BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa Fragale

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: James Chittum, Beth Driscoll

OTHERS PRESENT: Kimberly Chirichella, Julie Davy, Amanda D'Urso,

Amy Grosclaude, Noah Ullman, Keirsten Williams

 1. Meeting Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Brad Bremer.

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

3. Introduction of New Staff Members:  The three new staff members were introduced to  the Board:  Kimberly Chirichella (Vocal Music Teacher), Julie Davy (Special  Education Paraprofessional) and Amanda D'Urso (Paraprofessional in Grades 3-6)

4. Consideration of the Minutes: 

 a. Sherri Gray moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Board of  Education Meeting of  August 13, 2008, as amended to read that Jeanne Jones  abstained in the vote to approve the Minutes of the Special Board of Education  Meeting of July 22, 2008.  The vote carried 4-0.  Susan Read Stanton seconded  the motion.  Unanimously approved.

5. Public Comment:  Amy Grosclaude and Noah Ullman wanted to inform the Board of Education about the meeting on September 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Colebrook Senior and Community Center to discuss the proposed cell tower that will be 867 feet from the school, while the "International Standards" are 1,500 feet.

6. Correspondence:  None

7. Budget:

a. Capital Spending – Old projects have been removed from the report and new ones  added.  $100 is left on the floor machine line.

b. Final 2007-2008 Budget Closeout – Transfers and the closeout of the 2007-2008  budget returned $6,352.05 to the town.  The impact to the town on the special  education special appropriation ended up being approximately $3,000.

8. Unfinished Business:

a. 2008-2009 Board of Education Goals – The Board reviewed the goals, including    facility needs and Building Committee improvements per objective list.      Technology includes position of Information/Technology Specialist.  Cultural    literacy  objectives may involve Camp Jewell.  Assessment efforts for student    performance improvement include curriculum revisions.  Susan Read Stanton    moved to accept the 2008-2009 Board of Education Goals with the inclusion of    professional development to increase teachers' ability to differentiate instruction.     Sherri Gray seconded  the motion.  Unanimously approved.

9. New Business

a. CMT Report – Superintendent Chittum and Vikki Pac presented the results from    the 2008 Connecticut Mastery Test.  The test is administered in the early spring    and the data is made ready for the new school year.  The information measures    group performance, however, groups of under 20 students are not included in    some reports.  Adjustments in curriculum and instruction can be recommended.     CCS' 6 ^th Grade students scored 91 in math, 100 in reading and 100 in writing.     When comparing CCS students against themselves, each group shows     improvement.  CCS has done well in math, especially basic facts and order,    magnitude, and rounding of numbers.  Reading and writing strengths are general    understanding and holistic writing.  Weaknesses are composing and     editing/revising.  Additional monitoring, checklists and professional development    will help overcome weaknesses.

b. Summer Reading Program – Vikki Pac discussed the CCS summer reading    incentive.  The program focused on who the student is as a reader.  They chose a    book that represented the student/reader and had a picture taken and poster of    themselves made as an incentive.  96% of CCS students accomplished their    summer reading.

c. Soccer Field – The field was a bit neglected over the summer.  Complaints were    received.  At Mr. Chittum's request, First Selectman Tom McKeon directed the    town crew to cut and sweep the field.  It looks excellent.  The Board will send the    town a letter of appreciation

10. Superintendent's Report – Superintendent Chittum's report included information about new staff.  Beth Driscoll commented on the success of opening day.  The First Day Celebration went very well.  Kindergarten left school at 1:00 p.m. but had a long bus ride.  Beth is working to get them home earlier.

11. Committee Reports:

a. Building & Grounds – No report.

b. CABE – No report.

c. Curriculum – Lisa Fragale and committee will meet this week

d. Education Connection – There will be a meeting on September 4^th.

e. Facilities Study – The committee visited a school in Otis, Massachusetts.  This is  a great new facility built at lower cost.

f. Personnel & Policy – Executive Session anticipated.  Sherri Gray has volunteered  to serve on the committee.

g. Shared Services – No report.

h. Strategic Plan – No report.

i. Transportation – No report.

12. Executive Session – Greg Nichols moved and John Rigby seconded the motion to enter  Executive Session.  Unanimously approved.   Entered Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. to  discuss the superintendent evaluation.

 Susan Read Stanton moved to exit Executive Session at 9:10 p.m.  Sherri Gray seconded  the motion. Unanimously approved.

13. Adjournment – The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Jeanne Jones and seconded by Sherri Gray.  Unanimously approved.  The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,