March 2012

THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
ESSEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION
March 8, 2012

Regular meeting of the Essex Board of Education was held on Thursday, March 8, 2012. In attendance were Lon Seidman, DG Fitton, Loretta McCluskey, Adam Conrad and Judie McCann. Also in attendance were Dr. Ruth Levy, Superintendent, Mr. Ian Neviaser, Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Garth Sawyer, Business Manager, Dr. Joanne Beekley, Principal and Kelley Frazier, Clerk. Absent: Matt Cooper

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Lon Seidman at 7:01p.m. Students in attendance led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Seidman asked that the Student Presentation be moved to the beginning of the meeting.

PRINCIPAL’S UPDATE- J. Beekley
STUDENT PRESENTATION
Dr. Beekley introduced Kaleigh Johnson and Megan Reynolds who discussed the mosaic tile art project that all of the students at EES completed. It is located near the gymnasium. The Board thanked the children for coming.

CONSENT AGENDA
Loretta McCluskey made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 12, 2012 and the minutes from the Budget Workshops as well as the Accounts Payable report. DG Fitton seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Katherine Campbell thanked the board for sharing her concerns with the sixth grade team about better communication. She also thanked the Board for having full day Kindergarten in the budget this year.

Mr. Seidman asked that the Kindergarten presentation be moved up in the agenda. Ms. Lipkvich and Ms. Held discussed what a full day of Kindergarten will be like for the children and what will be changing from half day. The teachers feel that the piece the students are missing the most are the social skills and practicing what they have learned.

REPORTS:
Financial Status Report – Mr. Garth Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer gave a brief update of the financial status for Essex Elementary School. There were no major changes. The school is meeting their goals financially. At this time, Essex Elementary is currently projecting a small surplus but there is a possibility of additional special education costs that may be incurred in the future.

Cafeteria Report – Mr. Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer gave an update on the status of the Cafeteria Budget Updates. We are still projecting the board subsidy, but no additional funds are expected. The amount will be adjusted at the end of the year.

Mr. Sawyer reviewed the requested budget transfers.

DG Fitton made a motion to approve the 2011-2012 budget transfers as recommended by Superintendent Levy and Business Manager Sawyer. Loretta McCluskey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Finance – L. Seidman
The Finance Committee will meet on March 27, 2012.

Curriculum
The Curriculum Committee will meet on March 20, 2012.

Joint PK-12 Policy Committee – L. Seidman
No Update

Supervision District – L. Seidman
The Supervision District Committee approved their budget for the 2012-2013 school year.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT - I. Neviaser
Mr. Neviaser invited everyone to the third annual art show which will be held at Central Office on March 15th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. He noted that all schools are in the midst of CMT’s. It has gone well. There have been a few problems with the online system, but those issues have been worked out. There will be more supplemental testing than anticipated.

Review of Strategic School Profile for 2010-11
Mr. Neviaser discussed the Strategic School Profile report. This is on the state website. He noted that this is last year’s information.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT - R. Levy
District Update
On Friday, Dr. Levy gave an update on the district to the area Chamber of Commerce in Chester where she showed a video produced by a student at the high school. It was well received.

Information and Communication
Vote on Superintendent’s Recommendation to Accept the Donation of a Tower Garden
On a motion duly made and seconded the Board unanimously VOTED to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept the donation of a tower garden to the Essex Elementary School valued at $637.00.

Dr. Beekley noted that this garden will be growing in water. Our Green Team will be working on this project. It will be placed in the courtyard. She will see what we can grow to be used in our salad bar. The plants thrive and the children will learn the balance to keep the plants growing and producing. There are volunteers in our town that can help teach how to use this gardening system.

Dr. Levy noted that the State Department is sending communication regarding how to handle envelopes and mail after local schools have received envelopes with a white powdery substance. She will keep Board members informed as additional information is received.

Discussion and Possible Vote to Adopt Proposed 2012-13 Essex Elementary School Budget to be Presented to the Town
The proposed budget has a 1.93% increase.

On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously VOTED to recommend to bring the Essex Elementary School Budget for school year 2012-13 to the Essex Board of Finance in the amount of $7,545,665.00(seven million, five hundred and forty five thousand, six hundred and sixty five dollars). The motion passed.

On a motion made by Loretta McCluskey and seconded by DG Fitton, the Board unanimously VOTED to add a discussion regarding the After School program at Essex Elementary School.

There was a brief discussion as to whether we extend this program for another year. Dr. Beekley will contact the YMCA as to whether this is a viable program they want to continue. We will also find out what our options are for other possible programs.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Gerry MacMillan asked for more Art Show details. Mr. Neviaser will get a poster to Mrs. MacMillan regarding the art show.

Sarah Wadle stated that she is proud of the Board for supporting Full Day Kindergarten and hopes it passes to benefit her son next year.

ADJOURNMENT
On motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously VOTED to move into Executive Session at 8:06pm to vote on staff non-renewals. The motion passed. All Administrators present were asked to attend the Executive Session.

The Board Moved out of Executive Session at 8:10pm.

On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously VOTED to approve the Non Renewal Notice as presented by Dr. Levy. The motion passed.

On a motion duly made and seconded the Board unanimously VOTED to adjourn at 8:11pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kelley Frazier, Board Clerk

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
9.1 Present EES 2012-13 Adopted Budget at Town Meeting (TBD)
9.2 EES Regular BOE Meeting May 10, 2012

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