Rush Transcript – by Marco Frucht. Original Notetaking by Tambria Moore
New London Board of Education meeting at STMHS – Lecture Hall 7 p.m.
Thursday Night, 28feb13.
Each meeting airs live on Channel 22 Metrocast
Marco Frucht http://www.newlondon.org/Default.asp?PN=MeetingSchedule
Tambria Moore Board of education members include Ms. Margaret Mary (Peg) Curtin, Mrs. Delanna Muse, Mr. Jason L. Catala, Mrs. Elizabeth Garcia-Gonzalez, Mrs. Barbara Major, Mr. Bill Morse and Mrs. Sylvia Potter
mayor called on
mayor finizio recognizes boe
proclamation of Mayor designates March BOE month in city of NL
Says he won’t be there for the SOP initiative portion of the meeting as he has another meeting conflicting with this one on the Coast Guard museum
He believes the SOP proposal is good and pledges full support
Student recognition presentations
Isaiah Gomez – STMHS Student of the Month
Haley Brennan (STMHS) – Special Recognition for Exceptional Performance on the 2012 CAPT
Zakkiyya Griffin (STMHS) – Special Recognition for Exceptional Performance on the 2012 CAPT
Corinna Kraemer (STMHS) – Special Recognition for Exceptional Performance on the 2012 CAPT
http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/NewLondon/NewLondon/Divisions/MeetingSchedule/AGENDA%20-February%2028%20%202013%20(Regular%20Meeting).pdf
deviating from the agenda, michael brown re program for competing for jobs in local economy
A Strategy to Prepare New London CT Students to Compete for Jobs in a Global Economy – Michael Brown..falls under the magnet school agenda item
talking about the foreign trade zone, and history of its formation and abandonment
leveraging of our location and access to global economy
there is an opportunity to grow nl into a center of trade
usa has about 20% of trade in global economy, how to get nl in the picture
port photo shows lumber from germany and other countries. yet not creating businesses around those products in nl
thailand uses our port, copper comes through our port, lumber etc.
we physically lie in the center of the global economy per a slide from Pfizer
highlighting a magnet school for international commerce
would develop skill sets around foreign languages fluency
talking about exportation of gas, coal and need to prepare students for those opportunities.
wanting to see fluency in a second language by middle school
transition nl high school, now perceived as substandard, create a school of international commerce to prepare nl to lead
core curriculum required by state could be enhanced with market place course work
he urges council and boe to seriously look at and consider this as way to create jobs and opportunities
speaks of 7th regiment which resides in nl, nationally ranked 5th in the world
7th regiment mission to prepare youth to maximize their skills and reach full potential
discusses the leadership of the program as degreed and highly specialized in the areas needed around music. it is a center of excellence with leadership – would work with the arts in nl to further nl goals
end of presentation
agenda reports and communications
letter from boe president to cga thanking for use of facilities for training session. for the record
letter from nlea, concerning contract article 24, institute continuing committee
is doing so, appointing herself and ms muse with dr fischer on that committee
report of committee
mrs muse chairs finance, reports as preparing budget 13/14 next tuesday, march 5 committee will meet re central serives 6 pm and march 6, re schools part, public hearing march 7 at this location and then discussion of budget of whole meeting in third flr conference room. budget to mayor by march 15
jason catala meets march 21 at 6 pm discussion of magnet school and academy
parent meeting march 14th at this location
dr fischer. principal of nlhs achieve 3000 program enabled success in improving cap scores
achieve 3000 presentation William Tommy Thompson
design of summer institute
the address the summer slide, reading dips with summer
widens achievement gap
set out to keep students in school longer, strategy to increase reading levels and teacher effectiveness. 100 9th grade entry students and existing as well as 10th grade recruited
goal to achieve one year of growth
also to increase teacher effectiveness
every less was recorded by video
team leaders sat with teachers post lesson to break down the process
pre assessments and post assessment. program company was reluctant to use preassessment and may not do their product justice in twenty day
program had bilingual support 1 to 20 ration
no ac during the summer facility was hot
had a uniform, shows t shirt
work hard be nice get better motto on the back
teachers ate with the student breakfast every morning and talk with them
computer based reading tool re non fiction ap articles of high interest with comprehension questions adapted to level of reader
everyone reads the same topic, at a level adapted to their reading level
goal read 40 articles in 18 days at 70 percent success rate
goal to double lexile growth. 94 percent attendance rate attributed to follow up to pressure kids and trip to ny
bbq and blue men group in ny
robert from achieve 3000 speaks
partner with the district to do one thing and do it well…increase student achievement
condensed one semester of work into 3.5 weeks
came to grade level and a half in that time. 74 lexile points
other cities 80 points, 91, 84 using the program in a year
touches on the prior presentation and the 1300 lexile level of college readiness
lexile levels for career paths available to set a goal
worked with dr fischers team in fall river with similar results
asked principal for feedback from students. one said it changed his life. tommy says he knew as a struggling reader the importance of reading better.
peg asks if students tracked over course of year. yes per tommy
trajectory is upward and plan on doing it again this summer
catala asks about the bilingual use of the program and thinks it would benefit esl students
tommy agrees it does, and any program is only as good as the administrators of it. the summer was a pilot to measure return on investment. return was phenomenal. will continue partnership. now 500 students, including all bilingual and special need students
they can read in article in their language and read the instructions in english, scafolding them into English
catala likes the video taping and coaching of the teachers
asking the student selection process of the 100
tommy looked at map scores, id of students below grade level reading. those are the students they aggressively sought for the program
teachers would come in teach 40 minute class, go to coaching with administrator or aspiring administrator for feedback
effective teaching such as turn and talk after the reading…how to get them to do so is a science, for effective talking
gave the teachers pointers on methods to prompt etc.
bill morse asks them to explain lexile
developed twenty years ago by metametrics to measure student progress in reading.
http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/glossary/
they can benchmark their progress to take the guess work out of where they are as readers and where to adjust their skills customized to the student
connecticut is a common core state and this is the standard
they are having a student answer a poll question and vote yes or no, common score standards ask students to take a position with a text and then use critical thinking to state why, and summarize what they read
process developed around no child left behind
its about accessing information, do I agree with what I am reading, say in wikipedia.
tommy said students were accessing stuff at weird times on their own…middle of the night, after school…
from the program at home
peg asks if they take their new knowledge and assist their peers. tommy said they liked accessing information on their own, read at their level, set their own pace, etc. gaining confidence. students said they approach regular school year differently as a result
end of presentation
dr fischer no on extracurricular activity and gpa requirement of 1.7 this year and 2. next year
tommy has provided tables of data on impact re fall winter sports
dstrict policy exceeds ciac requirements
students determined ineligible, able to practice with team, received academic support, very few placed on academic probation as imposed by the school. team established an early warning system to id students in need of support, made rapid response team of coaches volunteers and teachers to change that trajectory. camels for whalers provided assistance
ct college
barbara major asks about whether money allocated to hire people was used
yes
dr fischers wife, marie gravel, etc have also helped daily
all area colleges were contacted per fischer. all helping.
businesses, etc as well
even though they offer to pay tutors, challenge to find people at that time of day
may have to move hours
concept to expand to any student below gpa, given the success of the program
students could practice as working to get above the 1.7
football had 6 below, identified during the course of the season
coaches looked at progress every five weeks
in addition to semester grades
if they were at that level and not attending class, looked at closer even
one coach required all such to attend study hall
asked if plan is written
no
they can go to their teacher to see what they need to do
team meetings would occur
catala asks about money allocated for people in place and what recruitment
positions posted, follow those guidelines
bill asks five weeks seems like a long period of time, would they consider three next year
a lot can happen in five weeks
staff at study hall in daily contact with teachers?
tommy said can look into timeline of monitoring, typically a unit exam is at four week mark
fischer says if you go in study hall volunteers walk around asking students about their work and class attendance
bill asks if staff is following up with teacher, and fischer says yes
also can check online, students missing assignments
all students are part of academic support program
bill asks if any remained benched, very few.
no student was benched throughout the sport season
sports and potentially clubs would come under this program
peg thought it had been not just for athletes. Barbara major thought it included clubs on vote. did not include band
barbara major had requested weekly progress report for her child to sign off on, would be helpful for the tutors to have that
ms major not that thrilled with it but glad to see they are getting the help they need. peg is glad she came around
catala concerned about confidentiality and volunteers
health school environment action learning
bdjms programs
ne science and sailing program and their forward thinking bussed to Stonington Borough
the grants are selective and so bdjms principal very proud
invites boe to basket bonanza
renzulli academy
one of three in the district grants is primarily about training staff
sustained funds will follow the student
will not result in school score going down, no…their score remains with their school
the school maintains the benefit of that students performance. looking at newer section of harbor
purpose to challenge gifted and talented based not just on cmt or ct mastery…also looks at non cognitive abilities, teacher recommendations
have a nl resident who put one of these schools together in hartford
second purpose is take what works and bring those activities to the students in other schools.
ms muse said idea at workshop was briefly talked about, she is shocked in reading hartford courant yesterday that it is set to be housed in harbor school. yet boe has not discussed it
extra budget expense, utilities, etc at harbor school cannot see why cant be at a particular school in separate classes like ap courses at high school
does the board vote on this, fischer says money follows the student, unclear how that occurs
audience applause
Peg thinks harbor school location up to city council
fischer says until released, it is school property
harbor school good sight to bring students from out of district
misperception legally where any school property stands
re edgerton school
glad through workshops or committees to discuss
dr adamowski
statute says technically school buildings and property are owned by municipality, under law when built as school and used as school, belongs to school for educational use. has to take specific action to turn it back to the city, formal action
point out much larger issue for nl schools. currently outsourcing 6.5 to educate special ed students. highest percentage in state
lowers per student expenditure by outsourcing
you will need every square inch you have to provide for students in your own district rather than bussing and outsourcing
has been hidden in past by the way these outsourced students were in the budget
lumps special ed, gifted and behavioral needs
major asks re annex building of harbor….fischer says can use as is
harbor school not handicapped accessible, could put special ed there, but not physically or multiply handicapped
some outsource charges include foster care, etc
number of districts have expressed great interest, increasing the dollars from them to us
major understands we outsource for special needs, can boe get idea re renzulli where every they go…couple of hours, all day… what happens
adamowski says small number of students would be all day, some shared time, some after school, some summer. it would be a gifted center
in connecticut gifted is part of special ed, would have a ppt to develop a program
potter asks if special ed would be placed in harbor school
fischer says other programs would be placed separate from renzulli, bringing them back from outsourcing.
outsourced students are all special ed
she says sounds like a plan to separate struggling students
adamowski says some, like autistic are bussed out, some distance. might have three or four class rooms for those students. might have classrooms for behavioral….basically multipurpose building
potter wants to look at this more
adamowsi says a very serious situation with number of outsourced students.
sense is it developed overtime and not managed well
skews tremendous amount of money out of district
potter understands that and believes in intermingling students of all kinds in an educational setting
adamowski says these students cannot mix with others, extreme and higher level needs
whether these students are located in district or out, in most cases they are in restrictive environments
adamowski thinks there may be some opportunities to have a restricted class in an operating school for an incremental period of time students could join a regular class
fisher says under individuals with dis act, required to take every step possible to make sure every option is looked at to have all students get prepared for success
proposes board to a workshop on special ed spectrum
some in full time residential programs, some get one hour of services
catala
suggests a field trip to a renzulli school
concerned about the 6.5 mill spent outsourcing
boe had been told in past doing a good job keeping as many students in city as possible, now hearing differently
muse asks about student starting at winthrop, then part of renzulli. asks what amount comes from winthrop. fischer says same as if student leaves the school district
as if the student moved to another town
for some this would be a percentage, for students spending a portion of the education at the renzulli school
fischer says need to talk about how this budget was developed and what it is meant to do
muse cannot understand why cannot accommodate at their particular school like the high school ap coursework
would not be eligible for this grant doing that says adamowski
a different model program is itinerant teachers who come to the school as she describes
over the last several years nl has cut that model dollars
adamowski says you could have a school based program if boe could fund by itself. cannot have magnet gifted and talented…as open to everyone by lottery
morse asks adamowski money connected with renzulli will only be forthcoming if separate program
Yes, it is for replication of the center program model
it could be within a school, yes
our classrooms
morse thinks academy for talented and gifted is a space issue, ties into curriculum k-12. does not like extractions. can look at each building, look at enrollment requirements and boe needs advised on current space use, current avail, and future next year needs
have to consider upgrade of spaces per their uses. not ready to make that decision without space use information and with the magnet vision etc
adamowski says have made decisions on Winthrop and Nathan Hale. to be made include bdjms and renovation of nlhs
adamowski asks, if you build a school, would you build it larger to accomodate.
adamowski says nl will need all space they have and perhaps more
morse says that is why they need a survey of what they are using, its condition, etc so they don’t operate 7 if you need 6. adamowski says the elementary schools are at capacity
liz asks how many are gifted and talents. fischer says envision about 50 students, cmt, noncognitive, recommendations and student work. in any population can be 1-2 percent. some students prefer not to identify as gifted and talented. some want full time some want part time
will bring recognition to district, may bring more funding. more funding can bring more programs. grant money breeds grant money. not intended to isolate kids, intention is to challenge
parents want their kids to have a greater challenge
says people are coming back to nl schools. this is about perception
there are requirements for starting a special ed program they are not necessarily cheap.
sks for submission of questions so they can respond
peg thinks some anxiety in teaching staff of changes that need to be answered
the grant is just for the training, used to train over time. train teachers who will be involved, and train trainers
miriam morales taylor suggested to come in with a workshop
muse asks if continual grants needed. no. once trained you continue to work with and train, even with teachers in other buildings
just as nl does with its math program
morse asks for space presentation prior to workshop
suspensions and expulsions
fischer directs attention to document
significant reduction of suspensions, expulsion not where they want to see it
were experiencing a lot of gang and pre gang stuff at hs
gangs in area have agreed to stop their activity in the hs, in cooperation with police, etc
intervention steps document
high school and middle school efforts to reduce suspensions in and out of school
have to have programs to reduce numbers due to issues and behaviors
trying to increase consistency in responses
consistent expectations
consistent adult presence in hallways
greeting and talking with students
increased communication
school culture to focus on problem solving rather than fighting
looking at programs with miriam morales taylor for in school programs
muse asks if boe can get breakdown of offense
adamowski recommends that be done annually
report policy not being followed per adamowski needs revisions
catala thinks list of interventions taken is a good list
fischer says the best prevention is students. they tell when problems build, they inform and ask for help.
magnet schools
letters from conl and nl harbour towers supporting magnet concept
jeff harris re third letter
opsail ct
part of the continuing presence of opsail would be educational. recommending maritime arts/industry magnet school with nl unique port and history
all three letters received for the record
ten minute break
public comment
mirna martinez
comment about budget 1.5 increase between schools and city only fulfills contractual and still could be cuts to busing. not able to bring back any service cuts.
setting nl up for no aspirations
renzulli – extremely concerned about setting this up in a city with already so many feelings between the haves and have nots
can do this in one setting instead of creating more disparity
the conversation of the 6.5 mill is actually special education services and gifted and talented etc confuses the topic
mongi
thanks parents for coming and teachers
gifted and talented separated into its own school is a bad idea. no business plan in place and considering funding another school
the special master and designation of the state, our priority is closing the achievement gap. we can do both, in the school
its a grant, a hook to buy into this program to establish this program funding it with resources we need to close achievement gaps
likes the achieve 3000. in school. ask the teachers what their problems are, listen to them about reading insufficiency
kathy
as parents they care for their own children, and others children
though of hanging on to harbor school without the finances to maintain them
does not like taking kids out of schools for the renzulli program. could be done inside existing schools
sees little things like the algebra class at benny dover
likes communication efforts, but recently cancelled last one
wants to be part of magnet school planning, renzulli caught parents by surprise
wants boe etc to encourage school governance the opportunity to review the budget as in the requirements
jason
appreciates boe asking questions about the renzulli charter school
says gifted and talented programs are good, but outside of the district as a charter school …a non profit private corp, with high admin overhead
not interested in taking the money out of the district
looks forward to the workshop
as for eligibility. extracurricular activities approve students as a whole. creating a barrier because they are struggling, make it available to everyone including those in sports.
support letters parroted adamowksi and fischer without informed opinion
may be a market interest in nl harbour towers letter writer
natasha
son at ct college childrens program
leery about sending her son to nl public school as her daughter there is not challenged enough. she has no incentive to do more than the norm
considering leaving, daughter has been moved from school to school and may not get into the school she desires due to the selection system of magnet schools
does not understand how we are at capacity in schools we build to attract more students
her daugher would not want to be separated because of her achievements
Tambria Moore society is not separated by how we learn and work differently
adjin
issue with money, administration board has 100k plus salaries, cut that and put it to the kdis
pockets getting fatter while kids are in poor buildings, bussed, nothing getting done
you get a raise from progress, not as matter of practice
william
son goes to nathan after st marys closed
attends pto meetings
son has progressed in math and reading
the magnet school system he has questions
hoping the website has the answers
asking goals, sufficient funds to be competitive in hiring and maintaining best and brightest teachers, guidance counselors for mid and high school. more teachers needed to reduce class size. does it allocate funds for repairs. boe and parents obligated to provide a quality program
regina
achieve 3000 program question 100 students with 16 teachers, class sizes need to be reduced
does not mean they need to be moved to separate school, just restructure to better serve students
comments that all have to set expectations of the students. tommy set expectations and did it.
kids in poverty can learn
set the expectation early and they will succeed
renzulli comment by fischer to train other teachers with same program within existing schools….why start with separate school.
capacity after magnet implementation or now?
gwen
community organizations with questions re magnet
when is the final decision, what magnets.
survey gone from web
who got to respond, what was the count, how long was it online
there will be a compilation and will be public information
cheryl
to morris, congrats on comment about harbor school and concerns
ill informed boe, you need to ask questions and expect answers.
job for network …is that a new position, why if so why with teacher cuts
if an old position with new description usually means more money
approval of minutes
approval of sop
morris asks if they have considered an international baccalaureate program
have to look at cost, time, resources, or make possible to go to regional existing program at fitch high school
district charter school development question
adamowski says misinformation floating around
says it is operated by the district and money stays here under reform
ufficient questions to take this strategy out and approve the rest
wonderful workshop topics to explore by the boe per adamowski
they need to commit to an improvement plan now
bill moves to strike 1.d from sop
morris
he agrees to a, b and c with three pathways to k-12
looks at redesign of curriculum and use of buildings. should and would rather have public hearings first
boe meeting cut off from cable
end of my blogging
sorry for any name spelling screw ups and of course my usual typos with my dysfunctional keyboard
Marco Frucht wow, about 45 minutes of meeting wasn’t included in the cable broadcast? After 1.d Mr Morse had lots of questions about lots of things and wanted many thing to go before the public for hearing and such. I don’t get the sense he felt very heard after they tried to get many up and down votes back to back and then adjourn the meeting anyhow. The two things I know for sure that passed were Network Administrator position getting filled and changing to a full magnet system, even though there’s no business plan and no timetable.
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marco capelli 
