May 6, 2015 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Rationale:  National Anthem Performed by: Bristol Central - Directed by: John Abucewicz

Rationale:  Throughout the school year, students in grade 6-12 have the opportunity to audition to participate in regional music festivals sponsored by the Connecticut Music Educators Association.  Many of our students prepare solos, scales, and sight reading skills for the opportunity to play or sing with the top musicians from around the state.  This year we had 34 of our best musicians represent Bristol in CMEA festivals.  We also had 22 of our students selected for additional Honor groups.

Rationale: 

Each year the Board of Education selects staff members who go above and beyond the expectations of their job description to be honored with a Staff Award.

A dinner in their honor will be held on May 20, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.

Staff Award Recipients:
Jeanine Audette – Director of Community & Business Relations
Kerry Desjardins – Grade 1 Teacher – Mountain View School
Bryan Haylette – Building Paraprofessional – Eastern High School
David Huber – Principal – Mountain View School
Sharon Jacques – Business Teacher – Eastern High School
Lea McCabe – World History Teacher – Central High School
Barbara McLean – Special Education Teacher – Hubbell School

Rationale: 

2015 CABE Student Leadership Awardees: Bristol Central Students: Haley Knox and Andrew Damon-Smith

The CABE Student Leadership Awards Program is designed to honor Connecticut High School and Middle School students who exhibit exemplary leadership skills. One male and one female student from each high school and middle school in a CABE member district are eligible to receive the CABE Student Leadership Award.

Leadership skills should include:

• Willingness to take on challenges
• Capability to make difficult decisions
• Concern for others
• Ability to work with others
• Willingness to commit to a project
• Diplomacy
• Ability to understand issues clearly
• Ability to honor a commitment

Rationale:  The Board of Education should vote to approve any Regular or Special Meeting Minutes.

Rationale: 

BACKGROUND: This agenda item will address any reports from Board committees to the full Board.   Communication & Community Relations Finance Operations Personnel Student Achievement Karen Vibert, Chair Jill Fitzgerald, Chair Karen Hintz, Chair Genard Dolan, Chair Jennifer Dube, Chair Jeffrey Morgan Jeffrey Morgan Karen Vibert Thomas O’Brien Jeffrey Morgan Jennifer Dube Christopher Wilson Thomas O’Brien Jill Fitzgerald Karen Hintz Alternates: Christopher Wilson Karen Hintz Genard Dolan Jennifer Dube Jill Fitzgerald

Rationale:  Student Representatives Nick Savino (Bristol Central) and Sophia Dzikas (Bristol Eastern) will give updates on activities at their respective schools.

Rationale:  Dr. Solek will report/update the Board on district topics.

1.    Accolades:
        2015 Virtual Pioneer of the Year Award - Dr. RoseAnne O'Brien Vojtek – Ivy Drive
        International Cortona Session for New Music Winner - Amy Dauphinais - BEHS Band Director
        Outstanding FRC Community Champion - Dr. Susan Moreau - BOE

2.    Alliance Grant
3.    SBAC

Rationale:  Nancy Cirmo – EPH – Speech Language Pathologist
Arthur Costa – CHMS – Social Studies, Grade 7
Harold Kilby – CHMS – Social Studies, Grade 8

Rationale:  Kathryn O’Neil – STAF – Grade 2 – Effective June 30, 2015 (currently on leave of absence)
Michael Schleer – BCHS – Social Studies – Effective June 30, 2015
Molly Sullivan – WW – Math – Effective April 23, 2015

Rationale:  The following coaches are being recommended for appointment:
Scott Chesmer – Softball Coach  – CHMS – Effective 4/20/15
Joseph Miller – Softball Coach  – CHMS – Effective 4/20/15
James Hahn – Baseball Coach  – CHMS – Effective 4/20/15
Adam Sample – Baseball Coach  – Greene-Hills – Effective 4/20/15
Erica Cahill – Softball Coach  – Greene-Hills – Effective 4/20/15
Edward Riccio – Baseball Coach  – NEMS – Effective 4/20/15
John Girard – Softball Coach  – NEMS – Effective 4/21/15
Richard Klett – Baseball Coach – West Bristol – Effective 4/20/15
Matthew Gotowala – Softball Coach  – West Bristol 4/20/15
Patricia Tomkil-Johnson - .5 Outdoor Track – BCHS – Effective 4/10/15
Taylor Plantamuro – Assistant Softball Coach – BCHS – Effective 3/23/15

Rationale: 

The Bristol School District was named an Alliance District in 2012. During the first 3 years of funding, we received an annual increase in the total funds allocated. This year, there is no increase in funding. Our Year 4 grant is $3,691,273. Our grant proposal includes 4 major areas and the following staff funding:

Talent Development: 10.5 literacy teachers, 3 FTE administrators
Academics:               1.5 PK teachers, 1.5 PK paraprofessionals, 5.3 Instructional Support, 12 kindergarten
School Climate:         1 clinical social worker
Operations:               1 IT staff, .7 FTE grants office staff

                               36.5 FTE staff = 93% of grant allocation

The remaining $324,000 is divided between professional development, substitute coverage and literacy materials.

Rationale:  Bristol Eastern will receive a Discover Pathway to Financial Success Grant for $6,000.  The award will cover the cost of a financial education curriculum server for financial education classes.

Rationale:  Bristol School District receiving grant funding in the amount of $21,519.33 from the 2014 School Security Competitive Grant Program for approved costs related to school security infrastructure improvement. The purpose of this grant is to better protect Connecticut’s students, teachers, faculty members and administrators from possible threats and hazards.  Funding is provided from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protections with a local match ($8,310.63).

Rationale:  The Bristol BOE has been awarded a grant from the State of CT, Department of Education, in consultation with the Office of Early Childhood.  This grant is provided to sponsors of School Readiness programs for facility improvements and minor capital repairs.  Funds will be used for the installation of new preschool playgrounds at Mountain View and South Side Schools.  We will receive $83,187 for SSS and $78,722 for MTV, for a total of $161,909.

Rationale: 

BACKGROUND:   Members of the public are invited to comment to the Board on any topic related to school business.

Items requiring consideration by the Board must be approved as an agenda item by a 2/3ds vote of the Board members present.  Such items may be referred for further study and not necessarily acted upon at this meeting. 

Anyone wishing to address the Board should adhere to the following procedures: 

1. Sign in on the Public Comment sign-in roster.
2. Wait to be recognized by the Board Chair.
3. Proceed to the speaker’s microphone.
4. Preface your remarks by stating your name and address.
5. Direct your comments to the Board chairman.
6. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes.
7. Any comments should be made in an appropriate manner, particularly if concerning a personnel matter.

 Board Policy #1120(a)

Rationale: 

Middle School:

District Program: This program offers the opportunity for students to make up courses for which they did not receive a passing grade.  Grade 6-7-8 students required to make-up courses attend on a non-tuition paying basis. This program will be held at Bristol Eastern High School.

High School:

District Program: Courses offered in this program allow students to obtain credit for courses not successfully completed during the academic year. Grade 9 and 10 students required to make-up courses attend on a non-tuition paying basis. Students pay tuition for grade 11 and 12 classes. This program will be held at Bristol Eastern High School.

Costs:
The Board of Education policy on summer school states that Bristol students in grades 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, who are making up failed courses, will not be charged tuition. Bristol students making up failed courses from grades 11 and 12 and non-Bristol residents will be charged tuition. The BOE budget funds the teaching positions for make-up of failed courses in grades 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 as per the BOE policy.

Rationale:  The CT State Department of Education requested districts to review their teacher and administrator evaluation plans and resubmit them for approval. The Bristol Professional Learning Team comprised of teachers and administrators met three times this winter and made some revisions to the teacher evaluation plan.  The Administrator Evaluation Plan utilizes the Connecticut SEED plan and therefore does not require re-approval. All Alliance Districts must have an approved teacher evaluation plan to receive their grant funding.

Rationale: 

The Board of Education will discuss any new business proper to come before the Board.

Rationale:  The Board of Education will convene into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing records, reports or statements of strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining groups: Local 2267 and Local 3351, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes 1-200(6)E and 1-210(b)9.

Rationale:  The Board of Education should reconvene into Public Session to take any votes on matters discussed in Executive Session.

Rationale:  There being no other business to come before the Board of Education the meeting should adjourn.