tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73441700321100762452024-02-20T08:30:24.158-05:00Tony Perugini Listens...Too!Blogging on the Cheshire,CT school district.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-81010725842888601322013-01-07T19:50:00.003-05:002013-01-07T19:50:43.182-05:002013 Budget Review Meeting Schedule<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The FY 2013-2014 BOE budget kicked off on 1/3 with the superintendent's budget presentation which </span><a href="http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/media/42802/bgt%202013-2014-final.pdf"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">can be found here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. A series of Finance Committee meetings to review the budget starts tomorrow night at Dodd Middle School.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Finance Committee review meetings will follow a similar format as last year which involves diving into the details behind the budget increase as opposed to reciting each account in the budget. As always, the finance committee welcomes public input into the budget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January 8, 2013 Public Budget Review<br />Dodd Middle School – 7:30 p.m. Administrative Review of Accounts <br /><br />January 10, 2013 Public Budget Review<br />Dodd Middle School – 7:30 p.m. Administrative Review of Accounts <br /><br />January 22, 2013 Public Informational Meeting/Board Member Responses to<br />Superintendent’s Budget/Adoption of a Board of Education Budget, if <br />possible </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Dodd Middle School – 7:30 p.m. <br /><br />January 24, 2013 (if necessary) Special Meeting of the Board of Education to Adopt a Board of<br />Dodd Middle School – 7:30 p.m. Education Budget <br /><br />February 15, 2013 Approved Board of Education Budget Request Transmitted to Town <br />Manager <br /><br />April 2013 (Date to be determined) Town Budget Hearing <br />April 17, 2013 Town Council Adoption of Town Budget <br />June 28, 2013 Final Budget Must be Approved by Board of Education </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-27979269963603446412012-12-14T15:22:00.001-05:002012-12-14T15:26:33.237-05:00Newtown School Shooting Tragedy<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A senseless, terrible and cowardly tragedy took place today at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown. The lives of innocent children and adults were taken from them. Words....cannot express the anger, sadness and grief that I and many feel about this tragedy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As a parent, I need to explain what happened today to my children when they arrive home from school. Like many other parents the challenge is not explaining what happened but WHY it happened. Not easy explaining to my 8 and 10 year old girls why such a tragedy can and has happened. I know my wife and I are not alone on this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There's information available on the Cheshire Public Schools website about how to talk about violence, tips for parents: <a href="http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/media/41822/talking%20to%20children%20about%20violence%20-%20national%20association%20of%20school%20psychologists.pdf">http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/media/41822/talking%20to%20children%20about%20violence%20-%20national%20association%20of%20school%20psychologists.pdf</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As a parent with children in the Cheshire Public Schools and a member of the Board of Education, despite this tragedy today I believe Cheshire Public Schools offers a safe and secure environment for our children. This unfortunate and sad tragedy has certainly and rightfully made parents concerned about safety in our schools, all schools. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">While the school district routinely reviews school safety....I assure you that as a member of the BOE here in Cheshire, that Board and Administration will review our security mechanisms in light of this horrible tragedy. I anticipate parents will have questions on security after today so please don't hesitate to contact myself, the board or the Superintendent's office.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When your children arrive home from school today, give them a great big hug!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My family's thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. For once, I am at a loss for words over such a needless, senseless loss of precious life.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-61602647681431158592012-10-08T14:59:00.003-04:002012-10-10T11:25:28.491-04:00New 4 Year, 8.93% Teacher Contract Approved, My Vote Explained<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the 10/4 Special Board of Ed meeting, the BOE approved (5-1) a new 4 year teacher contract with the EAC. I was the lone "No" vote and my explanation for the vote is detailed below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The new contract is unique in that it has a duration of 4 years as compared to the often 3 year term. Indeed, 8.93% over the course of years as compared to 14.4% of the previous contract (prior to the last negotiation) over 3 years seems like a great deal. I believe it is certainly a fair economic deal for both the town and the teachers and representative of the economic climate and challenges we all face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Breakdown of the 8.93% increase:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 1 (2013/2014): 0% Step Increase, 1% General Wage Increase.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 2 (2014/2015): 1.63% Step Increase, 1.49**% General Wage Increase</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 3 (2015/2016): 1.69% Step Increase, 1.00% General Wage Increase</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 4 (2016/2017): 1.55% Step Increase, 1.00% General Wage Increase</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">** .25% is applied to Steps 1-13. 1.24% is applied to Step 14</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I believe these wage increases are fair. Aside from the Step system itself, I don't have an issue with these wage increases.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In addition to the wage increases, changes have been agreed to in the Medical Benefits portion of the contract. These changes will increase the employee share for higher cost plans and will either reduce the Board's costs for these plans or create more movement to the lower cost plan options available. The employee cost share increases 3.5% over 4 years for the HSA plan. In the Preferred Provider Plan (PPO), the participant will be responsible to pay the difference between a fixed percent cost of the H.S.A and PPO plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In essence, teacher's choosing a plan outside of the HSA plan will buy up into PPO plan (if they choose) with no additional cost (premiums) to the school district. I believe this is significant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's estimated that the medical benefits changes may save the Board approximately $200,000/yr during the life of this new contract. I use the word *May* because, as we have seen, insurance costs haven't remained stable for us over the last few years. But, nonetheless, the potential for considerable savings does exist and should be applauded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I plan on providing more specific details about the medical cost/compensation provisions soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Another highlight of the agreement is that the teacher's work day increases from 7 hours 20 minutes to 7 hours 50 minutes ONE day per week. This change was made in order to accommodate additional collaboration time between teachers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><u>The Reason for my "No" Vote</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am supportive of the wage increase, medical cost changes and term of this new contract. I do believe that, economically, it is one of the better contracts Cheshire has seen in some time. I want to thank the EAC, the teachers and negotiation teams for coming together and reaching this deal outside of arbitration. I want to thank the union for their professionalism, cordiality and commitment to Cheshire. Had there been more time available to the negotiation process we may have been able to address more concerns. Time, as always, is of the essence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am not voting against what was agreed to. However (this is solely my opinion and not necessarily that of the board) there were 3 more important items that needed attention in this contract. All too often, we tend to focus on the numbers and lose sight of more pressing issues. IMO, the wage/benefit changes are only 50% of what needed attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the areas I wanted to change was the general Step Increase system in the contract. The contract contains a series of 15 Step increases. These are wage increases that are earned for each year of service. These increases are earned regardless of performance. My goal is to move away from a guaranteed step increase and towards a performance-based pay increase system. The general wage increase part of the contract would still exist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The intent of a performance pay system is to reward those teachers who are performing well over those teachers that may not be performing as well. It is to reward and recognize those teachers, or teams of teachers, that are making a measurable impact in our school district. Under this system, teachers could see a substantially higher increase if they are performing exceptionally while others may be see a lower, or no increase, if they are performing below proficiency.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In general terms, the framework is not very different than what is being done in the private sector. It is not much different than the successful frameworks I've used to hire and coach hundreds of employees in my career. To make such a performance-based system work, teachers would need to be measured on <strong>OBJECTIVE</strong> criteria. The objective criteria would be defined by both the teachers and administrators, collaboratively. Such a system can only work and have fair results <em><u>if subjectivity is taken out of the equation</u></em>. I don't consider the Step system to be fair as it rewards both effective and ineffective teachers and does not monetarily incentive teachers to perform better or be recognized for their exceptional contributions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Many are aware of the new CT State law on the teacher evaluations that's scheduled to be implemented at the start of the 2013/2014 school year. In this framework, teachers are evaluated in a series of categories some of which measure student success among other factors. This framework is currently being piloted in certain school districts in CT. In this framework, teachers can be rated among 4 performance levels: Exemplary, Proficient, Developing and Below Standard. As an FYI, Cheshire applied to be one of the Pilot schools this year but was rejected by the State.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My idea would be to incorporate this performance ranking in determining pay increases above and beyond general wage increases. I do agree with the general State law over teach evaluation and it seems to provide an objective framework based on defined measurements in helping evaluate teachers. More importantly, it helps identify teachers that need improvement and I want to give those the teachers the tools and training needed to improve. I believe Cheshire can utilize this system to help reward teachers as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's understandable that such a change in compensation would be met with skepticism. However, my goal was to form an agreement/committee between the union, teachers and administration and study the performance-pay framework over the course of 1-2 years. Then reconvene and possibly implement the change into the contract at a later time. However, the idea was tabled indefinitely and not given enough time or consideration for discussion. I believe if we had more time, this would've been given more thoughtful discussion it rightfully deserves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A second area of concern I have with the contract is a reduction in force. Under the current contract, when a reduction in force is necessary, the contract stipulates that non-tenured teachers be reduced over tenured teachers. This is not fair by any means. Tenure does not guarantee effective teachers. We've had to lay off new, bright and effective teachers during layoffs who may perform better than their tenured peers simply because they were not tenured. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Rather, I wanted to modify the contract language such that either tenured or "Below-Proficient" teachers may be reduced during layoffs. I don't want to continue losing good new teachers during the course of layoffs should they ensure over the next 4 years. If we lose teachers in school district it should only be those teachers that, despite opportunities for training and improvement, have not improved over time and are ineffective.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It may seem that since the evaluation pilot is currently in "pilot" mode that I may be putting the cart before the horse when it comes to rating teachers on performance and rewarding them accordingly. However, the new evaluation is law and will be implemented in 2013/2014 school year. Soon, our curriculum committee will be studying the pilot and working with administration officials to implement the framework. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I don't believe we can wait another 5 years to address performance pay. The contract does not recognize the evaluation law and has no provision to remove teachers that are ineffective per the new evaluation law. As such, it's highly possible that we may indeed have ineffective teachers that we cannot eliminate because the contract does not address this specifically. It's unclear if the new law trumps termination clauses in current contracts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When the new evaluation process is rating our teachers as either Exemplary, Proficient, Developing or Below Standard...those teachers who are continually exemplary/proficient i.e. Effective will begin wondering why they are not being paid more for performing better over those teachers ranked at a lower performance level. Performance pay is an inevitable topic of discussion. It's coming. The cart is rolling along and we need to catch up to it sooner rather than later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I believe that the Cheshire school district has the people to make such a plan work. Between the collective experience of the union leadership, teachers and administrators we can make this idea successful. It's not an easy topic to address but I believe it's the right topic to tackle. Rewarding our teachers for a job well done while identifying and helping those teachers in need of improvement can have not only a positive impact on pay/performance, but more importantly, it can help our students achieve better which is the ultimate benefit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is the basis for my "No" vote on the contract. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-58093040570439773732012-08-16T11:07:00.001-04:002012-08-16T11:07:06.504-04:00BOE Business Meeting Tonight 8/16/12<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>BOE Business Meeting 7:30pm Town Council Chambers</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">* No, the teachers' contract negotiation will not be discussed at the meeting or on this blog due to confidentiality...so don't ask as I can't talk about it. :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1. Call to Order – 7:30 p.m.</span></span></div>
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A. Roll Call for Quorum</div>
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B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America</div>
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2. Approval of Minutes</div>
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A. Approval of Minutes of Board of Education (Business) Meeting Held June 7, 2012</div>
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B. Approval of Minutes of Board of Education (Fiscal) Meeting Held June 26, 2012</div>
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C. Approval of Minutes of Board of Education (Special) Meeting Held July 5, 2012</div>
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3. Correspondence</div>
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4. Superintendent’s Report</div>
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5. Consent Calendar</div>
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A. Approval of Statement on Class Size Policy</div>
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B. Approval of ACES Annual Membership Agreement</div>
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C. Rescission of Teacher Leave Request</div>
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6. Reports of Standing Committees</div>
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A. Finance</div>
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I. Financial Update</div>
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II. Approval of Increase of School Lunch and Milk Prices</div>
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B. Personnel</div>
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I. Approval of Contract between the Cheshire Board of </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Education and Cheshire</span></div>
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Administrative Personnel</div>
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C. Planning</div>
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I. Report on Status of Construction Projects and Summer Maintenance</div>
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II. Update on Capital Budget</div>
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D. Other Standing Committees</div>
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7. Audience</div>
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8. Old Business</div>
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9. New Business</div>
10. Adjournment</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-51094520455499371202012-06-14T12:27:00.001-04:002012-06-14T16:43:03.314-04:00New School Bus Technology Uveiled in Wolcott, Cheshire Next<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WTNH reports that Wolcott is adopting a new school bus technology that will catch drivers who illegally pass buses. <a href="http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/wolcott-going-high-tech-to-keep-kids-safe">http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/wolcott-going-high-tech-to-keep-kids-safe</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In May, the BOE Planning Committee discussed streamlining bus routes to reduce the number of stops along bus routes and adopt the same technology being used on Wolcotts' school buses. Some routes have elementary school buses (not kindergarten) pickup/drop off in front of individual homes, multiple times, along the same street! It is estimated that reducing the number of stops on our bus routes would save the school district about $50,000 annually in overtime costs. The study will continue over the summer. I will post details on the bus routes as they are made available.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Regarding the school bus technology, Cheshire is going to pilot it this coming school year. The camera will capture license plates of vehicles illegally passing school buses which is a growing problem in Cheshire. Those passing the bus may find a ticket in the mail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to WTNH: <em>"Here's how that works: Violators will be slapped with a 450 dollar ticket. The town will get 85 percent of the money and SmartBus will also get a cut."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">While bus drivers have been complaining about drivers illegally passing them along bus routes the Planning Committee was surprised to learn that <em><strong>the problem may be at its' worst in school parking lots</strong></em>. Buses are passed in front of school pick up areas illegally which is a concern considering that some school pickups areas don't allow vehicles other than school buses during drop-off/pick up hours. Parking in handicapped spots, parking in fire lanes and leaving the vehicle unattended were also raised.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-78192281250471561312012-04-26T15:19:00.003-04:002012-04-26T15:31:17.102-04:00CHS Boys Locker Room Open Discussion<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of you have contacted me to discuss the CHS Boys Locker room situation on the blog and to allow folks to comment/openly discuss the matter. So I started this post to allow folks to have a discussion around what has become a circus of a project. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always please keep the comments civil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'll post my thoughts on the matter over the next few days.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-10221870770284473012012-01-26T17:02:00.000-05:002012-01-26T17:02:25.530-05:001/24 BOE Account Review Meeting #3, Part II<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>Topics Covered:</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Technology Computing Vision & Strategy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Full presentation <a href="http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/boe/budget12-13.html">can be viewed here</a>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-72811855319285937622012-01-25T16:59:00.001-05:002012-01-26T17:00:27.417-05:001/24 BOE Budget Account Review Meeting #3, Part 1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>Topics Covered:</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">- Support Services</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">- Maintenance & Operations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">- Utilities & Heating</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">- Related Initiatives</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">- Conclusions & Recommendations</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Full presentation <a href="http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/boe/files/7D0B3BFC599947938A29FB10018D072A.pdf">can be viewed here</a>.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="375" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/77d5894629df415b95ea" width="500"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-78992389776196187932012-01-18T16:49:00.001-05:002012-01-26T16:49:44.720-05:001/17 BOE Budget Account Review Meeting #2<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>Topic Covered:</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Fixed/Variable Expenses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Certified/Non-Certified Salaries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Union Contract Wage Increases</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Employee Benefit Costs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Medical Plan Types</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- HSA Plan Growth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Medical Claims Through 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Instructional Expenses</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Presentation from this meeting </span><a href="http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/boe/files/5D700C38C11145DE9C96596A4764FE30.pdf"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">can be viewed here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="375" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/3cdbb4ff783749109eba" width="500"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-2299194884309647302012-01-14T16:43:00.001-05:002012-01-26T17:28:41.220-05:001/12 BOE Budget Account Review Meeting #1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>Topics Covered:</u></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Enrollment (Actual vs. Projected Class Sizes)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Mandates</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Special Education</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Transportation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Student Reporting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Personnel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Cost Savings Initiatives</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- HSA Plan</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Presentation from the 1/12 meeting<a href="http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/boe/files/2FD4D8E29C134697B9DFFF84B58FE9E2.pdf"> can be viewed here</a>: </span><br />
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<iframe width="500" height="375" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/ece80c19ad1647d5bc49" frameborder="0"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-29381586682226244492012-01-06T17:04:00.000-05:002012-01-26T17:04:58.747-05:001/5 Superintendent's 2012-2013 Budget Recommendation<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Presentation material </span><a href="http://www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/boe/files/F062900EE3EA4695820F3E152DCFB2CD.pdf"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">can be viewed here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="375" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/8f00e187772b498397cb" width="500"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-41394998921347330302012-01-04T12:19:00.003-05:002012-01-06T10:04:07.860-05:00Schedule of 2012-2013 BOE Budget Meetings<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">With the new year brings our BOE budget process that starts Thurs 2/5 with the presentation of the Superintendent's Budget proposal. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Based on the events that transpired after the 12/14 TC Budget Pre-Planning workshop I fully expect this budget process to be contentious, even though it does not have to be. More on that later.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Below is the BOE 2012-2013 Meeting Schedule:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Thursday, January 5, 2012 </strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Town Council Chambers – 7:30 p.m. Presentation of Superintendent’s Budget</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
<strong>Thursday, January 12, 2012 </strong><br />
Dodd Middle School – 7:30 p.m. Public Budget Review Administrative Review of Accounts<br />
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<strong>Tuesday, January 17, 2012 </strong><br />
Dodd Middle School – 7:30 p.m. Public Budget Review Administrative Review of Accounts<br />
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<strong>Tuesday, January 24, 2012</strong><br />
Town Council Chambers – 7:30 p.m. Public Informational Meeting/Board Member Responses to Superintendent’s Budget/Adoption of a Board of Education Budget, if possible<br />
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<strong>Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012</strong> — Special meeting of the Board of Education to adopt a budget, held at Dodd Middle School at 7:30 p.m. (Note: This meeting will only take place if the Board fails to adopt a budget at the Jan. 24 meeting.)<br />
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<strong>February 15, 2012</strong> Approved Board of Education Budget Request Transmitted to Town Manager<br />
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<strong>April 2012</strong> (Date to be determined) Town Budget Hearing<br />
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<strong>April 15, 2012</strong> Town Council Adoption of Town Budget<br />
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<strong>June 30, 2012</strong> Final Budget Must be Approved by Board of Education</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><div align="LEFT"></div></span><div align="LEFT"></div></span><br />
<div align="LEFT"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-84083381950281200582012-01-04T11:59:00.000-05:002012-01-04T11:59:22.582-05:001/4 Water Main Break at Cheshire High School<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the water mains supplying Cheshire High on the southeast side ruptured overnight and was discovered at around 6AM. There was some minor runoff in the small parking lot near the sports lockers. Students were dismissed at 10:45AM as the kitchen and most of the bathrooms have no running water. Repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the day today and school is expected to resume tomorrow morning.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-45612441688180694392011-11-16T12:58:00.001-05:002011-11-16T13:11:54.991-05:00MRJ 11/12 Article - Republican at Odds over Ed Budget<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In the 11/12 MRJ paper Jesse Buchanan wrote an article <em>"<strong>Cheshire Republican at Odds over details in education budget"</strong></em> about a meeting that occurred a few weeks back involving: Myself, Michael Milone, Tim Slocum, Greg Florio, David Schrumm. The topic of the meeting was the budget format and ways to improve upon it. Namely, the budget request that the Superintendent sends the TC each year. I was contacted by Jesse about the story just before the last storm hit. Jesse was notified of the meeting by a 3 page fax he received by someone at the meeting and indicated that the town council was trying to micromanage the education budget. I don't hide my views and needless to say I did not send the fax to Jesse. More on this later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The article did not cover what actually transpired at the meeting. How could it? Jesse was not at the meeting and couldn't possibly articulate what was actually discussed. No offense to Jesse. Unfortunately, the article highlighted the disdain some folks have for one another, accusations, declarations of mistrust, etc. Whomever sent the fax to MRJ got their wish which was to produce an article that, if anything, paints the BOE and TC in not the best of light. It's actually embarassing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">For those folks that don't care for the drama, here's what transpired at the meeting. It's worth noting that David Schrumm reached out to us to open a dialogue about ways to streamline the education budget request. It's also worth nothing that many of the ideas presented have been discussed by this BOE already. For me, I saw this meeting as an opportunity to finally bridge a gap between the TC and BOE over the budget. For others, however, it was an opportunity to play politics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Grants</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The topic of grants and accounting for them was discussed. In the BOE budget book, there's a 1-2 page summary of the various grants utilized in the budget. A request was made to identify when the grants start/end as well as provide a short one paragraph summary about the grant. i.e. What is it used for? What expenses does it pay for? What opportunities does it create? If this request sounds familar then it should be because these are the questions parents have been asking the BOE on this topic throughout MANY budget workshops. This detail is not included in the budget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Accounting & Accounts</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><em>MUNIS</em></strong>. A request was discussed to utilize the MUNIS system, specifically, the account format that the town departments utilize. Looking at the town's budget book, each account contains a detailed write up about it. The write up lists, among other things, assumptions being made, any unforeseen issues, calculation definitions, etc. Compare that to the BOE accounts listed in the budget book and that level of detail does not exist. Simply expand upon it in MUNIS and be done with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><em>Expenditures:</em></strong> We discussed expanding our budget accounts to include FY '11 ACTUAL Expenditures, FY '12 Appropriated Expenditures, FY '12 Estimated Expenditures and FY '13 Projected Appropriation. Essentially expanding the columns in our budget to reflect the town budget format.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><em>Expenditure Reductions:</em></strong> <strong><em>The BOE Operating Budget bottom line number DOES NOT reflect the true cost of the operating budget.</em></strong> The $61.3M BOE budget this year does not reflect the true cost. <a href="http://tonyperuginilistens.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-actual-recommended-budget.html">I briefly discussed this in the spring</a>. Why? Because of how grants are accouted for in MUNIS. Say, for example, GRANT A, totaling $100K is used to pay for certain textbook and transportation expenses frelated to this grant as they are incurred during the school year. The grant is NOT reflected as revenue in the BOE Budget. The Texbooks account does not have a projected amount budgeted for this grant. Transportation does not have projected amount budgeted for this grant. One reason for this is because we don't know how much these expenses will be and how much of the grant we'll actually use. This makes it difficult to budget for these specific expenses. But it also underestimates what we actually spend on students in our school district. At the end of the school year, we'll spend more than $61.3M on education. Perhaps as much as $63M or 64M based on how much if the special funding is utilized. This number is not reflected in the budget.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">In other words, we do not report the true cost of educating a student in the Cheshire school district. Is this evidence of hiding or malicious accounting? Absolutely not. The complexities and rules found in some of these grants make it a nightmare to capture in MUNIS. However, they can be documented, detailed and summarized in the budget book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><em>My Opinion</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I gave a brief review about the meeting. I'll add more later. Almost all of the items I mentioned above were items that the BOE have or are addressing so it's nothing new to us. Much of the information requested already exists in other formats for the BOE. I've been pontificating about clarifying and streamling the BOE budget since I was elected. These changes and others are not just my wishful thinking but that of many folks in town that get the "Deer in the headlights" look every year during the budget meetings. Consider that it takes 3 BOE Budget Workshops to explain the education budget which is articulated by Dr. Florio. When those meetings are over folks walk away with more questions than answers. Simple FACT: The budget can be much clearer, concise and self-explanatory. These changes discussed would get us there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">It's unfortunate that someone chose to turn this positive meeting into a politically-fueled article attacking certain individuals. Certainly, this makes for good reading. But it undermines the efforts of myself and others that are trying to educate the public and foster more open dialogue between the TC and BOE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">This article is a black-eye on the face of Cheshire and how it came to be is cowardly at best.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-24222420329171311932011-11-08T13:58:00.001-05:002011-11-09T09:43:52.904-05:00Cheshire '11 Election Results<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The town council remains largely unchanged with the exception of a tie in the 4th district between Peter Talbot and Steve Carroll. The last time there was a tie on the town council was in 1971. If they remain tied after a mandatory recount, a special election will be held to determine the winner. I commend both Steve and Peter for running an effective campaign and I know both worked/walked the 4th district very hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">With the Town Council maintaining majority: Is this result a vote of confidence that the Republican majority is doing a good job? Some will consider this result a mandate from the voters confirming the case. Others maintain that, votes aside, low voter turnout is to blame and voters are simply frustrated. Thoughts?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">On the Board of Education Cathy Hellreich is back after losing the election in 2009. Party differences aside, I think Cathy's curriculum background is a plus. We have a newcomer Marlena Soble. I have not met Marlena yet but I understand she has a legal background which may bode will for the BOE on the policy committee since Alan Sobol did not seek re-election this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Speaking of Alan Sobol, MRJ, reports that Alan Sobol resigned from the BOE. This is news to me. Alan has missed several BOE and Policy committee meetings this year but there was no news of a resignation unless it happened this past week. I hope all is well with Alan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Incumbent BOE members Todd Dixon, and Gerry Brittingham were re-elected. Newcomer Ed Hill was edged out by Ms. Soble. The Republicans maintain majority on the BOE 4-3.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><u>Town Council</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Patti Flynn-Harris (D)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Mike Ecke (D)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Sylvia Nichols (R)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Jimmy Sima (R)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Tim Slocum (R)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">David Schrumm (R) 1st District</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Tom Ruocco (R) 2nd District</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Andy Falvey (R) 3rd District</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><em>Steve Carroll (R) 4th District*</em></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><em>Peter Talbot (D) 4th District*</em></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><em>* Tie</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><u>Board of Education</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Cathy Hellreich (D)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Marlena Soble (D)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Stephen Mwroka (D)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Gerry Brittingham (R)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Todd Dixon (R)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Sandy Pavno (R)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Tony Perugini (R)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-6507312064457138692011-11-04T16:07:00.001-04:002011-11-04T17:15:45.579-04:0011/3 BOE Meeting/Turf-Related Motions Passed<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Almost a year later from when I initially requested these policies the BOE finally voted on (and passed) the following motions related to the financial aspects of capturing funds for future turf replacement. While the field is certainly a town-owned asset, this BOE felt an obligation to help defray future replacement costs towards the turf. In order to capture funds raised for this effort, the following motions were drafted by the policy committee:</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MOTION #1<o:p></o:p></span></span></u><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">“That the Cheshire Board of Education request that the Cheshire Town Council establish a reserve fund to serve as a repository of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>funds that are to be used for the sole purpose of defraying any future costs associated with the replacement of the synthetic turf field at Cheshire High School that was installed in 2011.”</span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This motion requests that the Town Council establish a town reserve fund to capture funds for future turf replacement. The BOE's intent is to have a respository whereby donations, field revenue, banner sales, field rental income can be deposited, tracked and controlled. The mechanisms around how money is moved into this account, reporting requirements and the like will be up for discussion by the town council if it chooses to consider this motion.</span></o:p></span><br />
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<u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MOTION #2<o:p></o:p></span></span></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">“That the Cheshire Board of Education direct the Superintendent of Schools to amend the regulations associated with Policy #3453-Student Activity Fund to include the following:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></span></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Cheshire High School Student Activity Fund shall have a subaccount designated as Cheshire High School Turf Replacement Fund.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></span></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Funds deposited into the Cheshire High School Turf Replacement Fund shall be made from the following:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a portion of ticket sales and gate receipts for events held on the synthetic turf field; field usage and rental fees collected from organizations for usage of the synthetic turf field; and receipts from Cheshire Youth Sports Programs for usage of the synthetic turf field for events, practices and games.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></span></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At least annually, any balance in the Cheshire High School Turf Replacement fund shall be transferred to the Town of Cheshire Reserve Fund designated for Synthetic Turf Replacement.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This motion is specific to the BOE's accounting. Namely, a seperate budget account will be created to capture funds in the budget (by the defined activities above). The goal is to break out athletic revenue from turf replacement revenue. The BOE Finance Committee is now tasked with establishing reporting and auditing mechanisms around these activities and this account. I expect draft procedures in the coming weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">We've already had intest in renting the field to host State championship/playoff games which we had to turn down since the track portion is in the middle of construction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">As far as who determines the prices for tickets, field rental, etc. noted above Dr. Florio confirmed that it's the CHS Athletic Director, CHS Principal in conjunction with the administration. As of today, nothing has been established on pricing other than what's been presented in Vincent Mascianna's plan, yet. It's worth nothing that during the first year of the new turf field, the BOE will not be charging local youth/sports organizations that have donated towards the turf installation.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MOTION #3<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><em><span style="color: blue;">“That the Cheshire Board of Education include a line item in the annual operating budget in the maintenance account designated, ‘Annual Contribution – Turf Replacement Fund.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the intention of the Board to designate those monies currently associated with maintaining the sod field into an account to offset the future replacement cost of the synthetic turf field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strike>The amount of said line item for 2012/13 shall be approximately $13,000.</strike><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount contributed each year shall be at the discretion of the Board of Education based on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and shall be based on the status of the budget at the close of the fiscal year.”</span></em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This motion was a source of contention for me. The policy committee drafted this motion with the intent of capturing the "grass field savings" and putting that "savings" towards the turf replacement fund. It was validated by Vincent Mascianna that the actual average cost of maintaining the grass field is ~$17,xxx.xx annually. A far cry from the $36K savings touted by Bob Behrer and others. The maintenance of the Turf is budgeted at just under $5K.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In my view, I don't believe we should be budgeting savings in this manner. Nor do I believe we should budget the savings towards future turf replacement. In essence, I'm not in favor of moving money from the operating budget into a fund account especially in the middle of a school year whereby anything can happen which can adversely affect the current budget. Frankly, I'd rather use this money in this current budget towards higher priority items in the budget be it an additional part-time IA at Doolittle, additional textbooks/supplies, all of things that the administration touts as being underfunded. Granted, it's not a lot of money but it helps.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The policy amended the motion as indicated above. This motion, in hindsight, is really not neccessary. The intent is good. But, the BOE and/or Superintendent can make a recommendation at any time without this policy in place. I have no intention of making any such recommendation until the end of the school year when the budget is being closed. Even then, I'd rather put any surplus towards higher priority items or give it back to the town as we did with the 2010-2011 surplus. At least this account will exist in the MUNIS system so there will be a record tracking when deposits are made, if any, by future BOE's.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Of course, all of this is moot if the Town Council doesn't establish a fund account (Motion #1) to capture this money. I expect a lengthy discussion by the town council on this request as it's probably the first of it's kind for Cheshire.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9pt;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-9574399063899564602011-11-04T14:59:00.001-04:002011-11-08T13:53:33.791-05:00Cheshire Storm Cleanup Plan<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From Tim Slocum:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please disseminate this information to all your neighbours and friends over the coming days.<br />
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1. The town will be accepting debris at Quinnipiac Park, Mixville Park & Bartlem. The exact areas and what will be accepted will be detailed on the town's website and announced in a code red call later today.<br />
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2. Once Council approves the 100K appropriation for town-wide debris removal, crews will work the town as we have done in the past with the bulky waste pick-up. This work will commence Monday 11/14. We may be unable to get this in the Cheshire Herald for Thursday 11/ 10 but the info will get in the other dailies, the town website and with code reds to all homeowners that are registered with the system.<br />
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3. Registering with code red can be done on the town's website, </span><a href="http://www.cheshirect.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.cheshirect.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The public is encouraged to register their cell phone numbers.<br />
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4. Please take the time to thank town employees when you encounter them.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-57684408568283286222011-10-27T19:22:00.002-04:002011-10-27T19:35:26.863-04:00EAC Candidate Questionnaire Controversey<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Cheshire Herald reports that the Education Association of Cheshire has sent questionnairs to both Town Council and BOE candidates. Among the questions contained in the questionnaire are the following:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">How will you assess the quality of education and continued improvement of the school district?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How will you advocate for educational funding including bonding and budgetary funding?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">How will you address budgetary shortfalls without affecting the quality of education or extracurricular activities?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">What message would you like to give the teachers of the EAC about your views on education?</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">This may be the first time that the EAC has sent out a questionnaire to Town Council and BOE Candidates. According to the Herald, the letter sent to the candidates by PAC Chairperson Carolyn McEclravy states "...verbatim answers will be shared with the Education Association of Cheshire (EAC) and members will be encouraged to discuss the complete questionnaire with one another." The letter also states <strong><em>"...that the EAC can encourage the election of the most qualified candidates."</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">I don't find it surprising that the EAC is reaching out to the candidates. With the anti-union mentality gaining momentum in the U.S., an upcoming contract negotiation, terrible economy and budget constraints I think it's a good idea that the EAC understands where the candidates themselves stand on education. Personally, I would've like to have seen a candidates forum hosted by the EAC (much like the LOWV debate). I know time and coordination is a challenge this late in the election cycle but perhaps next time?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">I found BOE Chairman Brittingham's response (or lack thereof) on the questionnaire interesting. Brittingham did not reply to the questionnaire. According to the Herald, <strong><em>Brittingham stated "...cannot reply to the questionnaire because of the mix between politics, public employees and taxpayer dollars.</em></strong> The questionnaire has a return address of Masella of 525 S. Main St. (Cheshire High School) and McElravy (PAC Chairperson) at 414 B Brooksvale Road, or Norton School." <strong><em>Brittingham states "I can't participate in that. I think it crosses the line. Public employees are doing PAC work at taxpayer funded facilities."</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The article is worth reading as it describes the candidates responses and concerns with the questionnaire. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Thoughts?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-42222593121688890712011-10-25T18:01:00.001-04:002011-10-26T14:19:41.018-04:00Cheshire Teacher of The Year - Ms. Megumi Yamamoto!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ms. Megumi Yamamoto was honored as Cheshire's Teacher of the Year during last weeks' BOE meeting. I have never met Ms. Yamamoto in person until the presentation last week but I've often heard about her from students, faculty and administrators alike. She is a very positive influence on her students and is regarded highly by her colleagues. She also made a lasting impression on me shortly before the teachers' concessions discussions. Among the politics being thrown around at the time about concessions, Ms. Yamamoto reached out to me and offered to help foster a positive dialogue with her colleagues. Unselfishly, her main concern was the students. I still owe her a cup of coffee! Congratulations Megumi!</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="375" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/c49b38f64a79439081d3" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">More on the <a href="http://cheshire.patch.com/articles/stuff-here-e7188a86">Cheshire Teacher of The Year at the Cheshire Patch.</a> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-56194679959470988152011-10-25T11:59:00.005-04:002011-10-25T19:43:56.342-04:00Election Time, "E" Word: Specifics Please?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">No doubt many of you have been following the local election, namely the Town Council candidate debate as well as various news articles covering the election. During the Town Council candidate forum hosted by the LOWV last week, I noticed one theme was raised by most of the D's which is spend more money on education.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Easier said than done. As a parent with children in our school system (let alone a BOE member) I'd like to know specifics from these candidates. Namely, where do they propose obtaining more funds for education and, more importantly, how do they intend on investing it in our school district?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Specifics please?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">There are many residents fed up with election smoke & mirrors being huffed and puffed by candidates. <strong><em>"Spend more money on Cheshire Schools"</em></strong> is nothing more than a blatant attempt to appeal to those parents with children in the school system that are upset (for various reasons) on a perceived lack of investment in education. But these parents have heard it all before and simply saying <strong><em>"Spend more money on Cheshire Schools"</em></strong> isn't going to cut it for them this time around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Specifics please?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">During my 2 years on the BOE and to the best of my knowledge, none of these candidates attended a BOE meeting (be it business or committee) and offered suggestions on how the BOE can/should invest more money in the school system. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">In fact, I have yet to see some of these candidate attend a BOE meeting or dialog with the BOE on how they can help the school district. Period.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Of course, this excludes Peter Talbot who is a BOE member.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">And speaking of Peter Talbot, his quote <strong><em>"...hack and slash education budgets and assault our children in this town." </em></strong>is the kind of dribble that has turned off some voters in Cheshire. David Schrumm is correct when he stated that this town council did indeed raise the education budget over the last 2 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">But if the education budget has been "hacked and slashed" then perhaps Peter can explain the following:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The BOE Policy Committee (of which Peter is a member) is preparing a motion for the BOE to consider the following (discussed at the last policy committee meeting):</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Move that the Cheshire <strong>Board of Education include a line item in the annual operating budget</strong> in the maintenance account designate, “Annual Contribution – Turf Replacement Fund.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the intention of the Board to designate those monies currently associated with maintaining the sod field into an account to offset the future replacement cost of the synthetic turf field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount of said line item for 2012/13 shall be $13,XXX.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount contributed each year shall be at the discretion of the Board of Education based on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and shall be based on the status of the budget at the close of the fiscal year.”</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>If the education budget has been slashed, hacked, burned...then how is it that Peter can support a slush-fund line item for turf in the BOE Operating Budget? I propose that the $13,000 in savings be put towards textbooks, upgraded telecommunications lines, a part-time assistant at Doolittle or towards purchasing technology devices to aid with classroom learning.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Consider that at the end of the 2010-2011 school year, the BOE had ~$24K leftover in it's budget. This money was given back to the town as surplus.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Consider that at the end of the 2009-2010 budget, the BOE had ~$320K leftover in it's budget. This surplus was moved to the Medical Trust Fund.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Consider that as of 10/20/2011, the BOE Medical Trust Fund balance is $3,000,000.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Regarding Peter's comment on Doolittle Enrollment: "<em>Talbot said the average class size at Doolittle School had risen to 23 children and that, should test scores fall in coming years, it would be attributable to a "slash and burn" attitude toward education spending."</em></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Well, what Peter didn't mention during the debate is that the school district received 19 teacher retirements as part of the concession package negotiated with the teachers' union this past spring. Why didn't Peter propose utilizing 1 or 2 of these positions in the budget to add teachers at Doolittle and offset classroom size this school year? With 19 positions, there certainly was wiggle room in the budget. Oh, right, the budget was slashed and hacked.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Peter also forgot to mention that Dr. Florio and the administration implemented a remediation plan for Doolittle by adding additional instructional assistants, increasing reading, writing and math lab time to ensure that the children receive one-one instructional time moreso than the children at Highland. </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Now, I singled out Peter here because his comment of "slashing and hacking" is outrageous. I actually like and respect Peter Talbot. During his short time on the BOE, he has been a positive influence. He has good ideas (specifics) on where/how to invest in education. I wish he would focus on those specifics during his campaign.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Peter is not alone. Joe Schmitt made the following accusation: <strong><em>"Rumor has it that the majority on the Town Council want to do away with Advanced Placement". </em></strong>To echo Andy Falvey's reply on this, I have not heard about this either. In fact, not a single Republican member of the town council ever asked me or the BOE to eliminate AP classes at CHS.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>But I'll ask Mr. Schmitt this question: Namely, where does he propose obtaining more funds for education and, more importantly, how does he intend on investing it in our school district? The town reserve? Higher taxes? Increased pool fees? Where?!?</o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When these candidates (any of them) come knocking on your door over the next few weeks, ask them for specifics. Have these candidates done their homework? Can they state fact or propaganda? If these candidates were your investment advisors, would you trust them with your money (i.e. property tax dollars) and that they will invest it wisely in town? Are they accountable, responsible and transparent?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I welcome any candidate interested in the education budget to meet with me and establish communication on how we can work together to better education. I think I speak for many in town when I say that we need candidates that will put party lines aside and demonstrate collaboration not propaganda if our Cheshire is to move forward.</span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-13214085351104167772011-10-04T17:01:00.001-04:002011-10-04T17:02:04.057-04:00Turf Field Nearing Completion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The first piece of turf is put down today. It was confirmed at this mornings' bi-weekly project meeting that the turf project is on schedule and the turf installation will be completed next friday 10/14. The track portion of the project is slated to be completed on 11/11. It appears, barring any surprised with either project, that CHS will be hosting Southington on the new turf on Thanksgiving Day!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ghl7PC1jIfuiq4eI5dja_opqyqgTmZNsytSMDCtMaJDqCW8gI3mZ0AJrgy5ZXOwGnrvSwyzr3uLdJjDTxuQs3Np1xrf_s55VPF3-Jn3fw4LlOhx49EVczAe3NRjRbNtWkshxnRx4ls0r/s1600/turf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ghl7PC1jIfuiq4eI5dja_opqyqgTmZNsytSMDCtMaJDqCW8gI3mZ0AJrgy5ZXOwGnrvSwyzr3uLdJjDTxuQs3Np1xrf_s55VPF3-Jn3fw4LlOhx49EVczAe3NRjRbNtWkshxnRx4ls0r/s400/turf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-40922210899647134922011-10-03T15:37:00.000-04:002011-10-03T15:37:01.889-04:0010/6 BOE Open Forum Meeting<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The annual BOE Open Forum meeting is scheduled for Thursday 10/6 at 7:30pm in Town Council chambers.</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This meeting is traditionally set up to allow Board committees to meet informally with members of the public. The format has been to have the Curriculum and Planning Committees meet during the first half hour and then the Finance and Policy Committees meet during the second half hour.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">This is a great opportunity for the public to interrogate the BOE members and administration, share ideas/issues/concerns, etc<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Last year this meeting was well-attended and with the election next month, I hope we have a great turnout.</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-19901062662518552242011-10-02T12:37:00.000-04:002011-10-02T12:37:36.246-04:00Cost of Track Repairs Exceeds $10K Contingency<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was informed this past week that the final number came in for repairing the ashphalt substrate surface. The change order for this is now at $14,470. The cost of repairs from RAD Sports was approved by Milone and MacBroom. According to Milone and MacBroom, the cost of these repairs was calculated in accordance with the approved bid by RAD Sports on a per-foot basis.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Asphalt seals and repairs needed are for 365LF @ $5/LF for a total of $1,825. Asphalt patch and repairs needed are for 843SF @ $15/SF for a total of $12,645.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's a contingency of $10K for asphalt repairs in the $338,890 appropriation for the track. The difference of the $4,470 will be paid from the BOE Maintenance Budget assuming the BOE votes in favor of this expenditure.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">This topic will be discussed at the <a href="http://tonyperuginilistens.blogspot.com/2011/09/104-boe-planning-committee-meeting.html">BOE Planning meeting this week</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">A copy of the change order <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BwOt5MuOt7DaYWViMmVmNDEtOGM0Mi00MzcyLWIyNGMtMDUxMmY4NDUwNGFm&hl=en_US">can be found here</a>. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-14097503428517070592011-09-28T13:09:00.000-04:002011-09-28T13:09:21.179-04:0010/4 BOE Planning Committee Meeting Agenda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDLmr70e2Rmd9XCQ2ZgrZUpNgksgkiXMZviiSBTdf3bo62isiV86NlzQzcZtPlaBwdRP5WYd93c49GX-k8XtHurb2YMuKvIXWXMSfodI0aLVGUMaIWceZUDy1tt5Dsjo_tHNU7VIRAp9R/s1600/Planning+Committee+10-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDLmr70e2Rmd9XCQ2ZgrZUpNgksgkiXMZviiSBTdf3bo62isiV86NlzQzcZtPlaBwdRP5WYd93c49GX-k8XtHurb2YMuKvIXWXMSfodI0aLVGUMaIWceZUDy1tt5Dsjo_tHNU7VIRAp9R/s640/Planning+Committee+10-4.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the first BOE Planning meeting for the 2011-2012 school year. Will post details for each item on the agenda after the meeting. If you cannot make this meeting and have questions for the committee, please send them to me and I will present them at the meeting.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7344170032110076245.post-18163448148325719832011-09-28T09:51:00.001-04:002011-09-28T09:51:43.472-04:009/28 Technology Committee Agenda<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ldpAO0vy2ZXH-vZg9eY6zvHfq9BYdBUYKsZq4ZlLrBkHaVD30ZfC0aXLFfUiSxYEPxbUoD2T25NvkUoWH5EcVidvT7vM7YylDEqMqaM3lnWUFvTZycVTo51jYHBar95ZxgWVODPA2zh5/s400/TechAgenda.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Committee Members:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve Carroll</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter Talbot</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patti Flynn-Harris</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony Perugini</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ramona Burkey</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arnett Talbot</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0