CABE Journal - October 2017

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Vol. 21, No. 9

October 2017

Book Review: Dereliction of Duty

Powering Ahead with Global STEAM Collaboration

Robert Rader

Executive Director, CABE

Last summer, I read Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam. I became interested in the book when President Donald Trump named the author, H.R. McMaster, as his National Security Advisor.

The book is a fascinating and stunning month-by-month account of how President Johnson and Secretary of Defense McNamara were able to deceive the American people about their implementation of “graduated pressure” on North Vietnam and the Viet Cong. It is a book about failure and how the president, defense secretary and others, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), escalated the war with disastrous effect.

What does this have to do with public education?

While there is nothing in the book specifically about education, there is much about organizational structure and the importance of having systems which allow for thoughtful and comprehensive, deliberate planning. Many of the mistakes made as we waded further and further into the Vietnam quagmire were due to basing military solutions on political See BOOK REVIEW page 8

Oletha Walker

Challenge Resource Teacher, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Windsor

State Board of Education Meets Sheila McKay

Senior Staff Associate for Government Relations, CABE

After Legislative action this spring, the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy Guidelines have been adopted by the State Board of Education. Commissioner Wentzell spearheaded this proposal and now, guidelines for districts will enable opportunities for students to show their mastery of a second language. By meeting certain criteria, students would have the Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy affixed to their diploma and transcript. The guidelines recognize the value of students’ academic efforts, the tangible benefits of being bilingual and biliterate and prepares

students to be 21st century global citizens in a multicultural, multilingual world.”

Public comments were also heard on the recommendations from the Independent Educational Evaluations Task Force. An Independent Educational Evaluation Observation and Related Matters Work Group will be convened and final guidance will be provided on the provision of IEEs, within the requirements of IDEA and in school observations, to the Department of Education by April 1, 2018.

A recommendation to survey districts regarding their current observation and IEE practices and procedures will be considered. The State Board recommended the work group be expanded and public and stakeholder input be sought for 30 days according to SDE’s website.

“That’s why my brother’s thumbs are so long!”

The once silent room erupted with laughter. The students were engaged in creating a fictitious family based on particular genetic traits. One student had the revelation that his biological brother was not, in fact, an alien but that a dominant trait in his family’s lineage must have caused his brother to grow really long “alien” thumbs.

This activity was part of Global Doctors: DNA, a Level Up Village (LUV) course I taught last spring at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Windsor, Connecticut. The course takes students on a deep dive into genetics through a variety of multimedia and hands-on activities. In addition, all LUV courses create a global classroom environment where students interact and collaborate with partner students from across the world who are following the same curriculum. They communicate by exchanging video letters with their partners through LUV’s global platform, creating personal profiles and collaborating together on projects that address real-world issues.

Hands On Learning

In one lesson, my students engineered the human double helix by recreating it using candies. After that lesson and the ones that followed, they were able to identify the parts of the helix and infer what See POWERING AHEAD page 4

Diversity is What Makes Us Great

In Memoriam: Bonnie Carney

NSBA Summer Prepare for the Quotable Leadership Interview Conference

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The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017 PRESIDENT COMMENTARY

A New School Year Ann Gruenberg President, CABE

It is a sparkling late summer afternoon, with a full, refreshing breeze reminding us of the storm battering and flooding the southern coastal region. In New England, the sky is blue. The air is fresh. There are hints of crispness, as the leaves are beginning to turn into magnificent, colorful, glorious autumnal tapestries. It is not quite September. By the time you read this it will be October. The hints of change emerging now, by then will be full-blown. The anticipation is palpable, along with the sounds of late summer, the hum in the air.

For most districts in Connecticut, this is a time of new beginnings. It is a time, for many children, of excitement.

Maybe there are new shoes. Maybe the hope shows in a wide grin. Teachers, parents, administrators, and members of extended support networks are pulling together to start the school year on a positive note. We may worry that the children are going to take the brunt of the unresolved budget battles. Indeed, that would be dreadful. Some children may be apprehensive, in general. But in spite of the apparent impasse, children often seem to have resilience, finding something fun and engaging to keep them going. It is tremendously moving to see communities pulling together to keep programs going,

even if there are financial constraints.

In Texas, Florida and neighboring states, there are community efforts to literally keep things afloat, with unimaginable amounts of water, everywhere, as well as wind damage. The term “taking the high road” carries new meaning. This beginning of this article is being written very early. I am inspired to share reflections on this glorious afternoon, stirred in part by the juxtaposition of circumstances….the flood….the budget….new beginnings. We are also post-eclipse. It is unfathomable, sometimes, to try to integrate all of this.

Being truly hopeful, given the conditions, has the potential for being naive. It also may be a form of denial. We need a budget. We need a budget that is fair and fiscally responsible. The many factors that contributed to the financial challenges currently experienced by the state have been evolving, perhaps devolving, over a significant amount of time. While we may agree that something needs major adjustment, we may not agree about the pace of such change. It is heartening when communities, including, but not limited to, school administrators, board members, parents, teachers and municipal leaders come together to create solutions. It is also encouraging to note neighboring communities working together to develop new options through collaboration and/or shared services.

In the midst of the state budget crises,

Mission: To assist local and regional boards of education in providing high quality education for all Connecticut children through effective leadership.

Vision: CABE is passionate about strengthening public education through high-performing, transformative local school board/superintendent leadership teams that inspire success for each child.

Board of Directors

we may be comforted by the knowledge that the state’s Every Student Succeeds (ESSA) plan has been approved. It is my sincere hope that by the time you read this, the budget crisis will be resolved and the waters in Houston, Florida and surrounding areas will have receded.

Mid-September By now you have heard of the unexpected passing of our colleague and friend, Bonnie Carney. Many are still stunned, and trying to process this loss. One of Bonnie’s many roles was to organize the CABE Journal. Often working “behind the scenes”, she carefully reviewed every piece that was submitted. Her editorial judgement was keen, and in many ways she was an unseen “voice” of CABE. We will miss her.

As we pull together and appreciate her life and her many contributions to CABE, we can honor her legacy by sustaining the high standards she has set.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Ann Gruenberg | President, Hampton Robert Mitchell | First Vice President, Montville Donald Harris | Vice President for Government Relations, Bloomfield Elizabeth Brown | Vice President for Professional Development, Waterbury Bob Trefry | Secretary/Treasurer, CT Technical High School System Richard Murray | Immediate Past President, Killingly John Prins | Member at Large, Branford Lydia Tedone | NSBA Director, Simsbury AREA DIRECTORS Jonathan Moore | Area 1 Co-Director, Region 1 Michelle Lucian | Area 1 Co-Director, Plymouth Byran Hall | Area 2 Co-Director, East Hartford Michael Purcaro | Area 3 Co-Director, Ellington Michele Arn | Area 3 Co-Director, Vernon Joan Trivella | Area 4 Director, Brooklyn Michelle Embree Ku | Area 5 Director, Newtown Jennifer Dayton | Area 6 Co-Director, Greenwich Karen Kleine | Area 6 Co-Director, Westport Roxane McKay | Area 7 Director, Wallingford Lon Seidman | Area 8 Director, Essex Sean Nugent | Area 9 Director, Preston ASSOCIATES Eileen Baker | Associate, Old Saybrook Sharon Beloin-Saavedra | Associate, New Britain Robert Guthrie | Associate, West Haven Robert Trefry | Associate, CT Technical High School System COMMITTEE CHAIRS Becky Tyrrell | Chair, Federal Relations, Plainville Bryan Hall | Chair, Resolutions, East Hartford Christopher Wilson | Chair, State Relations, Bristol CITY REPRESENTATIVES Craig Stallings | City Representative, Hartford Carlos Torre | City Representative, New Haven Jacqueline Heftman | City Representative, Stamford Charles Stango | City Representative, Waterbury STAFF

Robert Rader | Executive Director Patrice McCarthy | Deputy Director and General Counsel Rebecca Adams | Senior Staff Attorney Nicholas Caruso | Senior Staff Associate for Field Service and Coordinator of Technology Sheila McKay | Senior Staff Associate for Government Relations Vincent Mustaro | Senior Staff Associate for Policy Service Lisa Steimer | Senior Staff Associate for Professional Development Teresa Costa | Coordinator of Finance and Administration Pamela Brooks | Senior Administrative Associate for Policy Service and Search Services Terry DeMars | Administrative Associate for Policy Service Gail Heath | Administrative Associate for Government Relations Wilmarie Newton | Administrative Associate for Labor Relations Nancy Propfe | Administrative Assistant for Membership Services Corliss Ucci | Receptionist and Assistant to Executive Director

The CABE Journal (ISSN 1092-1818) is published monthly except a combined issue for July/August as a member service of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, 81 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109, (860) 571-7446. CABE membership dues include $30 per person for each individual who receives The CABE Journal. The subscription rate for nonmembers is $75. Association membership dues include a subscription for each board member, superintendent, assistant superintendent and business manager. The companies and advertisements found in The CABE Journal are not necessarily endorsed by CABE. “Periodicals Postage Paid at Hartford, CT.” POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The CABE Journal, CABE, 81 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1242. Email: bcarney@cabe.org. Members can find the CABE Journal online at: www.cabe.org/page.cfm?p=1024

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTARY

CABE Affiliate Members

Diversity is What Makes Us Great

Robert Rader

Executive Director, CABE

BUSINESS AFFILIATES DIAMOND MEMBER Finalsite GOLD MEMBERS

Berchem, Moses & Devlin Pullman & Comley Shipman & Goodwin Support for the Budgetary Process SILVER MEMBERS Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Arthur J. Gallagher & Company Corporate Cost Control Milone & MacBroom, Inc. Zangari Cohn Cuthbertson Duhl & Grello PC BRONZE PLUS MEMBERS Cohen & Wolf, P.C. Coordinated Transportation Solutions Friar Associates Kainen, Escalera & McHale, P.C. Milliman, Inc. O & G Industries OneDigital Health and Benefits The S/L/A/M Collaborative BRONZE MEMBERS Albert Risk Management Consultants Brown & Brown Insurance Chinni & Meuser LLC Dattco Inc. ECG Engineering, PC Fusfoo Media LLC Goldstein & Peck, P.C. JCJ Architecture The Lexington Group Perkins & Eastman Solutions Employee Assistance Program Sources4Teachers Suisman Shapiro Attorneys at Law

As an association representing the best of American democracy, it is important that CABE stand up for the values that are at our bedrock.

Although I am writing this the week that Charlottesville pulled at the fiber holding our nation together, I know that by the time this article is published we will still be speaking about what happened.

Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan? I thought

American School for the Deaf Area Cooperative Educational Services Capitol Region Education Council The College Board Connecticut Association for the Gifted Connecticut Association of School Business Officials Connecticut Center for School Change Connecticut School Buildings and Grounds Association Connecticut Technical High Schools Cooperative Educational Services EASTCONN EdAdvance LEARN Unified School District #1

• create a toolkit for school boards that describes demographic shifts and their effect on school districts; • offer strategic guidance in generating a shared vision; • build cultural competencies; • enhance understanding of the value of student centered, mastery-based learning as a means to cultivate empowered, engaged learners; and, • model community engagement through conversation.

the nation had moved a lot further than it apparently has.

We can cast negative judgements on what was said before, during and after the tragic weekend, and the media, especially social media, sure did cast a verdict! However, the role of boards of education is to ensure our students have the critical thinking skills, understanding of what it means to be an American and appreciation of the rule of law. They need to develop their own opinions, based on American values.

While CABE does not directly educate the children, we provide support and professional education to school board members to help them ensure our students get what they need to succeed.

In learning about other students, countries and cultures, we have taken some actions that all of our members should know about:

Diversity/Personalized Learning Grant We received a one-year grant from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation that can

EDUCATIONAL AFFILIATES

Under the terms of the grant, CABE will:

be renewed for additional years. The grant is a natural extension of work done by the Diversity Committee, chaired by Don Harris and staffed by Mary Broderick. The Committee is charged with encouraging “boards of education, school and district leaders, as well as State Government to continue to consider the importance of diversity and multiculturalism in public education.”

The grant, the first one of this type, as far as we know, may become a model for other states. Ultimately, communities would then be prepared to analyze, reflect, and act to address issues of excellence and equity affecting each child.

Our districts will be hearing more on this work in the next few months. We hope to make this initiative of great benefit to our members.

Website Resources We have up a web page on the CABE website, www.cabe.org with resources for our members on handling the issues that our districts, especially our faculties, have to face concerning hate, racism, free speech and other issues that have arisen since Charlottesville. Districts dealt with some of these issues last year. Vince Mustaro collected much of the information and Wilmarie Franceschi built the webpage. We have tips from NSPRA (the National School Public Relations Association), SDE and other sources.

It’s great information for board members, superintendents, principals, teachers and parents. If you haven’t explored our website for a while, we also have a page on LGBTQ issues: www.cabe.org/page. cfm?p=1419 and safety issues: www.cabe. org/page.cfm?p=1201.

Workshops CABE has worked in the past with CAPSS, CAS and ADL to provide workshops on Supporting LGTBQ students and on Supporting Muslim students. We plan to keep the “series” alive by presenting a workshop on some of the issues that have been in the news since Charlottesville: hate, racism, antisemitism, etc. Our members have to be able to handle these issues that will come before them. A tentative date for our workshop on these topics is December 14th.

Civility As part of our reaction to what occurred in our national and, I’m afraid,

state and local dialogue, Patrice McCarthy developed a civility policy that the GR and Resolutions Committees approved. It is being brought to the Delegate Assembly.

Here is the resolution: CABE urges public officials at all levels of government to model civil discourse in their deliberations, allowing for the thoughtful, beneficial productive exchange of ideas and perspectives. CABE urges school boards to provide opportunities for students to develop their skills in conflict resolution and consensus building, and for school board members to model these skills in their own conduct.

This is not an attempt at a “feel good” policy, nor is it a restriction on the rights of board members or other citizens to speak their minds. It is however, an attempt to remind board members, the media and the public that there are some reasonable ground rules for how your Association believes that boards, superintendents and others should behave in interacting with each other.

As role models for our children and our communities, it is up to the adults to behave in a way that does justice to the institutions that we represent.

Board Responsibilities When I wrote this editorial, I was well aware that the issues brought to the fore by Charlottesville might not remain fresh in our thoughts. However, these issues, even if not the first thing we think about when we awake, are always bubbling below the surface in American life.

I am proud of the willingness and encouragement for working on these issues that I have received from board members, superintendents and others. The work on these issues is not and has never been easy.

But, if we can help our students develop a world where hatred and violence is lessened and there is more respect for others, we will have accomplished a lot.

What a terrific legacy!

4 POWERING AHEAD

(continued from page 1) happens when the helix is manipulated or damaged. The students also researched environmental conditions that can influence human development. This was done in class but many students also conducted research outside of class with their parents.

I had several parents tell me that their kids were so excited about the learning taking place in the class that they wanted to learn more, too, so they could keep up with their children! In another lesson, my students learned about dominant and recessive traits are how genes traits are passed from generation to generation. Indeed, there was a great deal for students to absorb, including lots of new vocabulary words, that strengthened scientific discussions within our classroom and with their global partners.

We had some lighter moments as well.

I’ll never forget the class when my students made the double helix using candies. I had just finished teaching about the helix and was going around filling bowls with the candy pieces the students would need to create their own models of the helix. One student raised her hand and said that she was missing a particular candy she needed to complete her model, so I gave her the piece she requested. A few minutes later the same student raised her hand again and asked for even more candy to complete her helix. But when she raised her hand a third time, I sat down beside her and noticed that she had a mischievous smirk on her face and was exchanging glances with other students at the table. We had a good laugh at my expense.

For the rest of the year, the” candy-eating incident” was our ongoing joke whenever we needed another laugh.

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017 Crossing Geographic and Cultural Divides

Forty five different languages are spoken in the homes of the students in my District. We are a diverse population, both culturally and economically. Even with the diversity the children experience on a daily basis in school, they still view each other as being the same. But after working with someone from a different country, learning a bit about that person’s life and their experiences, my students are changed. They have begun to celebrate each other’s uniqueness, while looking for the similarities that make us human. This new openness has also improved their interactions within the school community. I’ve noticed that students in the Level Up Village programs are more inclined to start up conversations with peers who are not in their usual group of friends.

Moreover, they have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the increasingly global nature of our society after participating. They have developed an appreciation of what it truly means to work cooperatively with another person - with someone who is not just from a different part of the world, but also from a different culture. These students have overcome language differences and geography in order to learn and discover new concepts on their quest for knowledge and making this world a better place.

Cooperative learning and working with others is no easy task. There needs to be a lot of give and take and compromise. The students understand this going into the class and are willing to leave their comfort zone in pursuit of having new STEAM learning experiences. I believe this type of experience will encourage some, if not all, of the enrolled students to strive to graduate from the Windsor Public Schools with a clear, achievable post-secondary plan.

Making an Impact

As a facilitator of the Level Up Village classes there is a shared learning experience that happens within each of the classes between teacher and students. We all begin at the same starting line: learning about a different part of our world, mastering greetings in a different language and getting a glimpse into the daily life and issues faced by our new global friends. By the end, we have a clearer understanding of how different, yet similar, our global partners are. We begin to see that what we do has a ripple effect for others, and not just in our town or community; they learn that our actions can have a global impact and that it is up to us to determine the future course of our planet.

These classes offer my students a real-life STEAM experience not something fabricated in a book or a virtual reality program. In LUV courses, we are presented with a real situation in which our research

and action plans actually have an impact on the lives of others. My students are engaged throughout the program through both the hands-on science and their interactions with their global partners. Most importantly, students on both ends of the collaboration have the opportunity to work together to make positive changes for our global community. With this kind of learning taking place, it’s not surprising that we can’t wait for our next Level Up Village learning adventure.

Oletha Walker is the Challenge Resource Teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Windsor, Conn. She has Masters Degree in Educational Technology and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Oletha has over 20 years experience in education and was the 2016 Teacher of Year at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. The school’s Level Up Village courses have been funded through grants from Windsor Educational Foundation. Connect with Oletha on Twitter at @challengeteach1.

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

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See You in Court – The Nutmeg Board of Education

Dotting Your Is and Crossing Your Ts When Dealing with an Expulsion Thomas B. Mooney, Esq. Shipman & Goodwin

It didn’t take long. School started in Nutmeg just a month ago, and already Ms. Superintendent was calling the members of the Board of Education to schedule an expulsion hearing. “This is a good one,” she told veteran Board member Bob Bombast. “Joe Blow hacked into the computer system at Nutmeg Memorial High School and gave himself and a number of friends better grades. Can I count on you?”

“I understand,” Bob Bombast replied.

“Don’t worry. I have this.”

Ms. Superintendent promptly sent out the standard expulsion notification letter, and the next day she received a call from Bill Alot, a local lawyer, who told her that he is representing Joe Blow. “Of course, I will not be ready to proceed next week per your letter. It is clear that my client is the victim of mistaken identity, and it will take me some weeks to ferret out the truth. I will be back to you when I am ready.”

Ms. Superintendent asked Bill if the Blow family agrees to keep Joe out of school pending the scheduling of the hearing. “Of course not,” Bill responded.

“This great young man shouldn’t suffer any disruption to his education.” Ms. Superintendent considered Bill’s position for five or six seconds, and then she told Bill that she was denying Bill’s request and that the hearing will go forward as scheduled.

Attorney Alot and the entire Blow family were in attendance at the scheduled hearing. Before Ms. Superintendent could begin her presentation of the evidence against Joe, however, Bill Alot asked to be heard, and Mr. Chairperson agreed.

“This entire proceeding is tainted with a failure to comply with legal requirements,” Bob intoned. “First, the family received a notification letter that is wholly inadequate and illegal. Then, I make a simple request for postponement, which Ms. Superintendent summarily denied. I ask you to dismiss this case with prejudice.”

Veteran Board member Bob Bombast spoke next. “Thank you, Attorney Alot, for that speech. But we cannot have wrong-doers like Joe Blow in school with the good children who want to learn. I move that we go ahead with the hearing.”

After a brief huddle with Ms. Superintendent, Mr. Board Chairperson announced his ruling that the hearing would go forward. He turned to Ms. Superintendent and ask her to present the case. Ms. Superintendent explained

to the Board that the Assistant Principal at the High School had heard rumors that students’ grades had been changed and that Joe Blow was responsible. He called Joe right down to the office, and Joe admitted (with some pride) that he had changed the grades. “Enough said,” Ms. Superintendent stated, and she concluded her presentation.

Attorney Alot then renewed his accusations against the Administration, now claiming that the Assistant Principal deprived Joe of his constitutional right against self-incrimination by not reading him his Miranda rights. However, the Board wasn’t buying it, and it expelled Joe. Attorney Alot vowed to appeal.

Should the Board have any concerns?

Yes, it should. Normally, expulsion hearings are final decisions, and there is no express right to appeal. However, here the actions of Ms. Superintendent and the Board gave Joe and his lawyer ample grounds to appeal on due process grounds.

At the outset, we note that students facing expulsion have a property right in their education, and as we remember from Civics class, under the United States Constitution, no person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. Two key elements of due process are fair notice and an impartial decision-maker. Taking the second first, Ms. Superintendent should not have talked with Bob Bombast beforehand. The Board members hear expulsion hearings as judges, and they should be impartial, basing their decision at the evidence presented at the hearing. Bob’s conversation with and assurance to the Superintendent violated this expectation.

Second, we note Attorney Alot’s claim that the notice of the hearing was deficient. While we did not see the actual letter, Bill may have a good point. Last year, the General Assembly amended the expulsion statute, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233d, in several significant respects, including the addition of a new requirement.

Effective August 15, 2017, notice of an expulsion hearing must include “information concerning the parent’s or guardian’s and the pupil’s legal rights and concerning legal services provided free of charge or at a reduced rate that are available locally and how to access such services.” Information about reduced rate legal services has been required for some time, but districts must

now also provide parents and guardians information concerning their “legal rights,” a broad term that the statute does not otherwise define. We recommend that such information include the right to appear, to hear evidence and to present evidence, to be represented by counsel, and to request a postponement “for up to one week to allow time to obtain representation.”

We note that Bill Alot requested a postponement for several weeks, which is not required. However, even a one-week’s postponement can present a challenge because the expulsion hearing must be held within 10 school days of the student’s suspension unless “an emergency exists,” in which case “such hearing shall be held as soon after the expulsion as possible.”

Unfortunately, the General Assembly did not clarify the status of the student pending a hearing beyond the ten school days. Districts should continue to work with parents to schedule these hearings promptly. However, at parent insistence, students may now be able to return to school pending the expulsion hearing except in cases of emergency.

Also, now all students below eighteen are eligible for alternative education, irrespective of the nature of their misconduct (subject to conditions that the board of education may impose for students sixteen and older), unless the student has been expelled previously. This educational opportunity must conform to the requirements for alternative education, notably instruction based on the 900-hour requirement, as well as an “individualized learning plan,” which is not defined by statute.

This year, in Public Act 17-220, “An Act Concerning Education Mandate Relief,” the General Assembly added a second option – instruction in accordance with standards established by the State Board of Education. However, in contradiction to the stated purpose of this statutory change, the State Department of Education has issued draft standards that are even more burdensome than alternative education, which thus cannot be considered “Mandate Relief ” under any definition. As of this writing, the State Board of Education has not adopted these draft standards.

Stay tuned.

The Eighth Edition is here!!

A Practical Guide to Connecticut School Law

by Thomas B. Mooney, Esq. Shipman & Goodwin The Guide comes with a CD which provides hyperlinks to many cases and statutes and will permit word searches as a supplement to the Index.

The Eighth Edition was substantially rewritten to reflect statutory changes, significant case law developments in state and federal courts. Some of the numerous legal developments and update are as follows: School Safety and Security | Bullying Law Teacher Evaluation and Support | Teacher Tenure Act New Requirements for Professional Development Budget Issues | Prohibitions on Electronic Notifications of Referenda Minimum Budget Requirements |FMLA for Paraprofessionals Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements Uniform Regional School Calendars | Excusal | Student Assessments Pool Safety | Concussion Prevention and Education Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention and Education Administration and Storage of Epinephrine | Excused Absences Student Free Speech | Employee Free Speech

Order your copy TODAY by going to the CABE website: http://www.cabe.org/page.cfm?p=1239

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The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

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IN MEMORIAM:

Bonnie Carney Robert Rader, Executive Director, CABE Patrice McCarthy, Deputy Director and General Counsel, CABE

Lisa Steimer, Sr. Staff Associate for Professional Development, CABE

Bonnie Carney, CABE’s Senior Staff Associate for Publications passed away on Friday, September 8, 2017. She had worked at CABE for 47 years — an amazing testament to her consistency and dedication.

More than just a nearly five-decade period, she put her “stamp” of professionalism on everything she touched.

She was an integral part of the CABE Family.

While Bonnie liked being a “behind the scenes” person, she developed the for-

mat and look of our publications. She understood branding and creatively designed the look and style of all our publications.

She “branded” CABE with her high standards and her creative style.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts she graduated from Suffield Public Schools and lived in Suffield most all her life. She served on the Suffield Board of Education for six years and gained insight from the experience, which translated to her work at CABE. The CABE Board of Directors, on a staff recommendation, named CABE’s Awards for Excellence for Educational Communications in her honor last year.

When someone would ask why she still works, her response would be that she loves her job. She tried “retiring” for one

day a week several years ago, but found she would rather be at the office during that time. She was often the first person to get to CABE in the morning and the last to leave at night.

She was quick to pick up new technology as publication software and the requirements of the Post Office would change. She was an incredibly hard worker and successfully met the many deadlines her responsibilities entailed.

Bonnie took most of the pictures at the CABE/CAPSS Convention and other events that ended up in the Journal and on FaceBook. She loved beautiful pictures and would share them with CABE staff and others.

Bonnie enjoyed going to the beach for

sunrises and sunsets, shopping, photography, NASCAR races, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and, most of all, spending time with her grandchildren and supporting their activities.

She was always ready for a new adventure. She was fun to be with and had an extremely positive outlook on life.

CABE has lost a key Senior Staff employee, but more importantly, we have all lost a great friend. We already miss her!

Our Memories of Bonnie I distinctly remember my first “real” conversation with Bonnie. We were at a reception at the CABE/CAPSS Convention in 1996, before I had officially joined the staff. I had some ideas about making changes to the CABE Journal and, knowing it was her “baby”, I brought them up, as tactfully as I could. Rather than push back, Bonnie said, “That’s great—I love change.” Over the years she proved that to me many times. I would come to her after she laid out a publication and asked her to change it. She always did it with a smile and always said that she’s very willing to do it, as long as it made the publication better.

Every issue of the Journal will remind me of her.

I always will treasure having worked with Bonnie, a person who loved to work, gave me advice as needed and loved her family, CABE and NASCAR. I, and I know, the whole staff, already miss her greatly!

Bob Rader, Executive Director Bonnie was committed to her family and to CABE. She always wanted to insure the perfect photos for CABE events (even when she was in a lockdown at the Capitol during Day on the Hill!), the most effective workshop flyers, and a professional Journal. From the risograph to Facebook, she adapted. Bonnie was a true professional, committed to the work of school boards and to maintaining and respecting CABE’s 111-year history.

Bonnie will never be replaced, but we will honor her contributions to CABE by maintaining her high standards.

Patrice McCarthy, Deputy Director and General Counsel, CABE You don’t work closely with someone for 16 years and not have a running list of memories. Bonnie loved her family, work and CABE. She was one to push me whether to meet a deadline or to assure me I had what was needed to get a challenging job done. Earlier this year I earned my Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). Bonnie pushed and encouraged me as I wrote, studied, and rehearsed my

panel presentation. When I passed the exam, the first person I called to share the news was Bonnie. I told her, “Bon, we just earned our APR.” I still feel that way – we earned it. The final thought I will share are words she would often share with me every so often – “Inch by inch, life is a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.” I have these words playing on a loop in my head as we move forward without our friend and colleague, Bonnie.

Lisa Steimer, Sr. Staff Associate for Professional Development I have had the personal and professional pleasure to have known and worked with Bonnie for many years. My fondest memories of Bonnie will always revolve about the personal characteristics that exemplified the quiet, loyal, unassuming, conscientious and competent individual she was. Bonnie always exhibited a steadfastness, in spite of any adversity, that got the many tasks completed, on time, and with a pleasing creativity. She grew professionally throughout her long, unprecedented tenure at CABE, embracing new technologies and using them to improve upon her areas of responsibility.

Bonnie was our CABE historian, having worked successfully with a myriad of colleagues over the years at CABE and with innumerable and varied board members and administrators. She undoubtedly has attended more annual CABE/CAPSS conventions than anyone, in addition to the many workshops and seminars of the organization, being the person happy to be behind the scenes, except when to take pictures for publication in the CABE Journal, to do what was necessary to contribute to the event’s success.

My memories of Bonnie include her enthusiasm for NASCAR racing, her love of eggplant parmigiana sandwiches, the striking photos she shared of sunrises and sunsets at Florida’s beaches when she was on vacation and my assisting her with the reviews of Board submitted materials for CABE’s Board Leadership Award and annually revising the model student handbook.

Bonnie truly loved her job, saying she

would never retire from it. She was always the first to arrive at the office and rarely the first to leave at day’s end. She truly made a difference in the life of many.

Vincent A. Mustaro, Sr. Staff Associate for Policy Service Being the early morning girls, and watching most of the same TV shows, Bonnie and I enjoyed sharing our thoughts on our favorite shows, latest gossip on the movie stars, sharing recipes, craft ideas and keeping each other up-todate with the kids and grandchildren. I miss our morning chit-chats and I miss Bonnie. She was more than my co-worker, she was my friend.

Pam Brooks, Senior Administrative Associate for Policy/Search Services Bonnie was an amazing woman filled with so much knowledge and I am fortunate to have worked with her for all these years. 16 years just wasn’t enough time.

Rest in peace, Bon. I will miss you.

Wilmarie Newton, Administrative Associate for Labor Relations Having been with CABE for years, Bonnie was not stuck in “we have always done it this way” she truly enjoyed change, she enjoyed her work and was proud to show us her improvements. Her excitement was contagious! I will miss her positive outlook and her cutting commentary!

Sheila McKay, Sr. Staff Associate for Government Relations I’ve known Bonnie for close to 30 years and had the pleasure of working with her for over 20 years. When you work with someone that long, they become family – not just a co-worker or friend.

Bonnie’s matter-of-fact approach to life was unique. She would tell you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear. I will miss her.

Nick Caruso, Sr. Staff Associate for Field Services Bonnie was a sassy, classy woman that was full of energy. She was thoughtful

and kind. Bonnie loved to cook and got a great joy in sharing with other co-workers. Bonnie particularly, loved making different soups for others. I am glad that I got the chance to know such a wonderful person who enjoyed her life, family and friends.

Gail Heath, Administrative Associate for Government Relations Before I began working WITH Bonnie here at CABE, I worked FOR Bonnie with LIFE Publications printing and distributing the CABE Journal. Bonnie never failed to amaze me. If there was something wrong, she didn’t just let me fix it like so many others did, she wanted to know the how’s and why’s. She had a glorious curiosity, a willingness to learn new things and a bulldog personality to not let anything go until she figured out the puzzle/problem.

I was thoroughly blown away once when she missed a deadline - totally not her modus operandi. When I called her on it she apologized and said she just had surgery and was “a little behind”. SURGERY? And she was back at work? A tougher woman I have never known.

Bonnie once took a photo of cows crossing the road near her daughter’s home. We loved that the woman leading the cows was much shorter than the cows themselves but those cows knew who was boss. That was Bonnie – no task too big that she wasn’t willing to lead. She was clever, creative and fiercely proud of her kids and grandkids and loved to share their triumphs. Her stories, her hobby/ project of the month, her photos… so much of her will be sorely missed.

Nancy Propfe, Administrative Assistant for Membership Services I had the pleasure of knowing Bonnie for 6½ years. As my co-worker she was my friend and my lunch buddy. I miss her dearly!

Cory Ucci, Receptionist/Assistant to the Executive Director

8

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

BOOK REVIEW

(continued from page 1)

considerations (Johnson was constantly worried about re-election), failure of the JCS to stand up in a united way to the president with their best advice and decision making aimed at short-term results, rather than long-term consequences.

Here are some lessons I got out of this book which might help school board members and superintendents: • If you have a group of experts working with you on the project, make sure you give careful consideration to their ideas.

Johnson and McNamara often would make decisions and then tell the JCS, the highest military officers in the country, what they had decided before they even heard what the JCS thought. This does not mean you have to do exactly what the experts say. CABE encourages board members to ask questions of experts, including district staff. Be open to giving their opinions appropriate weight before you go ahead.

• Transparency in decision making can lead to better thinking, especially on long-term decisions. Telling members of Congress one thing and doing another led to cynicism and distrust of our leaders and our institutions. No one will ever know if transparency would have saved us from this fiasco, but at least a comprehensive discussion of our goals and objectives would have helped. I believe that some of the roots of the distrust of government today is due to this very time period. Boards should consider the importance of trust, transparency and their credibility as they move forward.

• People in positions of power have a responsibility to step up when they believe a wrong decision is being made. In the case of Vietnam, the JCS never stood up and voiced their own doubts about either the shortor long-term decisions. They were wooed by Johnson and should have communicated what they thought.

By not doing this, they “gave tacit approval to graduated pressure during the critical period in which the president escalated the war”, a strategy with which they disagreed.

Board members and superintendents have the duty to stand up and speak out when a decision is to be made with which they disagree. When a final decision is made they have a responsibility to follow good boardmanship and support or at least, not oppose, the decision. Make sure your board provides the opportunity in which opposing views can be heard.

Patrice McCarthy, Deputy Director and General Counsel, CABE and Rebecca Adams, Sr. Staff Attorney, CABE with the technical support of Wilmarie Newton, Administrative Associate for Labor Relations provided a webinar on Board of Education Meetings from A-Z: Best Practices and Tips for Superintendents’ Secretaries.

• The chair of the board should ensure every board member has the opportunity to provide input, negative or positive, on decisions. In the case of Vietnam, Chairman of the JCS General Maxwell Taylor exacerbated differences between the armed services to keep the JCS divided.

Rather than pull them together, he

CABE’s Unemployment Cost Management Service

recommended people who would follow McNamara’s and Johnson’s lead.

It is critical that school board chairs look to pull the board together behind the best ideas.

• Check your arrogance. Johnson and McNamara disregarded the experience and advice of the generals because they thought they knew better. Be open to new ideas and never stop learning about new trends, opportunities and best practices.

McMaster ends the book blaming a

CABE has partnered with

Corporate Cost Control to offer support through a number of services to reduce costs and save staff time.

Services include training and education, claims processing, charge auditing, hearings representation and budgeting/reporting.

number of failures on leadership: arrogance, weakness, lying in the pursuit of self-interest and “above all, the abdication of responsibility to the American people.”

School boards may not have the life-ordeath burdens that weighed on our leaders during this period, but they have a profound impact on the future of every child who goes through their schools. The lessons that McMaster illuminates can help boards become more effective, build trust with their publics and make the right decisions for their students, their staffs and their communities.

For more information you may visit our website at http://www.cabe.org/page.cfm?p=1198.

If you have questions or would like to receive a quote, contact Teresa Costa at CABE at 860-571-7446 or email tcosta@cabe.org.

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

9

10

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

The Government Relations Committee met in August to discuss CABE resolutions.

CABE-Meeting CABE-Meeting is a user-friendly online service offered by CABE specifically for school boards. Users can eliminate unnecessary paperwork, increase efficiency and reduce costs while enabling board members to utilize the latest in cutting edge technology. Using CABE-Meeting, the Meeting Manager can create an electronic meeting from developing the agenda to creating the minutes and everything in between.

CABE-MEETING OFFERS:

Members of the State Board of Education including Chair Alan Taylor; Members William Davenport, Donald Harris and Robert Trefry; and Commissioner Dianna Wentzell joined the CABE Board of Directors meeting on September 25 to discuss education in Connecticut.

• Secure login access for board and district staff • Access from any location with Internet access • Search archived agenda and meeting related items in a flash • Ability to download and print attachments • Option to provide a public link to board meeting information

YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PROVIDES: • Access to CABE-Meeting • Initial and ongoing training • Support and maintenance • Upgrades to the service

CABE MEMBER SUBSCRIPTION FEES: Initial Subscription – $3,000 Annual Maintenance – $1,500

CABE-Meeting Meeting Managers met for their annual summer meeting to discuss best practices.

If you have an interest in this service, contact Lisa Steimer at 860-571-7446 or lsteimer@cabe.org

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

11

NSBA Summer Leadership Conference Patrice McCarthy

Deputy Director and General Counsel, CABE

Connecticut was represented at the NSBA Summer Leadership Conference by President Ann Gruenberg (Hampton), First Vice President Bob Mitchell (Montville), Immediate Past President Richard Murray (Killingly), NSBA Regional Director Lydia Tedone (Simsbury), and CABE Deputy Director and General Counsel Patrice McCarthy.

The program included an all-day

was also discussed, with the goal of creating more compatibility between members and the association by addressing issues that are relevant to the members.

A sample board self-evaluation document provided is similar to those that CABE makes available to its member boards. There was also a suggested policy regarding organizational innovation, that balances the need for a governing board to support innovation as well as meeting its fiduciary responsibilities by managing risk.

The program concluded with remarks

workshop on Strategic Governance: Effective

from Kevin Powell, who reflected on his

Practices for State Association Leadership

life from a childhood of extreme poverty

Teams. The session, led by Glenn Tecker,

through his college education as a result of

emphasized the importance of leaders

the New Jersey’s Educational Opportunity

looking up and out, rather than looking down

Fund.

and back – especially relevant advice given

At the Northeast Region Business

Connecticut’s significant fiscal challenges.

meeting Bob Mitchell was elected as an

The educator role of association leaders

alternate to the Nominating Committee.

David Pogue to Be Friday Night Speaker

Pictured left to right, Patrice McCarthy, Deputy Director and General Counsel, CABE; Robert Mitchell, Montville, First Vice President, CABE; Ann Gruenberg, Hampton, President, CABE; and Kevin Ciak, President, NSBA.

Every Vote Counts!

Mark Your Calendar to Save this Date!

Lisa Steimer

Sr. Staff Associate for Professional Development, CABE

The CABE/CAPSS Convention Committee is happy to announce that is the CABE/CAPSS Convention’s Friday evening speaker. David Pogue is the tech critic for Yahoo Finance, having been groomed for the position by 13 years as the personal-technology columnist for the New York Times. He’s also a monthly columnist for Scientific American and host of science shows on PBS’s “NOVA.” He’s been a correspondent for “CBS Sunday Morning” since 2002.

With more than 3 million books in print, David is one of the world’s bestselling how-to authors. He wrote or co-wrote seven books in the “for Dummies” series

David graduated summa cum laude from Yale in 1985, with distinction in Music, and he spent 10 years conducting and arranging Broadway musicals in New York. He’s won four Emmy awards, two Webby awards, a Loeb award for journalism, and an honorary doctorate in music.

He’s been profiled on “48 Hours” and “60 Minutes.” He lives in Connecticut with his wife and three children.

In 2009, David spoke before the Friday night banquet and was overwhelm-

(including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Clas-

ingly popular with attendees. When asked

sical Casino Music); in 1999, he launched

to return, he said he was delighted to join

his own series of complete, funny comput-

us again, as he has roots in Connecticut

er books called the Missing Manual series,

and greatly appreciates our public school

which now includes 120 titles.

system.

November 16, 2017

Registration 2:30 pm | Program 3:00 - 6:00 pm Reception 6:00 - 6:30 pm | Dinner 6:30 - 7:30 pm

CABE Delegate Assembly Mystic Marriott Hotel, Groton

12

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

The Policy Corner Vincent A. Mustaro

Senior Staff Associate for Policy Service, CABE

Policy: a board of education leadership tool without equal

Policy Considerations for Naloxone Use in Schools Opioid overdoses kill thousands of Americans yearly. Deaths from prescription painkillers (opioid or narcotic pain relievers) have reached epidemic levels according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A crucial mitigating factor involves the nonmedical use of prescription painkillers, using drugs without a prescription or using drugs to obtain the “high” they produce. Given the magnitude of the problem, in 2014 the CDC added OPR overdose prevention to its list of top five public health challenges.

Many of these deaths are preventable through the timely provision of an inexpensive, safe, and effective drug and the summoning of emergency responders. In Connecticut, on average, one person dies every day from an opioid overdose. Opioids include street drugs, like heroin, and prescription drugs like OxyContin. People overdose and die from prescription drugs by using too much or mixing them with other pills, street drugs, or alcohol.

Although drug overdoses in school are rare, school nurses are increasingly thinking of the drug Naloxone as an essential part of their first-aid kits. Administered via syringe or a nasal spray, it works almost immediately to get an overdose patient breathing again, and it does not create a “high” or have major side effects.

Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is the antidote that reverses an opioid overdose. It has been used in ambulances and hospitals for decades to reverse overdose. It neutralizes the opioids in a person’s system, helping the individual to breathe again. It only works if a person has opioids in their system. It doesn’t work on other drugs.

Some states, including neighboring Rhode Island, have passed legislation permitting the use of naloxone in schools.

School districts nationwide, are struggling with whether to add Naloxone to their medical supplies. Laws in Kentucky and New York explicitly allow school employees to obtain and administer Naloxone and excuse them from liability for using it in an emergency. Illinois allows schools to carry the drug for nurses to administer.

The National Association of School Nurses’ (NASN) position is that the safe and effective management of opioid pain reliever (OPR)-related overdose in schools be incorporated into the school emergency preparedness and response plan using

Naloxone. The school nurse is an essential part of the school team responsible for developing emergency response procedures.

The Association believes school nurses in this role should facilitate access to Naloxone for the management of OPR-related overdose in the school setting.

Schools anticipate and prepare to respond to a variety of emergencies The school nurse is often the first health professional who responds to an emergency in the school setting. The school nurse possesses the education and knowledge to identify emergent situations, manage the emergency until relieved by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, communicate the assessment and interventions to EMS personnel, and follow up with the healthcare provider.

Current CT Laws related to Naloxone (Narcan)*: Legislation exists which permits the stocking and use of Naloxone in schools to treat an emergency overdose situation. The applicable statutes include C.G.S. 21a-279 and 17a-714. P.A. 16-43, “An Act Concerning Opioids and Access to Overdose Reversal Drugs”, which places a 7-day limit on opioid prescriptions. This applies only to the first outpatient prescription for adults, but always applies to minors.

Information can be accessed via the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Publication- “Opioid Overdose Prevention/ Naloxone (Narcan) Initiative,” accessible at: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/cwp/view. asp?q=509650.

A key component of P.A. 16-43 allows any licensed health care professional to administer an opioid antagonist to treat or prevent a drug overdose without being (1) civilly or criminally liable for such action or (2) deemed as violating his/her professional standard of care. The law also allows anyone, if acting with reasonable care, to administer an opioid antagonist to a person he/she believes, in good faith, is experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose. It generally gives civil and criminal immunity to such a person regarding the administration of the opioid antagonist.

Policy Implications: The question has been raised pertaining to whether a school nurse is allowed to obtain and administer Naloxone (Narcan) in the school setting in an emergency situation and also be excused from any liability in its use.

CABE Policy Service contacted SDE’s Office of Student Supports and Organizational Effectiveness Bureau of Health/ Nutrition, Family Services and Adult Education. Schools do have the ability to include Naloxone in their formulary, the official list giving details of medicines that may be administered, for the purpose of emergency administration, as they do with medications such as epinephrine, etc. Medical advisors may write standing orders for emergency medications such as Naloxone, epinephrine, etc. to be administered by school nurses. Therefore, it is the school district’s decision to decide which medications they want in their formulary and the corresponding orders so that school nurses may administer them.

The liability of school nurses in administering Naloxone would not be any different from the liability they would assume in administering any emergency drug in the school environment.

The Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division provides guidance to school districts regarding the ordering of the emergency medication, epinephrine. The memo is also applicable to drugs such as Naloxone and is accessible at: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/

sde/pdf/digest/epinephrine_in_public_ schools.pdf.

Therefore, school medical advisors may order Naloxone from any properly credentialed wholesaler of drugs who may deliver the Naloxone directly to the respective school health system(s) for the purpose of emergency first aid to students and/or staff.

CABE’s Policy Service encourages school districts to engage in conversations with the district’s school medical advisor, school attorney, representatives of local emergency medical services, school nurses and members of the community to determine whether adopting a policy on administering Naloxone in a drug overdose situation is appropriate for the district. It is important for the school and community to become educated on the issue of opioid overdose and prevention.

Current research about Naloxone and its use appears to indicate that stocking it and using it in accordance with proper procedures, oversight, and training should present a very low risk of harm or liability.

A new sample policy, #5141.213 and an accompanying administrative regulation are available, upon request, for consideration and possible use, if determined appropriate by the local district.

Regional District #1 Board of Education Completes Lighthouse Training Members of the Regional School District #1 (Housatonic Valley Regional High School) Board of Education and administrators were recognized at a meeting on September 13, 2017 for completing the core work of the Lighthouse Project.

The board participated in 14 training sessions of at least 2½ hours over 18 months. Of the 22 Connecticut School districts that have received Lighthouse training, only five districts completed the foundation program.

Photo (L-R): Warren Logee, CABE Consultant; John Sanders, board member; Nicholas Caruso, CABE staff; Jennifer Weigel, board member; Andrea Downs, Board Chair; Ned Gow, board member; Pam Vogel, Superintendent of Schools; Bob Whelan, board member; and Jonathan Moore, board member. Also present: Lisa Carter, Assistant Superintendent and Jose Martinez, School Principal.

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

13

The Media Message

by Gabbie Charier, Baldwin Media Marketing, LLC

How to Prepare for a Quotable Interview priority message should be. This is your

others perceive you as credible, too.

successful interview with the media is

“key message.” What, in a sentence

However, be wary of using too many

4) Remember that the objective is to educate

simple: create solid key messages. As

or two, should the audience take away

Remember, the average viewer

a media spokesperson for your school

with them? From there, you can begin

statistics or facts, as people begin to

or district, your colleagues trust you to

to curate other, less significant key

thoroughly communicate key messages

messages. All key messages should be

that are accurate and positively reflect

short and concise. However, remember

on your school community. With

that media interviews are quick,

that said, it’s important to realize that

and there is often only time to cover

the media will oftentimes trim your

one main topic. If this is the case,

interview and only include one or two

remember to emphasize and stick with

very important rule to remember. The

reporter if the story calls for it. This

thoughts in the final piece. Make sure

your priority key message.

longer the quote, the more opportunity

is information the reporter can use

there is for a reporter to take your

in his or her final story and allows

The secret to an impactful and

you are equipping the media with solid “sound bites” by following these best practices:

1) Discuss your priority message The objective of any interview

2) Provide factual information that supports your key message As a spokesperson for your school community, you are a trusted and credible source of information. Let that show in your interview. When

lose interest when numbers start flying at them.

3) Be concise when delivering key messages I touched on this earlier, but this is a

words out of context or misquote you.

Avoid “fluff ” words. Think to news packages you’ve seen on your local station- they are often no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds long! The

or reader is probably not as educated on the subject as you are.

(That’s why you’re the expert, not them!) Avoid using information or knowledge that only another expert would know. Provide useful background information to the

you to have more control of the quality of information that gets out.

Remember, Baldwin Media is just a phone call away for any CABE members that might need additional

explaining your key message in detail,

sound bite they will use from you will

better understanding of particular

include concise facts or statistics that

only be a fraction of that time. Keep it

(860) 408-1580, or via e-mail, ann@

information. Determine what your

support the information. This helps

short and sweet.

baldwinmedia.net. Continued success!

is to leave the audience with a

assistance. We can be reached at

14

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017

CABE: working for YOU Individualized Workshops | Professional Development Opportunities Legal Services | Policy Services | Representing You Statewide and Nationally Below are the highlights of activities

Manual and/or online manuals posted

and the Equal Access Act and

the Custom Policy Service for

that the CABE staff has undertaken on

by CABE for policy samples. The

technology usage in the classroom

Ansonia, Derby, Enfield, New

your behalf over the last month. We did

topics of greatest interest included

this:

graduation requirements, the use

B y providing opportunities for members to learn how to better govern their districts: • Worked with New Haven Board

• Met with members of the Branford

and the use of Narcan in the school

responsibilities of the Board and

• Provided Roles and Responsibilities workshop for the Oxford Board of Education.

system.

B y promoting public education: • Provided summary of education considerations in collective bargaining in Connecticut and

Education and staff on the use of

across the country to municipal

CABE-Meeting.

human resource directors.

• Hosted annual meeting of CABE-

• Attended SDE “Performance

Meeting Meeting Managers.

Matters Forum,” CAPSS Board of Directors meeting and Shipman

B y helping school boards to increase student achievement:

• F ielded 50 requests for policy

• Sent three issues of “Policy Highlights”

information were provided to 34

via e-mail listserve covering topics

districts and 1 attorney on 47 topics.

that affect student achievement. This

Further, districts continue to access

included directory information, the

CABE’s online Core Policy Reference

impact of bullying, student programs

Did You Know?

Grade 3 Leaders initiative

• Trained Region 1 Board of

the Superintendent and establishing a “circling back” communication

•P articipated in meeting of the PreK-

setting.

Board and the Superintendent to follow up on roles and

the Region #1 Board of Education.

of physical restraint and seclusion

on addressing quorum issues and meeting notice requirements.

•P rovided Lighthouse training for

London, Plymouth, Winchester and Woodbridge.

• Met with Rare Reminder staff and graphic designer about CABE publications.

B y providing services to meet members’ needs: • Replied to 39 requests for information on legal, labor, and operations issues for 29 districts.

“Hot” legal topics included: • SDE guidance requiring districts to provide 900 hours, a full year

and Goodwin seminar on education

contact schedule, in an alternate

legislation.

setting for expelled students

B y ensuring members receive the most up-to-date communications:

• Confidentiality and FERPA

• Prepared materials as part of

• Impact of decision holding private

considerations during expulsion proceedings

For the price of CABE dues, your board and superintendent are eligible for: •

Unlimited telephone consultation on policy issues

•

Sample school board policies and regulations whenever you need them

•

Unlimited telephone legal consultation from our experienced in-house attorneys

•

Unlimited tailored workshops on issues such as FOIA, roles and responsibilities, board self-evaluation and goal-setting

•

Unlimited advice on key educational issues from knowledgeable, expert professionals who have great experience in helping boards better serve their communities

• Advocacy Highlights, Policy Highlights and other emailed updates, as well as the CABE Journal with information on current issues and best practices

Accessing these services is easy, just call us at 860-571-7446 or find us on the web at www.cabe.org!

•

Unlimited help for your advocacy efforts with the Legislature, the State Board of Education and other state and federal officials

•

Unlimited telephone labor relations and negotiations advice

•

CABE Labor Relations survey information

•

Access to our networks of school board members across the State for their advice and recommendations on issues before you, including special email groups for board chairs and Alliance districts

•

Crisis communications help

•

Superintendent search process workshop and written guide

•

Participation in CABE Leadership Institute

•

Workshops to help your School Governance Councils

•

Webinars on various topical issues

•

Legislative breakfasts

•

Education Law Summaries

•

CABE Board Leadership Awards

•

CABE Student Leadership Awards

•

CABE’s for-fee services at greatly discounted rates

•

Knowing that you are a part of a dedicated statewide education association whose mission is to ensure boards are effective and efficient

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017 CABE

definition of student information

(continued from page 14) schools liable for failure to warn of potential tick-borne illnesses in China prior to field trip • Requirement to notify staff when an FOIA request is made for personnel files

teacher personnel files • Requirements of proper meeting no • Steps in wage scales for noncertified personnel • Integrated summer school and Extended School Year • Transferring student records of expelled students enrolling in another district • Registering resident students attending schools of choice • Adjourning an annual regional district meeting to referendum • Wrote a memo regarding bus stop information not falling under the

• Attended National Public Employer

and directory information under

Labor Association (NPELRA)

FERPA.

certification training sessions:

• Wrote a memo regarding the FOIA

• Personnel Investigations and

members on the lack of a State budget.

•M et with representatives of the National Retired Service Corps,

requirements for board members

Collective Bargaining – Procedure

a not-for-profit organization that

to vote individually and the votes

and best practices, due process

provides consultants on a variety of

be recorded identifying how each

considerations for certified staff,

member voted.

recent national and labor board

• Prepared materials as part of the

• Duty, pursuant to FOIA, to disclose

15

Custom Update Service for Union and West Haven.

• Entered into an agreement to place the policy manual of Brooklyn online using CABE’s Connecticut Online Policy Service.

• Completed the audit of the Ledyard policy manual. And started the process of auditing the manual of Norwalk.

• Met with new Cromwell Superintendent, John Maloney, on CABE services, activities and programs.

B y representing Connecticut school boards on the state or national level:

decisions overturning or reducing discipline based on failure to follow collective bargaining contract procedure and improper investigations.

issues.

• S poke on the need for a State budget on Fox 61.

• S poke to approximately one hundred 11th and 12th grade students about American, and particularly

• Costing Collective Bargaining Contracts – Calculating the impact of all components of proposals in preparation for and throughout negotiations. In depth analysis of contracts from uniform allowances to vacation days and wages.

• Attended meeting of the

Connecticut education, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

• Participated in meeting of the Connecticut Coalition for Public Education.

• Met with Executive Director of Connecticut Voices for Children,

Connecticut Commission for

Ellen Shemitz, on career and college

Educational Technology.

readiness.

• Participated in Commissioner’s Back-to-School Meeting.

• Spoke at press conference with

• Attended retirement event for outgoing EASTCONN Executive Director, Paula Colen.

other WhatWillOurChildrenLose

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities So You Want To Be A Board Member?

A briefing on preparing for public office All sessions will be from 5:30 - 7:30 pm October 5

C.E.S., Trumbull

October 10

EASTCONN, Hampton

October 17, 2017 Legal Issues

Registration 8:30 am Program 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Inn at Middletown, Middletwon

October 24 A Workshop Designed for Superintendents’ Secretaries, Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants

Registration 12:30 pm Program 1:00 - 3:40 pm Pitkin Community Center, Wethersfield

November 16, 2017 CABE Delegate Assembly Mystic Marriott Hotel, Groton

November 17-18, 2017 2017 CABE/CAPSS Convention Out of the Public Schools Grows the Greatness of a Nation – Mark Twain Mystic Marriott Hotel, Groton

December 7, 2017 2017 New Board Member Orientation/Leadership Conference Sheraton Hartford South Hotel, Rocky Hill

December 14, 2017 Responding to Hate Incidents in Schools and Districts Registration 8:30 am Program 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CAS, Cheshire

Consultants: MARY BRODERICK, ED.D SENIOR CONSULTANT For an update or more information on vacancies go to our website: www.cabe.org/page.cfm?p=1176

For more information contact, CABE Search Services, P.O. Box 290252, Wethersfield, CT 06129-0252 860-539-7594 Equal Opportunity Employer

16

The Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education | October 2017