commence by the summer of 2005. Coman Hill and Wampus designs are about to be submitted by the SED, and approval and bid steps are expected this spring, with construction scheduled to start during the summer. HCC plans will then follow, so all three phases of construction should be well under way during the 2005-06 school year. The Board was assured that this schedule is still on track for completion of BHHS, CH, and WA in time for the start of the 2006-07 school year, with HCC completion expected before the end of the first semester in the same year.

Cost estimates were also updated by the consultants, and again their news was on track with the original planning of the overall project budgets.

Elements of the athletic facilities plan not yet completed include other brick and mortar work at the HS-locker room renovation, fitness center expansion, and a new concession stand adjacent to the new multi-purpose field. This work is planned for re-bidding on the same timeline as the HS classroom and core facilities package.

Superintendent John Chambers noted to the Board that these construction plans would proceed alongside a space squeeze for all four schools during the 2005-06 school year. Members of the public present at the meeting expressed special interest in how that space squeeze might be related to the prospects for kindergarten class sizes at CH. Extensive dialogue included the expressed hope of current preschool parents for kindergarten class size within the guidelines already in use, and assurances from the Board and administration that current planning is indeed within those guidelines. The Board and administration offered further assurances that any larger numbers would trigger future public deliberation. Meanwhile the superintendent and other administrators invited

BUSINESS AGENDA
The Board approved a set of consent agenda items, which appear in a box on the next page. Two from this list were singled out for special comment by the superintendent, and approbation from the Board-the announcement of 35-year veteran teacher Carol
Peterson's intent to retire from HCC at the end of this school year, and the change of title for Phyllis Forbes from interim principal to principal, at CH, effective immediately.

Policy review continued with a first reading of several policies from the student section of the Board's policy book.

The 2005-06 school year calendar was adopted by the Board, and is attached (click here to view calendar in .pdf format).

Various town liaison matters were discussed, including the announcement of a liaison meeting with the North Castle Land Use Study Committee, scheduled for February 8 at 7:00 p.m.

The Board adjourned the public session to continue an executive session on several personnel matters, one negotiations matter, and one legal matter.