Connecticut State Board of Education
Connecticut Technical High School Committee
Middletown

Minutes of Meeting
January 10, 2007

Pursuant to notice filed with the Secretary of the State, the Connecticut Technical High School Committee met on January 10, 2007, at Howell Cheney Technical High School, Manchester, Connecticut.

I.       Present:                  Mr. Donald Coolican, Chairman
                                      Mrs. Beverly Bobroske
                                      Dr. Alice Carolan
                                      Mrs. Theresa Hopkins-Staten

Members of the committee and CTHSS staff were greeted by Skills USA students.  National Honor Society students, Chelsey Estrada and James Unitas attended the meeting along with Mr. Bruce Sievers, principal.

Chairperson Coolican called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m.

II.      Executive Session - None     

III.     Consideration of Minutes of the December 13, 2006 and October 11, 2006        Connecticut Technical High School Committee Meeting

The committee directed that absent members not be listed in the minutes.
The committee made a correction on the December 13, 2006 minutes, page 1, under Policy on School Based Health Centers at CTHS, paragraph 1, to remove the word “recommended” to “directed.”
The committee directed that the minutes of December 13, 2006, reflect the
discussions held on HIPPA regulations and Wright Tech. 

Mrs. Hopkins-Staten moved, Dr. Carolan seconded, that the Committee approves
the minutes of the December 13, 2007 and October 11, 2006 meetings.

VOTE ON        In Favor:     Coolican, Bobroske, Hopkins-Staten, Carolan
AMENDMENT:   Opposed:    0
                     Abstained:    0   

IV.      Public Participation - None

VI.      Items for Connecticut Technical High School Committee Action

The Committee directed that the report be reformatted to summarize by school and by year and put the items in priority order.  Reformatting the report by school (town) will also give readers a closer look at priority items in their town.  Given the volume of data contained in this report, it is difficult to prioritize the requests; however, the most urgent needs have been requested for fiscal year 2008.  The report will be amended and submitted to the SBE for action at its February meeting.
         

Dr. Hughes presented the committee members with the revised Policy on School Based Health Centers at Connecticut Technical High Schools which reflects the changes the committee directed be made.  Attorney Beatrice Tinty from the CTHSS has reviewed the policy.  Once approved by the State Board of Education, the application form will be translated in to Spanish and it will be sent home with students and also mailed to their home.

Mrs. Bobroske moved, Mrs. Hopkins-Staten seconded, that the committee approves the Policy on School Based Health Centers at Connecticut Technical High School.

VOTE:            In Favor:     Coolican, Bobroske, Hopkins-Staten, Carolan
                      Opposed:     0
                     Abstained:    0   

In accordance with statutory requirements (C.G.S., Section 10-95i(b), the State Board of Education must evaluate each trade/technology program in the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS) and consider reauthorization for a period of not more than five years. 

Mrs. Judy Thompson spoke of the Norwich Boutique Shop and its success. 

Mrs. Theresa Hopkins-Staten asked about the employment demand and did the CTHSS collaborate with Connecticut Business Industry Association (CBIA). 

Mrs. Thompson stated that the CTHSS works in collaboration with CBIA and that the State Labor Department uses actual records on Connecticut’s employment and the data shows the demand for employment in business and industry.  The report is revised every two years by the Labor Department.

Dr. Carolan moved, Mrs. Hopkins-Staten seconded, that the committee approves the
Reauthorization of Trades.
VOTE:            In Favor:     Coolican, Bobroske, Hopkins-Staten, Carolan
                     Opposed:     0
                     Abstained:    0   

Dr. Hughes informed the committee the only change in tuition fees would be in apprentice.  Interim Commissioner Coleman has written to the Commissioner of Labor proposing raising the fee for apprentice instruction from $100 which was set back in 1991 and does not support the cost of running the program.  The Department of Labor has not agreed to support the cost change.

A discussion was held on the school breakfast/lunch program and its fees.  Committee members had questions and concerns on subsidizing lunch; why are fees being raised; who dictates the price; number of students who pay full price; and is it a mandated requirement that students get a free and reduced full meal.
 
Dr. Hughes stated that if the cost of the school lunch was increased significantly that many of the students will not eat – they will go without lunch.  There is a mandated requirement that students who are eligible receive a nutritious free and reduced breakfast and lunch.  One third of students are eligible, however, because the school lunch is served on a tray rather than on a single plate like the a la carte meals, many students are aware of the stigma that goes along with free and reduced lunch and will go without. 

Marie Burlette, School Nurse Supervisor, spoke of the wellness program not working on high school students and the need to education children at a younger age.  She stated that there are a number of students who come to school with no breakfast – parents who do not have food in their house and kids who fall in between.  Students will go to the school nurse knowing they will receive crackers and juice – they are also referred to guidance.

Mrs. Hopkins-Staten stated that she is uncomfortable approving this report after hearing the issues raised.

Mr. Coolican suggested approving the tuition cost only and suggested having a nutrition consultant speak to the committee.

Committee members directed that the CTHSS obtain comparisons with other school districts and put together a cost breakdown of each program by schools.

Mrs. Bobroske moved, Mrs. Hopkins-Staten seconded, that the committee approves the
Tuition and Fees for Connecticut Technical High School 2008-09 School Year excluding the school lunch fees.

VOTE ON:       In Favor:     Coolican, Bobroske, Hopkins-Staten, Carolan
AMENDMENT:   Opposed:     0
                     Abstained:    0   

VII.    Items for Connecticut Technical High School Committee Discussion

Dr. Hughes reminded the committee of their previous discussion concerning the viability of continuing the NOCTI written test.  At that meeting the committee agreed with the tentative decision to eliminate it and asked to be kept informed.  Dr. Hughes confirmed the decision was made to eliminate the written NOCTI test.  The CTHSS is not confident that the written test is a valid assessment of student’s knowledge since it is not aligned to our curriculum.  It takes three hours and contains on average 250 multiple choice questions on discreet skills.  A survey was sent to principals to ask teachers to vote on whether or not to eliminate the written NOCTI assessment.  Consultants and teachers and outside consultants with expertise may consider developing our own written assessment.  Elimination of the written assessment is not being done as a cost benefit – there is a minimal savings of about two dollars per student.  Mr. Coolican stated to proceed with caution and asked that the full board be made aware.

VIII.   Report of the Superintendent - None

IX.      Public Participation - None

X.       Other

CTHSS Administrator Internship Program

The Administrator Internship Program provides instructional staff with opportunities to explore and experience administrative duties and responsibilities while enabling the system to identify future school administrators and central office consultants.  This program was previously approved by the CTHSS Committee on December 14, 2005.  The CTHSS is requesting one additional intern to be appointed for a period of two years to begin in the second year of the previous internship term.

Committee members thought it is a good program but raised questions on whether the CTHSS will take teachers out of class; at what cost and the evaluation process.  Committee members also directed that stronger language be used in order to insure that applicants will stay 2-3 years and that under the selection criteria; the applicant must also hold 092 certification and be a teacher in good standing. 

Dr. Hughes stated that the internship will be a 2 year durational position with a cost of replacement of the teacher’s salary and benefits.  Objectives for each intern will be developed and there will be an end of year formal evaluation.

Mr. John Bruno spoke briefly on the significant gap in salaries between teachers and administrators who earn less than teachers.

Dr. Carolan moved, Mrs. Bobroske seconded, that the committee approves the
CTHSS Administrator Internship Program.

VOTE:            In Favor:     Coolican, Bobroske, Hopkins-Staten, Carolan
                     Opposed:     0
                     Abstained:    0  

By unanimous consent, the committee adjourned its meeting at 10:50 a.m.

The committee toured the new technology classes at Cheney Tech.