The Kent Board of Education held its regular meeting on Thursday, December 3, 2009.  Present were:  Kendra Galusha, Scott Harvey, Tracy Horosky, Carol Kallstrom, Patti Leo, Superintendent of Schools Patricia Chamberlain, Principal Rima McGeehan;  also present were teachers Rachel D’Ambrosio and Lee Sohl, two community members and one member of the press.

Superintendent of Schools Patricia Chamberlain called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Election of Officers:  Patricia Chamberlain asked for nominations for Chairman.  Kendra Galusha nominated Tracy Horosky, seconded by Patti Leo.  Nominations were closed.  Tracy Horosky was elected Chairman unanimously.

Patricia Chamberlain asked for nominations for Vice Chairman.  Kendra Galusha nominated Patti Leo, seconded by Carol Kallstrom.  Nominations were closed.  Patti Leo was elected Vice Chairman unanimously.

Patricia Chamberlain asked for nominations for Secretary.  Kendra Galusha nominated Carol Kallstrom, seconded by Patti Leo.  Nominations were closed.  Carol Kallstrom was elected Secretary unanimously.

Patricia Chamberlain turned over the meeting to Chairman Tracy Horosky.

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:  Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Approve the agenda as presented.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Patti Leo made a motion to:

            Approve the minutes of the October 1, 2009 meeting, as written.

The motion was seconded by Carol Kallstrom and approved unanimously.

3.  COMMUNICATIONS:  a) High School Student Report:  Senior Brook Kallstrom spoke about some of the teachers who had a positive influence on her, her involvement with music, field hockey, art, and English, a trip to China when she was a sophomore, and this year she was  named to the All Star Berkshire Field Hockey Team.

b) Comments  - None

c) Written – A letter was received from Wilcox & Barton, an environmental and engineering services company,  regarding remediation of the fuel oil spill which should take 30-60 days. 

4.   PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:  Dr. McGeehan – see attached.

5.   COMMITTEE REPORTS:  a) High School Report: Stephanie O’Rourke’s – none.

b) Building Committee – Scott Harvey – see atached
           
c) Budget:  Carol Kallstrom – The first budget committee meeting will be December 16th at 8:30 a.m.

d) All Boards Chair – Patti Leo – The next meeting is December 8th at Central Office.
Kent will host an ABC meeting on January 12.

e) Healthy Choices – Patti Leo – Healthy Choices and the Wellness Committee will be combined into one committee and will be called the Wellness Committee.

f)  Math Curriculum – Kendra Galusha  - There will be a meeting on December 11th at 8:00 a.m. with the math teachers, Kendra Galusha and Rima McGeehan.

6.  SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS’ REPORT:  a) Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain – see attached.  The Superintendent encouraged board members to consider being a board representative to Education Connection.

7.  OLD BUSINESS:  World Language Position Statement.  The Board received a revised World Language Position Statement from foreign language teacher Linda Miller.

      Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

                  Adopt the revised World Language Position Statement.

     The motion was seconded by Kendra Galusha and approved unanimously.  The statement will be posted on the KCS website.

8. NEW BUSINESS:  a) Adoption of 403B Plan document –  Carol Kallstrom made a      motion to:

                  Adopt the 403B Plan document.

      The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

      b) Meeting dates 2010 – Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

                  Approve the meeting dates as presented (see attached) with the time
                  of the meetings to begin at 5:30 p.m.

       The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved.  Kendra Galusha abstained from    the vote.
                 

 c)  Appointment of interim principal – Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Appoint Leonard Gulotta as interim principal while Rima McGeehan is on      maternity leave (sometime in April).  Lee Sohl will assist as needed.  Alicia Draper will be hired as a long term substitute to replace Mr. Gulotta.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo.

      9. COMMENTS:  Lynn Worthington asked how long is a maternity leave?  She was        advised it is for six weeks.

      10. Adjourn:  Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Adjourn at 8:09 p.m.

Barbara Lynch
Secretary to the Board

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