Plainville Community Schoosl
Steering Committee Agendas & Minutes

September 29, 2004 Minutes

PLAINVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Committee Minutes

Committee: Plainville Community Schools’ Steering Committee

Date: September 29, 2004

Time: 7:30 pm

Attendees: Robert Ciotto, Jack Mastrianni, Ron Pavano, Bill Petit, Michael Sileo, Jay Steeves, Becky Tyrrell, Tom Wazorko, Barbara Willard

Absent: Daniel Dube, Christina Gilbert-Dutkiewicz, Richard Ireland, Kate Lawson

Also Present: Kathleen Binkowski, Dave Jepson, Robert E. Lee, Lynn Logoyke, Bill Mead, Alan Schutz

Chairman Bill Petit called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.

ROBERT CIOTTO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 19, 2004 MEETING. BECKY TYRRELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dave Jepson reviewed the proposed Services and Fee breakdown that was created by JCJ in February 2004 for pre-referendum costs. There are four components that made the total of $28,000. They are planning and funding implications, design and project budget, site matters and infrastructure, and community relations. He also provided the committee with a copy of the preliminary project schedule for Linden, Toffolon, and the Middle School that was created as next steps in the Long Range Plan.

The Plainville Board of Education is requesting $35,000 for pre-referendum costs for the Toffolon renovation/addition and the middle school build-out. Dave Jepson indicated that costs may come in lower depending on how much is completed in the engineering and mechanical evaluation.

Robert E. Lee, Town Manager, gave a student enrollment projection report that was requested by the Town Council.
Highlights of the report are as follows:
• Student enrollment projection as a ‘best guess’ of how many students will be attending school in future years.
• Factors affecting student enrollment
➢ Births
➢ Number of housing starts
➢ In/out migration within current housing
➢ Other external factors (i.e., closing of a private school)

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• Conclusions of the Town Managers report
➢ School population projections are difficult to predict
➢ The assumption behind every projection need to be fully understood and agreed upon
➢ State enrollment projections tend to be lower than actual
➢ School administration projections tend to be higher than actual
➢ Does not appear that new construction has had a substantial impact on school enrollment to date

Michael Sileo spoke about how important the Long Range Plan is for the schools in Robert E. Lee’s presentation to the Town Council. Utilization reports are not perfect; there will always be a variation.

The Town Council needs to understand that the Long Range Plan looked at more than just numbers. Lynn Logoyke referred to the fact that they are bringing grade 4 and 5 classrooms to the first floor so that handicapped students can stay in their home school because there is no elevator. They need to use classroom space for reading and tutors because there is no space available for them. Program’s have changed over the years with many new program’s being developed. The schools don’t have enough space. Lynn Logoyke stated, “we need the right kind of rooms for the children”.

Ron Pavano is concerned that if the June target date for the pre-referendum is not met, it will be very costly for the town.

Bill Petit thinks the Town should move forward with the Long Range Plan. The committee agreed.

Alan Schutz, Business Manager, reviewed two estimated enrollment projections for future years. He also reported that the Tyler Farm area has not produced the number of homes the Town Planner first estimated. He reported as of September 2004, 29 new units have been built and in those 29 homes there are 21 children that attend Plainville schools.
This is a higher percentage than originally estimated.

Kathleen Binkowski reviewed a Building Capacity Comparisons to Enrollment chart that had been developed. The chart showed enrollment figures resulting from different studies that have been done in the district. The Fletcher-Thompson report was based upon Board goals of 15 students per classroom for grades K-3, 20 students per classroom in grades 4-5 and class size range of 25-28 in grades 6 through 12. This proposal includes an anticipated two classrooms in each elementary school for full day Kindergarten. This projection is consistent with the Long Range Plan and completion of all currently proposed school building projects. It also includes Middle School build-out of four rooms. A conversation regarding redistricting will also take place.

The committee is concerned that the Town Council will only look at the enrollment figures and not look at what the needs are of the students. The committee encourages everyone to attend the Monday night Town Council meeting in the Municipal Center at 7:30 pm.
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JACK MASTRIANNI MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BARBARA WILLARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tina Gryguc
Recording Secretary

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MOTIONS MADE AT THE PLAINVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS’ STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING – SEPTEMBER 29, 2004

ROBERT CIOTTO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 19, 2004 MEETING. BECKY TYRRELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

JACK MASTRIANNI MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BARBARA WILLARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

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