BOE Votes 2.5 Percent Salary Increase for Schools Superintendent

After a two-plus hour executive session, the Board of Education resumed its regular session Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Branford High School, and voted unanimously to extend the contract of Schools superintendent Hamlet Hernandez until 2021 and approve a 2.5 percent salary increase. The board also heard a report on school security from consultant Joe Erardi in executive session.

The board typically does not report on details of its executive sessions. School security, however, has been discussed at length in recent months.

The board voted in June 2017 to extend Hernandez’s contract for another year; no salary increase was discussed at that time. The board voted on a 1 percent increase in January 2018, bringing his $193,260 salary to $195,192. The current increase will increase it to $200,072, effective with the 2018 – 2019 school year.

Chair Michael Krause said he was ​“pleased at how the district is moving forward,” but noted that there are areas for improvement.

School Based Health Center Update

Earlier in the evening, the board heard a presentation on the School Based Health Center (SBHC) by director, Melanie Wilde Lane. She said that enrollment has increased at all three health centers, which are satellite clinics of Yale New Haven Hospital and are fully licensed outpatient health facilities; there’s one at Branford High School, Walsh Intermediate School, and at Mary T. Murphy Elementary School.

Wilde Lane said that the population is changing and its needs are increasing. As a result the health center serves primary and urgent care and behavioral needs with no out-of-pocket costs to the family. A licensed clinician from Yale is on staff.

Enrollment has increased by 17 percent from 2015 – 16 to 2017 – 18; across the three schools, 86 percent of students are enrolled in the program. The program offers rolling enrollment in which a student enrolls one time and the information follows from school to school.

Wilde Lane explained that the extended hours at Walsh resulted in 50 additional visits with 75 percent of students returning to class the same day. The catch, she said, is that more funding is needed for that part of the program.

For the 2018 – 19 school year, the district will be taking part in the National Quality Initiative, which is part of the School-Based Health Alliance. Data is collected relating to five services provided by the SBHC: (1) annual well child visits; (2) annual risk assessments; (3) Body Mass Index assessment with nutritional and physical activity consulting; (4) depression screening with follow-up plans for those testing positive; and (5) chlamydia screening.

Wilde Lane said a gap was found in depression screening within the district, so as part of this pilot program, the SBHC will focus on that, specifically at Branford High School.

Currently, she said, students are screened for depression when undergoing a sports physical or when they are ​“flagged,” when there is cause for concern. The intent of the program is to screen all students who have a medical visit using a specific measurement tool, followed up by a standard follow-up plan. A small group will take part to start in the beginning with the expectation that more students will be included by the end of the school year.

The district has also partnered with the Soundview Y in a program called Y Be Fit, which offers education about nutrition and the benefits of physical activity to students at Murphy and Walsh. Evaluations take place before and after the program, which is offered free to families for three months.

A mobile dental program is also offered. It’s covered by Medicaid and private insurance with a small fee for the uninsured. Wilde Lane said 23 students received treatment during the 2016 – 17 school year; that number increased to 67 during 2017 – 18.

Superintendent’s Report

Hernandez updated the board on preparations at Walsh for the beginning of the school year, especially with the changes in traffic circulation.

He said that buses will be ​“stacked” – positioned side by side – within the loop. There are 31 vehicles, including vans, that will have access, but the timing will be staggered to discourage bottlenecks. Bus use is encouraged to decrease vehicular traffic. Dismissal will be staggered with the buses being staged, then loaded, then dismissed, followed by access to the parent loop, and finally walkers. Biking, for the time being, is discouraged since bike racks are not in place.

Hernandez said a practice session will take place Aug. 28. On Aug. 30, fifth graders will be picked up and returned, and a demonstration for parents will be held Aug. 31 School begins Sept. 4.

“I cannot think of a more tenuous time,” Hernandez said, encouraging everyone to ​“go slow.”

Hernandez also noted that the industrial arts area has been demolished and the rubble piles will be gone by the time students return. In addition, preparations for the reception area are underway with installation of cameras at the front doors. The old entrance will be replicated, he said, adding that the nurse’s office is also being prepared.

Hernandez reported that the summer meals program, supported by the US Department of Agriculture in partnership with other organizations, is in its fifth year. In its first year 6,000 meals were served and it’s grown to 30,000.