MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 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 Levine. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Principal; and Robert Kanehl, teacher and principal intern.

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

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Agenda was amended as follows: 11. Old Business – A. include Standing Building Committee with Boiler Issue, and add B. Trees 13. Add Collective Bargaining to Anticipated Executive Session.

,

On a motion by Mr. Levine, seconded by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, the minutes of the September 18^th meeting were approved with the following correction: On 2009 Meeting Schedule motion, No regular meetings will be held scheduled in July and August.

,

The quarterly budget (July, August, September) was reviewed.

Mr. Hart reported from the ABC (All Board Chairs) Committee that a region-wide transportation contract was discussed, as was the switch from Anthem dental coverage to MetLife dental. There is a possibility of hiring a regional substitute nurse.

Mrs. I. Hurlburt arrived. (5:10 p.m.)

Mr. Hart reported from the Region One Board that military and non-military recruitment on campus was discussed. Recruiters have access to any information in the student directory. Also discussed were policies of cyber-bullying and online courses. The next Long-range Planning meeting will be held on November 29^th. The Region One Board voted to retain 1% of the surplus of the 2007-2008 assessment. This will help (but not totally) pay for the new HVRHS gym floor. The Cornwall Board’s April assessment will be reduced by $18,919.

There was no Board of Finance report.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• CCS enrollment stands at 122

• Assistant superintendent search is on-going, with site visits as the final component

• AESOP – the online substitute program for Region One, is expected to be up and working by November 1

• Draft 2009-2010 Calendar was distributed - April vacation next year will coincide with other schools in northwest Connecticut

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• 8^th grader Brian Saccardi has been honored with the 2008 Superintendent’s Award

• The 6^th Annual Walk-a-Thon will be held on Friday, with funds raised going to Save Darfur, Cornwall Housing Corporation rental assistance, and to each class towards their 8^th grade class trip

• Dr. Fitz reported on what’s being done to trace the musty odor in the front offices – Dr. Fitz will follow up with Sam Herrick and Peter Selino to deal with this issue

The Standing Building Committee met on September 26^th and on October 10^th with Francis (Champ) Perotti, Jr., to discuss repairing or replacing Boiler #1. It was decided that propane was not a viable option due to venting and tank placement.

On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, the Board voted to put out to bid the purchase of a new boiler to hook into the existing distribution system, with a projected cost of $16,140.

,

A smaller water heater to be used on a daily basis, with the existing 400-gallon water tank to be used for emergency shelter use only, can be included in next year’s budget.

Mr. Hart met with Jeff Lynch regarding the trees in the front of the school. Mr. Lynch suggested that bark mulch would not help the trees at this point, but that they do need to be hazard-pruned. Local arborists will be contacted.

Policies on Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process and Bullying should be reviewed by a policy committee and brought back for a first reading.

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 5:54 p.m. Superintendent Chamberlain and Dr. Fitzgibbons were invited to stay for the Bus Transportation Contract review, and Superintendent Chamberlain to remain for discussion of Collective Bargaining.

,

The Board came out of Executive Session at 6:35 p.m. and the meeting was adjourned immediately after.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk