THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
ESSEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION

The regular meeting of the Essex Board of Education was held on Thursday, September 13, 2012.
In attendance were Lon Seidman, DG Fitton, Judie McCann, Jeff Burzin, Loretta McCluskey and Adam Conrad(7:06 pm arrival).
Also in attendance were Dr. Ruth Levy, Superintendent, Dr. Joanne Beekley, Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Garth Sawyer, Business Manager, Mr. Scott Jeffrey, Principal, Deborah O’Donnell, Assistant Principal and Kelley Frazier, Clerk.
Absent:

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Lon Seidman at 7:03p.m. Mr. Seidman led the Pledge of Allegiance.

CONSENT AGENDA
DG Fitton made a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of May 12, 2012, minutes from the Special Meeting of July 12, 2012 and the Accounts Payable report. Loretta McCluskey seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None

OTHER ITEMS:
Principal’s Update - S. Jeffrey
Mr. Jeffrey started the meeting by introducing the new staff members and he briefly discussed their background.

Mr. Jeffrey gave a brief update on the opening of school this year. He said he has received a warm welcome by parents and students. All day kindergarten is going well. The teachers report that it is good to be able to work on academics as well as social development. Recess before lunch is much better and there is less waste of food. The theme for social development is a Rainbow of Possibilities. The Professional Development is centering on Common Core State Standards. The Harvest Festival is coming in October. There have been a few leaks in the roof which are being repaired. The new floor came out very well and repairs have been made to areas that bubbled.

Dr. Levy introduced Andrea Ricci who is completing her doctorate. She will work with Dr. Beekley on the climate surveys.

REPORTS:
Financial Status Report – Mr. Garth Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer gave a brief update of the financial status for Essex Elementary School. We ended the year with a small surplus of approximately $2,800.

2012-13 Financial Status
There were unanticipated special education costs this year which has caused a small deficit. We are hopeful this can be reduced through out the school year with other areas of savings. We have locked into a heating oil contact at $3.05.

Cafeteria Report – Mr. Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer gave an update on the status of the Cafeteria Budget Updates. The subsidy was more in line with 2009-10. Our sales did drop due to the decline in enrollment. Food purchases are lower, but we have not reduced staff. This year we have all day Kindergarten so we will have an increase in students eating lunch. Mr. Peterlik is reviewing the menu.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance – L. Seidman
The Finance Committee meets on September 25th.
Curriculum
The Curriculum Committee will meet in October.
Joint PK-12 Policy Committee – L. Seidman
No Updates
Supervision District – L. Seidman
No Updates
Dr. Burzin volunteered to be on the Curriculum Committee.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – J. Beekley
General Update

Dr. Beekley stated that all schools opened the school year smoothly. Our district worked jointly with Westbrook Schools in a workshop which was a positive experience. Dr. Beekley is working with Administrators on the Common Core State Standards.
Dr. Beekley discussed that the State of Connecticut has a new accountability system. We now have Annual Performance Targets. She discussed in detail the performance targets and how schools are classified. There is still some work to be done in the sub groups. She then reviewed the CMT results by class. She noted that there is very little separating some of the scores in our DRG.

2011-12 EES CMT/CAPT Results Overview
Mr. Jeffrey discussed the Action Plan for School Improvement. He noted that everyone is shifting to the Common Core State Standards. He discussed his team is developing grade level goals. We are trying to use a Common Core Assessment type task to prepare for when the Common State Standards are implemented in 2014-15. He would like to work with the other Elementary Schools to pool our resources.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT - R. Levy
District Update

Dr. Levy will review information at the next Joint Meeting.
Information and Communication
Discuss Fall Reception
Ms. Bryan will suggest available dates for this reception. Judie McCann will be the Board representative coordinating this effort. Mr. Seidman will find volunteers to sponsor this event.

Evaluate Participation as Preschool Host Community per Collaborative Agreement
Dr. Levy noted that we will have declining enrollment in this area. We need to start thinking about Study Committees. Dr. Levy has asked for one member from each board. We are looking at a recommendation to move forward for the Preschool. She also discussed having a sixth, seventh and eighth grade model at the Middle School. A Cooperative Agreement will also need to be discussed.

Vote to keep the preschool at Essex Elementary next year.
Mr. Seidman would like to be the representative from our Board.

Upon a motion made by Mr. Seidman the Board unanimously VOTED to extent the preschool for one year and to endorse the concept of a Preschool Committee to plan for the future of the preschool program. Dr. Burzin seconded the motion which passed.

Grade Six Committee
Judie McCann and Loretta McCluskey will be the Board representatives.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion duly made and seconded the Board unanimously VOTED to adjourn at 8:10pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Kelley Frazier, Board Clerk

7.1Next Regular Essex BOE Meeting (November 8, 2012)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
7.2Election of BOE Officers(Nov)
7.3Supt. Presents Major Budget Driver for 2013-14(Nov)
7.4BOE & Community Input on 2013-14 Budget(Ongoing