MEETING BRIEF:
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT:
Dr. Betty J. Sternberg, Superintendent of
Schools, reported on the:
Hiring of Two Principals, introducing Trish McGuire as the Principal for
Julian Curtiss School and Angela Schmidt as the Principal for North Mianus
School. (News Archives: http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=75)
Opening of Hamilton Avenue School, acknowledging and applauding Tony Byrne
and the school and District staff that worked so hard to accomplish the
move and the opening of the new school. She noted that there was still
much work to be done/provided by the Building Committee/Contractor in
order to acquire a permanent Certificate of Occupancy.
(http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=5910)
Secondary Schools Review, citing the development of the Vision of a GPS
Graduate and the numerous Discussion Forums that have taken place over the
last two months. (SSRC: http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=6289)
Science Curriculum Review/Panel Discussion, highlighting the engaging
panel discussion with regional scientists on Science Education in the 21st
Century with the community. (PreK-12 Science Review:
http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=31 )
Data Driven Decision-Making focus, citing training in holistic
accountability for Cabinet, administrators and teacher representatives
from each school. Each school has a Data Team in place and the District
Data Team is forming and will be in place next month.
Greenwich Alliance for Education, meeting to plan for aligning resources
and priorities (http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=93)
SCHOOL WELCOME:
Western Middle School - WMS Jazz Band led by Karen
Anderson performed.
Dr. Stacey Gross, WMS Principal presented results of a
very successful SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) initiative aimed at
reducing the number of detentions and suspensions using data to identify
needs and develop targeted strategies for improvement.
UPDATE ON SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH:
The Superintendent Search Firm
representatives presented an overview of the Leadership Profile developed
after extensive interviews, focus groups and community forums were
conducted in late December/January. The report is available on the GPS web
site at: http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=6367 .
Chairman of the Board's Search Committee, Steven Anderson reviewed the timeline: The Board
will interview candidates in March with the objective of announcing the
Superintendent prior to an expected start date of July 1, 2009.
UPDATE ON 2009-10 OPERATING BUDGET:
Board Chairman Nancy Weissler reported
on the BET Budget Committee's decision to reduce the 2009-10 BOE Operating
Budget by $1million due to the financial situation the Town is facing.
This results in a proposed BOE budget of just under $126 million. The
Board is considering a number of areas (detail attached) to address the $1
million in reductions. These areas under consideration were developed with
and/or generated from administrators throughout the District. The full BET
will hold a Public Hearing on the 2009-10 Budget on March 17 and will take
action on March 19. The proposed budget will then go to the RTM for
approval in May. The Board of Education will continue to deliberate the
possible areas for reductions at their April 2nd work session and will
vote on the specific changes to the Budget in May, after the RTM vote. To
follow the Budget Development Process go to:
http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=4658
ACTION:
Revised 2009-10 Capital Budget - Approved 8-0
CURRICULUM REVIEW:
PreK-12 World Languages (WL), Step I - Director of Curriculum, Instruction
& Professional Learning Chris Winters introduced Step I of the WL
Curriculum Review and Dr. Myriam (Mimi) Met, recently retired from the
National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland. A
nationally and internationally acclaimed educator and consultant in the
field, Dr. Met spent three days in the District visiting K-12 World
Language classrooms, meeting with teachers and administrators, and
reviewing curriculum documents. She praised the District for having an
exemplary staff and program, and offered suggestions to consider for
continuous improvement. Program Coordinators Kristi Lawson and Marcia
Schenker are leading this two-year curriculum review.
MONITORING REPORTS*:
E-050 Human Resources - Director of Human Resources Ellen Flanagan
presented. Report will be discussed further at March 12 BOE Work Session.
L-020 Professional Personnel Practices - Ellen Flanagan presented, next
step: action on March 26 Consent Agenda
L-002 Contracts & Agreements - Ellen Flanagan presented, next step: action
on March 26 Consent Agenda.
E-080 Public Involvement in Schools - Kim Eves presented, next step:
action on March 26 Consent Agenda.
E-051 District Administrative Operations - Assistant Superintendent for
Operations Susan Wallerstein presented. Report will be discussed further
at March 12 BOE Work Session.
*A Monitoring Report is an annual report summarizing the District's
compliance with a given Board Policy. Reference the GPS Web Site:
http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=89 for Policies, Procedures
and Monitoring Reports.
ACTION ITEMS:
SIT Professional Learning Sessions 2009 - Deputy Superintendent Kathy
Greider proposed, after consultation with Principals, two early release
days in June 2009 for students, in order to provide professional
development time for staff to focus on Strategic Improvement Team (SIT)
planning for the 2009-10 school year.
The decision has been deferred until
the March 26 meeting at which time there will be more information on
number of snow days/last day of school for this year both of which could
impact this proposal.
Tuition/Rental Rates - Approved 2009-10 Tuition, Summer School, Preschool,
and Rental Rates, 8-0
Monthly Financial & Staffing Report - Approved 8-0
Transfers $10,000 and Above - Approved 8-0
BOARD CONSENT AGENDA:
Policy Revision E-003: Approved 8-0
Monitoring Report E-002 Whole Student Development: Approved 8-0
BOE Meeting Minutes (12/18/08, 1/8/09, 1/22/09, 2/5/09): Approved
w/Revisions 8-0
BOE 2008-09 AGENDA PLAN:
Reviewed and added discussions on Monitoring Reports E-050 and E-051 in
the March Work Session and on the 2009-10 Budget in the April 2 Work
Session.
NEXT BOE MEETING:
The next Board of Education meeting is a Work Session on March 12, 2009 at
the Havemeyer Building, 7:00PM
Board meeting agendas are available on the GPS Web Calendar approximately
5 working days prior to the meeting. Meeting materials can be downloaded
from the web site, as available, generally 3-4 days prior to the meeting.
Go to the GPS Web Calendar at:
http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=86 and click on the meeting
date.
Kim Eves
Director of Communications
Greenwich Board of Education
290 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
http://www.greenwichschools.org/
Phone: 203-625-7415
e mail: kim_eves@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Fax: 203-869-8003
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Looking Twice: An Interview with Andrew Gross 
