The North Canaan Board of Education meeting was held on Thursday, October 11, 2007.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.

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

Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent; Rosemary Keilty, Principal

Karen Bartomioli (Lakeville Journal), Eve Bouchard, Doreen Bongiolatti, Corinne Hammond, Taylor Hammond, Abigail Merrill, Leigh Ann Merrill, Odalis Ortiz,
Santos Ortiz, Doug Murray and Patricia Palmer

Mrs. McGuire moved to amend the agenda by moving 4000 Series Policies under New Business. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. McGuire moved to adopt the agenda as amended. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

Mrs. Warner moved to approve the minutes dated, September 18, 2007 with the following changes: ( change enrollment to 361, remove - the, and add- because of a decrease in federal funds). Mrs. McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Mr. Greco abstained.

Communications
Public Comment
Doreen Bongiolatti inquired what the Board's policy is on theft of property and locking the school locker rooms. She reported that her son's Ipod was stolen while he went with the soccer team after school. She said that he was expecting the bathroom to be locked, as it has been in the past. She also reported that there is a camera in the hall outside the
bathroom that contains no tape. Ms. Chamberlain commented that there is no Board policy for stolen items, and students should not bring their personal items to school.

Board Comment
Mr. Greco and Mrs. Warner inquired why the locker rooms were not locked. Miss Keilty reported that the coach was talking to the soccer team, and they were late in leaving for the game, and so he forgot to lock the doors. She also stated that the front doors to the school are unlocked so people can get in for after school meetings until about 4:30 P.M. each day. She stated that the camera in that area of the school is only for surveillance therefore it does not contain a tape. She reported that she has reminded the coaches to lock the doors in the future.

Teacher Presentation
Ms. Bouchard gave a presentation/slide show on this year's seventh grade trip to Boston. She reported that the trip to Boston is a very educational experience for the students which ties to the curriculum. Some of the proposed itinerary activities will be the same as last year's which included the folowing:

" take a Duck Tour of the birthplace of freedom: see Boston from land & water in a WWII amphibious craft
" visit the Museum of Science where there are hundreds of interactive exhibits and demonstrations
" experience the Blue Man Group, a theatrical production
" enjoy free time at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market
" receive a bird's-eye view of the city from the Prudential Skywalk
" take a guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail
" visit the New England Aquarium which has enormous glass tanks of marine life
" transportation by motor coach from F.M. Kuzmeskus, Inc.
" accommodations at the Red Roof Inn

She explained what the different expenses of the trip involve and how all the fundraising is done by the students.

Education Connection
Mrs. Scott reported on the last Education Connection meeting she attended. She received the Annual Report which lists all of their programs and a summary of which districts participate in the different programs. She reported that this year the Annual Report booklet was made by the secretary instead of being sent out to a printer.

The following was also presented by Mrs. Scott:

" many professional development workshops are coming up for teachers.

" Education Connection's Early Head Start Program was part of a benchmark survey, and the number of children that are kindergarten ready this year is 100%, which is up from 50% to 60% last year.

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

" Mr. Bayersdorfer gave an athletic director report and there will be a discussion at the November meeting concerning Region One schools paying for physicals again.

" Mrs. Ruotolo reported on the FFA leadership camp in New York, the Goshen Fair exhibits, and the AgEd secretaries' hours.

" Mr. Manning reported on the replacement of the front doors.

" Dr. Foster gave a principal's report and explained about student security at the high school.

" Mr. Gaisford gave the curriculum report.

" Mr. Herrick gave a financial report.

" Mrs. Terry gave a special education profile report.

" A cross country trip was approved.

" Vinnie Viscarelli will be the freshmen boy's basketball coach.

" Job descriptions were reviewed concerning the nurse and psychologist.

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

" Theresa Jacquier was selected to teach Jaime Crane's class while she is on maternity leave from December until June.

" A budget analysis was included in the Board packet, indicating the expenditures to date and a few forecasts for the end of the year even though it's early in the year.

" JoEllen Belter and the First Grade Team would like to invite Board members to their program of What We Teach and Why We Teach It.

" a CABE/CAPPS Convention brochure has been enclosed in Board packets in case anyone is interested in attending the workshop.

Miss Keilty gave a Power Point presentation on the Spring 2007 Mastery Test results.
She explained the different scores in reading, math, and writing in grades 3 - 8. She stated that the faculty met as a whole, then in teams, and again as grade levels to analyze and discuss the scores. They are exploring strategies for improvement. She said the message conveyed is "We can do better."

Superintendent's Report
Ms. Chamberlain reviewed the 2007-2008 Board goals and Board members discussed the changes they would like made to them. Ms. Chamberlain stated that she would update the, and they would be reviewed again next month.

Ms. Chamberlain reported that the October 1, 2007 enrollment for North Canaan was 361 students.

Ms. Chamberlain presented to the Board with a list of the public acts in the 2007 legislature and reported that the discipline section would be of most interest for them to read.

Ms. Chamberlain reported that North Canaan could qualify for a State reimbursement through a grant to buy cameras, monitors, and locks if she applies for the Connecticut School Security Grant by November 15th. All Board members agreed that she should explore and try for this grant. She then asked Miss Keilty to send a letter of intent to apply on behalf of North Canaan.

Ms. Chamberlain announced that the 5th Annual Kitchen Tour sponsored by the high school Music Theatre Society will be held on November 3rd. The price is $25.00 for tickets now or $30.00 at the door.

New Business
Miss Keilty reported that there was no Building Expansion report because a meeting had not been held yet. She stated that a meeting will be held on November 13th.

Miss Keilty reported on the schools cafeteria program. She stated that the kitchen staff has been following the directions of the cafeteria subcommittee. She also stated that the number of students purchasing lunches has not gone up, but snack sales have increased because of more variety of choices. Continuing to find ways of cutting food costs is still a priority.

Ms. Chamberlain reviewed the C.A.B.E. Nutmeg article concerning student expulsion and due process rights with the Board.

All Board members agreed to have a first reading of the 4000 Series Policies that need reviewing next month.

Mrs. McGuire made a motion to go into executive session for collective bargaining at 8:50 P.M. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous Miss Keilty and
Ms. Chamberlain were invited.

Mrs. McGuire made a motion to come out of executive session at 10:05 P.M. Mrs. Dolores Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous

The Board reconvened to its regular meeting at 10:06 P.M.

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

The meeting adjourned at 10:07 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Marjorie E. Gandolfo

Approved: November 8, 2007