The Kent Board of Education held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2010. Present were:  Chairman Tracy Horosky, Kendra Galusha, Scott Harvey, Carol Kallstrom, Patti Leo, CiCi Nielsen, High School Board representative Jonathan Moore, Superintendent of Schools Patricia Chamberlain, Principal Rima McGeehan;  Board of Finance members Ed Epstein, Chris Garrity and Tony Iovino;  also present were several  teachers and two members of the press.

Tracy Horosky called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

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

            Approve the agenda as presented.

The motion was seconded by CiCi Nielsen and approved unanimously.

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  CiCi Nielsen made a motion to:

            Approve the minutes of the February 4, 2010 regular meeting, as written.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

3.  COMMUNICATIONS:  a) High School Student Report:  Senior Emma Osborne spoke about a documentary on free speech that she is filming in her Media Studies class.

b) Comments  - None

c) Written – A doctor’s note was received advising when Betsy Morrow may return to work.

NEW BUSINESS:  Budget presentation – Tracy Horosky presented a draft of the 2010-2011 Board of Education budget.  The Kent Center School expenditure is $3.745,848, which represents a 2.3% increase.  The total Board of Education expenditure is $6,228,37, which is an aggregate increase of 0.28%.

4.   PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:  Dr. McGeehan.

a) Discipline Committee – The Committee has been working on a Discipline Handbook and should be ready next month for board approval.

b)  Safety Committee – The Committee will be working to update the Emergency binders.  Dr. McGeehan will poll the staff regarding a “buzz-in system” at the entrance of the school.

5.   COMMITTEE REPORTS:  a) High School Report – Jonathan Moore

Cici Nielsen thanked Sam Herrick and Patricia Chamberlain for their hard work regarding the budget.

b) Building Committee – Scott Harvey – We are still waiting for estimates for a shingled vs. a metal roof.  A full Building Committee meeting will be held to discuss the roof and window projects.

c) Budget:  see above.

d) All Boards Chair – Patti Leo – The next meeting is scheduled for March 9th.

 e) Wellness Committee  –  Patti Leo and Rima McGeehan met today and the committee     is reviewing the matrix and will be updating the Wellness Policy.

f)  Math Curriculum  - Kendra Galusha will continue to research different publishers.

6.  SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS’ REPORT:  a) Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain distributed a copy of the proposed legislative bill on seat belts.

 b)  She reported that the health insurance premium for HSAs, which originally increased by 35.2%, has been reduced to 19%.

 c) Written – none

 d) Announcements – In honor of Board Appreciation Month, Patricia Chamberlain presented flowers to each of the board members and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.

     7.  OLD BUSINESS:  Cable access – no update.  Tracy Horosky will address this with Jonathan Moore.

     8.  NEW BUSINESS:  b) All boards meeting – It is hopeful that all Region One board members can all meet as a group.

      c)  Tuition letters:  Patti Leo made a motion to:

                  Allow Valerie Vega’s daughter to attend Kent Center School as a  6th grader   and her son attend as a 1st grader for the  2010-2011 school year, with tuition waived  per policy 5119B.
     
      The motion was seconded by Kendra Galusha and approved unanimously.

     Scott Harvey made a motion to:

                  Allow Heather Darby’s daughter to attend Kent Center School as a 1st grader for the  2010-2011 school year, with tuition waived per policy 5119B.

     The motion was seconded by Cici Nielsen and approved unanimously.

     Patti Leo made a motion to:

                  Allow Jennifer Menniti’s daughter to attend Kent Center School as a 1st           grader for the 2010-2011 school year, with tuition waived per policy 5119B.

      The motion was seconded by CiCi Nielsen and approved unanimously.

      Scott Harvey made a motion to:

                  Allow Suzanne Knapp’s son to attend Kent Center School as a 6th grader
                  for the 2010-2011 school year, with tuition waived per policy 5119B.

      The motion was seconded by Kendra Galusha and approved unanimously.

      9.  COMMENTS:  John Mauer reported that, on behalf of the Town of Kent, he is           applying to be part of the Google fiber optic network.

10. ADJOURNMENT:  Carol Kallstrom made a motion to:

            Adjourn at 7:10 p.m.

The motion was seconded by Patti Leo and approved unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Lynch
Secretary to the Board

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