MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

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

Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

Mrs. Gold read a letter from the Boy Scouts of America, Connecticut Rivers Council acknowledging Peter Selino’s “…contribution to the youth of our area by serving as a volunteer leader at Boy Scout camp this summer.”

The Board of Education and CCS administration was formally notified that the school is a local distribution point for federal aid relief in case of disaster.

Capital expenditures were reviewed.

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mr. Hart, the Agenda was amended to add b) Signage under New Business.

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On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mr. Hart, the minutes of the June 15 and July 13^th meetings were approved.

Mr. Hart noted that the Region One Board will be meeting on Tuesday for awhile, and encouraged people to come to meetings. He said that 15 Region One K-12 positions were filled from over 400 applicants. Business Manager Sam Herrick has locked in fuel oil at $2.24 for members of the Fuel Oil Consortium. The HVRHS ice hockey team will be practicing and playing with the Region 7 team this winter.

The 7000 Policy Series will be ready for a second reading at the October meeting. It has been suggested that the RSC meet at the different schools throughout the year. The next meeting is Tuesday, November 28 at 5 p.m.

There was no Board of Finance report.

Mr. Terrall said that John LaPorta has stepped up to deal with the punch list in order to get the Certificate of Occupancy. He said that to Casle Corporation’s credit, they agreed to limit the Town’s exposure to the money set aside at the end of the project. Mr. Hart has seen to the unhealthy-tree situation. Mr. Herrick will be involved with the audit with the state School Facilities Unit. Scott Monroe (a former CCS student) waived his fee for pruning the major deadwood from the large hickory in front of the school.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• School opened smoothly across the region

• An updated sheet with Region One Beliefs, Values, Vision, Mission, and Regional Initiatives approved by Region One Administration in August 2006, was distributed.

• Cornwall enrollment is 129

• A new REAP (Rural Educational Achievement Program) grant for Cornwall is $20,008.

• The CMT results are out and Dr. Fitzgibbons is analyzing and strategizing to increase student learning/achievement.

• A fund-raiser dinner for the Region One Athletic Fund will be held at the Colonial Theater in North Canaan and will feature Steve Blass of Canaan, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher.

• Craig Toensing starts work on October 1 as the new K-8 Athletic Director.

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• The first three weeks since CCS opened have been calm and peaceful.

• The 4^th Annual Walk-a-Thon will be held on October 6, to benefit Give Kids the World, as well as each class.

• Open House is September 28 with all students and parents invited.

• The new light pole is finally being installed to light the steps and parking lot.

• Buffie Clarke, Special Ed teacher and test coordinator reported on CMT results at grade-level meetings at school. Dr. Fitz gave examples and explained Adequate Yearly Progress Targets, how the state looks at one score range and NCLB looks at another. She also explained how to read the test results.

• The Character Counts! framework has been introduced to all CCS staff as well as community members.

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mr. Hart, the Board approved the Student Policy Series 5141.21 – 5146, and the revised Region One On-line Use Policy 6141.321.

On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Board set the 2007 Meeting Schedule. All Board of Education meetings will be held at 5:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, except for April (2^nd Tuesday) and July and August (no meetings).

January 18 July – no meeting

February 15 August – no meeting

March 15 September 20

April 12 October 18

May 17 November 15

June 21 December 20

Zeke Hermann has agreed to design signs to replace the current deteriorating school signs.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk