November 22, 2005 at 7:30 PM - 11-22-05 Regular Board Meeting

Rationale:  The rules for Public Session were explained by the Chair.

Rationale:  Executive Summary Textbook Adoption – Final Review Science: High school science teachers are recommending the adoption of a new text for advanced biology classes. The current, advanced-level text is out of date and at an inadequate content level for an advanced biology class. The proposed text covers the major topics of biology thoroughly and meets all of the requirements of the new science framework. The new text is supplemented by a CD-ROM that allows students to make connections to related topics The proposed adoption is available in the Curriculum Office for those who may wish to review it. The State Department of Education requires that all local Boards of Education approve new textbook adoptions. Biology Concepts and Connections, fifth edition, Campbell, N.; Reece, J.; Taylor, M.; Simon, E.; Pearson, Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, CA, 2006

Rationale:  The Board selects a member of the public to sit as an extern on the Board of Education for half of the year. At this time a name will be drawn for the Board Extern who will serve from January 2006 to June 2006.

Rationale:  MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Facilities Department 311 Hunting Hill Avenue Middletown, CT 06457 TO: Michael Frechette, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools FROM: Ken Jackson Director of Facilities DATE: November 15, 2005 RE: CL&P Energy Conservation Programs Through the City’s Professional Services selection process Nxegen, a Middletown based energy management and consulting firm, was selected to review the City’s electricity utilization and provide recommendations for conservation and/or savings opportunities. I was asked by the City to attend initial meetings to determine any opportunities for the Middletown Public Schools. Nxegen is working with the City on savings opportunities pertaining to street lighting, which is not applicable to the school district; however, Nxegen did follow up with me regarding current CL&P energy conservation opportunities. For the past several months I have been working with Nxegen as they have investigated the CL&P energy conservation opportunities in the schools. There are two programs that we are eligible for that address lighting retrofits. Bielefield, Farm Hill, Macdonough, Moody, Snow and Spencer Schools qualify for CL&P’s Small Business Energy Advantage program and Middletown High, Keigwin Middle and Wesley Schools qualify for CL&P’s Express program. Under the Small Business Energy Advantage program the applicable lighting retrofits are partially funded by CL&P rebates and the balance of the project costs are financed through a utility administered 0% loan with installments paid through the monthly utility bill. For CL&P’s Express program the lighting retrofits are financed through a low-interest, third party lease. Both programs provide for an immediate net positive cash flow and Nxegen provides a turn-key operation for the lighting retrofits. The Small Business Energy Advantage program can be funded through the existing Electricity Account in the Plant Operation Program and will be paid for in FY 2008/2009. Since CL&P’s Express program is funded through a third party lease I recommend reducing the Electricity Account by the amount to be leased and creating a separate budget line item for the Express program lease in the same amount. The financing of the Express program will end in fiscal year 2010/2011. An additional benefit of proceeding with the programs is that Nxegen will also install wireless energy monitoring equipment that will provide consumption and demand data that can be used to validate the energy savings, provide information for energy cost forecasting and budgeting and identify additional opportunities for energy conservation and load management. The Small Business Energy Advantage Program cash flow analysis is as follows: Projected Savings 01/2006 – 06/2009 = $105,094 Financing 01/2006 – 06/2009 = $ 74,732 Positive Cash Flow = $ 30,362 Projected Savings after project costs are paid for is in excess of $30,000 per year. The CL&P Express Program cash flow analysis is as follows: Projected Savings 01/2006 – 06/2011 = $130,129 Financing 01/2006 – 06/2011 = $ 84,780 Positive Cash Flow = $ 45,349 Projected Savings after project costs are paid for is in excess of $25,000 per year. As we discussed I will have Nxegen representatives at the November 22, 2005 Board of Education meeting to give a presentation regarding these energy conservation measures. If the Board concurs with my recommendation that we proceed I propose the following motion: The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent, or his designee, to proceed with final negotiations with Nxegen and to enter into a contract with Nxegen for lighting retrofits under CL&P’s Small Business Energy Advantage and Express programs. If the Board authorizes us to proceed I will need to present the energy conservation programs to the Common Council’s Finance Committee and request that the plan be put on the Common Council’s agenda for the December Council meeting. Since the CL&P Express program is financed through a third party lease over six years we will need the Council’s approval to enter into a lease agreement. For your information, time is of the essence as the current CL&P programs may end in December of this year. To lock in the rebate and financing options I will need Board of Education and Common Council approval at the respective November 22nd Board of Education meeting and the December 5th Common Council meeting. Please advise if you require any additional information at this time.

Rationale:  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT The district is applying to the State Department of Education for a competitive Technology Infrastructure grant. The purpose of the grant program is to aid school districts in their efforts to improve technology wiring and improve telecommunications for education purposes. Funds under this grant program may be used remove significant bottlenecks or network problems at the border of a district’s network, including primary firewalls, proxy devices, perimeter switches, core routers, or other equipment. Additional use of funds may include removing or reducing significant bottlenecks from high school locations to the location in the district the Connecticut Education Network (CEN) connects to by upgrading equipment to provide greater throughput from high schools to the CEN gateway. Funds under this grant program may not be used for construction projects. Districts must document current network and proposed network configurations showing current problem areas, including network management performance statistics, and proposed upgrades. The district proposes to use Technology Infrastructure funding at the high school to: · Replace outdated switches with improved high speed switches; · Replace core and Ethernet port blades with high speed switches; · Replace backbone connections and connecting hardware between hallways and main server room with high speed connections; · Hard wire one computer lab / classroom that is currently wireless; and · Allow district to take advantage of streaming video and other applications that require high bandwidth. Funding Requested: $108,377 SUBMITTED BY: ELIZABETH K. NOCERA, GRANTS COORDINATOR

Rationale:  See attached documentation.

Rationale:  See attached documentation.

Rationale:  NEW REPLACEMENT POLICY 9270 Bylaws of the Board Conflict of Interest The Board desires its members not only to adhere to all laws regarding conflict of interest, but to be continually aware of situations which have the appearance of conflict of interest and to avoid actions that might embarrass themselves or the Board. Two areas of Board operations must be guarded with particular care in order that there be no real or seeming conflict of interest. These are purchasing and hiring of new personnel. Therefore: 1. No member of the Board shall have any direct pecuniary interest in a contract with the school district, nor shall he/she furnish directly any labor, equipment, or supplies to the district. It is not the intent of this bylaw to prevent the district from contracting with corporations or businesses because a Board member is an employee of the firm. However, in such instances the member may be expected to declare his/her association with the firm and will refrain from debating or voting on the question. 2. If a member of the immediate family of a Board member--specifically parent/guardian, spouse, domestic partner of a civil union, child or grandchild -- is being considered for employment, that member shall disqualify him/herself from participation in discussion or vote. 3. The Board shall not give preferential treatment to companies in which town officials or paid town employees, have a major financial interest or to companies by which they are employed. 4. No Board member shall use his or her position to influence an employment or contractual decision other than those routinely made by the Board itself. 5. No member of the Board of Education may be employed for compensation by the school district. 6. The Board members shall be asked to sign a conflict of interest statement at the beginning of their term of office. Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 7 479 Conflicts of Interest. 10 156e Employees of boards of education permitted to serve as elected officials; exception. 10 232 Restrictions on employment of members of the board of education. P.A. 05-10 An Act Concerning Civil Unions Bylaw adopted: November 1, 1994 MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Middletown, Connecticut

Rationale:  See attached documentation.

Rationale:  See documentation attached.

Rationale:  See attached documentation.

Rationale:  6141.312 Instruction Migrant Students The Superintendent will develop and implement a program to address the needs of migrant children in the District. Definition The term “migratory child” means a child who is, or whose parent or spouse is, a migratory agricultural worker, including a migratory dairy worker, or a migratory fisher, and who, in the preceding 36 months, in order to obtain, or accompany such parent or spouse in order to obtain, temporary or seasonal employment in agricultural or fishing work – (A) has moved from one school district to another; (B) in a state that is comprised of a single school district, has moved from one administrative area to another within such district; or (C) resides in a school district of more than 15,000 square miles, and migrates a distance of 20 miles or more to a temporary residence to engage in a fishing activity. This program will include a means to: 1. Identify migrant students and assess their educational and related health and social needs. 2. Provide a full range of services to migrant students including applicable Title I programs, special education, gifted education, vocational education, language programs, counseling programs and elective classes. 3. Provide migrant children with the opportunity to meet the same statewide assessment standards that all children are expected to meet. 4. Provide advocacy and outreach programs to migrant children and their families and professional development for District staff. 5. Provide parents/guardians an opportunity for meaningful participation in the program. Migrant Education Program for Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Involvement Parent(s)/guardian(s) of migrant students will be involved in and regularly consulted about the development, implementation, operation, and evaluation of the migrant program. Parent(s)/guardian(s) of migrant students will receive instruction regarding their role in improving the academic achievement of their children. Legal Reference: No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, §1301 et seq., 20 U.S.C. §6391 et seq., 34 C.F.R. §200.40 – 200.45. (PL 107-110 NCLB) Policy adopted: March 11, 2003 Policy readopted: MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Middletown, Connecticut

Rationale:  NEW POLICY 5141.27 Students First Aid/Emergency Medical Care Use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) Cardio-vascular heart disease is a national concern. The Middletown School District is committed to maintaining a healthy environment for students, staff, families, and guests within our schools. The Middletown Board of Education supports the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in designated schools by trained, predetermined AED responders to treat victims who experience a sudden cardiac arrest on school property. The AED is only to be applied to victims who are unconscious, not breathing, and have no signs of circulation such as pulse and coughing or movement. Responders’ use of the AED should not replace the care provided by emergency medical services (EMS) providers, but is meant to provide a lifesaving bridge during the first critical minutes it takes for advanced life support providers to arrive. Upon arrival of the EMS providers, patient care should be transferred to them. Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 10-221 Boards of Education to prescribe rules. 52-557b “Good Samaritan law.” Immunity from liability for emergency medical assistance, first aid or medication by injection. School personnel not required to administer or render. Public Law 106-5-5 Cardiac Arrest Survival Act Public Law 105-170 Aviator Medical Assistance Act Public Law 107-188 The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act Policy adopted: MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Middletown, Connecticut

Rationale:  MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Facilities Department 311 Hunting Hill Avenue Middletown, CT 06457 TO: Michael Frechette, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools FROM: Ken Jackson Director of Facilities DATE: November 14, 2005 RE: New High School / Vo-Ag Project Per your request, to follow is an update regarding the new High School and Vocational Agriculture projects. ? DeRita Construction Co. is continuing with the site work. On October 27, 2005, Wilderman’s Way was closed off just to the west of Spruce Street simultaneously to the opening of a temporary access road connecting Wilderman’s Way and Cynthia Lane. The use of the access road is restricted to construction vehicles, emergency vehicles and school buses. For all other vehicles the access to Woodrow Wilson Middle School is now via Congdon St. and Cynthia Lane. The administration worked out the change in student transportation necessitated by closing off Wilderman’s Way with TBI and DATTCO. ? DeCarlo & Doll presented to the Building Committee a rendering of the revised exterior of the high school. The Building Committee authorized DeCarlo & Doll to proceed. I will bring a copy of the rendering to the November 22nd Board of Education meeting. ? In addition to the site, concrete and steel contracts previously awarded the Building Committee awarded the elevator contract to ThyssenKrupp Elevator at the Committee’s November 9th meeting. ? Pinnacle One selected Trane in collaboration with OnSight Energy to proceed with the tri-gen concept. On November 9, 2005, Trane / OnSight Energy gave a presentation to the Building Committee with Board of Education and Common Council members in attendance. Two options were presented with the expectation that the Building Committee will select one of the two in the near future. The first option is a performance contract approach were the capital investment for the tri-gen plant is paid for by alleged energy savings over multiple years. The second option is a build, own and operate approach with the school district obligated to purchase electricity, hot water and chilled water from Trane / OnSight Energy over multiple years. Please advise if you require any additional information at this time.

Rationale:  Transportation services for the second month of the 2005-2006 school year have gone quite well as we continue to provide busing for over 12,400 children daily for Middletown Public and Non-Public Schools. We continue to meet with Dattco weekly and all issues are immediately and satisfactorily resolved. Bus evacuation drills were successfully completed for all Public and Non-Public Schools. We have also completed a Middletown bus safety program for all Middletown public school first graders. The by-pass road that was built around the new Middletown High School construction site was opened to bus traffic on October 27, 2005. The use of this road is restricted to construction and other authorized vehicles as well as buses. Using this road has caused a five to ten minute delay for all of our bus routes.

Rationale:  Executive Summary Strategic School Profiles for 2004-05 The Connecticut General Statutes, Section 10-220(c), state that individual school profiles and district profile must be reported to the local Boards of Education no later than the first regularly scheduled public meeting of the district’s local board, following November 1, 2005. The Connecticut General Assembly passed Section 10-220(c) of the General Statutes, an act concerning the reporting of school and district school profile reports in May 1990. Since then, individual schools and the district have compiled information to include in their profiles on school characteristics, student needs, school resources, school performance, student performance, and a school and district analysis. (Please note that the actual district and school profiles were mailed to Board members last week as they are not available electronically.)

Rationale:  Executive Summary 2005-06 Improvement Plans Annually, all Middletown Public Schools and programs prepare and submit improvement plans. The plans, built around the BOE adopted district goals, are designed to bring about improved student learning. For the past two years, those preparing the plans have used a model focusing on objectives, initiatives, indicators, and measurable outcomes. Every five years, the BOE revises and adopts new goals that are aligned with state goals. Since the state has yet to revise its goals, Middletown has elected to keep its present goals. Prior to their adoption, the goals, formulated by a district-wide committee, are shared and revised with staff and administration. Upon adoption, schools and departments devise objectives, initiatives, and indicators – all supporting the district goals. Throughout the year Middletown educators review and monitor progress in meeting these goals, most of which are focused on measurable student learning. Results are shared with Board and staff and posted on the district’s web page.

Rationale:  Executive Summary Reading Recovery for 2004-05 Each year the district prepares its Reading Recovery report. For the past few years, Christine Negrelli, the district’s Reading Recovery Teacher Trainer, has prepared that report in consultation with me. Among this year’s comprehensive report findings are an increased number of students served and increased number of sessions per week. Our goal in recent years has been to increase the average number of weekly meetings and to improve the district’s “discontinuation” numbers. We appear to be making progress on these goals. Most of the charts and data refer to Middletown performance; however, for comparison, Ms. Negrelli has included Connecticut data on the last three pages. She will also be on hand to answer questions about Middletown’s Reading Recovery program.

Rationale:  PERSONNEL ACTION Leave of Absence: Mary Beth Brick, Elementary Teacher (Macdonough School) employed in Middletown since September 1999, has requested a child-rearing leave of absence until August 2006. The effective date is February 8, 2006. Amy Radikas, K-5 Language Arts Coordinator employed in Middletown since August 1994, has requested a child-rearing leave of absence until May 22, 2006. The effective date is February 14, 2006. Appointment: Alison Brandt, is nominated as a Music Teacher (Lawrence/Wesley Schools). Her position on the salary scale is Step 9 of the Bachelor’s Salary Scale, salary $55,147.00 (pro-rated) effective November 30, 2005. Ms. Brandt earned her Baccalaureate at Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford. Matthew Hall, is nominated as a Science Teacher (Woodrow Wilson Middle School). His position on the salary scale is Step 2 of the Bachelor’s Salary Scale, salary $41,244.00 (pro-rated) effective November 4, 2005. Mr. Hall earned his Baccalaureate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Adrianne Morello, is nominated as a half-time (.5) Elementary Teacher (Moody School). Her position on the salary scale is Step 1 of the Bachelor’s Salary Scale, salary $19,899.00 (pro-rated) effective October 24, 2005. Ms. Morello earned her Baccalaureate at Southern Connecticut State University. STATUS OF CERTIFIED EMPLOYMENT: Vacancy: There is a vacancy for an Assistant Superintendent of Schools, which is being filled by an Interim. Resignations: Ann Briggs, Elementary Music Teacher (Lawrence/Wesley Schools) employed in Middletown since August 1995, has submitted her resignation for personal reasons. Douglas Couture, Science Teacher (Woodrow Wilson Middle School) employed in Middletown since August 2003, has submitted his resignation for personal reasons.