Reg Sch Bd Mtg 9/11/07

Cavendish Town Elementary School

Board Minutes

September 11, 2007, 6:00 p.m.

Present

Board: Dr. Bont-Vice Chair, Jim Ballantine, Sharon Huntley and Jessie Goodman

Administration: Joan Paustian-Superintendent, Linda Waite-Assistant Superintendent for CIA and George Thomson-Principal

Public/Staff: Duncan Love, Peggy Svec, Robin Bebo-Long, Ellen Cameron, and Donna Bonang

1. Call to Order: Dr. Bont called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.

2. Approval of Minutes for August 14, 2007: Dr. Bont asked for a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2007 as presented. Jim requested the following correction: #5: Jim cited the policy regarding non resident teachers having their children attend CTES. The policy states a teacher must apply by February 15^th for the following school year. The policy was adopted on 4/10/07 and the request was made in August. Jim felt this request should be approved for the 08-09 school year, not the 07-08 year. Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2007 as corrected. Jessie seconded. Approved with corrections.

3. Reports:a) Superintendent: Joan said they had great school openings, it was very exciting. Her goal is to visit classrooms this year. She said Jackie McCuin reported to the executive board that 12.4% of our students are Special Ed which is below the state average.

b) Principal: George passed out a budget summary and said at this stage it is hard to get a good reading. There are no surprises. He said if the board has questions he will be happy to answer them. The school has 107 students this year. He said the opening day breakfast served about 250 people. They did an introduction of the staff and the Superintendent. Doris talked about the importance of breakfast. Other teachers and a PTO representative spoke as well. The parents were able to see how the students start each day. Monday the 17^th is ÒOpen HouseÓ. Band has been changed from after school to during the school day. Bus radios were not working. The home base which is shared with the town needed to be replaced. It will cost about $500.00 and they will split the cost with the town. The furnaces have been serviced. There was a problem with the water in town last week. They disconnected the water coolers. Everything has now been reconnected. The USA map was painted in the front parking lot. They are busy with the MAPS testing. Today the staff had bullying prevention training. The rain has created some drainage issues. Jim and Rich are working on a solution. Joan asked if gutters might help. Jim said it may help. Dr. Bont said gutters would create a problem with backup. Discussion ensued. The PTO has had their first meeting and their target project this year is adding different elements to the playground for older kids. Discussion ensued. Tim Lee, our Custodian, will be out for a few days on medical leave. The floor in this room has not been repaired yet and the tiles are in. The contractors wonÕt be able to do it until the beginning of October.

c) Board: Jim asked about the yearly maintenance that needs to be done. George said he will check on it.

d) Committee Reports: Dr. Bont said the outdoor classrooms have been used and it is going well. Discussion ensued.

4. Report Card Committee Presentation: Linda passed out samples of the Kindergarten and Third Grade report cards and an article called, ÒPutting the Pieces Together: Parent and Community Involvement in School AssessmentÓ She discussed how the committee made their decision. The stateÕs grade level expectations and the data information system played a part in the committeeÕs decision. They wanted the report card streamlined. Discussion ensued. Robin said by going from quarters to trimesters it gives more time to see what the studentÕs level is at the beginning of the year after reviewing and testing. Linda said this was a very thoughtful process which took over three years to accomplish. She said this is an ongoing process and the team will reconvene this year. Discussion ensued. This will be implicated for all K-6 students in the Supervisory Union. Peggy said we shouldnÕt forget this is a pilot. Dr. Bont and the Board thanked Linda and the Teachers for the presentation and for their efforts in this process. 5. Security System Update: George said the security system is in but not functioning yet. It should be fully functional by the next meeting. This is not a keyless entry system.6. Other Business: None

7. Executive Session: Jim made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel at 7:23 p.m. All approved. Jessie made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:35. All approved. No action taken. 8. Adjournment: Jim made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia M. Walsh MackRecording Secretary


	Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Minutes September 11, 2007, 6:00 p.m. Present Board: Dr. Bont-Vice Chair, Jim Ballantine, Sharon Huntley and Jessie Goodman Administration: Joan Paustian-Superintendent, Linda Waite-Assistant Superintendent for CIA and George Thomson-Principal Public/Staff: Duncan Love, Peggy Svec, Robin Bebo-Long, Ellen Cameron, and Donna Bonang 1. Call to Order: Dr. Bont called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes for August 14, 2007: Dr. Bont asked for a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2007 as presented. Jim requested the following correction: #5: Jim cited the policy regarding non resident teachers having their children attend CTES. The policy states a teacher must apply by February 15^th for the following school year. The policy was adopted on 4/10/07 and the request was made in August. Jim felt this request should be approved for the 08-09 school year, not the 07-08 year. Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2007 as corrected. Jessie seconded. Approved with corrections. 3. Reports:a) Superintendent: Joan said they had great school openings, it was very exciting. Her goal is to visit classrooms this year. She said Jackie McCuin reported to the executive board that 12.4% of our students are Special Ed which is below the state average. b) Principal: George passed out a budget summary and said at this stage it is hard to get a good reading. There are no surprises. He said if the board has questions he will be happy to answer them. The school has 107 students this year. He said the opening day breakfast served about 250 people. They did an introduction of the staff and the Superintendent. Doris talked about the importance of breakfast. Other teachers and a PTO representative spoke as well. The parents were able to see how the students start each day. Monday the 17^th is ÒOpen HouseÓ. Band has been changed from after school to during the school day. Bus radios were not working. The home base which is shared with the town needed to be replaced. It will cost about $500.00 and they will split the cost with the town. The furnaces have been serviced. There was a problem with the water in town last week. They disconnected the water coolers. Everything has now been reconnected. The USA map was painted in the front parking lot. They are busy with the MAPS testing. Today the staff had bullying prevention training. The rain has created some drainage issues. Jim and Rich are working on a solution. Joan asked if gutters might help. Jim said it may help. Dr. Bont said gutters would create a problem with backup. Discussion ensued. The PTO has had their first meeting and their target project this year is adding different elements to the playground for older kids. Discussion ensued. Tim Lee, our Custodian, will be out for a few days on medical leave. The floor in this room has not been repaired yet and the tiles are in. The contractors wonÕt be able to do it until the beginning of October. c) Board: Jim asked about the yearly maintenance that needs to be done. George said he will check on it. d) Committee Reports: Dr. Bont said the outdoor classrooms have been used and it is going well. Discussion ensued. 4. Report Card Committee Presentation: Linda passed out samples of the Kindergarten and Third Grade report cards and an article called, ÒPutting the Pieces Together: Parent and Community Involvement in School AssessmentÓ She discussed how the committee made their decision. The stateÕs grade level expectations and the data information system played a part in the committeeÕs decision. They wanted the report card streamlined. Discussion ensued. Robin said by going from quarters to trimesters it gives more time to see what the studentÕs level is at the beginning of the year after reviewing and testing. Linda said this was a very thoughtful process which took over three years to accomplish. She said this is an ongoing process and the team will reconvene this year. Discussion ensued. This will be implicated for all K-6 students in the Supervisory Union. Peggy said we shouldnÕt forget this is a pilot. Dr. Bont and the Board thanked Linda and the Teachers for the presentation and for their efforts in this process. 5. Security System Update: George said the security system is in but not functioning yet. It should be fully functional by the next meeting. This is not a keyless entry system.6. Other Business: None 7. Executive Session: Jim made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel at 7:23 p.m. All approved. Jessie made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:35. All approved. No action taken. 8. Adjournment: Jim made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Virginia M. Walsh MackRecording Secretary