BOARD OF EDUCATION
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
PLACE: Timothy Edwards Middle School 100 Arnold Way
TIME: 7 p.m.
DATE: November 24, 2015
Item Item# Action I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Roll Call
IV. South Windsor Public School Vision Statement V. Approval of Minutes
A. Approval of Minutes of regular meeting of November 10, 2015
VI. Communications A. Superintendent
B. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
C. Student Representatives D. Board Members
VII. Hearing of Visitors
VIII. Donations-South Windsor High School, Timothy Edwards Middle School and Philip R. Smith School
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IX. Superintendent of Schools Report
A. 2015 Veterans Day Celebration Presentation B. Discussion of Transportation Bidding Results and
Recommendation
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X. Unfinished and New Business
A. Ratify Tentative Agreement between the South Windsor Board of Education and Local No. 1303-29, Council 4 (Custodians & Maintainers)
B. Ratify Tentative Agreement between the South Windsor Board of Education and the South Windsor Education Association
C. Committee Reports
XI. Hearing of Visitors
XII. Items for Future Agendas
SOUTH WINDSOR BOARD OF EDUCATION SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT
Welcome to this meeting of the South Windsor Board of Education. This meeting is a time when the board conducts its business and observers are always welcome.
The board is a policy-setting body. Because education is a state function, once board members are elected to office, they become officers of the state. Locally, the board is a legislative body responsible for establishing local policy ensuring that the schools are properly run in accordance with federal law, state law, and regulations. Copies of the policy manual are available in the library, the superintendent’s office, and the town hall.
The board hires an administrative staff to oversee all of the daily operations in the schools and to do the staff work necessary for the board both to act on policy matters and evaluate, in a general sense, the overall functioning of the school system.
Thus, the board asks the administrative staff to do a variety of tasks involving data collection and analysis and to make recommendations where appropriate. In many instances, the law requires from the superintendent a recommendation upon which the board can act.
This is an official business meeting of the school board conducted under a prepared and limited agenda distributed to the board, town hall, and school offices several days ahead of time.
The policy of the board with respect to public participation during this meeting of the South Windsor Board of Education states:
“All regular meetings of the board shall be open to the public”… “Time shall be reserved at each regular meeting of the board for hearing of visitors and citizens groups.”
Visitors who address the board should be mindful of the following:
A fifteen-minute period * will customarily be provided for public presentations at the beginning and end of the meeting.
In both instances, participants may present written or oral statements or requests. The board would appreciate receiving copies of any written statements. These statements or requests must be limited to three minutes. Unless an answer to a question is provided in the board’s written policies, established regulations, or procedures, the board will not respond to the request at the same meeting, nor will it take action on a proposed recommendation, but may defer the item to a later meeting.
The board suggests some guidelines that may be helpful:
1. Each person wishing to speak should limit his or her remarks to three (3) minutes.
2. If there are many citizens desiring to speak on the same subject, they will be asked to limit their presentation so that each different subject may be given fair presentation time.
3. Citizens should not expect an immediate reply from the board since this is the time for citizens to be heard and not the time for decisions to be made. If the board feels there is need to discuss the citizen’s matter of interest further, it may place the matter on the agenda for a future meeting.
The school board appreciates your assistance in helping it discharge its duties properly.
GOOD NEWS FROM SCHOOLS
November 24, 2015
ELI TERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Submitted by Principal, Vincent FedericiThe third grade classes of Eli Terry School presented an arts integrated performance on Native
Americans on Wednesday evening, November 18. The performance included poetry readings,
a Readers' Theater performance, artifact presentations and Native American songs and dance.
During the course of the unit, students participated in a beautiful Navajo weaving project in art,
explored authentic Native American songs and dance in music classes and took part in an
in-depth study of Native American culture in the classroom which addressed current third grade
literacy and social studies standards.
ORCHARD HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Submitted by Principal, Mike TortoraOrchard Hill is excited about our canned food drive on Friday, November 20 to benefit our local
food shelters. Our drive is organized by our 5th grade School Life Committee facilitated by our
5th grade teacher advisor, Karyn Kruzick.
PHILIP R. SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Submitted by Principal, Michelle DixonOn Monday, November 9, PRS started an afterschool homework club for approximately 25
students. Two teachers stay after school twice a week for an hour to provide homework
support. If students finish their homework before the hour is up, they can work on education
programs on the computer for extra reinforcement.
On Thursday, November 12 PRS reinstated the walking club at recess. The walking club runs
on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the theme is the snowflake dash. The goal for students is to
complete a 5K (3.1 miles) before the snow covers the ground. If they do, they will receive a
snowflake toe token!!
WAPPING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Submitted by Principal, Laura HicksonWapping students, staff, and families participated in a program called “A Million Thanks.” This
program serves to collect holiday cards and messages for our service men and women around
the globe. The cards will be delivered in time for the holidays.
TIMOTHY EDWARDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Submitted by Principal, Nancy LarsonThe Timothy Edwards Eighth Grade Band has been selected to be a Featured Ensemble at
this year's Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) Conference on Friday, April
29. This is a true honor for TEMS.
SOUTH WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL
Submitted by Principal, Daniel SullivanSWHS is proud to announce sophomores Sydney Baker and Carter Cobb are this year’s
winners of the Hugh O’Brian Leadership Award- a nationally recognized award given to
sophomores who demonstrate leadership talents and are looking to enhance those skills
towards becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, and community. In addition
to Sydney and Carter, Nathan Wetherall was selected as the alternate.
South Windsor Public Schools
Office of the Superintendent
Memorandum
TO: Members, Board of Education
FROM: Kate Carter, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
RE: Gift Acceptance – November 24, 2015
Each donation provided to the board for its acceptance is associated with one of the following categories: Athletics, Classroom Support, Cultural Arts, Field Trips, Performing Arts, Robotics, Student Activities or Technology, Other (with explanation)
Organization/Person
Making Donation Gift Recipient Category
Grillo Dental, LLC Dial-a-Down Football Marker
$545
South Windsor High School
Athletics
Aetna Foundation, Inc. Craig Carr & Lessard
Family
$196 South Windsor
High School
Student Activities
Philip R. Smith PTO $3,000 Philip R. Smith Elementary School
Other: Library Books
Aetna Foundation $140 Timothy Edwards
Middle School
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1737 MAIN STREET, SOUTH WINDSOR, CT 06074-1093 PHONE: (860) 291-1200; FAX: (860) 291-1291
SOUTH
WINDSOR
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
D R E A M . A C H I E V E . I N S P I R E .
Date: November 11, 2015To: Dr. Kate Carter, Superintendent
From: Gregory Frank, K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Specialist
PC: Daniel S. Hansen, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
Subject: 2015 District Veterans Day Celebrations
South Windsor Public Schools has a long-standing, established tradition of celebrating Veterans Day at each of our schools. A variety of school-wide activities, classroom presentations, and celebrations occurred on Wednesday, November 11 to honor the service of men and women in uniform and the contributions they have made to our country. I plan to present pictures at the November 24 Board of Education meeting to show highlights from these district-wide celebrations, a summary of which is included below.
SCHOOL DETAILS
Eli Terry
The Eli Terry community honored veteran family members with a morning reception and assembly. Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines were in
attendance for a moving student tribute which included patriotic songs, a Cub Scout Color Guard, and the reading of letters of appreciation to be sent to an overseas family member. Students also presented a poem about the Pledge of Allegiance, and a skit about the meaning of Veterans Day.
Philip R. Smith
Veterans Day was celebrated in the PRS Gym with staff, students and community members. Students and attendees wore red, white, and blue or patriotic clothing. Mrs. LaRosa’s fifth grade class read “The Wall” and then PRS created their own Service Wall with names and pictures as a way to celebrate and recognize the veterans who are a part of the PRS Community.
Pleasant Valley
Pleasant Valley held their annual Veterans Day assembly in the gymnasium. The
Governors Foot Guard presented the Colors to begin the assembly, which then included a slide show presentation of veterans. Many veterans were in attendance and were recognized and thanked.
Orchard Hill
45 veterans from our school community were honored at a special Veterans Day assembly at Orchard Hill. Through songs, poems, and a skit (which was written and performed by Student Council members), students thanked veterans for their service, courage, and sacrifice and learned the importance of Veterans Day. Each student was given a poppy and held them high when the poem and song, “In Flanders Field,” was read.
Wapping
Wapping honored veterans with a reception, followed by a school-wide assembly. The assembly included songs and an instrumental performance, as well as a story read by one of fathers who is a veteran, with his two sons who attend Wapping school. A slide show followed featuring all of the veterans, past and present, who are part of the Wapping school community.
OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Gregory Frank
Social Studies Curriculum Specialist
(860) 474-1449
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1737 MAIN STREET, SOUTH WINDSOR, CT 06074-1093 PHONE: (860) 291-1200; FAX: (860) 291-1291
SCHOOL DETAILS
Timothy Edwards Middle School
On Friday, November 6, seven veterans from South Windsor, led by Col. Billy Carroll of the South Windsor Patriotic Commission, met with 8th grade students in their U.S.
History classes. Students had prepared by reading background packets on Veterans Day and asked questions. 7th grade choral students, led by Linda Gasta and conducted by
Jo-Ann Thomas, sang to veterans in Alt 6. Veterans joined students for lunch in the cafeteria.
On the morning of Veterans Day, the front entry was lined with flags to honor veterans. Close to 11:00, an 8th grade student played TAPS over the intercom and students read about the origin of the day.
South Windsor High School
Due to the rain on Veterans Day, the outside ceremony was modified to a news broadcast which students watched in their homerooms. In the broadcast, students learned about the four freedoms as outlined by President Franklin Roosevelt, as well as the history of Veterans Day. Speakers included Sgt. Major Kent Carlson of the South Windsor Patriotic Commission and Master Sergeant Paul Mozzicato, who was the keynote speaker.
Understaffed, the high school men’s acapella group, sang the national anthem. This broadcast was streamed on the high school website and is still available for viewing. A commemorative wreath was laid at the monument for Donald Ouellette, a South Windsor High School graduate who died in the Vietnam War. The indoor ceremony was led by senior Justin Karim, who is also a member of Rho Kappa: National Social Studies Honor Society. Following the program, 17 veterans spent the remainder of the day speaking to students in social studies classes.
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South Windsor Public Schools | Business Office 1
S
OUTH
W
INDSOR
P
UBLIC
S
CHOOLS
B
USINESS
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1737 Main Street
South Windsor, Connecticut 06074
(860) 291-1260
cchemerka@swindsor.k12.ct.us
To:
Kate Carter, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
From:
Chris M. Chemerka, Director of Finance and Operations
Re:
In-District Transportation Bid
Date:
November 17, 2015
The transportation request for proposal (RFP) was developed in collaboration with Lisa Gladke, a
Shipman and Goodwin Attorney. Transportation bids for the five year contract period
commencing July 1, 2016 and ending on June 30, 2021 were opened on November 9, 2015. A
total of two bidders submitted documentation for consideration. Bidders were asked to provide
cost information in relation to our existing routes with the addition of two spare vehicles. The
existing routes, late runs, student activities and athletics consist of a fleet of 36 buses made up of
different types of transit (flat nose) style buses and 7 spare buses, which will increase to 9 spare
buses. Additionally, bidders were asked to provide pricing that included a 25% performance
bond, appropriate insurance coverage, company financial documentation, driver training
programs, company and management experience, vehicle maintenance practices and references.
Vendors were also asked to provide bids for both 3 and 4 tier busing services, conventional and
transit (flat nose) style buses and to provide an alternate bid if they chose to, preferably for fuel
alternative equipment.
Both vendors provided bids for diesel fuel buses only. The vendor submitted documentation was
evaluated based on the information submitted and DMV obtained school bus out-of-service
reports. Both companies met high expectations with differences in cost and DMV out-of-service
inspection reports.
It is the recommendation of the Business Office to request, from the Board of Education, approval
for the Superintendent or designee to negotiate and award the five year transportation contract to
DATTCO. DATTCO’s cost proposal is over $1 million dollars less than the competition over the
life of the contract and the DATTCO DMV out-of-service records show a decline in vehicles
placed out-of-service between 2013 and 2014, with a current low out-of-service percentage rating
of 3.35%.
It is also the recommendation of the Business Office to remain with a 4 tier busing structure due
to the prohibitive cost impact of moving to a 3 tier busing structure. Over the life of the contract a
3 tier busing structure would increase the contract by an additional $3.5 million dollars.
The attached document provides pricing comparisons for a 4 tier bus schedule utilizing
conventional or transit (flat nose) style buses.
SOUTH WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FINANCIAL BID ANALYSIS
Transportation Bid #1516-006
4 TIER
CONVENTIONAL BUSES
Vendor Current Budget % Increase 2016-2017 Amount % Increase 2017-2018 Amount % Increase 2018-2019 Amount % Increase 2019-2020 Amount % Increase 2020-2021 Amount 5 Year Estimated Expenditure % Increase 13.10% 2.17% 2.72% 2.61% 2.56% $246,456 $46,271 $59,102 $58,374 $58,738 23.48% 3.00% 3.00% 3.50% 3.48% $441,675 $69,643 $71,700 $86,181 $88,782 $1,193,036 3.16% DifferenceTRANSIT (FLAT NOSE) BUSES
Vendor Current Budget % Increase 2016-2017 Amount % Increase 2017-2018 Amount % Increase 2019-2020 Amount % Increase 2019-2020 Amount % Increase 2020-2021 Amount 5 Year Estimated Expenditure % Increase 15.57% 2.40% 2.62% 2.07% 2.92% $292,957 $52,186 $58,374 $47,272 $68,202 24.98% 3.00% 3.00% 3.50% 3.50% $469,860 $70,502 $72,612 $87,233 $90,267 $1,102,475 3.24% Difference
COST SAVINGS ASSOCIATED W/ CONVENTIONAL BUSES
2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 Difference Dattco $46,501 $52,416 $51,688 $40,586 $50,050 $241,241 First Student $28,185 $29,044 $29,955 $31,006 $32,491 $150,680
**South Windsor Public Schools Currently Utilizes Transit (Flat Nose) Buses**
$2,671,441 $2,399,960 $11,416,242 10.40% $12,518,717 13.64% $1,880,969 $1,880,969 $2,350,829 $2,421,330 $2,493,942 Dattco First Student $2,173,926 $2,226,112 $2,284,486 $2,331,758 $2,581,175 $11,175,001 10.46% 13.62% $12,368,037 Dattco First Student $2,232,798 $2,463,987 $2,291,172 $2,550,168 $2,349,910 $2,638,951 $1,880,969 $1,880,969 $2,127,425 $2,322,644 $2,173,696 $2,392,287 November 24, 2015
