The Kent Board of Education held its first regular meeting for the 2009-2010 school year on Thursday, September 10, 2009 (moved from 9/3/09).  Present were:  Chairman Karren Garrity, presiding, Kendra Galusha, Scott Harvey, Tracy Horosky, Carol Kallstrom,  Patti Leo, Superintendent of Schools Patricia Chamberlain, Assistant Principal Leonard Gulotta, and one member 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 amended.  (The High School Committee Report was       moved up to go after the High School Student Report).

The motion was seconded by Carol Kallstrom and approved unanimously.

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Tracy Horosky made a motion to:

            Approve the minutes of the June 4, 2009 meeting, as written.

The motion was seconded by Carol Kallstrom and approved unanimously.

Patti Leo  made a motion to:

            Approve the minutes of the July 9, 2009 special meeting, as written.

The motion was seconded by Kendra Galusha and approved unanimously.

Tracy Horosky made a motion to:

            Approve the minutes of the July 30, 2009 special meeting, as written.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

 3.   COMMUNICATIONS:  a) High School Student Report:  Senior Erin Studer spoke about her German class, college visits, and her involvement with sports, band, and the foreign travel club.

High School Committee Report:  Stephanie O’Rourke reported the committee has not met yet but work is continuing on the Long Range Plan.

b) Comments: 

• Patti Leo distributed a copy of a New York Times article Let Children Play. 
• Tracy Horosky is interested in an article from the New York Times on Women of the World, a cultural exchange for girls.  She will check their website for further information.
• Karren Garrity will provide more information next month on the Kindergarten Wing Dedication.
  

c) Written: A letter was received from a parent regarding the school plays.  It is noted that this request has been honored but the new policy was inadvertently omitted in the KCS Handbook. (see attached).

4.   PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:  In Dr. McGeehan’s absence, Leonard Gulotta gave the Principal’s Report.

5.   COMMITTEE REPORTS:

            a) Building Committee – The roof project is complete and came in under budget by $14,000. 

            b)  Enrichment – Karren Garrity is encouraged that five people have volunteered to be involved in the establishment of the Enrichment Club Committee.  Two classes being considered for the fall are Journalism and Budget and Finance.

            c) Budget:  Carol Kallstrom reported that the Board returned $51,827 to the town from the 2008-2009 budget.  The Board will investigate the best business practices formula for a contingency amount to have in our budget.

            d) All Boards Chair – The Board has not met.

            e) Healthy Choices – A Healthy Choices Matrix was distributed.  Patricia Chamberlain will take our framework to create curriculum for the region.

6.  SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS’ REPORT: 

     7. OLD BUSINESS:  None

     8. NEW BUSINESS:  a) Child Nutrition – Traci Horosky made a motion to:

                  Approve the name change from Rima Zelvis to Rima McGeehan
                  with regard to the Child Nutrition Program.

    The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

    b) CMT results – The results are still being analyzed. 

    c)  2009-2010 Goals - The Board will set goals at the October board meeting.

     9.  Comments:  Patricia Chamberlain will arrange for a visit to an innovative middle school.

10,   Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Go into executive session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining and         negotiations.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:45 p.m. and adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Barbara Lynch
Secretary to the Board

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