MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

Board members present were: Barbara Gold, Chairperson; Phil Hart, Irene Hurlburt, Wynne Kavanagh, and Thomas Levine. Becky Hurlburt was absent. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Principal; and Bob Kanehl, CCS teacher and principal intern.

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

On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Agenda was approved with the following addition: Negotiations under New Business.

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On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the minutes of the June 19^th, July 18^th, and August 14^th meetings were approved.

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Board members received a copy of Lee Sohl’s (Summer School director) letter praising Head Custodian Peter Selino and his staff for their flexibility and help in allowing teachers to create a good summer learning environment.

Mrs. Kavanagh reported that the first PTA meeting was well attended. Dr. Fitz presented results of CMT testing. The PTA is looking to Education Connection to continue the Fruit Program.

Mr. Hart reported an HVRHS enrollment of 572 students. Salary negotiations are underway, as is Long Range Planning. Current issues at the high school are the gym floor, encouragement of out-of-district enrollment, assistant superintendent search, accumulating capital reserves, and the steady progress of CAP scores.

The ABC Committee meets on October 1.

There was no Board of Finance report.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• School opened smoothly across the region

• AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) goals have been met region-wide – Dr. Fitz gave much credit to Elizabeth Clarke, test coordinator at CCS, for Cornwall’s perfect testing participation rate

• Summer School 2008 was a success at CCS

• Curriculum work in many areas was completed this summer at the high school

• All delayed openings this year will now be two hours

• Assistant superintendent interviews will take place next week

• The School Wellness policy was scored and will be reviewed regarding recommended changes

The issue of repair or replacement of a new boiler at CCS was discussed. Mr. Hart will represent the Board of Education on the Standing Building Committee.

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mr. Hart, the consensus of the Board is to investigate installing a new boiler over repairing the present decades-old boiler.

Mr. Levine asked if changing over to propane had been considered. Issues regarding the impact on daily school activities and where funds would come from for such a project need to be thought through as well. It was decided that Mr. Hart would bring information on the issue to the October meeting.

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• RTI (Response to Intervention) is the building goal for this school year – this software program – AIMSweb, helps identify statistically how a child is doing academically, and provides assistance in deciding which students go on for further assessment. Principals have agreed to take the program region-wide.

• The 6^th Annual Walk-a-Thon will be held on October 17- to benefit The Cornwall Housing Corporation (Rental Assistance) and Darfur, as well as each class.

• CCS CMT results were distributed and explained by Dr. Fitz. It was noted that CCS 7^th and 8^th grade reading and writing scores were the highest in Region One.

• CCS welcomes certified staff members Candise Stiewing – Kindergarten and Indira Qasba – upper grade Special Education teacher, and also Linda Snyder, Kindergarten teacher assistant, and Sarah Watson, upper grade paraprofessional.

• Credit was given to Carla Whiteside for organizing the First Day Celebration on September 2, creating a positive environment of welcome for students and staff.

Mr. Hart met with Skip Kosciusko regarding the trees at the school entrance. He recommends that 4-6” of bark mulch (to leach nutrients and protect roots from the cold) be spread at the tree bases. Mr. Levine will consult with Jeff Lynch about the issue as well.

On a motion by Mr. Levine, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Board set the 2009 Meeting Schedule. All Board of Education meetings will be held at 5:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. No meetings will be held in July and August.

January 15 July – no meeting

February 19 August – no meeting

March 19 September 17

April 16 October 15

May 21 November 19

June 18 December 17

Mr. Levine recognized and thanked Bethany Thompson for all of her hard work during her term as PTA president.

Recognized for helping to get the new CCS Playscape bought and built was Nell Nicholas as new co-president, with Laura Kirk, of the PTA. Dr. Fitz also thanked First Selectman Gordon Ridgway for his involvement. And of course Madison Frith, current 6^th grader, who held the first fundraiser last spring to get the whole thing started!

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk