MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009 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 K. Levine. Others present were Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent of Schools; Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Principal; Bob Kanehl, CCS teacher and principal intern; and Victoria Nelson, Technology teacher.

Mrs. Gold called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Agenda was amended as follows: add to 3. Approval of minutes…1/29/2009 and under New Business add c. Appoint Search Committee.

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On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mr. Levine, the minutes of the January 15^th meeting were approved with the following correction: Under Region One Report …Goldman Sax Sachs… and the minutes of the January 29^th Special Meeting were approved as written.

(Mrs. I. Hurlburt present)

Mrs. Nelson reviewed highlights of the Cornwall Consolidated School Technology Plan. It is similar to past plans, with the addition of “21^st Century Skills” (as suggested by the state), as well as Unified Studies (information technology curriculum), created by Mrs. Nelson and Library/Media Specialist Terri Kirkland. Drafts of the document were sent to all committee members, and it was reviewed and approved by Ms. Chamberlain and Dr. Fitzgibbons, and reviewed by Mrs. Kavanagh for the Board. Dr. Fitzgibbons thanked Mrs. Nelson for her extensive and detailed work on the Tech Plan.

On a motion by Mrs. Kavanagh, seconded by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, the Cornwall Consolidated School Technology Plan July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2012 was accepted and will now be submitted to Education Connection and then to the State of Connecticut.

Mrs. Gold said that First Selectman Gordon Ridgway reported that because more than 30% of Cornwall homes signed up to pay a premium for green energy, the town will receive one more solar panel to be installed at the school.

There was no Board of Finance report.

Mr. Hart reported that the Region One budget comes in with an under 2% increase. He attended the Legislative Breakfast where the state budget was discussed, as well as mandates versus funding. The Long-range Planning Committee is working on including 21^st Century Skills and associated testing and accountability into the document.

Ms. Chamberlain – Superintendent’s Report

• Reviewed recent legislative topics – reminded Board members that it’s the obligation of the school to educate minors regarding Internet safety and that Board policy must reflect that

• Grant monies (perhaps $20,000 to Cornwall) are proposed to come to Region One schools from the federal stimulus package

• Region One continues the search for a Director of Pupil Services and Supervisor of Special Education

Dr. Fitzgibbons – Principal’s Report

• Education Connection has discontinued the lunch program that began in September of 2007 due to lack of enough participation

• CMTs begin on Monday, March 2

On a motion by Mr. Levine, seconded by Mrs. Hurlburt, the Board accepted, with regret, with many thanks and well wishes, the resignation of Susan DelGrego, after 27 years as CCS Title I teacher.

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On a motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Levine, the Board accepted, albeit reluctantly, the resignation of Dr. Fitzgibbons after six years as CCS principal.

The Standing Building Committee will solve the mildew problem in outside walls outside of the main office and the principal’s office. Dr. Fitz will call Gordon Cavanaugh as soon as the ground thaws to fix the drainage in that area.

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mrs. I. Hurlburt, the Board to not participate in the Healthy Food Certification program.

Some changes were made to the Proposed Budget 2009-2010, but the total will remain at less than -1%. Since the gym floor needs to be refinished twice a year because of the increased evening and weekend use, an extra $1,000 will be added to the Building – Extra Use line. Dr. Fitz will ask Pete Selino for amounts to budget for capital expenditures.

Custodial coverage for use of the gym for Cornwall Park & Rec programs was discussed at length. It was agreed that Mr. Selino, Dr. Fitz, and Mrs. Gold would draw up a specific checklist of what’s expected of someone using the gym, and that Mr. Selino would keep a log of gym usage and treatment for three months. A custodian will not be scheduled to cover any Park & Rec events unless there are participants from other towns involved. Results will be reviewed at the June Board meeting.

On a motion by Mrs. B. Hurlburt, seconded by Mrs. Kavanagh, the Board will form a committee to search for someone to fill an executive position at Cornwall Consolidated School. Applications for the position close on March 30.

The search committee will consist of people from the staff, the community, parents, the Board of Education, and from the PTA. A Community Forum will be held on March 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Room.

The Board of Finance holds a Special Meeting on Thursday, March 12^th to review the Board of Education 2009-2010 Proposed budget. All Board members are urged to attend.

Mr. Hart asked that the school and Board revisit the subject of lunches. The Wellness Committee will look at options.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk