February 4, 2008

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

Horace W. Porter School Library Media Center

I.         Call to Order

II.        Approval of January 22, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes – Take Action

III.       Approval of January 28, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes – Take Action

IV.      Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board #9300)

            Time allotted for public participation-30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker-3 minutes

V.        Correspondence/Communications/Information

A. Willimantic Chronicle Album Saturday Special – Abby Rockefeller, Grade 3 H.W. Porter Student

B. Learning’s a Drag in Dale Kukucka’s Class – 01/19/08 Chronicle Album

C. Hot Shots Take a Bow (Alyssa Lambert, Jaime Grzych, Joseph Marsalisi, Shane Vertefeuille, Doris Jenkins) – Willimantic Chronicle

D. January 24, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

E. School Chief’s Contract Sparks Parents’ Concerns – 01/23/08 Willimantic Chronicle

F. School Security Funding Awarded – 01/24/08 Willimantic Chronicle

G. Dr. Saddlemire to Senator Edith Prague – Columbia NCLB District and School Reports

H. Columbia Board of Selectmen to Columbia Board of Education – Extension of Superintendent’s Contract

I. Susan Catullo to Columbia Board of Education – Disappointing Event in Son’s Life

J. Columbia Teachers’ Association to Board of Education – Enthusiastic Endorsement of Superintendent’s Contract Renewal

K. Mrs. Julie Goldstein, Porter Social Worker, to Columbia BOE – Personal Support for Dr. Saddlemire’s Contract Renewal 

L. Columbia Non-Certified Union to Board of Education – Support of the Superintendent’s Contract Renewal

M. Dr. Saddlemire to Attorney Kelly B. Moyher, CT Association of Boards of Education – Letter of Thanks

N. News Update: Research at Odds with Accepted Math and Science Performance – January 2008 District Administration Magazine

O. Registrar of Voters to Dr. Saddlemire – State Election, Tuesday, November 4, 2008

P. Dr. Saddlemire to Board Members – Superintendent’s Use of Legal Counsel for October, November, and December 2007

Q. Dr. Saddlemire to Certified Faculty Members – Early Retirement Notification

VI.      Presentations

A. Ovation Benefits Insurance Update – Mr. Ron Theriault, Ovation Benefits

B. Full Day Kindergarten – Mrs. Karen Dibala, Mrs. Laura Lawton, and Mrs. Francine Coss

VII.     Financial Review

A. Payment of Bills

VIII.    Reports/Discussion

A. Board of Education Chairperson

1. Why Every Board Needs a Behavior Code, The Board Report Volume 31 – Number 19

B. Board of Education Subcommittees

1. February 11, 2008 – Public Hearing/Special Meeting/BOE Deliberations

C. Superintendent’s Report

1.     The Nutmeg Board Deals With a Shortfall in its Budget and Subsequent Actions – CABE Journal

2.     2008/09 Version 4 Budget Document

IX.       Action Items/Discussion

A. Retirement Resignation Approval - Mr. Gary Horton, Grade 5 Social Studies Teacher

B. Policy 6145.51 National Junior Honor Society - Second Reading

C. Policy 9325 Meeting Conduct - First Reading

D. Full-Day Kindergarten Approval

E. Extension of Superintendent’s Contract Approval

F. 2008/2009 Horace W. Porter School Calendar – First Reading

G. Out-of State Field Trip

H. Superintendent Authorization For Fixed or Capped Fuel Oil Price Approval

X.        Future Agenda Items

XI.       Board of Education Member Comments

XII.     Adjournment