MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

Board members present were: Barbara Gold, Chairperson; Phil Hart, Irene Hurlburt, and Wynne Kavanagh. Catherine Tatge and Jim Terrall were absent. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Principal; Bob Kanehl, CCS teacher and principal intern; and one member of the press.

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 as presented.

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On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the minutes of the June 21st meeting were approved.

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On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mr. Hart, the minutes of the July 20 Special meeting were approved.

Mrs. Gold said that First Selectman Gordon Ridgway told her that Cornwall Consolidated School will be receiving a solar panel (with free installation) because enough Cornwall residents signed up for supporting renewable energy. Educational software and curriculum will be included and the panel will offset some electricity costs. Dr. Fitzgibbons added that grant money is available for educating children about renewable energy.

Mr. Hart reported that 564 students are enrolled at HVRHS. The Region One Board is preparing a response to the NEASC report. Over 200 students are participating in fall sports this year. An informal gathering was held to determine whether or not to proceed with long-range planning. It was decided to hire a consultant to collect data. By 2011, 3 years of science will be a graduation requirement.

Mrs. Gold reported that the ABC Committee met at CCS on September 5^th. They concluded, after receiving a report of the job evaluation of the middle school athletic director, to continue the position. On their attorney’s advice, Salisbury Central School decided that they would not accept any tuition students. A teacher from one Region One school raised the possibility of trading places for a year with a teacher from another Region One school.

There was no Board of Finance report.

Ian Elwell will join the CCS Standing Building Committee.

Mr. Ridgway has asked for the Board of Education 5-year plan details.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• School opened smoothly across the region

• Cornwall enrollment is 129

• In mid-October, Kindergarten teachers will be doing readiness testing for their students.

• A new REAP (Rural Educational Achievement Program) grant for Cornwall is $19,000. Educational Cost Sharing grant money totaling $81,000 will be coming to the Town of Cornwall.

• The annual report card from NCLB was distributed. According to the state, all CCS teachers are “highly qualified.” Of 805 elementary and middle schools, 265 did not meet requirements and 201 need improvement.

• Summer School 2007 was a success at CCS. It will be determined later if they will bring back Enrichment classes next year, or only offer remedial classes.

• Governor Rell announced a $10 million school security grant for Connecticut schools. Dr. Fitzgibbons instructed the superintendent to send a letter of intent (before October 15) on behalf of the Cornwall Board of Education, to apply for a portion of the funds.

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• Bob Kanehl, principal intern, was welcomed.

• Described the new Monday through Friday lunch program, organized by Brigitte Geyselaers. Lunches are ordered at least a week ahead from a menu, put together at Education Connection, and delivered to the school.

• CCS Special Ed paraprofessional, Tricia Collins, appeared in the latest issue of Roots & Shoots New England. The article described her work with 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students to raise money for the Mekele School for the Blind in Ethiopia.

• The 5^th Annual Walk-a-Thon will be held on October 12, to benefit The Cornwall Food and Fuel Bank and the Little Guild of St. Francis, as well as each class.

• The 2006-2007 Annual Health Office Report was distributed.

• CCS CMT results were distributed and explained by Dr. Fitz. It was noted that the 6^th and 8^th grades were tops in the region.

• Two new staff members - Allison Bryant in Kindergarten and Diane Dupuis in Art

The HVRHS field trip policy was distributed for review and discussion at the October meeting.

Mr. Hart mentioned the primary grade chairs that are being stored in the Hart Barn. If anyone knows where they can be used, please notify the school.

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Board set the 2008 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 17 July – no meeting

February 21 August – no meeting

March 20 September 18

April 17 October 16

May 15 November 20

June 19 December 18

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

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk