May 14, 2008 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The following is the proclamation for National Teacher Day 2008.

Whereas, Killingly teachers make our public schools great; and
Whereas, Killingly teachers work to open students' minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams; and
Whereas, Killingly teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship; and
Whereas, Killingly teachers fill many roles, as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors; and
Whereas, Killingly teachers continue to influence the children long after their school days are only memories.

The Killingly Board of Education proclaims Tuesday, May 6, 2008 as National Teacher Day.  We urge taking the time to recognize and acknowledge the impact of teachers on our lives.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The  schedule for the last three days of school (June 16-18) is:

Monday - full day for students and staff
Tuesday - half day for students, full day for staff
Wednesday - half day for students and staff

This is consistent with past practice, when school extended well into the week.

Rationale:  At its retreat, the Board decided to establish four standing committees: Policy, Fiscal, Curriculum, and Community Engagement.  Mr. Murray will appoint members to the two new committees, Curriculum and Community Engagement.

Rationale:  The Board requested that it approve meeting dates for January through June, 2009 (the second half of the 2008-09 school year).  The goal is to reduce the number of conflicts between regular Board meetings and other school events.

Rationale:  As food commodity and fuel prices continue to rise, the ability of our food services program to deliver quality, healthful meals to our students is compromised.  Ms. Otero is proposing a modest increase in breakfast and lunch prices that reflect these increased costs to the program.  See the attached request, comparative prices in surrounding districts, and a federal report on commodity prices.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee recommends  changes to the policy, as attached.  The change includes the Board's secretary in agenda construction, as discussed at the Board retreat.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee recommends  changes to the policy, as attached.  One change, on agenda construction, is to make this policy consistent with Policy #9323.  The other change, removing board approval of committees appointed by the Chair, is to make the the policy consistent with longstanding board practice.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee recommends  changes to the policy, as attached.  The major change is to make central administration responsible for annual review and approval of all student handbooks, rather than the Policy Committee. 

The reasoning for this change is that such review is really an administrative function, with the goal being a more consistent set of handbooks that contain the legally required notifications and policies.  There has been an ongoing effort by central administration to  make these changes; the policy change affirms the necessity for the regular and consistent review of the handbooks.

Rationale:  There are no significant changes for this second reading.  In the regulation, there is a sentence added requiring student and parent notification and the process for doing so.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee recommends  changes to the policy, as attached, on a second reading basis.

Changes since last month's Board approval, on a first reading basis, of the policy:
- elimination of unnecessary references to classes already graduated and other proofreading corrections;
- including much of the old regulation (the PGR's and graduation credit requirements) in the new policy;
- limiting the regulation to items that the administration could truly have (and need) flexibility to provide options for students.

One substantive change is the the health credit requirement: the new phrasing says "required in grades 9 &  or 10".  The credit requirement of 0.5 credits remains the same.  The purpose of this change is to make clear that students are only required to take 0.5 credits total in health, and that they must fulfill this requirement in ninth or tenth grade.  It is left to the high school to determine how to implement this within the block schedule; they cannot require students to take health in both ninth and tenth grades if that would lead to more than a half credit in health.

Rationale:  The ad hoc Textbook Approval Committee (Richard, Robbie) approved the adoption of the  textbooks (see attached), as required by statute: