By: Andrew Pelletier
The Northwestern Regional #7 Board of Ed met on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. In attendance was Althea “Candy” Perez – Middle school Principal, Ken Chichester – High School Principal, Judith Palmer – Superintendent, Roger Newbury – Director of Finance, Molly Sexton Read – Chair and representative for Barkhamsted, Janice Dorazio – Vice Chair and representative for Colebrook, Rob Jerram – Representing New Hartford, Noel Gauthier – Representing New Hartford, Terri Kenneson – Representing Colebrook, and Deb Bell representative for Norfolk. Not in attendance were Mark Lanctot – Representing Barkhamsted, and Lindsay Humphrey (Senior) and Erika Gentile (Junior), representing the Regional 7 High School student body. School was not in session on the day of the meeting and the student representatives are not required to attend on no-school days.
Following are some of the agenda items discussed at the meeting. For the official minutes of this meeting, when they become available, please visit the Board of Education section of the Regional #7 website.
5. Old Business
5.1 CIAC Update
Molly Sexton Read, announced that the Football co-op existing between Northwestern Regional #7 and the Gilbert High School has been approved by the CIAC (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference) for another 2 years. Regional is at 30 players, 2 shy of the 32 players that would determine a phase out of the co-op. This allows the Gilbert-Northwestern Regional Yellowjackets to continue to play ball as long as a good faith effort is demonstrated by the schools to adhere to the regulations regarding football co-ops in Connecticut. Should the number of Regional #7 players swell above the 32 mark, the schools are obligated to create their own programs. Another way to calculate the maximum number of players from one of the schools in the co-op is if there are more than 25 upperclassmen. If Regional does reach the maximum number of players, an appeals process will buy some time while the schools determine a course of action. Molly added that the CIAC is willing to work with them. Board members acknowledged the logistics of creating their own team is a huge undertaking which would involve land aquisition, building a field, equipment, etc. Molly told the Board that she, Judy and Fred will be meeting with the Wolverines in order to learn how many of their players are from Regional’s member towns.
4. Reports
Principals’ Reports
Superintendent Judith Palmer announced that Middle School Principal, Althea “Candy” Perez, was bestowed the Connecticut Pathfinder Award by the National Association for Girls and Women’s Sports, an association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Each state recognizes one Pathfinder every year. Candy was praised as “… truly a leader, a ground breaker and a woman who opened pathways and made inroads in athletics for hundreds of Connecticut’s young women. She has helped to create an environment of equality, access and achievement that most of our young women take for granted”.
Candy will receive her award at the National Convention and Exposition of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in March 2012 in Boston and will be recognized at the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance on November 17, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell.
In her report Candy said that the Middle School Open House held 2 weeks ago was well attended and that on November 7 and 8, they will be holding a Parents conference night. Middle school Students will once again be greeting veterans at the Dunkin Donuts on Route 44 on Veterans Day and thanking them for their services rendered for our country.
Candy also stated that P.D (Professional Development) days went very well with much focus on how to improve writing skills, the inclusion of special education students into the school’s mainstream and a close look at the advances in technology as it will be carefully integrated into the school’s curriculum.
Ken Chichester, Principal of Regional #7 High School, expressed his pleasure at the High School’s receiving the Silver Medal Award from U.S. News and World Report as a top ranking High School in the United States. This is the second time Regional #7 High School has achieved this honor, the first time being in 2009; more about this honor in the Superintendent’s report below.
Ken’s excitement about the school’s first Robotics program was clearly evident and he said that 28 students are currently signed up to meet the technological challenge. The school received a $35,000 grant from Alcoa and the Robotics team will be lead by an engineer from Alcoa as well; four or five other parents, teachers and area techies will also act as mentors for the students. The official opening of the Robotics season is January 7 and the students will have 6 weeks to design and build a robot that will carry out a specific task. The robot will then be put to the test in regional competitions starting in March, which may lead to state, national and perhaps, even world finals! Read more about this in the Superintendent’s report.
Suprintendent’s Report
Superintendent Judith Palmer, elaborated more on the Regional #7 High School’s prestigious Silver Medal Award from U.S. News and World Reports as one of the top ranked High Schools in the nation. Of 21,786 High Schools in the 48 contiguous states, Northwestern Regional High School #7 was among 461 high schools which shared Silver Medal Honors and was one of 12 High Schools in Connecticut given this esteemed award. The award was based on students’ test scores being better than average statewide, the percentage of academically disadvantaged students and the High School’s college readiness and AP test performance. This is the second time that Regional #7 has been given the distinction. The school was awarded a Silver Medal in 2009 as well. For more information on our nation’s top High Schools, go to: http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-high-schools.
Judith also gave an update on the Technology Committee’s goal to start phasing in a technology-driven curriculum beginning next school year. Discussions about “bring your own device,” and the pros and cons are being explored as the school moves toward using technology for study and not restricting it. Issues of budget, curriculum and instructional modeling need to be addressed as well as teacher development of how to best implement technology in a meaningful and efficient manner. Electronic textbooks would replace traditional books and a centralized learning management center would provide wireless curriculum, relative to the class that is being taught. Judith stated, “The trend toward technology driven learning is why Regional 7 should be making ready for the changes coming… but slowly and thoughtfully. There are many layers to take into consideration.”
Judith also announced that a delegation of 23 students from the Northwestern Regional FFA Chapter (Future Farmers of America) are going to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this October. It will be the largest group of Northwestern’s students ever to attend the Agri-Science Fair. Two of the students, Brigette Holm and Stephanie Thibault, will be receiving their degrees and another 4 students will be competing in the Agri-Science Fair Career Development event.
Director of Finance
Roger Newbury, Director of Finance, reported that the year’s supply of diesel fuel has been purchased at a locked in rate of $3.15 per gallon and will be paid out at the time of delivery.
Northwestern Regional #7. Photo from NewHartfordPlus archives
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The agenda for the meeting reported on above was the following:
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7 • BOARD OF EDUCATION
AGENDA
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.
Newbury Library-Media Center • Northwestern Regional High School\Middle School
Goals for Regional School District No. 7 Board of Education 2011-2012:
To stay abreast of 21st Century teaching and learning technologies that will equip students for future success.
To ensure existing programs, staffing needs and resources remain appropriate for Regional School District No. 7.
To continually assess Board of Education organization and operations.
To continue to expand and enhance communication to the public and community.
To continue to pursue advocacy for public education.
CALL TO ORDER
2.0 PUBLIC PORTION
2.1 Opportunity for Public to Speak on Agenda Items
3.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes – September 14, 2011
4.0 REPORTS
4.1 Student Representatives Reports – L. Humphrey, E. Gentile
4.2 Principals’ Reports – C. Perez, K. Chichester
4.3 Superintendent’s Report – J. Palmer
4.4 Director of Finance and Operations’ Report – R. Newbury
5.0 OLD BUSINESS
5.0 Updates
5.1 – CIAC Update – M. Sexton Read
6.0 NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Policy Review – 5131.911 Bullying (First Reading) – J. Palmer
6.1 Robotics Club – J. Palmer
7.0 CORRESPONDENCE
8.0 OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
9.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION
9.1 Negotiations
10.0 POSSIBLE ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS
11.0 ADJOURNMENT
