North Canaan Elementary School
Board of Education
June 2008 Minutes
 


The North Canaan Board of Education meeting was held on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

The meeting was called to order at 5:04 P.M.

Those Board members present: Martha Scott, Chairperson, Richard Greco, Beth McGuire, Dolores Perotti and Laurie Perotti Dorothy Cecchinato arrived at 5:45 P.M. Susan Warner arrived at 6:10 P.M.

Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent; Thomas Gaisford, Assistant Superintendent; Rosemary Keilty, Principal and Francine Lavoie, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to amend the agenda by adding Executive Session for Reason of Personnel. Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

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

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to approve the minutes dated, May 8, 2008. Mrs. Veronesi seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Communications
Mrs. Scott read a letter she received from Marilyn Schneider. The letter stated that she wishes to thank the Board for the lovely breakfast that was served on Staff Appreciation Day.

Mrs. Scott read a letter she received from the North Canaan staff, stating that the staff would like to thank the Board for the delicious end of year breakfast, the beautiful corsages and the key chain gift.

Principal's Report
Miss Keilty reported on the following additions to her principal's report:

  • Mrs. Diorio's grade 4 class painted their hand prints on the picnic table made by her class at the high school in Mr. Padua's class.
  • Congressman Murphy will be the speaker at the Flag Day program which the second grade is hosting; the citizenship awards will be given in the gymnasium, and the boy scout part of the program will be held outside at the flag pole. Congressman Murphy will present us with a new flag which was flown over the capitol.
  • Field Day will be held at 11:30 A.M. after the Flag Day ceremony.
  • The last day of school will be Thursday, June 19, 2008 because of no school on Tuesday, June 11, 2008 but both Wednesday and Thursday will be l:00 P.M. dismissal days.
  • The honor roll and recognition awards assembly will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 19th
  • The school heating conversion is going well; no serious problems have been encountered.
  • The administration will not go forward with the Weather Bug camera, as it is too much money.

Region I Report
Ms. Chamberlain reported on the last Region I meeting she attended. Some of the highlights of that meeting included the following:

  • Mr. Bayersdorfer resigned as athletic director but he will continue to teach at the high school.
  • Three high school staff members will resign, Doug Weisman, Marc Dalke and
    Tom Moore (who is retiring).
  • Molly Ambrozaitis will replace Theresa Jacquier as an AgEd teacher.
  • Mr. Gaisford reported on teacher recruitment.
  • Mr. Herrick reported on a consortium bid for cafeteria supplies.
  • Mrs. Terry gave a special education report.
  • Mrs. DiCorleto reported on NEASC

Superintendent's Report
Ms. Chamberlain reported that the number of out-of-school suspension days will change from 10 to 5, as a result of the new Legislative Law on Bullying and Suspension. She also stated that there will be more in-school-suspensions than out-of-school.

Ms. Chamberlain reported that North Canaan is in great shape with ECS grants and that few schools are over 4%.

Ms. Chamberlain announced that she received a letter stating that Chrystne Wood will be leaving at the end of the school year, and she will be moving out of the area. Ms. Chamberlain reported that she accepts this resignation.

Ms. Chamberlain reported that she expects the bridge construction near the high school to last two or three years. She stated that this may impact the elementary school runs because at 7:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. there will be hectic traffic.

Ms. Chamberlain reported that the high school community forum is now complete, and North Canaan had the largest group in attendance.

New Business
Miss Keilty reported that the Building Expansion committee will reconvene on September 9, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. in the school library, and they will come up with strategies on the project to present to the town.

Miss Keilty reported that at this point the school will return $55,000 to $60,000 to the town from the 2007-2008 school budget plus $27,000 from the high school portion.

Miss Keilty reported that the Discipline Committee met and created the Middle School Discipline Policy draft, which they are considering including in the school handbook this summer. Board members reviewed the Middle School Discipline Policy draft with the administration and reported some of their recommendations which included the following:

  • Fall sports eligibility will be based on the final grade of the year.
  • The nurse has on file an approved physical form.
  • Remove - A student cannot join the activity once the activity is in progress. Exceptions are made for transfer students if space allows.
  • Change feels to believes and change clothing to equipment.
  • Uniforms should be washed after every game and returned clean to the coach at the end of the season.
  • Should a student display any behavior that coach/teacher believes are inappropriate and/or unacceptable the coach/teacher will meet with the student to determine appropriate consequences and if necessary with the principal.

Miss Keilty reported that the Cafeteria Committee met and made the following recommendations:

  • Raising the cost of adult lunches
  • Going back to frozen pizza
  • Adding more snack items
  • Reduce labor costs
  • Consider out sourcing the program to Education Connection.
  • Limit choices to either soup and sandwich and salad bar or entrée and salad bar. In either case students will be able to select the salad bar.

Miss Keilty reported that the cost for three people working in the cafeteria is $42,214 plus $13,386 for health insurance and $1,915 for an annuity. She also stated that there will be an increase in salaries of 4% starting next year. Miss Keilty informed the Board that the cost for out sourcing the lunch program to Education Connection will be $42,500 which includes salaries and menu planning. All Board members agreed that the administration should move forward with looking into the benefits of out sourcing the program. Ms. Chamberlain reported that she will contact the school's lawyer to inquire about breaking the contract to cut the lunch program and provide a service instead. Ms. Chamberlain reported that the Board should have a meeting in July to review the lunch program.

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to go into Executive Session at 6:20 P.M. Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. Dolores Perotti made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 6:30 P.M. Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The Board reconvened to its regular meeting at 6:31 P.M.

The meeting adjourned at 6:32 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,


Marjorie Gandolfo


Approved: September 11, 2008

Updated September 18, 2008