Connecticut State Board of Education
Connecticut Technical High School Committee
Minutes of Meeting
May 9, 2007
Pursuant to notice filed with the Secretary of the State, the
Connecticut Technical High School Committee, the “Committee” met
on May 9, 2007, at Norwich Technical High School.
I. Committee Members Present: Mr.
Donald Coolican, Chairman
Dr.
Alice Carolan
Mrs.
Beverly Bobroske
SDE Staff Present: Dr.
Abigail L. Hughes, Superintendent
Ms.
Judith Thompson, Assistant Superintendent
Dr.
Nikitoula Menounos, Norwich Technical High School
Mr.
Richard Cavallaro, Wilcox Technical High School
Mr.
Nicholas Spera, Norwich Technical High School
Chairperson Coolican called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
II. Executive Session. Chairperson
Coolican stated the executive session was not needed. The
Committee concurred.
III. Consideration of Minutes of the
April 11, 2007 Connecticut Technical High School Committee Meeting.
Upon motion duly made by Dr. Carolan, and Mrs. Bobroske seconded,
approval of the Committee minutes of the April 11, 2007 meeting.
IV. Public Participation
Three Norwich Technical High School students were in attendance. They
introduced themselves and shared why they selected Norwich Tech.
V. Consent Agenda. No
consent agenda was provided for the Committee’s consideration.
- Items for Connecticut Technical
High School Committee Action
- CTHSS District Goals – 2007-2010
Dr. Hughes presented the CTHSS District Goals – 2007-2010. Mr.
Coolican asked the committee members if there was any discussion. Dr.
Carolan stated that the goals were broad and asked how they would
be achieved? Dr. Hughes explained that each school has a
School Improvement Plan
(SIP). Dr. Carolan asked what specifically are administrators
and teachers going to do. Dr. Hughes explained that each
principal is accountable through their evaluation objectives. Mr.
Coolican asked for an example. Dr. Hughes used the example
of the Physical Education testing. Mrs. Bobroske stated that
data driven accountability will change over two years with improvement
on the part of administration.
Upon motion duly made by Dr. Carolan, and Mrs. Bobroske seconded
approval of the District Goals 2007-2010-Connecticut Technical
High School System.
b) CTHSS
Graduation Credit Requirements – Health Education
Dr. Hughes presented the proposal to increase the Graduation Credit
Requirement for Health Education beginning with the class of 2011
and beyond from ½ credit to 1 credit. Mr. Coolican
asked if the students would take it each year. Dr. Hughes
responded that Health Education would be taken each year along
with Physical Education. Dr. Carolan asked if this would
require an increase in staff. Dr. Hughes responded no, that
most Physical Education teachers are certified in Health.
Upon motion duly made by Mrs. Bobroske, and Dr. Carolan seconded
approval of the Graduation Credit Requirement Increase for Health
Education-Connecticut Technical High School System.
- Authorization of Advanced Manufacturing in CTHSS
Dr. Hughes presented the Request for Authorization of Advanced
Manufacturing in the Connecticut Technical High School System.
Upon motion duly made by Dr. Carolan, and Mrs. Bobroske seconded
approval of the Authorization of Advanced Manufacturing-Connecticut
Technical High School System.
VII. Items for Discussion
J.M. Wright Technical High School
Mr. Coolican asked if they should talk about April 25, 2007. Dr.
Carolan responded that J. M. Wright Tech needs more than faculty
and money. The enrollment has declined for 26 years. Dr.
Hughes said that there are many challenges and the class sizes
are small. She will be meeting with the Stamford Mayor and
Superintendent to elicit support for Wright Tech.
Graduation
Mr. Coolican stated that graduation is next month. Dr.
Carolan suggested that they should each go to a couple of them. Mr.
Coolican agreed. It is not necessary for board members to
speak but they could offer to hand out diplomas to the graduates. Pam
Bergin is the contact person. Dr. Hughes added that central
office sends representatives to all of the graduation ceremonies.
VIII. Report of the Superintendent
Letter from Mr. Rich Tanasi, State Vocational Federation of
Teachers
Dr. Carolan read aloud a letter she sent in response to a letter
dated May 6, 2007 she received from Mr. Tanasi of the State Vocational
Federation of Teachers.
IX. Other Matters
Mr. Coolican stated that Judy Thompson will be retiring on July
1, 2007 after 33 years. Mr. Coolican thanked her for all
of her years of hard work.
X. Public Participation
Mr. Cavallaro invited the committee members to the Student of
the Year Luncheon at Platt Tech on May 31, 2007 from 11:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m.
At the request of Mrs. Bobroske, Dr. Menounos, Principal, Norwich
Technical High School, spoke on the successes of Norwich Tech. Its
library is the only one to receive two commendations from NEASC. The
school participates in One Book/One Region Program. Arrangements
are made for the students to meet with the authors. The PFO
supports literacy by purchasing books that students can sign out
for the summer. It also supports the Young Mothers’ Program
that encourages students to read to their children. Dr. Menounos
also informed the Board of the two new trades—Health Technology
and Retail Management and Entrepreneurship. Both were added
in the last three years which is an accomplishment. A music
program was added, also. Norwich Tech received 400 applications. The
total student count is 421 and over 600 can be accommodated in
the new school.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
10:37 a.m.
Committee members Mrs. Bobroske and Dr. Carolan toured the school. Mr.
Coolican had to leave.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Arlene Ciccone. NTHS
Minutes approved at the September 12, 2007 CTHS Committee meeting. |
