Colebrook Consolidated School
COLEBROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION Regular Meeting – April 1, 2009
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Barney Adams, Brad Bremer, Lisa Fragale, BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: James Chittum, Beth Driscoll OTHERS PRESENT: Mark Barown, Robin Bielawiec, Sue Canfield, Abrah Carroll, Sylvia Crunden, Ann Cucia, Katie Ellison, Amy Helminiak,
Jennifer Hill, Rachel Incillo, Beth Kelley, Virginia Manulla, Gerry Marciano, Judith Oskandy, Victoria Pac,Marian Pastore, Carolyn Pulica, Lisa Shackett, Keirsten Williams, Toni Winn 2. Pledge to the Flag: The Board recited the pledge. 3. Consideration of the Minutes: Louise Plager moved to approve the Minutes of
the Regular Board of Education Meeting of March 4, 2009. Sherri Gray seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
The motion was made by Barney Adams and seconded by Jeanne Jones to approve the Minutes of the Special Board of Education Meeting of March 18, 2009. The motion was unanimously approved. 5.
Recognition: None 6. Correspondence: None 7. Budget: a. Capital Spending – Jay Chittum reviewed the changes in the spending report. 8. Unfinished Business: a. 2009-2010 Proposed Budget
– Jay Chittum reviewed the 2009-2010 proposed budget. Questions were raised regarding line items being cut further for next year. 9. New Business: a. Full-Day Kindergarten Update
– Sylvia Crunden gave an overview of the full-day Kindergarten. The Board stated its appreciation for Ms. Crunden's presentation and voiced satisfaction with the success of the program. Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Ann Fragale, Acting Secretary
Sherri Gray, Jeanne Jones, Louise Plager, Susan Read Stanton
1. Meeting Call to Order
: The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Brad Bremer.
The motion was made by Susan
Read Stanton and seconded by Sherri Gray to amend the agenda to include, under Unfinished Business, the consideration of a capital request for the 2009-2010 budget. The motion was unanimously approved.
4.
Public Comment: Vikki Pac read a prepared comment from the Colebrook Teachers' Association expressing that the Board's positive vision and support is appreciated and that it is a group effort to make CCS a special place.
She acknowledged that the Board is being put in a compromising position; however, at this point in time, the teachers are not prepared to alter the contract that was negotiated in the fall of 2007.
Keirsten Williams
stated that she is opposed to a 0% budget. She would like to see the original budget to keep all staff and personnel. She is a parent of a student who benefited from the reading specialist and is opposed to any staff
cuts and does not want to see a step taken backwards.
Jay Chittum explained the budget process. The Board of Education has to fulfill responsibility to give a budget. The Board of Education and the Board of
Finance have regular, ongoing discussions. The Board of Finance presents a budget to the town and sets the numbers proposed to the town. There are meetings scheduled for April 8th
and April 15th. The second date is to finalize the Board of Education budget. The Town Hearing is scheduled for May 4th, with the Town Vote two weeks after that date.
b. Quarterly 2008-2009 Budget Report
– Jay Chittum reviewed line item changes to the budget. He also reviewed and commented on areas of concern. Substitute Teachers Account looks sufficient for projections. Concerns are Special Ed. Transportation, Heating Oil, etc.
Sherri Gray moved that the Board amend its 2009-2010 proposed budget to
include the reductions listed on the superintendent's memo, Exhibit 5, resulting in a total $1,734,634 proposed budget, which is a 2.7% increase over the 2008-2009 approved budget. The superintendent is directed to create an
amended budget proposal document and submit it to the Board of Finance by April 8, 2009. Jeanne Jones seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Susan Read Stanton stated that the Board of
Education has done everything within its power to bring the budget down as far as it could. Barney Adams commented on the Board of Finance meeting last week and their insistence on no wage increases.
b. Capital Request Consideration
– Barney Adams moved that the superintendent submit a capital request to the Board of Selectmen for $7,050 to cover the cost of installing heat strips on the roof of the Colebrook Consolidated School. Jeanne Jones seconded the motion.
The motion was unanimously approved.
c. CCS Renovation Project
– Brad Bremer reported on the status of the proposed building renovation project and the discussion with Norfolk concerning possible cooperative arrangements.
Jeanne Jones moved that the Board postpone the scheduling of a
public hearing on the proposed renovation project until the matter of Colebrook and Norfolk entering into a cooperative arrangement for education services is clarified. Louise Plager seconded the motion.
The motion was unanimously approved.
d. Consideration of Policy Series 1000 – Community Relations for Approval
– Jay Chittum reviewed the Policy Series 1000 – Community Relations for Approval. The motion was made by Lisa Fragale and seconded by Louise Plager to approve the Policy Series 1000 – Community Relations as amended.
The motion was unanimously approved.
b.
Colebrook/Norfolk Cooperative Collaboration – Brad Bremer, Barney Adams and Jay Chittum reported to the Board on the meeting between Colebrook and Norfolk officials on March 17th.
Susan Read Stanton moved that
the Colebrook Board of Education endorse the creation, by the Selectmen of Norfolk and Colebrook, of an inter-town study committee to explore the educational and financial benefits and the feasibility of a full range of cooperative
arrangement options to educate Norfolk and Colebrook students at Botelle Elementary School. The exploratory committee shall reflect equal representation from Norfolk and Colebrook, be equally financed, if necessary, by the
Selectmen of both towns, and report to the respective Boards of Education by September 1, 2009. Jeanne Jones seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
The motion was made by Susan Read Stanton
and seconded by Sherri Gray that the Board designate Brad Bremer, Barney Adams and Lisa Fragale as its representatives to the study committee and direct the superintendent to provide technical assistance to the committee.
The motion was unanimously approved.
c. Students with Food Allergy Care Needs Policy for First Reading
– The Students with Food Allergy Care Needs Policy was presented and reviewed for first reading.
d. Negotiations – None.
10. Superintendent's Report
– Jay Chittum reviewed his report and current enrollment.
11. Committee Reports:
a. Building & Grounds – No report.
b. CABE – No report.
c. Curriculum – No report.
d. Education Connection – Will be meeting on April 2nd.
e. Facilities Study – No report.
f. Personnel & Policy – No report.
g. Shared Services – No report.
h. Strategic Plan – No report.
i. Transportation – No report.
j. Educational Foundation – No report.
12.
Adjournment – The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Sherri Gray and seconded by Jeanne Jones. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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