North Canaan Elementary School
Board of Education
December 2007 Minutes
 

The North Canaan Board of Education meeting was held on Tuesday, December 18, 2007.

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.

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

Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent; Rosemary Keilty, Principal

Karen Bartomioli, Francine Lavoie, Matthew Perotti, Marilyn Schneider
and Donna Whalen

Ms. Chamberlain opened the meeting and conducted a re-organizational session for elections of officers.

Ms. Chamberlain accepted nominations for Chairperson of the Board. Mrs. Dolores Perotti nominated Mrs. Scott for Chairperson of the Board. Mrs. Warner seconded.
Ms. Chamberlain closed nominations for Chairperson. Vote: Unanimous

Ms. Chamberlain accepted nominations for Vice-Chairperson of the Board. Mrs. Warner nominated Mrs. Dolores Perotti for Vice-Chairperson. Mrs. McGuire seconded. Ms. Chamberlain closed nominations for Vice-Chairperson. Vote: Unanimous

Ms. Chamberlain accepted nominations for Secretary of the Board. Mrs. Dolores Perotti nominated Mrs. McGuire for Secretary of the Board. Mr. Greco seconded. Ms. Chamberlain moved to close nominations for Secretary. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. McGuire moved to adopt the agenda as written. Mr. Greco seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. Warner moved to approve the minutes dated, November 8, 2007 with the following changes: (at all high schools, anthropology, we adopted the dues structure). Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Communications
Written
Mrs. Scott read a letter she received from Patricia Heinsman. Mrs. Heinsman thanked the Board for recognizing her with a delicious cake and a gold bell which she placed on her bookshelf. The letter also stated that she was glad to have the opportunity to serve North Canaan's faculty and students.


Public Comment
Matthew Perotti, a middle school student, presented his proposal to create a school ski club using Power Point. Highlights of his presentation included the following:

  • One of their goals of 85210 is to get kids active; skiing would accomplish this.
  • Ski Club members would leave school at 1:30 P.M. after middle school lunch.
  • Students would arrive at the ski area about 2:00 P.M.
  • Students would return to the school at 6:45 P.M.
  • There would be four ski sessions held on Tuesday, January 8, 15, 22 and 29.
  • Mrs. Slonaker, Mr. Merrill, Miss Keilty and Miss Bouchard have offered to be chaperones.
  • Bus transportation would cost $200.00 for each session.
  • Catamount is less expensive than Mohawk
  • The cost for a student to ski with lift ticket, lessons, and rentals would be $156.00 for the four sessions.
  • The ski club will be for middle school students only.

Ms. Chamberlain made the following suggestions concerning the ski club:

  • The club should be held after school.
  • More time is needed for students and parents to sign up
  • Open it to more age groups to cut costs
  • Six sessions will be needed to learn to ski on higher slopes

Miss Keilty reported that a ski club is not automatically covered under the school's sports insurance. Therefore, the Board would incur an additional cost of approximately $23.54 per student to extend coverage. All Board members agreed to table their decision on approving a ski club until next month.

Education Connection
Mrs. Scott reported that there was no Education Connection meeting held in December. She met with some of the members last night because the Federal Government is going to do a review of the Early Headstart and Headstart Programs. One of the questions that resulted from the discussion was whether Region I has the need for an Early Headstart/Headstart Program. Mrs. Scott reported that all Region I schools pay dues to Education Connection, so our schools can take advantage of the programs. Ms. Chamberlain reported that she believes there is a need for these programs in Region I.

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

  • A program review was done which described the agricultural opportunities offered to students.
  • An athletic report was made which included 200 athletes being honored for fall sports
  • Mr. Gaisford reported on the possible use of the Clark B. Wood building
  • More members have joined the Long Range Planning Committee and they are moving forward with discussions and creating plans.
  • Mr. Herrick is looking into a regional bus contract.
  • The FFA banquet was a huge success.
  • Report cards were distributed on November 20th.
  • The high school winter concert was held on November 30th.
  • Field trip applications were submitted for Italy and Greece.

Principal's Report
Miss Keilty reported that she went to a workshop at Education Connection concerning CMTs. She explained that the 3rd and 4th generation tests are different and that it is difficult to compare. She outlined the 2006/2007 reading, writing and math results for grades 3 through 8. She also reported that after a faculty discussion the overall message was that we can do better.

Mrs. Lavoie, Mrs. Whalen and Mrs. Schneider made a presentation to the Board of strategies they are doing to improve the CMT scores. Mrs. Lavoie reported that at this year's Middle School team meetings teachers have been putting a lot of time into addressing Middle School CMT weaknesses and strengths. She also reported that a CMT Pep Rally may be in the works. Mrs. Whalen explained what happens when a child is not at proficiency. She reported that teachers have to find ways to challenge the brighter students and create small groups to meet the students' needs. She stated that the goal is to take one step at a time to get proficient students up and other students higher. Mrs. Schneider explained some of the multi step problems in the custom made tests of Blue Ribbon. She also demonstrated how teachers make use of this software by showing whole class result reports, test reports and support materials that are used in the Middle School.

Miss Keilty reported that she met with Francis McGuire and they created a time line for the 2008 budget season.

Miss Keilty reported that the next Discipline Committee meeting will be held in January, and she would like to know if one Board member would be interested in volunteering to serve on the committee.

Miss Keilty reported that there is now a computer in the cafeteria manager's office so she can go online for ordering and checking state food guidelines.

Miss Keilty announced that the last Wellness Committee meeting was cancelled because the presenter did not come or call.

Superintendent's Report
Ms. Chamberlain reported on the following:

  • graduation requirements will increase at the high school from 20 to 24 credits.
  • Federal Funding is now available, and she will be hearing about it soon.
  • The high school Long Range Planning Committee met and things are moving forward.
  • An All Board's meeting was held on November 28, 2007, and they will meet again in January.
  • The ABC committee is working on a regional transportation contract and the RSC budget.

Old Business
Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to approve Policy #4115 Personnel - Certified as corrected. Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. McGuire made a motion to approve Policy #4116 Responsibilities and Duties as corrected. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. McGuire made a motion to approve Policy #4140 Basic Policy as corrected. Mr. Greco seconded. Vote: Unanimous

New Business
Miss Keilty reported on the last Building Committee meeting held on November 20, 2007. The committee asked her to address the Board of Education on their thoughts concerning limiting the building project to an early childhood center and gymnasium. She also reported that the present gym would be renovated into classrooms. All Board members agreed that the Building Committee needs to make a presentation to the Board of Education on the project before the Board can make a decision on limiting the scope of the project.

Mrs. McGuire moved to approve the 2008 North Canaan Board meeting dates. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The C.A.B.E. Nutmeg Article was tabled until next month.

Mrs. McGuire made a motion to go into executive session for Superintendent Evaluation at 10:05 P.M. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Ms. Chamberlain was invited.

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to come out of executive session at 10:10 P.M.
Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The Board reconvened to its regular meeting at 10:11 P.M.

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to adjourn. Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The meeting adjourned at 10:12 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie E. Gandolfo

Approved: January 10, 2008

Updated: February 1, 2008