COLEBROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION

Regular Meeting – May 7, 2008

MINUTES

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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: James Chittum, Beth Driscoll

OTHERS PRESENT: Bart Barown, Bridget Barown, Zachary Barown,  Sylvia Crunden, Amy Grosclaude, Keirsten Huttig, Amy Koch, Karen Odell, Margaret Odell, Michael Odell, Paul Odell, Cady Stanton, Toni Winn, William Zampaglione

1. Meeting Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Susan Read  Stanton.

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

3. Consideration of the Minutes: 
 a. Sherri Gray moved to approve the Minutes of the Special Board of  Education  Meeting of  April 9, 2008.  Lisa Fragale seconded the motion.  Unanimously  approved.

4. Smart Board Demonstration:  Kindergarten Teacher Sylvia Crunden demonstrated the Smart Board with the help of two of her students.  They matched shapes with corresponding letters on the Smart Board.  Cady Stanton then used Power Point with the Smart Board.  The school currently has two Smart Boards and may purchase more in the future.

5. Public Comment :  Amy Grosclaude asked the question, "Is all-day kindergarten official?"

    She believes all-day kindergarten is too much for a child that age.  A letter from Becky Klimkosky was read.  She "strongly opposes all-day kindergarten".  Amy Koch expressed some concerns about accommodations for children who are not ready for a full day.  Superintendent Chittum said that accommodations can be made during the day in the building.  William Zampaglione and Keirsten Huttig offered comments supporting a full-day kindergarten.Greg Nichols made the motion to move Unfinished Business to the next item on the agenda.  Sherri Gray seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

8. Unfinished Business:

 a. Approval of All-Day Kindergarten Program –Jeanne Jones moved that the Board    of Education approve the full-day kindergarten program as presented by the    superintendent for implementation in the 2008-2009 school year pending the    town's approval of the Board's 2008-2009 budget proposal.  Greg Nichols    seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

. Correspondence:  None

7. Budget:

a. Capital Spending – Superintendent Chittum reports that there is no change in the  Capital Projects Fund.  There was no action this month.  The Capital  Improvement Program for fiscal year 2008-2009 includes:  School Technology  Replacement Plan – Year 1 @ $10,000; Floor Machine @ $5,800; and School  Library  Furniture Replacement @ $5,400. 

b. 2008-2009 Budget Proposal – No questions arose at the Town Budget Hearing on  the budget proposal.

9. New Business:

a. Contract Extension with C. J. Lawler – Jeanne Jones moved to direct Superintendent Chittum to share a legal opinion with the Facilities Study Committee when it is received.  Susan Read Stanton seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

b. Superintendent Self-Evaluation – Will be discussed in Executive Session.

c. Leadership Team Self-Assessment Worksheet – The Board members will     anonymously complete the worksheet and return to the school office.

d. School Nurse Day – Brad Bremer read the official statement into the minutes.  Greg Nichols moved to recognize CCS' School Nurse, Beth Kelley.  Sherri Gray seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

 e. Colebrook School District Policy – District Mission and School Vision
                        The    Board  agreed to continue reviewing and fine tuning the statements. Additional                            input from PTO and staff is needed.

10. Superintendent's Report: 

     a. "A Year in Review" – Will be discussed in Executive Session.

    11. Committee Reports:

    a. Building & Grounds – The committee will meet on Wednesday, May 21st.

    b. CABE – No report.

    c. Curriculum – No report.

    d. Education Connection – No report.

    e. Facilities Study – The Town Meeting vote was in favor of a $32,000 expenditure  to extend C. J. Lawler's contract.  Facilities Study Committee members are:  Ron  Aubel, Brad Bremer, James Chittum, Jack Dorazio, and Greg Hoffmann.

    f. Personnel & Policy – No report.

    g. Shared Services – No report.

    h. Strategic Plan – No report.

    i. Transportation – No report.

    12. Other Matters:  None

    13. Executive Session – Susan Read Stanton moved to enter Executive Session to discuss the superintendent's self-evaluation and "Year in Review".  John Rigby seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.  Entered Executive Session at 8:14 p.m.

     Susan Read Stanton moved and Greg Nichols seconded to exit Executive Session.  Unanimously approved.   Exited Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.

    14. Adjournment – The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Jeanne Jones and seconded by Sherri Gray.  Unanimously approved.  The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.

           Respectfully submitted,
           John B. Rigby, Secretary

Colebrook Consolidated S chool