MINUTES OF THE CORNWALL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2004 AT 5:00 P.M. AT
CORNWALL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

Board members present were: Barbara Gold, Chairperson; Phil Hart, Becky Hurlburt, Wynne Kavanagh, Catherine Tatge and Jim Terrall. Others present were John O’Brien, Superintendent of Schools; Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Principal; Katherine Gannett, Region One Representative; Patricia Bramley, PTA President; Ken Keskinen, Selectman; and one member of the press.

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

Board of Finance Meetings: February 19 – Mrs. Gold; March 11 – Board of Education Budget presented to Board of Finance

The minutes of the December 18 meeting were accepted as written.

A meeting to give information about the Regional Emergency Health Clinic will be held on January 20 at the high school on January.

Mr. Hart passed along, from Gordon Ridgway, the No Cow Left Behind article.

Mrs. Bramley reported that Nancy Lacko is the new treasurer of the PTA. Working with the office staff, the PTA has established a “phone tree” for early dismissals. On February 10 the PTA is sponsoring a program on backpack safety “Posture, Spine and Backpack Awareness for Students.” The PTA is discussing a gift to the school for the new gymnasium.

Expenditures for December are in line with the budget.

Mrs. Gannett reported that the high school budget is in draft form, with more budget workshops scheduled. CAP test results are favorable.

There was no Board of Finance report.

Mr. Terrall reported from the Building Committee that the project is on current schedule. There has been much discussion about the retaining wall, with some redesign. The fire pond should be in working order soon. Mr. Terrall has been working with Dr. Fitzgibbons on work scheduled for the spring in the gym and the art room. Casle Corporation will coordinate and supervise work to be done on the existing building (repairs, windows, etc.) using money in the CCS Capital Account.

Dr. O’Brien’s Superintendent’s Report

· The NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Forum is scheduled for February 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the high school. Legislators, state Department of Education representatives, and State Board of Education members are some of the panelists.

· Phil Hart will be the representative from the Board for AFSCME negotiations.

· The HVRHS Technology Plan was approved.

· Building projects are underway at the high school.

Dr. Fitzgibbons reported that the ski program has been cancelled twice so far, and that the teachers have been asked to get their budget requests in by mid-February.

Mr. Hart moved that the February 19 regular meeting be changed to February 26. Mrs. Hurlburt seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion was amended to move the meeting to February 12, and it will posted as a Special Meeting. The vote was unanimous.

Mrs. Kavanagh and Mr. Hart, and Mrs. Gold attended the recent Legislative Breakfast and were told that much state funding is tied to NCLB, with hardly any money for schools. They spoke of NCLB mandate not as un-funded, but as under-funded.

The annual Day on the Hill will be held in Hartford on March 3. Board of Education members, PTA, and anyone else in Connecticut connected with education has a chance to meet with legislators.

Ms. Tatge made a motion to form a CCS Standing Building Committee comprised of five members – Board of Education rep, Board of Finance rp, Principal, Head Custodian, and one member of the community. Mrs. Hurlburt seconded the motion. After discussion, Mr. Terrall amended the motion to include just four members – Board of Education rep, Principal, Head Custodian, and community member. Ms. Tatge seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The Committee will be formed after the building project is completed.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

Susan F. Gingert

Board Clerk