MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

Board members present were: Barbara Gold, Chairperson; Phil Hart, Becky Hurlburt, Irene Hurlburt, Wynne Kavanagh, and Thomas K. Levine. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; and Kathleen Fitzgibbons, principal.

Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Agenda was approved as presented.

,

On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. I. Hurlburt, the minutes of the April 17^th meeting were approved.

There was no Board of Finance report.

The Region One Board meets next on June 2^nd. Mr. Hart announced that Stephanie Kearns of Cornwall will be the HVRHS valedictorian. And Kimberlie Gold, also of Cornwall, will be the valedictorian of Forman School. PBS (Positive Behavior Support) has been introduced at the high school. This is a data-driven approach to creating positive behavior. HVRHS will once again join Wamogo with a cooperative football program. Contract negotiations begin soon for high school certified staff. Graduation takes place on June 18^th at 6:30 p.m. There will be a community forum for input regarding Long Range Planning in the CCS Gathering Room on May 30^th.

Mrs. Gold said that the ABC Committee has been discussing the possibility of agreeing on some common language for Region One certified staff contract negotiations. The Board agreed that they should pursue this.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• Distributed the 2008-2009 Approved Calendar, with the note that by 2009-2010 spring vacations in Region One, Torrington, and Wamogo will be concurrent.

• The B.E.S.T. portfolio system of support for beginning teachers is being revised at the state level, to place the responsibility for training at the local level.

• Forums on Long-range Planning have been well attended.

(Mrs. Kavanagh left the meeting at 5:30 p.m.)

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• The Kindergarten teacher, Allison Bryant, has accepted a 2^nd grade teaching position at Sharon Center School next year. Special Education teacher Lara Kalt (6^th-8^th grades) will be leaving CCS for the high school next year. Special Ed paraprofessional Barbara Ghi will do the same.

• Spring Concert 5^th-8^th will be held on May 21^st.

• The playground will be taken down entirely by the last day of school

• Region One Art Show at the Interlaken Inn this week. Dr. Fitz added that Diane Dupuis has had an excellent first year at CCS and has involved Region One teachers with Cornwall artists.

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board accepted the superintendent’s recommendation to hire Erica Foster for a one-year contract at level MA 1.

The roof repair will begin after money is transferred at the Town Meeting on Friday May 16^th.

As Cornwall School does not participate in the National School Lunch Program, on a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board did not certify compliance with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards.

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mrs. I. Hurlburt, the Board agreed to hire attorney Craig Mueser for the certified staff negotiations.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk