A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Center School gym.

 

            Present were: Mrs. Knox, Chairperson; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Doyle, Fairchild, Falcetti, Shuhi, Simone; Superintendent Chittum; Mrs. Perusse; Dr. Stuhlman; Mrs. Longobucco; Mrs. MacDonald; Mr. Zaremski, the public and the press.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Fairchild: to approve the minutes of the April 26, 2005 as submitted.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Mr. Costa arrived at 7:15 p.m.

 

Litchfield Center School Student Technology Demonstration

 

            Mrs. Longobucco introduced three kindergarten students working on their laptops in the library and displaying their knowledge in integrating language arts, art, reading and math.

 

            Board members thanked Mrs. Longobucco and her staff for such an exciting presentation of an early technology experience.

 

Public Comment

 

            Sandra Newbury requested extra copies of agenda items discussed at the meetings.

 

Mr. Noone arrived at 7:30 p.m.

 

Building Committee Update and Discussion

 

            Mr. Waugh noted that the committee met last Thursday evening and discussed the following: fencing of the fields; cost of fence covered by the anonymous donor of the fields; $75,000 back in the budget; increases project specifications; extended report from architects; fire line waiver; generator for water line; present valve 40 years old; interior finishes and floor covering; color schemes; durability; carpeting no longer desired; need for more hygienic conditions; linoleum vs. vinyl; increase noise in classroom without carpeting; need for building principal input; encourage Board of Ed input; surface needs to work educationally; gym surfaces at both schools; new/renovated; extent of glass involved in structure; Wetlands hearing tomorrow evening; P & Z hearing on the 16^th; two petitions to land use office; schedule estimate; I. S. end of May go to bid, H.S. end of June go to bid; and start construction mid to late summer.

 

            Board members discussed the following: less carpet the better; possible reuse of the carpet purchased for the I. S.; tile patching not desirable; use of area carpets for students; some installation issues of the 2 year old carpet; permits needed before go out to bid; could be held up if permits delayed; information given to commissions before hearing times; due diligence requested to be done; two info programs taped for Cable 5; big picture; specifics; and school staff getting involved with the architects final decisions.

 

Mrs. Reardon left at 7:40 p.m.

 

Communications

 

            Board members received the following:

• Several thank you notes for staff re: Administrative Professional Day flowers.
• State Dept. of Education –Position Statement on Principles Underlying Education PreK-Grade 12.
• Letter from CT Educators’ Computer Association re: Tech Expo held April 6^th at the Legislative Office Building.
• Letter from Mrs. Longobucco re: ASCD National Leadership Conference held in April.
• Letter from Angela Penney re: need for Enrichment Program in Litchfield.
• Thank you to Sandra Newbury and the Junior Women’s Club for hosting the new Superintendent’s reception.

 

Committee/Liaison Reports

Curriculum

 

            Mr. Costa noted that the committee will meet on May 31^st to discuss technology and curriculum.

 

Personnel

 

            Mr. Shuhi requested an update on the Superintendent’s goals.

 

Facilities

 

            Mr. Noone reported that the committee did a road show and there will be additional bids for the work on the Center School roof.  The parking lot will go through an additional process.

 

            Superintendent Chittum reported on the overview of what happens over the summer.  The building project has three phases to go through including the abatement of hazardous materials, general construction and technology equipment furniture.  Phase one has already been approved and is able to go out to bid.  It will start immediately after school stops and will happen in both buildings.  The high school floor tiles have to be removed and replaced in academic wings and the center area. Abating floor tiles will begin the last week of June and go through August 12^th.  The floors will be exposed.  The Board of Health will not allow the café and kitchen on exposed concrete floors, so they will be done the summer of 2006.  When this gets started, no students can be in the buildings.  Smaller areas in the I.S. will also be done in the summer.  The park and recreation department has been notified. Essential staff can be in areas outside the containment areas.  The project is getting underway even though we have to wait for the bid process so this is a positive thing.