony that was taken at the state capitol. She stated that
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March is BOE Appreciation Month and she thanked her fellow board members for
their work.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
A. Appointment of Central School and Latimer Lane School Principals
Mr. Curtis noted the rigorous and inclusive process that was followed during the
hiring process. He reviewed Ms. Hennessy’s background, pointing out her
tremendous potential to lead.
Appointment of
Central and
Latimer Lane
School
Principals
Ms. Willerup: MOVE that the Board of Education appoint Beth Hennessy to the
position of Central School Principal effective July 1, 2014.
Mr. Wade:
Seconded. So moved.
Mr. Curtis stated that Mr. Luzietti is excited to return to Simsbury and to build
connectedness with parents and staff at Latimer Lane School.
Mr. Wade:
MOVE that the Board of Education appoint Michael Luzietti to the
position of Latimer Lane Principal effective July 1, 2014.
Ms. Willerup: Seconded. So moved.
B. Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2014 Meeting
Mr. Kelly:
MOVE to approve the minutes of February 25, 2014.
Approval of
Minutes of
February 25,
2014
Ms. Willerup: Seconded. So moved. Mr. Wade abstained.
C. Personnel
Personnel
Ms. Willerup: MOVE that the Board of Education accept the notice of intent to retire of
Mark Melingonis effective June 30, 2017.
Ms. Salina:
Seconded. So moved.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
A. Continuing Education Updates
Mr. Krum, Director of Continuing Education, briefly reviewed the state mandated
programs. He noted the 2014 summer programs, stating that the focus this summer
is on younger children and intermediate/middle school aged children. Ms. Gunsalus,
Director of Elementary Curriculum, described this year’s Summer Academies for
elementary aged children.
Ms. Mahan, Continuing Education Division of Youth Services Director, discussed the
Children’s Academy preschool program. She stated that next year SHS students will
have an opportunity to serve as interns in the preschool program. Ms. Mahan noted
that this year the focus for preschool teachers has been on intentional and purposeful
planning, instruction and assessment. She stated that the Simsbury Enrichment &
Extended Day (SEED) before and after school program has 279 students this year
Continuing
Education
Updates
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which is the highest enrollment to date. Ms. Rehm, SAA Artistic Director, reviewed
the Simsbury Arts Academy (SAA) offerings as well as the SAA and SEED
collaboration.
B. Magowan Gift
Magowan Gift
Mr. Curtis stated that 3 proposals will be presented to the board this evening
regarding the expenditure of the Kathleen Magowan Gift. The options presented
include interactive learning commons, SHS scholarships, pre-school considerations
and a field house for the SHS athletic fields.
Ms. Murray addressed interactive learning commons for the elementary and middle
schools. She described the type of technology that would be available at these
technology stations which will be designed to empower students. Ms. Murray
estimated the cost for all 6 schools to be outfitted at $375,000. Additionally there
may be up to $60,000 in districtwide costs. In response to Mr. Kelly, Ms. Murray
stated that this idea came through the Innovation Subcommittee. Mr. Kelly
expressed concern with the ability to sustain cutting edge technology over time. Ms.
Willerup noted that this would expand opportunities for kids. Ms. Tedone suggested
branding it as Magowan Learning Resources would be appropriate.
Ms. Murray reviewed the scholarship proposal. She stated that 5 scholarships in the
amount of $1,000 would be awarded to one student from each of our 5 elementary
schools. Scholarships could be given to those students who exhibit the love of
learning and are service oriented. These scholarships would be awarded for the
classes of 2015 to 2025.
Ms. Lemke presented preschool considerations such as space enhancements to
unify the preschool at Squadron Line School after the modular classrooms are
removed at Central School. Additionally scholarships could be offered via lottery for
the children of Simsbury residents to attend full day preschool. Ms. Lemke pointed
out that it is difficult to project preschool enrollment. Mr. Curtis stated that state
legislation relative to preschool is currently in flux as to who will pay the cost and this
is a concern with regard to moving this proposal forward.
Mr. Curtis presented the SHS field house and snack shack proposal. He noted that
this idea was first brought forward by Lou George, attorney for Kathleen Magowan’s
estate. Mr. Curtis pointed out that we are currently looking at the overall site plan for
playing fields at SHS as part of a bigger conversation. He stated that when this
proposal was initially made public there was feedback from the community that they
would prefer the funds be used to benefit the elementary schools as Kathleen
Magowan was a lifelong elementary teacher.
Mr. Kelly suggested that the values of how to use the gift be defined in order to
demonstrate good stewardship and to connect back to Kathleen Magowan as a
person. Ms. Salina stated that the gift deserves a lasting effect. She stated that she
likes the idea of the resource centers but worries about sustainability. Ms. Salina
spoke in favor of the SHS scholarships. Ms. Willerup stated that she would like the
SHS scholarships to last more than 10 years. She pointed out that the education of
1st graders was Kathleen Magowan’s legacy and the football field at SHS is not
relevant to her legacy.
C. 2014-15 Budget Modification
2014-15 Budget
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Modification
Mr. Curtis stated as part of our shared services and collaboration with the town the
topic of funding the two school resources officers has come up. The second
resource officer that was added last year is paid 50% by the town and 50% by the
Board of Education. The town is requested that the Board of Education pick up 50%
of the cost for the original school resource officer that has been paid in full by the
town. Mr. Curtis noted that this request came late in the budget process. He stated
that due to positive insurance premium rate information the reduction in this line item
can offset the $40,000 cost of the school resource officer. The bottom line of the
proposed 2014-15 budget need not change.
D. 2015-16 School Calendar
2015-16 School
Calendar
Ms. Lemke presented the 2015-16 proposed school calendar. She noted the
considerations that go into development of the school calendar. Ms. Lemke pointed
out that CREC has not yet developed a regional school calendar and has asked for a
postponement to putting a regional school calendar in place until the fall of 2016.
She stated that the 2015-16 school calendar will be brought forward for adoption at
the next board meeting.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
None.
Public Audience
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Willerup: MOVE to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Adjournment
Mr. Wade:
Seconded. So moved
____________________________
Mike Goman
Secretary
_________________________
Katie Wilde
Recording Secretary