Record-Journal
12-19-2007, 12:49 AM
MERIDEN — The Board of Education discussed establishing a meeting just for public comment Tuesday.
Board President Mark Hughes also made his committee appointments, which did not include former President Frank J. Kogut, who questioned his actions.
While on the campaign trail, Thomas E. Bruenn said the public wanted more opportunity to address Board of Education members.
If he has his way, that’s what it will get.
Bruenn, a Democrat, said Tuesday he wants the board to have special meetings only for information gatherings.
He envisions one additional 90-minute board meeting per month, he said, adding that the meeting could be devoted to a specific topic.
Ideas for topics could be solicited from the public, Bruenn said.
The meeting would be in addition to the two regular board meetings monthly.
“I think this is exactly what we were discussing during the campaign,” Hughes said. “Kudos to you.”
Several board members agreed with the concept of such a meeting, but expressed concern about the details and worried about breaking laws regarding what can be discussed without district administrators present.
“We have to be extremely careful we are just dealing with board policy,” said board member John Lineen, a Democrat.
Board member Leonard Suzio said the public might get frustrated if comments were not allowed on a topic, and said he was confused about what the board would be allowed to discuss during the public meeting.
“I don’t even know what we are talking about for sure here,” Suzio said.
Suzio also questioned whether it was necessary to have one such meeting per month. Two per year would be good, he said.
Suzio’s Republican colleague, Scott Hozebin, agreed.
Hozebin suggested the board meet with the public quarterly.
Board member Robert E. Kosienski Jr., also a Republican, said he was not opposed to a meeting specifically to seek public input.
However, he urged members to consider the impact on the school system —particularly financially — if the board required school staff or administrators to attend.
Kosienski said he feels comfortable having staff attend to offer solid statistics and legal background.
But having them attend extra meetings could be problematic, he said.
Bruenn said he would take board members’ opinions into account when drafting a formal proposal to present in January.
“I think there is a big outcry for accessibility,” Hughes said. “If nothing else, it allows for that accessibility.”
Adding to the discussion was Kogut. He said the board tried to hold a similar type of forum years ago, but it did not work out.
“It’s a good idea, but I hope it works,” he said.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Hughes announced his committee appointments. Kosienski will remain a member of Edison Middle School’s steering committee, and Democrat Barbara Sokol will stay on the Area Cooperative Educational Services governing board.
Lineen will be a member of the School Building Committee, and Democrat Michael Cardona will be the board’s liaison to the City Council, a position formerly held by Kogut.
Kogut questioned Hughes about the appointments.
“Did the Democratic chair approve these appointments?” he said, referring to Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson.
“I didn’t discuss it with the Democratic town chair,” Hughes said.
In addition to committee appointments and Bruenn’s proposal, the board asked School Superintendent Mary Noonan Cortright to request a legal opinion from the board’s attorney regarding Bruenn.
The request came from Kogut, who said the board should know what matters Bruenn can and cannot vote on.
Bruenn, a former president of the Meriden Federation of Teachers, is the board treasurer. He also serves as secretary and treasurer of the Connecticut Federation of Teachers.
“I just think it is important,” Kogut said of a legal opinion.
Bruenn agreed, but said he checked on potential conflicts of interest with various people, including Torres-Ferguson, before running for office.
“I don’t trust the Democratic Party,” Kogut responded.
Board President Mark Hughes also made his committee appointments, which did not include former President Frank J. Kogut, who questioned his actions.
While on the campaign trail, Thomas E. Bruenn said the public wanted more opportunity to address Board of Education members.
If he has his way, that’s what it will get.
Bruenn, a Democrat, said Tuesday he wants the board to have special meetings only for information gatherings.
He envisions one additional 90-minute board meeting per month, he said, adding that the meeting could be devoted to a specific topic.
Ideas for topics could be solicited from the public, Bruenn said.
The meeting would be in addition to the two regular board meetings monthly.
“I think this is exactly what we were discussing during the campaign,” Hughes said. “Kudos to you.”
Several board members agreed with the concept of such a meeting, but expressed concern about the details and worried about breaking laws regarding what can be discussed without district administrators present.
“We have to be extremely careful we are just dealing with board policy,” said board member John Lineen, a Democrat.
Board member Leonard Suzio said the public might get frustrated if comments were not allowed on a topic, and said he was confused about what the board would be allowed to discuss during the public meeting.
“I don’t even know what we are talking about for sure here,” Suzio said.
Suzio also questioned whether it was necessary to have one such meeting per month. Two per year would be good, he said.
Suzio’s Republican colleague, Scott Hozebin, agreed.
Hozebin suggested the board meet with the public quarterly.
Board member Robert E. Kosienski Jr., also a Republican, said he was not opposed to a meeting specifically to seek public input.
However, he urged members to consider the impact on the school system —particularly financially — if the board required school staff or administrators to attend.
Kosienski said he feels comfortable having staff attend to offer solid statistics and legal background.
But having them attend extra meetings could be problematic, he said.
Bruenn said he would take board members’ opinions into account when drafting a formal proposal to present in January.
“I think there is a big outcry for accessibility,” Hughes said. “If nothing else, it allows for that accessibility.”
Adding to the discussion was Kogut. He said the board tried to hold a similar type of forum years ago, but it did not work out.
“It’s a good idea, but I hope it works,” he said.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Hughes announced his committee appointments. Kosienski will remain a member of Edison Middle School’s steering committee, and Democrat Barbara Sokol will stay on the Area Cooperative Educational Services governing board.
Lineen will be a member of the School Building Committee, and Democrat Michael Cardona will be the board’s liaison to the City Council, a position formerly held by Kogut.
Kogut questioned Hughes about the appointments.
“Did the Democratic chair approve these appointments?” he said, referring to Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson.
“I didn’t discuss it with the Democratic town chair,” Hughes said.
In addition to committee appointments and Bruenn’s proposal, the board asked School Superintendent Mary Noonan Cortright to request a legal opinion from the board’s attorney regarding Bruenn.
The request came from Kogut, who said the board should know what matters Bruenn can and cannot vote on.
Bruenn, a former president of the Meriden Federation of Teachers, is the board treasurer. He also serves as secretary and treasurer of the Connecticut Federation of Teachers.
“I just think it is important,” Kogut said of a legal opinion.
Bruenn agreed, but said he checked on potential conflicts of interest with various people, including Torres-Ferguson, before running for office.
“I don’t trust the Democratic Party,” Kogut responded.