Joshua Bryer and Matthew Mullen will be recognized for achieving the Advanced Level on all four the CAPT subtests.

As election day is Tuesday, November 3, we will know who the new Board of Education members will be and I would like to welcome them to the Board and introduce them at the meeting.

Marilyn Oat will be at the meeting to review what is happening at Killingly Memorial School.

Barbara Otero will provide her annual report to the Board.  As can be seen from the attached materials, the deficit in the food services account has been reduced (but not eliminated) by increased catering, primarily for Head Start. 

On October 19, a team attended the Governor's Summit on Dropout Prevention.  Killingly was one of twenty-three districts invited to review data on dropouts, the economic impact of dropouts to the state and to each individual, and to start local planning to improve our efforts to reduce the dropout rate.  The team included board members (Mr. Murray, Dr. Robinson), district staff (Jan, Karl Adams, Maryann McGillivray, me) and high school staff (Mike Vose, Fran Lagace, Mark Hurd, Bob Brennan, Annice Rockwell, Bill Scalise, Kevin Marcoux).  Jan Huber will summarize the day's events and outline our next steps.

I am required by law to present the Strategic School Profile (SSP) to you at the first board meeting after receipt.  We do not intend to review this with the Board this evening; the focus of the November board meeting will be on reviewing CMT/CAPT results, other key BOE indicators, and action plans.

As you review the SSP, please forward any questions you have to Mr. Thompson.

Although we have seen an increase in absenteeism during the past week, the percentage of students absent has remained relatively low (10-12%, as compared to the typical 4-6%).  We are also tracking staff absences, encouraging preventative hygiene, and limiting large gatherings of students.  Flu vaccination clinics in the schools are planned, but sufficient vaccine is not yet available for the NE DPH to schedule dates.  Updated information and letters distributed to parents can be found on the district's website under "Quick Links."

An update of the status of new high school construction, and the proceedings of the Joint Facilities Committee will be given.  Specific attention will paid to the fire and health safety issues raised about the existing high school, and the inspection by the State Fire Marshall on October 29.

As you know, the physical condition of the "White House" has been a concern for many years.  Obvious signs of building decay include the collapsing front porch and movement of the front wall when the front door is closed.  Less obvious, but potentially more dangerous, are the rusting of lollycolumns and cracking of floor joists in the basement, shifts in the foundation walls, and increased sloping and softness of the subfloor on the second floor.  Inspection by the Town Building Inspector has led to increased concern.  We are now actively looking at alternative locations to house central office staff while the Joint Facilities Committee determines the future of the existing high school building and renovations to the vo-ag wing to house our offices.

Colleen Lugauskas, Killingly's 2010 Teacher of the Year and CT Semifinalist, will be honored by the Danielson Rotary Club, the Town Council and the BOE on Thursday, November 5 at the Imperial Room.  If you would like to attend, please contact Joni.

Approval of Consent Agenda:

a. approval of regular meeting minutes of October 14, 2009
b. approval of payment of bills for the year 2008-2009 year in October in the amount of $24,537.24 and for the 2009-2010 year in October in the amount of $1,089,386.81
c. approval of Employee of the Month for November 2009
d. approval of a KHS trip request by Agriculture Education Teacher Ken Couture to Unity College, Maine

With the passing of Dr. Robinson, the fiduciary responsibilities of the of the vice-chairperson must be assumed for the month of December.  In discussion with Rich Mills, he believes that the board's by-laws allow the chair to assume those responsibilities.  However, the board could also choose to elect a vice-chair to serve until the reorganization meeting in December.  Either way, the board should affirm its intent.

Attached are the CABE resolutions distributed to delegates (the Board selected Richard as delegate and Alexis as alternate, at the last meeting).  Richard will review them a share with the Board any resolutions he deems necessary.  If you have a particular resolution of interest, please be prepared to share that with the Board.  Action by the Board on a particular resolution is only necessary if the Board wants to bind Richard, as your designated delegate, to a particular position.

In addition to the regular Board meetings on November 18 and December 9, a meeting dedicated to orientation for new members and a discussion of Board/Administration roles and responsibilities should be scheduled.  This meeting would be facilitated by a member of the CABE staff.  Please bring your calendar so that possible dates can be identified.