MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

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

Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Terrall, the minutes of the January 18 meeting were approved.

Mr. Hart mentioned that several people had spoken to him about the winter sports schedule.

Mr. Hart reported that the Region One budget should be completed by March 5. They are currently discussing the elimination or modification of the Consumer Science Department. That Board agreed with the principal that an extra (third) year of science should be included in graduation requirements. The ice hockey team is going to participate in the state tournament. It was decided that all students will pay $20 class dues each year to help cover class activities, including the yearbook. Dedication of the new white oak tree will take place on May 4^th.

Mrs. Gold announced that Judge Manning is the Chair of the ABC Committee and she is Secretary. They have been reviewing superintendent evaluations. The Committee has been discussing changing needs for summer school, and the possibility of cutting back to cover only remedial needs (not enrichment). Students will be coming to Cornwall Consolidated this summer for three weeks beginning July 2.

There was no Board of Finance report.

(John LaPorta came at 5:30 p.m.)

Mr. Terrall reported that the Building Committee was officially dissolved on February 13, 2007. Mr. Terrall and Mr. LaPorta were thanked heartily for their work on the committee.

On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Board accepted the Cornwall Consolidated School Building Committee project State #013-012EA as complete. The total project cost was $3,544,140 which is $5,860 under the total project budget of $3,550,000.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• Mark McQuillan, the new Commissioner of Education is determined to close the achievement gap in Connecticut schools

• Ms. Chamberlain is working with Andrew Roraback, Roberta Willis, and Theresa Terry on the financial impact of new procedures that put the burden of proof on the school system when the school and parents disagree on issues relating to Special Ed students

• There is currently a bill in the House which expands what schools are required to do in dealing with bullying problems

• Board members were urged to check out the Region One website

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• The PTA sponsored Shakespeare and Company’s production of Macbeth, followed by workshops

• Connecticut Mastery Tests will be given in March

• Dr. Fitzgibbons read a letter of resignation, effective February 23, 2007, from Darlene Luminati, secretary at CCS for seven years

There may be candidates for the Bradford Scholarship this year and a committee will need to be formed.

There was no Old Business.

On a motion by Mr. Terrall, seconded by Mr. Hart, the Board adopted the following staff changes, as a reflection of declining enrollment, for the 2007-2008 budget: eliminate part-time secretary position, eliminate the P.A.L.S. program, reduce the art teacher position by half a day, and add one day to the school psychologist position.

Mr. Hart commented that there are advantages and disadvantages to declining enrollment at the high school (and the elementary schools). He also mentioned that classified staff negotiations have not yet begun.

The Board needs to discuss where the Phoenix will live. Mr. Terrall has spoken with Marc Simont.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk