THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
DEEP RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
September 20, 2012

The regular meeting of the Deep River Board of Education was held on Thursday, September 20, 2012. In attendance were Christine Daniels, Mark Malcarne, Julia Grabowski, Miriam Morrissey, Karen Nelson-Oliveria, Dave Berardis, Art Robbins(7:07 arrival)and Jim Olson. Also in attendance were Dr. Ruth Levy, Superintendent, Joanne Beekley, Assistant Superintendent, Jennifer Byars, Principal, Mr. Garth Sawyer, Business Manager and Kelley Frazier, Clerk. Absent: Liz Tracy-Montecalvo

CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.

CONSENT AGENDA
Mark Malcarne moved to approve the minutes from the May 17, 2011 meeting and the Accounts Payable report. Jim Olson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.

AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
No Comment

OTHER ITEMS
Introduction of new hires DRES – Dr. Byars
Dr. Byars introduced Carter Smith and Francesca Pisanzio who discussed the opening of school and the events happening in the school in September. Ms. Daniels thanked the students for giving the school update.

Dr. Byars reported that the school had an excellent opening to school. She discussed the new hires for Deep River Elementary.

REPORTS:
Financial Status Report – Mr. Garth Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer gave a brief update of the financial status and the year end numbers for the 2011-12 school years. Deep River reported a deficit of approximately $45,000.

Cafeteria Report – Mr. Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer gave an update on the status of the Cafeteria Budget Updates. We are looking at a slight decline. The wages and benefits have increased due to the union contract going into effect. This year full day Kindergarten will hopefully increase sales.
Mr. Peterlik will be looking at the menu and making changes if needed.

Financial Status Report 2012-13 – Mr. Garth Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer gave a brief update of the financial status for the current year. Currently the Deep River Elementary budget is projecting a deficit. Dr. Byars and Mr. Sawyer will be looking for areas of cost savings through out the year to offset this deficit. Mr. Sawyer noted that heating oil is locked in at $3.05 per gallon. This is a better rate than anticipated.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance
The Finance Committee meeting will be changed due to the holiday next week.

Curriculum
The Curriculum Committee will meet in October.

Joint PK-12 Policy Committee
No Updates

Supervision District
No Updates

Facilities
This committee has not met. Painting has been completed in the school and it looks very nice. We have had a couple of roof repairs this fall.

PTO
There was a good turnout for the meeting. Ms. Daniels handed out the PTO and school newsletter to the Board. The PTO has placed a box across from the office for computer recyclables.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – J. Beekley
General Update
Dr. Beekley stated that all schools opened the school year smoothly. Dr. Beekley is working with Administrators and staff on the Common Core State Standards.

2011-12 DRES CMT/CAPT Results Overview
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. She noted that there is still some work to be done in the sub groups. She then reviewed the CMT results by class. She said that the scores go at a nice trajectory as children advance through the grades. She noted that there is very little separating some of the scores in our DRG.

Dr. Byars discussed the Action Plan for School Improvement. She noted that everyone is shifting to the Common Core State Standards. Her 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. Dr. Byars is working with the Administrative teams from Essex and Chester so all three schools are cohesive. Dr. Byars has done extensive analysis to see what areas need improvement.

Ms. Nelson-Oliveria asked when this will be shared with parents? Dr. Levy suggested presenting this at a PTO meeting. There will be Common Core State Standard information available on the Web. There will be links available to allow people to get more information.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT - R. Levy
District Update
Essex did vote to house the preschool for one more year. We are in the process of developing a committee to plan for the preschool in the future. Declining enrollment and transition needs of our special needs students indicated that we need a study group with recommendations finalized by April 2013 for the preschool. She would like a plan to go into effect at the beginning of the 2014-15 school year. This is when the population is declining at the elementary schools and John Winthrop Middle School. Dr. Levy would like to consider a 6th, 7th and 8th grade model at the Middle School. Mr. Glowac is looking at how to reconfigure the existing footprint at John Winthrop. The representatives from Deep River Board of Education will be:
Six Grade Committee: Mark Malcarne and Jim Olson
Preschool Committee: Christine Daniels

Information and Communication
It has been a great opening across the entire district. The full day Kindergarteners is going well. Teachers are ecstatic to have time to educate and work on social development. Last week Dr. Levy hosted a PTO Officers Luncheon for all schools. Chester Elementary School has been named the Elementary School of the Year. The High School has won the Michael’s Cup Award which is an athletic award. The athletes are measured by coaches of other teams. She noted that the Manufacturing Program at the High School is going great. The waiting list is very long for students take this class. There are 14 students per class. The Middletown Chamber of Commerce asked Dr. Levy to present at one of their meetings and to discuss this program. Dr. Levy is working with Middlesex Community College on possible certificates and credit for students completing this course. Dinners on the Farm are very popular. The CABE/ CAPS conference is coming soon. These workshops are excellent for Administrators and Board Members. If anyone is interested in attending, please let Jennifer Bryan know.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion duly made and seconded the Board unanimously VOTED to adjourn at 8:07pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Kelley Frazier, Board Clerk