LWV OBSERVER REPORT FORM

The main items on the agenda were (1.) a report on the district’s gifted and talented program, (2.) adoption of a 403(b) plan, (3.) ratification of the WHEA contract, and (4.) acceptance of completed school construction projects.

(1.) Dr. James Borland and Dr. Lisa Wright of Teachers College at Columbia University presented their findings regarding West Hartford’s program for gifted and talented students, based on a review they conducted during the fall. Noting that many districts make only token gestures in this area, they found our program to be above average overall, but urged the district to make a more consistent, lasting financial commitment to gifted education and put forward 34 additional recommendations for improvement. These included reformulating Quest program goals, revamping the process for identifying students, increasing staffing, space and supervision, revising curriculum and better tying it to the regular curriculum, providing more differentiation in the regular classroom for high-performing students, considering alternate modes for program delivery, and improving communication about the program to parents and staff. Notably, they found middle school Quest, despite persistent negative buzz and a history of precarious funding, to be a very good program whose biggest problem is a scheduling conflict with music. To view the complete report, please see http://www.whps.org/board/agenda-documents/20081216/Quest%20Evaluation%2012-08.pdf.

(2.) Director of Finance and Planning Chip Ward presented a document that formalizes, in accordance with new IRS regulations, the 403(b) plan that the district has administered for over 30 years. A 403(b) plan is the non-profit world’s equivalent of a 401(k). West Hartford’s plan is open to any school employee working more than 20 hours per week, but provides no employer matching funds. The board voted unanimously to accept the plan as drafted. To view the plan document, go to http://www.whps.org/board/agenda-documents/20081216/403b%20plan%20adoption.pdf.

(3.) Assistant Superintendent Tim Dunn reported on the contract negotiated between the board and the West Hartford Education Association (WHEA), which represents teachers. The contract covers the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011 and provides a general wage increase of 1% in the first year and 1.25% in the second. It provides for 183 instructional days for the 09-10 school year, and 182 for 10-11, a reduction from the current 184. Including step increases, which reward teachers as they gain experience, the net impact on the budget line item for teacher compensation should be about 2%, or approximately $1.1 million annually at current staffing levels. The contract also increases employee contributions toward health care coverage, as well as co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums. No dollar savings were attached to these benefit reductions, but Mr. Dunn characterized the overall agreement as the most fiscally prudent reached with any teachers union in the area, specifically citing the wage increase as low versus other towns. The board ratified the contract unanimously. For a summary of the main contract provisions cited here, please see http://www.whps.org/board/agenda-documents/20081216/ratification%20of%20WHEA%20Conatract%2012-16-08.pdf. The complete contract has not been posted online as of this writing.

(4.) The board unanimously accepted as complete 6 construction projects: site purchase and construction of Bristow Middle School, athletic field improvements at Hall and Conard, modular classrooms at Hall, and roof and floor replacement at Wolcott. Such acceptance enables partial reimbursement from the state under the school construction grant program.

In other business, the board reviewed the Staff Position Report as of 11/30/08, which shows a variance over budget of .12 positions out of a total of 1,433. Overages in teaching and support staff were partially offset by unfilled positions for special ed paras. It should be noted that this report covers only General Fund positions, and so excludes cafeteria workers and others funded through grants, tuition, fees, or other non-property-tax revenues.

Board member Bruce Putterman reported that the Leadership Planning Committee is now reviewing superintendent applications with the goal of selecting semi-finalists by early January. Finalists will be chosen by the middle of that month and a candidate selected by the end. Announcement of the new superintendent, who will replace Dr. Sklarz as of July 1, should take place in mid to late February.

The next board of education meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 6 at 7:00 pm in room 314 at Town Hall.