MINUTES
OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE
19, 2008 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
Board members present were: Barbara Gold, Chairperson; Phil Hart, Becky Hurlburt, Wynne Kavanagh, and Thomas K. Levine. Irene Hurlburt was absent. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; and Kathleen Fitzgibbons, principal; Nell Nicholas, Co-president, CCS PTA; and two representatives from Alliance Energy Solutions.
Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
On a motion by Mr. Levine, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Agenda was amended as follows: Energy Proposal moved from New Business to Board of Finance, and Budget Review added to Old Business.
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On a motion by Mrs. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the minutes of the May 15th meeting were amended as follows: within first motion on page 2, add ..to hire Erica Foster to teach science….
There was no Board of Finance report.
Alliance
Energy Solutions is one of 10 companies in Connecticut who work with
the electric companies to save customers’ money on electricity.
They have performed an audit at the school, then send
recommendations to CL&P to eventually receive a 40% rebate on all
lighting changes. The gym lights in particular draw a lot of energy,
and would be switched out for new lamps. The state of Connecticut is
a pioneer in this sort of program. The Board will make a decision
before the end of the meeting.
On a motion by Mrs. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board voted to accept the solar panels (which the Town of Cornwall has earned through a certain percentage of households opting for a slight charge on their energy bills to support renewable energy) for installation at the school.
On a motion by Mrs. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board voted to install the new solar panels on the south-facing section of roof above the library/media center.
Mr. Hart reported that the Region One Board that graduation will be held on June 18. Teacher negotiations will begin in August. A new Athletic Director will be in place next fall. The next Long-range Planning meeting will be in September.
Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report
The definition of bullying has been broadened by adding offenses “committed more than once.”
Entitlement grants were reviewed
Mrs. Kavanagh and Mr. Levine agreed to be on the negotiations committee.
Construction of the new bridge by the high school might last up to three years, with one-lane access for the duration.
Superintendent Chamberlain accepted the resignation of Allison Bryant on behalf of the Board
On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Board accepted the superintendent’s recommendation to hire Candise Stiewing as the new Kindergarten teacher at level BA6.
Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report
The playground “gym” will be demolished as soon as school is out. Nell Nicholas is the new PTA co-president with Laura Kirk.
Mrs. Nicholas said that she and First Selectman Gordon Ridgway have put together a budget for a new playscape at the school. They need $30,000 and asked for a contribution from the Board of Education. $10,000 could come from $50,000 currently in the CCS Playing Field capital budget. The Board thanked Mrs. Nicholas and Mr. Ridgway for their efforts to get a new playscape for the school.
“Graduation was spectacular!” The speaker, former CCS student Juliet Lyon was great as were the student speakers Forest Classey and John Hare.
International Day was successful and well run
The Annual Health Office Report was submitted by Martha Bruehl, R.N. (1,048 head checks)
First Track Meet in three years ended a bit early due to rain, but CCS athletes won many ribbons nonetheless
CCS Art Department received a check for $850! from Art At the Dump proceeds.
Assignment changes for 2008-2009 – Anne Grant will teach 3rd grade, and Joyce Samson will teach 2nd.
The Cornwall Consolidated School Fund for Excellence gave a $2,000 grant to Vicki Nelson and Terri Kirkland for a unified studies program – enhancing curriculum with research and technical skills for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
Credit and thanks go to Elizabeth Clarke for again creating a workable class schedule.
The Board thanked Dr. Fitzgibbons for a successful year for students and staff.
There were no applicants this year from the HVRHS for the Bradford Scholarship.
Rich Dufour of All*Star Transportation reviewed bus routes with Dr. Fitzgibbons and can provide transportation next year with one less bus. With some of the unexpended funds from that account, Dr. Fitzgibbons requested hiring a new ¾ time Kindergarten teacher assistant, with the current t.a. moving to another primary grade.
On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Board voted to go forward with Alliance Energy Solutions proposals for lighting changes at the school, with the accompanying charges and credits.
Mr. Levine noted, and the Board agreed that they would have preferred a bit more lead time and information prior to making a decision on such a program.
On a motion by Mr. Levine, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Board approved hiring a ¾ FTE teacher assistant.
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On a motion by Mrs. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board voted to expend up to $15,000 (from the Region One assessment unexpended funds) of 2007-2008 Board of Education funds for the CCS playscape.
On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board supported the Board of Selectmen’s decision to use $10,000 from the CCS Ballfield capital funds.
Mr. Hart is working on design ideas to create a piece or pieces of furniture from the old maple tree that was taken down to make way for the new gym.
Mr. Levine commented that the concert presented by CCS students under the direction of Alicia Simonetti-Shpur was extraordinary, and he also congratulated Aaron Boucher on conducting an excellent physical education program at CCS.
There will be a special meeting on Friday, July 18th at 9:00 a.m. to transfer funds.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Susan F. Gingert
Board Clerk
Cornwall
Board of Education Minutes 6/19/08 Page