EDPA on the Agenda of the August BOS meeting

Representatives of the EDPA were recognized by the BOS during its August 17th meeting to present an updated copy of the Open Letter previously submitted to the Board's ad hoc committee. (Including nine additional online signatures, posted after the August 10th 7pm cutoff, the updated total stands at 71 signatures.)

Ad hoc committee Chairman Ed Sheehy gave a report to his fellow Selectmen indicating that committee work was progressing smoothly and advising that the Human Services Department was in the process of preparing a detailed proposal for the EDRC to consider at its next meeting, scheduled for September 2nd at 7:30 PM at Town Hall. He further reported that at the request of the committee, Town Attorney Joanne D'Angelo would be drawing up a document to show a comparison of this Human Services approach with the previous operation of Extended Day, and also with the operation that is set to be in effect under WBOE auspices beginning in September.

Several members of the BOS inquired with EDPA parents for a status update to the best of our knowledge. We told them we had been assured that the program indeed will be running come September, that a new Interim Director has been hired, and that rates to subscribers have increased by slightly more than 4.2% to accommodate increased utilities and overhead charges from the school district, the addition of a nurse, and more than doubling of snack expenditures as the result of a new requirement to purchase items through the cafeteria, among other factors.

First Selectman Amey Marrella assured us that the intentions of the BOS remained focused on recommending an option for program management that would ensure Extended Day's continuation, with full appreciation of the character and popularity of the program. She reiterated the Board's commitment to welcome input from parents. With Ed Sheehy’s agreement, she suggested that EDPA members continue to attend and participate in EDRC meetings and otherwise bring their concerns to the attention of committee members as the ad hoc process leading up to the October BOS meeting continued.

We thanked the BOS for the opportunity to speak, answer questions and keep lines of communication open, adding that the EDPA membership is looking forward to the opportunity to consider endorsement of the BOS recommendation, as soon as it is available for review.

accessing BOS minutes

This is great - thanks for setting this up, Sheila. I can't get anything out of the WGATV site, however, and I think I've clicked on every link. What am I doing wrong? I'm really interested in finding out the committee's response to the letter.

Thanks,
Suzanne

Open Letter presented to EDRC

The EDPA Open Letter was presented to Chairman Edward Sheehy at this evening's meeting of the BOS's Extended Day Review Committee, with a total of 62 signatures (twenty-five handwritten signatures and thirty-seven online signatures collected as of 7:00 PM).

COMING SOON (like Monday!)To view copies of the official meeting minutes of the Extended Day Review Committee, as soon as they are approved by the committee (usually at its next meeting) click here.

Open Letter published

Members of the EDPA Due Diligence Team have authored an Open Letter addressed to the BOS's Extended Day Review Committee (EDRC). The Open Letter can be viewed and signed online (Signatures will be collected until 7:00pm on August 10th.)

ED Parents Association formed

The Extended Day Parent Association (EDPA) was formed on August 4, 2004 during the course of a meeting of Extended Day subscribers. After substantial discussion, it was the consensus of the EDPA membership to establish a team to draft an Open Letter and to seek recognition of the EDPA from the Board of Selectmen's ad hoc committee studying options for Extended Day ownership.

Volunteers to serve on the EDPA Due Diligence Team
Kathy Barkin
Donna Canepari
Gerry Fusco Sappo
Felicia Lober
Sheila McCreven-Helfenbein
Suzanne Rosenberg
Abigail Scott
Donna Yasick