School Board Begins Looking Toward 2013-14

By Eliza Hallabeck

Board of Education Chair Debbie Leidlein asked her board during its meeting on Tuesday, October 16, to do what she thinks may be a first: create budget goals to guide the superintendent and business director while the 2013-14 school budget proposal is coming together.

After discussion, Ms Leidlein asked the board to come up with budget goals before the next board meeting.

“This is something we’ve never done before that I am aware of,” said Ms Leidlein.

One goal Ms Leidlein suggested was having explanatory details for the budget. Board Secretary Cody McCubbin suggested providing explanations when different line-items vary between fiscal years. Member Richard Gaines said he would like to see the school board create a budget with money for full-day kindergarten, facilities maintenance, and technology.

“We’ve cut those things out of this year’s budget,” said Mr Gaines, referring to the 2012-13 fiscal year, “so I would like to see them in next year.”

Member Keith Alexander likened full-day kindergarten to third grade, saying that is how he would like the board to approach full-day kindergarten, as a part of the budget that can not be looked at for cuts.

“It’s not a pick/choose list,” said Mr Alexander. Adding later, “It is an element that just needs to be taken care of.”

When it comes time to vote on the 2013-14 budget, member John Vouros said he would like the school board to reimagine how to get people to vote.

“I think there are enough people out there that would climb on board this goal, because it is key,” said Mr Vouros.

With Wednesday’s four-board finance meeting pending, Mr Alexander pointed out creating budget goals could be premature, and Ms Leidlein asked for all the suggestions to be brought forward during the school board’s next meeting.

The Board of Education typically starts looking at its budget in January.

A Growing Character Tree

After roughly four years of monthly meetings, for a group that was meant to disband after one year, District Health Coordinator Judy Blanchard spoke for the district’s Strategic Plan Character Development Committee during the meeting.

Since the Character Development Task Force was formed, Ms Blanchard said she has started to see the threads of their work coming together. A poster situated in one of the corners of the meeting room, was one reason Ms Blanchard gave for seeing her committee’s working starting to come together. The poster is of Newtown’s Core Character Attributes Tree, which is also displayed in each of the schools and has been adopted by the Newtown Prevention Council, which Ms Blanchard co-chairs with Chief of Police Michael Kehoe.

One important step, Ms Blanchard said, is helping the core character attributes expand beyond the schools. “We do feel it speaks to the community, not just the schools,” said Ms Blanchard.

Since its creation, the Core Character Attributes Tree has been integrated into school lessons and more.

Ms Blanchard asked the school board to adopt a statement that she said will also be brought before other town boards and committees to read before the start of each meeting. The statement reads, “As citizens of our community we will conduct ourselves in accordance with Newtown’s Core Character Attributes as displayed in our character tree. We will be responsible for our actions and show respect for each other. We will interact peacefully, productively, and politely. We will be trustworthy and honest and show compassion toward others. Newtown’s continued success is contingent upon our ability to preserve, to follow through with our commitments, and to stay focused on the greater good.”

The Board of Education did not make a motion on the statement during the meeting.

“If we live by our character attributes,” said Ms Blanchard, “it will bring us back to a nicer place.”

Continued Focus On The Bus Schedule

During her report to the school board, Ms Leidlein said meetings have continued between school district representatives, St Rose of Lima School Principal Mary Maloney, and the owners of All-Star Transportation. The meetings have brought up progress and continued concerns for the Tier 2 bus runs, which transport students to Reed Intermediate School and St Rose of Lime.

“We are working to resolve that issue, and we are hoping to have another meeting real soon,” said Ms Leidlein, regarding the Tier 2 runs.

School Board Vice Chair Laura Roche, whom Ms Leidlein credited with continually monitoring the busing situation, said the number of parents driving students to school is compounding the “traffic snarl” at Wasserman Way and Trades Lane. On Monday, October 15, Ms Roche reported nearly 50 students were late to school from being dropped off by cars, and the situation is also effecting teachers.

“It’s not working,” said Ms Roche, who noted Chief of Police Michael Kehoe has been inspecting the traffic situation. “We have to figure that out.”

Ms Leidlein said the school board will continue to work to make sure the situation improves. The school board chair also noted no other schools in the district have expressed issues with drop-offs or pick-up times for students.