March 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM - BOE Meeting Template

Kathryn Zraunig, SES Speech/Language Pathologist, has submitted her resignation effective at the conclusion of the school year.

DBS Code: 3541-Transportation – The only change is to update the legal references.

DBS 4147/4247-Employee Safety – These are changes recommended by CABE to our current policy.

DBS 4147.1/4247.1-Handling of Body Fluids - The Policy Sub-Committee is recommending adoption of a completely revised version of DBS Code 4147.1/4247, as is also recommended by CABE. The current policy is provided for information purposes only.  The current policy is more appropriate as a regulation, as it describes specific procedures, instructions and definitions as opposed to a broader policy statement.  The current policy will be submitted to the Wellness Committee for review, along with further recommendations made by CABE, with the intent of incorporating at a later date as an administrative regulation.  It is recommended that the new, broader policy, be adopted at this point in time.

DBS 5112: Ages of Attendance – These are changes recommended by CABE to our current policy.

This policy was first warned at the 3/9/09 meeting and is now ready for adoption.

Currently, there are 23 Project Choice students enrolled in the Somers Public Schools grades K-12 (SES=6/MBA=8/SHS=9).  The board at its meeting last year voted to maintain no more than 24 students but allowed for the superintendent discretionary authorization to increase that number in order to accommodate siblings of current enrollees.  I would recommend that the board not increase numbers for next year due to our uncertainty about class sizes and that we continue with the same procedures that are currently in place.

The work continues by the administration and staff to address the goals and benchmarks that are outlined in the Strategic Plan.

Goal #1: Link state and local curriculum standards, student assessments, and instruction so that students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

• The March professional development day provided an opportunity for administration and staff to work on specific Response To Intervention protocols and Differentiated Instruction units.
• In addition, at the elementary and middle schools the staff devoted a portion of time to reviewing and assessing the Data Assessment Review approach in analyzing student performance on various forms of assessments.
• At the high school the administration and staff has worked on reviewing mid-year exam data for student assessment as well.
• During the month of March the CMT and CAPT tests were administered. 

Goal #2: Integrate technology throughout the district and expand the use of technology in the classroom to sustain a 21^st century learning environment.

• The website redesign has been underway and is currently being reviewed by a committee chaired by Mr. Morrow and the superintendent as ex officio.  The new website should be completed by the end of the school year.
• One-to-one student computer ratio continues to be a focus but with limited expansion of funding in this area this may prove to be more difficult and challenging for the immediate future.
• The CT Information & Technology Literacy Framework standards have been reviewed by the Instructional Leadership Team and have been assigned to specific curriculum areas for incorporation within our current curricula.
• Teacher training continues on our Power Teacher system, specifically to train all teachers on the grading model.
• The Parent Portal for parent access is reaching its final planning stages for implementation in September.  More information will become available to parents this spring.

Goal #3: Maintain school facilities and grounds to provide a safe, healthy environment conducive to learning.

• Nothing new to report.