On May 9th, member school principals and assistant principals gathered at the CAS Central Office for the association's 61st annual meeting. The administrators in attendance — predominantly from member high schools — elected a new slate of officers, adopted new bylaws for the high school division and approved a 2013-2014 budget which included no dues increases. The CIAC membership passed seven proposed changes to the CIAC Bylaws.

Registration at the annual meeting has continued to decline in recent years, reaching critically low rates that made it a challenge to reach a quorum. As a result, the board proposed a change to the CAS Constitution which will allow annual meeting business to be conducted electronically. The proposal was passed unanimously by the membership.


PRESIDENT'S REPORT
CAS President Fran Kennedy, principal of Berlin High School, delivered a comprehensive president's report reflecting on CAS’ active engagement in high-profile legislative and public policy initiatives including the the implementation of the bold new reforms governing educator evaluation. President Kennedy praised the association’s efforts to ensure that there were no significant initiatives or mandates affecting Connecticut schools and school leaders without the representative voice of CAS members. “The Connecticut Association of Schools had myriad successes in the face of unprecedented changes that we have witnessed in public education on the national, state, and local levels,” stated President Kennedy. “What has been remarkable about our association over the last several years is that, while the stakes increase in our noble profession, we have risen to meet each occasion in a manner that ensures that our service to our member schools and administrators remains current, relevant, and powerful.”

President Kennedy concluded his remarks by thanking the hundreds of loyal CAS members who contributed to the association’s successes this past year. “Because of you, we will continue to not only navigate the uncharted waters before us, but we will also find ourselves having ample access to the helm of many education programs and initiatives. Your work with CAS is vital to education in Connecticut; the service that you provide to your fellow educational leaders is invaluable.”

NEW BUSINESS
In addition to the proposed change regarding electronic meetings, the member principals unanimously approved the recently revised Bylaws of the High School Board of Control. The membership also approved the proposed Nominating Committee report for the 2013-2014 school year. A warm welcome to the following individuals who have been newly appointed to board and officer positions within the association.

CAS Board of Directors
• Beth Smith, Shelton H.S., Secretary/Treasurer
• Pam Lazaroski, Lewis Mills H.S., Burlington, Class M Rep
• Andre Hauser, Coginchaug Regional H.S., Durham, Class S Rep
• Laurie Boske, Brownstone Intermediate, Portland, Elementary Rep
• Kent Hurlburt, Buttonball School, Glastonbury, Elementary Rep
• Kristin Reichelt-Bernier, Long River M.S., Prospect, Assistant Principals’ Rep

CIAC Board of Control
• Matt Ryan, East Hartford High School, Class L Rep
• Chip Dumais, Newtown High School, Class L Rep
• Glenn Lungarini, Seymour H.S., Class S Rep
• Neil Rinaldi, Ellington H.S., Class M Eligibility Committee Rep
• Jim Wygonik, Lyme-Old Lyme H.S., At-Large Eligibility Committee Rep

High School Board of Control
• Art Arpin, Connecticut IB Academy, East Hartford, Class S Rep
• Mike Foran, New Britain H.S., Class L Rep
• Linda Iacobellis, Bacon Academy, Assistant Principals’ Rep
• Steve LePage, Plainville H.S., Class M Rep

Middle Level Board of Control
• Susan Muirhead, Mabelle Avery M.S., Somers, CHAIR
• Kevin Brough, Memorial Middle School, Middlefield
• Stacy Chambers, McDonough Expeditionary Learning School, Hartford

Elementary Board of Control
• Roxanne Augelli, Washington Elementary School, Waterbury - VICE CHAIR
• Lisa Eells, Gaffney Elementary School, New Britain
• Michael Litke, Naubuc School, Glastonbury
• James Quinn, Southend Elementary School, Plantsville

CSAC Board
• Tiffany Caouette, Pleasant Valley School, South Windsor
• Paul Cavaliere, Jr. Sage Park M.S., Windsor
• Russell Dallai, North Haven High School
• Robert Nagashima, Wakelee Elementary School, Wolcott

Principals’ Center Board of Control
• Chip Dumais, Newtown H.S. - CHAIR
• Brian Hendrickson, Hop Brook Elementary School, Naugatuck - VICE CHAIR
• Miguel Cardona, Hanover Elementary School, Meriden, Elementary Rep
• Linda Provost, Hebron Avenue School, Glastonbury, Elementary Rep

Nominating Committee
• Andre Hauser, Coginchaug Regional H.S., Durham, Class S Rep
• Donna Schilke, Smith M.S., Glastonbury, Middle Level Rep
• Karen Fitzsimmons, Memorial E.S., East Hampton, Elementary Rep
• Lauren Elias, Tinker Elementary School, Waterbury, Elementary Rep

Awards and Recognition
• Bob Hale, Jr., Westbrook H.S. - CHAIR
• Donna Hayward, Suffield H.S., High School Rep
• Lauren Elias, Tinker Elementary School, Waterbury, Elementary Rep

Eligibility Committee Review Board
• Kirk Murad, Windham Technical High School
• Greg Shugrue, New Milford High School
• Jim Wenker, Newington High School

2013-2014 BUDGET
In a final order of business, the membership adopted a budget which included no dues increases (for the sixth consecutive year) yet preserves the current programs and services and maintains the existing staffing levels.


AWARD PRESENTATIONS
At the conclusion of the business meeting, Michael Rafferty, principal of Old Saybrook Middle School and chair of the CAS Awards and Recognition Committee, presented Letters of Commendation and Citations to the following individuals:

Recipients of Letters of Commendation
• Norma Fisher-Doiron, Southeast Elementary School, Mansfield
• Scott Leslie, RHAM High School, Hebron
• Beth Smith, Shelton High School
• Deborah Sullivan, Hall Memorial School, Middlefield
• Margaret Williamson, Northwest Catholic High School, West Hartford

Recipients of CAS Citations, the association’s highest honor
• Anthony “Butch” Azzara, Sacred Heart High School, Waterbury
• Rosie O’Brien Vojtek, Ivy Drive School, Bristol

Many thanks to the following outgoing board members who complete their terms on June 30th of this year. Those in attendance at the meeting were presented with distinguished service plaques in honor of their years of service to the association. They will surely be called upon to serve in another capacity!

CAS Board of Directors
• Donald Macrino
• Gail Dahling-Hench
• Norma Fisher-Doiron

CIAC Board of Control
• James Wenker, Newington High School
• Greg Shugrue, New Milford High School
• Andrea Lavery, Portland High School
• Kirk Murad, Windham Technical High School

Principals’ Center Board of Control
• Donna Hayward, Suffield High School

High School Board of Control
• Susan McKernan, Ansonia High School

Middle Level Board of Control
• Joseph Scheideler, Canton Middle School

Elementary Board of Control
• Rosie O’Brien Vojtek, Ivy Drive School, Bristol
• Norma Fisher-Doiron, Southeast Elementary School, Mansfield
• Gail Dahling-Hench, Pine Grive School, Avon

Eligibility Committee Review Board
• Donald Macrino, Waterford High School