MINUTES – C.E.S. REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

September 7, 2017

PRESENT:

Sauda Baraka-BRIDGEPORT (arrived at 3:15 pm)

Chris Hocker-EASTON/REDDING/REG. 9

Philip Dwyer-FAIRFIELD

Maria Naughton-NEW CANAAN

Mike Barbis-NORWALK (arrived at 3:20 pm)

Tracey O’Connor-RIDGEFIELD

Tom Minotti-SHELTON

Andy George-STAMFORD

Terri Sheehy-STRATFORD (President)

Mike Ward-TRUMBULL (Secretary)

Elise Major-WESTON

Karen Kleine-WESTPORT

ABSENT:Christa McNamara -DARIEN

Jeff Parker-EASTON/REDDING/REG. 9 (Alt.)

Debbie Appelbaum -GREENWICH

Carlos Reinoso, Jr.-MONROE

John Llewellyn-FAIRFIELD

Christine Finkelstein-WILTON

C.E.S.:Present: Evan Pitkoff, Chris La Belle,Mark Ribbens,Mike Regan, Anna Nelmes-Stoughton, Peggy Sullivan, Stephanie Wanzer,

Christie Cantalupo, Devin Powers. Absent: Esther Bobowick

I.CALL TO ORDER AND VERIFICATION OF QUORUM–President Terri Sheehy called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm. Quorum was confirmed.Evan welcomed Terri as the new Board president. Arlene Liscinsky, who served as Board president for 7 years, has relocated to Massachusetts. Voting for new officers will take place at the January 2018 meeting. Terri will be going off her own Board effective December 15. Mike Ward wishes to continue to serve as Board secretary. If anyone is interested in any of the office, please contact Terri or Evan directly.

II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – On a motion by Mike Ward and seconded by Tom Minotti, the minutes of the June 1, 2017meeting were unanimously approved.

III.CONSENT AGENDA - On a motion by Mike Ward, and seconded by Elise Major,the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved by the Council.

IV.OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT –C.E.S.E.A. president Stephanie Wanzer welcomed everyone back for the new school year and offered her congratulations to Terri Sheehy. Evan introduced C.E.S. Teacher of the Year, Christie Cantalupo who teaches fifth grade at Six to Six and C.E.S. Paraprofessional of the Year Devin Powers who works in the Developmental Development Learning Center. Both Christie and Devin took the opportunity to thank their respective school programs for their support as well as the support of Dr. Pitkoff and the Board. Christie and Devin will represent C.E.S. on the State level in the fall.

V.NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Policy Revisions: First Read: Chris La Belle gave an overview of the changes which are required by law to our policy #6.013 Employment of Behavior Management Strategies and Seclusion and Restraint. The law now states that only Crisis Intervention Team members need to be trained.Policy # 4.008 Tuition Reimbursement Plan Non-Certified Personnel – revision is being made so that it is consistent with the policy for certified staff personnel specifically in regard to absences due to catastrophic illness or maternity leave. These policies will be on the October agenda for approval.
  2. 2018-19 Calendars: First Read – Chris stated that districts have the option to use the uniform calendar which Chris will distribute in the next month or so but it is no longer required. C.E.S. calendars willbe on the October agenda for approval.

VI. REPORTS

  1. Representative Council President–Terri again thanked Arlene for all of her years of service and indicated that she is happy to serve as Council president through December 15th.
  1. Executive Director –Evan welcomed everyone back for the new school year. All programs had very successful openings. Evan mentioned that Arlene Liscinsky spoke at our opening convocation in August and C.E.S. honored her during that event for her years of service and dedication to C.E.S. Evan and Arlene spoke earlier in the day and she wished everyone a great school year. Evan reiterated that Terri has moved up from vice president to president when Arlene resigned. Election of officers will take place at the annual meeting in January. Mike Ward wishes to continue on as secretary. If anyone is interested in the president or vice president offices, please contact Evan or Terri directly. Tom Minotti is now the official voting member from Shelton now as opposed to the “alternate” status he held previously. There is a possibility of holding a December meeting this year if we have new members appointed to the C.E.S. Rep Council after the November elections.

Evan reported that our worker’s compensation carrier, CIRMA, presented C.E.S. with a rebate check in the amount of $18,836 for limited claims experience. The final determination of our healthcare insurance costs with our new carrier for the current year is less than we were quoted in June. To date, it appears that the transfer from Anthem to ConnectiCare has been seamless. The auditing team is now reviewing all documents in preparation for the final audit report. See written report for further details regarding the audit. Lastly, Evan reported that the Waterbury Public Schools will now honor their commitment to complete their vice principal tests (and pay C.E.S. for the development of these tests.)

  1. Associate Executive Director– Chris La Belle also welcomed everyone back for the new school. Chris reported that our beginning teacher orientation will be held on September 19th. Beginning teachers will have the opportunity to engage in activities and discussions on the TEAM Module Process and other topics such as the Common Core of Teaching. C.E.S. has 20 first and second year teachers participating in the TEAM program. Chris also reported that C.E.S. programs successfully reduced student disciplinary offenses by 15% from 2015-16 to 2016-17 based on the State Disciplinary Report (ED 166.) Other highlights are listed in Chris’ written report.
  1. Director of Professional Development Services–Evan advised that Esther Bobowick is in Norwalk today with our new math consultant, Erin Barlow. Please see the Professional Development Services Highlights for updates.
  1. Director, Regional Center for the Arts–Mark Ribbens reported that RCA had a great opening and programs are all up and running. Back to school night for RCA parents will be held this evening at 7 p.m. Mark mentioned that he is working with his contact at the Quick Center at Fairfield University in the hopes of having a “spoken word” artist in residence at RCA. He will keep the Board posted as things develop. RCA welcomed two new staff members: Zoe Vandermeer, vocal teacher and Verni Escalante, administrative secretary.
  1. Director, Special Education – Mike Regan reported that C.E.S. had a wonderful extended school program which ran for five weeks this summer. Mike reported that special education programs all had a great first day of school. Mike announced that we have a new program – “TLC” – Transition Learning Center – which will be led by Terri Garrity – a program designed for our 18-21 year olds in preparing them for careers in the community. Stephanie Wanzer is also one of the teachers in this new program. Mike mentioned that the RESC directors met recently with the new State special education bureau chief, Brian Klimkiewicz. The staff in the special education bureau has been cut drastically. The bureau chief has promised to work with the RESCs to assist us in special education needs. Mike is conducting special education reviews for several districts to analyze the cost efficiencies and how to reorganize their departments to save money.
  1. Director, Six to Six Magnet School – Anna Nelmes-Stoughton welcomed everyone to the new school year. All staff has returned refreshed and excited. Anna reported that Six to Six had a successful school opening on September 1st. Six to Six also welcomes new staff member, Alison LaLuz, ESL teacher.
  1. Director of Finance & Operations – Peggy Sullivan distributed the final unaudited budget summary for July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017, showing a surplus of $1,345,659. Peggy also stated that C.E.S. successfully transitioned from Anthem to ConnectiCare as of July 1, 2017 and rates have decreased by 1% from the 2016-17 rates. Lastly, Peggy reported that C.E.S. will be applying for reimbursement under the School Security Grant Program for security enhancements made over the past several years.

Evan mentioned to the Board that this month’s board packet contains both the 2016-17 Annual Report as well as a document detailing district enrollment information for all C.E.S. programs. Maria Naughton (New Canaan) offered to share with Evan and the Board information on the CT Educational Software Hub which is a program which protects student information and personal data. Evan will email the information to the Board upon receipt.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Elise Major and seconded by Mike Barbis, the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Pace

Barbara Pace

Recording Secretary

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