EXHIBIT I
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Record of Proceedings Regular Meeting May 27, 2008
Mr. Sennott called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Latimer Lane
School Media Center.
Roll Call:
Members present: Mmes. Susan Salina and Tara Willerup. Messrs. Jack Sennott,
Charlie Moret, Mike Goman and Mike Wade.
Members absent: Ms. Lydia Tedone and Mr. Chris Kelly.
Also present: Superintendent Diane Ullman, Assistant Superintendent Erin Murray,
Director of Human Resources Mark Zito, Business Manager David Holden,
Recording Secretary Katie Wilde and Student Representative Shannie Ballentine.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive
Session
Ms. Goman: MOVE to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel and pupil
matters at 7:01 p.m.
Ms. Salina: Seconded. So moved
Ms. Moret: MOVE to enter public session at 7:38 p.m. in the Latimer Lane
gymnasium.
Mr. Wade: Seconded. So moved.
STUDENT RECOGNITIONS Student
Recognitions
Dr. Ullman introduced Amy Watts, Chinese teacher at SHS and HJMS. Ms. Watts
introduced 2 students, Jana Jedlicka and Allen Yang, who went on the first student
trip to China over April vacation. She discussed the visit with their sister school and
the sights they visited. The students spoke about their time with the host families and
meeting Chinese students. They noted that there are many similarities with regard to
school life even though the lifestyle in China is very different. Dr. Ullman noted that
this trip was paid through student fees.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE Public Audience
Grace Morris, Principal at Latimer Lane School, introduced the PTO Presidents Jill
Hitson and Sue Krinsky and noted that the spring fling fundraiser raised $10,000 that
was put toward 10 document cameras for the school. She stated that the PLCs
(Professional Learning Communities) are up and running and the teachers meet
weekly to work together to support student learning. 63 Latimer Lane students
received support from math tutors this year. The character education program
continues to be refined and involved in community projects. Ms. Morris thanked the
board, administration and PTO for their support of Latimer Lane School.
BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS Communications
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Ms. Ballentine noted recent activities at the high school, as well as sports that are
entering state tournaments.
Ms. Willerup reported on the HJMS art show, cabaret, spring play and strings concert
with the high school students. She also noted the success of the mock admissions
program at the high school. Ms. Salina praised the Squadron Line art show and
concert.
Mr. Moret complimented the high school performing arts department on their
Shakespearean production, in particular Michael Hunter for his work on the set
design. He reported that the Curriculum Committee met to review the math report
and noted the time and effort that went into this initiative.
Mr. Holden reported that the Public Building Committee awarded the Tariffville
School renovation/addition project to the second lowest bidder because the lowest
bidder, Nutmeg Cos., submitted an incomplete bid. Nutmeg Cos. has filed suit in
Hartford Superior Court from which a temporary injunction was issued. A hearing is
scheduled on June 2nd to hopefully resolve the issue.
Mr. Sennott thanked those in the audience for supporting the 2008-09 budget and
noted the high voter turnout. He pointed out that Hartford magazine has named
Simsbury the best town in Connecticut compared to those of similar size. Mr.
Sennott announced that Patty Lou Peters, Assistant Principal at HJMS, was named
Simsbury’s Educator of the Year by the Board of Education.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
A. Appointment of Dean of Students Appointment of
Dean of
Mr. Moret: MOVE that the Board of Education appoint Kevin Dakin to the position Students
of Dean of Students, effective August 27, 2008.
Mr. Wade: Seconded.
Mr. Moret noted the board goal to provide emotional and social support to students
and the role of the Dean of Students to move this initiative forward. He noted that the
board is impressed with Mr. Dakin’s ability to relate to students as a guidance
counselor at both HJMS and SHS.
The vote was unanimous. The motion carried.
Mr. Dakin thanked the board and administrative team for this appointment. Mr.
Sullivan and Ms. Homrok both praised Mr. Dakin for his current work with students
and noted the value this position will add going forward.
B. Approval of Minutes of May 13, 2008 Approval of
May 13, 2008
Ms. Willerup: MOVE to approve the minutes of May 13, 2008, as amended. Minutes
Ms. Salina: Seconded. So moved. Mr. Moret abstained.
C. Personnel Personnel
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Mr. Moret: MOVE that the Board of Education accept the resignation of Elizabeth
Lavelle effective June 30, 2008
Mr. Goman: Seconded. So moved.
Mr. Goman: MOVE that the Board of Education accept the retirement of Joan
Adorno effective June 30, 2008.
Mr. Moret: Seconded. So moved.
Ms. Willerup: MOVE that the Board of Education accept the notice of intent to retire of
Sharene Wassell effective June 30, 2011.
Ms. Salina: Seconded. So moved.
D. 2008-09 Textbook Adoption 2008-09
Textbook
Ms. Murray reviewed the recommended textbook adoptions: Adoption
AP Calculus BC AP Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions
Housing & Interiors II 9-12 Residential Housing & Interiors
Social Studies 8 America—History of Our Nation
Social Studies 9-10 World History: Patterns of Interaction
Ms. Salina: MOVE that the Board approves the textbook adoptions for the 2008-09
school year as submitted by the administration.
Ms. Willerup: Seconded. So moved.
E. Board of Education Policies BOE Policies
Dr. Ullman noted that the two policies with revisions were presented to the board at
their last meeting.
Ms. Willerup: MOVE to adopt the revised Simsbury High School Credits/Grade
Placement policy and the revised Student Records and Release of
Student Information policy effective May 27, 2008.
Mr. Moret: Seconded. So moved.
F. Acceptance of Gift to Henry James School Acceptance of
HJMS Gift
Mr. Wade: MOVE that the proposed gift of document cameras and student tile wall
display to Henry James Memorial School from the Henry James Parent-
Teacher Organization be approved.
Mr. Goman: Seconded. So moved.
Ms. Willerup noted that all are invited to attend the 50th anniversary of HJMS on
June 11th.
Judith
G. Judith Bartusewicz Memorial Scholarship Bartusewicz
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Memorial
Mr. Goman: MOVE to approve the Judith Bartusewicz Memorial Scholarship for the Scholarship
period 2008 to 2011.
Ms. Willerup: Seconded. So moved.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
A. Grade 5/6 Committee Report Grade 5/6
Committee
Dr. Ullman stated that an outcome of the work completed by the Grade 5/6 Report
Committee last year was for the school district to study what benefits from a Grade
5/6 school could be achieved in our current school configuration.
Mr. Perrault, Committee Chair and Tootin’ Hills School Principal, stated that 4
subcommittees were formed to address the following areas: (1) opportunities for
social/emotional growth, (2) scheduling within a 5-6 program, (3) world language, and
(4) tandem/team teaching. Prior to their research the committee reviewed middle
level research to ensure consistency with the Simsbury Public Schools Vision and
Core Beliefs.
Mr. Curtis, Squadron Line School Principal, addressed opportunities for
social/emotional growth from which 6 opportunities for the Simsbury Public Schools
arose: (1) expand roles and responsibilities of student councils, (2) develop peer
mediation programs, (3) develop team leadership opportunities, (4) expand privileges
and responsibilities, (5) ensure access to after-school and extra-curricular activities,
and (6) coordinate initiatives district wide.
Ms. Norman, Special Services Supervisor, addressed scheduling and the goal of
establishing scheduling parameters to support the academic, social and emotional
needs of the middle level student. The recommendations for scheduling parameters
are: (1) structure beginning/end of school day to accommodate added instructional
time/relationship building opportunities, (2) create uninterrupted blocks of instruction
time (support services may be ‘pushed in’ during these time blocks), (3) utilize
before/after school hours for music/art groups and enrichment, and (4) ensure
common planning time exists for collaboration between classroom teachers and
support personnel.
Ms. Morris discussed the expansion of the world language program into 5th grade and
expanding 7th grade Spanish to a full year. These changes would result in expanding
the world language options in high school.
Mr. Baker, Squadron Line Assistant Principal, addressed Tandem/Team Teaching.
He noted that when the original Grade 5/6 Committee visited Grade 5/6 schools
across the state students were grouped on tandems or teams. The 3 goals of
tandem/team teaching in Simsbury would be: (1) to improve the quality of instruction
through teacher specialization in subject areas and/or units of study to develop
expertise in increasingly complex content, (2) to better prepare our students for the
demands of a middle school schedule, and (3) to allow for more targeted professional
development and an economy of materials. 5th grade students will be organized on
either 2 or 3 teacher teams. Teachers will specialize in individual science units and
students will change classes as they progress through 4 science rotations. Social
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th
Studies and Writing instruction will be integrated at points throughout the year. 6
grade students will be organized on teams of 2 or 3 teachers. On a 2 teacher team,
one teacher will specialize in math/science and the others will specialize in
writing/social studies. On a 3 teacher team one teacher will specialize in math, one in
science and one in social studies. In both circumstances students will have a
homeroom teacher responsible for all other areas of academic instruction.
Mr. Sennott questioned whether it will be an easy transition to this Grade 5/6 model.
Mr. Baker responded that some schools are already tinkering with team teaching. He
noted that if teachers only teach certain subjects it will allow them to dig deeper into
content and differentiation and create teams of subject matter teachers. Ms. Murray
stated that principals met with their 5th and 6th Grade teachers and received a positive
response as this concept benefits both teachers and students. Dr. Ullman noted that
the committee mapped out how each minute of the day would be allocated in this
scenario.
Mr. Perrault reviewed the next steps for addressing Grades 5 and 6. He stated that
the team/tandem teaching implementation will begin in 2008-09. The
social/emotional growth subcommittee recommendations will begin implementation at
the building level in 2008-09. Viable scheduling parameters are in development for
the 2008-09 school schedules. Mr. Perrault stated that the feasibility and impact of
expanding world language in the elementary grades will continue to be reviewed as
well as district coordination of social/emotion growth initiatives. There will also be
further investigation on the creation of a flexible period to be utilized within a 6 day
cycle for academic support, enrichment, pull out instruction, world language, etc. Mr.
Perrault thanked all who participated on the committee.
B. Math Report Math Report
Ms. Murray stated that the Math Leadership Team conducted an extensive study to
review the Grade 6-12 math curriculum and the pathway between the grades.
Additionally the team worked to align the Grade 6-9 math curriculum with strong
algebra-based skills and to develop a mathematical program that allows all students
to achieve literacy and proficiency with mathematical concepts, methods, and
problem solving strategies.
Ms. Murray reviewed the process the Math Leadership Team followed to arrive at
their recommendations. This process included (1) review of the course sequences 6-
12, (2) reading and discussing research related to Best Practices in math instruction,
(3) conducting discussions with math consultants, (4) collecting and analyzing data,
and (5) development of an action plan to carry out findings and recommendations.
Ms. Murray noted the typical honors math sequence for surrounding towns, including
Simsbury: Grade 9 – Geometry, Grade 10 – Algebra II, Grade 11 – Pre-Calculus,
Grade 12 – Calculus BC/AB. Ms. Gunsalus discussed the research utilized by the
team, noting the importance of when Algebra I is offered to students.
Mr. Curtis reviewed the probing questions the team sought answers for: What is the
benefit of going beyond Calculus in 12th grade? What does the ideal
sequence/pathway of math instruction look like? What are the enduring knowledge
and understandings that need to be learned at a deeper level? Are students
developmentally ready for acceleration in Grade 6 and when is an appropriate time to
start leveling? What impact does accelerating students in Grade 6 have on their
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success in advanced math courses? Mr. Curtis summarized the discussions with
math consultants who noted that students should take Calculus in senior year, as
close to college as possible. The math consultants questioned the creation of a
separate accelerated math class that is a small slice of the grade level population
when the focus should be on the rigor of the core curriculum with
enrichment/acceleration as needed.
Mr. Curtis presented the cohort data comparing the 2006-07 and 2007-08 student
performance in the 6th Grade Pre-Algebra accelerated math program. The class size
almost doubled this year and attrition in performance resulted with a lower
percentage of students enrolling in Algebra I in 9th Grade. It is apparent that the
accelerated class is too large a group and there needs to be stricter performance
criteria going forward.
Mr. Sullivan, Simsbury High School Principal, discussed the performance of AP
Calculus BC students at the high school. He noted that this is the most rigorous
math course currently offered at the high school and only one student from this class
qualified for the American Invitational Math Exam. Mr. Sennott questioned if students
took Calculus earlier whether the performance rate would be better. Mr. Sullivan
responded that juniors are placed in Calculus when appropriate. He pointed out that
the students in the AP Calculus BC as seniors are being accepted into top colleges
and many take Calculus again when they get to college. Mr. Sullivan pointed out that
these students went through the regular math program, rather than being identified
for the accelerated math program when they were in 6th grade, and they still ended
up at the top of the math program in high school. He suggested that it would be
preferable to have more students in Calculus rather than a few taking courses
beyond Calculus.
Mr. Sennott questioned how parents will be notified of their child’s math placement in
6th grade as well as their anticipated math path through high school. Ms. Murray
stated that parents are notified if their child is to be placed in the Pre-Algebra cohort
in 6th grade. She pointed out that whether you take the pre-algebra class does not
limit you from entering honors math in 7th grade. Currently 40% of 7th graders are in
honors math. Mr. Sennott noted that there are 30-60 students in the 6th grade
accelerated math program and 160 students in 7th grade honors math. Ms. Murray
reviewed the math sequence for non-honors, honors and accelerated math
instruction in grades 6-12.
Dr. Ullman stated that the current trend is for 8th grade students to take Pre-Algebra.
The goal is to adjust the elementary curriculum so as many students as possible
finish algebra by the end of 8th grade. Mr. Smith, HJMS Math Department
Supervisor, stated that the integrated algebra/geometry class in 8 th grade allows
students to go deeper into topics and is aligned with the high school math curriculum.
Mr. Michelson, Math Resource Coordinator K-8, discussed the 6th Grade Connected
Math program and noted that with the team approach in Grades 5 and 6 the teachers
teaching math will be able to go into greater depth and address the range of students
in the classroom. He noted that a 6th grade math teacher from each building will be
included in the math vertical team meetings.
Ms. Gunsalus, Director of Elementary Curriculum, reviewed the next steps for the
math program with regard to curriculum projects, professional development,
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accelerated math criteria and the transition of the elementary parent committee to a
system-wide math committee.
Ms. Murray discussed the communication plan for notifying parents and teachers of
changes in delivery of the math program. Mr. Moret questioned whether the
administration is confident with the 5th Grade assessment process and will be flexible
when necessary. Ms. Murray noted that this will be the third year utilizing the
assessment package that includes teacher and CMT data to determine which
students qualify to take the accelerated math exam.
In response to Ms. Salina, Mr. Sullivan stated that through the regular honors math
program students have the ability to take Calculus BC in high school. Ms. Petrella,
SHS Math Department Supervisor, stated that next year honors algebra will be
offered at the high school and students always have the opportunity to move into the
honors program.
Mr. Wade noted that parents feel their child’s placement/track is set in 6 th grade and
the school district needs to communicate with parents that this is not the case. Mr.
Goman suggested that parents be provided an orientation package for math in
grades 7, 8 and 9. He noted that student placements may change as children
develop during adolescence.
Ms. Willerup asked if this presentation has been given to the math parent group. Bob
Beinstein, parent, stated that the Math Parent Advisory Committee (MPAC) was
formed as a result of rigorous questions surrounding the Investigations math
program. He commented that parents who are not pleased with the changes to the
math program will not be swayed by the presentation, but any communication to the
parent community is always beneficial. Mr. Sullivan suggested that parents of
students in the honors math program at the high school would be the best
communicators regarding the rigor of the program. He noted that this math plan will
give 6th graders a greater math foundation for high school.
Ms. Ballentine pointed out that most colleges require that you retake their Calculus
course when you attend and if you took Calculus junior year you will be at a
disadvantage for the college placement test. She noted that junior year of high
school is very stressful and taking Calculus as a junior would only add to the stress.
In response to Mr. Sennott, Ms. Ballentine stated that she would have been
disappointed if she had not been chosen for accelerated math in 6 th grade even
though it would be hard to know which math level would have been appropriate at
that time.
Wendy Richards, 3 Newbury Court, stated that she has 4th and 6th grade students
and expressed support for the revised Investigations curriculum. She suggested that
the administration communicate the 8th Grade math program to parents so they know
what to expect. Ms. Richards noted the importance of informing parents of the
opportunities for their children and the ability to take 7th and 8th grade honors math.
Laura Swenson, 19 Lawton Drive, stated that Investigations is not enough for
students who excel in math. She noted that if core math teachers meet the needs of
all students there is not a need for an accelerated math program.
Peggy Day, 31 Woodhaven Drive, expressed concern that her child be challenged in
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math and questioned what support the accelerated students will receive after they
finish 6th grade. She asked if 200 students meet the criteria for the accelerated math
program will they all be allowed by participate? She also asked if students began the
higher level math classes earlier in high school if they would perform better on the
national exam.
Ms. Murray stated that the 3 points of assessment for the accelerated math class will
continue to be used to determine the students who qualify for this program. She
noted that with the larger number of students this year there was a wider range of
ability which has changed how the course is delivered. Mr. Curtis stated that
struggling students were given additional support in order to complete the course.
Ms. Murray stated that the school district believes that the Connected Math program
is rigorous for the majority of students and will allow for students to enter the honors
math track in 7th grade.
Bob Beinstein, 26 Fairview Street, stated that MPAC has been involved in this
process and he was endlessly impressed with the rigor of the evaluation and
research of the program completed by the Math Leadership team. He pointed out
that with the Grade 5/6 Report it is clear that addressing the math program has come
full circle with 5th and 6th grade teachers now focusing on particular subject matters
which will improve the delivery of the curriculum to students.
C. Secondary School Redesign Secondary
School
Mr. Wade: MOVE to table Secondary School Redesign to the next meeting. Redesign
Mr. Goman: Seconded. So moved.
D. Revised Fee Schedule for 2008-09 2008-09
Revised Fee
Mr. Holden noted that the revised building use fee schedule reflects cost increases Schedule
due to bargaining agreements, utilities and supplies.
ADJOURNMENT Adjournment
Mr. Wade: MOVE to adjourn the meting at 10:30 p.m.
Mr. Moret: Seconded. So moved.
_________________________ _________________________
Mr. Chris Kelly Katie Wilde
Secretary Recording Secretary