THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
DEEP RIVER BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
November 17, 2011

The regular Board of Education meeting for November was held on Thursday, November 17, 2011 in the Media Center of the Deep River Elementary School.

Present: The following Board members were present: Christine Daniels, K.C. Nelson-Oliveria, Arthur Robbins, Mark Malcarne, Dave Berardis, Mirimam Morrissey, James Olson, Elizabeth Tracy, and Julia Grabowski.

Administration Present: Dr. Jack Pietrick, Principal, Dr. Ruth Levy, Superintendent, Mr. Ian Neviaser, Asst. Superintendent and Garth Sawyer, Business Manager

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was call to order Christine Daniels at 7:03 p.m.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Will be discussed at the December 2011 meeting along with Committee assignments.
Dr. Levy reported that all BOE members are invited to a meeting is scheduled on December 10, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 at the JW Library to discuss the role and responsibilities of BOE members.

CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from September 15, 2011 meeting and Accounts Payable Report
On a motion made and duly seconded, the Consent Agenda was approved unanimously.
Note that Jim Olson was in attendance at the meeting.

AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
None.

PRINCIPAL’S UPDATE
Dr. Pietrick introduced students who updated the BOE on the recent events at DRES.

REPORTS
Financial Status Report
Garth Sawyer distributed the Deep River Financial Status Report. The BOE reviewed same.
The report indicates a year end deficit of approximately $10,000. However, there is the possibility that some special education costs may not come to fruition.
Dr. Pietrick reported that the recent boiler expenses have been discussed with the Town.
Cafeteria
The sales in the cafeteria have increased and the $2,000 subsidy should be sufficient. The Administration expects FEMA reimbursements for food used during the Hurricane Irene event.

Curriculum
Mr. Neviaser reported that the following was discussed at the Curriculum Committee meeting: Algebra 2 textbook at the High School level, math fact fluency initiative throughout the District, the DRP will be administered to all elementary students and an update on the FLES program will be presented at the 12/1/11 Joint BOE meeting.

Facilities
The Facilities Committee reviewed the work done on the school over the summer and began to develop a 5 year plan for the facilities, including equipment in the cafeteria.
The need for tree work on school property was discussed.

Asst. Super Report
Mr. Neviaser reported meeting with all curriculum groups. They are focusing on the new CT standards. The focus is on literacy across multiple curriculums. Non-fiction text is also being focused on. FLES will be evaluated internally. The consultants have been meeting with grade level teams before each unit to develop consistency across our schools. Our goal is to make sure every student going to JW has the same skills and abilities. He noted that internal assessment is K-6. The current guideline is to have students read for 20 minutes and parents sign off. Math will have similar guidelines. All teachers in all grade levels will practice math facts for fluency at home as well. By the time they leave 4th grade, students should be fluent in all math facts. Fifth and sixth grade will also do this, but will also apply the rules of math for advanced work. The feedback is good so far. The CBASE is wrapping up. The students take an on-line test.
The supplemental testing which is a practice test is going to be online this year. The TEAM program will meet next week. The fifth module will involve technology and connecting with students in the classroom as to what is appropriate and what is not appropriate. This will be a pilot program. The all day Kindergarten presentations went well and were well attended. The December meeting will be the kickoff to inform people.

Superintendent’s Report
The “language” of acronyms in education was discussed. Dr. Levy stressed the importance of asking the meaning of the many acronyms used in discussions.
Valley Regional High School has received the AP Honor Roll award for the second year in a row.
New Board members were invited to an evening with Central Office. At this time, Central Office staff present an overview of roles and responsibilities as they pertain to the budget process.
Dr. Levy reported that recess in sixth grade will be eliminated next year. In most school districts, 6th grade is part of the Middle School and it is felt that the time would be better spent in academics. Also, recess before lunch is being considered and is currently going well in CHES.
Dr. Levy distributed the high level “helicopter view” of the DRES budget. The budget is based on the October 1, 2011 enrollment projections. Enrollment projections have been reviewed by Dr. Prowda. Continued decreases in enrollment are predicted at DRES. These decreases give DRES the opportunity to implement all day Kindergarten. The budget includes step increase for teachers along with a small salary increases across union positions. Additional budget items discussed include: energy, social worker position (Supervision District), K-12 math coordinator, FLES, building maintenance and ADM increases.
For the first time in many years, there is the possibility that Special Education costs may be reduced dramatically at DRES.
The line items will be discussed in depth at the budget workshops.

AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
None.

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made and duly seconded, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne Helchowski