COLEBROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION

Regular Meeting – March 5, 2008

MINUTES

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:    Lisa Fragale, Sherri Gray, Greg Nichols, Susan Read Stanton, 
                                                 John Rigby

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Brad Bremer, Jeanne Jones

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: James Chittum, Beth Driscoll

OTHERS PRESENT: Morrice Barton

1. Meeting Call to Order :  The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Susan Read  Stanton.

2. Pledge to the Flag:  The Board recited the pledge.

3. Consideration of the Minutes
    a. Greg Nichols moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Board of  Education Meeting of                               February 6, 2008.  Sherri Gray seconded the motion.   Unanimously approved. 

4.  Public Comment:  None

5. Correspondence:  None

6. Budget:
    a. Capital Spending – $11,000 remains from the Computer Lab/Smart Board capital expenditures.

    b. Capital Requests – Superintendent Chittum requested $10,000 a year for our computer replacement plan.  The plan provides replacements over a 6-year period.  He also requested $5,800 for a floor machine.  The original floor machine is not repairable.  John Rigby moved to approve the Capital Project Requests.  Greg Nichols seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

  
c. Shared Services Budget – Superintendent Chittum presented Shared Services'  overall budget.  Colebrook's assessment increased from $101,824 to $104,166,  which represents a 2.30% change.  This should have little or no impact on  Colebrook's budget.

7. Unfinished Business:
    a. Phase II – Building Project – The Capital Committee met with Brad Bremer and    Superintendent Chittum.  The committee voted 3-1 to bring the Board of     Education's request for $32,000 for a contract extension for C. J. Lawler     Associates to a town meeting.  The date has not been set.  The committee was    given additional details to aid in their decision.

8. New Business:
    
a. Adjustment in 2007-2008 School Calendar – The school currently will go until Friday, June 20th.  Superintendent Chittum suggested making April 21st (a scheduled professional development day) a school day for children if we have another snow day.   If this happens, teachers will use Monday, June 23rd, as their professional development day.  Greg Nichols moved to approve giving the superintendent the authority to make this change in the current school calendar if needed.  Lisa Fragale seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

    b. Voluntary Early Retirement Plan – Superintendent Chittum reviewed the     Voluntary Early Retirement Plan that was negotiated with the Colebrook     Teachers' Association.  The offer would be available between March 6, 2008 and    April 21, 2008.  The motion was made by Sherri Gray and seconded by John    Rigby to approve the Voluntary Early Retirement Plan.  Unanimously approved.

9. Superintendent's Report:  The Smart Boards have arrived and are operational.  Demonstrations will be scheduled.  Grades 3 through 6 are currently taking the CMT's.  The school has participated in the United Way's Food Drive.

10. Committee Reports:
      a. Building & Grounds – The committee is being rebuilt.

      b. CABE – No report.

      c. Curriculum – No report.

      d. Education Connection – No report.

      e. Facilities Study – Covered in "Unfinished Business".
 
      f. Personnel & Policy – No report.

      g. Shared Services – Advisory Committee is being started for Gifted & Talented

      h. Strategic Plan – No report.

      i. Transportation – Buses seem to be running on time with limited variations.   Weather is a
         factor.

11. Other Matters:  April 5th will be the date for the Board of Education workshop at Camp      Jewell.  Bylaws, mission statement, and vision statement will be discussed.

12. Adjournment – The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Greg Nichols and seconded by Sherri Gray.  Unanimously approved.  The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

                                                                  Respectfully submitted,
                                                                  John B. Rigby, Secretary

Colebrook Consolidated S chool