|
Report on Norfolk BOE Meeting
The Norfolk Board of Education convened its regular monthly meeting for the month of February on Wednesday, February 27 at 7 p.m. in the Botelle School library.
President Schuyler Thomson announced that two board committees would deliver their reports at the March 13 meeting beginning at 8:15 p.m. The first of these committee reports will be delivered by the Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee, Diedrik Van Renesse.
The second of these committees, the ad hoc search committee for a new superintendent, will have its report delivered by its chair, Peter Boyle. Boyle noted that the two finalists will be presented to the full board at that time. President Thomson then called for a meeting of the board to interview the finalists on March 20. The initial interview will take place at 7 p.m. and the second in the vicinity of 8 p.m.
The Board was informed of the very successful Art Auction conducted by the school’s PTO on the previous weekend, an auction whose proceeds will go toward the development of a working Art Center on the ground floor of the school.
The Board next fielded a suggestion that it establish a Citizens Insight Committee/ Parent Advisory Committee. A discussion ensued as to the mission of such a committee, what its format would be, and how it would be distinguished from the highly focussed and school-based PTO. The discussion evolved around the notion that the proposed committee would be premised on the idea that the school is more than just a locus for current students; it is, in fact, a community center. The thought expressed was that such a committee could embrace alumni, interested townsfolk, as well as a broad range of parents. Discussion on the topic will continue at the next meeting.
The Board also conducted an election to fill the seat vacated by Kim Pradhan. After a review of the four candidates and their credentials, the Board elected Everett E. Briggs. Briggs was supported in his candidacy by the Republican Town Committee. He brings to the Board a 37-year set of experiences in public service and academic matters. In order to serve on the Board of Education, Briggs will resign from the town’s Board of Finance, believing that the educational forum will be a better venue for his talents. The Board was struck by the caliber of the nominees and expressed regret that only one could be chosen at this time to serve the educational community of Norfolk.
The superintendent announced that the 2002-03 budget had been e-mailed to the Board of Finance with the figures for special education, personnel, maintenance, and construction broken out in the final copy.
| 
