School Board Hears Monthly Financial Report And More

By Eliza Hallabeck

The Board of Education discussed a range of topics at its meeting on Tuesday, December 20, from the District Safe School Climate Plan to November’s monthly financial report.

“The bottom line is very tight,” said District Business Director Ron Bienkowski during his presentation to the school board on the monthly financial report.

According to the report, the net projected balance is $6,580. The report also said, “Overall, the current balance amount… indicates we spent $3.3 million since the October report. All major object codes are in a positive balance situation at month’s end. The projected balance column indicates we are expecting to be at a breakeven position, assuming the excess cost reimbursement grant comes in as budgeted.”

The report noted the budget “is extremely lean and will be monitored very closely in order to identify any important issues that may impact our financial condition in the weeks and months ahead.”

Also during the meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve making Newtown High School’s personal financial literacy course a graduation requirement at the school. The class will be a graduation requirement for incoming freshmen next school year. The course will help students fulfill a fine and applied arts graduation requirement.

The ‘B-Word’

On the subject of student behavior, Sandy Hook School Principal Anthony Salvatore told the school board at the meeting that the “b-word” is a conversation blocker with parents. Dr Salvatore said it is easier to address issues surrounding bullying when it is referred to as mean behavior.

Dr Salvatore presented changes to the district’s Safe School Climate Policy 8-605, which is written in student handbooks.

The new version of the policy and the district’s Safe School Climate Plan was prepared by a committee with representatives from each school in the district and a representative from the Newtown Police Department, Dr Salvatore said.

Both the policy and the plan, Dr Salvatore said take a constructive approach to creating a more positive school environment.

Dr Salvatore’s presentation was for the school board’s first reading of the new version of the policy. Changes, as Dr Salvatore reported, include updates on cyberbullying policies and definitions.

Also, all district employees under the new version of the policy would be responsible for reporting mean behavior.

“Anybody is now someone they can and should tell,” said Dr Salvatore. “And then [the employee] has to report it.”

School board member John Vouros questioned how everyone in the district, including parents, will learn of the new policy.

Dr Salvatore said the committee would be open to suggestions and is investigating different avenues on how to share the information.

The policy and plan will be brought up at a future school board meeting for the second reading.

The Board of Education also approved the Ratified Custodians and Maintenance Contract for June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2015, unanimously during the meeting.