MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2006 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

Board members present were: Barbara Gold, Chair; Phil Hart, Wynne Kavanagh, and Catherine Tatge. Irene Hurlburt and Jim Terrall were absent. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Principal; and Kristi Pramuka, CCS teacher; and one member of the press.

Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Ms. Tatge, the Agenda was amended as follows: Add School Wellness Policy – First Reading under New Business.

On a motion by Ms. Tatge, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the minutes of the March 16 meeting were accepted.

There was no PTA report.

Mr. Hart reported from the Region One Board that negotiations continue with HVRHS classified staff. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying succeeded. HVRHS graduation will be held on Friday, June 16^th. The new legal firm for Region One matters is Chinni and Meuser, LLC. Mr. Hart distributed a flyer about the Learning Educator, a new position at the high school. The capital project is nearing completion – with 202 new windows.

There was no Board of Finance report.

There was no Building Committee report.

Ms. Pramuka, CCS Fifth Grade teacher, presented McGraw Hill math textbooks for approval. She noted that the primary grades teachers had met weekly, visited different area schools, and reviewed many programs before settling on these traditional math books. She explained the various components and benefits, adding that it matches state curriculum requirements. Kindergarteners through Second Graders use workbooks instead of textbooks. The curriculum is compatible throughout Region One and the transition to middle school mathematics should be smooth.

On a motion by Ms. Tatge , seconded by Mr. Hart, the McGraw Hill Math Textbooks were approved.

Ms. Chamberlain - Superintendent’s Report

• Mentioned that Cornwall’s April Region One assessment was $15,169 lower than budgeted

• The Anthem demutualization issue with AFSCME has been declared over

• There are no teacher non-renewals

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• Peace Day at Cornwall Consolidated School was a huge success – with lots of community involvement.

• April 21 is the Health Fair – From Art to Zen – sponsored by the Cornwall Youth Safety Coalition, and hosting 7^th and 8^th graders from Falls Village and Cornwall.

• 12 Kindergarteners have registered for next year.

The Board adopted by consensus a Proposed 2006-2007 Budget of $3,581,554.

On a motion by Ms. Tatge, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Cornwall Consolidated School Educational Technology Plan for July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2009 was approved.

Mrs. Kavanagh distributed the School Wellness Policy for a first reading. The committee, set up by Dr. Fitzgibbons, met several times and attended state meetings. Board members were urged to read over the policy carefully and bring comments to the May meeting.

On a motion by Ms. Tatge, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Board voted unanimously to hire Alicia Simonetti-Shpur at MA 9 to fill the full time music position created after the two .6 FTE positions were eliminated.

Assistant Superintendent Tom Gaisford and Dr. Fitzgibbons will be interviewing candidates for the Social Studies position next Friday. A Special Meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m. prior to the May regular meeting, to interview candidates.

It was decided to tape off the falling-apart gazebo.

Mr. Hart brought up the issue of two vendors who worked to ready the school for opening in August, who have yet to be paid. It will be on next month’s agenda, if not yet resolved.

Mr. Hart also mentioned that the one-year guarantee period for taking care of the newly-planted trees (part of the building project) has not yet begun. He will talk with Mr. Terrall about this.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk