MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2005 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

Board members present were: Barbara Gold; Phil Hart, Irene Hurlburt, Wynne Kavanagh, Catherine Tatge and Jim Terrall. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; and Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Principal.

Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.

Irene Hurlburt was welcomed as the newest member of the Board of Education.

Ms. Tatge will attend the December 15 Board of Finance meeting and Mrs. Kavanagh the January 19 meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Terrall, the minutes of the November 17 meeting were approved with the following correction: page 2, 3^rd to last paragraph – A Curriculum meetings program will be held presented at a PTA meeting on the third Tuesday of the month January or February at 6:00 p.m. The first would be on math on January 17.

An All Boards Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the HVRHS cafeteria on January 17^th.

The budget to date is in good order.

Region One Board – Mr. Hart distributed a write-up on “Your High School” as the NEAS&C is in the process of a review (every 10 years) of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. This involves the school board, the administration, and the staff and is the basis for continuing accreditation. Teacher negotiations are complete. He also distributed a draft regarding Region One legal fees.

Mr. Terrall said there is nothing new to report from the Building Committee.

There was no Board of Finance report.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• The highlight of the CABE/CAPS meeting was an address about establishing relationships by Flip Flippen.

• Distributed information on what Education Connection does for the school.

• Distributed information on the suit being brought by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal against the U.S. Secretary of Education “…for illegally imposing more than $50 million in unfunded federal mandates on Connecticut under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.”

• A meeting was held recently with principals and board clerks regarding budget issues.

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• The recent Winter Concert was wonderful. The primary grades Winter Concert will be held next week. Both Mrs. Simonetti-Shpur and Ms. Banks were commended for their work with the students.

• Music Brown Bag Lunches will be held on January 12^th and 19^th in the gym.

• CCS 1^st Graders recently mailed off new books wrapped for Christmas and used books to a 1^st Grade class in a Mississippi school where a CCS student’s aunt teaches.

• The Extended Day Learning Program is no longer under the auspices of Cornwall Park & Recreation. The new oversight committee is composed of Dr. Fitzgibbons, Lisa Lansing, Pat Bramley, and Bethany Thompson. Ms. Tatge asked for a report next month on program use.

• CCS Girls Basketball team is currently undefeated!!

Old Business

• Middle School Athletic Director will be on the next RSC agenda.

• The Standing Building Committee met for a first review of CCS building issues.

New Business

• Budget Session scheduled for Thursday, January 19 at 4:00 p.m. prior to the regular meeting at 5:00 p.m.

• Bus Contract – Ms. Chamberlain will direct Business Manager Sam Herrick to request bids from student transportation companies.

Ms. Tatge announced an upcoming program to benefit the Cornwall Consolidated School Fund for Excellence. Thomas Jefferson will address the Town of Cornwall on Sunday, February 26, and 7^th and 8^th grade Region One students at the high school on February 27^th.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk