Another Full Plate of Issues to Discuss at BOE Meeting

School Superintendent William Guzman informed the BOE that both Tolland Middle and Intermediate Schools did not achieve "Adequate Yearly Progress" in math and reading for the sub-group of "Students with Disabilities" as reported by the State Department of Education. The yearly progress is required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which was enacted in 2001.

"We've been in this situation before," reported Guzman, noting that the principals of the two schools have been made aware.

Guzman said it was the same sub-group that has not met adequate progress in the past. However, Guzman explained that schools that are informed of the non-achievement are moved into a "safe harbors" category and given one year to increase testing scores to sufficient levels.

"Every time [it has happened before], it's been that group, but the following year we've been able to up the scores," said Guzman.

While Guzman expressed some dissatisfaction with NCLB, he said he personally finds some good in that teachers and administrators are made more cognizant of the educational needs of students. For example, he said that when NCLD was first enacted, the Connecticut Mastery Test was administered to students in the fall, but as a result, students are now tested in March, well into the school year.

In other business, the BOE, while not required to approve the regulation, reviewed a new policy on the use of social media by teachers and administration.

The board policy states that the Board of Education will regulate the use of social media by employees, including their personal use of social media, when such use "interferes with the work of the school district, is used to harass coworkers or other members of the school community, creates a hostile work environment, harms the goodwill and reputation of the school district in the community, violates the law" and other pertinent reasons.

Guzman said the teachers union received a copy of the new policy this past May or June.

Guzman expressed some concern for one item in the policy that might prove problematic--the requirement that employees must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students, parents and colleagues. "For example," the policy states, "it is not appropriate for a teacher or administrator to friend a student or his/her parent or guardian or otherwise establish special relationships with selected students through personal social media..."

"How do we define parent?" asked board member Diane Clokey. "The parent of a child in your class? Anyone in the community who has children?"

Board member Andy Powell also asked if BOE members should be held to the policy. "We do represent the district," he said.

However, board member Christine Vincent said they are not employees of the district.

"I can't see how you can regulate a volunteer board," said board member Karen Bresciano.

The policy committee will be meeting on Wednesday, September 28 to discuss the same matter.

In the last BOE meeting, a for seniors at Tolland High School in order to pay for a CAPT scholars breakfast incentive for sophomores taking the test, resulted in the issue being sent back to the Finance and Facilities Committee for review. Board member Judy Grabowicz reported that the issue has been resolved. As only seniors were required to pay the additional fee, those that did pay will be given a credit of an equal amount toward their senior class dues.

The resolution was satisfactory to the board.

The Board of Education will meet next on Wednesday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Hicks Memorial Municipal Building.