Schools

Bethany Board of Education Meeting Feb 9, 2011

Snow days, schools roofs, CMT scheduling,the school budget and more

A brief summary of what was discussed at last night's meeting for those who want to know what's happening in town, but can't make it to the meetings.

  • In response to the seven snow days, Bethany Board of Education voted to hold school on President’s Day and on March 21, which had been a teachers’ professional development day. This reflects the decisions made by the other Amity school boards, which simplifies busing and scheduling for families with children in different schools. The professional development day will not be rescheduled.
  • Budget: The school budget is still a work-in-progress. The current (2010-2011) budget is for $6,276, 791. At this point, the 2011-2012 budget is “bare-bones” with increases in salaries, benefits, services, supplies, utilities, facilities and maintenance, student transportation and other unavoidable increases. The most recent version of the proposed budget is for $6,443,427, an increase of 2.65 percent. The final budget is due at the end of the month. The board scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 23 at 6:30p.m to vote on the final version.
  • Board member Dominick Reis asked if, considering the economy, any of the classes could be reduced by a unit, eliminating a staff member and generating more savings. Superintendent Tim Connellan said it was something that could be discussed.
  • Snow removal and roofs: All of the snow has been removed from the school building’s roofs. Superintendent Connellan said, “They are clear; our students are safe – our buildings are safe.”
  • In the superintendent’s report Connellan encouraged board members to actively engage their elected officials in discussions about education.
  • Robert Spino said despite January having been a “crazy month” with weather issues, all is going well. Two classes had leaking roofs and had to be relocated, which went smoothly. Spino said this week would be the first full week of school in a long time, followed by a vacation week. “We continue to move forward with all the good things going on,” he said.
  • President’s Day will be acknowledged during the school day with an assembly in the morning and a Power Point presentation of fun facts about American presidents. Spino said, “We will talk about why we have President’s Day and what it’s all about.”
  • CMT scheduling: The Connecticut Mastery Tests had originally been slated to begin on Mar. 1, but will now start on Mar. 7 due to the many snow days.
  • Chris Pittenger said he is looking into scheduling another Open Forum meeting in April for those who have questions about the final school budget.

 

 

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