Walking our neighborhood

I spent some of each day two weeks ago walking every street in our neighborhood.  I was hand delivering flyers to make sure folks have my contact info (If you're reading my blog you can easily get my contact info... click to my website or link to the City's website for contact info for all 30 Aldermen.)

I was also reminding folks about the August 10th Primary.  Please register to vote, unaffiliated voters can enroll in a Party with races by mail until Aug. 5th or in person at 200 Orange by 12:00pm, Aug 9th, or hurry to request an Absentee Ballot from the City Clerk at 200 Orange St.

Primaries for:

Governor, Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Secretary of the State, Congress, General Assembly, Judge of Probate

Polls at Edgewood School for Ward 25 registered, enrolled voters will be open from 6am - 8pm, Tuesday, Aug. 10th.

Please contact me to chat or email me to get more info and to encourage me to blog more and more often!

School's out for the summer... and a Mini-update

Today was the last day of school for NHPS students.  I wish everyone a fun and safe summer!

Sorry I haven't been blogging much.  I have still been pretty busy representing the neighborhood though: Office hours are still going, emailing and chatting with neighbors, resolving complaints, coordinating with City Departments, attending meetings, etc....

Please keep in touch and call or email with anything you think I could help you with.

The meeting schedule slows down a bit during the summer, but there is a City Services/Environmental Policy Committee (CSEP) meeting tonight (June 24).  The agenda includes: a coffee shop's request for a new sign above the sidewalk, new residential parking zone near Lighthouse Park, the City joining Yale and the Parking Authority to enter in to a contract with Zip Car, and the Cultural Affairs Dept. requesting the approval of new guidelines for the acceptance and care of public art.  I am vice-chair of this committee.

The Legislation Committee (I'm a member) will meet in July (7/12) for business including another hearing on whether to "close the loop hole" that currently allows for beer & wine consumption at Lighthouse Park, where otherwise open containers of alcoholic beverages are illegal in any other public space and parks throughout the City.

Next regular BOA meeting is July 6th.

I'll soon blog and email with more details and info regarding:

"new" Recycling coming soon in July
Skim patching
Street Sweeping changes
Spring Mowing issues in the parks
Budget wrap-up, new mil rate
Reassessment starting in the fall (yep it's been 5 yrs already)
Sidewalks
Traffic signals
Storm Drains
Tree Planting

-Greg

Budget Update - 5/28/10

 BOA passed a Budget for FY10-11 last night.  I'll try to summarize the proceedings and the results soon... for now, this NHI article provides a good summary of the meeting and includes NHI's Thomas MacMillan's minute-by-minute blog of the 4.5 hour meeting.
-Greg

---------
Tuesday, May 18th, the BOA's Finance Committee held an additional Budget deliberation meeting.  This unusual addition to the Budget Season calendar was in response to an increase in Aldermen and City resident demand for more scrutiny, discussion and debate of the proposed FY11 City Budget.  Several amendments to the Mayor's Proposed Budget were introduced, discussed, debated and ultimately recommended favorably out of committee Tuesday evening.  While I'm not a member of the 10 member Finance Committee, I did attend all but one of the "Budget Season" Finance Committee meetings/workshops/public hearings. (I missed the BOE presentation ironically scheduled for the week of NHPS spring break.)

A truly important role of the BOA is to scrutinize, amend as deemed necessary, and ultimately pass the City's annual Budget, thus appropriating the money budgeted and setting the tax rate necessary to balance revenues and expenses.  This year there seems to be an increase in Alderman concern and participation in this oversight process.  There has also been an increase in the collaboration between the Aldermen and the Administration and City Departments in this budgeting process.  With concerns of their own and their constituents, many colleagues have worked hard to scrutinize the proposed budget and to propose cuts and revenue solutions.  From this scrutiny, listening to testimony from Department Heads,  and hearing concerns from the public, it became clear this year that all involved should collaborate to reduce proposed expenditures, find additional revenue, and thus mitigate the proposed tax increase.

The short summary for now of where we are after this week as we head toward next Thursday's (5/27) Special Budget session of the BOA...

Per amendments favorably recommended by the Finance Committee, the proposed budget to be considered next week has been reduced by $4.6 million down to $471.6M.  These amendments primarily came from small working groups of Alders, the Administration, and Dept. Heads. This represents a budget increase from FY 09-10 of 1.64% ($7.6M).  In comparison to the modest increase, significant cost increases include $7.7M in increased medical costs (which are contractual).

So, including these collaborative cost cutting efforts so far, the resulting residential property tax increase would thus be 4%.  This increase is the net result of total spending (decreased with numerous cuts from the original proposal), and offset by: other revenue (mostly State aid which decreases significantly from FY10), an increase to the Grand List, and the freezing of the revaluation phase in to Phase-in YR 2 (like last year).  The assessment value "freeze" sets residential values closer to today's fair market value and limits the effects of the revaluation done at the height of the market.  Instead of tax burden increases to residential tax payers from revaluation, any FY11 tax increase will be entirely based on the total budget that is not covered by other revenues like State aid, Payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT), asset sales, non-profits' contributions, rents, fines, etc.

While a goal of a zero tax increase is desirous of all, there are many factors as to why this may not be achieved for FY11.  There has indeed been thoughtful collaboration and cooperation as the original proposed budget was cut significantly, other revenues added, and the assessment policy changed to more than halve the proposed tax increase yet still fund the City's commitment to schools, public safety and many, many other valued city services.

I did indeed contribute to the collaborative efforts (despite not being a member of the Finance Committee) and to many cuts contained in this amendment - as did many of my colleagues.

There is a lot more to this story and to this process.   There will also be efforts made to make more cuts as amendments are presented on the floor this week.  The work for a fiscally responsible budget will continue right up to the vote.  Most of my colleague and I believe it is our job to pass a budget that our constituents too would support.  I believe it is not our job to simply "reject" or "send the budget back."

Here's the pdf of the amendment.  Here's some explanation of this package of amendments...

Page A has the summary and also includes the 38% reduction in Capital Budget requests that represents CANCELING the last 4 school projects.  While this reductions doesn't really result in a tax reduction this year, it is still a positive CUT which will indeed help in future years.

The new Revenues and itemized cuts are shown on page 1, with more details/explanations on pg. 2.

Cuts Highlights include:
$1.5 from BOE including: $300K in non-academic summer programs, $800K for half of TAG (the current form of the district wide program), $200K athletics reorg. which will cut certain sports and related transportation), $200K of the "double dippers."
$736K for all of the new to FY11 proposed positions (no new hires)
$1.185M from NHPD including delaying new police class, OT reduc, eliminate mounted unit
$294K by delaying fire class (additional paramedics)
$500K by reducing trash (we have to pay to get rid of our trash) through more recycling (we get paid for recycling)

Note: the Technical Amendment on page 3 accounts for errors in the original budget and unfortunately those errors are slightly positive, $40,879

The Mil Rate... Yes, it goes up with this budget.  HOWEVER, it goes up because we are freezing the assessment valuation at YR 2 levels (same as last year) and the budget has gone up modestly (1.64%), but other revenues (State Aid) decreased drastically.  The assessment freeze though truly benefits residential tax payers and the net result is that any tax increase won't relate to inflated valuation (from reassessment done at the height of the market) nor the shift of the tax burden from commercial to residential.  Also worth noting:  comparing the mil rate to other towns in CT is NOT possible or fair as other towns assess in different cycles and "fair market value" is very often very different from town to town.  It's not supposed to be, but it is for many reasons, including the timing.

For taxes to not go up at all, we would need to cut another $10M+.  This may seem simple to some.  Simply cutting this amount from the total appropriation by means of % reductions for departments as some suggest may be just too blunt.  Budgeting usually appropriates $ to described line items (actual, planned expenses).  So, the cuts made so far (in the "favorably approved Finance Committee amendments") are a $ amounts attributed to a defined/described expense that has been cut.

Budget "holes," "place holders,"and "non specified expenses" are also in this budget.  To account for this approx. $11M would require much deeper cuts.  +$6M however is accounted for as targeted cuts that are in development, and in some cases will require negotiations (that is be realized throughout the year).  There is an itemization for $4.4M of these types of cuts outlined in a 5/17 press release (link here).  The other $5M is a whole other story for another Blog (not written yet): Monitization of a Revenue source (borrowing against future parking meter revenue was what was proposed) or sales of other assets.  I've included this explanation that there are "holes" in this budget for transparency and as illustration that there is indeed more hard work to come.  Not all budgeting can be done for a whole year at one instant; it is a dynamic process, there are contractual obligations, new negotiations, new technology to implement, reorganization, etc.  While many, many expenses, and then cuts to those proposed, have us where we are today, getting all the way to a zero tax increase requires truly thoughtful and truly difficult decisions.

As I said, most of my colleague and I believe it is our job to pass a budget that our constituents too would support, and this effort will take us right up to the vote on Thursday.

BOA meeting report - 5/20/10

The May 20th, 2010 meeting was moved from Monday to Thursday to insert an unprecedented additional Finance Committee budget deliberation meeting Tuesday night.  With Budget Season rightfully monopolizing most Alder's time, the regular agenda was light.

The meeting opened with the unanimously approved order for Tax Refunds due (usually filer's errors) and the acceptance of US DOJ grant money to go to NHPD bulletproof vests.  Also a few City sliver lots were disposed per recommendation of the LCI director.

Next, with favorable recommendation from the Aldermanic Affairs Committee, the BOA unanimously approved the appointments and reappointments of several residents to City Commissions .

Then, with favorable recommendation from the City Services and Environmental Policy Committee (I'm Vice Chair; but missed the 4/22 meeting for NHPS spring break) several items also passed unanimously including: the establishment of an "ON-Street Parking Working Group" to explore how to maximize this City asset, the naming of a Wooster Square street corner after the late Battalian Chief Anthony P. "Dicky" Gambardella," the "adoption" of the Haitian City of Port au Prince and establishment of a volunteer Haitian Resources Relief Center modeled after Bridgeport and to continue to help the Haitian people here and in Haiti connect and rebuild after the earthquake tragedy, approval of a sign for Wireless Wizard at 786 Chapel St., the acceptance of Greater New Haven Transit District grant money for bikeway markings and signage, the acceptance of EPA grant money ($200K) for Brownfield Cleanup (earmarked for lot at Wall & State), and the acceptance of EPA grant money ($1 million) for a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program (money not allocated yet but sites along River St are a possibility).

Next, with favorable recommendation from the Community Development Committee, came the unanimous approval establishing a 20 year lease agreement with Christian Community Action for the family shelter they run and have run for many years at a City owned property (acquired through tax foreclosure 30+ yrs ago) at 124 Sylvan Ave.  This formalizes a "hand shake" agreement from long ago with the City and moves capital improvements, maintenance, and insurance responsibility from the City to CCA.  These costs will be covered by State grants to CCA, and these lease terms in lieu of monthly lease payments will serve the City and those served by CCA well for the next 20 years.

The meeting then ended with those Alders present unanimously voting for a resolution condemning AZ Senate Bill 1070 and urging the AZ legislature to reconsider this ill-advised and extreme "anti-illegal immigration" measure.  This resolution will be forwarded to the AZ legislature, and it is also the hope of those voting to condemn this type of legislation, that New Haven residents will see that similar policy will not be enacted in New Haven.

And so concluded the last "regular" meeting before next week's special budget meeting... stay tuned...

Yale Field Use - Summer Schedule 2010

The following is from a letter to me (Alderman Dildine) 

from Yale’s Asst. AD, Facilities Operations, Scott Griffin:

On May 22nd and 23rd Yale will be hosting the first of our annual Youth Lacrosse tournaments. This is the Eli Lacrosse Jamboree that we have hosted for the past few years. We are expecting around 100 teams to participate which is approximately 1,500 competitors and spectators whom we will park around the Yale Bowl. They have been instructed to access the parking lot through Gate A at the corner of Yale Ave and Chapel. We will have a Police Officer stationed across from the Armory on Central Ave. to assist with the safe crossing of everyone. We will be putting up signage on all telephone poles on Cleveland, Central, Roger and Alden stating that there is No Parking for Lacrosse past this point and we will do our best to enforce this. In addition as we did last year we will be posting someone in the mornings at the corner of Central and Cleveland to direct lacrosse individuals to the Yale Bowl.

The following Thursday and Saturday (May 27th and 29th) Yale will be hosting the SCC Baseball tournament at Yale Field. This is a rather small event consisting of 2 games on the 27th and 1 game on the 29th. West Haven Police will be on hand throughout the event.

On Friday, May 28th the Southern Connecticut State University Commencement will be taking place at the Connecticut Tennis Center. They will be parking primarily around the Yale Bowl with overflow going to F-Field and D-Special off of Central Ave. SCSU will be coordinating the entire event with assistance from our department and the University Police.

May 29th Yale will also be hosting the Connecticut High School Rugby Championships that consists of 9 teams playing a round-robin format tournament on the D-North Fields. This is the second year that we are hosting it and last year we had very few issues.

The next three weekends, June 5th and 6th, June 12 and 13th as well as the 19th and 20th we will be hosting the CONNY Lacrosse Tournament. This event is a much larger event, with competitors and spectators expected to reach up to 2,000 per day. Again we will be parking inside the Yale Bowl with overflow down on Lot A by the Connecticut Tennis Center. We will again have an Officer stationed on Central to assist with the safe crossing of everyone. A large tent will also be placed outside of Johnson Family Field that will serve as a store for the group’s main sponsor. They will have the tent monitored 24-hours while merchandise is there. The last weekend of the tournament, June 19th and 20th, has been set aside as a rain date for the event in case there is poor weather conditions one day. A few All-Star games will be held on the last weekend, but unless there is rain the attendance will be significantly smaller. Two Yale Police officers will be on hand for the all of the dates to assist with the safe crossing of Yale Ave. as well as on patrol throughout the parking lots and playing fields. We will again be putting up signage on all telephone poles on Cleveland, Central, Roger and Alden stating that there is No Parking for Lacrosse past this point and we will do our best to enforce this. In addition as we did last year we will be posting someone in the mornings at the corner of Central and Cleveland to direct lacrosse individuals to the Yale Bowl

Sunday, June 6th. Yale will also be hosting the Major League Lacrosse Combine and Draft on This event will bring in 35 of the top collegiate players in the country as they try to make the professional squads. The Combine is scheduled to begin at 10:00am with a game against the US National team scheduled for approx. 2pm. All individuals will be parking around the Yale Bowl, in Lot A and if necessary I am making arrangements with the City to utilize the Marginal Drive lot. Police will be on hand to assist with the running of the event. The Draft will take place later that night back downtown at the Payne Whitney Gym. They are anticipating approx. 1,000 people in attendance for the Combine.

On the afternoon/evening of June 12th we will be assisting the Hopkins School celebrate their 350th anniversary. That day the upper intramural fields will be used for parking of visitors for the event. Hopkins will then bus the visitors from the field to the school grounds for the celebration. Details are still being finalized and I will make sure you are made aware of what is going on once more is known.

The weekend of July 3rd and 4th we will be hosting a small Youth Softball round-robin tournament. Again games will not begin before 9:00am and will be done no later than 7:00pm. Parking for this event is still being finalized, but it looks like it will also be around the Yale Bowl.

All of our rental groups have been instructed that no play can begin before 9:00am on any of the fields located near our neighbors’ houses. Play should conclude around 6:30-7:00pm each day. I will be on hand for each of these days to make sure that the procedures that I have outlined are adhered to.

In addition to all of these events we have our normal Summer Camps and general field rentals. Please let me know if you have any questions. I appreciate everything that you have done for us in the past and again if there is anything that I can do please let me know. I try to minimize the effect that our events have on the neighborhood, but I know that something will always come up. Please do not hesitate to give me a call should you have any questions or concerns or should something happen during one of these events or at any time out on the fields. I look forward to working with you moving forward.

speeding enforcement

  Here's the answer to my recent question of the new Police Chief at a recent BOA Public Safety Committee mtg:

NHPD currently has 8 lazer guns which are used for speed enforcement. The traffic unit is equipped with them(Note-Traffic Unit is Motorcycles.) The units are also available to Patrol Officers who wish to sign them out per shift. We do have several fixed radar units which are not being used do to certification lapses/costs.
    As to the b-squad traffic unit the Officers are in training beginning May 17th and Graduation being June4th. Upon graduation Officer will be assigned to b-Squad and assigned Motorcycles for more traffic enforcement.e have 6 new bikes ready for the squad in June. Money came from federal grants.Officers  will also be assigned a B-Squad Sgt.
    Stats show that M/V enforcement was up by over 10 thousand last year. Proactive enforcement goals along with proper used of DUI Grants / and enhanced enforcement zones to stop motorcycle noise, racing , speeding and or any moto vehicle problem. The New Motor vehicle hotline number is 203-946-6306 to report any MV problem in the city.

BOA Meeting Report - 5/3/10

The May 3rd, 2010 meeting opened with Divine Guidance from Alderwoman Castro (16-D).  She addressed the recent May Day rally for Immigration Reform and denounced the new AZ law trying to address immigration issues facing that state.

A very short meeting, only attended by a couple reporters and seemingly no one from the public, only had a few items on the agenda.

Unanimously approved were Tax Refunds (usually filer's errors), the acceptance of Federal grant money ($20K) for the NHPD to use for OT and equipment for speedy forensic processing of seized firearms, and the acceptance of CT Econ Dev grant money ($2.8 million) to support the River Street Municipal Development Project.

Also, quickly approved unanimously were Tax Abatements (deferral of collection) favorably recommended and vetted by the Tax Abatement committee for four city residents.

The meeting then ended after a short discussion and amendment to a resolution supporting the 47th Freddie Fixer Clean up.  The original resolution was to support both the clean-up and the parade.  But, due to recent gun violence in the neighborhoods along the parade route, and a lack of dialogue between parade organizers and local Alders, colleagues decided it was best not to overtly endorse the parade this year.

BOA Meeting Report - 4/19/10

The April 19th regular BOA meeting opened with Alderman Jerry Antunes (12-D) giving the annual Black & Hispanic Caucus State of the City Address.  He opened asking for a moment of silence for the families and victims of the recent gun violence in New Haven.  His address mentioned that violent crime must be eliminated, gun noise should not be the norm, TV news should not only focus on crimes being a fact of life.  He also suggested that the Q House "void" should be filled, gun buyback programs are only "token" effort, kids should trade their game boxes for little league and visits to the Peabody Museum, and that parents should be more involved and this responsibility is not solely the City's.  The address also asked for more youth jobs to stimulate the mind and have a career path.  He concluded with a few policy ideas including having a progressive housing policy, getting more people to work, keeping more money in the City vs. sending it up to the State, that home owners are "tapped out" property tax wise, and there should be policies to make life better and life's burdens lighter.

Regular business commenced after Antune's half an hour address with a roll-call vote putting forth a BOA resolution to add its voice to the US Conference of Mayors call to President Obama at the United Nations conference in May 2010 to initiate good faith multilateral negotiations on an international agreement to abolish nuclear weapons by 2020.  All Alders present except DePino (18-R) and O'Sullivan-Best (11-I) voted for this resolution.

Next, several items given favorable recommendation by the City Services and Environmental Policy Committee (I'm Vice-Chair) passed unanimously including: Ordinance Amendments from DPW regarding commercial waste collection, disposal, site cleanliness and dumpster regulations; authorization to the City Engineer to continue to engage their consultant for support services for the replacement of the State Street Bridge; approval of a sign for Bespoke Restaurant; and the approval of a Sister City agreement with between New Haven and Tetlanohcan, Tlaxcala, Mexico.

Next, three items given favorable recommendation by the Finance Committee were unanimously approved including: filing the City's monthly financial report for 1/10, the authorization for the current management company of Alling Memorial Golf Club to continue management, and the fee components to the new DPW commercial waste and recycling ordinance amendments.

The fees and ordinance amendments regarding commercial trash and recycling are new policies that will ensure more compliance with the City's flow-control ordinance and State mandated commercial (and residential w/ more then 6 units) recycling laws.  This will also enhance City revenues thus reducing tax burden, protect condo and apartment residents and commercial entities from being overcharged by private waste haulers, and give these entities access to City recycling services.

Then it came time to approve the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) after much work and a favorable recommendation from the joint Community Development/Human Services committee.  This plan was 211 pages and allocated millions of dollars of grant money to many applicants.  There was however one contentious grant decision.  That was the committee's decision to decrease a grant that funded a Park's employee, union position to oversee the Open Spaces and Community Gardens.  While several committee members and other Alders thought it fair to decrease this position's salary/benefits since many grants were similarly reduced.  However, because it was reduced to below the bargained range of the position, the position would effectively be eliminated.  After more debate on the issue including testimony in favor of the long time city employee and the job itself, the sufficient money was reallocated as the amendment to do so passed with only four votes against.

Seemingly last, after that lengthy debate, was a vote to, on behalf of the Tax Abatement Committee, place a 30-day moratorium on residential tax foreclosure actions to force compliance from the City's Tax collector to follow an BOA order from last year to notify Aldermen of pending actions.  It also is to provide some more assessment of the Assessor's Office policies with regard to aggressive assessments.  This passed after this moratorium on "all" tax foreclosure actions was amended to just "residential."

Then, as the meeting seemed like it would come to a close, Alderman Goldson (30-D) moved the Resolution from the Mayor to establish a Charter Revision Committee.  This item on the agenda had been "passed over" by the Majority Leader's prerogative.  BOA leadership and the Administration wanted more time to try to get support for the Aldermanic Affairs committee's favorable recommendation to name and establish a Charter Revision Committee that could perhaps get a couple items on the Nov. 2010 ballot including 4-year terms for the Mayor and BOA.  After much discussion and debate, the item failed as many Alders did not care for the process that led to this particular list of committee members nor their directive(s).  The BOA will again take up forming a Charter Revision Committee after "budget season" and before the end of the State mandated every-10-year period which ends in 2011.

BOA Meeting Report - 4/7/10

This regular meeting, moved by a few days due to the Easter & Passover holidays, saw many new items communicated to the Board which will most likely head to Committees as assigned by the BOA President, Carl Goldfield.  There was also action on several items including a few added late thus included as Unanimous Consent items or addressed by "suspending the BOA rules."  These are "normal" procedures, however, they warrant additional scrutiny as these items have not gone through the "regular process."  The main issue of concern is the BOA is being asked to take action without much time to analyze, gather info, ask questions, etc.  Often, matters are indeed straight forward and/or due to time constraints need to be addressed under these "exceptions" to the usual rules and procedures. Almost every meeting there are items presented this way.  However, members can legitimately have concerns with having to act (vote) on an item when questions haven't, or even can't be, answered.  These issues were addressed by several Aldermen at this week's meeting.

Business began, unanimously passing a resolution to support proposed US House legislation for a Jobs for America Act.  Aldermen Rodriguez, Blango & Paca submitted this resolution to support H.R. 4812 - which you can learn more about here.  Mostly symbolic, this support could help with the passage of Federal legislation that could send money to New Haven.  Next, several new items were communicated and will most likely be distributed to Committees by President Goldfield.

First Readings were noted for several items which will be voted on at the next meeting.  This includes the Aldermanic Affairs favorable recommendation of a list of people to be appointed to establish a Charter Revision Committee, CSEP's (I'm vice-chair) favorable recommendation of Ordinance Amendments to go along with the Finance's Committee's favorable recommendation of Fees for new policies related to DPW's flow-control for waste and recycling hauled by private contractors within the City limits, as well as DPW to begin offering fee-based pick-up services for recyclables to commercial and large residential (+6 units) entities.  Also the renewal agreement with the management company for Alling Memorial Golf Course will be before the Board at the next meeting.

Then, the Board voted on a few items coming up as "Second Readings" and thus having moved through the "normal process."  However, despite favorable recommendations from Committee, several Aldermen were concerned that their questions could not be answered by their colleagues nor was there representatives for these items available. However, despite legitimate concerns, colleagues after much discussion, did vote unanimously to approve Tax Abatements  for four senior City residents, and for the continued abatement (with presumed State reimbursement) of taxes for the Tower One housing property (18 Tower Lane down town).  Also with favorable recommendation from the Public Safety Committee, and no additional questions nor concerns from members, the Board unanimously approved the application and acceptance of Federal FEMA grant money for a new Fire Boat and another Federal grant (SAFER) for money to fund nine firefighter/paramedic vacant (through attrition) positions.

Next, came the controversial last minute item(s) from the Board of Education.  While the item itself was not necessarily that controversial, that it was added at the last minute and forced people to make a decision with little time to analyze frustrated several members.  Also, frustrating was no one from the BOE was available to answer questions.  Ultimately, after much discussion, the Board did act on this item - a contract - that had three parts.  One's decision had to be made primarily based on the letter from Superintendent Mayo stating that this contract approval has "...no funding being requested..." and that "...the funding for these contracts will come from the existing approved school construction capital accounts..."  Alderwoman Jackson-Brooks, whose ward the Roberto Clemente & Hill Central schools are in, also asked for support.  However, she was also critical of the Administration for not being available nor for allowing the BOA more time to study this contract which requires BOA approval to go forward.  The contract(s) (3 separate ones) are for the purchase, installation and maintenance of an energy saving fuel cell to be installed at these schools.
The full board then did unanimously (except for one nay on the maintenance contract piece - Goldson) approve the contract(s).

The meeting ended soon thereafter, however, several of us (including me) asked for more discussion between meetings, amongst members, amongst the administration, and with staff.

Education Committee Workshop 4/1/10

April 1st, the BOA's Education Committee (I am a member) met and held a Workshop (open to public but usually no public testimony heard) to get a briefing from NHPS on "School Change."  Asst. Superintendent for Portfolio and Performance Management, Garth Harries and NHPS COO, Will Clark briefed the committee and answered questions.  While the school district has held many meetings to inform the community, answer questions, and get input, BOE staff had not formally chatted with BOA members in awhile on the subject of their efforts on implementing "School Change."  This was a good opportunity for BOA members to hear from Harries and Clark and to have a dialogue.  The BOA's main oversight role over the BOE is the annual appropriation of operating funds.  However, many Aldermen have heard from their constituents that in addition and in conjunction with their financial oversight that it would be great to get updates and check the progress of the reform/change initiatives.

The briefing included sharing the main goals of School Change: close the performance gap of New Haven students and the rest of the State in 5 yrs, cut the drop-out rate in half, and ensure every graduate has the academic ability and financial resources to attend and succeed in college.  There are three major strategies to achieve these goals: Community, Talent (teachers & administrators), and having a "Portfolio of Schools."  This "Portfolio" idea comes from the realization that a completely centralized, district-wide management is not appropriate for the diversity of the City's many schools.  The schools are thus evaluated individually and "graded" into three Tiers.  This "tiering" is accomplished with new and developing assessment criteria which initially relies heavily on test performance (because that's what has been emphasized by the State & Fed) BUT also looks at individual student growth measured against the student's peer group.  The available data has been plotted and from this chart seven schools have been tiered in as pilot schools to begin school change.  Edgewood and Davis are Tier 1, Daniels & King Robinson are Tier 2, Barnard is a Tier 3 (Improvement), and Brennan-Rogers and Urban Youth are Tier 3 (Turnaround) schools.  The Principals from these schools were also introduced and provided a brief introduction to their plans and hopes.  The tiering will differentiate the level of Autonomy and Accountability Continuum.  These pilot schools are making their new management plans to be submitted for approval by the BOE and the district by early May.  Curriculum, Assessment, Governance & Policies, Behavior & School Culture, External Partnerships, Professional Development, Staffing, School Calendar and Schedule, and Budget are the main components that each school will analyze and incorporate into their reform/change plan.

This is obviously a very brief summary of School Change.  I have attended many meetings and briefings so far, and I'd be happy to answer any and all questions, please call or email.  With vested interest and your interests in mind, I will be active in the oversight and collaboration required to help implement School Change that will truly benefit our kids.

Please find a lot of information including the Grading ("Bubble") Charts, documentations, survey results, printed versions of School Change presentations, etc. on the School Change website: Main Page and Documents/Charts Page.

NHPS Plot ("Bubble") Chart (at or above proficient)
NHPS Plot ("Bubble") Chart (at or above goal)