Friends of Learning in Killingly (FOLK) is an organization that has been in existence for a number of years.  Graduates from the Killingly High School Class of 1966 formed a foundation that provides grants to teachers for specific projects that they would like to teach their students.  Representatives of the FOLK group will be present to announce the recipients of this year's grants.  The annual application process is open to all Killingly School teachers. There is a reception being held at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall and Board members are invited to attend.

Members of the Killingly community are encouraged to share their thoughts with the Board of Education and are invited to do so during this segment of the meeting.  When appropriate to do so, members of the Board and the administration may respond to comments. However, in consideration of those in attendance and in an effort to proceed in a timely manner, follow-up discussion may need to take place outside of the meeting setting.

MOTION:  to approve the consent agenda:

a.  regular meeting minutes of February 3, 2010 and February 24, 2010 and special meeting of January 28, 2010
b.  payment of bills for the 2008-2009 year in February in the amount of $18,217.41 and for the 2009-2010 year in February in the amount of $1,108,380.20
c.  Employee of the Month for March 2010
d. systems object report

At the Board's last meeting Donna Guillot and officers of Charter Oak Credit Union presented a proposal to site a credit union branch in KHS.  The branch would serve students, faculty and staff at the school, and would provide the opportunity for students to be employed at the branch.  Additionally, Charter Oak would provide financial education presentations and curriculum for students in conjuction with the business department.

The branch would be located in the main corridor of the school, between the cafeteria and school store, opposite the gymnasium.  Charter Oak would provide the necessary modifications at their cost.  In order to proceed with the concept, Board approval is required.


MOTION:  that the BOE supports the collaboration with Charter Oak Credit Union to establish a bank branch at the new Killingly High School, and authorizes the superintendent of schools to enter into an agreement with Charter Oak Credit Union to provide the necessary building modifications and conditions of operation of the branch.

In accordance with BOE Policy 9160, the Chairperson needs to appoint a committee to draft, interview and recommend student board members for the 2010-11 school year.  Interviews are planned for April.

MOTION:  The Chairperson appoints _____________, _________, and ______________ to the ad hoc committee to select student board members for the 2010-11 school year.

The facilities study report received by the board in January 2009 recommended that the existing high school be converted into a grades 3-4-5 school.  Subsequently, the Town Council appointed a joint study committee to review the study.  The committee made recommendations to the Council, including a feasibility study to examine the renovations and repairs the committee felt to be necessary prior to the building's reuse by elementary school students.  The scope of review items included life safety, ventilation/HVAC systems, roofing, and exterior brickwork.  At the next Town Council meeting, the Council will consider an appropriation from the general government contingent account to retain the services of engineering consultants to review the various building systems and prepare estimates of repair and renovation costs.

Meanwhile, there has been much speculation as whether the Board intends on moving ahead with occupancy of the building grades 3-5 for the Fall, 2010.  I believe that it is necessary that the Board make clear that since there has not yet been an evaluation of the renovations required, and given the current economic conditions and budget preparations for next year, that the Board has no intentions of using the building as a grades 3-4-5 school for the 2010-11 school year.

MOTION: That the BOE reorganize grades 3-4-5 and move them into the current high school for the 2010-2011 school year.

In accordance with the Town Charter, the Board must adopt a budget to forward to the Town Manager no later than March 15. 

Attached is a summary of the worksheet used at the March 3rd meeting; it includes actions taken by the board that evening.  An updated version of the worksheet, showing remaining balances in accounts were reductions were taken, will be distributed prior to the meeting.

Additionally, the Board should discuss the physical condition of the white house in relation to the budget.  In the budget worksheet is a line item for rental of a central office facility to replace the aging current building.  The structural engineering report is attached, indicating that the board needs to plan for either an extensive renovation of the existing building or a move to another appropriate facility.  If the board were to consider renting office space, an opinion letter outlining the procedure necessary (in accordance with the Charter) from Bill St. Onge, town attorney, is also attached.

If you have any additional questions, or require additional information, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can have information for you.

Laurie LeClerc will be present to give a brief annual report on the alternate to suspension program. 

Please note on the attached calendar that the annual Town Council/Board of Education meeting where we present our budget is at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 27.  Also, the Council will likely designate May 11 as the first all day referendum on the budget.

A draft school calendar for 2010-2011 is attached.  It aligns with the regional EASTCONN calendar for all major events - start of school, December and April holidays.  One thing to note: as part of the negotiated agreement with the KEA to freeze teacher salaries for the 2010-11 year, the teacher work year was reduced to 187 days (from 188), and the number of student attendance days was reduced to 184 days (from 185).  The same will be true for the 2011-12 year.

It is expected that the Board will be asked to adopt the calendar at the April meeting.