MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

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

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

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Agenda was amended to include c) Principal’s Contract under New Business.

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On a motion by Mr. Terrall, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the minutes of the September 20^th meeting were approved.

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The quarterly budget was reviewed.

Mrs. Kavanagh reported that new staff was introduced at the Region One Board meeting. HVRHS enrollment on October 1 was 561. There was discussion about the federal law that requires the special education students at local private schools have access to some public school services. The new JV assistant field hockey coach is Patricia Collins.

There was no Board of Finance report.

It was agreed to again request that $40,000 be included in the Town of Cornwall capital plan for school expenses.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• CCS enrollment remains at 129

• Distributed a packet listing legislative summaries, most not specific to Cornwall

• Based on a review of qualifications, art teacher Diane Dupuis has moved up 3 steps to BA 5 on the salary scale

• CABE/CAPS Convention will take place on November 16, 17

• Fund-raiser for the HVRHS Art Garage held at the Morgan Lehman Gallery in Lakeville

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• Sebastien Lasseur has been honored with the Superintendent’s Award

• The 5^th Annual Walk-a-Thon was postponed to the rain date of October 19^th

• Energy Fair will be held on November 17^th at CCS. Teachers are working with students on energy-related projects.

On a motion by Ms. Tatge, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, Field Trip Policy 6153, under Field Trips to Foreign Lands, was amended to add under 6. …. At least one chaperone must be an employee of the Cornwall Board of Education.

A School Security Grant was discussed. State money will be available “to improve security infrastructure in schools, install security systems in schools’ primary entryways, purchase portable security devices, and train school personnel to use the devices and infrastructure.”

Ms. Tatge thanked Board members for the pleasure and honor of serving with this collegial group of people. “It’s been a fantastic experience.”

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Board thanked Ms. Tatge and Mr. Terrall for their years of service on the Cornwall Board of Education.

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On a motion by Ms. Tatge, seconded by Mr. Terrall, the Board went into Executive Session at 6:32 p.m. to discuss the principal’s contract. Superintendent Chamberlain and Dr. Fitzgibbons were invited to attend.

The Board came out of Executive Session at 6:55 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk