Windsor Town Council
Council Chambers - Town Hall
April 4, 2001
Approved Minutes
Mayor Hogan called the budget meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
Roll Call - Present: Mayor Hogan, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Council member Albano, Council member Broxterman, Council member Haverstock, Council member Pacino, Council member Simon, Council member Ristas and Council member Trinks.
Public Comment
None.
Communications from Council Members
Council member Pacino has noticed that there has been dumping across the street from the Windsor Shopping Center. Mr. Souza replied that he would look into it.
Council member Ristas reported that he read that opponents to the landfill are prepared to go to court. He requested an Executive Session on the Agenda to discuss this issue for the next regular meeting in May.
Board of Education
Presentation
Board of Education President Elizabeth Kenneson and members William Hertzfeld, Phyllis Harden and William Cook presented a summary of the 2001-2002 Recommended Financial Plan. They reviewed the Board of Education goals: Maximum Student Achievement; Diversity & Community; Character & Conduct; Safe Schools and Facilities.
The proposed budget of $43,243,554 is an increase of $3,919,270 or 9.97% over last year's budget of $39,324,284. The increases are broken down into two categories. Contracts and Other Obligations consist of bus transportation, magnet school tuition, teacher salary increases, special education tuition for students who attend classes out of Windsor's District for a total of $2,458,484 or 6.25% increase. Goals & Priorities total $1,460,786 or 3.72% increase.
Mr. Hertzfeld discussed the BOE's first priority, improving student achievement. He also mentioned that professional development allows Windsor to maintain qualified, experienced teachers, enabling additional days in new teacher contracts (5 full days of Professional Development), funding for offsite training and other education.
Mr. Hertzfeld presented the Skill Development Programs and reviewed their progress and improvements.
The School Reform Programs are already beginning to show results. In the Success for All Program, the number of students above grade level has increased 24%. The Accelerated Schools Program continues to have the highest overall CMT results in the district.
The measurements that have been presented over the past few years were discussed. A lot of time has gone into performance indicators in the district. The improvements made in the district were also reviewed.
An additional Vice Principal at Ellsworth and WHS are requested. Department Heads for Humanities and Math & Science at WHS are also requested. The benefits of these administrative additions were discussed.
Full day kindergarten was discussed. It was clarified that the commitment of all BOE members for full day kindergarten is a positive community benefit. Two full day classes in fall 2001 at the Wolcott facility will require one additional teacher, furniture, materials and supplies for one additional classroom.
A safe school environment is a priority. The BOE is continuing their support of the Safe School Partnership and Safety Committee recommendations, which is part of capital improvements.
Questions from Council Members
Council member Simon noted that the largest budget increase pertains to salaries and increases. The settlement last year was for an increase of 5%, which was average for region. Is there any data on settlement increases for teachers this year?
Tom Martin, Human Resources Director for the Board of Education responded that the average regional settlement increase is between 4.5 and 5.5%.
Council member Simon asked what parts of the budget are parental suggestions.
Board of Education President Elizabeth Kenneson responded that there are a number of opportunities for the public to present their wishes throughout the year. All board members also serve as liaison to at least one school in the district.
Council member Simon requested a definition between goal and high proficiency on the CMT scores.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Silverman responded that the current CMT scores list the State goal as the 1st band, grade level or high proficiency is the 2nd band.
Council member Pacino inquired about the magnet students and tuition.
Dr. Silverman responded that the State sends the magnet school $5,900, the district pays approximately $2,000, but continues to receive an ECS grant of $1,800 (goes to general fund), so the net cost is $200. Grade 6, 7 & 8 each have 30 children at the Metro Learning Center. Next year there will be 30 additional 9th graders. The remaining students go to the Math/Science Academy, Art Academy and Montessori School. Parents must apply directly to the magnet school.
Council member Pacino asked about the funds for PTO/PTA and WIN-TV.
Board of Education Finance Director Marge Montague responded that the PTO/PTA presented the BOE with a request of $2,000 to support cultural programs (separate from the schools curriculum). WINtv requested an increase, which brings their budget up to $9,660.
Deputy Mayor Curtis commented that certain initiatives put into the program have raised questions and concerns of parents. A request for three additional teachers at the middle school didn't make the proposal. How was this decision determined?
Marge Montague responded that Sage Park did propose three new teachers. After reviewing the master schedule and staffing, it couldn't be justified when there were needs at other schools. The request was revised for ½ teacher and more tutors and paraprofessionals to assist students who are in need of help with math. They had implemented that in the beginning of the year and it has been very successful.
Deputy Mayor Curtis inquired if there were any concerns about the spending for Special Education.
Dr. Silverman responded that there has been a significant increase, which includes transportation, education, and a self-contained classroom at WHS. There are also expensive out of district needs that they are hoping the state legislators will assist the districts with funds.
Council member Albano inquired about the curriculum management development increase of $83,000 on page 7.
Marge Montague responded that most of the funds are for professional development. There is a large commitment in the budget for approximately $250,000 in professional development.
Council member Albano inquired about page 29, a goal to increase the WHS hours of actual schoolwork.
Dr. Silverman responded that Windsor High School is changing the way time is used during the day. They are shortening lunch times and passing times between classes. Previously WHS had a shorter instructional day than other high schools in the state. This change in schedule will allow a more effective way to increase the school day without increasing costs.
Council member Albano asked for an explanation of the difference between goals and objectives.
Marge Montague responded that pages are crafted at each site so they may use their term interchangeably.
Council member Albano further noted that no goals were on the Superintendent's page.
Marge Montague responded that it was a separate process that they are developing with BOE.
BOE member William Cook stated that the Superintendent's goals are embedded among the goals throughout the budget book.
Council member Haverstock asked about the Hartford Courant article describing the proposal that the BOE adopt a new proposal on social promotion.
Elizabeth Kenneson responded that the BOE went through policy adoption, further discussions and concerns were raised. They took action to adopt a new policy for promotion. The Superintendent will provide a copy to the Council. The purpose of the change was to meet the requirements of a new state law.
Council member Haverstock asked about the recently adopted initiative/policy to admit more students to college prep or advanced placement courses.
Elizabeth Kenneson responded that the Board of Education invites the public and the Council to the BOE meeting to hear a full discussion of this topic and other matters pertaining to WHS. The meeting will be held after the budget meetings.
Council member Broxterman asked if Windsor teachers test for proficiency in their field?
Tom Martin responded yes, there are two tests for all teachers: Praxis I - General Knowledge and Praxis II - in their field of specialty. All newly hired teachers (new to profession or transferring from another state) are tested.
Council member Broxterman inquired what percentage of Windsor students are Special Education students?
Leo Salvatore responded that 13.6% are special education and about 84% of those take the CMTs.
Council member Broxterman asked what rank is Windsor's Per Pupil Spending.
Dr. Silverman responded that Windsor is currently ranked 88 out of 169 districts.
Mayor Hogan inquired about last years audit and if any changes have been made to improve communication.
Marge Montague responded that there have been several changes made to improve communication and they feel that communication is markedly improved.
Mayor Hogan asked about the percentage of foster children in Special Education.
Dr. Silverman responded that about 2% of student population or 110-120 students are from foster homes. Roughly 80% of those require special education or special services.
Mayor Hogan reported that the BOE will return in one week for another Budget Meeting.
Health and Social Services
Presentation
Dr. Petrillo, Director of Health, Sharon Enot, Bernadette Connors, and Marilyn Arroyo from Health and Social Services made a presentation to the Council. Dr. Petrillo reported that there are no major changes from last year's budget.
He also discussed the mosquito control programs $12.5k contractual services. Complicated by a new state law, the school grounds will not be sprayed. The state law limits what we can do on school property.
Healthy People Initiative is requesting funding at the same level as last year. There are some new grants budgeted this year. A change in personnel for the program is a part-time home visitor for $19,150.
For Clinic Services the department is considering reducing the age for receiving flu shots to follow the CDC recommendation. A decision will be made soon.
The department has developed five of measures for performance: percent of required initial food service inspections completed annually; number of families requesting an initial home visit annually (April thru June FY 2001); number of persons participating in community CPR/First Aid/AED classes annually; number of flu shots administered at Town Flu Clinics; and Social Service caseload per caseworker.
Caseworkers are taking on additional caseload work, some of it for people in good financial condition who need help from time to time.
Questions from Council Members
Council member Pacino inquired about the difference in the mosquito control budget listed on pages 2 & 3 for $16,900 and on page H2 for $12,500.
Dr. Petrillo responded that $12,500 is the contractual amount for larvaciding and adulticiding. The difference is budgeted for the department to perform catch basin work.
Council member Trinks asked at what number of caseloads would the department hire additional caseworkers.
Dr. Petrillo responded that some residents are meeting in support groups (i.e., Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Diabetics, etc.) rather than requiring individualized social work attention.
Mayor Hogan asked if there have been a change in clients with welfare reform.
Bernadette Connors, Health and Social Services Caseworker responded that the department is seeing that people are making approximately $8.50 to $10.00 per hour. It is difficult to live on that salary because rents start at $600, there is the added expense of maintaining a car because of inadequate public transportation, along with food and rising utility bills. Food bank and Fuel bank numbers have historically gone up when more people are working because they are not making a living wage. Social Services assist clients in all socio-economic groups. At anytime, someone could have an unexpected crisis happen (i.e., car accident, a child born with special needs, etc.) that would lead a resident to Social Services.
Council member Broxterman asked if there are any new pesticides or technologies to combat West Nile. He has heard of a machine that emits a carbon dioxide scent that resembles the food source. He inquired if the Health Department has looked into it.
Charles Wall, Sanitarian responded that the staff is not familiar with that particular machine. However, that process is used in trapping the mosquitoes to get a count and test for disease. We primarily use chemical adulticides and a natural bacterial agent for larvaciding at the breeding sites. There may be some new formulations that will give a 30-day effectiveness. We do barrier treatment in parks and recreational areas, which provides two weeks of control.
Adjournment
Motioned by Council member Haverstock, seconded by Deputy Mayor Curtis to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 p.m. Motion 9-0-0.
Respectfully submitted
Kristin Countryman
Substitute Clerk of the Windsor Town Council
cc: Town Clerk
Main Library
Wilson Branch