From Jack to Ryan Kenndy: Proud of his BOE work

Note: The author's email has been omitted on purpose.


To: VoteRyan06@yahoo.com

Sent: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 9:17 PM
Subject: BOE meeting 1/8/13


Mr. Kennedy,

I am sitting here watching tonight's BOE meeting. I want to give you credit for being the single "No" vote on these "Separation Enhancements". The general public and the BOE has no clue what a giveaway these are. Finally is Gene Nocera not related to Elizabeth Norcera? Spouse. How is he involved in voting for her package?

Finally, what is it with the Middletown Super Patricia Charles? She seems like a deere blinded by the lights.

Also lasts nights council meeting on the school contract was a joke. The financial people from the BOE, while new had no clue on same basic questions. How BOE employees get dental insurance with no payment of premium or co-pay is beyond me in today's world. I will give Ron Klattenberg credit for pushing this issue but no one else seemed to care or even understand the issue.

Keep up the good work. People notice. Hopefully some day you can run for mayor but you strike me as too honest.      Jack

10-220: The Real Culprit Behind Education's Lack of Funds

Did you know it is likely your Middletown Property taxes are going up 2.4 mils?! That's according to Council Majority Leader Tom Serra (D). Read the Courant article here: http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/hc-middletown-school-budget-1219-20121220,0,7651409.story. Mayor Drew raised your taxes last year, and it looks like the Democrats on the Council plan to do so again. According to statute, the BOE can never be funded less than the year before.
Why? Well Corrupticut Statute 10-220 might be why the BOE budget is so high & a lot of other transparency issues-
CT STATE STATUTE 10-220  Duties of the Board of Education

Sec. 10-220. Duties of boards of education. (a) Each local or regional board of education shall maintain good public elementary and secondary schools, implement the educational interests of the state as defined in section 10-4a and provide such other educational activities as in its judgment will best serve the interests of the school district; provided any board of education may secure such opportunities in another school district in accordance with provisions of the general statutes and shall give all the children of the school district as nearly equal advantages as may be practicable; shall provide an appropriate learning environment for its students which includes (1) adequate instructional books, supplies, materials, equipment, staffing, facilities and technology, (2) equitable allocation of resources among its schools, (3) proper maintenance of facilities, and (4) a safe school setting; shall have charge of the schools of its respective school district; shall make a continuing study of the need for school facilities and of a long-term school building program and from time to time make recommendations based on such study to the town; shall adopt and implement an indoor air quality program that provides for ongoing maintenance and facility reviews necessary for the maintenance and improvement of the indoor air quality of its facilities; shall adopt and implement a green cleaning program, pursuant to section 10-231g, that provides for the procurement and use of environmentally preferable cleaning products in school buildings and facilities; shall report biennially to the Commissioner of Education on the condition of its facilities and the action taken to implement its long-term school building program, indoor air quality program and green cleaning program, which report the Commissioner of Education shall use to prepare a biennial report that said commissioner shall submit in accordance with section 11-4a to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education; shall advise the Commissioner of Education of the relationship between any individual school building project pursuant to chapter 173 and such long-term school building program; shall have the care, maintenance and operation of buildings, lands, apparatus and other property used for school purposes and at all times shall insure all such buildings and all capital equipment contained therein against loss in an amount not less than eighty per cent of replacement cost; shall determine the number, age and qualifications of the pupils to be admitted into each school; shall develop and implement a written plan for minority staff recruitment for purposes of subdivision (3) of section 10-4a; shall employ and dismiss the teachers of the schools of such district subject to the provisions of sections 10-151 and 10-158a; shall designate the schools which shall be attended by the various children within the school district; shall make such provisions as will enable each child of school age residing in the district to attend some public day school for the period required by law and provide for the transportation of children wherever transportation is reasonable and desirable, and for such purpose may make contracts covering periods of not more than five years; may place in an alternative school program or other suitable educational program a pupil enrolling in school who is nineteen years of age or older and cannot acquire a sufficient number of credits for graduation by age twenty-one; may arrange with the board of education of an adjacent town for the instruction therein of such children as can attend school in such adjacent town more conveniently; shall cause each child five years of age and over and under eighteen years of age who is not a high school graduate and is living in the school district to attend school in accordance with the provisions of section 10-184, and shall perform all acts required of it by the town or necessary to carry into effect the powers and duties imposed by law.
CONTINUED:

BOE: Minutes for November 13, 2012- Regular Meeting

Board of Education Regular Meeting
November 13, 2012, 7:00 PM
Middletown Common Council Chambers

I. CALL TO ORDER
Board Members Present: Sheila Daniels, Ava Hart, Ryan Kennedy, Cheryl McClellan, Ed
McKeon, Gene Nocera, Ted Raczka, and Mitchell Wynn
Board Members Absent: Franca Biales
Others Present: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Charles, Associate Superintendent Enza
Macri, Director of Fine Arts and Operations Marco Gaylord (arrived 7:18 PM), Director of
Facilities and Transportation Ken Jackson, Director of Grant Services Elizabeth Nocera, Manager
of Financial Operations Lynda MacPherson, Manager of Human Resources Michele DiMauro,
Middletown High School Principal Colleen Weiner, Spencer School Principal Amy Clarke, Snow
School Principal Jim Gaudreau, Student Representative Michael Durso, Assistant to the
Superintendent/Board Secretary Marcy Poppel, Hartford Courant Reporter Shawn Beals,
Middletown Press Reporter Jim Salemi, and twenty-seven (27) visitors.
Chair Nocera called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Student Rep Michael Durso led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dr. Nocera noted we are currently experiencing technical problems in broadcasting this evening’s
Board meeting.
III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION: Adoption of the Agenda passed with a motion by Ms. Daniels and a second by Mr.
McKeon – unanimous vote.
IV. DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS – SPENCER SCHOOL PRESENTATION
Dr. Nocera introduced Spencer School Principal Amy Clarke who presented highlights of Spencer
Elementary School. Spencer School originally opened in 1951, was renovated in 1989, has an
approximate enrollment of 350, and is a Title I school (50% of their students qualify for free or
reduced lunch). She shared that culture and climate are the cornerstones and foundation of their
school’s success and their knowledgeable and dedicated staff. JoAnn O’Leary, a teacher at Spencer
for over 20 years, spoke of the excellence in teaching practice, communication, and collaboration.
Spencer School, as do the 7 other elementary schools in the district, follow Positive Behavior
Supports. At Spencer it is CARES – Cooperate, Appreciate others’ differences, Respect, Enjoy
learning, and Share kindness. Spencer holds monthly CARES assemblies to discuss core values
and recognize/ celebrate students to exemplify or improve CARES values.
Ms. Clarke said last year Spencer was selected as the second Middletown elementary school
recipient of an iCare grant. iCare stands for Identifying Children and Responding Early. iCare
provides early intervention to address social, emotional, and behavioral concerns early to prevent
later school and life failures. TLC. The Learning Center is a space where children can work with
interventionists to solve problems and includes involvement by a member of the faith community,
and a service coordinator who acts as a bridge between the school, the family, and the community.
An outcome of the iCare grant was the development of a Spencer School Climate Committee. It is
a subcommittee of the School Data Team. A recent topic the committee worked on was meeting
the needs of students from military families. Amanda Amtmanis, PE teacher said that Spencer
School is a quietly excellent community.
Principal Clarke said Spencer has seen a strong, positive climate supporting student achievement.
They have had four consecutive years of continuous growth, as well as closing the achievement gap
for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. She shared examples of student scores in the
areas of Math, Writing, and Reading. She spoke of successful practice – a strong climate and
culture that supports achievement, commitment of staff and parents to improvement, the
willingness to learn and take risks, prioritizing time on instruction, high expectations, collaborativepractice, innovation of teacher leaders, differentiation based on student need, and quality of
targeted intervention. Ginny Grasso, who has worked in the Middletown Public School System for
39 years, spoke on behalf of Francie Goodwin and herself, both interventionists at Spencer School,
and addressed the powerful effect intervention has on student academic growth.
A major focus has been the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which, although they offer
some amazing opportunities, do present some significant challenges, Ms. Clarke noted. The new
standards require teachers to approach their work in new ways and ask students to engage in
learning at a much deeper level, she added. She said if the new standards are implemented well,
children will be much more active in their own learning which has huge implications for the way
instruction is planned. Ms. Clarke spoke of obstacles which include change for teachers, time,
outdated equipment, materials and resources, building curriculum while teaching new standards,
what will happen as we move to the new standards while taking the old assessment, and
technology.

Spiderman at Keigwin Middle School on November 30, 2012

Friday, Nov. 30 Family Movie Fee: FREE Keigwin Middle School Auditorium Time: 6:00pm

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN RATED PG -13
Family Movie Night
Nov. 30: The Amazing Spider Man:
Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's for- mer partner.

Note: Students must be accompanied by an adult to gain admittance into show.

City 411: Why Numbers $400K & $300/hr Should Matter to Middletown Taxpayers

Hi! Remember me? Former Superintendent Michael Frechette! You thought you got rid of after I kinda sorta misplaced a $1 million dollars. Guess what!?

Even though Superintendent Charles was hired in June,ever since taxpayers have been paying me $300/hr with a 2 hour minimum to consult at the BOE!
Thanks guys! This gig is better than working!

Despite an extra allocation of $1.3 million, then another $250,000 I hear that the BOE is $400,000 in the hole again.

Too bad, so sad. Bye now!

Kleckowski Has Independent Voter Support

To the Editor:
     I should point out that one of the reasons I am an Independent is that I agree with different points on both sides. As a member of Middletown’s Independent Party, I was in attendance at the meeting when my party voted in favor of endorsing Deborah Kleckowski for State Representative of the 100th District over the incumbent.
     In her acceptance, Deb said, “This nomination is important because I believe the issues are community-based and not party-based and we all need to work to ensure the problems that we face are reconciled through solutions and not party ideology.”
     These are my sentiments exactly. Deb is a Middletown taxpayer and homeowner. She is the mother of twin boys, and her husband, Tom, is a small business owner in Middletown, and a Navy veteran.
     Deb is in touch with the day-to-day issues that we all face each day. Deb is a two-term councilwoman and holds a job as an adjunct professor at Middlesex Community College. Deb volunteers her time as an advocate for Middletown residents like you and me.
     I’m voting for Deb Kleckowski because she actively supports suspension of the state’s early prison release program and she actively supports reduction of the state tax on gasoline.
     Deb was on the forefront, relentlessly pursuing the Middletown Board of Education in regards to the “scream rooms” as well as the debacle of the BOE's financial well-being.
     During Storm Alfred, Deb placed her political hat aside and did right by the citizens of Middletown by volunteering diligently at the shelter at Middletown High School. After spending hours at the shelter she still persevered in keeping up with her job at MXCC, her family needs and her duties as a councilwoman.
     Deb Kleckowski is a huge advocate for special needs students and their families.  It is one thing to “be on” and/or “support” an education committee. It is another to “act on” ones principles and get the job done like Deb does!

     Now I know that there are a few organizations within Middletown who have backed Deb’s opponent, even though it was Deb who was the one that went to bat for them. To this I simply say, when you vote, consider whether you want someone who will help you get things done or just support the effort?
     We need a representative for the 100th District who understands the issues Middletown residents are concerned with and who will go to bat for them regardless of party politics.
     If you want fiscal responsibility, vote for Deb Kleckowski. If you want a person who is a true advocate for her constituents, vote for Deb Kleckowski! As a resident of Middletown, I for one would be honored to be one of Deb’s constituents.
     Respectfully,
Christine Carta, Middletown, Independent Party member

New Middletown Superintendent Contract

View the pdf of the new Superintendent contract with salary break-down here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1OYjxtLEgUwc1pGOVRheDFBc00