BOE Brief: Avon Achievers; CAPT, CMT Analysis; Capital Project Proposals; and More!

The Board of Education's Communications Committee prepared the following summary of the Oct. 15 Board of Education meeting as the second installment of its Board of Education Brief series.

This Board Brief is being provided to you as a means to keep you informed about the recent activities of the Board of Education. Each month, the Communications Subcommittee of the Board of Education will publish a brief and distribute it using the email communications systems of both the school district and that which connects to all town residents. Additionally, this brief will be posted under the Board of Education link at www.avon.k12.ct.us and will also be provided to local press contacts.

Meeting of October 15, 2013

Board Chair Peggy Roell called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Community Room of Avon High School. A moment of silence was observed in memory for Colleen Martin, an Avon Middle School teacher.

I.Avon Achievers –the following people were recognized for their efforts:
Pine Grove School: Parents, Lisa Belenardo, Patrice Gordon and Lysa Termeer for the many hours donated on creating school window murals. Debra Steremberg, parent, was also recognized for her work in landscaping the school entrance.

Roaring Brook School: Parent, Katie Leccese, for initiating a Saturday parent work group to prepare the RBS Kindergarten playground in time for the arrival of new kindergarten students. Students, Brooklin Leccese and Morgan Platt, were also commended for their impressive leadership and supervision of over 20 children as their parents helped out during the Saturday parent work day.

II.Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) & Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) Results: Donna Nestler-Rusack, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, shared the 2013 CMT and CAPT results. CMT results showed Avon students continue to score well above the state average and ranked first among District Reference Group (DRG) B schools in grade 7 and 8 Mathematics; Grade 3 and 4 Reading; Grade 3, 6 and 8 Writing; and Grade 8 Science. The CAPT scores saw gains in every area and Avon ranked first in Mathematics and Science in our DRG. The full presentation can be viewed on the district website at: http://www.avon.k12.ct.us/backpack/CMT_CAPT_2013_Results.pdf. Each school will continue to look at the data to understand the differences in scores.

III.Old Business: The Transportation Policy will be reviewed as well as looking into the obligation of bus drivers’ to inspect inside the buses.

IV.New Business: The Board and administrators have been meeting to discuss the 2014-2015 Capital Budget. Items to be included in the Capital Budget are: the AHS track; AMS drainage problem; RBS playground; AMS & AHS science lab upgrades and replacement; security upgrades; HVAC system; and a possible town-wide athletic complex. The proposed Capital Budget will be presented to the Town Council on Wednesday, November 20th.

V. Superintendent’s Update: APS currently has 111 Open Choice students enrolled, which the State reimburses 3%.

Professional Development will be offered for internal training within the Pupil Services Department.

During the month of September, administrators prepared for school Open Houses as well as Professional Development for district staff. Administrators have also spent the recent weeks training for the new Teacher Evaluation and Development Model, based on the a CT state model which all CT districts must comply. This new model will be represented to all staff over the next two weeks and discussed in more detail during the November Board meeting.

Preparation at Avon High School is near completion for the October 27-30, 2013New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)visitation. The Board will meet with NEASC panel members to discuss the high school’s core values, beliefs statement and learning expectations. At the conclusion of the visitation, NEASC will provide brief comments regarding AHS accreditation.

VI.Assistant Superintendents’ Updates: Donna Nester-Rusack, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, discussed the 2013-2014 school year goals and strategic actions for each school.Updates on each of the goals will be provided throughout the year.

John Spang, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, gave a transportation update, reporting improvements with the bus schedules. There are currently 21 Dattco buses in utilization. The addition of a full size bus was purchased by the district to be used to transport AHS athletes in hopes of reducing transportation costs. A second activity bus is being considered. Bid specs for a new transportation contract are being prepared with efforts of the Assistant Town Manager, Steve Bartha.

VII.Committee Reports

Representative to Town Council –Heather McGuire will serve Chris May’s remaining term.

Communications –Public Information Sessions will be held on October 29 that 6:45pm to discuss the Common Core State Standards and November 21stat 6:45pm regarding school security. Appreciation was also expressed for those who participated in September’s Avon Day event.

CREC Council –Capitol Region Education Council’s Reggio Magnet School will celebrate its first day in their new Avon building on January 14, 2014. A tour and ribbon cutting ceremony will also be held with a date to be determined.

Finance –The committee will check with the town to review any existing policies regarding the sale of old Latin books. The utilization of Pay Pal was also discussed as was an addition of the chart of accounts to the financial report.

Policy –The policy regarding the returning of tests and research papers,which will support student learning, has been resolved. The committee will also be looking into the attendance policy to ensure it conforms to new State laws and continue its work on on-campus recruitment, transportation, virtual on-line classes and the 1000 series of the Board Policies. Options are currently being considered to improve the posting of Board Policies for public use.

Curriculum Professional Development Committee –two board members will sit on this newly formed committee to review books and text books used in the Avon Public Schools.

Regional Services –Food service costs have seen a savings due to regionalizing purchases. In hopes of realizing additional savings, the committee is working with the town and other districts to regionalize the purchase of supplies. Other districts are asking to join in after the recent successful reverse auction.VIII.Communication from Board MembersBoard Chair, Peggy Roell, invited Board members to participate in the upcoming school observances of Veterans’ Day on November 11th. An honorary high school diploma will also be presented to a Vietnam veteran during the 2014 graduation.

FOR COMPLETE MINUTES REGARDING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS, please visit our website at: http://www.avon.k12.ct.us/info/backpack/default.asp?catid=99&BID=7