PTO ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES   

WED November 6^th  2006

Attendees: Michelle Alvord, Sandi Carbonari Welsh, Nannette Dorsey, Len Hamm, Connie Herr, Carol Hubert, Sue Isaacs, Jackie Mulhall, Janice Phillips-Robinson, Juan Rodriguez -Torrent, Glen Shipway, Frank Sippy.

I.                    October 4^th 2006 meeting minutes approved with correction of Sgt. Kramer’s name.

II.     Treasurer’s Report. Current balance is $1735.65.  Only 2 donations received.  Sue Isaacs will send a reminder to all PTO presidents of the PTO Advisory donation request.

     III.        Dr. Frank Sippy

                  The power outage in Southbury last week affected the schools.  The phones were affected therefore parents could not reach the schools and the schools could not contact parents.  A service is being looked at that would call, email or text message parents in case of an emergency or special situation.  The service can make 4000 calls per minute.  This service could be utilized for early dismissals, emergencies, etc. More information next month.

                  We are at the very beginning of the budget discussions.  The principals and Chung are being asked to make year to year predictions.  A day long session will be held in November.  The first budget draft should be available in January.

The Facilities Use Committee will meet again the 3^rd week of November.  They are looking at immediate needs and the needs for the next couple of years.  Looking at 3 architectural firms for proposals.  GES & MES items to be addressed.  What is the cost to bring GES to where it needs to be?  What is the best way to go? Do we refurbish “as new” or build new?   Answers dependent on the levels of  reimbursement based on approach. If the board chooses to support, do we have the capacity for full day kindergarten or to expand the early childhood education program?

21^st century HS standards.  A graduation requirement will be that all students be proficient in another language.  What is proficient? Yet to be defined.  There will be an audit of the entire Region 15 language curriculum to see where we are.

    IV.         Glen Shipway

We are in the middle of the teacher contract negotiations.  16 items on the table.  One half have been closed, one quarter are close to being closed.  One item still opened is salary.  There are 3 more negotiation sessions.  A mediation session is scheduled for 12/13, if necessary.  A union requested person will be the mediator.  Around the holiday break if an agreement is not reached we go to arbitration.  Arbitration would be around the 1^st or 2^nd week of January.

     V.        Carol Hubert

                     Still in negotiations for the new police contract.  Looking to complete soon.

                     In the process of interviewing people for open positions.  Fire marshal and others.

                     Looking at what to do with the Rosen/Volpe properties (by exit 13) that were purchased by the town.  There has been interest in the property.

      VI.      New Business

                     Do we know the impact of the new developments in the area?

                     We are anticipating more kids for LMES from the Brookside development next year.  The impact from Ridgewood is still unknown.

                     The DYK is being completed and will be distributed soon.

                     An interested group of HS parents is looking into more bleachers, a concession stand and bathroom facilities.