Colebrook Consolidated School

                                                  COLEBROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION

Regular Meeting – January 6, 2010

MINUTES

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Barney Adams, Sherri Gray, Jeanne Jones,  Ernie Marmer, Louise Plager

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Brad Bremer, Lisa Fragale

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: James Chittum

OTHERS PRESENT:   None

1. Meeting Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Vice Chairman Barney  Adams.

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

3. Consideration of the Minutes:  Jeanne Jones moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular  Board of Education Meeting of December 2, 2009.  Sherri Gray seconded the motion.  The  motion was unanimously approved.

4. Public Comment:  None

5. Correspondence: 

     a. Letter from Robert E. King & Co. regarding Independent Accountants' Report – Jay Chittum commented on the Independent Accountants' Report on Applying Agreed-  Upon Procedures.

6. Budget:

  a. Capital Spending – Jay Chittum addressed the $550 overrun on heating cables.  He   noted that only the architect's expense was left for the year.

  b. Second Quarterly 2009-2010 Budget Report – Jay Chittum reviewed this report.

  c. 2009-2010 Budget Projections:

(1) Jay Chittum explained the current year surpluses and deficits by line item.  A net unanticipated deficit of $16,585 was noted. 

(2) Potential sources of deficit compensation were reviewed. Town, state and  medical insurance sources for special education overages seem likely but are unknown at present.

(3) Barney Adams spoke in connection to current-year surplus/deficit projections.  He specifically examined the advisability of finding town assistance for the  $41,593 special education-specific deficit instead of the $16,585 net deficit.

(4) Superintendent Chittum recommended that the Board "request from the Board    of Finance a special appropriation to cover the $16,585 unanticipated expense."  The motion to request $16,585 from the town was made by Louise Plager and    seconded by Ernie Marmer.  The motion was unanimously approved.

7. Unfinished Business:  None.

8. New Business:

    a. Superintendent's 2010-2011 Preliminary Budget Presentation:

(1) Superintendent Chittum's powerpoint presentation proposed a $161,600 budget increase (9.4%) over 2009-2010.

(2) This increase is generated almost completely from three areas:special  education, health benefit costs, and annual salary increases.

(3) Superintendent Chittum recommended that the Board accept the      superintendent's preliminary budget proposal as presented and schedule a     special budget meeting on Wednesday, January 20^th, for further discussion and that the superintendent provide curricular enrichment options."  Louise   Plager moved to approve this recommendation.  Sherri Gray seconded the motion.  The motion was unanimously approved.

   b. Asbestos Inspection – Fuss & O'Neill – The school facility requires testing for    suspected asbestos.  Superintendent Chittum recommended the Board take action "to   request from the town the $2,650 needed to complete the asbestos inspection."  The   motion to request the $2,650 from the town for the asbestos inspection was made by   Louise Plager and seconded by Jeanne Jones.  The motion was unanimously    approved.

9. Superintendent's Report:  Superintendent Chittum highlighted student activities during the past month and pointed out Northwestern Regional #7's Silver Medal (one of only 12 in CT) from U.S. News & World Report.

10. Committee Reports:

   a. Building & Grounds – The regular meeting held on December 15, 2009 was summarized.

   b. CABE – Board member participation in a CABE workshop was reviewed.  There were highly favorable responses by all Board attendees.  The Board thanks and appreciates Superintendent Chittum as one of very few superintendents who accompanied Board members to the CABE workshop.

   c. Curriculum – No report.

   d. Education Connection – Ernie Marmer reported progress on creating possible after-school language program and
                                            presented an Interdistrict Grant Program schedule for the coming year for school-wide distribution.

   e. Facilities Study – Superintendent Chittum reviewed the progress on Norfolk merger potential. 
                                  There is little to report at this time.

   f. Personnel & Policy – Sherri Gray and Louise Plager reported on the continued progress   of the policy review.

   g. Shared Services – No report.

   h. Strategic Plan – No report.

   i. Transportation – The superintendent expects a proposal from First Student in January.

11. Adjournment :  The motion was made by Louise Plager and seconded by Sherri Gray to  adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.  The meeting was adjourned at  9:31 p.m.

         Respectfully submitted,

 Ernie Marmer, Acting Secretary