North Canaan Elementary School
Board of Education
April 2008 Minutes
 

The North Canaan Board of Education meeting was held on Thursday, April 17, 2008.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M.

Board members present: Martha Scott, Chairperson, Dorothy Cecchinato,
Laura Freund, Richard Greco, Dolores Perotti,
Shelley Veronesi and Susan Warner

Thomas Gaisford, Assistant Superintendent and Rosemary Keilty, Principal

Karen Bartomioli (Lakeville Journal)

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to adopt the agenda as written. Mrs. Warner seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. Cecchinato made a motion to approve the minutes dated, March 13, 2008. Mrs. Warner seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Communications
Written
Mrs. Scott read a letter she received from the fifth grade students in Mrs. Johnson's class.
In the letter students thanked the Board for the opportunity to go to Nature's Classroom. They also added that they had fun while learning about nature and themselves.

Board Comment
Mrs. Warner asked about students playing sports. Miss Keilty reported that seventh and eighth grade students are chosen for the team first and then if there are not enough players, sixth grade students may play. She added that all of the players' grades are monitored weekly. Students failing a subject are ineligible to play until the grade is a passing one.

Region I Report
Miss Freund reported on the last Region One meeting she attended. Some of the topics discussed included the following:

  • The high school Robotics team came in first at the state competition.
  • Mr. Bayersdorfer will step down after 16 years as athletic director and return to teaching social studies.
  • A group of high school students has been visiting China for the past two weeks.
  • The public is invited to a Long Range Planning Committee meeting which will be held in each Region One town.
  • Grade Four Arts Day was a huge success.
  • The high school musical The Little Shop of Horrors was great.
  • The high school auditor's report found no instances of non-compliance.
  • High school graduation will be held on June 18, 2008.
  • A high school assembly was held for the fourth marking period concerning positive behavior.
  • The high school budget referendum will be held on May 6, 2008.

Education Connection
Mrs. Scott reported on the last Education Connection meeting she attended. She stated that the Head Start Program was reviewed by the Federal Government and they received a gold certificate. She announced that the Head Start is the only one in all of the New England Region to receive this gold certificate. She added that the Board is working on choosing officers for next year.

Principal's Report
Miss Keilty made the following additions to her written report:

  • There will be a Public Hearing on the budget at the Town Hall on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 7:30 P.M.
  • The budget presentation to the Board of Finance went well and she used the Smart Board to display the budget. Part of the presentation included a discussion of technology needs for the next school year.
  • The Board of Finance made no recommendations to the budget.
  • Lawn Bids are being processed at this time.
  • Handicap parking spots were identified in the front circle of the school. The town crew painted the images to clearly identify the spaces.
  • It has been recommended by the Health Fair Committee to move the Health Fair to October 30, 2008 in order to fully involve students.

Superintendent's Report
Mr. Gaisford gave the following additions to the Superintendent's report:

  • The Board was updated on CAPSS legislative education related bills that various committees have passed and moved on to the House and Senate for votes.
  • A new policy concerning recycling will soon be drafted for all schools.
  • Ms. Chamberlain recommends that everyone do whatever they can to get PTO and community members to come to the Long Range Planning meeting at the town hall on April 24, 2008.

Old Business
Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to approve policy #5144.1 (a) Use of Physical Force with one change (annually added to page 2). Mrs. Cecchinato seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. Scott reported that the Board Retreat will be held at Geer Village with the same menu as last year. All Board members agreed to have the Retreat on June 12, 2008. She stated that the regular Board meeting will be held from 5:00 - 6:00 P.M,. and the Board Retreat will be held from 6:00 - 9:00 P.M. Board members invited Ms. Chamberlain, Mr. Gaisford, Miss Keilty, Miss Freund, Mrs. Gandolfo and Mrs. Lavoie to attend the retreat.

New Business
Miss Keilty updated the Board on the Building Expansion Project. Some of those updates included the following:

  • A report on the Early Learning Center addition was reviewed.
  • The next meeting will be held on May 6, 2008.
  • Cost estimates will be ready for the May 6, 2008 building committee meeting.
  • Drawings for the school addition were reviewed.
  • The timeline will continue with a May 13, 2008 meeting of the Board of Selectmen followed by a May 14, 2008 Board of Finance meeting to discuss and recommend the project.

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to approve the 2008-2009 North Canaan Elementary School budget. Mr. Greco seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Miss Keilty reported that the Discipline Committee met and came up with ideas concerning dress code and behavior. She also stated that more information will be in the May Board packets in preparation for further discussion.

Mr. Greco made a motion to adjourn at 8:19 P.M. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,


Marjorie E. Gandolfo

Approved: May 8, 2008

Updated: May 16, 2008