MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009 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; Robert Vaughan, Principal; and ten community members.

Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Levine, seconded by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, the agenda was approved.

On a motion by Mrs. B., Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the minutes of the meeting of September 17th were approved.

Questions to the Board:

A community member asked whether the media policy to be discussed would apply just to CCS. Mrs. Gold said that it did. To a question about what policy is presently approved at the school for parents who don’t want their children to see a media presentation, Mrs. Gold replied that she would have to look it up.

A community member read a letter signed last week by 91 (now 100) community members who were concerned about the Superintendent’s decision to cancel the showing of the speech to school children by President Obama.

A community member was concerned for educational leadership in the community and asked for an apology from Ms. Chamberlain for the decision and a statement that it won’t be done again.

Ms. Chamberlain apologized for the controversy and explained that the timing of notice to her of the President’s speech did not give principals and teachers the opportunity to choose. The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) is working on a policy for live media presentations.

A community member declared that the Superintendent’s vetting the President of the United States was not acceptable. There was brief discussion about whether the term “censorship” applied to the decision of Region I. He asked members of the Board to say how they felt about the controversy.

Mr. Hart said that parents cannot expect teachers to modify the curriculum on their behalf except on the specified topics of HIV instruction, family life education, gun safety instruction, and dissection of animals. Mr. Levine suggested that the Board devise a system for having a say on such issues on behalf of its school.

Mr. Vaughan – Quarterly Budget Review

Some of the work planned for June was done too late to be paid under last year’s budget; but some expenses have come in under estimate, so the budget is expected to be all right.

Mr. Hart – Region I Report

The Policy Committee will meet on October 22 to discuss the above issues. The Long-Range Plan also needs editing all the way through.

There was no report from the Board of Finance.

Standing Building Committee

Drainage has been completed on one side of the building, with a lot of little things left - we have a laundry list of things to finish down the line.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• Enrollment for Cornwall is 120; for the high school, 508.

• Federal stimulus money through the state’s Financial Stabilization Fund provides $5,635 for; $18,495 for; and $85,322 (14%) for the elementary schools.

• Next year’s recommended calendar was presented for Board comment.

• The Professional Development Committee will offer workshops for teachers with suggestions for enhancing instruction after Memorial Day.

• The new Curriculum Council has been reactivated to articulate district curriculum needs and expectations K-12.

• New hires were listed.

• The form for the CABE/CAPS convention is available.

• Volunteers are needed to show kitchens for the tour on November 11 to benefit the Theatre Society.

Mr. Vaughan – Principal’s Report

• The PTA has asked for increased front door security. Mr. Vaughan has requested quotes to install a new system with a monitor at the office desk and a camera by the front door. There was discussion of camera quality, a buzzer to release the lock, and a backup response if needed. A question was raised of keeping the other doors to the building locked. Our current vendor, Northwest Alarm Security System in Litchfield, has submitted a quote and others are anticipated.

• The solar panels are supposed to be installed next week. The company will clean up and the plot will be seeded in.

• Tom Brown was hired out of 31 applicants as full-time evening custodian,

• The Walk-a-Thon was an enormous success, partly because it supported a local fund (Jane Lloyd Fund – to help families of cancer patients) and was dedicated to the school nurse, Martha Bruehl.

• A letter has been sent to parents from the CSDE allowing schools to put off for one year the requirement to use SRBI to identify students with special needs.

Old Business

There was discussion by the Board of what the school is doing to move forward from discussions of the airing of the President’s speech. Mrs. Gold said that CABE is working on a policy for media presentations “in real time,” and also regularly keeps track of both state and Congressional mandates so that Boards know what their policies must be. From this information, the district culls what is relevant to its role. On the broadcasting issue, she suggested waiting until CABE came up with something and then taking a look at various aspects and deciding whether to accept or adjust them, as long as they are not attached to any legislation. Ms. Chamberlain noted that clear guidelines already exist for printed material. Mr. Levine declared that with such enormous interest in the community, the Board understood what it should do: put together a group to put something in writing.

Bob Vaughan – New Business

Mr. Vaughan distributed the proposed Plan for Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies. CABE has recommended the wording for the plan. Students with dangerous allergies have already been identified. The Board agreed upon some changes in wording to include calling 911, covering first-time reactions and omitting irrelevant references.

Additional Comments from Board Members or Public

There were further comments from the public on the canceling of the President’s speech to students. A community member observed that the Board appeared not to understand the underlying issue. No policy was needed to cover it and no special timing should have been expected. The information about the speech was available to the public in any newspaper. Another community member said that open discussion, not a policy, was required to avoid this happening again. Mrs. B. Hurlburt reported that only a few calls came in requesting that their children be exempt from the showing. Another speaker reported that some teachers were afraid to sign a letter objecting to the superintendent’s decision, addressed to the members of the Region One Board of Education, for fear of being accused of insubordination. Another asked whether we have evolved away from Constitutional freedom of speech and lost the ability to come together in community, when we have far more important work to do. One parent finally noted that if students can pledge allegiance to the flag, they can also listen to the President.

A community member pointed out that the sheet of ice at the school’s front door caused by dripping from gutters during a freeze created a security issue.

A community member expressed gratitude to Mrs. Gold for her 12 years of service on the Board (six of those years as Board chairperson) and praised her efficiency and effectiveness.

Board members presented a farewell bouquet to Mrs. Gold and expressed their thanks for her service.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Ann Schillinger

Board Clerk pro tem