The Kent Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2009.  Present were:  Chairman Karren Garrity, presiding, Kendra Galusha, Scott Harvey, Tracy Horosky, Carol Kallstrom,  Patti Leo, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Diane Goncalves,  Principal Rima Zelvis, teachers Pat Ciccone, Carolyn MacLeod and Lee Sohl, and two members of the press.

Karren Garrity called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:  Patti Leo made a motion to:

            Approve the agenda as presented.

The motion was seconded by Tracy Horosky and approved unanimously.

2.  APROVAL OF MINUTES:  Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Approve the minutes of the January 8, 2009, as written.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

3.   COMMUNICATIONS:  a) High School Student Report:  None

b) Comments: Karren Garrity reported that Al Coffill will pursue an opportunity for KCS art students’ to have their work displayed at the Kent Memorial Library during January/February 2010.

c) Written:  see New Business

4.   PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:  In addition to her written report attached, Rima Zelvis reported that 8th grade students Amanda Kitik, Hunter Rainard, and John Grusauski had artwork selected for the Scholastic Arts Award Celebration in Hartford, CT.

5.   COMMITTEE REPORTS:  a) High School – Stephanie O’Rourke – see attached.

c)  Building Committee – Scott Harvey reported that due to snow on the roof, ATC could not perform the roof composition work, which needs to be done before the roof replacement goes out to bid.

d)  Enrichment –  Rima Zelvis reported that an Interest Inventory was sent to students in grades 3-8.  Some of the results will be passed on to Park and Recreation to see if they are interested in offering any classes.   An after school six-week Spring Spanish class will be offered for grades 3-4-5 and 6-7-8 beginning in April.  Karren Garrity was in contact with Michael Green from Kent School regarding a Science / Environmental Club.

e)  Transportation –  Patti Leo reported that work is being done to clarify the language in the bus contract.

f) Budget:  The committee continues to work on the budget.  The next meeting will be February 18 at 2 p.m.

g) All Boards Chair –   The Superintendent’s Review will be done at the March meeting.

i) Technology – Tracy Horosky, Carolyn MacLeod, Charlie Taylor, and George Jacobsen will meet tomorrow to finalize the three year Technology Plan.   It will be submitted to Education Connection for review and come back to the Board in April for their review and approval in May.

j)  Healthy Choices – The committee is working on a mission statement.

6.  SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS’ REPORT:  In addition to the attached report, Assistant Superintendent Diane Gonsalves, distributed information on A Day on the Hill.  She also reported that the regional budget is up 2.98% and continues to be worked on.

7.  OLD BUSINESS: a) School Visits – Diane Gonsalves recommended that the Board narrow down what areas they want to see in other schools and she would investigate what schools would be best to visit.
 
b) Going Green – Karren Garrity reported that our CL&P bill was lowered by 10% in January due to the school conserving energy.  A room by room energy audit will be conducted.  We continue to recycle.

8.  NEW BUSINESS – a) Approval of tuition students:  1) Valerie Vega wrote the Board requesting that her daughter be permitted to attend grade 5 and her son be permitted to attend kindergarten next year.

Patti Leo made a motion that:

            The Board allow Valerie Vega’s children attend KCS for the 2009-2010           school (with tuition waived per policy 5119B).

            The motion was seconded by Kendra Galusha and approved unanimously.

2) Heather Darby wrote the Board requesting that her daughter be permitted to attend kindergarten next year.

Tracy Horosky made a motion that:

            The Board allow Heather Darby’s daughter attend KCS for the 2009-2010      school year (with tuition waived per policy 5119B)

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

1. Suzanne Knapp wrote the Board requesting that her son be permitted to attend grade 5 next year.

Scott Harvey made a motion that:

            The Board allow Suzanne Knapp’s son attend KCS for the 2009-2010 school year (with tuition waived per policy 5119B).

The motion was seconded by Kendra Galusha and approved unanimously.

b) Healthy Food Certification – Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Opt out of the Healthy Food Certification.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

c) KCS Enrichment Fund:   Karren Garrity hopes someone would take on the task
of forming and fundraising for this fund.  This fund could have a broad application of how the monies could be used to enrich KCS.

Discussion will continue at next month’s board meeting.

9. COMMENTS:  Kendra Galusha reported on the Board’s goals to the Republican Town Committee.  The Republican Town Committee’s message back to the Board of Education was to start thinking of the cuts that may need to be made for this year’s budget.

            Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Adjourn at 8:50 p.m.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Lynch
Secretary to the Board

BACK to Board of Education Page