Board of Education Meeting Notes

Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Members were recognized Wednesday night for their achievements at the state competition. The team had a highly successful first year of competition, bringing home several first and second place medals in creative problem solving, medical photography and terminology. Overall, the team was eligible to attend the national competition in Orlando, Florida. They have decided not to attend this  year due to the expense, but will begin their fundraising efforts now in order to attend the nationals in 2011.

Sophomore Brittany Garvey was elected President of HOSA for Connecticut. She was named president elect and will serve as president in her senior year. Garvey also won first place in the Prepared Speaking phase of competition. 

Also of note from the May 5  meeting:

• Chairman Mike Fenton read a proclamation declaring May 2 though May 8 Teacher Appreciation Week and May 12, 2010, as School Nurses Day.
• W. Bruce MacDonald has officially resigned from the BOE due to a career change that requires him to move to Rochester, NY. MacDonald was elected in 2008 and attempted to remain on the board for a few months. The board is currently accepting resumes to fill the position. For more information, see the official announcement or contact Board Chairman Mike Fenton.
• The board thanked retiring first grade teacher Ann Marie St.Pierre for 25 years of service to Brookfield Schools.
• Race To The Top Update:  If Connecticut is awarded funding through Race to the Top, an Obama Administration incentive program offering more than $4.3 billion for education reform, the amount that Brookfield Schools would receive has increased from $45,000 to $180,000 over four years.  The money would be directed towards activities such as data collection and analysis, as well as other activities specified by the program regulations. Superintendent Bivona recommended that the BOE sign the agreement, which will not lock the district into any commitment. Further evaluation by the BOE would be needed, as there are stipulations as to how the funding can be used.
• A field trip to a New Jersey competition was approved for the FIRST Robotics Team. The one day "off season" event called Monty Madness will be hosted by Montgomery High School and bring together 42 teams from NY, NJ, PA and CT. Faculty Moderator Sue Troupe stated that the team has "made some changes to the robot" and this competition will give them another opportunity to "hone our skills and for the younger students to have a chance to run the robot."
• A plan overview of the new TEAM (Teacher Evaluation and Mentoring) Program was given by Dr. Genie Slone, Assistant Superintendent. This program will replace the current BEST program. The district wide plan will be submitted to state by June 1. According to Slone, this program will more effectively "address individual needs of the teachers."
• The board approved several new text books for the district, following a brief discussion of the changes that have been made to the newer editions of the books. World History and Spanish Level III books were among the approved texts. The board also discussed the possibility of using online text books, though it has been observed by Dr. Slone that publishers are not making it cost effective at this time.
• Member Harry Shaker led a discussion regarding the broken score board and the possibilities of using a new score board as a revenue producer. "We are in the process of trying to get it working," he stated. "We need to really look at a new one. We cannot expect to be able to host and conference level or state games without a score board."  He also suggested they "consider revenue producing possibilities." Director of Business and Technology Art Colley added  that "we immediately  either have to get the scoreboard working or get a temporary replacement."
• Member Rob Gianazza commended Bivona and the Brookfield High School (BHS) janitorial staff for efficiently handling a "delicate situation" by recognizing the asbestos and determining a rapid course of action for room 240 at BHS.

The meeting closed with a comment from board member Ray DiStephan regarding the upcoming budget vote. "I'm very optimistic about this budget… how important it is for the quality of life for this town," he said, "complacency will defeat this budget, we need everybody to get out and vote."

Residents will have the opportunity to vote on a combined school and town budget on May 18.

Download the movie

Download the movie