November 13, 2013 at 7:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Rationale: 

Members of the Killingly community are encouraged to share their thoughts with the Board of Education and are invited to do so during this segment of the meeting. When appropriate to do so, members of the Board and the administration may respond to comments. However, in consideration of those in attendance and in an effort to proceed in a timely manner, follow-up discussion may need to take place outside of the meeting setting.

 

Rationale: 
At this time the Superintendent and/or Assistant Superintendent will share specific information to the Board of Education and the Public in the interest of good communication.

Rationale:  Due to parking and handicapped access the Town of Killingly has requested that the Board of Education allow the use of a portion of the Killingly High School gymnasium as a polling place for districts 2 and 4. This would eliminate the need for polling at KIS and at the NECOG building on Putnam Pike.  Mrs. Thurlow will be present to address the Board at this meeting.   The town has agreed to post a Resdient Trooper in the polling place if the election occurs during a school day.

Rationale:  Barbara Mudd from Goodyear will make a presentation on the importance of Universal PreK in our district.

Rationale:  Mr. Tomah will make a presentation regarding an option for enhanced wireless service at KHS as well as at our other buildings.  Funds for this work would come from an unanticipated reduction in the cost of the ipad cases at KHS.  

Rationale:  Based on the RFP that was sent out earlier in the summer, Mr. O'Connell will revisit and recommend an architectural firm to do a grade span and layout analysis of the Westfield Ave. facility.

Rationale: 

 Cumulatively, the chart reflects a slight increase in the percentage of Killingly students eligible for the program – from 43.28% last fall, to 43.80% at present. Viewed over a ten-year cycle, though, the increase is 7.08% - a significant amount, and an interesting comment on the demographic evolution of our community over that time. At KMS, a full majority of children (52.4%) are eligible for free or reduced price lunch; at KHS, the number of eligible students has increased by almost 10% (from 24.75% to 34.2%) since 2002. District-wide, the percentage of eligible students did increase significantly with the onset of the “Great Recession” – from 35.78% in 2007 to 38.99% in 2008. However, the rate has continued to increase each year since then, and it is almost 5% higher than it was five years ago. This does present an interesting profile of the economic status of our children, and of their families!

Rationale: 

The policy has not been updated since June 10, 1999.  The changes include implementing a written school security and safety plan for each school, based upon the DESSP standards, which includes the addition of several new items to the policy that are recommended by CABE.   This is required commencing July 1, 2014, and each school year thereafter.  3516(a), 3516(b)

Policy #3516(c) commencing July 1, 2014 each school will have a school security and safety committee under the jurisdiction the Board.  All the changes in this policy are due to P.A. 13-3 An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety.

Rationale:  Policy #3517 was last updated on May 11, 22011.  The changes in this policy will bring it in compliance with P.A. 13-3 An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety.  This policy is no longer called crisis response plans, and it will be based upon the school security and safety plan standards developed by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP).

Rationale:   The additions (added behind policy #4148  and 4248)to this policy describe what a school security and safety committee is and what their responsibilities will be.  The district, when developing this plan will understand and utilize the consistent approach embodied in the National Incident Management system (NIMS) offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  This policy was last updated on May 12, 2004

Rationale:  Changes will be added to this policy commencing July 1, 2014, which will include the mental health first aid training provided by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services.  (Such training is only required once).  Also, the safe school climate committee will implement the provisions of the school security and safety plan.  Reporting of information relating to instances of disturbing behavior will be addressed to the District Safe School Climate Coordinator and to the school’s security and safety committee.

Rationale: 

A new policy presented to the Board as a Second Reading.  A new State law defines what an Athletic Director is and the certifications they must hold.  New standards apply to those hired on or after October 1, 2013. 

Rationale:   New guidelines and policy  for the evaluation of coaches.

Rationale:  Report from Futures Education regarding the Special Education Audit that was completed earlier this year.

Rationale:  Chris Tracy from Shipman and Goodwin to provide necessary documentation for the board to consider.