June 8, 2009 at 7:00 PM - BOE Meeting Template

The Director of Curriculum will present a revision to our current Curriculum Development Guide. This revision changes the current 5-year cycle to a 7-year cycle in order to provide the necessary time for the depth of implementation necessary to impact student learning. Changes are noted in the document: suggested deletions indicated by strikethroughs of the text and additions in bold. It also includes sample templates for curriculum writing, and the development of instructional units and (common) formative assessments for teacher reference. The Board Education Curriculum Subcommittee has reviewed this document and recommends approval.

The Director of Curriculum will present the revised Physical Education Curriculum for all core physical education courses in the Somers Public Schools. This document replaces the current curriculum, which was written in 1998. It is fully aligned with the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Healthy and Balanced Living Curriculum Framework (2006). The Board of Education Curriculum Subcommittee has reviewed the document and recommends approval.

The Director of Curriculum will present the revised curricula for the following science electives at Somers High School: Chemistry and Forensics. These are courses that are currently offered at SHS. They have been aligned with standards at the state and national level. The Board Education Curriculum Subcommittee has reviewed these documents and recommends approval.  This will not add any new courses to the curriculum.

The Director of Curriculum will present the revised World Language Curriculum for the Somers Public Schools. This document replaces the current curriculum, which was written in 1998. It is fully aligned with the Connecticut State Department of Education’s World Language Curriculum Framework (2005). The Board Education Curriculum Subcommittee has reviewed the document and recommends approval.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

The board has reviewed the submission of each of the recommended policies for second warning.  A formal vote is required to adopt these policies.

This supplemental spelling program, Cast-A-Spell was presented at the May 26, 2009 Board of Education meeting as a first warning. This meeting is the second warning and vote on this program for adoption and implementation, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.

DBS Code: 5131.81-Use of Portable Communication Devices - This is a new policy, substantially revised from the initial first warning.  The initial first warning indicated that students would not be allowed to possess electronic devices or cell phones in error.  The policy now allows for possession of such devices in school. 

DBS Code: 5125-Student Records; Confidentiality - This is a current policy with revisions recommended by CABE.

DBS Code: 6146.2-Statewide Proficiency/Mastery Examinations - This is a current policy with revisions recommended by CABE that reflect No Child Left Behind and other recent legislation.

DBS Code: 6171-Special Education - This is a current policy with revisions recommended by CABE.

DBS Code: 6172.3-Curriculum Extensions-Program Adaptations/Alternative Programs - This is a current policy which has been revised and portions have been taken out of the policy and made into an Administrative Regulation, which has been determined to be more appropriate.  These changes have been recommended by CABE.

DBS Code: 6180-Evaluation of the Instructional Program - This is a current policy with updates only to the legal references.

DBS Code: 9000-Role of Board and Members - This is a current policy with revisions recommended by CABE.

DBS Code: 9322- Public and Executive Sessions - This is a current policy with revisions recommended by CABE.

As a result of savings due to furloughs and wage freezes with the SESA and Central Office staff, we are able to reinstate this position at SHS.  The superintendent recommends the board vote favorably to reinstate the 10-month secretarial position in the main office at SHS.

The building principals will be available to address their building goals for the 2008-2009 school year.  A handout is provided as a brief summary.  Board members will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments at that time.

The superintendent has submitted a summary of the accomplishments on the district’s Strategic Plan for the 2008-2009 school year.  Much has been accomplished throughout the year on each goal and the district will continue to work on these goals.  As a result of the nature of each goal, including benchmarks, in most cases work will be ongoing and the successful completion of each benchmark will be reflected in the work completed in that area during the year.

All administrators have submitted confirmation that all professional staff evaluations have been completed.  In addition, all Central Office staff evaluations have been completed.

There has been no change in the district’s enrollment since last month.  All remains the same.