June 5, 2019 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Rationale:  The Memorial Day essay contest winners have been invited to the meeting to read their winning essays. We will welcome and recognize them for their accomplishments.

1st Place - Carter McGlinchey

2nd Place - Jonathan Farrell

3rd Place - Carson St. Louis

Rationale: 

Our Talented and Gifted Teacher, Mary Nodden, will be present to recognize student inventors that were selected for the State and National? Invention Convention.

Lyme School (nationals) Luca Signora and Andrew Taylor

Rationale: 

Each year, CABE invites its member Boards to recognize outstanding student leaders at the middle and high school levels.  The principals of each school are asked to facilitate the selection of the students based on a given set of criteria.  Mr. Wygonik and Mr. Ambruso will recognize the award winners.

From Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School: Izzadora Reynolds and Cooper Munson 

From Lyme-Old Lyme High School: Maggie Wisner and Theodore Wayland

Rationale: 

Mark Ambruso will recognize two middle school students (Kaitlyn Ward and Jonah Lathrop) for receiving the Connecticut Association of Schools' Scholar Leader Award.

 

Rationale: 

Phil Parcak, representing the Lyme-Old Lyme Lion’s Club, will be present to recognize four LOLHS students for their academic prowess, athleticism and community service accomplishments.

Mr. Parcak will also present the award for the Peace Poster contest.

Rationale: 

The following staff members, who are retiring in June, will be present at the meeting so that the Board can recognize them for their years of service to the district:

Patty Downes, Principal of Mile Creek School,  30 years of service

Karen Pasiuk, Math Implementation Coach, 29 years of service

Malgorzata "Gosia" Holszanska, Special Ed Teacher at Lyme Consolidated School, 19 years of service

Barbara O'Leary, Math Teacher at LOLHS, 18 years of service

Glenn Elliott, Science Teacher at LOLHS, 20 years of service

Kathryn Bartus, School Nurse at LOLMS, 18 years of service

Mary Cikatz, Technology Facilitator at LOLHS, 17 years of service

Mary Murray, 6th Grade Teacher at LOLMS, 19 years of service

Rebecca Pote, 5th Grade Teacher at Lyme Consolidated School, 41 years of service

 

Rationale: 

Please note the personnel report as you will find updated employee information reflected in it. 

Please take note of the June enrollment report. We have a total of 1281 students enrolled (one student less than last month).  

It appears that the final state budget does not include the transfer of TRB costs to municipalities as was discussed earlier in the legislative session.  This does not mean it won't appear in a budget implementer bill, but for now we look to have avoided that unexpected cost.

Per policy #6270 I am reporting the donation of two therapy dogs courtesy of the Tim Buckley Project.  The details of how and if we accept this donation are yet to be finalized.

 

Rationale:  Mrs. McCalla will provide a year to date budget status report as well as a contingency fund report.

Rationale:  Kelly Larson, Special Ed Teacher at Mile Creek School, is requesting a childrearing leave of absence from October 21, 2019 until the first day of the second semester. This requires Board approval.

Rationale:  We have three students who are interested in attending our schools next year.  I am recommending the approval of all three students for next year.  This will bring our tuition student total to twelve students.

Rationale:  Each year the Board is asked to appoint a designee(s) to act in the absence of the Superintendent as necessary.  It is useful to have the Board designate two individuals for the rare occasions when both the Superintendent and Director of Curriculum are unavailable.  I recommend the Board approve Michelle Dean and Melissa Dougherty as designees for this purpose.  This requires Board action

Rationale: 

Each year the Board is asked to approve application for all state and federal grants. These include those for special education as well as remedial, staff development and other entitlement grants. A single motion authorizes the administration to apply for all that the District is eligible as well as any additional grants deemed appropriate by the Superintendent. This requires Board action.

Rationale: 

Each year, the USDA and State of Connecticut require school districts to renew their food service management contracts. We are under agreement with Chartwells until June 30, 2021; however, we must renew the terms each year after receiving state approval.

Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes requires that each local board of education or governing authority for all Connecticut public school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must take action annually to certify whether all food items sold to students will or will not meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards. This includes all NSLP public schools, regional educational service centers, the Connecticut Technical High School System, charter schools, interdistrict magnet schools and endowed academies.

Rationale:  I will review the changes the policy committee is recommending.  Some of these policies are time sensitive and must be voted on this evening.  Others can wait for a second read.