December 2013

The North Canaan Board of Education meeting was held on Thursday, December 12, 2013.
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M.
Board members present: Dolores Perotti, Chairperson, Claudia Callinan, Dorothy Cecchinato,
Edwin Gow, Beth McGuire, Laurie Perotti, Karen Riccardelli and Susan Warner
Patricia Chamberlain, Superintendent; Rosemary Keilty, Principal
Amy Dodge, Chris Sorrell, and Karen Bartomioli (Lakeville Journal)
Mrs. McGuire made a motion to amend the agenda by adding (D. Appointment of a New Board
Member) under New Business. Mrs. Laurie Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Mrs. McGuire made a motion to adopt the agenda as amended above. Mrs. Laurie Perotti seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Mrs. Cecchinato made a motion to approve the minutes dated, November 14, 2013 as written. Mrs.
Warner seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Communications
Written
Mrs. Dolores Perotti presented two thank you notes and a document describing how North Canaan
Elementary School benefits from membership at Education Connection for Board members to read.
Public
Mrs. Bartomioli noted that cars are still parking in the front circle of the school where there are no
parking zone signs.
Board
Mrs. Laurie Perotti saluted Laura Freund for persevering on the Region 1 Board of Education. She
appreciates Ms. Freund’s service and all that she has done for the Board. She added that she feels that
she is the stronger candidate for the Region I Alternate Board member as the Board is starting with a
new, fresh note with some new members, and she thinks that she can work well with the Board.
Region I Report
Mr. Gow reported that he attended the first meeting of new Board officers and that the following
members were elected:
Andrea Downs – Chairman
Jennifer Weigel – Vice Chairman
Marilyn Yerkes – Secretary
Edwin Gow – Treasurer
He stated that it was a very good first meeting, and they set up the following:
• A room change from the library to room 133.
• The meeting time will remain 6:00 P.M.
• A budget workshop at 5:00 P.M. on January 6, 2014 and February 3, 2014.
• A budget workshop on March 3, 2014.
• There will be three budget meetings in January and two meetings in February.
Mr. Gow announced that the business manager reported that there will be a 20% increase in health
insurance costs next year. He also reported that they are negotiating the bus contract and that North
Canaan’s enrollment cost share is increasing and not decreasing.
Principal’s Report
Miss Keilty reviewed her monthly report with Board members. Some of the updates she reported are
listed below:
• The Holiday music concert was well attended, and Mr. Piraneo did a fabulous
job making it a great evening of music as students played and sang. Mr. Piraneo
accompanied students, had them write lyrics to traditional holiday songs, and
had students accompany their peers.
• Tracy Augustine is still absent, and Denise Sorrell will change from Math tutor to
teaching Tracy’s class.
• Marilyn Schneider has been hired as the Math tutor until the end of January.
• A custodian is out because of surgery.
• A safety drill took place yesterday, and students and staff were evacuated from
the holiday concert in the gym, which worked very well.
Superintendent’s Report
Ms. Chamberlain reported that the All Boards meeting has been moved to December 16, 2013 at 7:00
P.M., and they will meet again in January.
Ms. Chamberlain reviewed her goals that were suggested by the All Boards Chair Committee. Some of
goals include the following:
• Improve student achievement district-wide.
• Improve the Region I website by making it more user friendly.
• Encourage Board of Education retreats.
Mrs. Warner made a motion to appoint Laurie Perotti as the Region I Alternate and notify the Board of
Selectmen. Mrs. Ricccardelli seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Mrs. Laurie Perotti abstained.
Old Business
Mrs. Cecchinato made a motion to approve the Physical Activity and Student Discipline Policy. Mrs.
McGuire seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Mrs. McGuire made a motion to approve Policy #6116 Opening Exercises with one change (supreme to
Supreme). Mrs. Lauire Perotti seconded. Vote: Unanimous
New Business
Board members had a first reading of policy #6115 Procedures for a Bomb Scare, and they all agreed to
have a second reading next month.
Mrs. McGuire made a motion to approve the 2014 Board dates with one change (October 9, 2014 to
October 8, 2014). Mrs. Riccardelli seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Ms. Chamberlain reviewed the C.A.B.E. Nutmeg article with Board members concerning the Nutmeg
Board’s dealings with an FOIA issue and the new high school reforms.
Mrs. Dolores Perotti read a letter she received from the Board of Selectmen. The letter recommended
appointing Chris Sorrell to finish the term of Denise Sorrell on the Board of Education. Mrs. Dolores
Perotti also stated that she appreciates and is grateful that two quality candidates, Amy Dodge and Chris
Sorrell, both volunteered to fill the Board vacancy.
Mrs. Dodge stated the following reasons for wanting to become a Board member:
• Education is very important to her; she was an excellent student and
valedictorian of her class.
• She is a good listener.
• She is good in accounting and management.
• She goes to many meetings.
• She wishes to give back to the community and supports the school.
Mr. Sorrell stated the following reasons for wanting to become a Board member:
• He has a degree in communication.
• He is a State Trooper.
• He would like to give back to the community.
• He has three children in the school and one in day care, supports the
school, and would work for a good education for all children.
Mrs. Laurie Perotti made a motion to appoint Amy Dodge as North Canaan’s new Board member to fill
the open seat vacated by Denise Sorrell. Mrs. Warner seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Mrs. Laurie Perotti thanked Chris Sorrell for coming and offering to be a new Board member.
Mrs. McGuire made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:10 P.M. Mrs. Laurie Perotti seconded.
Vote: Unanimous Ms. Chamberlain and Miss Keilty were invited.
Mrs. Laurie Perotti made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 8:26 P.M. Mrs. Cecchinato
seconded. Vote: Unanimous
The Board reconvened to its regular meeting at 8:27 P.M.
Mrs. Laurie Perotti made a motion to ratify the contract agreement between the North Canaan Board of
Education and the North Canaan Faculty Association dated June 30, 2014 – July 1, 2018. Mrs.
Cecchinato seconded. Vote: Unanimous
Mrs. McGuire made a motion to adjourn 8:28 P.M. Mrs. Callinan seconded. Vote: Unanimous
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Gandolfo
Approved: January 9, 2014

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