The North Canaan Board of Education meeting was held on Thursday, January 10, 2008.

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 P.M.

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

Thomas Gaisford, Assistant Superintendent; Rosemary Keilty, Principal

Karen Bartomioli (Lakeville Journal), Stacey Dodge, Matthew Perotti, Robert Perotti, Michael Perry and Ray Sevigny (Architect)

Mrs. McGuire made a motion to amend the agenda by moving Building Expansion after Approval of Agenda and adding Use of Building by Canaan Fire Company to New Business. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. McGuire moved to adopt the agenda with the above changes. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mr. Sevigny, of Sevigny Architects, presented three concept drawings to the Board that the building committee had reviewed in February 2007. He explained the following: Plan A includes an indoor pool, gymnasium, 675 seat auditorium, early childhood center, a new entrance, renovated office space, and four classrooms. Estimated cost for this concept is approximately $40 million. Plan B would include the same areas and remove the pool. A new gymnasium would be smaller than Plan A since it would not include a track or entrances to a pool. Estimated cost for Plan B would be approximately $24 million. Mr. Sevigny reported that Plan C proposals would include a slightly smaller gymnasium and auditorium in addition to the early childhood center and building renovations with an estimated cost of approximately $21 million. He also reported that Plan A called for considerable blasting of ledge between the school and town pool and is included in the price. Water, sewer, fill, and lighting are all additional costs he added. Mr. Perry, Chairman of the Building Committee, reported that the town has the ability to bond about $21 million but the Board of Finance could not commit the entire amount because of other projects within the town. He also reported that the state reimbursement rate is expected to be approximately 25% for any of the three plans, and that the Building Committee was seeking direction from the Board of Education.

Mrs. Cecchinato made a motion to recommend to the Building Expansion Committee to go forward with the plans for an Early Childhood Center, Gymnasium (no pool or track) and classroom additions. Mrs. Warner seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. Dolores Perotti moved to approve the minutes dated, December 18, 2008 with two changes (create to created and Mis to Miss). Mrs. Laurie Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Communications
Written
Mrs. Scott read a thank you note she received from the North Canaan faculty, thanking the Board for the wonderful buffet lunch they received before the holiday vacation.

Public Comment
Matthew Perotti reported to the Board that he had one change to his Ski Club request. He stated that he received a call from Catamount Ski Resort, and they recommended skiing at night (4:00 P.M.). The cost would be $2.00 more. Matthew also stated that he hoped the Board would give permission to have a ski club.

Mr. Greco presented a form from the high school ski team to use as a guide in making a packet for North Canaan. This form included information concerning costs, permission, dates, directions and a time schedule.

Mr. Perotti reported that he is very proud of his son for standing up and presenting his proposal to the Board. He also stated that Matthew had done a lot of work and research concerning the starting of a ski club. Mr. Perotti closed his remarks to the Board adding that he hoped the Board would take this request seriously when making a decision as the proposal promoted healthy living and activity.

Board Comment
Mrs. Scott inquired where the Board stands with filling a vacant position on the Board. Mrs. Warner announced that the Democratic Town Committee will be meeting on January 15, 2008 and she will have more information after that meeting.

Region I Report
Ms. Freund reported on the last Region I meeting she attended on January 7, 2008. Some of the topics discussed at the meeting included the following:

Principal's Report
Miss Keilty announced that North Canaan student directories are available if anyone would like a copy.

Miss Keilty reported that the next Discipline Committee meeting will be held on January 15, 2008 and Mrs. Warner and Mr. Greco have volunteered to be on that committee as Board members.

Miss Keilty suggested that the School Lunch committee meet in January to go over a menu audit and the lunch program in general.

Superintendent's Report
Mr. Gaisford reported that the legislative positions, which Board members received in their packets, lists twelve issues that are the basis for CAPSS legislative activities in 2007-2008. He suggested that members read this list at their convenience.

Mr. Gaisford reviewed with the Board the CAPSS Position Statement concerning the No Child Left Behind Act. He stated that the following concerns continue:

Mr. Gaisford reviewed a letter with the Board written by Mark McQuillan, Commissioner of Education, from the Connecticut State Board of Education. The letter stated that Mr. McQuillan and the Ad Hoc Committee are planning to gather information during the year, so that by next December a plan with reform proposals for high schools can be introduced for approval.

Mr. Gaisford updated the Board on the Regional budget. He stated that the total is $13, 937,000 which is an increase of 5.74% over last year. He also stated that North Canaan's impact is $3,231,730.

New Business
All Board members updated the list of committees they would like to be on concerning building and grounds, curriculum, finance, personnel, transportation and lunch program.

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to approve an Elementary School Ski Club with no Board restrictions except not missing academic time and not to exceed $800.00 for transportation as a trial for this year. Mrs. Cecchinato seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to approve the Use of Building request by the North Canaan Fire Company. Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

All Board members agreed to hold 2008-2009 budget workshops on Tuesday, January 29 and Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.

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 9:25 P.M. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mr. Greco made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:55 P.M. Mrs. Warner seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The Board reconvened to its regular meeting at 9:56 P.M.

Mr. Greco made a motion to adjourn at 9:57 P.M. Mrs. Scott seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The meeting adjourned a 9:58 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie E. Gandolfo

Approved: March 13, 2008