Board of Ed. Discusses Science Pilot Program, Special Needs Liaison

Suffield Board of Education discussed two continuing issues, a possible science and technology pilot program and concerns from parents of special education students, at their meeting Tuesday.

The prospective science program features two classes of eighth-grade students electing to take focused courses. During the board’s last meeting on April 26, it asked for clarification about parts of the program including exactly how the $10,000 earmarked for the endeavor would be spent.

Suffield Middle School Principal John Warrington answered many of the board’s questions but additional inquiries meant the issue didn’t close on Tuesday.

The pilot program calls for a $10,000 expenditure on equipment for two classes of 15 science and technology students. The total equipment needs of the classes and the possibility of needing a full-time employee to staff the program were discussed but the answers weren’t yet clear.

“I have some reservations about this one,” said board member Bob Eccles. “I get really nervous when we talk about adding staff.”

The board will remove the equivalent of three and a half full-time employees this year as part of an effort to keep its budget near 2010 levels. Some teachers who retire will not have their positions filled.

Board member Sue Porcello was also wary of the plan’s financial implications at the board’s April 26 meeting.

"I am not sure we can justify spending $10,000 on these few students,” she said. “I want to make sure this is done right."

The electives will be open to only 30 students. The current, less-comprehensive science and technology program is funded through an education grant that Warrington said could be renewed.

Warrington expects the pilot offering to have a full enrollment. He has been working on a class schedule that will avoid conflict with other activities.

“My intention is to have this elective expand and become part of the middle school curriculum,” he said.

The board asked for clarification on other points including contingency planning if the pilot fails, options for equipment purchase alternatives and staffing requirements for the classes.

Warrington expects to present a detailed initiative at the board’s next meeting on June 7. The debate regarding the $10,000 expenditure will continue for a third session.

The other major recurring issue at recent meetings is parent concern for the treatment of special needs students.

A group of 20 parents presented a report citing major treatment concerns for special needs students to the board in February. In March, the board discussed the concerns and formed a committee to review the issues. The committee then reported on their findings and recommended the hiring of a special liaison to address the issues in April.

On Tuesday, parents of the special needs students expressed frustration at the lack of attention given to their concerns citing the inability of committee members to meet with the liaison.

Suffield resident Natalie Semyanko questioned the board’s delay in working with a Capital Regional Educational Council (CREC) liaison contracted to review issues brought forth in February.

“I have some serious questions about the credibility of the process,” she said.

Her comments were focused on a board member’s scheduled vacation and the inability of the group to get the CREC consultant integrated into conversations with the parents.

“Each day that goes by is one I lose with my child,” Semyanko said.

Board Chairwoman Mary Roy said the board will make a concentrated effort to further involve the liaison with parents and meet with the liaison as a group as quickly as possible. Roy said the expressed concerns are a priority for the board.

The Suffield Board of Education is set to meet again on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:30 pm in the Suffield Middle School media center.